Official 2026 Master Gardener State Conference

The official statewide conference hosted by the Missouri Master Gardener Association (MOMGA).

October 2 - 3, 2026

Be the First to Know When Registration Opens!

Join our list to receive conference updates, speaker announcements and early registration access.

Notify Me

We're actively planning an exciting conference experience.

More details and registration will be released soon.

Check back regularly and sign up for email updates.

DATE

October
2-3
2026

FORMAT

Statewide Virtual Conference with Local Watch Parties

HOSTED BY

Missouri Master Gardener Association, Inc. (MOMGA)

INCLUDES

5 Education Hours, National Speakers
Annual Meeting & Awards

Learn - Gather - Grow

The 2026 Missouri Master Gardener State Conference brings gardening enthusiasts together from across the state for

education, connection, and our annual meeting

and Excellence Awards presentation.

Conference Schedule

Join Master Gardeners from across Missouri for a unique hybrid conference experience - combining statewide virtual learning with local, in-person connections.

Participation Options

Friday, October 2, 2026
Join live virtual sessions from home

Saturday, October 3, 2026
Join a Local Watch Party
Gather with gardeners in your area for a shared viewing experience.
- OR -
Attend from Home
Participate virtually in all streamed sessions.

KEY DETAILS

October 2-3, 2026
Hybrid virtual and in-person
Registration opens soon
Full Conference access for just $45 per attendee
Open to Master Gardeners and the public
Questions? info@momga.org

Friday Evening - Virtual Learning
5:15 - 8:15 | Live via Zoom

5:30 PM - Welcome & Kick-off

5:45 PM - Gardening Myths
Robert Pavlis

This session explores common gardening myths, including tree planting practices, pesticides, sun tolerance in hostas, and weed barrier effectiveness. Practical examples and visuals help separate fact from fiction and support better gardening practices.

7:00 PM - Fun Facts About Plants
Robert Pavlis

A look at surprising plant behaviors and misconceptions, including soil pH, clematis flower structure, evergreen growth habits, and seed production in dandelions. This session highlights how plants really function in everyday landscapes.

8:00 PM - Saturday Preview & Closing

Saturday - Watch Parties Across Missouri
9:00 - 3:30 | Attend locally or from home

8:45 AM - Check In

9:00 AM - Local networking & Local Introductions

9:25 AM - Opening Remaks

9:30 AM - KEYNOTE ADDRESS - Trends in Horticulture
Anna C. Ball

This keynote explores emerging trends shaping the future of horticulture, including sustainability, plant production, and the role of plants in human environments.

11:00 AM - MOMGA Annual Meeting & Awards

An important opportunity for statewide connection, governance, and recognition of member contributions. Hear a statewide update from President, Charles Grimm, vote in Officer Elections, and celebrate annual awards recognizing outstanding service and achievement across the state.

NOON - Lunch Break

1:00 PM - 3-Step Recipe to a Garden Design that Works
Amy Fedele

A practical design framework for turning plant knowledge into cohesive, functional landscapes. Learn how to approach space, structure, and plant combinations like a designer.

2:15 PM - Composting 201
Stan Slaughter

A full-circle look at composting, from foundational concepts to soil biology and emerging innovations. This session connects composting practices to soil health and living systems.

3:15 PM - Closing

Saturday - Watch Parties Across Missouri

9:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Attend at a local chapter gathering or from home.

Morning Program (Statewide Stream)

8:45 AM - Check-In at Local Sites

9:00 AM - Local introductions & networking / Lobby Opens

9:25 AM - Opening Remarks

9:30 AM - Keynote Address: Trends in Horticulture with Anna C. Ball

This keynote explores emerging trends shaping the future of horticulture, from plant production and marketing to the expanding role of plants in health, sustainability, and human environments.

10:45 AM - Break

11:00 AM - MOMGA Annual Meeting & Awards

This session provides an important opportunity for statewide connection, governance, and recognition of member contributions. Hear a statewide update from President Charles Grimm, vote in Officer Elections, and celebrate annual awards recognizing outstanding service and achievement across the state.

12:00 PM - Lunch

Afternoon Program (Statewide Stream)

1:00 PM - Session 3: 3-Step Recipe to a Garden Design that Works with Amy Fedel

A practical design framework for turning plant knowledge into cohesive, functional landscapes. Learn how to approach space, structure, and plant combinations like a designer.

2:00 PM - Break

2:15 PM - Session 4: Composting 201 with Stan Slaughter

A full-circle look at composting, from foundational concepts to soil biology and emerging innovations. This session connects composting practices to soil health and living systems.

3:15 PM - Closing

3:30 PM - Optional Local Wrap-Up & Networking

Attend Your Way

Join a Local Watch Party - Gather with gardeners in your region for a shared experience

Attend from Home - Participate virtually in all streamed sessions

Meet our Speakers

Anna C. Ball

Anna Caroline Ball is Chairman and CEO of the 120-year-old Ball Horticultural Company, which specializes in all aspects of horticulture, including breeding, biotechnology, production, and marketing of hybrid flower seeds and other floriculture
crops. Privately-held and now in its fourth generation of family management, Ball Horticultural Company operates in over 20 countries worldwide.

Anna received her B.A. degree from the University of Colorado and her M.B.A. from Northwestern University. She is a Trustee of The Morton Arboretum and head of the G. Carl Ball Family Foundation. She is the Chairman of Career Vision, an organization focused on the discovery and development of human potential through the development and delivery of aptitude testing and career exploration. Anna lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Amy Fedele

Amy Fedele is the founder of Pretty Purple Door and a garden designer who has been helping home gardeners create landscapes that are “uniquely you” since 2014. She holds a diploma in Garden Design and Maintenance and has worked as a professional graphic designer since 2005. Amy blends color, composition and practical design principles into a simple framework that makes garden design feel approachable and fun.

She specializes in four-season landscapes that reflect a homeowner’s personality, lifestyle, and maintenance comfort level.

Based in Northeast Pennsylvania (USDA Zone 7A), Amy teaches online garden design courses and has helped over 2,000 students learn to design with confidence. She creates easy-to-follow resources that help gardeners stop guessing and start designing with confidence. Her mission is to make garden design simpler, more personal, and more enjoyable.

Robert Pavlis

Robert Pavlis is a well-known speaker, educator, and gardening myth-buster with over 40 years of experience. He is an award-winning author of several books, including Soil Science for Gardeners, Compost Science for Gardeners, Plant Science for Gardeners, Microbe Science for Gardeners, Food Science for Gardeners, Building Natural Ponds, and Garden Myths.

He also publishes the popular gardening blog GardenMyths.com and hosts the Garden Fundamentals YouTube channel, where he shares science-based, practical gardening advice.

With a background in chemistry and biochemistry, Robert focuses on helping gardeners understand the “why” behind what they do. He is the owner and head gardener of Aspen Grove Gardens, a six-acre botanical garden featuring more than 3,000 varieties of plants, and encourages gardeners to keep things simple, learn from nature, and enjoy the process.

Stan Slaughter

Stan Slaughter has been teaching composting nationally and internationally since 1991. From compost toilets, to worm bins to tons of food waste, Stan has been there, done that. From a long list of statewide and National honors for his work to the 27 states and 5,100 schools he’s visited, Stan sings, teaches and lives compost. His workshops have been appreciated by audiences from schools to Master Gardeners to HRH Prince Charles.

Save the Date: October 2-3, 2026

Garden training watch party with group gathered at tables watch presentation on TV.

Join Master Gardeners and gardening enthusiasts from across Missouri for the Official 2026 Missouri Master Gardener State Conference.

This unique hybrid event combines statewide virtual learning with local in-person watch parties, making it easy to learn, connect, and grow together!

How It Works

Attend virtually from home or
Join a local watch party hosted by a Master Gardener chapter
Watch live conference sessions together
Connect, discuss, and learn with others in your area

Why Attend

Gain practical, research-based gardening knowledge
Connect with Master Gardeners across Missouri
Share ideas and learn from other chapters
Be inspired by speakers and new perspectives
Strengthen your impact in your local community

What to Expect

Conference details are being finalized, but attendees can expect:

Inspiring and educational presentations from nationally recognized horticulture leaders on gardening and environmental topics
Practical, research-based gardening sessions
MOMGA Annual Meeting & Awards
Local Watch Parties with chapter camaraderie and community connection
Statewide unity - learning together while celebrating locally
Five hours of approved Master Gardener education

In-Person Watch Party Hosts & Locations

Join gardeners in your area by attending a local watch party hosted by Master Gardener chapters across Missouri. These in-person gatherings create a shared conference experience, offering opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and build community while participating in the virtual sessions.

Our full list of participating host locations will be available soon.

Macon-Shelby Master Gardeners
St. Charles Master Gardeners
Boonslick Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City
Cape Girardeau Master Gardeners
Watch for more locations!

Interested in hosting a watch party? Contact us at education@momga.org

Who Should Attend

This conference is open to Master Gardeners and the public. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just beginning your gardening journey, you'll find valuable information, inspiration, and connections.

Ideal for:

Master Gardeners
Home gardeners and hobbyists
Individuals interested in sustainable gardening and environmental stewardship
Anyone looking to learn more about plants and gardening practices