General Speaker - Laura Del Vecchio

Laura Del Vecchio is the Senior Horticulturist and resident Beekeeper at Moore Farms Botanical Garden where she also leads sustainable gardening workshops. After an intense career in international relations, she decided it was time to grow roots - literally! Originally from Italy, she made her way to South Carolina from the New York Botanical Garden where she studied horticulture and served as Plant Science Educator. Her heart now finds its southern botanical rhythm in the magnificent grandeur and timeless beauty of Magnolia grandiflora - she has 37 specimens in her backyard.

Her unwavering love for learning recently drew her to Clemson College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Science where she entered the master's degree program in Wildlife and Fishery Resources to learn more about conservation ecology and become a more responsible gardener. As a lifelong enthusiast of all things sustainable, she relishes the chance to continuously deepen her connection with nature. 

Sharing knowledge, fostering growth, and contributing to the green community truly motivate her. She looks forward to this enriching journey with all of you, as we cultivate learning, growth, and the bonds of shared passion for gardening and sustainability .

General Speaker - Andy Schwartz

Born and raised in Indiana. In 2007, Andy moved to Savannah, GA and stayed for ten years. He worked on several small organic farms in the area including one biodynamic farm. The importance of environmental stewardship, plant relationships, and soil health became a true passion during this time. Andy has practiced organic and biodynamic farming principles along the South Georgia Coast, South Africa, Northern California, and is now happy to be utilizing these skills here along the Hammock Coast of South Carolina. Andy’s proudest accomplishment in Savannah was founding a waste management business (Grow.Eat.Repeat) focused on reducing food waste ending up in landfills. The organic waste products he collected from area restaurants, hotels, schools, and residents was used to create a high-quality compost. Andy has been working with Sharon Turner and Creative Landscapes for three years now.