Jen’s interest in plants began in high school as a student in the agricultural education/FFA program. She began volunteering in two local flower shops at the age of 14 and was then hired in a production greenhouse when she turned 16. The following year she began working in a floral shop that she continued with throughout college.

Jen attended the University of Connecticut and graduated with a BS in Horticulture, BS in Agricultural Education, and MA in Education. After college she shifted between roles as a high school horticulture teacher and industry positions in floral shops, landscape companies, and garden centers. She worked in Connecticut, Long Island, New York City, and upstate New York. When in a full time teaching role she also worked in a part time industry role, and vice versa. Committed to pursuing her passion, Jen has never worked in a job that was not related to horticulture.

In the decade following college, Jen owned a small business in Torrington, CT focusing on container gardens, small space landscape design, wedding flowers, perennial gardens, and floral/gardening workshops. During this time she also hosted a gardening talk show, Plant Palette, on a radio local station and freelance designed for a flower truck (mobile florist) in NYC.