About Stella Otto – The Backyard Fruit Gardener

Stella Otto has a B.S. in Horticulture, fruit production specialization, from Michigan State University. She resides in northern Michigan's Leelanau county, Cherry Capital of the world. She gardens together with her husband, son, and daughter. Their 2 horses contribute copiously to the compost pile, while their 3 cats handle some pest control patrol.

Recent writing, presentations, reviews
Feature article in Grow: An Inspired House/Fine Gardening Special Issue - May 2009
Online articles on Grit enews
Online interviews at Garden.LoveToKnow.com and lifelovebeauty.com
Seminar presentation: Cherryland Electric Cooperative Garden Forum - presentation on "The Ins & Outs of Fruit Gardening: Hot Tips for Bountiful Harvests" May 2009.
Seminar presentation: "Sweet Success with Backyard Fruit Gardening" at the Traverse area Habitat for Humanity Spring Flower and Garden Show -- April 2009
Hands-on workshop -- May 2009
Garden columnist for Northern Home magazine and mynorth.com
Mention in Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Author/publisher
Otto is the author of The Backyard Orchardist: A complete guide to growing fruit trees in the home garden which won a Benjamin Franklin Award in 1994. She is also the author of The Backyard Berry Book: A hands-on guide to growing berries, brambles, and vine fruit in the home garden, which was excerpted for a feature article in Country Journal magazine. Her articles have been featured in numerous magazines including Organic Gardening, Kitchen Garden, New Garden Journal, Traditional Gardening, Acres USA, and Burpee Home Gardener.

Workshop Presenter/Media appearances
Otto has been interviewed on National Public Radio's "The Cultivated Gardener" and "Home Grown". She also appeared on Discovery Channel's "Home Matters", demonstrating aspects of landscaping creatively with fruit. She has been an instructor for local Master Gardener programs, and has presented numerous workshops to urban garden groups, garden clubs, and at local garden centers.

Horticulturist
Stella Otto is a professional horticulturist and former orchard and farm market owner/manager with over 25 years experience growing fruit on large and small scale. As a horticultural consultant and orchard manager to absentee land owners, she has worked to acquaint those with no prior fruit growing experience regarding the skills needed for success in their endeavor.

College instructor
Otto taught Introductory Horticulture at North Central Michigan College. She designed and taught a classroom lecture and hands-on laboratory course intended to meet transfer requirements to the four year college curriculum level.

Otto is available for guest interviews, freelance writing, and consulting assignments.