Speakers Bureau Tools and Resources

Jul 7
5 min read

Covers details about the Ramsey County MG Speakers Bureau

Updated 7/07/2025

About

The Speakers Bureau creates and teaches Adult Education classes to residents in Ramsey County. They often partner with other organizations, including public libraries, community education programs, and parks & recreation programs. Private groups, like businesses, churches, or garden clubs also request classes.

Volunteer Roles

Classes are taught as a team of Master Gardeners volunteers.

Presenters are responsible for teaching the class itself. Classes can have up to 2 co-presenters. They operate the Powerpoint presentation using a projector and laptop (in-person classes) or screen-share feature (online classes) to present the class materials. The presenter tracks and reports contacts in the state database when hours are logged.
Aides are responsible for assisting the presenter by monitoring participant questions, counting the total number of participants for each class, and collecting surveys (in-person classes) or launching in-class polls (online classes). Aides also share the related class handouts (in person classes) or resource page (online classes).
Shadows are responsible for learning from the presenters and aides. Shadows should sign-up as an Aide or Presenter for another class soon after their observation.

Tools & Resources

These materials can be used by Master Gardeners volunteers teaching classes.

Teaching Materials include slides (Google or PowerPoint), Study Guide document for volunteers, and class Handouts for participants.
Sample Videos of each class can be found on the Train-the-Trainer page.
Presenter Notes Form is a great tool for remind yourself of all of the things to do before/during/after a class. One form/event
Class Resources provide the class handout, a copy of the slides, and other links or PDFs for participants to learn more after the class.
Class Evaluation Form (for in-person classes) is used to collect feedback from participants. The information from all participants should be combined and entered into the Speakers Bureau Survey Form. One form/person
Participant Survey Form (for in-person classes) collects information about who is attending a class. This is the demographic information used when entering hours. One form/event
Newsletter Sign-up Form (for in-person classes) is a sign-up list for the RCMG newsletter. After the class, the lead presenter should transcribe the information into the RCMG Newsletter Request Google Form. One form/event

Available Classes (sorted by MG Program Priority)

CLEAN WATER – Sharing water-wise practices to conserve water, minimize polluted runoff, and protect waterways and wetlands.

No classes at this time

CLIMATE RESPONSIVENESS - Providing information about emerging trends and recommended best practices

Climate Resilient Gardens (©2020) Description: The climate is changing and that will affect Minnesota gardens. Learn about what to expect and how to adapt to grow a more resilient landscape.

HORTICULTURAL SKILLS – Teaching current research-based horticulture principles & practices

All About Seeds (©2021) Description: Seeds are the foundation of a garden. In this class, you will learn about choosing seeds, growing seeds, and saving seeds. It’s all in the name: this class is All About Seeds.
Be a Pest Detective (© 2019) Description: Learn how to prevent, identify, and respond to pests and problems that appear in your yard and garden using Integrated Pest Management practices.
Container Gardening (©2022) Description: Gardens can be grown anywhere. Come and learn the basics of designing, selecting plants and pots, and caring for container gardens for season-long satisfaction, no matter where you grow.
Fall into Winter (©2021) Description: Learn about how to put your garden to bed in this class, with information about what to do for your garden and landscape between September and February.
Home Composting (©2019) Description: Learn the science behind and the benefits of home composting, including information on different composting methods, recommended compostable materials, and common uses of compost around the yard and garden.
Houseplant Success (©2019) Description: Indoor plants are a little different than outdoor plants. With a little special care and consideration, you can keep your indoor plants healthy and avoid common problems.
Pruning Shrubs & Trees (©2019) Description: Woody plants like trees and shrubs need regular pruning to encourage healthy growth and avoid potential problems. Learn the basics of trimming and pruning these plants.
Spring into Summer (©2021) Description: Learn about how to wake up your garden in this class, with information about what to do for your garden and landscape between March and August.
Winter Sowing (©2022) Description. Learn how to get a jump on the growing season and start cold tolerant seeds while the snow is still falling using Winter Sowing techniques.

LOCAL FOODS – Promoting the use of sustainable techniques for growing local

Advanced Vegetable Gardening (©2019) Description: This class is designed for gardeners who have experience growing vegetables. Learn techniques to improve your vegetable garden harvest, including ways to extend the growing season, how to start seeds indoors, and suggestions for increasing your total harvest.
The Art of Growing Tomatoes (©2025) Description: Tomatoes are one of the most popular garden vegetables. (Actually, it's a fruit!) Learn the best practices to grow and care for these beloved plants to increase your harvest and avoid common mistakes.
Food Saving (©2020) Description: Learn how to save, store, and preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy the best flavors and highest nutrition for as long as possible. This class introduces the many different methods of food preservation.
Growing Microgreens (©2019) Description: Microgreens are quick-growing vegetable and herb seedlings that are raised indoors. Learn about growing microgreens for use in salads or as fresh green in many types of dishes any time of year.
Herb Gardening (©2019) Description: Herbs pack a lot of flavors that help improve the taste of many foods. Get to know some of the herbs commonly used in cooking and learn how you can use them year-round.
Introduction to Vegetable Gardening (©2018) Description: This class teaches the basics of growing your first vegetable garden. Learn where to plant your vegetables, which plants to choose, and how to care for your garden all season long. This class is available as a 3-part series or single session class.

NEARBY NATURE – Encouraging gardens and green spaces to increase health and well-being

Nature Heals (©2020) Description: Philosophers have proposed that humans have a biological need to connect with nature; science shows there’s truth to that. Learn the science of how time spent in nature helps to improve our physical, mental and social well-being.

PLANT BIODIVERSITY – Promoting invasive species management & native species conservation

Gardening with Native Plants (©2024) Description: Learn about the benefits of growing native plants. In this class you will find out how to identify native plant species and get ideas for using these plants in the landscape, plus information on how to design, install and maintain a native plant garden.
Stopping Problem Plants (©2021) Description: Invasive plants can cause major damage to local ecosystems. Learn to identify and manage common invasive plants found in Minnesota yards and natural areas.

POLLINATOR HEALTH – Educating on native bees & pollinators to help them thrive

Planting for Pollinators (©2018) Description: Pollinators are critical to a healthy environment and many native species are in jeopardy. Learn what you can do at home to create healthy habitats for native bees and butterflies.

Teaching Materials for Volunteers

The teaching materials can be used by Master Gardeners volunteers teaching classes, which included slides (Google or PowerPoint) and Study Guide document for volunteers.

Class Materials for Participants

The participant materials should be shared with the people attending the classes, which include a related class handout, a copy of the slides, and other links or PDFs for participants to learn more after the class.