No Restriction in Travel
/Susan Betz
Fresh Start Herbs
1477 East Hastings Lake Rd.
Jonesville, MI 49250(517) 849-2470
(517) 212-6032 cell
Preferred method of contact: any of the above
Amount I charge: Depends on the group and distance
Travel: I travel all over the US and Canada, again depends on the organization.
Herbal Houseplants, How to Grow Beautiful Herbs Indoors, For Flavor, Fragrance, and Fun!
Hey, houseplant lovers: Are you ready to up your growing game? Whether your green thumb is weathered and worn or shiny and new, get ready to branch out and step into the world of growing your own herbs—indoors! Susan Betz lets you in on a little secret: Herbs make great houseplants. New techniques, efficient grow lights, and herb varieties specifically bred for compact spaces offer those in urban situations a better and easier way to grow these lovely plants indoors. In this presentation, you’ll learn: which herbs perform best as houseplants, how to care for them, and even how to harvest and use your homegrown herbs for culinary creations, household cleaning products, herbal teas, handmade crafts, and more. This presentation is based on Susan’s book released in 2021 Grow Beautiful Herbs Indoors For Flavor ,Fragrance & Fun , Cool Springs Press
People, Plants & Pollinators: The Herbal Connection
As gardeners, we are often reminded of the vital role that pollinators and beneficial insects play in our landscapes and food supply. There is much information about pollinator-friendly flowers, but what about herbs? Herbs are multi-tasking plants in and out of the garden. Their flowers and fragrant foliage have something of value to offer both people and pollinators. Blending herbs into your yard and garden will increase biodiversity and ecological function. In this presentation, Susan discusses herbs to grow that will support and nourish people and wildlife in your backyard and beyond.
A Green Revival: Cultivating Gardens For People, Place and Plants
A positive shift and a new way of thinking about our gardens neighborhoods and community green spaces has taken shape and is now a reality. Shrinking property boundaries, life in the digital age, and tightly packed schedules is provoking a yearning for a deeper relationship with the natural world. People are taking charge of their home environments by consciously choosing to create gardens and outdoor spaces inspired with a focus on homemaking, placemaking and regional ecology. The best outdoor spaces are created in harmony with nature, demonstrate respect for the web-of life and honor three essential relationships, plants to place, plants to people and plants to other plants.
Thymely Tips & Sage Advice
Parsley, basil, sage, rosemary, thyme and beyond ! Drying and preserving your herbal harvest for health, happiness , flavor, and fragrance. Topics covered in this presentation include herb seasonings, vinegar, drinks, fragrant potpourris, and decorations. Blended with a good measure of green housekeeping tips . Samples and recipe handouts.
Garden Phenology: Magical Moons & Seasonal Cycles
Phenology is the study of the timing of natural periodic events in the plant and animal world influenced by the local environment, especially weather, temperature, seasonal cycles, and climate. Plant and animal life cycles are predictors of recurring events in nature. Drawing from her decades of gardening experience, Susan will discuss how to use “nature’s calendar.” When to plant and perform seasonal garden tasks and initiate preventive measures to control unwanted weeds, insects, and plant disease.
Gardening Education:
Susan Betz has been actively involved in growing and using herbs to educate the public about gardening and the natural world for more than 40 years. She is an Honorary Master Gardener, a member of the International Herb Association, Garden Communicators, the Ecological Landscape Alliance, and the National Garden Bureau. Susan is a life member of the Herb Society of America (HSA) and received The Society’s Helen D. Conway Little Medal of Honor in 2018. She is a charter member of HSA’s Native Herb Conservation committee, the Society’s sustainable garden initiative. Susan currently serves on HSA’s Notable Native Herb program and is a contributing author to HSA’s native herb fact sheets published annually. She is the author of Magical Moons & Seasonal Circles, Stepping into the Circle of the Seasons and Neighboring with Nature/Native Herbs for Pleasure and Purpose.
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Jan Bills
Email Address
Business Phone: 248-891-0548
Mobile Phone: 248-891-0548
Best Way to Contact Me: Email, Business Phone
www.twowomenandahoe.com
Topics I Speak About:
Sustainable gardening for the homeowner
Favorite ornamental plants
Garden design for the home gardener
Create winter interest in your gardens
Simplicity in the garden
Create beauty and harmony
Comfort and ease
Relaxation and letting go
Celebrate life with food from the soil
Gardening Education: Certified Landscape Designer & Advanced Master Gardener
Gardening Experience: I own and operate Two Women and a Hoe, a boutique landscape company in Royal Oak, Michigan. I have 28 years of experience and have toiled in thousands of gardens; I know what works and what does not! And I have many (hands-on) dirty little secrets to share with my audiences.
Also, I am very excited to say I have my 'garden' book has been published!!
Specialties: Sustainable gardening, designing, and maintenance
Amount I Charge: Varies on a case by case basis
Travel Restrictions: Unlimited
What Else Should We Know About You?: In 2006, I developed my business plan and strategy to exit corporate American. In 2008, I replaced my corporate high heels for Wellies and never looked back. Today, I am living my dream and mixing business with pleasure.
I am a professional gardener, business owner, and fun-loving speaker with hands on experience. I deliver practical gardening tips and solutions to my audiences. I have an engaging personality and passion for my work. And, a lot of energy!
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Name: Bevin Cohen
Email Address: smallhousefarm@gmail.com
Address: 2603 W Olson Rd
Home Phone: 989.708.0549
Business Phone: 989.708.0549
Mobile Phone: 989.708.0549
Best Way to Contact Me: Email, Business Phone
Topics I Speak About: Seed Saving, Seed Libraries, Herbalism, Foraging, Herb Gardening, Crafting Herbal Wellness Products, Cold pressed seed and nut oils, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbal Teas etc.. I'd be happy to provide a one sheet with additional info on available presentations.
Gardening Education: self taught, been gardening and foraging for over 2 decades
Gardening Experience: Plenty! I have been gardening, seed saving and working with herbs for over two decades. I have been actively teaching on the benefits of living closer to the land through seeds, herbs and locally-grown food for just as long and have published 4 books (5th on the way in '22). I travel nationally to speak.
Specialties: I have been gardening, seed saving and working with herbs for over two decades. I have been actively teaching on the benefits of living closer to the land through seeds, herbs and locally-grown food for just as long and have published 4 books (5th on the way in '22). I travel nationally to speak.
Honorarium: Yes
Amount You Charge: varies by event
Travel Restrictions: Unlimited
What Else Should We Know About You?: I have spoken at many Master Gardener events and would love to continue doing so.
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Mary Gerstenberger
mailto:mgmgerst4x4@gmail.com
30375 Tennessee
Roseville, MI 48066
Home Phone: 586-773-0762
Mobile Phone: 586-596-4240
Best Way to Contact Me: Email
Topics I Speak About:
Water Quality - An audience participation program on water in all of its aspects. Through visual aids and using volunteer participants, we explore the importance of water and the impact of human activity on it.
Backyard Composting - a PowerPoint presentation covering everything you need to know about backyard composting.
Container Gardening - A PowerPoint presentation on what you need to know to chose the correct type of plants and successfully design and grow a container garden.
Basic Vegetable Gardening - A PowerPoint presentation on basic vegetable gardening from the ground up. What to consider for site location, vegetable growing requirements, choosing seeds or transplants, and more is covered in this presentation.
Community Gardens - This PowerPoint presentation covers all the basics on how to start or participate in a Community Garden.
Wetlands - A PowerPoint presentation on the types of wetlands in Michigan, the function they serve and how to protect them.
Children's Gardening - This PowerPoint presentation covers ideas for children's gardens, how to work with children and ideas for activities and gardening resources.
Gardening Education: I am a Master Gardener, Master Composter, have a B.S. in Biology, and have attended numerous classes in my position as Consumer Horticulture Coordinator for Macomb MSU Extension.
Gardening Experience: I have worked in various types of gardens from childhood on. I helped in establishing the Center Line Community Garden and serve as the Secretary.
Specialties: Water Quality, Vegetable Gardening, Community Gardening
Amount I Charge: Would appreciate the mileage cost being covered and if an overnight stay is required then the hotel cost as well.
Travel Restrictions: Unlimited
What Else Should We Know About You?: I have worked for MSU Extension in various capacities since 1997. My experiences with MSUE include working in 4-H, Environmental Education, and now Consumer Horticulture.
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Susan Martin
4211 DeFeyter St.
Holland, MI 49424
gardenersuesnews@gmail.com
616-399-7868 [home]
616-886-6671 [cell]
Preferred contact method - email or home phone
Amount I charge: $350 - $500 per presentation. Package rates available or multiple talks per event.
Travel: Susan is willing to travel anywhere someone hires her to go. Travel expenses including transportation costs, mileage, and hotel are requested in addition to honorarium.
Presentation Topics:
Everything to do with perennials, garden design, marketing for retailers, general gardening topics.
Gardening Education:
Susan is a lifelong gardener. Professional positions she has held in the industryinclude garden center retail, wholesale, merchandising garden design and installation, marketing sales, writing, speaking, and photography. She also is a regular contributor to trade and consumer gardening magazines including Michigan Gardening for which she is a columnist.
More about Susan:
Because of my diverse background, I understand the industry on many levels from the creation of new plants, through their production, sale, installation, and maintenance. I specialize in perennials and have first-hand knowledge about new plants coming to market. Gardening is both my job and my hobby. I have spoken at many Master Gardener events in the Midwest. I am interested in speaking for annual events and conferences rather than monthly meetings. I am also a regularcontributor to trade and consumer magazines including Michigan Gardening for which I am a columnist.
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Kerry Ann Mendez
Email Address
7 Cambridge Court, Kennebunk, Maine 04043
Business Phone: 207-502-7228
Mobile Phone: 207-205-3359
WEBSITE
Best Way to Contact Me: Email, Business Phone
Amount I Charge: Varies on a case by case basis
Travel Restrictions: Unlimited
Topics I Speak About:
Perennials, flowering shrubs, annuals, Shade gardening, Foliage plants, Garden Design, Sustainable flower gardening,
Garden maintenance, Right-Size Flower Gardens - exception plants and design solutions for time-pressed and aging gardeners
Gardening Education: 30 years of gardening. Awarded horticultural Gold Medal from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society;
Gardening Experience: *Prior Director of Marketing and perennial department as well as home consulting services for large, full service garden center in Upstate NY
*speaker for many Master Gardeners symposiums, horticultural societies, flower shows (Philadelphia, Chicago, etc.) and botanical gardens
*have written three top selling gardening books
*have taught the perennial section for Master Gardeners training programs
Specialties: low-maintenance, high impact flower gardening incorporating sustainable plants and practices
What Else Should We Know About You?: I love to speak to Master Gardeners and other passionate gardeners. I'm dedicated to teaching the art of low-maintenance perennial gardening and landscaping. As a garden designer, author and lecturer, I focus on time-saving gardening techniques, workhorse plants and sustainable practices. I have been featured on HGTV and in numerous magazines including Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Garden Gate and Better Homes & Gardens. I was awarded the 2014 Gold Medal from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, an honorary medal presented to those who have made significant contributions to the enjoyment and appreciation of plants and the environment. I've published three popular gardening books, the most recent The Right-Size Garden featuring exceptional plants, design solutions and sustainable practices for busy and aging gardeners. For more about me and my business Perennially Yours, please visit www.pyours.com.
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Name: Jean Persely
Email Address
73881 Omo Rd, Armada MI 48005
Business Phone: 586-473-8182
Mobile Phone: 586-764-5956
Best Way to Contact Me: Email
Topics I Speak About: Check Jean's website for updates and upcoming programs. Follow BMO Logisitics-Garden on Facebook for upcoming programs.
The Best Garden is Next Year's Garden
Did your last garden fall short of your expectations? Interested in improving your existing garden? Adding a new garden? Let's discuss what you can do to make some improvements or create a new garden. Learn how to make your dream garden a reality. Watch as a new garden was installed. What should you consider when planning a garden? We will browse some plants with Right Plant, Right Place. No matter the season, it isn't too late to do something to start thinking about your next garden.
Magical Monarchs
Monarchs are the most recognizable butterflies around. Their numbers have declined by 90% over the past 2 decades, and they need our help. Join us to learn about their annual migration, lifecycle, what you can do to help them, how to create a habitat, and how to rear them. Available as either a 1 hour or 1 ½ hour presentation. Further information on rearing is provided in the longer program.
LIVE SPECIMENS: Based on seasonal availability
MONARCH SHOP: Butterfly rearing supplies, including habitats; Monarch books; Monarch themed items; Milkweed based on seasonal availability. Payments processed via Square
Beckoning Butterflies
Children of all ages delight in flight of a butterfly! Do you enjoy seeing butterflies flittering about your yard? Have you wondered how to bring more of these winged jewels to your yard? Learn about the butterflies we can see in our area and how you can attract them to your gardens.
Defining Your Canvas: Landscape Design
Join us as we explore the art of landscape design. Discover how to evaluate your site for your personal wants and needs while utilizing principles and elements of design. What are some things you need to consider when planning your design? What opportunities and limitations does your site pose? Scale, balance, line, color and texture are just a few topics we will delve into. Don't roll the dice on your landscaping. Learn how to invest your time in creating an aesthetically pleasing design that is practical for you and your site.
OPTIONAL: Extra time may be added at the end of this program for attendees to work on their own designs.
Naturally Natives
Native plants have been all the rage recently. So, what's the buzz all about? What is a native? A nativar? What is the difference? Is one better than the other? Why are some of the plants my grandparents grew considered exotic? Should a garden be 100% native? Join us to explore more about Michigan native plants and why we want to grow them.
Pick a Pollinator!
We all love to love honey, but did you know that pollinators are more than just honey bees? Who else pollinates flowers? What food requires pollination? When you pick any one pollinator to focus on, they all win! Let's explore which pollinators like which plants as well as how and why we should create pollinator habitats.
Facebook Groups and Pages
Effectively communicate with your group, project, team, friends, family, etc. using groups and pages.
Learn how to create, set up, and manage a Facebook group and page. Learn how to determine the best choice for your needs. Learn how to use groups and pages features for your personal use.
This 2-hour program will include a hands-on portion. Bring your electronic device of choice to set up, establish, or just browse. The program will be centered around a computer - note that FB may appear different on a cell phone or tablet.
OPTIONAL: Chromebooks may be made available for attendees
Practical Pruning
Help, I inherited a poorly pruned plant! Now what? What tools do I need for which pruning job? What different types of pruning is there? Is there a right way and a wrong way to prune? Can I prune anything anytime I want to? Feeling overwhelmed with pruning info? Let's walk through the many options out there and narrow it down to what you will realistically do in your garden.
OPTIONAL: Hand's-on demo on-site, based on site owner's approval.
Gardening Education: Jean took the Master Gardener course (Macomb County) in 2004, earning her MSUE MG and Advanced MG certificate soon afterwards. Jean is also an MSUE Master Composter. She was Macomb County Master Gardener Volunteer of the Year in 2006. Jean earned her Landscape Design Certificate from Macomb Community College in 2006.
Gardening Experience: Jean is a lifelong gardener who has created gardens in several states around the country - where ever she was living, she left a piece of beauty behind. She enjoys assisting others in finding and honing their passion for gardening.
Jean was the first Vice-President of the Macomb County Master Gardener Association. She maintains their Facebook page. Jean has earned over 450 education hours and over 4,000 volunteer hours as of Dec 2017.
Jean created, designed, installed, and coordinated an after-school youth gardening program at an elementary school for 5 years, which she built into a MI Junior MG program. Gardens included an alphabet garden; butterfly garden; Monarch waystation; edibles; and natives. The school garden was certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Wildlife Habitat.
Jean is currently the Vice-President of a 501(c)3 non-profit, local community garden (April Millsap Memorial Garden) that has been awarded the 2016 MSUE MG Extraordinary Project, 1st Place as well as 2016 Keep Michigan Beautiful President's Award. In addition, the garden is a Monarch Waystation, Wildlife Habitat and has several other certifications.
Specialties: Native plants, wildlife (birds, butterflies and pollinators) and design are Jean's gardening passions.
Amount I Charge: Varies; Email with the address and presentation topic for a proposal quote.
Travel Restrictions: Unlimited
What Else Should We Know About You?: Jean has lived in Michigan since 2003 with her husband and children. Having grown up Western Massachusetts (Zone 6a) and then living primarily in warmer climates (Zones 8a, 12b, 10a) she is thrilled to be back gardening in Zone 5b! Retail greenhouse/garden center and a working for grower started Jean's green industry career path in Michigan. Jean looks forward to meeting your group and sharing her knowledge and insights with you.
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James Rizzo
1451 Odette
Hartland, MI 48353
(877) 632-5515
(810) 333-2553 [cell]
jrizzo@brightgreenusa.com
Preferred contact method: email or cell phone
Amount I charge: depends on location and there is a mileage fee
Presentation topics:
Living Walls
Vertical Gardening
Gardening Experience: 7 years Living Walls / Grow Roots.
More about James: Bright Grow is a Michigan Manufacturer of Living Wall products.
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Vincent Simeone
1395 Planting Fields Road
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
vasimeone@aol.com
Business Phone: 516-922-8601
Mobile Phone: 516-419-1769
Best Way to Contact: Email
Topics I Speak About:
*Winter Gardening
*Petscaping: Designing a pet friendly garden
*Creating a pollinator and bird friendly garden
*Gardening in deer country
*Sustainable Gardening
*Selecting new and improved varieties of plants
*Flowering Trees and Shrubs
* Plant Selection
* General Woody Plant Maintenance and Pruning
* Four Season Gardening
* Integrated Pest Management
* Historic Landscape Preservation
* Garden Travel
* Public Garden Management
* Low Maintenance Gardening
Gardening Education: AAS in Ornamental Horticulture and BS in Ornamental Horticulture
Gardening Experience: 35 year veteran in public garden management and maintenance, teaching horticulture and writing.
Amount I charge: $350 for Zoom meeting, $500 and up plus travel
I have taught many MG training courses and participated in symposia throughout the country
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Joseph Tychonievich
1005 Settlement Drive
Williamsburg VA 23188
cell phone: (517) 303-0865
email: gsparrowgardens@gmail.com
preferred contact: email
Amount I charge: $950.00
Travel: anywhere, as long as travel costs (flight, hotel) are covered
Speaking Topics:
Rock Gardening
Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener
Rare and Unusual Plants
Understanding Genetic Engineering and many more!
Gardening Experience: BA in Horticulture
Gardening Experience: Worked at nurseries in Michigan and Japan, life long gardener
Other Information: Author of "Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style" (Timber Press, 2016) and "Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener" (Timber Press, 2013). Editor of the "Rock Garden Quarterly", Fine Gardening's "Plant of the Day Blog" and draws a weekly cartoon for Fine Gardening's Facebook page.
