Known as “The Garden Sage,” Debra Knapke is a popular speaker at professional symposia as well as gardening events throughout the Midwest. After two other careers, in 1992 Debra turned her avocation of plant study and gardening into her full-time career. Debra is passionate about gardening, sustainable garden design and the natural world, and enjoys sharing knowledge through her writing, public speaking, and garden consulting in the private and public sectors. She has served on various local and national committees and boards that focus on education, the environment, and sustainability. She has championed those passions during her two-year term (2014-2016) as Honorary President of the Herb Society of America and as the Co-Chair of the Sustainability Committee of GardenCommn. In addition, she mentored the future of the landscape industry at Columbus State Community College for 24 years. She loves being a gardener and has packed an amazing variety of perennials, trees, shrubs, and edibles onto the 2/3-acre lot surrounding her home.

Website:www.DebraTheGardenSage.com 

Teresa Woodard is a writer and field editor for regional and national consumer magazines and their digital outlets. She is contributing garden editor at Midwest Living magazine, and a Timber Press author of the recently released Garden to the Max (March 2025), and co-author of American Roots: Reimagining Our Home Gardens (2022). Over the past 15 years, she's contributed to Midwest Living, Columbus Monthly, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Gardens, Chicago Tribune, Living the Country Life, Ohio Magazine and Edible Columbus. She was awarded the 2016 Gold Award for Magazine Writing by GWA: The Association of Garden Communicators for her story, "Honey Harvest," for Country Gardens Magazine (Fall 2015) and the 2018 Silver Award for Magazine Writing for "A Cut Above" for Country Gardens Magazine and the 2019 Silver Award for Magazine Writing for "Harvesting Hope" for Ohio Magazine. She will be talking to us about her latest publication.

Get ready for an electrifying night of music with an incredibly talented singer-songwriter, Kyleen Downes! A Dayton-based guitarist and songwriter, Kyleen creates sonically approachable music reminiscent of a road trip radio scan. Her high-energy stage presence and infectious optimism leave audiences feeling uplifted. Kyleen blends acoustic and electric guitars, along with a looper pedal, to craft upbeat sounds. Her debut album ‘Come On Sit Down’ released in 2020 showcases her passion for music, while offstage she fulfills her childhood dream of teaching guitar lessons in the Miami Valley.

Load up on Barron’s Motor Coach for day 3 of Convention. We’re headed on some amazing Garden Tours! First stop is the Governor’s Residence Heritage Garden where we will hear from First Ladies Hope Taft and Fran DeWine. Following their remarks, volunteer guides will lead us on a stroll through the gardens. Our next stop is The Franklin Park Conservatory. We will enjoy lunch and a presentation by Bruce Harkey, President and CEO of Franklin Park Conservatory on the future of the park. Following lunch, we will start with a guided docent tour of the Scott’s Miracle-Gro Community Garden, followed by guided tours of various other gardens throughout the park. The tour will include a glass blowing demonstration. All tours will be split into groups of 20 or less. You will also have free time to explore the Conservatory interior and gift shop. The day will conclude with transportation back to Embassy Suites. This event includes breakfast (hotel guests only), transportation, entry fees, lunch and gratuities. Total cost $58.00 per person. You may register for this trip even if you are not attending Convention. Parking is available at the hotel.