Sharona Thompson
Instructor
Sharona Thompson absolutely hated gardening as a kid! It is a miracle that as an adult she awoke to the power and beauty of plants and has been committed to growing and studying them ever since. Over the years she has been a leader for three community gardens and served as a Peace Corps agriculture volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. She went on to earn a Permaculture Design Certificate through the GrowHaus and an Advance Permaculture Certificate with Woodbine Ecology Center. She is currently working on her CSU Master Gardener Certificate and her Herbalism Roots Certificate. In 2011 she and her husband bought a house in South West Denver. Over time, their 50’x126’ lot became known as the “Ruby Hill Tiny Urban Farm” with chickens, rabbits, beehives, worms and a cat taking residence. Veggies, fruit trees, berries, medicinal plants, culinary herbs, pollinator supporting flowers, and a little “she-shed” apothecary replaced the lawn. They have incorporated the ability to harvesting rainwater for the garden and installed a “laundry-to-landscape” system to water fruit trees. Sharona’s larger goal is to live more sustainably, create a living demonstration site, and teach others what is possible while designing with permaculture tools and using the whole system thinking in mind.
Sharona is such a passionate instructor! Her enthusiasm and expertise shine through in every class. Her gardening classes are next level. They are at her homestead where she’s poured herself into every plant and inch of soil. And she shares that knowledge with such care and fervor with the students – we’re so lucky to have Sharona and her gardening classes at the school!
-Hillary
-Hillary
Sharona is the goddess of the garden. You can feel her deep connection to the earth and it’s sustainability when you are near her. There is no better person to guide your hands into the soil and grow.
-Martin
Sharona’s warmth and gardening wisdom are such a blessing to our students and community here at the school! We are so grateful that she welcomes us with open arms to get our hands in the dirt and deep dive into her world of permaculture! Her generosity and love for gardening leave a lasting impact and allow our students to propagate valuable techniques for their own gardening endeavors.
-Mathea
-Mathea
I have had the pleasure to work with Sharona for the past few years at Herbalism Roots. Sharona has a bright and energetic personality, and her passion for plants and Africa is impressive. If you are fortunate enough to work with Sharona, you will be inspired and likely find yourself walking away with a plant and a new perspective on our planet and our place within it.
-Eric
-Eric
Sharona is an Earth Momma with a phenomenal green thumb. Her warmth is contagious. Her passion for gardening goes beyond cultivation. She doesn’t just cultivate plants: she cultivates community, care, and connection. Her permaculture techniques are amazing and her garden is a living example of sustainability and balance. Sharona’s classes are a treasure trove of knowledge, and the students can sense her deep commitment to the plants.
-Kimberly