bio for Connie Kuramoto
as speaker for the Nanaimo Horticultural Society
on June 9, 2010.

Connie Kuramoto worked for Malaspina College (now Vancouver Island University) for over 20 years as an instructor and technician. She retired at the end of 2007, and started her own horticultural service and training business called "Gardens on the Go". In 2008 Connie began to teach the Organic Master Gardener Program for Gaia College, and is busy teaching this course all over Vancouver Island as well as further away.

Connie has always believed in organic growing. She eliminated pesticides at the Malaspina/VIU greenhouses, and converted them to using organic fertilizers before she retired. Connie believes very strongly in growing as much food for ourselves as possible, is strongly opposed to GMO's, and the use of pesticides in agriculture as well as for cosmetic use in horticulture.

On a lighter note Connie loves to travel and look at gardens, and that is a journey that she is inviting us to share with her during her presentation on Japan. Connie has made three trips to Japan, and she feels that each one was more amazing and fascinating than the last. The pictures that you will see are a compilation of the highlights of those visits, as well as information about what gives a Japanese garden its distinct look.