In Oregon, Colleen shifted gears and submersed herself in understanding and learning hands on sustainable agriculture, urban meadowscaping and native planting design. At Oregon Tilth, she managed the backyard education programs and a 6,000 square foot, organic demonstration food garden. She also served as the Organic Specialist and co-coordinated the Organic Land Care program where she instructed professional landscapers, groundkeepers, gardener’s and designers on managing green spaces organically and responsibly. With Sustinea, Colleen worked with private and public projects collaboratively on meadowscaping, modern organic vegetable gardens and native planting design.