Instructor: Marissa Renz

Biography:

Marissa Renz is the owner of Plant Happiness LLC, a garden consultation and design company located in Fort Wayne. After receiving her B.S. in Public Policy, Environmental Affairs, she received training in the Purdue Extension Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, and Urban Agriculture programs. In 2023, she completed the Oregon State University Professional Permaculture Design Program. In the last decade, Marissa has worked in property management, provided designs and installations for clients, permaculture, community education, and organic market gardening. Marissa's research of plants and garden design focuses on creating visually appealing outdoor spaces that also operate as balanced and functional ecosystems.

Learn more about Marissa here. Be sure to check out her interview below.

Classes by this instructor

Birding Your Yard

The bird is the word! Birds are an integral part of any garden or natural space. What steps can we take to invite them into our outdoor spaces? This workshop will offer eco-friendly and sustainable techniques to enhance your bird gardening experience.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD

Gardening for Native Pollinators

There are over 4,000 native pollinator species in North America that depend upon our gardens and landscapes for food and resources, just as we depend on them. Gain an overview of our native pollinators and discover techniques that we can use to lure them to work for us in our gardens, while also providing season-appropriate habitats for them in our outdoor spaces.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD

Healthy Garden Soil

Dirt is cheap, good soil is priceless. Many ingredients make a healthy garden, but good soil is the most valuable ingredient. This workshop will dig deeper into our Indiana soil, offering eco-friendly tips and tricks to enhance and improve your soil for long-term growth.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD

Organic Food Gardening

Home-grown food costs less, is healthier, tastes better and is conveniently closer to home. This session will provide an overview of how you can organically cultivate many commonly grown foods. We will dive into seed starting, irrigation, garden placement and planning, and more.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD

Sustainable Gardening Practices - NEW!

This certificate was designed to educate garden enthusiasts on the key elements of sustainable garden design with heavy focus on organic, restorative, and regenerative methods. Offered in Fall semester.
October 14-28, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD

The Benefits of Gardening with Native Plants

From improved soil quality and water filtration, to providing resources for humans, pollinators, butterflies, and birds, we can harness the growing power of plants in our own backyards. Gain a brief overview of the many benefits of native plants and how we can incorporate them into beautiful gardens, while also creating healthy and functional ecosystems.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, PFW Campus - Room TBD