Guidelines for AMGA Speakers
Master Gardeners must be active Certified Master Gardeners to be included in the AMGA Speakers Bureau listing. In accordance with AMGA Bylaws (https://alabamamga.org/amga-by-laws/) “ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS Section 1. All service shall be voluntary with no remuneration except for out-of-pocket expenses if funds are available and approved by the Board of Directors.” However, civic groups or local Master Gardener Associations hosting a MG speaker may make a donation to the speaker’s local MGA or to a related botanical, horticultural, or environmental organization in the speaker’s name and compensate out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with local bylaws. The “Master Gardener Memo of Agreement” specifies that Master Gardener volunteers cover their own out-of-pocket expenses unless they are presenting at the request of, or as a guest of, the AMGA or a local MGA. Alternatively, Master Gardeners may claim out-of-pocket expenses as tax deductions with proper documentation.
Speakers should record presentation, preparation, and drive-time hours in the Master Gardener Service Report (https://www.acesagmg.site/login.php).
For creating presentations and publicity, see the guidelines for use of the Master Gardeners logo https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/alabama-master-gardeners-brand-logo-guidelines/.
A PowerPoint template for MG presentations can be found at https://www.acesagmg.site/document_library.php .
Data gathered below is for informational purposes only, not for vetting speakers. Only topics, names, LMGA affiliation, and preferred contact method(s) will be posted publicly. Master Gardeners wishing to be included in the Bureau should fill out the following form and email it to amgaspeakers@gmail.com.
All speakers in the AMGA Speakers’ Bureau listing are Certified Master Gardeners. In accordance with AMGA Bylaws, they cannot accept remuneration except for out-of-pocket expenses; however, local Master Gardener Associations or civic groups hosting a MG speaker may make a donation to the speaker’s local MGA or to a related botanical, horticultural, or environmental organization in the speaker’s name and reimburse out of pocket expenses in accordance with local bylaws.
Local Associations and civic and public organizations interested in booking speakers listed below should contact them directly. Speakers can accept requests at their own discretion. Local MGAs and organizations might also consider ACES agents and other individuals with particular expertise as presenters.
The Bureau list is alphabetized by local MGA name and periodically updated.
| Topic | Speaker and Local MGA | Contact Information | Specifics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destructive Insects in the Garden | Anthony Yarbrough, Autauga County MGA | AYARB@knology.net phone 334-462-0749 | AC,T,Z,LL |
| Let’s Learn About Hosta | Bionca Lindsey, Autauga County MGA | Bioncalindsey2015@gmail.com | AC Shade loving Perennials, T,Z,LL |
| Herbs: various presentations in growing and harvesting; native herbs; uses in cooking, aromatherapy, health, and personal care; everyday life. People, Plants & Pollinators; Butterfly Gardening; Chickens in Your Backyard; Edible Landscaping; Gardens of the South; Growing Your Passion – Life as a MG; Interior Plants; Organic Gardening | Debbie Boutelier, Autauga County MGA | boutelierd@gmail.com phone, text 334-365-7806 | AC Herbs, T, Z, LL |
| English Gardens; Italian Gardens; Alabama’s Garden Legacy from Andalucía; South Africa’s Flora & Fauna; Alabama’s Biodiversity; Perennial Borders | Susan Hagen, Blount County MGA | skhagen47@icloud.com phone, text 205-907-9927 | AC Garden History, T, Z, LL |
| Milk Jug Gardening: Winter Stratification | Donna Avery, Blount County MGA | donnaavery78@gmail.com | T 1 hour, Z, LL |
| Square Foot Gardening (certified by Square Foot Gardening Foundation) | Henry Lucas, Capital City MGA | commish01@gmail.com text 334-799-6818 | T negotiable, LL |
| Gift of Herbs; 5 Families of Herbs; Ways Herbs Can Be Useful; Garden Stretches to Keep Healthy | Betsy Smith, Chilton County MGA | smithbetsy@gmail.com | AC Herbs in progress, T 1 hour, Z, LL |
| Basil, history, varieties, growing, food preparation | Phyllis Clay, Jefferson County MGA | greenbough62@gmail.com phone, text 205-401-7096 | AC Basil, T negotiable, Z, LL |
| Cover Crops | Carole Borowski, Lee County MGA | carolevanee@gmail.com | AC Cover Crops, T negotiable, Z, LL |
| Moon Gardens | Dianna Fortner, Lee County MGA | dianna.fortner1424@yahoo.com | AC Moon Gardens, T negotiable, LL |
| Snakes of Alabama; Native Plants; Camellias; Azaleas; Pruning Ornamentals | Dennis Pinkard, Lee County MGA | phone, text 334-332-8773 | T negotiable, Z, LL |
| Native Plants: Why They Are a Good Idea and The Use of Native Plants in the Landscape (done in one or two parts) | Emily Clem, Limestone County MGA | clem.emily@yahoo.com | T negotiable, Z, LL |
| Water topics such as chemistry, conservation, hydrologic cycle, role in plant life cycle | Norris N. Johnston, Morgan County MGA | H2Odocnnj@gmail.com phone 256-520-1011 | T one hour |
| Attracting Beneficial Predators to Your Garden; Growing and Hybridizing Daylilies; Biophilic Design for All Areas of Your Life | Suzanne Sikes, Pike County MGA | midnight.sikes@gmail.com phone, text 334-300-9790 | AC Daylilies, T, Z, LL |
| Sowing Winter Seeds in Milk Jugs and Containers; Fall Vegetable Gardening | Elizabeth York, Shelby County MGA | eyork24@yahoo.com phone, text 205-616-7648 | T 1hour, LL |
| Cover Crops | Michael Thomason, Shoals MGA | michaelthomason@att.net | T negotiable |
| Bulbs; Water Gardens | Judy Clardy, Wiregrass MGA | phone, text 334-797-9580 | AC Bulbs T negotiable, LL |
The following Local Master Gardener Associations publish their own speaker listings on their website:
Baldwin County Master Gardeners: http://baldwinmastergardeners.com/speakers-bureau/
Capital City Master Gardeners: http://www.capcitymga.org/speakers/
Jefferson County Master Gardeners: https://jeffcomg.org/speakers-bureau/