I graduated from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Have been president of Hardin Co. IA. Home Economists and Grand Junction, CO, Home Economists. Was vice president of Human Services Section of the American Home Economics Association.
I love to cook and try new recipes and invent new recipes. I have 7-800 cookbooks.
I love the out doors and got interested in cooking with weeds, cacti, and desert plants when I moved to Arizona. 

In the '90's I was named to American Who's Who of International Women. In 2006 & 2007 I was named to the Cambridge Who's Who of Executives and Professionals

I have co-authored 6 books with Don Wells. They are books about the desert plants, what the plant looks like, where it is found, what the Indians used it for, medicinal uses, and old and new recipes using the plants.

Jean Groen
We believe that we all should learn to live with the desert without harming its delicate balance and to understand its needs and nature to better serve its preservation. The plants of the desert served the Indian in so many ways, medically, physically, and spiritually. We feel that we can learn to use these plants as they were intended without harming the plants or the environment they live in. The desert is a wondrous gift for all to enjoy, appreciate, and protect.

Jean Groen
Don & I lead the Curandero Walk at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ, one time a month. I help teach classes on the prickly pear, mesquite, and pomegranate at Boyce Thompson beginning in late July through October. We teach at three centers (Saddlebrook, San Tan, and Apache Junction) for Central AZ College Don and I will teach 2 age levels (4 sessions each) on The Plants of the Desert for Superstition Mountain Historical Museum in Apache Junction, Az We take 7-11 year olds out daily during their fall and spring school breaks and teach them about the plants, history, birds, animals, and critters of the area. We lead adult hiking classes where they learn about the plants, history, birds, animals, and critters. A class is every Monday for a month...Oct., Nov, Jan, Feb, and March. We teach at Becoming Outdoor Women and Carrington College.