The Lafayette County Master Gardeners 2025 Spring Lecture Series continues with two more informative lectures held at the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library.

The lectures will be held at noon in the auditorium of the library. They are free and open to the public. The two remaining dates are April 3 and May 1.

The April 3rd speaker is Bobby Watkins. The title of his presentation is “What I Learned From Momma About the Garden.” He will take you from his backyard to distant lands, discovering the magic of native plants, the power of creativity, and the enduring wisdom that can be found in a single rock, a shark tooth, or a piece of unexpected yard art.

Watkins is a sixth-generation gardening Mississippian with a deep-rooted connection to the land. He holds degrees from Mississippi State University and has dedicated his career to agriculture. His expertise spans various fields, including chemistry, with several U.S. patents to his name. His life long lessons and training go back to an Aberdeen garden with his mother. He is still governed by the use of privet hedge switches and a fly swatter to always choose the straight and narrow pathway.

Watkins has served on numerous state and regional organizations, showcasing his commitment to the agricultural community. He was honored as the Tree Farmer of the Year in 2016, representing Mississippi and the Southern U.S. in Washington D.C.

With a 32-year career at American Cyanamid Company and BASF, Watkins conducted extensive research on pesticides and cropping systems both domestically and internationally. Currently, he operates his own consulting firm, specializing in native plant communities within forest and field ecosystems.