Profile of Bill Todd

Iowa Bonsai Association

The exact date escapes him, but sometime in the early eighties Bill began actively seeking an outlet for his budding interest in the art of Bonsai. At that time, Bill had been involved with marshal arts for a number of years and his goal was to expand the philosophies of the East in his life. It was not until 1988, when he noticed the display of the Iowa Bonsai Society at the Iowa State Fair, that he found the outlet he was looking for. “Starting Bonsai was one of the most rewarding and important things I did for myself that year.”

Since joining the Iowa Bonsai Society, Bill has served on several committees, as well as holding the office of Vice-President, 1990 to 1993, President from 1993 to present, and has been on the board of the Iowa Horticulture Society. In 1992 at the MABA Convention in Des Moines, Iowa he presented a workshop and demo on rock landscapes. When conducting workshops and demos, Bill tries to stress that one goal of the art is to combine lines, shapes and three dimensional form to create a feeling of peace and tranquillity. When attending his sessions, one senses the art is not mysterious or difficult , but does require study and patience. In 1991, Bill was awarded the Jim Hatfield Achievement Award for outstanding progress as a novice.

In 1989, Bill along with his wife Connie-Sue, started Bench Top Bonsai. They offer supplies, starter plants, and finished Bonsai. Currently they have two enclosed greenhouses along with a studio area for classes and workshops. They enjoy traveling and vending their trees at area shows and have done a number of MABA shows in the past.

Bill also wears other professional hats; a design engineer by day for a medical equipment manufacturer and a machinist for the family business.

Contact Bill at phone number: 515-961-4006.