Speakers Bureau

Learn about edible plants, baking with lavender, bees, bike trails and many more topics.  Select from the list below.

Baking with Lavender -  You may have enjoyed the beauty and aroma of lavender in the garden, but have you considered lavender for dessert?  The history of lavender, how to grow and dry it, and most importantly, how to use it in baking.  Samples will be provided!!  (Julie Smith)

Butterfly Gardens - Who knew it could be so easy to attract butterflies to your garden?  Learn how a butterfly garden can provide food and shelter for all stages of its life. (Marilyn Lockwood & Julie Smith)

Composting - The whys.  The hows.  The materials and methods, and benefits and uses of compost and composting.  (Calvin Ray)

Container gardening:  Learn how to create your own container garden with flowers.  Discussion on various containers, plants and sites. (Michelle Newton)

Easy Garden Bed:  Learn a quick and easy way to make a new garden bed without digging. I will take you through step by step on this easy project. (Kathy Taylor)

Gardening:  general gardening topics;  perennials;  how to close a garden;  landscaping.  (Brenda Swogger)

Greenhouses - Garden all year long!!!  Stretch your gardening season and grow from seed to fruit.  If you really love to garden. construct a greenhouse/glasshouse.  We can help you with varieties of greenhouses.  There is a greenhouse to suit your needs and your wallet.  (Nick Fortuna)

 To Bee or Not to Bee.  That is the Question -  Two presentations are available.  The longer one (about 40 minutes) discusses general biology of bees, and compares European honey bees to  mason bees.  The second (about 20 minutes) is confined to mason bees.  Mason bees are native pollinators, unlike honey bees.  They are prolific pollinators and are not subject to the diseases of honey bees, thus should be of great interest to all gardeners.  This PowerPoint presentation will discuss the life cycle and general biology of the bees, and describe how to construct a house to attract them.  (Don Harper)

Native Plants of Western Pennsylvania - When the first European settlers arrived in western Pennsylvania, they encountered many plants and trees unknown in their home countries. These plants—the native plants of western Pennsylvania—are frequently seen locally—and as often overlooked—as a fundamental part of our natural landscape.  This presentation will discuss the native plant garden at McConnell’s Mill State Park, touching on some of the plants’ characteristics, advantages, and uses in our gardening endeavors.  (Dave Hughes)

Plants - Plant history, how plants get their names, general plant biology and other interesting facts about plants (Jack Elder)