At thirteen years old, I dreamed of a backyard vegetable garden. That spring in 2012 I planted my garden and failed to grow anything substantial, but I didn't give up on with my dreams, instead I sought an apprenticeship at Madrona Organic Farm under David Chambers where I worked the fields and developed my understanding of growing food.

That same summer I planted my garden for the second time and before the seasons end it was in abundance, producing more vegetables than my parents and grandparents could handle. In the photo pictured above I'm holding a leaf of kale picked on the morning of September 21st, 2012. I continued my apprenticeship with David for three summers soaking up all the knowledge and skills I could. Before long, my inspiration shifted to coastal ornamental gardens and the pruning and practices that went along with maintaining them. I went on to study tree and plant care (arboriculture and horticulture) and after graduating I gained employment with a large company in Victoria where I quickly realized where mediocre work was the standard, I realized I was not in the place I wanted to be. I was on a mission to do incredible work and spend everyday at a company that believes in quality, a company that can create incredible work.

On February 2nd, 2017 I gave my employer my notice and left my job behind. That was the day Ascent Yard Care was born. My first handful of clients loved the work and told their friends, we started to grow and my most qualified peers were excited to join the company and generate great work. As of writing our team has been solving our customers problems through service for over seven years. We continue to strive toward our mission everyday.

-Jake Innes