May 7, 2026 Speaker Jeremy Shanklin - Koi Ponds/Waterfalls/Fountains
Jeremy Shanklin of Natural Zen Creations talked about Koi ponds, waterfalls and fountain elements to create a space of beauty and tranquility in your own backyard. He does beautiful work!
Jeremy Shanklin
813-767-1649
https://naturalzencreations.com/
Depending on your space, it can be as small or big as you want.
Natural Zen Creations water/fire combinations
April 2, 2026 - Speaker Brenda Crum Golden Spirit Alpaca Ranch
Brenda Crum of Golden Spirit Alpaca Ranch speaks on the incredible, gentle Alpaca. Her and her husband own and operate this incredible ranch consisting of over 150 acres right here in Odessa, Florida!
Check out their website here:
Fern Club President Barbara Davies and Brenda Crum.
Alpaca are calming, enjoyable and stress-reducing animals. Their farm has a mentorship, adoption, and tours available to learn about these gentle, complex creatures. Their fiber is sustainable and can be used for many purposes.
See more pictures on the photo gallery
March 5, 2026 Field Trip Betty Walker Gardens
This is a teaching garden that serves as a living lab. The garden features many non-plant elements including different kinds of pavers and mulches, trellises, containers, lighting, screening, seating and other decorative features such as water elements. Six themed garden rooms include a bird and wildlife habitat, Florida backyard BBQ, sensory garden, Florida-friendly area, Asian influence garden a
Helpful Links!
Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021
Upcoming classes re rainwater, harvesting, composting, irrigation, etc.:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ufifas-hillsborough-extension-8606873308
Bulbine
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/baker/docs/pdf/horticulture/demonstration-
gardens/Bulbine.pdf
Crown of Thorns
https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/floriculture/
February 5, 2026 - Speaker Kathy Lavin: Wilding up Your Garden
Kathy Lavin, Master Gardener (and Fern Garden Club member) speaks about Florida landscapes and wilding up your gardens.
Rewilding your yard is a powerful way to restore habitat and support declining wildlife populations in Florida.
This approach encourages homeowners to transform traditional lawns into diverse, ecologically functional landscapes using native plants, varied plant heights, and nat
Key Principles of Rewilding Your Yard
- Increase biodiversity: Add at least 30% more native plant species to your yard to support local insects, birds, and pollinators.
- Create natural habitats: Include bare soil patches, brushpiles, and snags (dead trees) to provide shelter and nesting sites.
- Reduce maintenance: Minimize mowing, avoid leaf blowers, skip dead-heading, and eliminate pesticide use.
- Supp
Eureka Springs Field Trip 1/8/26
December 4, 2025 Scholarship Recipient Bethany Burns
Our 2025 Scholarship recipient Bethany Burns gave an informative lecture on genomics. Plant genomics have allowed researchers to move beyond single-gene analysis to understand the genetic architecture , identify genes responsible for specific traits, and bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype. Her research interests include how invasive plants respond to selective pressures in new environme
Bethany with Fern Club President, Barbara Davies.
Bethany is a graduate student in the USF Ph.D. Program. We wish her a successful future in research and teaching!
November 6, 2025 Speaker Edie Dopking, Ph.D. - Quantum Leap Farm
Edie Dopking, Ph.D. From Quantum Leap Farms gave an informative and educative speech on the healing connection between humans and horses through equine-assisted therapies.
Learn More at
Celebrating every person without condition—uplifting those with physical, emotional, and intellectual differences, and empowering them to shine by embracing their unique strengths.
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Quantum Leap Farm is always in need of the precious labor required to take care of our farm, horses and clients. As a volunteer, you are an important member of our “Herd”!
October 2, 2025 Speaker Joe Gross - Storm Planning for Yard and Garden
Joe Gross talks about storm planning to preserve the quality and value of your property by watching, preparing and/or eliminating conditions that could potentially threaten life, health and safety of you and your property.
Mr. Gross is certified as a Master Gardener by the UF/IFAS Department of Environmental Horticulture and is currently Code Enforcement Director for Hillsborough County.
September 4, 2025 Speaker Jonathan Simkins - Stinging Insects
Entomologist Jonathan Simkins, owner of Insect IQ, spoke about the differences in stinging insects and the nature and habits of them and what to do and not do when encountering them.
His company performs hive and nest removal services, wildlife removal and relocation, rodent eradication and more.
Learn More
Member Rosemarie happily volunteered to step into a beekeeper's suit!
March 2024 Sunken Gardens Field Trip
