the speakers

The Faire presented ten very well qualified speakers on aspects of the
“smart gardening” theme, with an emphasis on water conservation
and landscaping with drought-tolerant native plants.

Barrie Coate
Consulting Horticulturalist, recognized as the premier tree and native plant specialist in California.
Topic: Most Common Garden Problems

Christopher C. Elliott
Owner of Aqua Green Landscape Irrigation Co. and Instructor in Cabrillo College’s Horticulture Department.
Topic: Water Conservation in the Garden Landscape

Monique Smith Lee
The “Bat Lady” has been rehabilitating bats for five years, working with the California Bat Conservation Fund.
Topic: Bats - Our Friends in The Garden

Alrie Middlebrook
Head of Middlebrook Gardens, which has designed over 100 native plant gardens in California, and author, with Glen Keator, of California Natives in Style (coming in 2007).
Topic: Create a Beautiful Natural Garden…and Stop Global Warming

Elizabeth Murray
Multi-talented artist and teacher, and author of Cultivating Sacred Space: Gardening for the Soul.
Topic: Catching the Light: from Monet to Monterey Bay

Cynthia Sandberg
Owner of Love Apple Heirloom Tomato Farm, where she grows and sells over 100 different kinds of tomatoes.
Topic: How to Grow Better Backyard Tomatoes

Robin Sanders & Judi Taylor
Lead members of Monterey Bay Master Gardeners’ Plant Propagation Team.
Topic: Plant Propagation

Renee Shepherd, Ph.D.
Owner of Renees’ Garden, where she offers 240 varieties of specialty garden seeds, and author of three cookbooks.
Topic: Easy Gardens for Busy People

Michele Swanson
Owner of CLTV8 Garden Design and recipient of several awards, including the People's Choice Award and a Gold Medal at the 2006 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show.
Topic: Inside Your Outdoor Room - Designing Garden Rooms

Thomas Wittman
Founder of Gophers Limited, with over two decades of experience with non toxic pest control.
Topic: Non-toxic Burrowing Rodent Control