Healthy Soils, Healthy Environment

Tom Akin (recently retired) worked as an agronomist/soil health specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont and Massachusetts for over 22 years. Prior to USDA, Tom served as Assistant Superintendent of Living Collections at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, and, before that, as the Integrated Pest Management Coordinator at Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, MA.  Tom is passionate about helping farmers and gardeners improve their soil’s health; he has a MS in Plant & Soil Science from UMass Amherst and continues to train NRCS staff in soil health and sustainable agriculture. 

Tom will discuss the ecology of healthy soils and how you can improve the soil in your life. He will discuss soil test results, how to optimize plant health by correctly feeding your soils and why you should sell your rototiller.

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Dr Richard Benfield has been researching, consulting, and guiding gardens and visitor management for more than 25 years. He is Professor Emeritus and former Chair of Geography at Central Connecticut State University. Dr Benfield has traveled to 123 countries across every continent and is the author of the book Garden Tourism. During his talk he will present slides showcasing many of the remarkable gardens he has visited around the world.

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Art in Bloom Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MA

View floral interpretations of art pieces done by florists , individuals and garden clubs. 

Quechee Garden Club is planning its own Art in Bloom for summer 2026.

We will be carpooling from the Base Lodge at 8:00AM.

Price is $30.00 per person which is the usual museum entrance fee. If we have 15 or more to sign up $ is reduced by $8.00.

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