09/23/2026
As we gear up for our Heritage Jubilee, we'd be remiss to not give a shoutout to our fearless leader and one of our passionate volunteers, Kylee Malik!
Originally from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Kylee Malik's love of gardening began long before she became a Master Gardener. Her grandparents raised 13 children, and their multi-acre garden produced enough food to sustain the family through the winter.
As a mother, Kylee found a renewed appreciation for gardening when her children were young. By the time her son was two years old, he was helping water tomato plants while exploring the backyard. Teaching children where food comes from and how to grow it remains one of her favorite parts of gardening.
When she's not in the garden, Kylee can usually be found cheering on her three children as they participate in basketball, dance, track, football, volleyball, tennis, golf, and countless other activities. She also enjoys playing tennis herself. And when given the choice, she's happiest either 10,000 feet up in the mountains or at sea level with her toes in the sand.
Beyond gardening, Kylee is fascinated by epigenetics and family history. She is currently writing a middle-grade historical fiction series centered on ancestry, family connections, and cultural heritage.
As a neighbor of the Jordan House, Kylee became involved because she saw the opportunity to help transform the space into a beautiful, welcoming destination that supports community connection, education, and historic preservation. She is especially inspired by the Jordan House's legacy as a place connected to freedom, courage, and opportunity, and she hopes the gardens can continue to expand their role in education, food security, and community engagement.
Looking ahead, Kylee's dream is to build a strong network of weekly volunteers capable of sustaining a large vegetable garden that can support local food-sharing efforts and educational programming. She believes gardens have the power to bring people together while teaching valuable lessons about stewardship, resilience, and service.
Thank you, Kylee!
