You can also download a complete list and description of all sessions and speakers.
Debbie Lonnee has a B.S. degree in Horticulture from the U of MN. She has worked in the nursery industry as a garden writer, lecturer, horticultural editor for Northern Gardener, and Product Development Manager for Bailey Nurseries, Inc. She was a co-author of Growing Shrubs and Small Trees in Cold Climates and Growing Perennials in Cold Climates. Debbie is an avid gardener, and has a collector’s garden full of hostas, daylilies and perennials as well as many new annuals. She considers herself a “plant geek” and you may not find too much lawn in her yard.
Sally McNamara has been a Master Gardener since 1993. She has worked in the herb garden at UMore Park, answered questions for the Yard & Garden Phone Line, and became a Tree Advisor in 1995. She has also busted buckthorn in many locations! Currently Sally is part of a Master Gardener leadership group working on several native planting sites for Mendota Heights.
Theresa Mieseler and her husband started Shady Acres Herb Farm in 1977 and retired from the business in 2016. She has authored several horticultural articles, designed the Kitchen Garden and Cloister Garden at the Univ. of MN
Jenny Kedward has a B.S. degree in Biology and was trained in social marketing. She uses her enthusiasm to educate Dakota County residents on recycling and reducing waste
Rebecca Koetter is a consultant working with various edible fruits from trees and shrubs throughout the Twin Cities Metro area. She has a Master’s degree from the Univ. of MN College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Science. She had experience in designing, selecting, implementing, harvesting and processing several fruits from woody plants growing in Minnesota.
Elizabeth Spedaliere is an avid gardener, bird watcher and nature lover. She has been a Master Gardner since 2005. Elizabeth also has a degree in Landscape Design and Horticulture and is a Minnesota Nursery Landscape Association certified professional. She owns her own landscape design company, Blue Beech Design.
Cindy Johnson grew up in Minnesota learning about gardening from her mother and grandmother, both avid gardeners. Cindy first became a Master Gardener in Chesapeake, VA. She learned through the research-based information provided by VA Tech how to make her landscape designs healthy. Upon returning to her Minnesota roots, she became a Master Gardener, and her focus has been on gardening beautifully with an emphasis on sustainability, pollinator-friendly practices, and the preservation of water quality.
Sue Light has been a Dakota County Master Gardener for eight years. She has developed a strong interest in native plants since seeding her ½ acre lot on a small lake in Dakota County with native grasses, sedges and forbs six years ago. She has also worked on several Mendota Heights projects, planting native plants in public areas with Cindy and other Master Gardeners.