Meet the Sweckers

Kim is a Norfolk native. Mitch hails from a U.S. Navy family and was born in Madrid, Spain. Mitch’s dad received an assignment to Norfolk and Mitch attended high school and Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Kim and Mitch met while they were working at the Omni hotel (now Sheraton). Mitch enlisted in the U. S. Navy after college where he became a helicopter pilot stationed in San Diego, California. Kim graduated from the University of California, and became a physicist for SPAWAR - a DoD/ Navy Laboratory in San Diego. Andrew was born while Kim and Mitch were on assignment to San Diego. After making their home in California for twenty-five years, they retired to Oregon and tried their hands at farming. While living in Oregon Kim worked as marketing and website person for a women-owned and operated winery. Their retirement to Oregon began to take its toll due to the weather and the workload, and after twelve years they decided to move back to Norfolk to be near family.

Andrew and Kim have been avid gardeners for years; mostly self-taught and primarily with respect to the West Coast. They entered the Norfolk Master Gardener program as a means to meet people with similar interests. They like the people and learning opportunities that serve to keep them on their toes. They want to stay active and involved in the community.

To attain their fifty hours, Kim and Andrew were busy volunteering at several Norfolk MG projects: Weyanoke Wildlife Sanctuary, the Zoo Garden, the Square Foot Garden at the Fred Heutte Center, Li’l Sprouts at St. Patrick School, PB Young Elementary School, Stockley Gardens Plant Sale, Flower and Garden Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Jam’n Jamz, and the Significant Tree Program. They plan to focus on Weyanoke, PB Young Elementary School and the Significant Tree Program as they continue their endeavors as NMGs.

Mitch has participated in the Flower and Garden Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Jamn’ Jamz. A highlight for both Kim and Mitch was their participation in the Night of Philosophy and Ideas held at the Slover Library in January of 2020. Along with other NMGVs, they were instrumental in teaching attendees how to grow microgreens in a make and take activity.  

Mitch plans to check out other local MG projects to find his niche as he continues the Class of 2020 program.

When the family is not participating as NMGs, they spend time restoring a very old house in Colonial Place. Kim likes yoga, cycling and working in her yard. Mitch and Andrew enjoy disc golf and fitness activities. The whole family loves to travel. Andrew enjoys hiking, Japanese gardens, and working on his rock garden.

In addition to Kim, Mitch and Andrew, the family unit includes two red merle Australian Shepherds named Bear and Newman, a dachshund named Mimi and their kitty named Mr. Cat.

When you see the Swecker family be sure to introduce yourselves and let them know how happy and proud we are to have them as part of the Norfolk Master Gardener program.