Join us November 7-9, 2025 at the Learning Gardens near Athens Texas!

Austin Walsh is a farmer and dedicated land steward at the Learning Gardens. His journey began with years spent living on the road, visiting and immersing himself in farms and intentional communities across the country. During this time, Austin developed a deep respect for the natural world and honed his skills under the guidance of experienced farmers and land stewards.

In 2021, he arrived on the land that would soon become the Learning Gardens. Guided by nature and rooted in permaculture principles, Austin has played a key role in shaping the farm’s structure and vision. In addition to his daily work cultivating the land, he serves as Secretary of the Learning Gardens Board of Directors. Austin is grateful to be living his dream—creating a space where community can gather, learn, and strengthen our collective connection to the natural world.

Susie Stillwell  is an experienced educator with over 15 years of leadership in children’s education. As a certified Texas Master Naturalist, she brings a deep understanding of environmental education and a passion for connecting people to the natural world. Susie was formerly a public elementary school teacher and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Samoa, where she worked as an English Literacy Specialist. She currently provides tutoring in reading, writing, and math through her education company, Stillwell Learning, and serves as President of The Learning Gardens, a nonprofit based in Athens, Texas. Through The Learning Gardens and her work at the East Texas Arboretum, Susie leads outdoor education programs that encourage curiosity, stewardship, and hands-on learning in nature.

Robin Swindle is a dedicated Texas Master Naturalist with a deep passion for all things nature. Her interests include gardening, birding, nature journaling, mycology, and studying aquatic macroinvertebrates. Robin’s commitment to the environment extends to her role on the board of The Learning Gardens, where she actively promotes environmental education and sustainable practices. She is also a strong supporter of the SKIP program and has earned numerous badge bits, reflecting her dedication to hands-on permaculture education and community engagement.

Garrett is a passionate plant and fungi enthusiast dedicated to the art of cultivation and creation. With a deep-rooted fascination for the natural world, he approaches every project as a lifelong learner and student of the earth. Garrett's workshops are designed to inspire participants to engage with the beauty of our ecosystem while gaining practical skills in cultivating and utilizing plants and fungi. Join him for an enriching experience that promises to ignite your creativity and deepen your connection to nature.

Tyler Mastin is an electrician by day and homesteader by night. With 1460 plus hours logged in the study of plants and soil he loves the pursuit of knowledge. Tyler is a certified herbalist as well as being a lifetime member of the North Texas Mycological Association. He enjoys spending time with his many animals in the garden. Tyler is very passionate about the restoration of soil and the critters living in the soil food web. While one day hoping to have a farm market, for the time being he loves supplying friends and family with nutrient dense fresh vegetables. He always enjoys a good conversation on these topics so feel free to come pick his brain. Feral but doesn't bite.

Kylie McFall is a clinical herbalist and founder of Audacious Herb, whose life and work are rooted in resilience and restoration. After overcoming multiple sclerosis, Graves’ disease, and PTSD, she experienced a profound renewal of health that reshaped her future. Completing her first triathlon—finishing in sixth place—ignited an unstoppable fire to help others pursue healing and strength. Today, Kylie combines her expertise in herbal medicine with her faith and personal journey to empower others to address root causes, restore balance, and step boldly into the abundant life they were created for.

Edward and Rachel Donnelly run Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms in Mineola, Texas, where they help homesteaders and gardeners grow productive, easy-to-care-for fruit trees and edible plants.  Since taking over the nursery in 2018, they’ve blended their family values, hands-on experience, and a passion for teaching into a welcoming, educational space. Ed manages growing and operations, while Rachel leads retail and customer education—all from their family farm, Sorelle Farms.  Whether you’re starting a backyard orchard or planting your first fruit tree, the Donnellys are here to help you grow with confidence.

James was born in Houston in 1970, where he first learned the basics of conventional home gardening from his parents. He went on to earn a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1993 and spent much of his career working in Information Technology until 2015.

A successful chapter in cryptocurrency investments allowed James to step away from the corporate world and immerse himself in studying permaculture and wild foraging. The challenges of COVID-19 in 2020, including empty grocery store shelves, reinforced his commitment to becoming truly self-sufficient in food production.

In spring 2023, James sold out the very first pickup load of plants he brought to a flea market, inspiring him to turn his passion for growing into a livelihood. He is now actively developing quarter-acre food forests in Houston and Jarrell, while also contributing to a 12-acre site in Florence, Texas.

Looking ahead, James envisions creating food forests and independent homesteads stretching from Houston to Big Bend, helping to build resilient, regenerative systems for the future.

For me, yoga is not just a practice—it's a journey of growth, healing, and self-discovery that has touched my life in profound ways.  I am a certified yoga instructor who completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training at Black Swan Yoga in Dallas, Texas, in 2023. Since June of that year, I've been teaching at Black Swan Yoga, driven by a deep passion for sharing the transformative benefits of yoga with others.   My yoga journey began a couple of years ago, but it was during a particularly challenging period that I truly deepened my practice. Yoga became a vital tool for navigating that difficult time, offering me a space for mindfulness and self-reflection. What started as a way to cope quickly evolved into a daily ritual, where I found comfort, clarity, and a deeper connection with myself.  Inspired by the impact yoga has had on my life, I decided to teach with the goal of showing others that yoga is not about achieving physical flexibility or mastering complex poses—it's about cultivating a deeper connection with oneself. I believe that yoga is accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical ability.  In my classes, I strive to guide students towards seeing yoga as a holistic practice that goes beyond the physical, focusing on the intentions and mindset that lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life. As someone who loves nature, I weave my deep appreciation for the earth into my teachings, helping students connect with both their inner selves and the world around them. Living in a busy and growing city, I understand the chaotic pressures of the fitness industry and strive to create a space where yoga is not seen as just a workout but as a way of life—one that fosters self-compassion, mindfulness, and intentional living.

My name is Angel, I’m a Dallas, TX native who rediscovered a deep love and curiosity for nature after moving to Tennessee in 2020. This experience sparked a passion for mushrooms and plant medicines, leading me to become a self-taught amateur mycologist. As a Dallas Master Gardener, I now apply this knowledge in my role at Big Tex Urban Farms, where I manage a small-scale mushroom farm, contributing to the growth of urban agriculture and sustainable practices.