Kathy Blakeslee received her Bachelor of Science in Design from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and worked on her Master’s studies in Ethno-Botany at the University of Wisconsin in 1982 along with being a licensed Holistic Nutrition Coach.

Through the years Kathy has accumulated a formative array of experiences. She is a master gardener, licensed nurseryman, herbalist, horticulture teacher and instructor in permaculture certification.  Kathy is a former business owner of 23 years her extensive knowledge in rare and medicinal plants and herbs continues to expand as she stays abreast of developments in the organic, environmental, indigenous cultures and the healing plants of the world. She has travelled and lived throughout the world primarily in the countries of France, Australia, and Central America.

A successful businesswoman and former owner of Spring Valley Herb Farm and Ashbury Herb Garden.  Kathy was the founder and creator of her own cutting-edge plant nursery and cooking school in the 1980’s called Spring Valley Gardens. She was a charter member of the International Herb Growers and Marketing Association and a current member of The Herb Society of America, Slow Food Nation, Bioneers, Panchamama Alliance, the Shaman Foundation  and Marin Organics in Marin County along with the Dane County Farmer's Market and the International Crane Foundation. Kathy has been featured on the covers of the professional trade publication,  Grower Talk and also Horticulture , along with numerous articles in gardening and cooking magazines in the USA. Kathy currently wants to write her book 'INDIGNEOUS CULTURES and their HEALING TRADITIONS" that will feature her exploits with the cultures of the jungles of the Amazon and in the bush of Africa.

A twenty-year member of one of the country’s largest Farmer’s Markets in Madison, Wisconsin, Kathy has also taught horticulture at the university, sustainable farming practices, gardening and cooking classes for various companies and gardening clubs throughout this country, including Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin and Smith and Hawken in Mill Valley, California to name a few. She supports the organic movement extensively throughout the United States.  Kathy has a wellspring of plant knowledge and has done botanical research in Australia, New Zealand, Central America and throughout Europe.