FALLBROOK, Calif. — Denise Godfrey says Olive Hill Greenhouses grows more than beautiful plants. It also grows smiles.

“Growing up, my dad shared with me his love of plants,” Denise said. “I vividly remember his delight when his friends were elated when given a plant. It is hard not to smile when you are growing nature and providing beautiful plants for people to enjoy, beautify and decorate their indoor environments.”

Sue and Tony Godfrey started Olive Hill Greenhouses in 1973. Denise joined them in 2000.

For five decades, Olive Hill Greenhouses has provided high-quality plants for homes, offices and indoor landscapes. They specialize in Anthuriums, (Greek for tall flower) Bromeliads and tropical foliage.

The company has two San Diego County locations and distributes its plants throughout the United States.

Godfrey’s interest in the industry goes beyond the greenhouses.

“I am a board member of San Diego Ag in the Classroom because I am passionate about my job,” Denise said. “I love having my plants in my office and inside my home and appreciate how they help me feel relaxed, focused and creative.”

“Denise Godfrey is always up for presenting at school classrooms and resource fairs, and she has a knack for really connecting with attendees and educating them on the importance of local agriculture,” said San Diego Farm Bureau manager Taylor Reese. “Denise is working on a video series that features local farmers for San Diego Ag in the Classroom. It provides some really amazing content for kids who might not be able to make it out to a farm, but can learn about various practices in the classroom.”

She also aids educational and outreach programs through the San Diego Botanic Garden, Ag in the Classroom, Fallbrook 4-H Floriculture Program, Green Plants for Green Buildings and the Don Diego Scholarship Fund.

Olive Hill gives educational tours to schools and the Fallbrook community and emphasizes research and higher education through support of the National Foliage Foundation, American Floral Endowment and the Kee Kitayama Research Foundation.

They also provide plant donations for fundraisers for Fallbrook Ag Boosters, local community groups and schools, San Diego Botanic Garden as well as to Pot-A-Plant Special Olympics booth, San Diego Botanic Garden’s grounds and the floral display at the Del Mar Fair.

She said school gardens offer the unique opportunity to experience physical health and wellness, social and emotional growth, an appreciation of nature and natural processes, as well as problem-solving and critical thinking.

This helps children grow into well rounded and resilient individuals while celebrating the joys of a healthy harvest.

A Capital Press’ annual special section that highlights the contributions women make in the agricultural sector.

Read the stories of the exceptional women featured Women in Ag 2023:

Erika Ackley: ‘I like the independence of farming’ 

Geri Byrne: ‘I love to organize’ 

Lerrina Collins: Fluent in the language of stockdogs 

April England: ‘It’s not just a job, it’s a life’

Suzanne Gallagher: ‘I love the work, I love the land and I love the cattle’ 

Denise Godfrey: A love of plants, and for the community 

Mary Hood: Shattering ceilings in ag banking 

Sharon Hoyt: A passion for the ranching lifestyle 

Jessica Jansen: ‘I love agriculture, and I love teaching people about it’ 

Jean Kurtz, Ali Rodgers: Telling wine’s story in the Umpqua Valley 

Anne Mitchell: Perseverance pays off 

Lori Moore: A bison believer turns vision into reality 

Keri Roid: Lavender farm a dream come true 

Nicole Sanchez: Taking on new challenges 

Wendy Swore: Staying busy with farming, writing