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Elizabeth Barnes Elizabeth Barnes is the Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and previously worked as the Exotic Forest Pest Educator at Purdue University. She studied biology as an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College and received her Doctorate in plant-insect interactions from the University of Denver where she studied tent caterpillars and fall webworms.

Mandy Bayer has a BS in landscape contracting from Penn State, a masters in Crop Sciences from the University of Illinois and PhD in horticulture from the University of Georgia. Before returning to grad school she worked as a landscape designer. She specializes in landscape plants and teaches courses in plant identification and plant propagation.

Blair Busenbark received his BS in Plant Science from Utah State University, and an MS in Horticulture and MBA from the University of Maryland. In his current position, Blair combines his education and experience to help greenhouse and nursery growers, landscapers and garden centers realize the fantastic potential of biorational products and mycorrhizal use.

Jim Connolly is the Garden Center Manager at Weston Nurseries in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He has worked in the industry for over 40 years and has been involved with all aspects of retail and wholesale operations. Connolly is also a past president of the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association and has given a lot of his time to helping industry groups over the years. He is known for setting high standards for customer service and quality control of operations.

From humble beginnings gardening with his father to earning advanced degrees, Michael A. Dirr’s passion for horticulture blossomed into a transformative career. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for revolutionary advancements in ornamental plant breeding. Notably, his discovery of the reblooming Hydrangea macrophylla forever changed the hydrangea market, leading to the flourishing Endless Summer brand. With over 30 plant patents to his name, Dirr’s innovative spirit continues to inspire, as he collaborates with partners at Premier Introductions, Inc., nurturing a future rich in botanical possibilities.

Charlie Pisano has spent 35 years in the world of Turfgrass working with Barenbrug USA, Jacklin Seed and Lebanon Turf and Horticulture. During that time, he developed an expert understanding of cool season grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Fine and Tall Fescues) and how different blends perform across New England varied Soils and climates and serves as a Territory Manager for Barenbrug USA.

Jennifer Forman Orth is an Environmental Biologist for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, where she works on a number of botanical and entomological issues, including insect pests, invasive plants, plant resources for pollinators, and mosquito control. Jennifer completed her Ph.D. at UMass Boston, where she studied the odd breeding system of Japanese knotweed. She also has a master’s degree from Boston University’s Center for Energy and Environmental Studies.

Chris Kennedy is a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist (MCH) and the third generation owner of Kennedy’s Country Gardens in Scituate. Chris earned his degree in landscape contracting at Penn State University and is a practicing landscape designer. He is also an MNLA past-president.

Jen Kettell, BCMA is a consulting arborist serving the New England area (and occasionally beyond!). As the owner of Radiant Leaf Consulting, she shares her passion for horticulture through the training she provides to both homeowners and green industry professionals. She started landscaping as a teen, continuing to farming, greenhouse production, and finally the Arnold Arboretum before she began building Radiant Leaf Consulting. Today, Radiant Leaf is celebrating over ten years as a small local business.

Laurie Manning is a Pesticide Inspector II for the last 21 years for Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Laurie is also the Worker Protection Standard Coordinator for Massachusetts.

Award-winning container garden designer Deborah Trickett has worked in the gardening industry for over 30 years, starting with her first job in a greenhouse at age 13 until the present as the owner of The Captured Garden. Deborah is a frequent lecturer, speaking at the New England Spring Flower Show, The Connecticut Flower Show, the Newport Flower Show, the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, as well as The Philadelphia International Flower Show. She has also shared her passion for perennials at the Perennial Plant Association Annual Symposium. She was a featured speaker at the Grand Garden Show on Mackinac Island. She has taught classes and workshops at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Her work has been featured in The Boston Globe, The American Gardener, Garden Gate and New England Home magazines as well as on the TV show New England Dream Home.

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Educational Session Handouts

Hydrangeas Then and Now: From Garden Staples to Genetic Game Changers • Location: Tent A • Mike Dirr, author and professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia • Download session handout

Old Friends, New Tricks: Classic Shrubs Reimagined for Today’s Landscapes • Location: Tent A • Mike Dirr, author and professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia • Download session handout

Sustainability and Turfgrass Selection & Sod Cutting DEMO • Location: Barn • Charlie Pisano, Barenbrug USA • Download session handout