Oral History Interview With Howard Garrett PDF Download

Howard Garrett graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in Park Administration and Landscape Architecture. An early career focus on golf course design and management evolved to include landscape architecture and design. He decided to become an organic person when his daughter Logan was born in 1985. A photograph he took of her when she was nine months old standing on the front porch with her hand to her mouth captures the moment – “she did what all kids do, pick up things and put them in her mouth.” His concern for her health and possible exposure to environmental toxins launched an investigation of organic practice. Convinced that the health of the soil was the key, he began to educate and advocate through a column in the Dallas Morning News and a radio program about organic gardening, currently broadcasting to 200 markets. His listeners dubbed him “the Dirt Doctor,” his brand and now his website. By 1988 he had committed his entire career to the research, education and promotion of organic products and practices. Milestone projects include the Frito-Lay Headquarters, Plano, 1988. Working with Sasaki Associates, Howard provided the landscape design of the plants, bed preparation and native landscaping protocols. He has written fifteen books, established the Texas Organic Research Center, developed an online course in organic land management, and maintains a rigorous public speaking schedule.