Junior Master Gardener Curriculum Coordinator
Extension Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Lisa serves as the program director for the International Junior Master Gardener program and has been an invited speaker to over 285 regional and national conferences and her recent work has focused on utilizing the Junior Master Gardener program (Learn, Grow, Eat & GO curricula) as an intervention as a part of a 5 year USDA AFRI funded Extension and Research project focused on child and family interventions for obesity prevention.

In additional to her work with the JMG Program, Lisa provides leadership to horticulture programming, staff development/management and as a PI federal contracts with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Windham Schools – TDCJ, and with Lee College prison programming efforts.

Lisa is a lecturer for the freshman university course AGLS 125, guest lecturer for floral design and socio-horticulture classes at Texas A&M University and does educational videos for the public through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension social media outlets.

Junior Master Gardener Curriculum Coordinator
Extension Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Randy is an Extension Program Specialist & Curriculum Director for the International Junior Master Gardener program. A former 3rd grade teacher in College Station ISD, Randy is the lead author of 8 JMG® curriculum guides, including the new, evidence-based Learn, Grow, Eat & GO! curriculum.

He guest lecturers for horticulture and education courses at Texas A&M and has been a guest host for the Weekend Gardener television segment for local CBS affiliate in College Station and regularly speaks at regional, state and national conferences across the country.

Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist
UNR Southern Area Extension

Alizadeh brings extensive experience in agricultural field trials, focusing on irrigation water optimization, soil quality and plant wellness. Before joining Extension, she was a plant research scientist with Upterra, a company specializing in agricultural water management equipment, where she evaluated soil quality and studied the effects of water molecules on plant performance.

Alizadeh also served as a field scientist at Arable Labs, a San Francisco-based startup that manufactures crop intelligence sensors to capture and analyze data on weather, plant, soil and irrigation for agribusinesses. Prior to that, she worked as a research associate at Agralogics Inc., an IT company that provides real-time satellite and historic weather data to farmers and researchers.

School-Wide Enrichment Specialist
John Rex Charter School

Ally Audas is the Enrichment Specialist at John Rex Charter School in downtown Oklahoma City, where she leads a dynamic school garden program that reaches approximately 540 students across elementary and junior high. Under her guidance, students engage in structured, hands-on learning in a 3,000-square-foot vegetable garden, a 1,600-square-foot pollinator garden, a 1,500-square-foot greenhouse and 10 hydroponic systems supporting year-round indoor growing. With over 30 years in education, Ally has previously worked with the K20 Center at the University of Oklahoma, providing statewide professional development in technology integration. She has helped multiple schools establish outdoor learning spaces and has been published in Edutopia and Education Weekly for her work.

Ally’s leadership helped John Rex become a host site for the annual Green School Summit, where educators gather to explore sustainable practices in education. Her students also participate in global projects like the Symbolic Monarch Migration and connect with the local community through culinary partnerships.

Literacy Consultant and Professor of Education, Emerita
KidsGardening and Saint Michael’s College

Valerie Bang-Jensen, is a literacy consultant for schools, libraries, and outdoor spaces. She earned her A.B. at Smith College, and MA and Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University. After teaching in K-6 schools, she was a Professor of Education at Saint Michael’s College for 23 years, teaching literacy methods and children’s literature courses. She loves serving on the Vermont State Library’s Red Clover committee. Her most recent book is Literacy Moves Outdoors: Authentic Learning Approaches for Any Environment. 

Science Lab Teacher
Cesar Chavez Elementary

Mrs. Tami Bhadai, in her 22nd year in education, has spent the last five years serving as the 4th and 5th grade Science Lab teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary in Pharr, Texas. Passionate about sparking curiosity and critical thinking, she engages students through hands-on experiments, Eco-Rise student-led grants, and leadership in the Garden Club and FFA Junior programs. Her efforts open doors to unique career pathways while making science exciting and meaningful. A graduate of the University of Texas-Pan American, Mrs. Bhadai holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with a minor in Biology and a master’s in interdisciplinary studies–Social Sciences. She has contributed as a curriculum writer, JMG and Eco-Rise presenter, and helped launch district-first initiatives including the Junior Master Gardener certification and FFA Junior program. She has also secured over $6,000 in Eco-Rise grants, with her students showcasing their work at Region One’s first South Texas Sustainable Showcase.

Her dedication to students and colleagues has fostered a positive and innovative school environment, earning her the distinguished honor of being named District Teacher of the Year for Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD.

Horticulture Extension Faculty – MGV Coordinator
UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Clarissa Chairez is the Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension in Orange County, Florida. With over a decade of experience in education, Clarissa has worked as a high school science teacher, after-school program leader, summer camp instructor, community college greenhouse director, and horticulturist at Walt Disney World, where she led backstage tours. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education, a master’s in Plant and Soil Science, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. With more than six years in the horticulture industry, Clarissa’s true passion lies in education—sharing both her love of plants and effective teaching strategies with her Master Gardener Volunteer team.

Virtual Engagement Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife

John Chivvis is the Virtual Engagement Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife and is the “go-to guy” for all things involving engagement in the virtual space. From online events to inline video productions, John assists and produces live streams for specialists, faculty and administrators across all of Texas A&M AgriLife. In addition to virtual communication platforms like Microsoft Teams and YouTube Live, John also works with other technologies including 360° video and photography and farming simulators to extend engagement into virtual spaces.

Nonprofit Educator and Emerita College Professor
KidsGardening

Noel Cibulka (she/her) holds a BA in Creative Writing from University of Southern California. She spent years in informal education as a museum and environmental educator, developing and delivering programs for diverse, multi-generational audiences through storytelling and interpretation. For two years, she ran a school garden program for TK through 5th-grade students. She started with KidsGardening in the summer of 2022. As Educational Content Manager, she oversees KG’s annual garden-based educational content strategy, co-develops original educational materials, and delivers educational presentations including Garden Story Time for the National Head Start Association.

Author & Growing Good Kids Award Recipient
Sleeping Bear Press/Harper Collins, East West Literacy Company

ERIN DEALEY is an award-winning playwright and children’s author of 20+ children’s books including JUST FLOWERS, a recipient of the 2025 JMG Growing Good Kids award; DEAR EARTH…From Your Friends in Room 5, winner of a NYSRA Charlotte Award and CT Nutmeg Award nominee; and SNOW GLOBE WISHES, an Anna Dewdney Read Together Honor Book. The inspiration for Just Flowers came when she discovered how much fun it is to say botanical names out loud. A credentialed English/Theater teacher with decades of experience, she heads the theater department at Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp (30+ seasons) each summer, where nature, literature, and the arts come together and children blossom. Her husband would like you to know that he oversees the school garden program at our local middle school.

4-H Youth Development Extension Agent
North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Shea Ann DeJarnette is the 4-H Extension Agent in Robeson County North Carolina. She has served in this roll for more than 23 years and has implemented the Jr. Master Gardener Curriculum for more than 20 years in her county. A self professed technology nerd, Shea Ann is an accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in youth development, communication, and community engagement. Her dedication to fostering the growth and well-being of young people is evident through her long-standing commitment to 4-H and various community organizations.

Gardening & Cooking Educator/Coordinator
Darnall Charter School

Jessica Eves is a passionate Garden and Cooking Educator/Coordinator dedicated to fostering a love for nature, nutrition, and sustainability among students from TK-8th grade. She was a classroom teacher for 18 years before she established the school garden in 2019, where she has transformed it into an innovative Garden and Cooking Classroom. These classrooms provide students with engaging hands-on learning experiences that integrate essential academic skills in garden and cooking lessons. With a focus on collaboration, Jessica helps students develop strong relationships and vital social skills while exploring topics like composting, crop rotation, and seasonality. She has also been leading a Jr. Master Gardener Program for the past four years, empowering students to take on leadership roles in gardening and community service, such as their Give to Grow Program, where they give their families everything they need to grow food at home.

CBI IV
UNR Southern Area Extension

Nicole is a Las Vegas Native who has dedicated much of her career to teaching the Las Vegas Community about the benefits and ease of gardening in an arid climate. Nicole has taught all youth age groups and continuing education for adults. Her prior career experience includes delivering school garden company curriculum to youth at various Clark County School District Elementary and Middle Schools. Her wealth of knowledge about gardening in the Mojave is an essential contribution to her current role as a Community Based Instructor for the Youth Horticulture Education Program at Extension. She is fondly referred to as “the plant whisperer” by her colleagues due her wealth of information about plant science topics. Nicole received her Associates Degree in Horticulture from the College of Southern Nevada and her Master Gardener Certification from Extension’s Clark County office.

Nebraska Extension Educator
Nebraska Extension

Erin is an Early Childhood Educator with Nebraska Extension where she teaches and supports those who care for and educate children from birth through age eight. Focusing on early childhood health and wellness as well as caregiver and educator wellbeing, she is dedicated to helping families and professionals cultivate healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Erin also serves as a coach and planning team member for the tri-state Heartland Farm to School and Early Care and Education Institute, where she enjoys walking alongside providers as they grow and strengthen their farm to ECE programs. She holds a master’s degree in child, youth, and family studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Extension Educator, Horticulture
University of Illinois Extension

Nancy Kreith is a University of Illinois Extension Educator offering horticulture programming. She holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her graduate research focused on sustainable school garden elements as teaching tools. Currently, Nancy shares her expertise through programming on topics such as soils, woody ornamentals, vegetables, herbs, insects, and sustainable landscaping, with native landscape design being a particularly popular program.

Publisher & Co-Founder
READERS to EATERS

Philip Lee is the publisher and co-founder of READERS to EATERS. The company’s mission is to promote food literacy through stories about our diverse food cultures. He is also the co-founder of Lee & Low Books. In 2022, Publishers Weekly named him as one of “the book business’s top 25 change makers of the past 25 years.” A Hong Kong native, he now lives in San Francisco with his wife, author and R2E co-founder June Jo Lee.

Residential Horticulture Agent
UF-IFAS Extension-Osceola County

Eva Maria Pabon is the Residential Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Program Coordinator in Osceola County, Florida. With over 20 years of experience in horticulture and a master’s degree in Global Sustainability from the University of South Florida, Eva is passionate about connecting communities—especially youth—with the natural world through hands-on gardening education. Her career began in theme park horticulture, where she helped engage garden spaces for children as part of the Kids Gardening Dream Team. These interactive areas encouraged sensory exploration and sparked curiosity about plants and the environment. Today, Eva leads programs that support Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, edible gardening, and plant selection, with a strong emphasis on youth engagement and school garden development.

Eva works closely with educators and volunteers to create garden-based learning experiences that are both fun and educational. Her approach blends sustainability, science, and creativity to inspire the next generation of gardeners and environmental stewards.

Project Specialist, Promoting Early Education Quality (PEEQ) – Family & Community Health Unit
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Lisa Nelson, Project Specialist with the Promoting Early Education Quality program of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, is a passionate advocate for quality early childhood education. Lisa has dedicated her career to promoting health, safety, and positive child learning outcomes, as evident in her work in public health programming, Head Start, and Pre-Kindergarten education, as well as her role as a contributing author to the Junior Master Gardeners’ curriculum, Early Childhood Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go!. Lisa’s joy in nature play with her two-year-old grandson is a testament to her belief in the power of outdoor exploration and its role in early childhood development.

Managing Director, Ag Foundation & Publisher, Feeding Minds Press
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and Feeding Minds Press

Julia Recko currently serves as the Managing Director of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture where she continues to use her passion for education to guide the Foundation towards its mission of building awareness and understanding of agriculture through education. She also serves as the Publisher of Feeding Minds Press, a children’s book imprint with a goal of publishing accurate and engaging books about agriculture.

4-H Youth Development Advisor
University of California Cooperative Extension

Matt is a 4-H Youth Development Advisor for the University of California’s Cooperative Extension in northern California (Nevada, Placer, Sutter, and Yuba counties). As a 4-H advisor, Matt implements extension education and applied research programs grounded in positive youth development theory. He also provides expertise regarding volunteer engagement in 4-H and other youth development programs.

County Youth Coordinator
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Cerro Gordo County

Maya Rowe is the County Youth Coordinator at Cerro Gordo County ISU Extension and Outreach, where she leads innovative youth development initiatives that connect education with hands-on experience. Passionate about cultivating curiosity and responsibility in young learners, Maya spearheads an after-school garden program at a local intermediate school, empowering students to explore sustainability, nutrition, and teamwork through gardening.

With a strong commitment to community engagement and youth empowerment, Maya brings creativity, care, and leadership to every project she undertakes.

Junior Master Gardener Curriculum Coordinator
Extension Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Randy is an Extension Program Specialist & Curriculum Director for the International Junior Master Gardener program. A former 3rd grade teacher in College Station ISD, Randy is the lead author of 8 JMG® curriculum guides, including the new, evidence-based Learn, Grow, Eat & GO! curriculum.

He guest lecturers for horticulture and education courses at Texas A&M and has been a guest host for the Weekend Gardener television segment for local CBS affiliate in College Station and regularly speaks at regional, state and national conferences across the country.

Author
Feeding Minds Press

Peggy Thomas is the author of 28 award-winning books for children including The Soil in Jackie’s Garden which earned a Growing Good Kids Book Award, and the 2025 AFBFA Book of the Year. Combining history and science, her titles frequently celebrate agriculture and its heroes like George Washington, Norman Borlaug, and George Washington Carver. Peggy is an active Master Gardener Volunteer and loves cultivating plants, young readers, and writers of all ages. For more information visit Peggythomaswrites.com.

Teacher & Volunteer
Barbara Jordan Elementary School

Anali Vidana is a dedicated educator and Master Gardener with over a decade of teaching experience. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, she combines her passion for education with her love for gardening to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences for her students. Anali’s mission is to help children develop healthier eating habits, strengthen their English language skills, and master academic concepts through the vibrant, living classroom of the garden.

She believes that gardens offer unique opportunities for students, especially those who may not feel successful in traditional settings, to thrive, discover their strengths, and build confidence. By nurturing both plants and minds, Anali cultivates not only academic growth but also life skills, curiosity, and a deeper connection to nature. Her work reflects the belief that learning can flourish anywhere and that sometimes the best classroom has a little dirt under its nails.

Honey Bee Program Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Lauren Ward is a Honey Bee Program Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. She earned a master’s degree in Entomology from Texas A&M University and has over ten years of experience in honey bee research, education, and practical beekeeping. Lauren has had a lifelong interest in insects, agriculture, and natural systems.

Lisa Whittlesey, Junior Master Gardener Curriculum Coordinator
Extension Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Lisa serves as the program director for the International Junior Master Gardener program and has been an invited speaker to over 285 regional and national conferences and her recent work has focused on utilizing the Junior Master Gardener program (Learn, Grow, Eat & GO curricula) as an intervention as a part of a 5 year USDA AFRI funded Extension and Research project focused on child and family interventions for obesity prevention.

In additional to her work with the JMG Program, Lisa provides leadership to horticulture programming, staff development/management and as a PI federal contracts with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Windham Schools – TDCJ, and with Lee College prison programming efforts.

Lisa is a lecturer for the freshman university course AGLS 125, guest lecturer for floral design and socio-horticulture classes at Texas A&M University and does educational videos for the public through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension social media outlets.

Curriculum Integrator
Champlin Brooklyn Park Academy

Casey has been teaching for 25 years with 22 of those in an elementary classroom. For the past three years he has taken on the role of Curriculum Integrator at Champlin Brooklyn Park Academy where he works to oversee the school’s specialty theme of mathematics and environmental science. Casey enjoys working with the Master Gardeners from the University of Minnesota Extension Program and supports them to successfully run the JMG program. His favorite place at school is the greenhouse and relishes the chance to show it off during school tours. When he’s not working with students in the garden he’s busy guest teaching in classrooms and coordinating and supporting the many environmental science focused field trips that take place during the year for each grade level. He absolutely loves seeing students open their eyes to the natural world and witness them begin to take care of that world in big and little ways. Casey lives in Brooklyn Park, MN with his wife, two daughters and their faithful, though lazy dog, Chewy.