Indiana Flower + Patio Show - Celebrities & Speakers

Joel Karsten Straw Bale Garden Solutions

March 21-23

Joel Karsten Straw Bale Garden Solutions

JOEL KARSTEN, a farm boy who grew up tending a soil garden like other gardeners have for centuries, shook up the gardening world with his first book describing his breakthrough Straw Bale Gardening concept. The New York Times called Straw Bale Gardening “a revolutionary gardening method” and his ideas have been enthusiastically embraced globally, making his books best-sellers in many languages. Karsten earned a BS in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota and spends his summers tending his vegetable garden, doing research, and experimenting with new ideas and methods he can pass along to his followers. He is a popular speaker, making appearances around the world at events celebrating innovation, garden enthusiasts and healthful lifestyles. He is renowned for his social media presence, blog and on-line impressions. Karsten has inspired tens of thousands of first-time gardeners and a legion of “seasoned” growers who found a new and better way to pursue their passion. He has inspired many “retired” gardeners to begin gardening again once they learn how his method eliminates the physical challenges found in traditional soil gardening. Discover more information about Karsten and his revolutionary methods at www.StrawBaleGardens.com. Links to his Facebook page, WordPress blog, YouTube Channel, Twitter and His TEDx talk can all be found on his website.

Straw Bale Solutions – A mere ten years ago, almost no one had heard of growing vegetables in straw bales. Today, Joel Karsten’s STRAW BALE GARDENS® technique has been adopted by gardeners all over the planet, and is arguably the fastest growing new method being used by vegetable gardeners since man started cultivating crops 10,000 years ago. The question is WHY? Karsten will explain the advantages of his method, and explain why it has become popular so quickly. While many gardeners here in our country are constantly looking for a better, easier, faster and more economical way to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, in many less fortunate countries around the world, growing food is essential to survival, not simply a hobby. In his most recent book Joel profiles gardeners from around the USA and five other continents, who have implemented a Straw Bale Garden. In his popular TEDx talk titled “Let’s use the Straw Bale Gardens method to help end world hunger”, Karsten explains how many are now using the technique to overcome various problems that had kept them from growing successful vegetable gardens using traditional methods. For the first time, many of these poor and hungry populations have become Straw Bale Gardeners and are now able to grow food. This early success is changing the outlook for solving world hunger and eliminating urban food insecurity around the world.

JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP Hoosier Gardener

March 15 & March 23

Take a peek at some of the new plants on the market and how to use and care for them in your garden.

JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP Hoosier Gardener

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp is the Hoosier Gardener. She’s an award-winning veteran of print journalism, including newspapers and magazines. Owner of Write for You, a freelance writing and editing business, she writes for magazine, blogs and newsletters. She was president of GardenComm, Garden Communicators International (gardencomm.org). She plants about 50 containers for commercial and resident clients, changing them out seasonally. She worked for about 20 years at a large, independent garden center, including a stint as buyer of trees, shrubs and perennials. A popular speaker, she regularly attends trade shows and conferences to stay up to date with the latest plant introductions and other gardening trends and to share them with her audiences. Sign up for her free, monthly, award-winning Hoosier Gardener newsletter.

Michelle Soupley AIFD, CFD, Design Manager

Michelle Soupley, AIFD, CFD, Design Manager, Banner Flower House, Kokomo Indiana. With 28 years in the industry, she’s a specialist in creating beautiful flowers for weddings and events. Off and on since 2006, Michelle has been a part of the Flower Patio show, where she enjoys sharing her creativity and expertise.

Outside of work, she enjoys walks with her cocker spaniel, Clark finding inspiration in the outdoors.

Stage topics: Seasonal Symphony: A Floral Ode to Nature's Change

Tranquil Blooms: A Serene Journey into Healing Gardens with Michelle

Floral Trends Unveiled: A Fresh Perspective with Michelle

Celebrate with Flowers: Creating Joyful Moments with Artful Arrangements

Michelle will be appearing:

Monday, March 11th, at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm

Thursday, March 14th, at 5:00 pm

Friday March 15th, at 2:00 pm

Saturday, March 16th, at 3:00 pm

Kymbra Tucker Banner Flower House Kokomo

Step into a floral world tour at the Indiana Flower and Patio Show, curated by Kymbra. Explore the artistry of hand-tied flowers from around the globe, each showcasing distinct cultural influences and celebrating diverse occasions. Be captivated by the beauty, creativity, and stories behind these breathtaking floral arrangements. A journey of blooms awaits!

Stage topic: Floral Odyssey: Hand-Tied Blooms Across Cultures with Kymbra Tucker

Kymbra will be appearing:

Sunday, March 10th, at 1:30 pm

Kayla Meyer Veggie & Vine

Kayla Meyer, owner of Veggie and Vine, began combining her passion for agriculture and the beauty it provides in 2018. Her business offers educational flower arrangement classes held in homes, at wineries, breweries, and private businesses. Additionally, she offers made to order arrangements and consulting to those looking to freshen up their homes. Veggie and Vine incorporates natural gathered elements, in season blooms, and locally sourced components to create beautiful lasting arrangements and memories. In 2022, she is looking forward to expanding in home class offerings and her pumpkin crop. Kayla resides in Carmel, IN with her husband Ethan and she is a certified Agriculture Educator.

Instagram: @veggieandvine

Kayla will be appearing:

Sunday, March 10th, at 12 pm and 3:00 pm - Flower Basket, how to create an Easter inspired flower basket, a perfect centerpiece for your Easter Celebration

Tuesday, March 12th, at 12 pm and 4:00 pm – Spring Flower Design - watch as Kayla designs a spring flower piece that will inspire you to creaet on in your own home

Abby Perry Abby's Garden Parties

March 19 12:00 & 4:00

Insights and tips on indoor succulents and the transformative power of gardening

Abby Perry Abby's Garden Parties

Abby Perry, founder of Abby's Garden Parties, combines her Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Michigan with her expertise as a Master Gardener, specializing in indoor houseplant and succulents. She is passionate about the therapeutic and creative benefits of gardening for mental health. Through Abby's Garden Parties, she offers workshops on house plant care and terrarium building at her retail store in Zionsville, Indiana, helping people nurture their creativity and well-being. Join Abby at the Flower and Patio Show for expert tips on indoor plants and the transformative power of gardening.

Karen Mitchell Purdue University

March 21 12:00 & 3:00

Digging Into Soil Health with Soil Testing

Karen Mitchell Purdue University

Karen Mitchell serves as the Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Her lifelong passion for plants inspired her to earn degrees in Horticulture and Botany, both from Purdue University. Karen began her career as an Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator in Tippecanoe County - Extension, where she supported local horticulture initiatives. Now based on Purdue's campus, she leads statewide Extension programming, focusing on community gardens and home horticulture, helping gardeners across Indiana cultivate thriving and sustainable landscapes.

Discover the role of soil testing in building and maintaining healthy soils for your landscape. This session will explore soil testing methods, how to interpret test results, and how to apply practical recommendations to improve soil fertility, structure, and overall health. Whether you’re a novice gardener or an experienced grower, this presentation will provide actionable insights to help you cultivate healthier, more productive soils.

Todd Jameson Balanced Harvest Flower Farm

March 15, 19, 21, 22

Cindy Kay Hall Four Seasons Florist CF, CFD, AIFD

Jennifer Butcher, AIFD, CFD Floral Director Indianapolis Fruit

Amy Keusch LavenderBerry Farm

Amy is the owner of LavenderBerry Farm, a small family farm in Bargersville, IN offering sustainably-grown lavender, elderflower, and elderberries. Amy has always had an interest in the environment and all things related to nature. She left the legal profession to focus on raising her family with her husband. Instead of returning to the legal field, she went back to work in a flower field. LavenderBerry sells products at local farmers markets, craft events, festivals, and by special order.

Amy will be appearing:

Thursday, March 14th, at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm

Grace Morrow Banner Flower House

Join Grace's captivating show as she embarks on a timeless journey through the Grecian, Roman, Colonial eras, and modern-day floral expressions. Experience the evolution of floral artistry, tracing its rich heritage from ancient civilizations to contemporary designs. Immerse yourself in a visual narrative that transcends time, unveiling the beauty and cultural significance of flowers across the ages

Stage topic: Floral Epochs Unveiled: A Journey Through Time with Grace Morrow

Grace will be appearing:

Thursday, March 14^th, at 2:00 pm

2025 Speakers & Celebrities

Joel Karsten Straw Bale Garden Solutions

JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP Hoosier Gardener

Michelle Soupley AIFD, CFD, Design Manager

Kymbra Tucker Banner Flower House Kokomo

Kayla Meyer Veggie & Vine

Abby Perry Abby's Garden Parties

Karen Mitchell Purdue University

Todd Jameson Balanced Harvest Flower Farm

Cindy Kay Hall Four Seasons Florist CF, CFD, AIFD

Jennifer Butcher, AIFD, CFD Floral Director Indianapolis Fruit

Amy Keusch LavenderBerry Farm

Grace Morrow Banner Flower House

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