MMGA SPEAKER’S BUREAU
Welcome to the Speaker’s Bureau page where individuals and organizations can find subject matter experts to speak on a variety of topics that are relevant to gardening in Michigan. Presentation topics have been vetted and approved by the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program to qualify for education hours.
sPEAKER LIST (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Susan Betz
Susan is an author, photographer, speaker, writer, and garden presenter. Her primary focus is gardening with herbs and native plants from an herbal perspective. She is an Honorary Master Gardener and 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 and received The Society’s Helen D. Conway Little Medal of Honor in 2018.
Phone: 517-212-6032
Email: michiganherbs007@me.com
Website / socials: W: freshstartherbs.org I: @susanbetzherbs
Topics: water quality, vegetable gardening and community gardening
Cost: Please contact for pricing
Travel: Willing to travel, please contact for additional details
Carol Brodbeck
Carol has been presenting on gardening and nature-related topics presented on a variety of topics to a wide variety of audiences of all ages (4-95) in a five-county area over the past 20 years. Some of these audiences were Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, and Livonia libraries; garden clubs in Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Ingham, Livingston, Monroe, Jackson, and Wayne counties; Michigan Garden Club District Meetings; National Garden Club Central Region and National conventions; Colonial Dames of America; DAR; Questers, U-M, Washtenaw Community College Life-Long Learning, and most recently taught March 2021 Outdoor Flower course for 59 students at the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Gardening School. Served as State President of Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. 2017-2019.
I try to answer the question "WHY" so audiences know why plants or practices are recommended--so they can make choices on their own without needing their lists of recommendations. Love to include biological tidbits to awe the audience of the awesomeness of nature. When appropriate, I also include some history about the topic. Each presentation is updated with current information obtained from science-based periodicals or from lectures, webinars or classes. Will tailor presentation for a given audience. When available, will email handout which they can copy for their attendees. I have my own Zoom license, so this is an option for you. Have also been writing a monthly column on gardening in church newsletter since January 2020. Judge annual 4-H gardening-related exhibits at Washtenaw County Youth Fair. As a Master Flower Show Judge, judge flower shows throughout the state and most willing to work with groups who wish to learn more about this opportunity to enter. I was also invited to judge the Philadelphia Flower Show. Am a creative floral designer and member of the Creative Flower Arrangers Guild in Dearborn. Seved as Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. State President 2017-19 and currently, as part-time faculty at Washtenaw Community College.
Email: brodbeck@aol.com
Phone: 734-434-3795 (home)
Website / socials:
Cost: via zoom $50.00. In-person $100 + mileage
Travel: Within 150 miles of home
Topics: Hummingbird Gardening (Hummer Haven); Butterfly Gardening (Butterfly Bliss); Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Pollinators to the Landscape and Gardens; Container Gardens to Attract Hummers and Butterflies; Spring-flowering Geophytes(bulbs); Tender Geophytes (Bulbs) --Requirements, Planting, Care, Digging, and Storing; Origins of Fruits and Vegetables (History on Our Holiday Tables); Moon Garden (Sensuous Garden of the Night); Pollinators (What's the Buzzzzz About?); Common Houseplant TCL and Common Problems; African Violets; Some Like it Dry (Drought-Tolerant); Good Bug/Bad Bug; Simply Tomatoes; Maintenance of Perennials; Creating Planters, Dish Gardens, and Terrariums; Propagating Plants Vegetatively; Seeds Up Close; The Exotic Air Plants; Grow Carnivorous Plants and Not Kill Them; Showing Horticulture at a Flower Show
Allen Chartier
Bio needed.
Phone: (313) 433-5002 (mobile)
Email: amazilia3@gmail.com (preferred)
Topics: Hummingbirds
Website: http://mihummingbirdguy.blogspot.com/p/great-lakes-hummernet.htm
Cost: $150
Travel: prefer to present in person, but charge a travel fee beyond 50 miles from my home
Cathy Coulson
Cathy has been gardening in Michigan for 20 years, becoming an EMG in 2018. She manages a garden center in Pinckney. We have four Learning Gardens onsite, all of which are Master Gardener certified for Volunteer Hours. I'm a former LCMGA president and secretary and former MMGA board member. I give presentations at work from November through March every year and have plenty of experience speaking with groups of all sizes.
Email: doodads_mum@yahoo.com
Phone: 770-856-5355 (cell) (preferred)
Cost: $150 in-person, $75 virtual
Travel: up to 100 miles away or Zoom, no preference
Topics: Pollinators & Habitat Creation, Learning Gardens, Fruit Trees for Novices, Invasive Plants, Butterflies &Moths, Early Blooming Perennials, Critter Resistant Plantings, Hydrangeas Made Easy, Fall Clean-up, Winter Gardens around the World, Perennial Victory Gardens, Lawn Care & Turf Alternatives, Backyard Birds for Beginners, Poisonous Plants
Stacey Hirvela
Bio: (same as on site)
Email: shirvela@gmail.com (preferred)
Phone: 6164983763
Website / socials:
Cost: varies
Travel: prefers in person but can do Zoom
Topics: Shrubs, Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs, perennial gardening, deer resistant gardening.
Rufus Isaacs
Bio: (same as site)
Email: isaacsr@msu.edu (preferred)
Phone: 517 242 2532 (cell)
Website / socials: www.isaacslab.ent.msu.edu
Cost: $100
Travel: in person or Zoom
Topics: Pollinator conservation in gardens, fruit insect pest management
Kerry Ann Mendez
Kerry is an award-winning garden educator, author, design consultant, and proprietor of Perennially Yours, based in southern Maine. As an exceptionally popular educator and communicator, She has presented to thousands of gardeners in 23 states. In 2014 she received the Gold Medal award from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for “exceptional teaching and writing that increases public enjoyment and appreciation of horticulture.” Kerry has also written four gardening books, the most recent being The Budget Wise Gardener and The Right-Size Flower Garden. In 2016 Kerry started producing international gardening webinars that have been enjoyed by thousands. She has been a presenter and keynote speaker at Master Gardener conferences in 18 states. Kerry has spoken at many Master Gardeners events in Michigan - including three times for Gardening and All That Jazz in Oakland County.
Email: pyours1@gmail.com
Phone: Home 207 502-7228 Cell 207-205-3359
Website: Perennially Yours: https://pyours.com/
Cost: In Person Zoom $450. In Person varies based on program
Topics: Beautiful high-impact, low-maintenance gardens and landscapes that are planet and pollinator friendly; Clever and money-saving tips for everblooming gardens; Design tips for reducing time and maintenance for busy and maturing gardeners
Glen Pace
Bio: Mr. Pace is a retired Registered Nurse and a botany enthusiast as a means of relaxation. Glen is still an instructor for the Emergency Nurses Association, teaching the Trauma Nurse Core Course. His gardening enthusiasm started more than 50 years ago, when a neighbor gave 5-year-old Glen a bouquet of Salix discolor (Pussy willow) while he was enjoying their catkins. Since that first tree took root, Glen has been propagating multiple plants by rooting, layering, and grafting. He has written many PowerPoint presentations on gardening subjects, including “Side-Veneer Grafting,” “Cypripediums,” “Color and Texture in the Spring Garden,” “Fostering the Unconventional,” and other subjects related to a Woodland Garden. He enjoys teaching others about his style of gardening and about the plants for which he holds great passion. Glen is known for pushing the hardiness envelope with his unique collections of plants and enjoys the pastime of working in his private woodland garden, Pace Gardens, in Clio, MI.
“I break so many of the traditional gardening rules, you wouldn’t think I would be teaching gardening.”
Phone: 8102474582 (cell)
Email: PaceGardens@charter.net
Topics: Color and Texture in the Spring Garden; Cypripedium Orchids; Fostering the Unconventional; Grafting the Japanese Maple; Hellebores: The Species, Some Hybrids, and Which Ones Grow Best in USDA zones 5b-6a; Maples for the Small Garden; Trillium: More Than Just the White One; What is Hosta College?; Wonderful Woodlanders
Cost: $200 plus mileage
Travel: Can present in person or via Zoom. Please give 4 week notice when scheduling a presentation.
Jean Persely
Bio: 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 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. She became a Master Rain Gardener in 2018; an MSUE Conservation Steward in 2021; and MSUE Master Naturalist in 2023.
Email: jean.persely@bmologistics.com (preferred)
Phone: cell 5867645956
Website: Check Jean's website for updates and upcoming programs.
Follow BMO Logisitics- Garden on Facebook for upcoming programs.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-persely-6a2160105/
Cost: varies, includes mileage and time; email for quote and current presentation list
Topics: Native plants, wildlife (birds, butterflies, and pollinators), and design; The Best Garden is Next Years Garden; Magical Monarchs; Beckoning Butterflies; Defining Your Canvas: Landscape Design; Naturally Natives; Pick a Pollinator!; Practical Pruning
Joseph Tychonievich
Bio: Life-long gardener, degree in horticulture from Ohio State, author of multiple gardening
books.
Email: gsparrowgardens@gmail.com (preferred)
Phone: 5173030865
Website / socials: josephgardens.com
Cost: $500 for Zoom, $750 is close to home (eg, SW michigan), $1000 for trips that require an overnight stay.
Travel: In person or zoom, happy to travel as long as travel costs are covered.
Topics: Gardening for pollinators, Plant propagation, science-based gardening information.
