Donna Baker-Breningstall

Having moved from Pennsylvania to Colorado in 1973, I feel like a native. Over  the years I have worn many hats including: reading teacher, horse trainer, antiques business owner, director of an art gallery, advertising executive and garden leader. Over the last many years my husband, daughters and I have traveled extensively to such far flung places such as Greenland, Tibet, India, Kenya, Mongolia, New Zealand and others. One of my goals when traveling is to find local people to cook with, mostly home chefs.  I feel collaborating with new friends in far-off places, preparing everyday fare, has the power to connect us. 

I have been a CSU Master Gardener for 10 years, was a Denver Urban Gardens garden leader at a local Denver school, served on the board of directors with Sprout City Farms, volunteered with The Gathering Place helping to cook lunches, volunteered with Produce for Panties and volunteer with Grow Local. I am also a founding member of Impact 100 Metro Denver, and on the board of directors of Access Gallery , an art gallery for people with disabilities.

For the past 7 years I’ve had a passion for growing clean, nutritious  vegetables and fruits on our half acre in Observatory Park. Most of what I grow I donate to local food pantries. I feel everyone should have access to and be able to afford  nourishing, local food.

When I am not in my garden I find time to play pickle ball, add to my art collection, read, review films for 2 local film groups, volunteer as a mentor with Goodwill, volunteer with Colorado Native Plant Society and do adventure travel meeting new people and trying new foods.