Tonya was born in the dairy community of Ferndale, California to the large animal vet and the town’s RN. After graduating high school she received her B.S. from Cal Poly , San Luis Obispo in Horticulture. She accepted a job In Germany and remained there for 5 years and then spent 2 years in Japan. After returning to the states she earned her associates degree in dental hygiene and has been practicing for 27 years. In her free time Tonya enjoys anything botanical: gardening, mushroom hunting and canoeing. Other interests include reading, the arts, foreign films and many of the fun activities put on by the Garden Home Library.