Our Speakers

John Forti is a garden historian and ethnobotanist who has directed gardens for Plimoth Plantation Museum, Strawbery Banke Museum, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and Bedrock Gardens.


He is author of the best-selling book “The Heirloom Gardener – Traditional Plants and Skills for the Modern World.”


As a Slow Food USA Governor and biodiversity specialist, his preservation work has helped to restore countless native and heirloom plants and has brought traditional artisanal practices to modern thinking.  He has won numerous awards for historic garden preservation, children’s garden design, herbal and historical education and the 2021 Award of Excellence from National Garden Clubs.


His new book was inspired by his posts as The Heirloom Gardener - John Forti which go out regularly to millions on Facebook.  [1]


Scotty Sheridan, is the co-owner of Scotty's Fermented Foods, maker of Scotty's Stout Sauerkraut and Kimchi found in farmers markets and grocery stores locally. He became interested in gut health when it became an issue in a loved one's life.  That interest evolved and now he realizes that fermentation is not just about food and diet, it's a lifestyle.  [2]


Charley Fisher is an author, editor and writing coach who also happens to be a seed farmer at Urban Garden Project.  Her interest in saving seeds came from her grandparents, who were all practical gardeners. When people started planting gardens during Covid, she turned her hobby into a source of seeds for other people - at first friends, and now a fairly extensive network and business.  


The Urban Garden Project is a collective of gardeners that promote a seed sharing network.  They have created a seed bank, donate seeds to Houston area gardeners in food deserts, and have developed partnerships with small family owned seed farms to create a seed store to fund their projects.

Their seeds are packaged in the perfect sizes for home gardeners and they distribute them at a low cost to continue their mission to make gardening accessible. [3]

[1] http://www.jforti.com 
[2] Scotty's Fermented Foods (scottysfoods.com)

[3] https://www.urbangardenproject.com/ 

Member Crafts and Plants 
We'll have handmade items and limited plants suitable for spring planting available for sale.


Guests will have the opportunity to shop before the talks and during breaks.

Join us for this educational and entertaining day!


Saturday, April 22, 2023
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

St. Paul's United Methodist Church

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8:30 am - 9:30 am  

  • Registration and refreshments, Herbal Marketplace, vendors and *educational tables open

9:30 am - 9:45 am 

  • Welcome

9:45 am - 10:45 am 

  • Keynote speaker, John Forti, "Heirloom Gardening with Traditional Herbs & Skills"

10:45 am - 11:00 am 

  • Door prize drawings, time to stretch, snack, shop and visit educational tables

11:00 am - 12:00 noon

  • Scotty Sheridan, "Let's Go Wild - An Introduction to Fermentation"​

12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

  • More door prize drawings, catered lunch, Herbal Marketplace, vendors and *demonstrations

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

  • Charley Fisher, "Heirloom Seeds - Their Place in Our Lives" 

2:00 pm

  • Farewell


* Educational Demonstrations and Activities including:

Compost Tea, Fermentation, Heirloom Seeds & Vermiculture

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Registration deadline - April 17, 2023
$60 Pre-paid registration per person required
   ($40 for STU members)
Includes refreshments, box lunch and all lecture fees.


Attendance at Herb Day is by pre-paid registration only. Space will be reserved on a first-received basis until all chairs are filled. Payment must be received on or before Monday, April 17, 2023.  $15 cancellation fee after April 17, 2023. No refunds after April 21, 2023.  

​St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Fondren Hall, Jones Education Building
5501 Main St
Houston TX 77004
(in the Museum District)

​Parking is available in the surface lot across the street, bound by Fannin – Binz - San Jacinto.

The Jones Education Building is behind (east of) the main church building.  Fondren Hall is on the second floor.