Biography of Ken Foster
Ken Foster, the author of this blog is a native of Santa Cruz, California. He was born in the fifties and raised by Quaker parents. In 1985 Ken was an apprentice at the U.C. Santa Cruz Farm and Garden and has a certificate in Ecological Horticulture from there. Ken also has an A.S. degree in horticulture from Cabrillo College. Ken is a landscape contractor, a certified permaculture designer and the owner of Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping since 1988.
Ken and company are known far and wide for their bicycle powered landscape maintenance service.
1991
Ken lectures and gives power point presentations on a range of topics relating to sustainable landscaping including Fossil Free Landscaping™, sustainable design, hardscape and softscape installation and maintenance. He served on the Board of Directors of the Ecological Farming Association for ten years and currently serves on the planning committee for the Ecological Farming Conference. Ken has been a member of the Ecological Landscaping Association for twelve years and spearheaded the effort to bring E.L.A. to the west coast over the last few years. Ken is single and lives in Santa Cruz with his chickens, cats, worms and bees at his permaculture demonstration home site.
Here is a picture of Ken’s great grandfather, on the far left. We like to say he did research and development for the Terra Nova bicycle service.
Ken’s mission statement:
I go through this world creating and tending the garden so all may benefit from it’s nourishment, peace and joy.
Hi Ken! Your site (& homestead I assume) looks great! I called your folks to let you know I’m coming down there and hope I can see you all (or as many as is available) on the morning of August 18th. Will you be around and what would be a good time for you and your folks? I don’t have your #. Mine is 503-236-9101. Email is OK too. Would like to hear your voice and see you as well so please let me know! Love & Peace—Jill
July 29th, 2007 at 6:36 pm209 NE 22nd Ave #B Portland OR 97232
Ken –
I’m listening to you on KRXA 540 AM (Monterey) today and I am impressed with the mission that you have encompassed with your business. Thanks for giving people a much better way to healthy and sustainable landscaping!
– Tim Wilson –
July 31st, 2007 at 1:30 pmHi,
I have just heard about straw bale gardening and found a few references to it in some Permaculture periodicals, eg. Permaculture Activist.
Is there any experience with this technique among you permaculture folk?
thanks,
April 11th, 2008 at 4:16 pmharriet
Hi Ken,
Just want to say hello, and it was nice to meet you with Nicola at our home in Bonny Doon a couple weeks back.
Stay in touch! Please let Nicole (my wife) and I know how we can help with the transition work for Santa Cruz / Bonny Doon.
All the best,
Jon
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:00 amKen,
My friend Richard has been searching the web trying to get some details on the Feb-July Permaculture Course but without success. Is there a more detailed description of each weekend or does that evolve depending on the interest?
I have a family garden but am interested more in understanding permaculture as a way of life and techniques as well.
Lora
February 4th, 2009 at 6:22 pmsummit Road, Los Gatos