Conventions
Gathering Together
VIRTUAL FALL FESTIVAL
October 5th & 6th
Hosted by Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.
The upcoming Central Region Virtual Convention has the benefits of:
· A low-cost event with 6 great speakers
· No travel expenses
· No Exorbitant Meal Expense
CONVENTION CHALLENGE
MGC challenges the 7 states that comprise Central Region (CR) and offers the following goals and awards:
1) $100 award to the CR state that has the largest % of registered members – based on individual state membership.
2) $100 award to the CR state that has the largest % of registered club Presidents - based on total member clubs of each state. (only one club President per club will be counted).
An MGC Sponsor will provide the funds to make these awards.
To be eligible, each Central Region state must provide its total state membership number and a list of member clubs, with a total number of clubs to MGC Treasurer, Bunny LaDuke, rladuke@migardenclubs.org, before September 1, 2026.
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Please let us know if you have questions or concerns.
THE SPEAKERS
JOSEPH TYCHONIEVICH
Joseph Tychonievich is a lifelong lover of plants and gardening. He got his degree in horticulture from The Ohio State University and went on to work for specialty rare plant nurseries in Japan and Michigan. Joseph is the author of several books including Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style and The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food: Step-by-Step Vegetable Gardening for Everyone. His writing has been published in Fine Gardening, Horticulture, and The New York Times. He is the editor of the North American Rock Garden Society’s quarterly journal. He currently lives and gardens in South Bend, Indiana, with his husband, three cats, and a truly excessive number of plants.
Title: Great Garden Design for Bad Garden Designers
Content: Are you one of those people who can just easily and naturally combine plants and colors in the garden? Yeah, I'm not either. But I've learned some tricks that have let me -- a bad garden designer -- create a beautiful garden, and in this talk I'll share them with you so you can make a landscape that will have your neighbors asking who you hired to design it.
Monday, October 5, 2026, from 3:15 PM to 4:15 PM EST
DAVID LOWENSTEIN
David Lowenstein is an Extension Educator with Michigan State University, based in the Detroit area. He is entomologist with expertise in Integrated Pest Management in urban agriculture, vegetables, and tree fruits.
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Title: Bugging out: What's that crawling on my plant?
Content: Many insects cross paths with the plants in our garden yet they are not all unwelcome visitors. Learn basic identification, several interesting insects that you may come across in the garden, and resources to help you discover if that crawling visitor is a friend or foe.
Monday, October 5, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM EST
HEIDI GRASMAN
Heidi Grasman is the co-owner of Garden Crossings and has spent over 30 years getting her hands dirty developing a deep, practical knowledge of plants, garden design, and what actually works in the ground. She travels throughout the year visiting trial gardens and attending industry conferences to stay on the cutting edge of new plant introductions, and she has been a featured speaker at Proven Winners events including the Grand Garden Show on Mackinac Island. A teacher at heart, Heidi's greatest reward is hearing from customers who've found their green thumb after following her advice or watching her on Youtube.
Title: Growing Into 2027: New Plants You Won't Want to Miss
Content: Explore the future of gardening with an exclusive preview of 2027's newest plant introductions. You'll get an early look at exciting annuals, perennials, and shrubs that are sure to inspire next year's garden plans.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 10:15 to 11:15 AM EST
JOANNEE DeBRUHL
Joannée DeBruhl has been teaching farmers and gardeners for over 20 years on how to grow organically. She owned a certified organic vegetable farm for 9 years and grew 52 weeks a year in MIchigan without heat using high tunnels. She is currently a farm and garden consultant and continues to grow fresh produce year-round in her backyard garden in Michigan. Joannée is a certified permaculture design professional and a licensed nursery grower focusing on native wildflowers.
Title: Shoots and Microgreens
Content: Shoots and microgreens can be sown and harvested in 10-14 days. I’ll show you my easy methods to grow them and provide resources for the seeds and supplies needed.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM EST
​JOE SUMMERS
A horticulturist by trade, Joe developed a love for water gardens while working for the Missouri Botanical Garden, where his focus was the giant Victoria Water Lilies. While there, he produced the only hybrid Victoria in Missouri Botanical Garden’s history and aptly name it Victoria ‘Adventure.’ His studies have also taken him to the Amazon Rainforest where he continued to study the art and practice of garden cultivation and management.
Title: Frog Approved Water Gardens
Content: Sharing know-how for water gardens. Showcasing beautiful plants for ponds and container water gardens.
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Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 1:30 to 2:30 PM EST
ELIZABETH LUMBERT
Elizabeth began her career with Dow Gardens in 1992 and was selected as Executive Director in 2016. With a 30+ year career in public gardens, operations, program management, business strategy, and a proven ability to work with both internal and external audiences, she provides Dow Gardens with leadership, vision, and continued success.
Title: Discover Dow Gardens and its Legacy of Beauty
Content: Participants will explore the beautiful Dow Gardens through a virtual tour with Dow Gardens Executive Director Elizabeth Lumbert. Established in 1899 as a home for The Herbert H and Grace A. Dow Family, the 110-acre Dow Gardens invites guests to leave the pathway and explore the uniquely-designed landscape, sit on the porch of the historic Pines Estate Home, stroll the treetops on an elevated Canopy Walk, wander through the meadow and apple orchard, and discover art in a botanical garden setting. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy a visit to Dow Gardens, curated for you.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026; 3:30 to 4:15 PM EST
