Nate “Usnea”

Nate Tilley (he/him) brings a rare blend of analytical thinking, hands-on land caretending, and long-term commitment to community education to Parker Learning Gardens. A lifelong Oregonian of over 40 years, Nate was raised on a small local organic chili pepper farm, where working land and shared effort were everyday realities rather than abstract ideas.

He studied mathematics and philosophy at Oregon State University, grounding his work in both rigorous problem-solving and big-picture thinking. After college, Nate built and operated a farmhouse brewery, gaining practical experience in small-scale production, systems design, and the realities of running values-driven rural enterprises.

At PLG, Nate codeveloped the original educational programming with his wife Jenna that continues to shape the organization’s hands-on, place-based approach. He has taught the Youth Discovery Project’s weekly teen class for the past three years, mentoring young people through land-based learning that emphasizes curiosity, responsibility, and real-world skills. He also serves as PLG’s primary grant writer, helping secure critical funding that makes programs accessible to families across the region.

Outside the classroom and grant desk, Nate can often be found making biochar, woodworking, hiking deep into the woods, or running long distances to stay spry. Whether building systems, teaching teens, or quietly tending to the land, Nate’s work reflects a steady belief that meaningful education happens when people are trusted with real tools, real responsibility, and real connection to place.