The Northern Neck Master Gardener Association is pleased to announce the first speaker at the Spring 2025 Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar (GNN). Dan Benarcik, who describes his life as a collision of horticulture, art, teaching, and design, is bringing that knowledge and passion to this year’s event. A trained horticulturist, garden speaker and designer, he currently oversees the courtyard gardens at the esteemed Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Are you ready to add some new plants to your garden that will take it to the next level? Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this upcoming seminar is the perfect opportunity to learn from the best.
Benarcik’s path to garden guru began early. Because his mother was a florist and his father the owner of a home center, he grew up surrounded by flowers and carpentry. He states the apple didn’t fall far from the family tree. He formalized his love of gardening with a degree in plant science from the University of Delaware, then it was onto the famed Mt. Cuba Center where he developed an appreciation for native plants. He states his passion for horticulture progressed to speaking so he could light a spark in fellow gardening enthusiasts, be they casual backyard gardeners or fellow trained professionals. In addition to speaking, he has written for gardening publications including Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Martha Stewart Living, and Rodale’s gardening books. Benarcik’s talk “Twenty-five Plants I Couldn’t (and Wouldn’t) Garden Without” will cover trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants as well as some tropical plants and tender perennials to spice things up. This talk will introduce plants you may not be familiar with or reveal facts and tips about plants already in your garden. Janice Mahoney, GNN co-chair, says “Whether you’re looking for an easy to maintain plant or something new to delight your senses Mr. Benarcik has you covered!” This year’s seminar is being held at the White Stone Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Dr., White Stone, from 8:15 am to 3 pm. Registration opens February 1st at www.nnmg.org. Tickets are $50 and lunches will be available for an additional fee.

Dan Benarcik, first speaker at the Spring 2025 Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devises, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Trent Jones at 804-580-5694/TDD* during business hours of 8 am and 4 pm to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is 800-828-1120. Founded in 1989, the Northern Neck Master Gardener Association is a not-for-profit organization. Its purpose is to promote and serve the Virginia Cooperative Extension(VCE) Master Gardener Program in cooperation with the Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, and Essex County Extension Offices in fulfilling the educational mission of VCE. Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.
Northern Neck Master Gardeners – www.nnmg.org
Virginia Cooperative Extension - https://northumberland.ext.vt.edu
Contact: Mary Beane, Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Coordinator