Join Trip Smith for a tour of the Orchid Collection in the Conservation Greenhouse at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Explore the distribution and nomenclature of orchids including the significant adaptations, pollination, reproductive methods, cultivation and germination requirements.Trip will guide you through choosing and successfully growing orchids in your home.

Instructor Trip Smith is a graduate of Texas A&M with Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Horticulture. As the Curator of the Botanic Garden Orchid Collection he has increased the collection tremendously. Trip has been with the Botanic Garden in charge of the Conservation Greenhouse for 10 years.

Please note: This class will be held at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

$20 members/$25 non-members

Bring a sack lunch and join Trip Smith to learn all about bees and how to set up your own hives. He will give you an introduction to bee keeping including the history of bee keeping, why we need bees, and challenges to bee keeping in general. He will also demonstrate how to set up and manage a hive including where to get bees, establishing the colony/hive, harvesting honey and rules and regulations concerning bees.  You will leave with a jar of honey from the bees in the Botanic Garden!

Instructor Trip Smith is a Horticulturist with a BS (1971) and MA (1977) degrees in horticulture from Texas A&M University. He has been a bee keeper since the early 80s. He is working to establish an apiary at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and has been with the Garden as the Conservation Curator since 2008.

Please note: This class will be held at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden

$30 members/$35 non-members

Research Botanist Taylor Quedensley visited Iceland, the United Kingdom, and France this past summer and visited several botanical gardens and natural areas. The natural history of Iceland will be presented, as well as his visits to world renowned gardens. Taylor also met with researchers at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in Scotland and discussed potential collaborations with them for the upcoming floristic work in the southern Philippines.

The key to having nutrient dense food is having a healthy functioning soil food web in your garden. This course will give you a good foundation in understanding how to use biology in your organic gardening to grow tasty, healthy, nutritious food. Pair this class with the hands-on 'Soil Biology for Gardeners' for a deeper dive into this fascinating subject.

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working towards becoming Certified Soil Life Consultants. They offer permaculture design and soil biology consulting services to other growers and gardeners.

Please Note: This class will take place at BRIT 

$30 members/$35 non-members

Online registration for this class closes on Wednesday, October 3rd.

This workshop will provide an introduction to the world of grasses that are found in the prairies, savannas, and woodlands of North Texas. The focus will be on field identification of grasses by their distinguishing physical characteristics. It will include an overview of basic terminology related to the parts of the grass plant, a brief discussion of taxonomic classification, discussion of the significance of various grass species, their potential values, and the ecosystem services they provide. 

Instructor Dan Caudle is a native West Texan with a special interest in the native grasslands of the plains and prairies and the ecological drivers, natural disturbances, and plant community dynamics that are essential to their existence. He retired in 2006 after a 40-year career as a Rangeland Management Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service with extensive work experience throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.

Caudle serves as an instructor for two natural resource management training courses conducted annually by the Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma as well as serving as a director and instructor for the week-long Youth Range Workshop sponsored annually by the Society for Range Management in Junction, Texas. He is currently working with landowners and organizations in Texas and Louisiana on landscape scale projects related to restoration, remediation, and long-term management of native grasslands.

Please note: This class will take place at BRIT.

$20 members/$25 non-members

​​​​​​​Online registration for this class closes on Wednesday, October 3rd.

The organisms living in soil are crucial to soil health. In this hands-on class participants will work with microscopes to identify the different types of organisms that live in the soil. This class is a companion to the earlier class "What is the Soil Food Web?" and it is strongly recommended that they be taken together for a more complete understanding of the soil organisms we’ll be discussing and viewing. 

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working towards becoming Certified Soil Life Consultants. They offer permaculture design and soil biology consulting services to other growers and gardeners.

Please Note: This class will take place at BRIT. 

$20 members/$25 non-members

​​​​​​​Online registration for this class closes on Wednesday, October 3rd.

It was said to be the drink of gods. Movies have been made about it, business have been built around it, and fountains often flow with it. What is this wondrous product of which we speak?  Chocolate! Join us for this two hour class and explore the fascinating history of this much loved botanical product. We will visit a real, live chocolate tree, explore the differences between dark, white, and milk chocolate and even, perhaps, learn the Mayan recipe for hot chocolate.

Instructor Joyce Fethke-Block, a native Minnesotan, was raised on a family farm in the southern part of the state where she learned to love all aspects of gardening. After deciding that a career in the restaurant business wasn’t for her, she returned to school at the University of Minnesota and majored in Horticulture. She moved to Texas several years ago, married a native Texan, and along the way became a Master Gardener, a member of Texas Nursery and Landscape Professionals, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in, what else, Horticulture. Joyce has worked at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden as the curator for the Rainforest Conservatory & Christmas Coordinator for almost 4 years. She and her husband live in Alvarado, TX. According to Joyce, Texas is a whole other country when it comes to gardening!

Please note: This class will take place at the FWBG.

$20 members/$25 non-members

Online registration for this class closes on Wednesday, October 3rd.

Join Claire Alford for this class as she teaches about the different types of bulbs we plant for spring blooms. Students will then have a hands-on experience in layering tunicate bulbs in pots.  Students will take home a 12" pot with 2-3 different tunicate bulbs which will bloom at different times during the spring.

Instructor Claire Alford has been a Master Gardener for 13 years.  She leads the Plant Propagation Specialists and teaches Propagation to Master Gardeners from across Texas. She has taught at conferences on tomatoes, From Rain to Drought and the Southern Region Conference. During these years she has been learning to make her yard work easier and found that bulbs are one of the simplest perennials to grow.  

Please Note: This class will take place at the FWBG.

$30 members/$35 non-members

Honorary Hosts Sasha and Ed Bass, Ramona and Lee Bass, Laura and Greg Bird, Stephanie and Billy Brentlinger, Event Chair Grant James, and Executive Director Edward Schneider invite you to join us at the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel for an evening of inspiration. Our International Award of Excellence in Conservation recipient, Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, is a pioneer in the areas of ocean exploration, ocean conservation, and women in science. Come hear Dr. Earle speak about her daring undersea adventures and why, after decades of observing over-fishing and increasing environmental damage, our oceans need to be protected now.

The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel is partnering with BRIT to provide guests with a reduced rate of $189 per night for reservations made for the event by September 25th. Call (800) 433-5677 and ask for the BRIT Gala special event rate.

For more information, contact Sara Richardson srichardson@brit.org 817.332.2748.

Join instructor Barbara Baker as she shares her tips, tricks and ideas to achieve that special look for your home during the holidays. Take home a wreath for your front door and a fresh flower arrangement for your dining table. All flowers and other materials are included.

Barbara Baker is former President of Fort Worth Garden Club and Texas Garden Clubs.  She incorporates English gardening ideas from her travels into her own garden. Barbara has taught flower arranging as a National Garden Club Flower Show Judge and Instructor from Oregon to New Hampshire. 

Please note: This class will take place at the FWBG.

$40 members/$45 non-members

Join Begonia experts in creating your own terrarium using begonias from the nationally recognized Begonia Species Collection.  You will learn the method of creating and caring for a miniature tropical habitat for rare and exotic species and hybrids.  You will take home your glass terrarium for instant color.

Instructor Bobbie Price is a 20 year volunteer in the nationally recognized Begonia Species Bank along with Don Miller who has spent his life searching for new species and conserving rare begonias. Debbie Garrett, the staff curator for the collection, studied horticulture at the University of North Texas.  Her love for begonias centers on the conservation of the species. 

Please note: This class will take place at the FWBG.

$30 members/$35 non-members

Join Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic of Barking Cat Farm for this hands-on seed starting workshop that will be taught in the FW Botanic Garden greenhouse. Tuition covers a variety of seeds and planting materials. You’ll go home with an understanding of seed starting and seeded pots that can become the foundation for your home garden.

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working towards becoming Certified Soil Life Consultants. They offer permaculture design and soil biology consulting services to other growers and gardeners.

Please note: This class will take place at the FWBG.

$20 members/$25 non-members

Join Master Gardeners in this hands-on class as they discuss how to create an attractive and sustainable miniature garden. With step-by-step instructions and practical tips, you will design and create your own miniature garden during the class and take it home with you. All plants and other materials are included. Just bring yourself!

Instructor Hester Schwarzer is a native East Texan. She grew up with a mother who loved and grew flowers, vegetables and fruit and taking the Master Gardener classes the year after retiring from a teaching career has given her the opportunity to return to her roots. Miniature gardens have fascinated her since playing in the soil making roads, designing tiny buildings and finding small plants to populate her landscapes. Instructor Kay Sekio is a native of Japan. She received a Ph.D. in Public Administration from UTA and is currently working as a trilingual linguist. She became a Master Gardner in 2003 and a Plant Propagation Specialist in 2013. Garden craft including miniature gardens is one of her specialties. As the 4th generation of Bonsai-loving family, she was interested in moss and was certified as a moss craft (Kokedama) instructor in 2016 in Japan after completing a special training session.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG

$20 members/$25 non-members

Registration opens soon!

Join us for this three hour class and take the first steps in applying Permaculture design to your property. The class will cover Zones and Sectors, Climate and Topographical Effect, Soil Building, Water Harvesting, System Succession, and Design. Students will learn several techniques that will help you get started designing your own yards and making the most of your space. 

Instructor Jason Ramsey of Perma-Scape Landscape Design and Management, a consultancy firm dedicated to regenerative agriculture practices and the Permaculture philosophy. Jason received his Permaculture certification in February of 2014 through Permaculture Denton. Jason has been a practitioner of Permaculture since 2008.

Please note: This class will take place at BRIT.

$30 members/$35 non-members

Join instructor Judy Ratzlaff as she shares her love of Japanese flower arranging using the Ikebana technique of Moribana.  she will supply the flowers, kenzan (frog), and other supplies.  You will need to bring a shallow container for your arrangement.  You may also bring flowers with long stems from your own garden.  Not only will you leave with an Ikebana arrangement but with instructions to create your own at home.

Instructor Judy Ratzlaff was trained in Ikebana in Japan where she lived for many years. She is a Sogetsu school teacher and also studied Ohara school. As 2nd VP on the International Board of Ikebana, headquartered in Tokyo, from 1995-1998 she oversaw 174 Chapters in 60 countries. She was one of only 2 foreigners on the board. She was 1st VP of the Nagoya Chapter in 1991. Judy represented and co-hosted Ikebana International at the American Embassy for a tea and tour and co-chaired the Tokyo Founding Chapters Christmas Fundraiser for three years. She attended 4 International Conferences in Tokyo over 20 years, the Sixth Asian Conference in Manila, Philippines and the North American Conference in Ottawa while an officer. Judy was also 1 of 2 representatives from the North American Conference at the International Conference in Yokohama.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.

$40 members/$45 non-members

Join us for this exciting hands-on class in the principles and basics of floral design including color, balance, proportion, scale, and rhythm with Fort Worth Botanic Garden employee, Agnes Slociak Knasiak.  Dr. Slociak Knasiak will share the history of floral arrangements along with the containers, tools and mechanics of designs. Each student will take home the design on which they work along with a 4” potted fern that Agnes propagated to use in future flower designs.

Instructor Agnieszka Slociak Knasiak, has degrees from two universities in Europe including a PhD in Horticulture. During her doctoral study in Wroclaw, Poland she took special classes for “The Art of Floral Design.” She creates the flower designs each year for the Japanese Garden Festivals and designs arrangements for special events in the Botanic Garden such as birthday parties, anniversaries, funerals, holidays tables, etc. She is currently a Greenhouse Attendant for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG. 

$40 members/$45 non-members

Join Trip Smith in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Conservation Greenhouse as he shares the history of poinsettias including their introduction into commercial production and how they have become the default Christmas flower. He will take you through a typical production cycle using the crop that is currently in production for the Garden as his visual aid. He will look at culture in the greenhouse and also in the home or hobby greenhouse. He will also discuss best practices to maintain them through the Holiday season and into the New Year!

Instructor Trip Smith is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Horticulture. He has extensive experience in a number or Horticultural areas including wholesale floral production of Chrysanthemums and Poinsettias and leads the Poinsettia program at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.

$20 members/$25 non-members

How do different grazing management systems affect soil health? To address this question, this project evaluated a suite of soil health indicators, and interrelationships with vegetation, under three different grazing management systems in northcentral Texas. Soil samples (0-15cm) were collected in April 2017 from ranches with three different grazing management systems: Ranch 1 (HSHF): high stocking rate and rotation frequency, Ranch 2 (MSMF): medium stocking rate and rotation frequency, and Ranch 3 (LSCG): low stocking rate with continuous grazing. Sampling sites were selected using soil maps and expert knowledge to identify locations with similar soil type, landscape position, and climate. Soil samples were shipped within 48 hours to Cornell Soil Health Lab for the Comprehensive Assessment for Soil Health (CASH), University of Missouri for microbial community composition using phospholipid fatty acid profiling, and, Dr. Haney’s lab in Temple, TX for the Soil Health Tool (SHT) Index. Plant community composition, diversity, and production potential were measured along each transect at the same time soil samples were collected.

In general, measured soil health differences (SOM, WHC, WEON) were slightly greater in MSMF system compared to LSCG system. Although sampling locations targeted similar soil types, clay content was an important covariate, indicating adjustments for this variable were necessary for proper interpretation of SOM and WHC. SOM and aggregate stability measures were decoupled from each other with the highest SOM ranch having the lowest aggregate stability score.  From a soil health perspective, all three ranches exhibited effects of sound grazing management, with only subtle differences in a few soil health indicators; none of the ranches were in a degraded condition. Future analyses to explore economic differences and relationships among vegetation data and soil microbial community composition using molecular tools are pending.

Presenters: Jennifer Moore-Kucera¹, Kristie A. Maczko², Jeff Goodwin³

Affiliations: Soil Health Division, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services¹; Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable University of Wyoming²; Noble Resources Institute³