At thirteen years old, I dreamed of a backyard vegetable garden. That spring in 2012 I planted my garden but failed to grow anything substantial. I didn't give up on with my dreams, instead I sought an apprenticeship at Madrona Organic Farm under David Chambers where I worked planting and weeding the fields and developed my understanding of soil and plants.

Only months later, armed with my new knowledge I planted my garden for the second time. Before long it was in abundance, producing more vegetables than my parents and grandparents could handle. In the photo pictured above I'm holding a leaf of kale picked on the morning of September 21st, 2012. With my garden doing well I continued my apprenticeship with David for three summers soaking up all the knowledge and skills I could. As I continued to learn, my inspiration grew to include landscape gardens and the practices that went along with developing and maintaining them. I went on to study tree and plant care (arboriculture and horticulture) and after graduating I gained employment with a large landscape and tree company in Victoria, I was happy to be employed in the industry I love but was disappointed to learn that my employer was cutting corners and providing mediocre service. I was on a mission to do incredible work and spend everyday at a company that believes in quality, hires great people and invests in the best equipment. If the company I dreamed of did not exist, I was dead set on building it myself.

On February 2nd, 2017 I gave my employer my notice and left my job behind, that was the day Ascent Yard Care was born. My first handful of clients loved the work and told their friends, my fleet of equipment started to grow and my most qualified peers were eager to join me and generate great work. As of writing we have been providing well informed and reliable service to our clients for over seven years. I maintain my vegetable garden to this day.

-Jake