Carl Grimm

Natural Gardening and Toxics Reduction Specialist

Metro Waste Reduction, Outreach and Education

Carl Grimm serves as Natural Gardening and Toxics Reduction Specialist at Metro, the Portland metropolitan area’s regional government, where he manages natural gardening programs and other initiatives aimed at reducing the home use and disposal of toxic materials. Carl grew up in the gardens of NW Portland and later Berkeley, California where he received a bachelors of science degree in Conservation and Resource Studies and agroecology.  cont.

Edible Natural Landscaping

Friday, March 28 from 4:00 pm- 5:00 pm

Get hot tips on new ways to make your yard earth-friendly, eye-catching and delicious. Lush green fertilizer-free lawn? Grillable vegetables and beautiful fruits in your border beds? Learn how organic soil fertility, safe pest management and creative plant selection make a good-looking yard you can sink your teeth into.

Carl served for five years in Chicago at the Garfield Park Conservatory—a 2-acres-under-glass Victorian era public living plant museum—as program director. There he developed and led the Chicago Home Composting Program, and worked with myriad partners on planning and implementing aspects of Chicago's "green revolution:" Advocates for Urban Agriculture, Chicago Organic Mayoral task force, Chicago's and Illinois' food policy councils and more.

Carl led the state of Illinois' first ever organic gardening training in an Extension Master Gardener program, and taught composting and organic gardening classes throughout Chicago for Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, University of Illinois Extension, Green Teacher Network, Chicago Botanic Garden and more.

Carl served at the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners as education director and habitat conservation director for 15 years. In San Francisco he developed and led the city and county's Home Composting Program, and dozens of other programs empowering individuals and communities with food and habitat-growing know-how.