Who we are

The Worthy Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Bend, Oregon. Founded in 2015, we are a collective of business owners, entrepreneurs, energy specialists, agriculturists, scientists, and astronomers working together to teach our community to respect and protect the beauty of our planet. Through ties with educational institutions and local environmental groups, we are able to participate in important natural science research and deliver those results to the public. Our mission is to showcase the wonders of the planet (and beyond) while emphasizing the need to protect this special place we call home.

What we do

The garden club operates with two arms - one on the ground and one in the sky.
Our greenhouse and hop yard serve as a base for all garden-related activities, hosting monthly activities during the summer to discuss everything from growing hops to bee keeping to composting to native landscaping. Our small but mighty HOPSERVATORY brings the beauty of the cosmos to the public's eye, raising science literacy through tours, educational programs, informal lectures, and night sky and solar viewings.
Together, we highlight sustainable life practices that help conserve our planet's resources.

How to get involved

All of our events, unless indicated, are open to the public and free to attend.  Registration may be required. See our homepage for details and enter your email address below to subscribe to our mailing list to stay updated! Find and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Meet  our  staff

DAVID  BLAIR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As a twenty-year Bend resident, David Blair has had a long (thirty years to be exact!), diverse and influential career working on natural resource and environmental policy for members of Congress from  Montana, Colorado and Oregon. David's passions include responsible forest management, cycling and cross country skiing. During the winter weekends, he coaches youngsters in cross country skiing while spending plenty of time on the alpine side as well.

KODY OSBORNE
DIRECTOR OF ENV. AFFAIRS

Kody Osborne has nearly a decade of experience as a leader in environmental education, wildlife rehabilitation and non-profit management in Central Oregon. Best known for his 8 years of work as "Lead Naturalist" with the Sunriver Nature Center, Kody currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors at the Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Association and is a regular contributor to Bend Magazine, writing about hiking and nature viewing destinations.

LISA SANCO
PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Lisa Sanco is our resident horticulturist and bee keeper. Though her background began in ornamental horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden, she has taken on the mantle of hop production, edible gardening and sustainable gardening practices in her five years at Worthy - specifically native pollinator support and water-wise landscaping. Lisa is an avid hiker, camper and lake floater that enjoys spending the weekends exploring all Central Oregon has to offer.

GRANT TANDY
HOPSERVATORY MANAGER

Grant Tandy came to Worthy Garden Club after a three-year stint at the Oregon Observatory in Sunriver. His love for astronomy began with his innate curiosity of the natural world, leading to a career in teaching public astronomy programs. He is a volunteer solar system ambassador for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and, in this capacity, conducts programs for school groups and other visitors to the Hopservatory for both solar viewing and night sky viewing.
​​​WORTHY GARDEN CLUB IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT
TAX ID# 46-2310732
​​​​​ABOUT WORTHY GARDEN CLUB
​#WORTHYGARDENCLUB  |  #HOPSERVATORY
​(541) 647-6970 ext 220
​​Executive Director | David Blair | david@worthygardenclub.com
Director of Environmental Affairs | Kody Osborne | kody@worthygardenclub.com
​Program Coordinator | Lisa Sanco | lisa@worthygardenclub.com
Hopservatory Manager | Grant Tandy | grant@worthygardenclub.com
​​The Hopservatory is operated by the Worthy Garden Club. All proceeds directly benefit Worthy Garden Club natural science literacy programs.