A glimpse into the history of PLG

Marsha and John Sundquist acquired Rivers Turn Farm in 1983, and under their stewardship, it became one of the first organic farms in the region, driven by their deep environmental and social commitments. Over the years, John planted extensive orchards of apples, Asian pears, and plums, and later expanded the farm to include over 40 varieties of bamboo.

The farm also became a community educational hub, hosting the 2009 West Coast Climate Convergence Conference and several local eco-fairs. John personally engaged with hundreds of Head Start and elementary school students, teaching them about organic gardening through hands-on field trips. In 2019, John expanded the farm’s educational mission by founding Parker Learning Gardens, a nonprofit focused on reconnecting people—especially children—with the natural world.

Through specialized gardens and educational programming, Parker Learning Gardens fosters an understanding of food, fiber, and medicine production, as well as the vital role of soil microbiology, biodiversity, and sustainability. The farm's long-term commitment to education, environmental stewardship, and community well-being culminated in a Conservation Easement in 2017 through Northwest Land Conservation Trust. This easement ensures the protection of agricultural soils, promotes local food production, and enhances public understanding of the microbial world, wildlife, and conservation.

Today, Parker Learning Gardens continues to thrive, offering educational classes, field trips, tours, and events, supported by a dedicated board of directors, volunteers, and instructors. Through these efforts, the farm remains a living model of sustainability, environmental awareness, and community engagement.

Meet the Team!

  • Jenna Tilley (she/they)

    Nature Name: Knotwood

    Executive Director and Lead Youth Mentor

  • Nathan Tilley (he/him)

    Nature Name: Usnea (Oos-nee-uh)

    Project Manager and Grant Writer

  • Sarah Kelly (she/they)

    Nature Name: Redbud

    Program Director, Volunteer Coordinator and Lead Children’s Garden Club Instructor

  • Sasha DeLeon (she/her)

    Nature Name: Dandelion

    Outreach Coordinator and Lead Instructor of Tot Programming

  • Kathleen Conery-Wenzel (she/her)

    Assistant Garden Club Instructor and Farm Volunteer

  • Amber Lippert Camas (she/her)

    Assistant Garden Club Instructor

2025 PLG Board of Directors

  • Robin Winfree- Andrew

    PLG President

    Robin grew up in Alabama and has lived in Oregon since 1972. Her experience on a cooperative commune in Western Lane County in the 1970s instilled a deep understanding of sustainable living and self-sufficiency. Over the years, she has worked as a craftsperson, writer, teacher, and school administrator. While at Head Start of Lane County, she co-created school gardens with Farmer John Sundquist, developing lessons that taught children about food origins and meal preparation. At the Eugene Waldorf School, Robin helped guide the creation of a school garden, where annual crops of wheat are grown, harvested, and turned into bread. She served as a Board Member there and was a founding member of Forestland Dwellers, which worked to expose herbicide use in Lane County logging operations. Additionally, she contributed to the Oregon Pesticide Action Work Group and Beyond Toxics. Robin is the proud mother of seven children and grandmother to ten, bringing a deep passion for both children and plants to her work.

  • Marsha Sundquist

    PLG Director

    Marsha has lived at Rivers Turn Farm for nearly 40 years, where she and her husband, John, raised two sons. Over the years, they transformed the farm from a flat 33-acre plot with a modest filbert orchard into a diverse family farm filled with fruit trees and bamboo. While John took the lead on gardening, Marsha provided crucial support, balancing farm life with her career as an 8th-grade teacher for nearly 30 years. Together, they created a space where they could nurture their family and share their love for the land. After John’s passing, Marsha has dedicated herself to supporting his vision for Parker Learning Gardens. She is passionate about sharing the lessons and joys of working with plants—something she and John treasured for so many years—with other children and families in the community.

  • Annie Soto

    PLG Director

    Annie grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin. After moving to San Francisco, she earned her Early Childhood Teaching Credential at San Francisco State College and began her teaching career. She joined Head Start in Eugene the same year and has been with the organization ever since. Since 1992, Annie has served as the Executive Director of Head Start of Lane County. She’s lived on her property in Creswell, OR for 35 years, raising two children along with a variety of animals, produce, and flowers. Annie is deeply passionate about giving children the chance to connect with and explore the natural world.

  • Gale Hulihan

    PLG Director

    Coming Soon!

  • Brandon Rhodes

    PLG Director

    Coming Soon

  • Nathan Tilley

    PLG Director

    Coming Soon

  • Jenna Tilley

    PLG Secretary

    Coming Soon!

  • Rebecca McMahon

    PLG Treasurer

    Coming Soon!