Jill Morganelli

Horticulturist Jill Morganelli earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture, Food Crop Production, from Colorado State University. Throughout her career as a grower and designer specializing in holistic horticultural practices, she has studied the relationship between plants and humans and how gardens and agriculture align with the communities they serve.

Jill began her career as an International Organic Inspector, specializing in crop and processing certification. She helped establish Guaranteed Organic Certification Agency as one of the first 25 NOP accredited certification agencies in the US. During this time, she also taught Xeriscape and Organic Fruit and Vegetable Gardening at Cuyamaca College in San Diego.

Moving forward, she became the Director of Horticulture for Sunshine Care, (now Poway Gardens Senior Living) a 24-hour assisted living facility for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients. She designed and built an organic farm, a greenhouse, and gardens around the 6 residences there, supplying the kitchen with high nutrient fruit and vegetable super-foods for the residents.  Jill partnered with the activity director to design an Intergenerational Horticultural Therapy program involving local school children who helped grow produce and participated in activities with the “grandma and grandpas” living there.

In 2009, Jill become the Horticultural Supervisor of the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. For the next 10 years she managed the grounds for the Arboretum Foundation, taught classes and participated in the creation and project management of numerous designs including Crescent Farm, The Garden For All Seasons, Hummingbird Alley, Herb Spiral Garden, Peacock Café, and curated a rare collection of historic roses in The Rose Garden.

Jill currently teaches Gardening Practices and Techniques at UCLA and is on the board of the Extension Horticulture & Gardening Department.