KATHLEEN is the owner/operator of WillaBella Farm, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Science clinical degree from the University of Washington & recently retired (along with her first responder husband) from a 16 year career in clinical diagnostics/medical research laboratory sales.
She is a small farmer, beekeeper & certified master gardener and operates her 100yr old historic, regenerative farm as a community outreach model. Kathleen has worked on many projects, serving on boards & supporting all things local food, healthy kids & healthy communities!🌱
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As the youngest of 8 in a single parent home, in her attempt to find solace, Kathleen developed a love for the outdoors & self sufficiency at a very young age. Raised in the open expanse of the Montana landscape, free to explore unencumbered, she learned to appreciate the plants & creatures that surrounded her. Curious about all things nature, bugs, wildlife and science. Teaching herself to catch fish & hunt rabbits in elementary school. Spending her summer afternoons enamored by nature, studying the busy ant & insect communities scurrying about the iron ore ladened soil from the smelters in her small mining town. She still retains that deep passion for hands on learning even today.
Wanting to explore, Kathleen packed up at 18 & moved to Washington state. Where she worked various jobs to put herself through college. During her 20s, she could be found, fishing pole in hand, trudging along in the mountains surrounding Seattle, hiking, mountain biking and studying nature. Stopping to observe the diverse creatures that live above and below the canopy.
After graduating with a BS from the University of Washington, she threw a dart at a map, heading to the wilds of Colorado to explore further. She found herself lost on the trails, distracted by nature or freshly fallen snow covering her way. Always making new friends to get herself rescued!
Kathleen returned to Puget Sound for grad school. Shortly after completing her first year, plans interrupted by her desire to deal with mounting student loans & outward personality leading her into the field of sales. Where she enjoyed a successful clinical laboratory science sales career for over 16 years working for global medical science companies ThermoFisher, BioMerieux, Cardinal Health & Avantor Sciences.
Her intense schedule taking her further into the beauty of Alaska & Oregon. Marrying her husband and starting their family, with too much work and little time for nature, she would often squeeze in business travel coupled with nature excursions with her young family. Returning to Montana to backpack each summer.
Yearning for balance and having seen the direct effects of our broken food system on public health. Kathleen decided to follow her passions, taking a “break” from sales to become a master gardener and rehabilitate a 100yr old historic farm with her first responder husband. She spent the next ten years collaborating with local partners to learn regenerative agriculture practices, humane animal husbandry, beekeeping & building an organic farm outreach model in her community.
The focus of RoseOrchards/WillaBella Farm is rooted in healthy ecosystems, research based growing methods, teaching youth science classes, hosting a weekly youth farm stand, advocating for small farmers, wildlife conservation & helping support various food system projects. Working with local government & agri-partners to launch a community farmers market, a buy local program, help with farmland conservation, supporting local co-op models & establishing the Peninsula Farmer Network. Kathleen has served on multiple boards & continues to volunteer with her children on various local food outreach projects.
Now approaching 60, Kathleen has entered the era of kids off to college. Wrapping up her final stint in medical & academia research, she and her first responder husband have both retired from their public health careers as of 2024!
She enjoys growing nutrient dense food, networking with other female farmers, teaching youth science, writing short stories..AND spending as much time as possible immersed in the beautiful Puget Sound nature with her family!
You can follow WillaBella Farm, LLC on Facebook, Instagram and now on @willabellarose2025@bluesky
WillaBella Farm 