ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Mary Kean

Mary Kean recently retired from practicing couple and family counseling in Vancouver and teaching in the City U Canada, Masters of Counseling Program which she assisted in founding. Formerly a faculty member of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetry at Naropa University, Mary’s publications include a book of poems entitled Critical Minutes. She was anthologized in Beneath a Single Moon, a collection of contemporary Buddhist poetry introduced by Gary Snyder.

Madeline Woodley

Madeline Woodley is a third year student in the Natural Resources Conservation program of the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry. For her co-op requirement, she spent the summer of 2021 working at Salt Spring Seeds farm. She also made a video of her experience that is embedded in her article.

Dan Jason

Dan Jason is a Canadian active in food politics, as an opponent of genetically modified foods and proponent of heirloom plants and seedbanks. He is a writer, lecturer, and runs a business providing heirloom seeds called Saltspring Seeds.

C.S. Beamer

C.S. Beamer is a former journalist and author of three novels, two published under the pen name, Caroline Kean. A recently completed fourth novel, Doomed Durango, can be purchased on Amazon.

Kim McLeod

Kim McLeod is a project manager and a building biologist passionate about healthy sustainable building design. She has done research, project management and led design teams in healthy choices and corporate health. She walks the talk as demonstrated in her home renovation, and application of building biology principles learned in the Building Biology Program.

Ross Thrasher

Ross has enjoyed a 30-year career as a librarian at post-secondary institutions in Canada, the U.S. and the South Pacific. Most recently he served for eight years as Library Director at Mount Royal College in Calgary, leading the library’s transition to university status. In retirement Ross maintains an active interest in literature, travel and the performing arts.