TS00 – Tour of Private Gardens . . . Beauty, Elegance and Inspiration (Ticket Only, Self-Drive)
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see six of the top private gardens in Kansas City. On this self-driving tour, you visit the six gardens at your own pace. Wander…
Read more
TS02 – Gardens, Roofs and Prairies in the Little Apple
Did you know there are two Manhattans, the Big Apple and the Little Apple? The Little Apple is nestled in the heart of the scenic Kansas Flint Hills and best…
Read more
TS01A & TS01B – Amber Waves: Two Days in the Kansas Heartland (Single $467) (Double $397)
Come to the conference early and sign up for the only two-day tour offered. We know some folks think Kansas is flyover country. But if you go no further than…
Read more
TS03 -Session Full-SOLD OUT!- Tour of Private Gardens . . . Beauty, Elegance and Inspiration (Bus transportation, ticket and lunch)
Sit back and relax and let somebody else do the driving. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see six of the top private gardens in Kansas City. Get ideas, get…
Read more
WS01 – Session Full, SOLD OUT! What Would Mother Nature Do?
Lenora LarsonIt’s not an overstatement to say you’ll be amazed by this workshop, this woman, and Long Lips Farm, Lenora Larson’s two-acre garden in rural Paola, Kansas. This workshop demonstrates sustainable…
Read more
TS04 – Tour of Private Gardens . . . Beauty, Elegance and Inspiration (Ticket Only, Self-Drive)
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see six of the top private gardens in Kansas City. On this self-driving tour, you visit the six gardens at your own pace. Wander…
Read more
TS05 – Petals, Vines and Wines
If you love sampling local award-winning wines while making new friends with those who share your interest in wine, this is the tour for you. What better way to spend…
Read more
WS02 – Identifying Common Plant Problems
Judy O’MaraExtension Master Gardeners are often the front line for identifying plant problems and making recommendations for home landscapes and gardens. Anyone who has ever worked a garden hotline knows you…
Read more
WS03 – Understanding Design Principles and Applying Them to the Landscape
Terri JamesIf you want to better understand how to apply tried-and-true design principles to a new garden project you have in mind, this workshop is just the ticket to get you…
Read more
WS04 – Arranging Flowers and Foliage from Your Garden
Craig SoleCraig Sole is known for his joyous floral creations and a more natural look in floral design. Learn the concepts of floral design and how to incorporate fresh cut flowers…
Read more
WS05 -Session Full-SOLD OUT! Identifying Common Plant Problems
Judy O’MaraExtension Master Gardeners are often the front line for identifying plant problems and making recommendations for home landscapes and gardens. Anyone who has ever worked a garden hotline knows you…
Read more
ES01 – Making the United Kingdom a Greener and More Beautiful Place
Leigh HuntSit back and take an enjoyable visual tour around the captivating gardens of the United Kingdom. Discover a variety of environments, changing conditions, and developing approaches to growing, ranging from…
Read more
TS07 – Pockets of Opportunity: An Urban Farm Tour
Live. Laugh. Love. Farm. Take this tour and feel the excitement that grassroots change is bringing to the urban core. Not only is the urban farm movement alive and well…
Read more
TS06 -Session Full-SOLD OUT- Escape to Eastern Kansas, Where Delightful Gardens Abound
A visit to beautiful gardens always creates an extraordinary time. The first stop on the tour is Susan Rendall’s Garden on the outskirts of Lawrence, Kansas. Susan’s garden is what…
Read more
TS08 -Session Full, SOLD OUT!- Preserving the Future: Monarchs, Wetlands and Prairies
If you love being out in nature and being inspired by what others who care are doing to preserve and sustain the environment, this is the tour for you. Preservation…
Read more
TS09 – Nelson-Atkins Museum: Experience Gardens Through Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art or “the Nelson” as Kansas Citians call it, is the cultural jewel of Kansas City. With its outstanding collection of 40,000 works of art, the…
Read more
TS10 -Session Full!-SOLD OUT!!–Midtown Gardens: From Prim and Proper to Wild and Woolly
Don't miss touring four inspirational gardens in the heart of Kansas City that provide a study in contrasts. First, go back in time as you explore the Shawnee Indian Mission,…
Read more
TS11 -Session Full-SOLD OUT!- Educating the Gardener in You!
The contrast between the stops on this tour are sure to get the gardener in you thinking in new ways. Each garden experience is different from the other, but each…
Read more
WS06 – Nature Journaling
Carrie CarlsonNature journaling is the mindful practice of connecting with nature by using all your senses, making and recording observations, and being curious. What better way to expand your enjoyment of…
Read more
WS07 -SESSION FULL-SOLD OUT! Every Gardener Is an Artist
Donna HouttemanRaise your hand if you fall in love with beautiful plants at the garden center but aren’t sure how to put them together to make a wow-factor design. Instead of…
Read more
WS08 – Positive Ways to Deal with Negative Behavior
Diane OakesIf you want to be happy for a lifetime, be a gardener. However, even gardeners have to eventually return to the real world where we interact with all kinds of…
Read more
WS09 – Paper Flowers That Never Wilt!
Teresa HalbersmaWhat’s the secret to creating beautiful bouquets that need no water and never wilt? Learn the answer when you join the fun of making one-of-a-kind flowers using papercraft. Workshop includes:…
Read more
WS10 -Session Full, SOLD OUT! Natural Garden Design: Use Layers & Green Mulch to Reduce Management and Increase Ecosystem Function
Benjamin VogtIn this workshop, you’ll discover how to garden in synch with nature using the processes and designs found in native plant communities. The result is a garden that’s as attractive…
Read more
WS11 – iPhone Photography Explorations
Jim RichardsonFew cameras have changed photography as much as the mobile phone. This hands-on workshop by National Geographic photojournalist Jim Richardson explores the visual storytelling capabilities of this pocket-size communications tool.…
Read more
WS12 -SESSION FULL-SOLD OUT!- The Herb Lovers Garden Workshop
Sue GoetzThis hands-on workshop is for the gardener interested in planting, nurturing, harvesting and creatively using herbs. It covers everything from aromatics and healing to edible flowers and culinary flavors. Learn…
Read more
WS13 – Paper Flowers That Never Wilt!
Teresa HalbersmaWhat’s the secret to creating beautiful bouquets that need no water and never wilt? Learn the answer when you join the fun of making one-of-a-kind flowers using papercraft. Workshop includes:…
Read more
KS01 – Feeding Planet Earth
Jim RichardsonThe problem of feeding our hungry planet has taken Jim around the world several times for National Geographic Magazine. Over the last 20 years, he has covered stories of food,…
Read more
KS02 – Conquer the Soil: Legendary Stories in American Horticulture
Abra LeeFrom flamboyant floral expressions to extraordinary achievements in literature and art, America’s Black people have long sown seeds of greatness in their own gardens and the gardens of others. Abra…
Read more
TS12 – KC Arts and Architecture Tour
If you’re an architecture fan or a history buff or love the extravagant,or all three,then this is the tour for you. This is a culture and information-rich tour of two…
Read more
CS01-Session Full, SOLD OUT! The Best Herbs to Use in Landscape Design
Sue GoetzIt’s time to think outside the herb garden. Incorporating herbs into the landscape is a new look at the traditional way of growing herbs. Low maintenance, water misers, pollinator attraction,…
Read more
CS02 – Working with Weed Ordinances and HOAs
Benjamin VogtThe Weed Police. Have you ever received a threatening note in your mailbox, taped to your door, or staked into your yard saying you'll soon be fined for weeds in…
Read more
CS03 – New-Media Marketing Best Practices to Foster Extension Master Gardener Program Growth
Dr. Cheryl BoyerIt’s no exaggeration that the digital age has transformed how organizations connect with their audience. Social media, e-newsletters, websites, email, YouTube . . . the list goes on. Which ones…
Read more
CS05 – The Humane Gardener: Nurturing Habitat for Wildlife
Nancy LawsonWhy do we call some insects “beneficial” and others “pests”? Why do we welcome some animals and treat others as nuisances? Why are some plants considered desirable while others are…
Read more
CS06 – Beyond Sumac: Anacardiaceae in and Around the Garden
Dr. Susan PellWhen you hear the word cosmopolitan, usually Anacardiaceae doesn’t come to mind (pronounced anna-cord-dee-ay-cee-ay). But after hearing Dr. Pell’s talk, it might. Cashews, mangoes, pistachios, sumac, smoke tree, poison ivy,…
Read more
CS04-How Crevice Gardens Can Be Used Anywhere for More Things Than You Think
Kenton SethYour gardening canvas just got bigger! Join Kenton Seth, a pioneer in modern crevice gardening, as he shows how to bring a miniaturized mountain environment into your yard using crevice…
Read more
CS08 – Blending Diverse Volunteer Groups in a Community Teaching Garden
Theresa BadurekCome and learn the fundamentals of setting up and running a community teaching garden. Take a front row seat as Theresa explains how the Ochs Community Garden (pronounced "oaks") works…
Read more
CS09 – Native Medicinal Plants of the Prairie
Dr. Kelly KindscherJoin Kelly Kindscher and learn about the great pharmaceutical house on the prairie. The Plains Indians found medicinal value in more than 200 species of native prairie plants. Science is…
Read more
CS10 – Kids Ask Dr. Bug: Engaging the Public in Insect Conservation Through Edutainment
Dr. Tamra ReallOur local Master Gardeners love Dr. Bug, and so will you. Dr. Reall’s expertise and edutaining presentations make entomology engaging for audiences of all ages. Insects are essential parts of…
Read more
CS11 – Pruning Like a Pro: Tips for Trees and Shrubs
Matthew McKernanPruning is a basic gardening skill that intimidates most people. It is both an art and a science, which means there are many ways to prune correctly and poorly. Every…
Read more
CS12 – Bees and Pesticides: What Are the Facts?
Dr. Raymond CloydSeventy-five percent of the world’s food crops depend on honey bees and other pollinators. We all understand the benefit of pollinators and the need to protect them. There is, however,…
Read more
CS13 – The Future of Gardening Advice—Learning from and Adapting to a Global Pandemic
Nikki BarkerThe Royal Horticultural Society is the United Kingdom’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and gardening practices. The RHS manages a vast gardening advice service. COVID forced them to…
Read more
CS14 – Water-Wise Landscape Design
Donna HoffmanWith drought and extreme weather events on the rise over the last two decades, it is more important than ever to know which plants not only survive but thrive in…
Read more
CS15 – Growing Color: Plants as Natural Dyes
Maria & Gina BeebeNatural dyes have been used to color the fibers of our lives for thousands of years. Buried beneath the popularity of synthetic dyes used in fast fashion is the art…
Read more
CS16 – Essential Crops and Edible Weeds: Traditional Indigenous Backyard Gardens
Dr. Devon MihesuahExplore the history of indigenous gardens, an overlooked area of garden history. Join Devon Mihesuah as she brings to light the wisdom and gardening techniques used by the Five Tribes…
Read more
CS17 – Using Social Media for Education and Elevating Diverse Voices
LeAnn LocherSocial media is here to stay. It gives EMG programs more reach than ever for teaching and sharing knowledge in meaningful ways. Come and hear how Oregon State University Extension…
Read more
CS18 – Hostas: Everything You Want to Know About America’s Most Popular Perennial
Rob MortkoWhat makes hostas the top-selling perennial in America? Come find out from nationally recognized hosta expert, Rob Mortko. Known as “The Hosta Guy,” his plant knowledge is also relevant to…
Read more
CS20 – What Do Public Gardens Have to Offer Master Gardeners?
Dr. Susan PellPublic gardens and greenhouses have always been sources of inspiration for Master Gardeners. And there’s more, a lot more, to take advantage of. Join Dr. Pell as she delves deeper…
Read more
CS21 – Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Backyard
Chuck OtteWant more hummingbirds to visit your yard this summer? It’s easy when you use hummingbird-friendly plants in your landscaping and choose the right feeders. Come and learn: Basic needs of…
Read more
CS22 – Session Full, SOLD OUT! Techniques to Boost Your Harvest: How to Grow More Produce in Any Size Garden, Even Containers
Jennifer StefanchikHave an interest in growing more of your own produce? Have a vegetable garden and want a better harvest? Whether new to food gardening or experienced, you are sure to…
Read more
CS23 – Gardening Safely and Minimizing Risk
Gail Brandys & Angela O'CallaghanHeat stress. Poison ivy. A sore back. We all know these are common complaints among gardeners. But do you know how to recognize and resolve less common safety challenges facing…
Read more
CS24 – Teaching and Outreach Strategies for Engaging Underserved Cultural Audiences
David Lott & Sandra Barrera FuentesHave you wanted to work with and teach people from different cultures and languages in your Master Gardener program, but simply don’t know where to start? Come and learn from…
Read more
CS25 – Bringing a New Plant to Market
Bill MaloucheEver wonder how a plant gets from the idea stage to showing up at your local nursery? Come and join Bill Malouche as he draws back the curtain on this…
Read more
CS26 – Understanding the Spectrum of Disabilities and Expanding Your Outreach
Paul JonesFACT: The U.S. has almost 50 million people with disabilities. That’s a lot. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, people with disabilities are the nation’s largest minority. The number…
Read more
CS27 – Plant-Derived Essential Oils: Are They Effective Against Insect and Mite Pests?
Dr. Raymond CloydThere is a growing interest in controlling pest problems using natural products. Because they are naturally occurring oils and plant extracts, people think they are safer. But are they? Do…
Read more
ES02 – Bicycling with Butterflies
Sara DykmanSara Dykman made history in 2017 as the first person to bicycle alongside monarch butterflies as they made their 10,201-mile annual migration. She bicycled from Mexico through the United States…
Read more
KS03 – Challenges of Gardening in a Changing Climate
Dr. Charles RiceClimate change is increasing global temperatures. How do gardeners deal with the challenges of climate change? Precipitation continues to increase in some areas and decrease in others. More and more,…
Read more
CS29 – Weed-Free Gardening
Tasha GreerLet’s get into the weeds! Make weeds your allies in creating a more peaceful, non-toxic garden using the ideas in this presentation. Learn to decipher the clues weeds offer about…
Read more
CS30 – Personal Impacts and Public Value—The Ripples of Volunteerism
Anne YasalonisRipples are tiny waves generated when someone drops a stone into the water. Ripple Effects Mapping is generating some big waves in the world of evaluation. If you are an…
Read more
CS31 – Friendly Inclusive Gardening (FIG): Garden Design for All Ages and Abilities
Stephen CantúHow do you experience the joy of gardening when you have mobility or accessibility challenges? Learn about the FIG program - Friendly Inclusive Gardening - developed by Stephen Cantú, a…
Read more
CS32 – Growing and Blooming Orchids Successfully
David BirdORCHIDS. Mysterious . . . exotic . . . beautiful . . . difficult to get to bloom. These are the four descriptions orchid grower David Bird hears most often…
Read more
CS33 – Plants for Birds
Marshall JohnsonHow do we restore vital habitats for birds in our communities? How do we help them adapt and survive in the face of climate change? Join this dynamic speaker from…
Read more
CS34 – Keys to Success for School Garden Programs That Thrive
Whitney CohenWhy do some school gardens take root and become well-established, while others fizzle and fade? Get the antidote to Fizzle-and-Fade from Whitney Cohen, an expert in garden-based education for children.…
Read more
CS36 – The Giving Grove: Inspiring Community Orchards Across America
Matt Bunch & Ashley WilliamsonLittle orchards. Big impact. Will your city be next in joining this food sovereignty movement? The purpose of the Giving Grove’s work is to inspire and excite neighborhoods about growing…
Read more
CS37 – Growing Edible Natives in Your Garden
Dr. Nadia Navarrete-TindallExpand your culinary horizons and come away with some tasty recipes to boot! You don’t have to become a forager to enjoy the many edible native plants that are quite…
Read more
CS38 – How Using Online Training May Help Increase MG Diversity and Lessons Learned Along the Way
Dr. Jeff WilsonCOVID forced many states to change how they deliver Master Gardener training, including Mississippi State. In 2021, they began using online delivery for initial EMG training. They learned a lot!…
Read more
CS39 – Cacti and Succulent Varieties and Growing Tips
Judy PigueHave you ever bought a colorful succulent from the garden center only to have it die a few weeks later? Do you struggle with growing succulents and cacti for more…
Read more
CS40 – Mini-Forest Revolution
Hannah LewisSo much of the climate conversation is powered by the fearful narrative of a dying planet. Hannah Lewis offers a different story. The mini-forest revolution is a movement to restore…
Read more
CS41 – Connecting People and Plants
Terri James, Pam Bennett & Sheri DornAs Horticultural professionals and Master Gardeners, we instinctively know the communities we serve and environment are better because of what we do. But how much better? Join our three panelists…
Read more
CS43 – Grow Your Own Spices
Tasha GreerLearning to grow spices used to require acts of dangerous espionage. No more! Spice up your garden, your plate, and your health with your own fresh, homegrown spices. Unlike herbs,…
Read more
CS44 – Landscaping with a Prairie Palette
Carol DavitCarol Davit tells a compelling story of why the prairie matters. Native grasslands occur globally in the form of prairies, glades, savannas, and other grassland-natural communities. In addition to their…
Read more
CS45 – Kahoot! Educating Master Gardeners and Our Communities with a Smile
Tena van AndelHow do we inspire Master Gardeners to learn? How do we spice up the same old lecture on container gardening? Kahoot! Kahoot is a subscription-based tool on the web that…
Read more
CS46 – Inspiring Your Inner Artist with Nature’s Art
Donna HouttemanMother Nature is the perfect engineer and design guru. She has been creating and optimizing her designs for millions of years. She has R & D in the bag. What…
Read more
CS47 – The Need for Monarch Waystations
Dr. Orley “Chip” TaylorHow can you not love a tiny, gorgeous creature that flies from Mexico to Canada to keep its species on the Earth? Monarch butterflies are one of our most iconic…
Read more
CS48 – Children in the Garden, A Sensory Experience
Rene BookoffChildren’s gardens are a big part of the Master Gardener mission. Because sensory experiences are so important to a child’s development, creating a sensory garden for children is a natural…
Read more
TS13 – A Relaxing Outing: Behind the Scenes at Boulevard Brewery
Do you like beer? Are you curious about how it’s made? Then gather your friends and head downtown to Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewery. You’ll have a fun and sociable afternoon…
Read more
CS50 – The Art of Gardening Monet Style
Gale McRobertsHave you wanted a Monet-style garden but thought it was too involved? Then this is the session for you. Come be inspired and entertained at the same time as Gale…
Read more
CS51 – It’s Not ALL or NOTHING! Protecting Pollinators While Still Enjoying Plants of All Kinds
Pam BennettMany gardeners today are focused on the pollinator plight and doing all they can to protect and promote them. Yet other gardeners, especially the gardening public, are unlikely to turn…
Read more
CS52 – Engaging Master Gardeners as Citizen Scientists
Matt Jones, Caroline RichardsonCitizen scientists are all the buzz. As the name implies, citizen scientists are people from the general public (citizens) who collaborate with professional scientists in doing applied research. For Extension…
Read more
CS53 – New and Recently Introduced High Performing Annuals for 2023
Mike DeReeWhat gardener doesn’t want to attend this presentation?! Join Mike DeRee from Ball Seed Company as he talks about new annual varieties introduced in 2023, the must-haves, and rock star…
Read more
CS54 – The Alchemy of Compost, How 2+2=9 If You Let It
Stan SlaughterWe all want better compost faster, an easier composting process, and more waste reduction. Composting is part art and part science. Most gardeners know the science, but many struggle with…
Read more
CS55 – Lilac Renaissance
Brian MorleyLilacs . . . “In springtime, love is carried on the breeze.” Brian Morley fell in love with lilacs, so much so that he “bought the farm,” both literally and…
Read more
ES03 – The Forgotten Elements of Good Design
Daniel HinkleyYou will not want to miss this chance to see and hear one of America’s foremost horticulturists and plantsmen. Daniel will help us understand what it takes to create a…
Read more
KS04 – Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden
Jessica WalliserJessica Walliser provides a scientific look at whether or not vegetable companion planting works and why. Discover how companion planting affects weed control and the spread of plant diseases. Learn…
Read more
KS05 – Why Gardens and Gardening Matter
Scott BeuerleinYou won’t want to miss this uplifting closing keynote by Scott Beuerlein. It takes you on a fascinating horticultural journey. He connects evolution, art, genetics, natural history, food and wine,…
Read more