Kris Jensen
Founder and executive director
Kris is a Bay Area native who brings his passion for social and environmental justice to all that he does. He finds his inspiration in the permaculture principles of caring for the earth, caring for people and in sharing of our excess. Kris studied permaculture under Penny Livingston-Stark at the Regenerative Design Institute in Bolinas, California and has integrated that knowledge into his current work as the founding executive director of the GardenSmiths and previously as the executive director of Collective Roots and San Bruno Mountain Watch. Kris finds solace in growing his own food, crafting furniture, kayaking and, of course, spending time with family and friends—usually over a delicious home cooked meal.
Kendal Sager
Beekeeper and educator
Kendal Sager has been keeping bees in San Francisco Bay Area since 2011. She currently keeps approximately thirty hives in backyards ranging from Mountain View to Alameda, in the Filoli orchards, and even on the roof of the Redwood City Library. Kendal’s main focus in beekeeping is educating students of all ages about the importance of honey bees to promote stewardship of these important little insects. Through her nature education business, Sager Family Farm, Kendal brings honeybees into classrooms, presents at local events and fairs, and creates educational installations. .
Jesus Jimenez
Master composter and Aquaponics educator
Jesus Jimenez has been an Educator, Aquarist and Facilities Engineer at the Marine Science Institute since 2006, where he’s gained a great deal of experience in waste and resource management. He also teaches composting workshops for the San Mateo County’s Office of Sustainability and is a graduate of their Master Compost and Master Resource Courses. Jesus practices a sustainable methodology of work that focuses on repairing instead of replacing, and utilizes repurposed or recycled materials whenever possible. Recently, he has combined his passion for sustainability and experience in fish husbandry, and life support systems, to start Viveros, an urban aquaponic nonprofit organization to help bring fresh produce to underserved communities and food deserts. Viveros will be in full production Fall of 2020.