I am the owner and operator of Caterpillar Chow milkweed nursery and the Director of Caterpillar Chow Habitat Farms. I am also a California Naturalist, a State title earned through the University of California system.
I am 46, I love being creative, studying habitat and trying new things.
About Kenneth Abernathy
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family was established in San Diego as a military family. I am a third generation San Diegan with two more now living here.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Right now I spend a large portion of my time building the nursery and non profit to have a reputation not only as a resource for understanding habitat in the urban environment but to create and deliver high quality education to the public. My favorite thing about my job is the impact is has on people from all walks of life. We improve peoples quality of life by providing access to nature.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Being present is the most valuable thing you can do for anyone, including yourself.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see nature and garden centers in cities all over California like ours designed to bring nature and host plants closer to where people need it most. I see myself surrounded by people who care not only about our planet, but the well-being of humanity as well.
Kenneth Abernathy & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Barbecue Pit, Boll Weevil, Dairy Queen
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have been in East county for 7 years and working in Lakeside/Santee area for the last 5
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Angi Mosier from HOW (Helping Our Way. She works with local Lakeside schools to provide gardens and education to the students.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Leo’s pharmacy downtown Lakeside because of the building, and also the owner, Leo, who is proactive and supportive as a business owner in Lakeside
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
From Poway to El Cajon, Lakeside is a rural mountain community of ranchers, farmers and some of San Diego’s larger companies like Martin Marietta and Sparklets Water. Surrounded by mountain habitats it is also is the gateway to the San Diego River and an important pollinator pathway.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Neil Degrassi Tyson and I would love to talk to him about the absence of philosophy in science and how it affects the objectivity of some scientists. We would eat lunch at the Iconic Cafe 67 where I will order the meatloaf sandwich and potato salad.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Among my favorite movies are all of the films by Tim Burton and Sergio Leon and one of my favorite tv shows is The Good Doctor
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I cry sometimes during live performances and movies
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The ice cream at Handel’s in Santee. I occasionally dream about it.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I take a lot of my personal lessons through observations about the life of former naturalists like John Muir and also some of histories less popular characters like Christopher Columbus. I believe the former romanticizes nature to bring humans closer to it so they will protect it and the other was such a cruel and unscrupulous person he serves as a mental image of what not be, however his quest for the unknown and the travels he embarked upon were also incredible tales of humanity facing great odds for the sake of discovery
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
I support all of our local schools and our local Chamber of Commerce and we work with local nonprofits to provide expertise and materials for habitat restorations.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
gut, Trust in your gut, believe in yourself and tell the truth as often as you can
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Eucalyptus Hills
What I love about my Neighborhood:
The variety of homes and people and the calm country vibe
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
My ideal weekend would consist of a hiking tour of our local mountain habitats finished off with a cool splash at our local beaches and a sunset dinner with loved ones.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, comfort and peace
