Manitoba Horticultural Association
Garden Party Speakers

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Shea Doherty
Water Foundations and New Plant Highlights for 2026
Shea will give valuable advice on the importance of water and watering practices that set
you up for success. He will also spend a bit of time letting you know about what’s New
and exciting for 2026!

Shea is the energetic face of his family’s greenhouse in Portage la Prairie,
Manitoba. He grew up just north of the Hoop and Holler—though “grew up” might still
be up for debate. If you follow Our Farms on Instagram, you already know he hollers
like a man who takes his caffeine intravenously, a necessity during those 20 hour days.
His passion for horticulture—especially anything with petals—is unmatched. When he’s
not buried in blooms, Shea and his family are busy hosting events that bring community and customers together in ways that feel rare these days. A devoted supporter of the MHA, Shea is a familiar face at Manitoba garden clubs, events, and farmers markets.
His Instagram posts offer both entertainment and a sneak peek at what’s trending in the
gardening world.

Kelvin Hildebrand
Pomological Possibilities for the Prairies: An Apple Enthusiast’s Experience
Beginning a Commercial Orchard in Manitoba
A history of our orchard endeavours, including the successes and failures, and ongoing
challenges, to the "possibilities", which could include the hardy varieties I am excited
about, as well as orchard practices, tree systems, local market potentials etc.
 Kelvin Hildebrandt grew up on a farm near Boissevain, but becoming an orchardist
meant learning an entirely new craft. He sought guidance from experienced growers like
Betty Kehler, Bob Pizey, and Jean Spencer, and gained handson training through
volunteering at the University of Saskatchewan’s fruit orchard. What began with
planting apple trees along the riverbank of his Selkirk Avenue home eventually grew
into Windhover Orchard, established in 2010 on 30 hectares south of Miami, Manitoba.
Today he tends roughly 2,000 apple trees—with more on the way—while he and his
wife, Anna raise their four children on the land.

Sophia Munro
Beyond the Pile: Unexpected Insights into Composting and Vermicomposting
We’ll dig into what really happens inside a compost heap and a worm bin, from getting
your pile truly cooking to uncovering the surprising science and hidden ecosystems that
make these systems so effective. Discover how microbes and worms quietly transform
waste into rich, living soil so you can compost with less guesswork and far more success.
Sophia is an addicted gardener and composter who is working towards her Master
Composter level. She enjoys speaking to garden clubs, visiting classrooms, or getting her
hands dirty alongside gardeners in a community garden. For her, gardening isn’t just a
hobby. It’s a way to feed her family, build healthier soil, and inspire a greener future,
one compost pile at a time.

Nik Friesen-Hughes
Naturalistic Planting Design
Inspired by wild plant communities, naturalistic planting design offers a plant-driven
approach to landscape design – focusing on plant structure, shape, texture and seasonal
change. Working primarily with resilient perennials and native grasses, this approach is
well-suited to creating landscapes that are environmentally sustainable, ecologically
beneficial, low-maintenance and beautiful.
For the past 14 years, Nik Friesen-Hughes has worked in horticulture, landscape
contracting, and landscape architecture. Nik is inspired by natural landscapes and is
passionate about creating functional and beautiful spaces. Nik is the owner of Dogwood
Landscape Design + Build, a landscaping company specializing in naturalistic, new
perennial and native perennial gardens.

Melanie de Penã
Wild Neighbours
Melanie will discuss tips and tricks about how to protect your gardens and properties
from unwanted encroachment, while appreciating your wild neighbours.
Melanie de Peña is a Wildlife Biologist with the Natural Resources and Indigenous
Futures Department. She has a Master's degree from the University of Winnipeg
focusing on Ecology. In her role with the Wildlife Branch, Melanie is responsible for on
the ground wildlife operations in the Central Region of Manitoba. She works with many
species, including garter snakes, owls, black bear, bison and coyotes.

Karin Griffin and Kerri Van Mackelbergh
What’s Happening at the Garden Centre of the year 2026!
Karin, owner and GM of Alternative Group and Alternative Choice Garden Centre, will
talk about what it takes to be the “Garden Centre of the Year” and some highlights of the
nomination and award(s)
Kerri, Production Manager, Alternative Choice Garden Centre, will tell us what’s new
and upcoming in plant production and product