Bio:
Ray Bush 102 Graham Street Ishpeming Mi 49849 raybush at live.com
I am a gardener, seed saver specializing in short season growing. I worked many years for the Hiawatha forest service as a contract botanist and ecologist working on the HNF native seed collection, native plant production, native plant restorations, vegetation surveys, and invasive weed control.
I work in Information Technology as a Network and Systems Engineer currently. I previously worked as Farm Manager for Partridge Creek Farm and as The Agricultural Specialist for the Nottawaseppi Huron band of the Potawatomi before that. I have been have been gardening, foraging plants and mushrooms for over 45 years.
I moderate several groups on Facebook most notably “Northern seed savers”, “Marquette County Foragers” and “Plant Discussion Group” as well as co maintaining the Ishpeming Lions Page and the Queen City Seed Library Page.
I am a Michigan Certified Mushroom Expert since the initiation of the program. For 10+ years i held a pesticide applicator license in all but a few categories. I am a former Master Gardener 10+yrs and Master Composter. I primarily forage around Marquette and adjoining counties of Michigan with occasional forays in other locations as my schedule permits.
I volunteer with organizations such as the Superior Watershed Partnership, the Nature conservancy, Marquette County Conservation District, Partridge Creek Farms, Transition Marquette County, Grow K.I., the Queen City Seed Library in Marquette , the Cherry hill seed library in Ishpeming, the Gwinn seed library and with other local and regional seed libraries.