Gardeners’ Gathering

The purpose of the Gardeners’ Gatherings is to educate Extension Master Gardeners and the public in latest trends, information and research in horticulture education. The gatherings during each year are led by experts in the field and last approximately two hours in length. All lectures begin at 6:30 pm, are free and open to the public.  Counts as two hours continuing education for Extension Master Gardeners.

Because of Covid-19 health issues we have not scheduled any in-person gatherings for the public.

2019 Presentations

Thursday, October 17, 2019 – 6:30-8PM – Gardeners’ Gathering
Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110. Open to the public.
Theresa and Nik Hiremath “Gardening for the Birds and Bats”

Learn choices to increase opportunities to attract and sustain your native birds and bats with native plants.  Understand the importance of native plants in the food-web and the co-evolution of plants and the insects, birds, and animals that depend on them.  Further your knowledge of the benefits of birds and bats for your garden.

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Thursday, August 22, 6:30-8PM – Gardeners’ Gathering- “Restorative Landscapes”

Thursday, June 20, 2019 “Horticulture at the Zoo”, Presentation and tour at the Kansas City Zoo

Thursday, April 18, 2019 6:30-8PM- “Gardening with Compassion: Capturing Biodiversity for the Future”

Thursday, February 21, 2019 “400 Million Years on Six Legs: Evolution of the Insects”

2018 Presentations

Thursday, February 15, 2018 Native Trees for Kansas City Landscapes6

Thursday, October 19, 2017 “Invasives – Plants Gone Wild”
T Lynn Loughary, Horticulture Extension Agent for Kansas State Extension

Thursday, February 16, 2017 “Best Garden Practices for Water Quality and Conservation”
“Best Garden Practices for Water Quality and Conservation”  John Dunn, a Biologist and Environmental Engineer with the Environmental Protection Agency

Thursday, April 13, 2017 “Why Prairie Matters-New Relevancies of a Vanishing Landscape”
Why Prairie Matters –New Relevancies of a Vanishing Landscape”,  Carol Davit, Executive Director of Missouri Prairie Foundation.

Thursday, June 15, 2017 “Garden and Pioneer Home Tour of Atkins-Johnson Farm in Gladstone”

Thursday, August 17, 2017 “Gardening for Bees and Butterflies”
Heather Holm. She is the author of “Pollinators of Native Plants” and “ BEES: An identification and Native Plan Forage Guide”.

2016 Presentations

Feb 18, 2016 – “Gardening with Conifers in Greater Kansas City” by Alan Branhagen, Director of Horticulture, Powell Gardens.

April 28, 2016 – “Vegetables: Tried & True and Best of the New” by Ben Sharda, founding Director of the Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG).

June 16, 2016 – “Farm-To-Table Favorites From Kids Who Cook” a food tasting experience.

August 18, 2016 – “Annual and Perennial Weed Families and How to Send Them Packing” by Lynn Loughary, Horticulture Extension Agent for Kansas State Extension & Research,

October 20, 2016 – “Apps for Birds and Plants” by Mary Nemecek, Missouri Master Naturalist.

2015 Presentations

Feb 19, 2015 – “Prairie Star & Prairie Bloom Programs -What to Plant in 2015“, Dr. Alan Stevens, Director of the K-State Horticultural Research & Extension Center.

Apr 16, 2015 – “Pollinators: Feel the Love“, Betsy Betros, author and active citizen scientist.

June 18, 2015 – “Tours: Kauffman Memorial Garden & Native Gardens at Discovery Center”.

Aug 20, 2015 – “Critter Control for Urban Gardens“, Todd Meese, Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Biologist.

Oct 22, 2015 – “The History & Use of Native Medicinal Plants“, Dr. Kelly Kindscher, plant ecologist and professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Kansas.

2014 Presentations

“The Collections of Powell Gardens” by Alan Branhagen, Director of Horticulture, Powell Gardens.

“The Not Too Big Vegetable Garden” by Marty Ross, Garden Journalist.

“What your Backyard Tree Wants You to Know” by Chuck Conner, Missouri Department of Conservation Urban Forester.

“Gibbs Road Organic Farm Tour” at the Gibbs Road Community Farm, a certified organic vegetable production farm sitting on two acres in Kansas City, Kansas.

“The Land Institute-Internationally Famous and Locally Obscure” by Josh Svaty.

2013 Presentations

“Invasive Tree Pests are Changing our Landscape” by Rob Lawrence, Missouri Department of Conservation State Entomologist.

“Will Landscape for Food: What Works in an Edible Landscape that can Work for You” by Matt Bunch, Head Horticulturist at Powell Garden’s Heartland Harvest Garden. Edible Plant List Handout

“Pulling Weeds: The Down Side of Gardening” by Dennis Patton, K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Agent, Johnson County, KS. MU Weed ID Guide

“The Beanstalk Garden is for Grown Ups Too!” by Ben Sharda, Executive Director, Kansas City Community Gardens.

“Sustainably Designed Food Growing” by Michael Almon, Kansas Permaculture Collaborative and the Sustainability Action Network.

2012 Presentations

“Gardening With Nature” by Alan Branhagen, Director of Horticulture, Powell Gardens. Alan’s Handout

“Insects in the Vegetable Garden” by Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Professor of Entomology, Kansas State University. Bonide Solutions booklet recommended by Dr. Cloyd.

“Innovative Gardening Techniques at the DST Gardens” by a panel of experts from DST Systems, 360 Architecture and Vireo. 18Broadway Presentation

“Missouri Climate-Historical and Current Perspectives” by Patrick Guinan, MU Extension Climatologist.

“A Year in the Life at Linda Hall Library Grounds” by Scott Rieter, Groundskeeper Linda Hall Library Arboretum and Horticultural Grounds.