Garden Visions 2010 - SpeakersKEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Mike Nowak
Paul Tukey
ALL SPEAKERS (alphabetical)
Arlen Albrecht
Barbara Andrewjeski
Kat Becker & Tony Schultz
Nate Bremer
Zannah Crowe
Janet Gamble
Kate Heiber-Cobb
Eileen Herrling
Jackie Johnson
Mary Meyer
Mike Nowak
Tony Schultz & Kat Becker
Stan Tekiela
Sam Thayer
Paul Tukey
Mike Veihl
Laurie Weiss
Dave Zlesak
Arlen Albrecht
Topic: Square Foot Gardens - Productive, Fun & Attractive Gardens (Friday)
Arlen Albrecht is Professor of Community Development, UW-Extension, and a life long gardener. While working in Nicaragua with conventional gardening systems in unforgiving soils and conditions, Albrecht realized there needed to be a better system. His research led him to a week long workshop offered by Mel Bartholomew, inventor of Square Foot Gardens. He has since practiced this technique at home in North Central Wisconsin, in Kenya Africa, Nicaragua CA and Guyana SA. He has also started a 35 bed community garden system in Medford, Wisconsin.
Barbara Andrewjeski
Topic: Orchids 101: An Introduction to the World of Orchids
Handouts: Orchids 101 Brochure, Orchids 101 Handout
Barbara has been in the floral and plant business for most of the last 30 years. She spent 5 years as a Route Sales Rep for Tropical Gardens, a tropical plant wholesaler. She is now greenhouse manager for the same company.
Barbara has given orchid presentations to dozens of groups including several Master Gardener classes. She has been an addicted orchid grower for over 10 years and hopes to someday have her own orchid greenhouse. She enjoys sharing her love of Orchids with others, especially those just getting started.
Kat Becker and Tony Schultz
Topic: Organic Gardening 101 (Saturdday) & Vegetable Gardens Northern Style (Saturday)
Katrina Becker and Tony Schultz run Stoney Acres Farm, a third generation farm in Athens, Wisconsin. Having been certified as organic farmers, they produce vegetables, herbs, fruit, maple syrup, beef, & chicken which they market through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, famers markets and through direct purchase. See their web site at www.stoneyacresfarm.net for more information on their farm.
Tony has degree in Broad Field Social Studies from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and is currently farming full-time after teaching for four years. Kat, originally from New York City, farms full-time and teaches part-time for the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County. She has a degree in International Agriculture from Cornell University, and a Masters Degree in Rural Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before starting the farm with Tony, Kat worked on organic farms across the country and was an avid gardener. Kat and Tony have a son, Riley, who was born in Jan of 2008.
Kat and Tony were Marathon County's Young Farmers of the year for 2008.
Nate Bremer
Topic: Lucious Lillium (Saturday)
Nate Bremer is a hybridizer specializing in northern-hardy daylilies and Peonies. He has served as an American Hemerocallis Society Garden Judge and owns and operates Solaris Farms. The century-old farmstead, located near Reedsville, Wisconsin is an Official American Hemerocallis Society (AHS) Display Garden and commercial daylily, Peony and Lilium nursery.
Solaris Farms is home to more than 2,000 registered daylilies and a test garden of 10,000+ seedlings and new cultivars under propagation. The farm has been featured in numerous television and magazines profiles, and is a frequent destination of master gardener groups, garden clubs and specialist gardeners. Solaris Farms served as an AHS Region 2 tour garden site in 2004, where it was visited by hundreds of daylily enthusiasts from a five-state area.
Recently, Nate has added propagation/hybridization programs for Peonies and Lilium. Herbaceous and Tree peonies, from renowned Wisconsin hybridizer Bill Seidl, are among the finest plants available today and are available at the farm. Shrub peonies (tree peonies) are a key new element to northern gardens and Solaris Farms has some of the most unique and hardy varieties available on the market today. Many fine selections from other hybridizers are part of the large collection and new varieties are being developed for the future.
Before discovering daylilies, Bremer was a nationally awarded hybridizer of Phragmapedium orchids. In 1999, he opened Solaris Farms, where he sells plants, gives tours, hybridizes and serves as a passionate advocate of naturally field-grown, zone-hardy Hemerocallis, Paeonia and Lilium. Bremer’s most recent Hemerocallis introductions were featured in the garden of the Wisconsin Governor’s mansion for the 2008 Regional AHS Convention.
Bremer lives with his wife Kimberly, two children and numerous critters at Solaris Farms. When not at work in the lily fields, he teaches middle school science and has been recognized as a Wisconsin Science teacher of the year.
Zannah Crowe
Topic: Foolproof Perennials (Saturday) & Creating a Garden of Four Season Interest (Saturday)
Zannah has been working in the field of horticulture for over 25 years. She holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from UW-Madison and managed a rare-plant nursery in Connecticut for 12 years before returning to her Midwest roots in 1995. For several years she was Executive Director of a community gardening program in West Bend, Wisconsin and is currently employed as lead horticulturist at Monches Farm, a perennial plant nursery in Colgate, Wisconsin. In addition to gardening she is a hobbyist photographer, with several published photos in national magazines. She shares her home with her husband, two lovely children and a menagerie of companion animals.
Janet Gamble
Topic: Berry'licious (Friday)
Janet Gamble came to Michael Fields in 1997 and pioneered the Garden Student Program. She brings 25 years of life experience in organic and biodynamic agriculture with a specific focus in horticultural crops to the Farm and Food Programs. Janet is primary instructor for the Farm and Food educational programs, manages the out-door classroom at Michael Fields, and assists with outreach and education with our urban agriculture projects. Her efforts and expertise in farmer training is recognized throughout the movement. Currently, she sits on the Biodynamic Association of America Board of Directors, CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) and Farm Beginnings steering committee since 1997, CIAS (Center for Integrated Ag Sciences, UW-Madison) since 2004, National Biodynamic Training steering Committee, and is a founding board member of MOSES (Midwest Organic Sustainable Education Services).
Brent Gustason
Topic: Groundcoverings: Why & in What Situation (Saturday) & Think Outside the Box: "New & Worthy: Old & Underused Perennials & Shrubs (Saturday)
Brent is a Sales Representative for Midwest Groundcovers, LLC located in St. Charles, Illinois for the past 7 years covering the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Biology. He has been in the horticulture industry for the past 25 years in nursery production, distribution, management, and retail and wholesale sales. He presently serves on the board of the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association. He does a number of presentations throughout the Midwest on horticultural topics and presently resides in Campbellsport where he tests a number of new plants for Midwest Groundcovers.
Kate Heiber-Cobb
Topic: Introduction to Permaculture (Friday) 
Kate Heiber-Cobb founded the Madison Area Permaculture Guild in the summer of 2008. Through her business, Sustainability on Stilts, LLC, she educates about and consults on Permaculture. A leader in the growing movement to establish Permaculture principles as a foundation for urban plantings, Kate is also a board member of The Natural Step Monona, and has training in Transition Towns and Radical Urban Sustainability.
Topic: Digital Photography (Friday) & Garden Photography Critic (Saturday)
Eileen Herrling is a nature and travel photographer, whose work has been published in magazines, textbooks, and calendars. She also teaches digital photography classes at various venues in North Eastern Wisconsin. A 4-star exhibitor in Color Slide, Nature and Photo-Travel divisions of Photographic Society of America (PSA), Eileen has received numerous awards for her working including:
• PPSA for outstanding accomplishments in the PSA 
• Hanns Kretschmar Award for Excellence in the Arts
• Grand prize in International Nature Photography Contest
Jackie Johnson
Topic: Herb Gardening from A to Z (Friday) & Lore & Mythology of Herbs (Saturday)
Jackie has been involved in herbs and holistic studies for over 20 years and is a founding member of Heart of the Valley and Northeast Wisconsin Units of the Herb Society of America. She is a Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP), Master Herbalist, Wisconsin Master Naturalist and a Master Gardener. Jackie is will be completing her naturopathic doctor degree this summer. Additionally she has a BS in Criminal Justice Administration, minors in business and paralegal studies and raises Arabian horses, a constant source of organic matter for the garden! jackie lives in the Seymour WI area.
Mary Meyer
Topic: Winning Combinations with Ornamental Grasses (Saturday)
Mary will cover using grasses with perennials, shrubs and in combinations that will highlight the natural and seasonal variations of these decorative plants. Plants for difficult sites, such as dry areas, standing water and shade will also be covered. The Extension publication Ornamental Grasses for Cold Climates is a good addition to this presentation.
Planting Under Trees (Saturday)
Planting under trees is one of the most difficult locations to grow plants. This presentation will discuss how to plant under trees, which trees have the worst root systems (maples!! as many gardeners know) and what plants do well in this dry and usually shady location. Naive woodland plants and many perennials can be grown successfully without damaging the tree as will be discussed.
Education: Ph.D. University of Minnesota, 1993, Plant Breeding and Genetics,
M.S. Cornell University, 1973, Ornamental Grass Taxonomy,
B.S. Clemson University, 1971, Ornamental Horticulture
Dr. Meyer joined the Horticultural Science faculty in 1993 and has primarily an Extension/outreach and research appointment. Her research interests include native and ornamental grasses, especially Miscanthus, Schizachyrium, and Pennisetum. She is interested in propagation and production of grasses including cold hardiness, and sustainability of grasses for landscaping, especially in northern climates. Blue Heaven is a patented new little bluestem grass she released in 2007. She also conducts research on alternative low maintenance turfgrasses. She has studied Miscanthus and where it has escaped in the United States and authored the website entitled Miscanthus: Ornamental and Invasive Grass. She is the author of the publication Ornamental Grasses for Cold Climates which can be purchased from the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
Dr. Meyer is responsible for the development and coordination of statewide multi-media educational programs in environmental and consumer horticulture. Her main office is at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum where she is the Arboretum Professor of Applied Research and Consumer Horticulture. She was the State Coordinator for the Master Gardener program in Minnesota for 13 years. In July 2008, Dr. Meyer became the Interim Director of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum when Peter Olin retired after 24 years of Arboretum leadership.
She coordinates Hort 4000, International Experiences in Horticulture, and teaches Hort 3000 Global Seminar on English Garden History.
Mike Nowak (Keynote Speaker)
Topic: I'm Not Really a Garden Expert, I Just Play One on the Radio (Keynote: Saturday)
Guys on Grass (Saturday)
Mike Nowak is host of the aptly-named “The Mike Nowak Show,” Sundays from 8 to 10am on Chicago’s Progressive Talk, WCPT 820AM and 92.5, 92.7 and 99.9 FM. For a decade before coming to WCPT, he was the host of WGN Radio's “Let's Talk Gardening.” This year he co-hosted the TV show "Little Green Men" on WYCC TV20 and has also appeared on WGN-TV Channel 9, CBS 2 Chicago and the DIY Network. He is a writer and award-winning columnist for Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.
In 2002, Mike founded the Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association with landscape designer Connie Cunningham. The organization promotes environmentally responsible landscaping and horticultural practices among professionals and the public. Mike served as MELA's president for four years.
He is an Illinois Master Gardener and Openlands TreeKeeper, president of the Chicago Recycling Coalition and on the board of the Lincoln Park Conservancy. He is also part of the Speakers Network for SafeLawns.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting natural lawn care and grounds maintenance.
For more information about Mike, his show, and other ventures, log on to www.mikenowak.net.
Topic: Captivating Bluebirds (Saturday)
Naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer Stan Tekiela is the originator of the popular state-specific field guides such as Birds of Wisconsin Field Guide, Wildflowers of Wisconsin, and Trees of Wisconsin. Over the past two decades Stan has authored more than 100 field guides, nature appreciation books and wildlife audio CDs for nearly every state in the nation, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, trees, wildflowers and cacti. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 20 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in over 20 newspapers and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations. He is a member of the North American Nature Photography Association and Canon Professional Services along with many other professional organizations. Stan resides in Victoria, Minnesota, with his wife and daughter. He can be contacted via his web page at www.naturesmart.com.
Sam Thayer
Topic: Weeds as Volunteer Vegetables (Saturday)
Sam Thayer was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, and has been foraging since childhood. He has spent his life studying wild food, putting this knowledge into practice, and sharing it with others. Over the last 10 years, Sam has taught wild food workshops around the country. He has also worked as a field botanist. His first book, The Forager's Harvest, has won three awards and has been a perennial Amazon category best-seller. Sam earns his living as an author, speaker, wild rice harvester, and maple syrup producer. He lives in northern Wisconsin with his wife, Melissa, and their daughter, Myrica.
Paul Tukey (Keynote Speaker)
Topic: "A Chemical Reaction" Film Screening (Friday)
How to Create Beautiful Landscapes Naturally (Keynote: Saturday)
America's 2006 Gardening Communicator of the Year, Paul Tukey is the founder of SafeLawns.org, an international coalition of for-profit and non-profit organizations promoting environmentally friendly lawn care and resource conservation.
Paul is well known to millions of Americans through his popular gardening program People, Places & Plants on HGTV and through his magazine of the same name. He brings many years of experience in both journalism and gardening to the SafeLawns.org campaign.
He was introduced to gardening during summers spent growing vegetables at his grandparents dairy farm in Maine. After graduating from the University of Maine with a degree in Journalism, Paul spent nearly a decade as a reporter and editor covering the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and Bruins. In the late 1980s Paul followed his love of the outdoors and founded his own landscaping company. Like most commercial landscapers of the era, Paul used conventional techniques and supplies.
But in the early 1990s Paul started hearing about the links between 2,4-D, a synthetic weed killer, and numerous illnesses including cancer. Then his personal physician suggested that his recurrent headaches, nosebleeds and blurred vision were attributable to exposure to those same chemical weed killers. His transformation to organic gardening and building healthy soil was underway.
In 1995 Paul founded People, Places & Plants magazine and the HGTV show followed in 2002. In March 2006, Paul won the highest honor in gardening journalism and broadcasting when the American Horticultural Society named him the winner of the annual Horticultural Communication Award. He is the author of a book on organic lawn care from Storey Publishing and has won numerous awards for his writing. He is also a frequent public speaker on organic gardening, photography and environmental awareness.
Paul resides in Maine with his wife, Katie Hoffman Tukey, and is the father of four children. His own garden and landscape in Maine is spread across more than two acres of flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs and, of course, a spectacular lawn. Still addicted to growing and mowing great grass after all these years, Pauls emerald green carpet is achieved without a single synthetic fertilizer, herbicide or fungicide. The kids can roll around in the grass, says Paul, and I don't give it a second thought.
THE MOVIE: A CHEMICAL REACTION
Canada has spoken and lawn and garden pesticides that are commonly used in the U.S. are now banned in most of that nation. A critically acclaimed 60-minute film, A Chemical Reaction,” examines how Hudson, Quebec, became the first town in North America to eliminate these products and how its battle all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court inspired activists everywhere. But can the U.S. ever overcome its own pesticide lobbyists for the sake of childrens’ health? If Paul Tukey has his way, it will.
Mike Veihl
Topic: Building a Grow Light (Friday)
Would you like to get a jump start on the growing season this year and don’t have the money to build a greenhouse? Learn how to get your garden off to a fast start using very affordable grow lights you can build yourself.
Our Presenter, Mr. Mike Veihl has over 20 years experience in product design and development and holds U.S Patents. As a Master Gardener since 2001, he enjoys starting his own seedlings and will share some of his simple tips and tricks to starting plants and building your own grow lights. You will be amazed how simple and affordable building grow lights can be.
Laurie Weiss
Topic: Chocolate: From Elixir of the Gods to Your Wisconsin Garden (Friday) & Chocolate in Your Garden (Saturday)
Laurie Weiss, is the owner of Sandhill Farms Nursery in Hartford WI. Sandhill Farms Nursery is a small family operation using sustainable approaches to produce hardy, easy-care perennials and herbs for northern gardens.
Laurie is also a part-time instructor in the Landscape Horticulture Program at MATC-Mequon Campus, teaching classes on perennials, shrubs and other topics.
Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany and a Master’s Degree in Horticulture from UW Madison, Laurie loves to combine the botanical, the historical and the human uses of plants - and - to take this knowledge to better utilize plants in the landscape and garden. ---- This is how the "Chocolate Gardens for Wisconsin Gardeners" presentation you'll see today came about.
Dave Zlesak
Topic: Introduction to Propogation (Friday)
Propagating new plants for ones own use or to share is exciting and satisfying. Propagation topics will include starting plants from seed, cuttings, division, and grafting. Special emphasis will be placed on ways to adapt propagation techniques to resources commonly available to the home gardener. There will be demonstrations and hands on activities.
Hardy Roses for the Upper Midwest (Saturday)
Handouts: Growing Roses
Roses are our national flower and there are many that are well-adapted roses for Wisconsin gardeners. The diversity of roses will be highlighted with an emphasis on the lower maintenance roses that are proving themselves in the upper Midwest. The basics of cultural management of roses will also be discussed to help us get the most out of them.
Dr. David C. Zlesak is an Assistant Professor of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where he teaches courses in plant propagation and woody plant identification. David has worked with the breeding and development of herbaceous and woody ornamentals including lilies, potatoes, roses, heliopsis, and ageratum and has cultivars of roses and heliopsis on the market. He is the coordinator of the Northern Earth-Kind® Rose Trials which has as its mission to identify through replicated trials the best landscape roses for our region. He is also an apprentice judge with the All-America Rose Selections program at the Lyndale Park trial site.
