We are thrilled to announce that Renee Shepherd – Seed Developer, Gardener, Entrepreneur and Author – will close out the 2017 International Master Gardener Conference as our third keynote speaker, on the topic Garden to Table From Seed. She joins Plantsman Dan Hinkley and Wildlife Biologist John Marzluff, to complete the roster of 2017 International Master Gardener Conference keynote speakers. But, we still have lots of concurrent session speakers in the works for you! Stay tuned. We’ll announce concurrent session speakers as they are confirmed.
Renee Shepherd is widely regarded as a pioneering innovator in introducing international specialty vegetables and herbs for home gardeners and gourmet restaurants. After receiving her PhD from UC Santa Cruz and teaching in the Environmental Studies department there, she founded Shepherd’s Garden Seed which she ran until 1996. In 1997 she founded her current company, Renee’s Garden, offering her selected choices of seeds for exciting new and time-tested heirloom gourmet vegetables, culinary herbs and a wide range of fragrant and cutting flowers, sourced from seed growers both large and small around the world. Renee’s Garden seed packets are available directly from www.reneesgarden.com and are offered through independent garden centers in the US and Canada.
Renee writes the descriptions and growing information for all the company’s seed packets, chooses seed varieties, manages marketing activities, and directs and enjoys the company’s large trial gardens in California and Vermont. She has authored two cookbooks, Recipes from a Kitchen Garden and More Recipes From a Kitchen Garden and is putting the finishing touches on a third book combining both gardening advice and great recipes.
Renee lectures widely at national and regional garden shows and is a featured speaker at numerous gardening conferences. She has many community interests and serves on the Planning Commission for Santa Cruz County, California. She has served on the board of the National Garden Association and is currently president of the Home Garden Seed Association.
Garden to Table From Seed. How to plan, plant and enjoy a bountiful, colorful and delicious kitchen garden throughout the seasons featuring vegetables and herbs chosen for fabulous flavor, easy growing, productivity, and top nutrition. Includes specific variety suggestions, information on how and where we find seeds of many cultures and countries, along with lots of preparation and cooking ideas for using your harvests for satisfying everyday meals. Oriented especially to beginning ‘Foodie’ gardeners who want to cook a wide range of fresh and seasonal meals from their own garden.
“Renee’s Garden is my practical way to spread the joy of gardening as a meaningful, productive and satisfying activity that connects us to each other and the earth.” – Renee Shepherd
