We had the good fortune of connecting with Quita Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Quita, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
In short, I’d say our business, GreenDesert.org, truly changes people’s lives by empowering them to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. Because of the sustainable lifestyle that we promote, people are consuming less, saving more money, eating healthier, and ultimately feeling better both physically and mentally. We create school gardens, have hands-on gardening workshops, show people how to grow their own food, which in itself helps tackle food deserts head-on. We share our GMO-FREE seeds across the world and show simple ways to conserve precious resources like water. We built off-grid shipping container homes, mimicking nature and showing how to strive toward a zero-waste lifestyle.
The feedback we’ve received is a testament to our social impact. Several people have shared a complete turnaround in their health – loving how much better they look and feel, reporting improved bloodwork, better mental clarity– all stemming from the greener, self-reliant lifestyle they adopted through our guidance.
And the benefits go beyond personal health… it makes our communities healthier.
Creating school garden programs is one of our most passionate missions because there are so many life-long lessons. We are showing the kids how to grow their own food, how to be more self-sufficient, how to take care of their environment and connect more with nature; we are helping them gain a deep respect for sustainability that will stay with them and our communities for life.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Nature lover, wife, mom of two, daughter, producer, storyteller, and educator – those words truly capture the essence of who I am. But at my core, I’m also deeply passionate about sustainable living and protecting our planet. My journey to co-founding GreenDesert.org began with a broadcast journalism degree from Northern Arizona University and nearly two decades producing shows for ABC News in Phoenix. But deep down, I knew my true calling lay elsewhere.
It all started when my family faced some significant health challenges. That was a real wake-up call, forcing us to take a hard look at our lifestyle choices and the kind of future we wanted to create for our two young sons. We realized that providing our kids with nutritious, affordable food was a top priority – and that meant getting our hands dirty in the garden.
From there, our commitment to sustainability only grew. We became obsessed with mimicking nature’s self-sufficiency, finding ways to reduce waste, conserve resources, and nourish our bodies with homegrown foods. But I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy. At first, even our own friends and families thought we were a little “weird” for trading in the conventional grocery store in favor of backyard gardening and off-grid living.
Instead of waiting for the world to catch up, we just kept pressing forward, seeing the tangible results, confident in the profound benefits it was bringing to our family. We stopped worrying about convincing people and instead focused on deepening our own connection to the earth, knowing that when the time was right, others would be drawn to this path. We continued happily embracing this lifestyle and sharing our results. That’s how GreenDesert.org was born – as a platform to share our lived experiences and inspire others to join us on this journey.
It’s been an uphill battle at times, but the outcomes have been more than worth it. Seeing the wonder and excitement in those kids’ eyes as they discover the joy of growing their own food; Watching my own sons, now young men, fully embrace the sustainable lifestyle we’ve cultivated; Hearing constant success stories from followers. The feeling is priceless.
Plus, the impact extends far beyond just our family and small community. Our YouTube channel, GreenDesert TV, has drawn in more than 5 million views as we’ve shared practical tips and inspiring stories. The overwhelming response shows just how eager people are to learn sustainable living strategies and be part of this movement. We’ve had people tell us their chronic health issues have improved after adopting the eco-friendly practices we teach. It’s proof that going green isn’t just good for the planet – it’s good for the soul.
It’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in empowering communities to make changes that improve their health and happiness while also healing the planet.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First and foremost, I’d caution she times her visit carefully, to avoid the blazing hot summer months. March/April is a great time to really take advantage of the gorgeous weather and activities. I’d have to start the visit right in my own backyard garden. It’s my little sanctuary and I know she will appreciate the peace. As soon as we step out there, she will be surrounded by the most amazing energy – the chickens are running up to us begging for attention, insects are pollinating the flowers making next year’s seeds, there is greenery and vibrant colors everywhere and the smell from the flowers and herbs are addicting. We will easily get lost out there for hours. It’s so uplifting and refreshing.
While in the garden, we will harvest food for dinner. I may be a little biased but I think it’s the best “restaurant” in town. Nothing like the flavors from fresh grown food and the fact that it’s literally steps away means you’re getting an overload of nutrients.
Of course we will hike some of the trails along South Mountain. We can fill our backpacks with snacks and really appreciate the gorgeous views overlooking downtown Phoenix. And if she’s game, we should definitely plan a magical night hike too. The sun sets are priceless from up there.
And no visit to Phoenix would be complete without spending some time downtown. We’ll have to check out the live music scene and experience the vibrant energy of the city.
Oh, and there are some farmers markets here that are basically like festivals – such a fun way to get a taste of the local flavor.
We can also pull out the projector and have an outdoor movie night. If she prefers to leave the house, this is the time to be here because there are so many festivals including art, food, movies and music. We have to take advantage of the amazing weather and I love simple, grounded entertainment.
Phoenix is a perfect place for bike rides. We can cruise along the canals and make a pit stop at Tempe Towne Lake and sit in the grass, eat and enjoy people watching on the lake.
Of course she can’t visit without taking a road trip to see the red rocks of Sedona and the spiritual magic that people travel from all over the world to experience. We can treat ourselves to a spa treatment, a wine tour, relax and recharge at one of the creeks, and maybe even venture out to some of the famous energy vortex sites.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to give a huge shoutout to the two driving forces behind everything we do at GreenDesert.org – my mother-in-law, who has been living this sustainable lifestyle for over 60 years, and my amazing husband, who took her teaching to a whole new level. My mother-in-law was truly a trailblazer, practically starting a family business focused on health and wellness way before it was mainstream. Her dedication, teachings, and unwavering example have been an incredible driving force, helping to pave the way for what we’re doing with GreenDesert.org today. I’m eternally grateful for her pioneering spirit and the solid foundation she laid for us to build upon.
And then there’s my husband – while most people see my face as the public figure, he is truly the brains and backbone that make it all possible.
My husband isn’t one for the spotlight – he much prefers to stay behind the scenes. But I can say with absolute certainty that without his tireless efforts, unwavering support, and brilliant problem-solving skills, GreenDesert.org simply wouldn’t exist. He’s the steady hand guiding our journey.
My husband started off as a mechanical engineer, but his compassion and thirst for knowledge have led him down an incredible path. Day in and day out, he immerses himself in research, constantly seeking out new ways to make our lives, and the lives of our community, better and more sustainable. Whether it’s designing our off-grid shipping container homes, creating our sustainable clothing collection, or unlocking the incredible healing powers of superfoods like moringa, his intelligence and innovative spirit knows no bounds.
And it’s not just his technical expertise that makes him such an invaluable asset. It’s his ability to make the tough decisions, his relentless determination in the face of challenges, and his deep, heartfelt commitment to the truth and our mission of empowering people to live greener, healthier lives. Honestly, there have been so many times when I’ve felt overwhelmed or unsure, but knowing that I have him in my corner gives me such a profound sense of security and relief.
I’m incredibly grateful to have these two pillars of support in my life, without whom none of this would be possible. They are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, and I owe them both an immense debt of gratitude.
Website: http://greendesert.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreendesert
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenDesertTV
Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegreendesert