July 2024 Speaker
Sonja Lallemand retired in 2015 from her position as Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension. In 2020, coming out of retirement, she went to work for Plantscape Nursery. What was supposed to be a part-time job, became full-time with the pandemic. Again looking at ‘Retiring’ only working two days a week, Ms. Lallemand continues to lecture at Plantscape, garden clubs and IDNR Giant City Park.
A graduate from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, Sonja holds a B.S. in Horticulture and a Master’s Degree in Plant Science – Fruit Science. Her Master’s research investigated the allelopathic effects of daffodils in the landscape, and its application in sustainable agriculture. While earning her degrees, Sonja operated her own landscaping business which offered a variety of services: garden restoration, pruning, landscape design and maintenance.
The majority of her work has been in public parks for the Cities of Springfield and Battlefield, MO. In 1996, Sonja became a Master Gardener with the University of Missouri Extension. For the last 25 years she has delivered numerous horticultural programs as well as organized conferences, workshops, and seminars. Ms. Lallemand is a member of the Belleville Area Rose Society, American Rose Society, and past-President of the Rose Society of the Ozarks.
Still growing things, Sonja enjoys selling at the Humpday Farmers’ Market from April to October and the indoor winter Market from December to March providing customers with bread, jam, jellies, vinegar and spice blends and the occasional unusual vegetable and off course PLANTS.