Annual Conference — Georgia Master Gardeners Association

2026 GMGA Annual Conference

HONOR THE PAST, SHAPE THE FUTURE

October 16-17, 2026

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Savannah, GA

Are you interested in being a sponsor at the conference? Please click here.

On behalf of the Georgia Master Gardeners Association, the Coastal Georgia Master Gardeners invite all gardeners, experienced or beginners, to join us for our annual conference in Savannah. It is being held at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. Our event is open to GMGA members and non-members!

Friday, October 16th, features an array of tours including a docent led tour of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, self-guided tours of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, a docent led tour of the Savannah Botanical Garden & 1840s Farmhouse, the Green-Meldrim House, a tour of the Savannah Citrus Grove, guided tours of Bonaventure Cemetery, and a guided tour of the Judge Arthur Solomon Camellia Trail. Registration is required for each event.

On Friday evening, we invite you to a dinner reception at the Pavilion at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. Cost for the dinner is included in the price of the conference registration. Please let us know when you register if you plan to attend. We welcome your guest to join us. The cost of an additional dinner is $25. Conference badges and SWAG bags will be available for pickup at this event.

On Saturday, October 17th, we will gather in the Andrews Visitor and Education Center located at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. Located at 2 Canebrake Road, about 10 miles southwest of downtown Savannah, the conference site is accessible from three main regional arteries: Interstate 95 (exit 94), Abercorn Expressway/204, and the Atlantic Coastal Highway 17/Ogeechee Road.

For directions please use your GPS service or use this map.

reigster now!

CONFERENCE HOUSING

Based on the diverse and extensive range of hotels in the area, your host has suggested the following locations as outlined below:

These hotels are 12-15 minutes from the conference site and offer clean rooms and modern atmosphere.

For you Marriott and Hilton fans, there are several options in the Pooler and Savannah area. Please visit their respective websites for more information.

Conference Agenda - Saturday, October 17

8:00-8:45 Registration | Swag Bags | Continental Breakfast | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction

9:30-10:15 SPEAKER: Alana Edwards – Plant Phenology

10:15-10:45 Break | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction | People's Choice Award

10:45-11:30 SPEAKER: Tom Cooler – Growing Citrus in Georgia

11:30-12:30 Lunch | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction | People's Choice Award

12:30-1:15 SPEAKER: Caroline Shaw – Invasive Species in Georgia

1:15-1:45 Break | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction | People's Choice Award

1:45-2:30 SPEAKER: Becky Griffin – Developing Future Gardeners

2:30-3:00 Final Break | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction | People's Choice Award

3:00-3:45 Panel of Specialists led by Becky Griffin – Working with Youth

3:45-4:00 Closing remarks | Silent Auction Results | People’s Choice Award | Door Prize Distribution

register now!

Speaker Information

Alana Edwards, MS,GRA
Athens, CAES Campus

Plant phenology is the timing of plant life cycle events such as flowering, fruiting, and leafing out. Scientists have mostly used plant phenology data for climate and ecological studies, but there are also applications for horticulture. Knowing when plants in the garden leaf out in the spring or set seed in the fall can tell us when to prune and propagate. Knowing when our garden will be in peak bloom or peak fall color allows us to plan timely outreach events and encourage public visitation. With nearly 300 garden projects across the state, UGA Master Gardeners have many sites to collect phenology data and make it available to researchers and home gardeners alike.

Alana has been featured as a guest speaker and environmental educator for UGA Extension and Master Gardener events.

Tom Cooler
Savannah Citrus, 201 Burton Road, Savannah, GA 31405

Tom Cooler manages several orchards at Savannah Citrus. They offer several varieties of oranges, limes, and grapefruit. Their partner businesses, Sister Lemonade and Franklin Citrus Farm offer a variety of other products that complement the main farm. Tom will be discussing the challenges of growing and maintaining citrus orchards in Georgia. They are a participating member of Georgia Grown.

Savannah Citrus is a grower & purveyor of Citrus fruits such as Satsuma Oranges, Pink Frost Grapefruit, and iChang Lemons. We specialize in citrus varieties that were developed at the University of Georgia.

Caroline Shaw
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Caroline.Shaw2@uga.edu

Caroline Shaw is the Invasive Species Specialist at the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia. Prior to joining the Center, Caroline served as the ANR Program Specialist and Educator at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, where she developed curriculum and managed the implementation of the Destination Ag field trip program. Caroline graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2021 with a B.S. in Biology. In her current role, Caroline develops and implements Georgia’s adult education program on invasive species and manages data for the EDDMapS and Wild Spotter invasive species mapping applications. Her work supports invasive species detection, management, and outreach by connecting science-based resources with practical tools for professionals and the public.

Becky Griffin, MPPPM
UGA-Georgia Mtn. Research & Education Center, Blairsville, Georgia 30512
beckygri@uga.edu

Becky Griffin has served with UGA Extension for over 14 years, bringing her passion for environmental education and pollinator conservation to communities across the Southeast. She is the national coordinator of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a multi-state community science initiative recognized with a Governor’s Commendation and featured in the book The Great Pollinator Count. She was named one of Garden and Gun Magazine’s 2024 Champions of Conservation and was honored to receive the 2025 Garden Club of Georgia’s Seal of Honor.

Becky enjoys collaborative efforts and is part of the unique Lights Off, Fireflies ON initiative with the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and the Fannin County Board of Education. This project promotes firefly conservation and education while encouraging area tourism.

She also serves as the board chair of The Bee Cause, is a committee member for the Southeastern Bumble Bee Atlas, and contributes to the Pollinator Plants of the Year program. Her work combines scientific insight with an infectious enthusiasm that inspires people of all ages to support pollinators and protect biodiversity.

A Specialist Discussion Panel:

The Specialist Panel will be coordinated by Becky Griffin with the following other members:

Jennifer Taylor-Pack - Master Gardener and Senior Library Manager at Live Oak Libraries. Jennifer is tasked with the gardening programs at the regional libraries in our local counties.
Angela LaPlante - Master Gardener and Technology and Science Teacher who operates in-school gardening programs at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy. She was awarded Teacher of the year for 2024-2025.
Elise Zador - Director, Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden with deep roots in youth programming at local gardens and a wildlife preserve as well as 4-H.

Each participant will take a few minutes to talk about their individual efforts and then take questions from the audience.

Pre-conference Tour Information

Bonaventure Cemetery Tours

Please use the links below to register for the Bonaventure Tour. There is a maximum of 30 guests each.

October 16, 2026, 10:00 am Bonaventure Cemetery Tour

October 16, 2026, 2:00 pm Bonaventure Cemetery Tour

You may also share the code "GAMGCA" to receive 10% off a regular ticket. There is also Senior and Military pricing available.

Tours are approximately 2 hours in length and cover about 1 mile of walking over some sandy areas, gravel, and uneven terrain.
Bonaventure Cemetery Tours focus on the history, art, symbolism, and notable residents of one of the world's most beautiful cemeteries. Guests also enjoy the cemetery's stunning natural setting, majestic live oaks, and scenic landscape.
Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
Tours operate rain or shine unless conditions are deemed dangerous. In the event of a passing storm, we allow a brief weather delay when possible before considering cancellation.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended, as space is limited.
Our meeting location is inside the Jewish Entrance of Bonaventure Cemetery at 330 Bonaventure Road. Please arrive 10–15 minutes prior to your tour's departure time. Your guide will meet you between the red brick building and the public restrooms.

Self-Guided Tours of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens

Hours of Operation: Friday, October 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2 Canebrake Road
Savannah, Georgia. 31419
coastalbg.uga.edu

Director: Elise Zador

Check-in at the gift shop inside the Andrews Visitor Center; tell them you are with the GMGA conference. Admission is Free for Conference Attendees.

Docent Led Tours of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens

coastalbg.uga.edu

Director: Elise Zador

Meet at the Andrews Visitor Center
2 Canebrake Road
Savannah, Georgia. 31419

Time: Friday, October 16 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
TWO TOURS LIMITED TO 12 Participants each
Cost: FREE

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (CGBG) mission is to provide education, public outreach, and applied research in horticultural and environmental sciences. We strive to provide, practical community classes, inspiring and dynamic school programs and spectacular plant collections that educate visitors to the many roles that plants play in our lives.

The Garden is a top Savannah attraction that serves as a museum of plants, a tranquil escape, a living classroom, and an impressive, historic venue for special events for more than 100,000 annual visitors.

Both tours begin at the Andrews Visitors Center

The Green-Meldrim House

greenmeldrimhouse.org

14 W. Macon Street, Madison Square,
Savannah, GA. 31401
info@greenmeldrimhouse.org
912.233.3845

Tour from 1:15-2:15 P.M.
TOUR LIMITED TO 10 Participants
Cost: $12, fee to be paid at time of registration.

The Green-Meldrim house was built in 1850 under the supervision of architect John Norris. This ornate example of Gothic Revival Architecture has exquisite interior and exterior details such as plaster moldings and exceptional ironwork. It's history is as rich, varied, and complicated as Savannah itself.

The Tour is non ADA compliant and there is no wheelchair access. Service animals are welcome.

Savannah Citrus Grove
savannahcitrus.com

201 Burton Road, Savannah, GA 31405

Owner: Tom Cooler
Tour from 2:00 to 3:30 P.M.

This tour is limited to 30 participants
Cost: FREE

Nestled along the tailwaters of the little Ogeechee River in Savannah, Georgia, Savannah Citrus is a grower and purveyor of premium Cocktail Citrus fruits. We specialize in unique citrus varieties developed at the University of Georgia and are proud members of the Georgia Citrus Association. Discover the exceptional flavors of our fresh, locally-grown citrus. A side business developed from excess citrus resulted in Sisters Lemonade, a Business Partner, offering handcrafted lemonade from Atlanta, GA. This family- owned business crafts each batch with fresh, all-natural, and local ingredients, including our iChang lemons. Savannah Citrus is a member of Georgia Grown.

Savannah Botanical Gardens
savannahbotanicalgarden.org

1388 Eisenhower Drive
Savannah, Georgia

Friday, October 16 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Cost: $15 per person with mocktails and nibbles after the tours or $5 for just the tour. Fee to be paid at time of registration.

Duration: 90 minutes

TOUR LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS

The Savannah Botanical Garden is Savannah’s other beautiful botanical garden featuring native plants, a parterre herb garden, a spectacular rose garden, and walking paths through native woods. This 10 acre property is completely volunteer maintained by eight local garden clubs as well as local Master Gardeners who will offer docent-led tours highlighted by a true example of an 1840’s Southern farmhouse, known as the Reinhard House, only one of two pre-Civil War farmhouses in the Savannah area. It was moved to its present location in 1992, and lovingly restored by the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs. Be sure to cap off your experience by enjoying a refreshing herbal mocktail and nibbles under the shade of our pavilion overlooking the pond. We look forward to hosting you!

The property is not fully ADA compliant.

Tour of the Judge Arthur Solomon Camellia Trail with Gene Phillips

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
2 Canebrake Road

Friday, October 16 from 2:00 to 3:30
TOUR LIMITED TO 20 participants
COST: $10, fee to be paid at time of registration.

The Judge Solomon Camellia Trail is home to one of the most diverse and unique camellia collections in North America. The garden was named after Arthur Solomon, who served as a Chatham County commissioner for 46 years. A beloved figure, he was co-founder of the American Camellia Society and was known for beautifying Savannah roadways with live oaks, camellias, azaleas and palm trees. He was given the honorary title of “Judge” for his years of service to the community.

Mr. Phillips, owner of Gene’s Camellia World, has been an expert camellia grower for over 65 years. He is a well-respected figure in both the international and national camellia community and is instrumental in providing advice to the Master Gardeners and Camellia Society members as they seek to have this camellia garden recognized as an International Garden of Excellence.

CONFERENCE HOUSING

Conference Agenda - Saturday, October 17

Speaker Information

Pre-conference Tour Information

Membership Status