about us.
Welcome! I am so glad you are here. My name is Lisa Mears, I am a daughter, mother, wife, sister, and friend. This is my soul purpose.
I am also the founder and owner of Marine Magnolia. I am a certified Reiki practitioner, yoga teacher, sound and chakra healer, wellness coach, certified group facilitator, organizational consultant, and community builder.
How did I get here?
My journey began with an early commitment to my own health in my recovery of an eating disorder in 1989, which led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in public health. I started my career as the director of a destination spa resort in Minnesota where we hosted guests from the U.S. and 26 foreign countries. Programming was focused on wholistic wellbeing, nutritious foods, fitness and yoga, connection to the outdoors, and European spa treatments.
I transitioned to local public health as a health educator, coalition builder, and community organizer working on local and statewide policy and systems change to improve individual and community health. This work inspired me to attend graduate school where I earned a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Hubert H Humphrey Institute where my key values of community and the common good were reinforced.
From there, I was called to executive leadership of nonprofits to advance racial justice, end violence against women, assure access to healthy food, and support families and youth who are unhoused. I’ve worked in rural Minnesota, the suburban metro area, and urban Minneapolis.
This is my life work and now I have been called to do more by supporting women+ in their personal and professional well-being, facilitating personal healing, strengthening nonprofit organizations, and building community here at Marine Magnolia Farm.
“Life and leadership experiences have brought me to a place in life where I am called to share my gifts and insight with others in a unique practice that builds community and brings balance and healing to this world one person, one organization at a time. I invite you to connect – (re)center – restore at Marine Magnolia Farm.”
about our farm.
Marine Magnolia Farm is nestled on 10-acres just north of Stillwater near the village of Marine on St. Croix. Located in the heart of the St. Croix River Valley, Marine Magnolia is surrounded by land protected by the Minnesota Land Trust and Science Museum of Minnesota in the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District. Wildlife, waterfowl, and birds of prey are beautifully abundant.
The farm is home to two chicken coops filled with hens that gift us with eggs for breakfast every day. We have a large vegetable garden with strawberries, blueberries, rhubarb, asparagus, and all the typical seed and plant veggies too. Wild blackberries and grapes drape over and along the fence line. We have a love for zinnias and hydrangeas and make bouquets so to spread joy. A pollinator garden attracts butterflies and bees.
In any given season, our property is home to 6 or more deer. Every so often, a flock of turkeys will meander up our driveway. Nighttime brings the distant call of coyotes, mellow hoots of owls, twinkling fireflies in the summer, and a glorious night sky of stars and the moon all year round.