Cristy Abbott is a Certified Permaculture Educator, Practitioner, and Consultant with over a decade of experience in sharing Permaculture Ethics and Principles with both children and adults. She specializes in regenerative farming practices, urban agriculture, soil building, and seed saving. Currently volunteering at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm in Tampa, FL, Cristy is dedicated to environmental education and promoting community-supported urban organic farming. She is passionate about teaching the importance of biodiversity and the interconnectedness of soil, plants, animals, and planetary patterns in sustainable farming.
Cristy has played a pivotal role in developing and managing numerous community gardens and farms of varying scales. Her commitment to community building and cooperative housing is exemplified by her involvement in founding the Faith House Community Garden in St. Petersburg, FL, in 2010. Now known as the 15th St AgriHub, this garden is a Permaculture demonstration site that provides education and hands-on experience. Her teaching has inspired her students to undertake projects like the Tampa Bay Time Bank, rainwater catchment systems, community co-housing, and other initiatives aligned with Permaculture principles.
For nearly two years, Cristy led educational tours for school field trips at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, guiding students through the transition of farm leadership and instilling in them a love for where real food comes from. She has been an active member of the Florida Permaculture Convergence Planning team for over a decade, helping to bring together farmers, gardeners, and families dedicated to earth-friendly practices.
Cristy also coaches and mentors entrepreneur students globally, with a focus on Uganda and Kenya Permaculture projects. She serves on the Board of Directors for Permaculture Initiative Uganda, LLC, and has recently visited the Butambala Permaculture Learning Center to support the development of a permaculture school and eco-tourism site near Mpigi, Uganda. Most recently, she returned from Kenya, where she was the lead educator at the first Lake Victoria Permaculture Convergence, a significant global event.
Cristy is a featured instructor in our October 2024 Permaculture Design Course.