Speakers Calendar
Crabtree Farm Tour: Grow Veggies Grow
April 3, 2025 10:30 am
Program Details:
Let’s go to Crabtree Farms and take a tour! We will learn Crabtree Farms’ history and sustainable agriculture practices for healthy food, composting and pollination. Lauren Russek, Director of Farm Programs will ‘show and tell” us about their seed propagation of current vegetables, herbs and more. So, let’s dress for the farm, get outside and be inspired to be more food independent and to grow our own herbs and veggies! Want to learn more? Inquire about their excellent workshops on topics like Pruning 101, Kombucha, Sour Dough Bread and Seed Propagation. Also, for healthy food, visit their Markets around town. (General Meeting and Lunch will follow tour.) Dress: Garden Casual
Speaker: Lauren Russek, Director of Farm Programs
Photography Workshop: Capturing Nature’s Beauty
May 7, 2025 11:00 am
At last, learn how to maximize the use of your iPhone camera to capture nature’s beauty in this long awaited workshop! Kim Hubbard, a freelance photographer and lifelong nature and animal lover will share her story as she guides us through the art of iPhone photography. Kim’s experience includes many years spent at National Geographic, Audubon, and National Wildlife Federation. Her work has appeared in too many publications to mention and she has held several solo exhibitions. Delighted to be back in her hometown, Chattanooga, she is the first artist-in-residence at McLemore on Lookout Mountain. After her workshop, put your newfound skills to test in Lizzie and Jimmy’s heavenly surroundings. Wander through the native plant gardens or by the tranquil lakeside and capture the beauty of the birds and the bees, and the flowers and the tree …Oh, what a wonderful day! Dress: Garden Casual.
Speaker: Kim Hubbard
Creating a Food Forest - Live a Healthy Life
June 4, 2025 11:00 am
Join us for an inspiring presentation by Gabe LaPage, Co-Director of the Food Forest Coalition of Chattanooga as he educates us on the 7 layers of a Food Forest, the benefits and how to design our own. Learn about edible native plants and how to use them to create thriving, abundant landscapes. Hear compelling stories of how a coalition of neighbors is cultivating food forests, gardens, farms, and public permaculture projects—helping to regenerate Chattanooga’s landscapes from the soil up. Discover how these Food Forest initiatives are not only enriching the land but also strengthening community and transforming our relationship with food, nature, and each other. Come learn how you, too, can be a good steward of the land and contribute to a more resilient, abundant, sustainable future!
Speaker: Gabe LaPage, Food Forest Coalition of Chattanooga
Rising Fawn Gardens: A Living Apothecary
September 3, 2025 11:00 am
Please join us as we visit Rising Fawn Gardens, Karen and Steve Persinger’s beautiful piece of God’s green earth, to hear Karen’s inspiring story, to explore her Apothecary Garden. Karen completed the Essentials of Herbalism Study at the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine; is a student of the Mindfulness School; a certified yoga instructor and former school teacher. In her own words, “ Rising Fawn Gardens is a living Apothecary where we are surrounded by an abundance of plants and vegetables both cultivated and wild, that offer nearly limitless natural remedies for the body and mind.” Leave wiser than you came about the many gifts growing in your garden and with a sense of peace, wellbeing and gratitude for a day out in Mother Nature with friends. Dress: Garden Casual
Speaker: Karen Persinger, Owner - Rising Fawn Gardens
Landscape Architecture-From Concept to Creation: Outdoor Living Spaces to Enjoy
October 1, 2025 11:00 am
What a treat! Come be inspired by SAM BAKER. Classically trained in Landscape Architecture, Sam will share before & after photos of some of his favorite projects. He has been designing landscapes for estates and cabin getaways across the country for 26 years. From Lookout Mountain to Palm Beach, Highlands, New York and beyond, Sam has a vision for it all! With a passion for the great outdoors, his gift is creating heirloom landscapes for generations to come. Have your questions ready as he walks us through the elements of his design process, touches on plant schematics, installation schedules and maintenance considerations and gets you closer to achieving the outdoor lifestyle of your dreams. What a treat indeed!
Speaker: Sam Baker-Landscape Architect
Fresh Inspiration for Gardeners
November 5, 2025 11:00 am
Looking for gardener guidance on how to start a pretty flower, herb, or kitchen garden? Want to know the best tool for the job or to bliss out on glamorous gardening websites? Then join LMBGC Program Coordinators, Penny Simmons and Melanie Riddle for a lively and informative program featuring fellow gardeners’ savvy tips; a display of members favorite gardening tools & accessories; a collection of fab gardening books and seed sources and lastly, a visual overview of classic and trending websites, apps and videos! Whether new to gardening or a master, leave with a plethora of sources that will make you delightfully giddy with fresh gardening inspiration! (Handout)
Speaker: Penny Simmons and Melanie Riddle
A Garden Tea Around the Christmas Tree
December 3, 2025 11:00 am
Happy Holidays! As you are warmly welcomed into Glenda Warren’s merry and bright home, let’s gather around the Christmas Tree to select our 2026-2027 Officers, exchange holiday ornaments, and celebrate this festive season with a proper British Afternoon Tea. With heart and laughter, hohoho, our jolly food committee will create delicious traditional tea sandwiches and home baked sweet treats with fresh garden herbs and spices to the delight of all. Leave with visions of creating your own Garden Tea time at home and with a Menu card that shares the history of each culinary herb.
Creator: Holly Jolly Food Committee
Orchids at Cheekwood Mansion and Garden Estate
February 4, 2026 8:30 am Departure
Let’s leave the winter blues behind and escape to Nashville’s historical 55 acre estate: Cheekwood Mansion and Gardens. We will view the enchanting orchid displays in the beautiful period rooms, learn the exceptional history of the estate, view its’ world class art, meet for lunch and explore their winter garden areas. Friends will sit back and catch up as our coach travels through beautiful scenery and drops us off at Cheekwood. Later, as we journey back home from our inspiring escape, we may even enjoy a well deserved cocktail soiree - compliments of some sassy garden girls! Details: coming soon.
Coordinators: Melanie Riddle and Penny Simmons
Installation of Officers: New Beginnings
March 4, 2026 11:00 am
The installation of the new officers for 2026-2027 will be held at the Lookout Mountain Club golf clubhouse. Situated on the mountaintop, it offers breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains and the beautiful Seth Raynor golf course. This setting is perfect for enjoying a delicious lunch and sharing fellowship!