Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Schedule
Growing Award-Winning Houseplants
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Speaker: Bex Claire Hamell is a Philly-based grower who shares a small house with over 300 houseplants.
Presentation: Ever wonder what goes into a 1st place Horticourt plant? Join me for an interactive presentation covering strategies for selecting and growing show-worthy houseplants. We will demystify the entry process and judging criteria for anyone interested in competing and encourage everyone to take their indoor growing to the next level!
Growing Vegetables
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Speaker: Marta Lynch and Emma Ford, PHS staff
Marta comes to PHS after managing FNC Community Learning Farm at 8th & Poplar, where she strengthened community engagement, doubled crop production, and expanded educational programming. She learned to grow food as a child, helping her parents tend their large kitchen garden in rural Bucks County. Marta spent several years living abroad in France, Africa, and Canada as an educator and researcher. Her experiences in diverse roles and cultures help her wear the many hats necessary for an urban agriculture professional. As the Farm Manager at the PHS Green Resource Center in Norristown Farm Park, Marta will put her growing and community engagement skills to work.
Emma is the Propagation Manager for the City Harvest Program at PHS. She has an extensive agricultural background, which is primarily focused on addressing food insecurity through no-cost/low-cost produce and materials distribution. She enjoys extending her love of food and farming to creative projects centered on food & cooking.
Presentation: In this presentation, seasoned growers & PHS staff members Marta Lynch and Emma Ford will discuss planning & preparing for success in the vegetable garden from home to market scale. Topics will include garden planning and propagation/management techniques. The second half of the presentation will be dedicated to a Q&A to answer questions on any subject that falls under vegetable cultivation.
Topiary Extravaganza: Exploring The Gibson Technique
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Speaker: Mike P. Gibson, owner of Gibson Works, LLC, is a world-renowned self-taught topiary artist with 30 years of experience. His whimsical and illusionary style has transformed public spaces nationwide, establishing him as a leading figure in the industry. Through captivating storytelling, Mike's topiary creations inspire and delight, showcasing his innovative vision. Passionate about education, Mike shares his expertise on the therapeutic benefits of topiary. He holds several certifications reflecting his commitment to excellence and holistic understanding of his craft.
Presentation: Witness a true master at his craft as Mike Gibson creates an illusionary topiary out of a living tree right before your eyes! Experience the opportunity to watch and learn from one of the world's premiere topiary artists. He'll be providing lucrative knowledge about the art of topiary and creative pruning tips while displaying his unique approach to topiary that has made him a leader in the industry. Enjoy learning about the therapeutic benefits of topiary, the tools of the trade, and the exclusive secrets to creating your very own living sculpture!
