Barbara Jean (BJ) Avery

Barbara Jean (BJ) Avery, she/her

SCHE Director

BJ has had an avid regard for nature since early childhood.
Growing up in the suburbs of the Bay Area, her mother encouraged her to explore the creeks and woodlands that she accessed on her bike. In her immediate neighborhood, she foraged edible plants, while her mom pointed out the plants she should not eat. BJ is grateful for that important input.

Studying music and the sciences in college, she did some traveling as a musician in high school and college. It was through her travels following the Grateful Dead that she visited the Russian River area of Sonoma County and then moved here in 1992 where she found a welcoming community of plant people.

Studying herbalism at the California School of Herbal Studies, and sustainable ag and botany at the SRJC, BJ continued enriching her love for plants by volunteering at the Sonoma County Herb Exchange, with former director Leslie Gardner as her mentor. She worked at medicinal herb farms and became a grower for the SCHE. BJ became the Director in 2014 where she enjoys connecting plants and people, whether it be farmers to makers, or in educating interns on the various aspects of growing medicinal herbs, dry room protocol, and quality control of medicinal herbs for the marketplace.

Bottom line for BJ is the community whose relationships are based on our individual and collective regard for our plant relatives.