Mariko Giverink is a former homeschool mom of seventeen years who now enthusiastically helps guide students of all ages on their learning journeys. A true “Jill of all trades”, Mariko’s heart beats for the timeless arts of homesteading, from permaculture gardening to rediscovering the grace and grit of traditional homemaking skills.
She is the author and illustrator of Lessons from the Garden: An Illustrated Study of Plants in the Bible, a beautifully crafted, thirty six lesson devotional book designed for families and homeschoolers. Through the lens of biblical flowers, herbs, and trees, this unique book includes games, art projects, recipes and activities to cultivate biblical character traits and create a deeper connection with nature.
In 2021, Mariko founded The Homestead Porch, a cozy gathering place where kids and adults can learn practical hands-on skills—from gardening and beekeeping to painting, crafting, and the domestic arts. She is a garden consultant, a passionate healthy lifestyle advocate, practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is an actress and professional musician. But above all her many hobbies and passions, Mariko cherishes one above the rest: being “Nana” to her six beloved grandchildren.
