Register as an attendee or exhibitor on or before Friday, June 20, 2025 and SAVE $$$!
Scroll down to learn more about attendee options, educational sessions, various hands-on demonstrations, vendor options and sponsor opportunities.
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.
As Senior Director of Parterre Ecological, Miles Connors oversees the daily operations and strategic growth of this dynamic division within Parterre Garden Services. With expertise in invasive plant management and native plant restoration, Parterre Ecological is dedicated to restoring wetlands and woodlands, establishing wildflower meadows, and advancing green infrastructure initiatives across Greater Boston, Maine, New Hampshire, Cape Cod, and the Islands. The firm collaborates with residential homeowners, landscape designers, historic cemeteries, city parks, and urban wilds to create resilient and ecologically rich landscapes. Miles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning and Policy and a Master’s in Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design from the Conway School of Landscape Design. Prior to his role at Parterre Ecological, he served for nearly a decade as Head Gardener for the Newport Restoration Foundation, where he developed his passion for working with people and plants.
Blake Dinius graduated with a degree in Biology from the University of Massachusetts—Boston. Soon after, he began a seven-year career in ecotoxicology, where he directed studies on bees, lacewings, springtails, earthworms, and other critters. As an extension educator, Blake is committed to delivering science-based education that you can rely on. Blake offers programs on anything entomology-related: From pollinator gardening to tick bite prevention to guided butterfly walks.
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.
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.
Kerry Ann Mendez is an award-winning garden educator, author, design consultant and proprietor of Perennially Yours based in southern Maine. As an exceptionally popular educator and communicator, she has presented hundreds of lectures to thousands of gardeners in 23 states. In 2014 she received the Gold Medal award from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for “Exceptional teaching and writing that increases public enjoyment and appreciation of horticulture.” Kerry Ann has written four gardening books, the most recent being The Budget Wise Gardener and The Right-Size Flower Garden. Her e-newsletters go out to almost 10,000 subscribers throughout the United States. In 2016 Kerry Ann started producing international gardening Webinars that have been enjoyed by thousands. To learn more about Kerry Ann, please visit her web site pyours.com.
Kelly Perry holds the position of Director of Horticulture, Greenhouse Operations and Educational Outreach at Swan Point Cemetery, a 200-acre, active, nonsectarian historic garden cemetery located at 595 Blackstone Boulevard in Providence, Rhode Island. In this capacity, she is responsible for: producing the greenhouse’s annual ornamental plant material; implementing the seasonal decoration programs; caring for the arboretum and ornamental gardens; developing landscape projects; leading grounds and garden tours, workshops and lectures; and coordinating all floral and planting displays for Swan Point’s grounds and facilities. Kelly is also very active in the cemetery and green industries. She serves as the current President of the Rhode Island Cemetery Association, Past President of the New England Cemetery Association, and the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association.
Trevor Smith is Design and Education Manager at Weston Nurseries in Massachusetts. He holds several landscape certifications and is a past President and a current Trustee of the Ecological Landscape Alliance. He is an award-winning regenerative landscape designer, specializing in green infrastructure, native plant design, habitat creation, and implementation of ecological design principles. He is passionate about the natural world which inspires his commitment to sustainable landscaping practices in an era of climate change.
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.
How to Survive a Pesticide Audit/Inspection • Location: Bee Building • Laura Manning, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Pesticide Inspector II • This session will cover what is looked for during an inspection. General laws and regulations such as license requirements, record keeping, WPS, and pesticide storage will be covered. This is a free flowing presentation where questions are welcome and topics may change depending on the questions. Pesticide credit requested.
Design Tips for Striking Sustainable Flower Gardens • Location: Coolidge • Kerry Ann Mendez, owner, Perennially Yours • This presentation covers design tips that will delight customers and generate more business. Stunning gardens will be our classroom for emphasizing striking design essentials that elevate gardens from ordinary to sublime, regardless of the hardiness zone or sunlight conditions. We will consider texture, movement, color, repetition, plant combinations, vertical elements and more.
What’s New in Solution Central • Location: Trade Building • Chris Kennedy, MCH, Kennedy’s Country Gardens and Jim Connolly, MCH, Weston Nurseries • Summer conference exhibitors have the tools, services and products to help you succeed! Explore what’s new, improved and exciting!
How Did They Do That? Rooftop Bus Gardens • Location: Trade Building • Trevor Smith, Design and Education Manager, Weston Nurseries • The addition of green roofs to bus shelters can help reduce extreme heat, provide direct shade, help reduce flooding from heavy rain, and improve plant pollinator biodiversity. Learn how small simple steps can have a huge impact on our built environment and how this approach may be exactly what we need to begin to reverse the effects of climate change.
A Camel’s Garden: Drought-tolerant Plants for a Changing Climate • Location: Coolidge • Jen Kettell, BCMA, MCH, Radiant Leaf Consulting • Moderate and severe drought conditions have become commonplace here in New England. What if we started to incorporate plants that simply need less water? Jen will share the effects of drought on woody plants and describe plant adaptations for dealing with drought. She will introduce a new palette of plant material that will decrease water use while increasing species diversity and beauty in client landscapes.
Spotted Lanternfly: Impact, Current Status, and Management Options • Location: Bee Building • Elizabeth Barnes, Ph.D., Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources • Spotted lanternfly is a highly visible agricultural and nuisance pest that has now been found in several areas in Massachusetts. This presentation will cover the issues they cause, their current distribution, and an overview of management options. Pesticide credit requested.
Designing Resilient Edges: Blending Native and Ornamental Landscapes • Location: Coolidge • Miles Connors, MALD, MCH, Parterre Ecological • Explore how to thoughtfully integrate native and ornamental plantings to create resilient, functional, and visually dynamic landscapes. Learn how to select plants that enhance biodiversity, stabilize soils, and thrive in varying conditions while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Discover strategies for designing adaptable, low-maintenance landscapes that balance ecological health with horticultural artistry.
The Invasives Among Us • Location: Bee Building • Jennifer Forman Orth, Ph.D., Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources • Get the latest information about invasive plants in Massachusetts, including management techniques, biocontrol development, additions to the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List, and what grassroots organizations are doing to reduce the impact of these problem species in our state.
Field Identification: Leaves, Branches, Buds & Seeds! Botany in a Day • Location: Trade Building • Kelly Perry, MCH, Swan Point Cemetery • Some trees and shrubs have more amazing features than just leaves. Join Kelly for some unique tree and shrub identification using seeds, seed pods, flowers, bark, and even thorns!
Hate Ticks? Using Practical Science to Prevent Tick Bites and Lyme Disease • Location: Bee Building • Blake Dinius, Plymouth County Extension • Ticks are a re-emerging threat to human health. There are at least 10 diseases in Massachusetts and each can have life-changing consequences. By understanding tick biology, we can make informed decisions to prevent tick bites and disease. Join our workshop for science-based information to keep you and your family healthy. Pesticide credit requested.
Time-saving, Mighty-mite Shrubs That Outshine Perennials • Location: Coolidge • Kerry Ann Mendez, owner, Perennially Yours • My outlook on flower gardening has evolved over the decades. In addition to practicing the latest earth-friendly practices and incorporating more natives, I have also shifted my focus from perennials to shrubs that provide months of radiant color but are far less maintenance. This eye-opening lecture focuses on remarkable shrubs for front to mid-border gardens, as well as their pruning requirements. These stunning beauties
also are ideal for over-wintering in containers.
What’s all the buzz? • Learn the ins and outs of beekeeping. Get a glimpse of practical beekeeping. The Essex County Beekeepers’ Association will provide information on how to keep honeybees, bee biology, and how beekeepers manage bees through the seasons. Learn about honey and beeswax harvesting. Thinking of adding pollinator plants to your portfolio? This is a great way to get a “bee perspective”!
Plant I.D. Challenge • Sponsored by the MCH Board • Test your plant knowledge skills with the Plant I.D. Challenge and ask the experts about tips and tricks they use for plant identification. Thinking of becoming an MCH? This is a great preview of what you can expect at the upcoming MCH exam on August 6.
Safety Demonstration • Join Mayer Tree throughout the day for tips on: ladder safety in the landscape, chainsaw safety and pole pruning safety.
Electric Vehicle 101: Technology, Rebates and Incentives • Director of the Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition Zachary Jenkins will provide information on the benefits of adopting electric vehicles, electric vehicle infrastructure and electric tools/lawncare products. Handouts will be available regarding: EV basics, things to consider as a consumer, infrastructure adoption, battery recycling, idle reduction and fire prevention.
MDOT: Safety & Compliance for Landscape Fleets • Join Massachusetts State Police for this educational program focused on ensuring your vehicles meet legal and operational standards. Bring your truck & trailer! Speakers: members of the Massachusetts State Police
Equipment DIY Demonstration • United Ag and Turf and John Deere are excited to share with you our commitment and offerings that allow you to repair and maintain your equipment. There are many options available to every customer that give great flexibility in keeping your equipment working its best. This is a great opportunity to learn about all of these resources.
The Knights Inn Danvers Hotel located in Danvers, MA has room rates starting at $119 (as of May 22, 2025) and can be booked online or by calling 888-243-0427.
This hotel is only seven minutes away from Topsfield Fairgrounds!
MNLA members always get the best rate in addition to other member only benefits! Want to learn more? Click here to see which membership option is ideal for your business and join before registering for this event to SAVE $$$!
MNLA members
$75/person by June 20
$115/person after June 20 and for walk-ins
MCH (non-member)
$85/person by June 20
$125/person after June 20 and for walk-ins
Non-member
$95/person by June 20
$135/person after June 20 and for walk-ins
Full time students & children (12 & under)
$25/person
Battle of the Container Garden Designers
$35/person
Please note, all competitors must also be registered for the summer conference.
Register on or before Monday, July 21, 2025 in order to participate!
Participation in the competition is only $35 per entry (one entry per person). Participants need to be registered for the full Down to Earth Summer Conference & Trade Show program. Winners will be announced at the end of the Down to Earth program.
People's Choice Award
1st prize: $250
2nd prize: $125
3rd prize: $75
4th prize: $35
ALL competitors will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win several donated prizes by our sponsors. Must be present to win!
Rules & Regulations
Pricing
$35/person
Please note, all competitors must also be registered for the summer conference.
Charter Oak Landscape & Nursery Sales
New vendors will be added as they register.
Interested in showcasing your products and services? Click the Vendor Options block to learn more and scroll down to the bottom of this page to register online and reserve your booth space today!
Register on or before Friday, June 20, 2025 and save $100 off your booth!
MNLA members always get the best rate in addition to other member only benefits! Want to learn more? Click here to see which membership option is ideal for your business and join before registering for this event to SAVE $$$!
Vendor booth registrants will receive:
Click here for a downloadable pdf with additional exhibitor details.
MNLA members
$600 for a 10' x 10' booth (select indoor or outdoor* when registering)
$750 for a 10' x 20' outdoor* booth
Non-members
$850 for a 10' x 10' booth (select indoor or outdoor* when registering)
$1,000 for a 10' x 20' outdoor* booth
*Vendors are encouraged to bring their own pop-up tents for outdoor exhibits. All 10' x 20' booths are outdoor only and great for trucks, trailers, mowers, and vendors looking for more space to exhibit.
All sponsorships include recognition at the event, in Pro Grow News, email marketing and on the MNLA website.
$4,000 Host Sponsorship
Summer Conference Host Sponsorship Includes:
$1,000 Container Garden Sponsorship
Six (6) available sponsorships—first come first serve. All Container Garden sponsors will be featured on:
Includes indoor or outdoor booth, two (2) event registrations and the donation of plant material, pots or soil for the competition. You will be featured during the container garden competition.
$600 MCH Plant I.D. Sponsorship
One (1) available sponsorship—first come first serve. This sponsorship includes four (4) attendee registrations and your company highlighted on:
Unable to exhibit? You can still have a presence and support the green industry! Please consider one or more of these great opportunities which include one (1) attendee registration.
Educational Sponsor $500
Have your logo front and center at each educational session. You will be featured on:
Lunch Sponsor $500
You will be featured at the food area and on:
Plant Something MA is a project of MNLA which includes professional environmental horticulturists—people who grow, care for, design and install plantings and landscapes in your community.
Growing Wild helps reverse the loss of biological diversity, foster and protect endangered species and add to the natural beauty of our Commonwealth—right in your own backyard.
MNLA provides access to green industry speakers on the cutting-edge and up-to-date information. Our dynamic community is made up of folks from all walks of life. Colleagues share advice and insights. Passion for the betterment of our community drives member participation in MNLA. Individual contribution is valued. Get involved! Join a committee or volunteer at an event. Make our industry—and your business—better!
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