Program: Speakers & Field Trips

Indian Village Branch members on a field trip to recently opened Planted Detroit, a facility that grows organic greens under lights.
Every branch is always searching for interesting speakers. With over twenty years as program chairperson for the Indian Village Branch, I have contacted quite a number of speakers on many different topics. I have compiled the list below as a resource for us all. Starred items I have lined for my branch at sometime, the rest have been sent in other WNFGA members.
Non-profits are listed first and then businesses. Most organizations prefer email to phone calls. Look for “Contact Us” on their website. Some will charge a speaker’s fee. Non-profits should be given a donation. If the speaker sells things, ask if they want to set up a “for sale” table. Do not be shy. It is flattering to most people to be asked to speak, even if they decline. I live in Detroit and most of my contacts are in the city. Many would be happy to come out to speak to you. Be curious and keep an eye out for new garden related things happening in your neighborhood.
At the end I included information of places for “field trips” or outings. My branch usually has an outing, combined with a dinner or lunch, each year.
Do you have any good ideas you would like to share? Send the information to me and I will post on this site. My email is: <kathleenkrasity@yahoo.com>
Kathleen Krasity
WNFGA Indian Village Branch, Program Chair
List of Non-Profits
Keep Growing Detroit*
Our mission is to cultivate a food sovereign city where the majority of fruits and vegetables consumed by Detroiters are grown by residents within the city’s limits.
Greening of Detroit*
Our Mission: Inspiring sustainable growth of a healthy urban community through trees, green spaces, healthy living, education, training and job opportunities.
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy*
MISSION: The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy (DRFC), a 501(c)(3) organization, is responsible for the establishment, improvement, operation, maintenance, security, programming and expansion of the Detroit RiverWalk and associated green spaces. Through its public/private partnerships, the DRFC will support the development of the riverfront district and facilitate community access to the waterfront.
Detroit ABloom*
Mission: To be a model land-use demonstration project, based on using cut flower farming & the creation of native plant sanctuary gardens to re-purpose vacant blighted land.
Belle Isle Conservancy*
Mission: To protect, preserve, restore & enhance natural environment, historic structures, & unique character of Belle Isle as a public park for the enjoyment of all – now & forever.
Earthworks Urban Garden*
Mission: To build a just, beautiful food system through education, inspiration, and community development. As a working study in both social justice and in knowing the origins of the food we eat, Earthworks strives to restore our connection to the environment and community. A project of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
Bees in the D
Mission: Bees in the D educates on the importance of pollinators and honeybees by engaging guests with live in-hive tours.
Oudolf Garden Detroit
Mission: Oudolf Garden Detroit and its 501(c)(3) organization Friends of Oudolf Garden is a volunteer-led effort dedicated to placing and maintaining a Piet Oudolf-designed garden on Belle Isle in Detroit. Piet Oudolf is the internationally renowned Dutch garden designer and horticulturist. His public gardens transform people and places.
List of Business for Profit
Planted Detroit*
Organic salads and greens for sale: Efficiently growing organic greens inside, under lights, so communities can source fresh produce locally year round.
Planted Detroit Contact Dwight Roston, Community Liaison + Educational Coordinator for Planted Detroit at <dwight@planteddetroit.com>
English Gardens*
Garden Centers, multiple location in Metro Detroit Call your closest location and inquire about programs, you may be referred to main office.
English Gardens of Michigan
Detroit Garden Works
Antique, vintage, and contemporary garden ornaments, structure, tools, and containers from around the world email: webinquiry@detroitgardenworks.com
Home
Telly’s Greenhouse
Gardener’s Paradise: unique selection of perennials, annuals, tropicals, and houseplants, plus pottery, garden care products and more
Home Mar 2022
Ray Weigand’s Nursery
Nursery and Garden Center, established 1941
Wiegand’s Nursery
“Field Trips” and Outings
Coming soon!
Farm & Garden Related Resources
US National Arboretum https://www.usna.usda.gov
Meadow Brook Hall www.meadowbrookhall.org
Ambler Campus, Temple University https://ambler.temple.edu
The Henry Ford www.thehenryford.org
“Fruits of Victory: The Woman’s Land Army of America in the Great War,” by Elaine F. Weiss, www.elaineweiss.com
“Alma’s Gardener: Louisa King,” online exhibit by Emma Curie, Clarke Historical Library,Central Michigan University. www.clarke.cmich.edu
Schlesinger Library, History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute.Harvard University. www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/schlesinger-library/collections
Garden Publications & Blogs
Horticulture http://www.hortmag.com/
Michigan Gardener http://www.michigangardener.com/
Green Prints http://greenprints.com/
Garden Gate http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/
Fine Gardening http://www.finegardening.com/
Jenny Rose Carey’s blog https://beforeyougarden.com/
David Moore blog https://greenyardmaster.com/
Local and Regional Resources
U-M Herbarium http://lsa.umich.edu/herbarium/
U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/
Gardening in Michigan: MSU Extension News https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/resources/learning-online
Michigan State University Horticultural Gardens http://www.hrt.msu.edu/our_gardens
I Love Gardens http://www.ilovegardens.com/Michigan%20Gardens.htm
Index of public and private gardens to visit, searchable by state
International Wildlife Refuge Alliance (Detroit River) http://www.iwralliance.org/
Birds and Nature
Cornell Lab of Ornithology http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pae.aspx?pid=1609
ebird.org http://ebird.org
Fundraising & Nonprofits
Mobile Cause – Fundraising Ideas for NonProfits www.mobilecause.com/fundraising-event-ideas/
Nonprofit Expert -Resources for Nonprofits http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/
Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts Rules Online http://www.rulesonline.com/
National Association of Parliamentarians http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/parliamentary-basics/
Fundraising & Nonprofits
Mobile Cause – Fundraising Ideas for NonProfits www.mobilecause.com/fundraising-event-ideas/
Nonprofit Expert -Resources for Nonprofits http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/
Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts Rules Online http://www.rulesonline.com/
National Association of Parliamentarians http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/parliamentary-basics/
Horticultural Therapy
American Horticultural Therapy Association http://ahta.org/horticultural-therapy
Michigan Horticulture Therapy Association https://www.facebook.com/Michigan-Horticultural-Therapy-Association-MHTA-266245156762047/?fref=nf
Fundraising & Nonprofits
Mobile Cause – Fundraising Ideas for NonProfits www.mobilecause.com/fundraising-event-ideas/
Nonprofit Expert -Resources for Nonprofits http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/
Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts Rules Online http://www.rulesonline.com/
National Association of Parliamentarians http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/parliamentary-basics/
General Gardening Resources
Dave’s Garden http://davesgarden.com/
Active plant database and online community forum; plant nursery ratings
National Gardening Association https://garden.org/
Vegetable Gardening http://www.vegetablegardener.com/
National Garden Bureau http://ngb.org
Bug Guide http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740
Michigan Insect Guide http://www.knowyourinsects.org/
Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/
Pollinator conservation http://www.xerces.org/
Extensive information on protecting bees, butterflies, and other invertebrates
US and International Gardens http://www.gardenvisit.com/
Planters Place http://www.plantersplace.com/
Ask the Expert; garden blogs and videos; community forum; more
Horticultural Therapy
American Horticultural Therapy Association http://ahta.org/horticultural-therapy
Michigan Horticulture Therapy Association https://www.facebook.com/Michigan-Horticultural-Therapy-Association-MHTA-266245156762047/?fref=nf
Fundraising & Nonprofits
Mobile Cause – Fundraising Ideas for NonProfits www.mobilecause.com/fundraising-event-ideas/
Nonprofit Expert -Resources for Nonprofits http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/
Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts Rules Online http://www.rulesonline.com/
National Association of Parliamentarians http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/parliamentary-basics/
Regional Plant Nurseries
Walters Gardens, Zeeland MI http://www.waltersgarden.com
Arrowhead Alpines, Fowlerville MI http://arrowheadalpines.com/
Native Plant Nursery, Ann Arbor MI http://www.nativeplant.com/index.html
Old House Gardens, Ann Arbor MI http://oldhousegardens.com/
General Gardening Resources
Dave’s Garden http://davesgarden.com/
Active plant database and online community forum; plant nursery ratings
National Gardening Association https://garden.org/
Vegetable Gardening http://www.vegetablegardener.com/
National Garden Bureau http://ngb.org
Bug Guide http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740
Michigan Insect Guide http://www.knowyourinsects.org/
Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/
Pollinator conservation http://www.xerces.org/
Extensive information on protecting bees, butterflies, and other invertebrates
US and International Gardens http://www.gardenvisit.com/
Planters Place http://www.plantersplace.com/
Ask the Expert; garden blogs and videos; community forum; more
Horticultural Therapy
American Horticultural Therapy Association http://ahta.org/horticultural-therapy
Michigan Horticulture Therapy Association https://www.facebook.com/Michigan-Horticultural-Therapy-Association-MHTA-266245156762047/?fref=nf
Fundraising & Nonprofits
Mobile Cause – Fundraising Ideas for NonProfits www.mobilecause.com/fundraising-event-ideas/
Nonprofit Expert -Resources for Nonprofits http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/
Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts Rules Online http://www.rulesonline.com/
National Association of Parliamentarians http://www.parliamentarians.org/about/parliamentary-basics/