FREE
SEMINARS

HOME & GARDEN MASTERY
SEMINAR SERIES

Discover smarter, greener ways to elevate your home and landscape. Join us for expert-led sessions packed with practical tips, inspiring ideas, and hands-on guidance to help you create a space you love.

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FRIDAY, March 13, 2026

1:00 PM

Space Invaders: Native Plant
Solutions to Invasive Plants

Presented by:

Alysia Babcock, Owner,
The Garden Guru Kzoo

The Michigan Department of Agriculture &
Rural Development is evaluating whether
to prohibit or restrict several invasive plant
species that threaten ecosystems across
the state. These include some surprisingly
common landscaping favorites. FInd out if you
have them in your garden!

2:00 PM

Live. Laugh. Compost!

Presented by:

Chris Broadbent & Justin Gish,
City of Kalamazoo Sustainability Team

Gain the advantage at home. Start, maintain,
or improve your composting and recycling skill
sets with their factual and humorous approach
to managing your own materials at home.
Keep your recyclables moving on the supply
chain and transform your kitchen scraps into
plant meals! Learn which resources the City of
Kalamazoo has available to residents.

3:00 PM

Home Sweet Hive: A Beginner’s
Guide to Backyard Beekeeping

Presented by:

Brian Walters, Kalamazoo Bee Club
President and KVCC Co-Instructor on Beekeeping

Attention aspiring beekeepers who are ready
to take their first steps into the world of bees.
We’ll cover the essential knowledge every
beginner should have. If you’re curious about
keeping a single backyard hive or dreaming of a
larger apiary, this session offers clear, actionable
guidance to help you start with confidence.

4:00 PM

Avoid Renovation Regrets: How
to Choose the Best Contractor for
Your Home

Presented by:

Brian Pennings, Pennings & Sons

A home renovation can be exciting—until it isn’t.
Many homeowners dive into projects with big
dreams, only to end up with blown budgets,
shoddy workmanship, or endless delays. The
difference between a dream upgrade and a
renovation nightmare often comes down to one
thing: choosing the right contractor. This seminar
walks you through the smartest steps to find a
contractor you can trust, protect your investment,
and keep your sanity intact.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026

11:00 AM

Inviting Birds into Your Yard

Presented by:

Donna Perry Keller, President,
Audubon Society of Kalamazoo

Your yard can be an oasis for birds! Learn
how to make your yard welcoming to birds
including what plants to use and why, sources
of native plants, managing your yard to be
bird-friendly, and guidelines for feeding birds.

12:00 PM

Food Grows Here: Local Food,
Shared Responsibility, Stronger
Communities

Presented by:

Remi Harrington, Executive Director,
Zoo City Farm and Food Network

Healthy food systems begin close to home- In
our gardens, neighborhoods, and local decisions.
This talk explores how community-centered micro
food systems strengthen access to fresh food, care
for the land, and why participating in a local food
policy council matters now, as choices being made
today shape the future of local food.

1:00 PM

Grow the Happiest, Healthiest
Plants on the Block!

Presented by:

Linda Whitlock,
Southwest Michigan Master Gardeners

Whatever type of plants you’re growing, learn
how to help them be healthy and productive by
using the best organic fertilizer and soil
amendment on the planet, compost. We’ll explore
how much to use, when, and how to add it.

2:00 PM

Designing Stunning Landscapes to
Elevate Your Home Value &
Curb Appeal

Presented by:

Dennis Swarthout, Lindsey Grassmid, and Rachel Douglas,

Westside Garden Center

Increase curb appeal and create comfortable
outdoor living spaces using a blend of
personalized container gardening and
perennial plantings. Construct beautiful
container gardens to match your personal
style, and match high-performing perennials,
trees, and shrubs to difficult-to-plant spaces,
such as hot and dry, deep shade, and rain
gardens.

3:00 PM

Land Surveying for
Homeowners and Gardeners

Presented by:

Joel East, P.S. Kalamazoo – Survey,
Regional Manager, Wightman & Associates

Do you really know where your property begins
and ends? One overlooked measurement
can turn into a costly mistake — or a legal
headache. Before you break ground on that
new fence, garage, or dream addition, uncover
the real power of a professional land survey.
It’s the smartest first step to protect your
investment and your peace of mind.

4:00 PM

What Does a Climate Ready
Home Really Mean?

Presented by:

Jenny Doezma, Executive Director,
Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition

The world around us is changing — and so are the
responsibilities we share. KCCC invites you to explore practical, meaningful ways to care for your
corner of the world. Together, we can strengthen
the health and safety of our homes, reduce our
environmental impact, and build a climate-ready
future rooted in community and hope