Meet the Garden Crew

Jen Prodzinski, MS, Master Gardener, Lead Garden Educator

I love kids, digging in the soil, fresh food, cooking, and watching things grow - so being a Garden Educator at IslandWood is my perfect job! My favorite fall/winter veggie is Brussels sprouts - roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper. In the summer, it’s cherry tomatoes right off the vine! I’m a native Pacific Northwesterner and have lived on Bainbridge for nearly 10 years. I’m married to Brett and we have two amazing kids. I’m a Master Gardener so you may see me at the Bainbridge Farmer’s Market or helping at the Raab Park Youth Garden in Poulsbo. When I’m not digging in the soil, I’m likely walking, running, biking, hiking, baking, or watching my kids play soccer.




Megan Carson, BA, Master Gardener, Blogger, Garden Educator

I simply cannot remember when I wasn't digging in the dirt and trying to grow things. I am fascinated by our natural world, and sharing my enthusiasm for plants and fresh food comes naturally. I grew up in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and moved to Bainbridge Island over 20 years ago. My husband Brian and I have a full, noisy house with three daughters. We also have four goats (two of which we bottle-fed as newborns), two rabbits and a large vegetable garden. When we aren’t watching our daughters’ many sporting events, we spend our time boating on the Puget Sound, camping and enjoying our garden at home. My favorite summer meal is fresh pesto pasta made from our garden basil. In the winter, I love being able to harvest buttery yellow potatoes for roasting.

Garden Educator Alumni: 
Emily Owens, MS Biology Teaching, Garden Educator

Emily hails from Santa Cruz, CA where the northern redwood forests meet the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Growing up in an area with such natural beauty and an abundance of local farms and sustainable agriculture, she developed a deep love and appreciation for healthy food systems, and the people that create them. As a former IslandWood grad in 2010, she is excited to return to this beautiful place to connect with children and adults alike through her love of the natural world, the joys of farms and gardens, and their important place in our ecosystems, and planet.