Kerry Hastings and her husband, Mike, moved to Oregon from Indianapolis, Indiana in 2017 to settle on a small vineyard and woodland west of Alpine, situated in the Upper Muddy Creek Watershed. As a Purdue (Indiana) master gardener Kerry developed an interest in native plant species that support biodiversity; an interest that continues with the move to Benton County. In particular, she is motivated to protect the old Oregon white oaks on their property and work to restore the oak savannah and woodland. Her mission is to eliminate invasive weeds: Himalayan Blackberry beware!

Originating from the United Kingdom, Kerry’s education in agricultural chemistry and soil science led to a career she describes as “a corporate research and teaching sandwich” which included eight years in R&D investigating the fate of xenobiotic chemicals in soil, air and water; a decade teaching 11th and 12th grade chemistry in the UK and Indianapolis, then a return to the agricultural chemical industry with seven years in regulatory management, rounding out her career as a human health risk assessor, modeling human exposure to agricultural chemicals.

Always a country person at heart Kerry is thrilled to be immersed in nature once again. An avid hiker and outdoorswoman she regards her adopted state of Oregon as her forever home. In addition to advocating for environmental conservation she has volunteered for the Alpine Community Center at the Monroe Resale Store for the past four years and was a committee member for the Monroe Farmers Market in 2019. A keen stained glass artist she was one of the founding members of the Monroe Arts Association.