Horticulture Lunch and Learn Webinars 2024-2025

Lunch & Learn Webinar Series for Master Gardener Volunteers: 

Fall 2024

Recordings 

Recordings are usually available within 1-2 business days.


Tuesday, October 8 
12 - 1 PM 

Growing teachers throughout the seasons: techniques and learning connections for growing foods at schools in almost any climate
Tim mcdermott, EXTENSION EDUCATOR, FRANKLIN COUNTY, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Bio

Dr. Timothy McDermott has been an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator within the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for the past six years after twenty years in private practice veterinary medicine and surgery. He assists client resident backyard growers, community gardeners, teacher educators and urban farmers increase their production of fresh local produce through his work in local food production systems in Franklin County. He utilizes his veterinary expertise for Extension work in backyard poultry, small ruminant, insect-vectored disease and companion animal programming to client residents, the Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine, and 4-H student livestock project education. He is a proud member of Buckeye Nation as a '96 grad of the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

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Tuesday, October 15 
12 - 1 PM

major color for minor bulbs
ann chanon, EXTENSION EDUCATOR, lake COUNTY, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Bio

Ann Chanon is a native of Northeastern Ohio. She developed her love for woody plants and flowers at an early age. She turned her passion into a profession by earning a B.S. in Horticulture from The Ohio State University, M.S. in Horticultural Science from Texas A&M University, and Ph.D. in Horticulture and Crop Science from The Ohio State University. The emphasis for all three degrees was woody plant improvement. Ann is currently the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator for Lake County. She worked for five years as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator for Lorain County. Prior to joining Extension, Ann worked for 12 years as a Research Associate at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in the Horticulture and Crop Science Department. She contributed to projects including, germplasm improvement and domestication of a new crop species, studies on fruit quality and secondary compound production in black raspberries, and other small fruits, and the effect of environmental stress on plant metabolites. Other employment experiences include floral and seed biology technician at Pan American Seed in West Chicago, IL., and internships with Herman Losely and Son Inc. Nursery, and Holden Arboretum.

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Tuesday, October 22 
12-1 PM

caring for house plants and holiday plants throughout the winter
beth scheckelhoff, extension educator, Putnam county, the ohio state university

Bio

Dr. Beth Scheckelhoff has been an Extension Educator with OSU Extension since 2005.  She has served both ornamental and hydroponic growers in Ohio through a variety of outreach efforts, programs, and grant-funded projects. Beth currently focuses her time in training producers on produce safety practices as well as agriculture and pesticide safety issues.

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Tuesday, november 12
12 - 1 PM

Soil Testing:  Interpretting the REsults
Fern Maria Gulley, anr and 4-h Program coordinator, The Ohio State University

Fern works in Hamilton County with a focus on horticulture for all ages. She works with kids from preschool through high school, homeowners, Master Gardener Volunteers, and horticulture industry professionals to provide education, support, and programming. Her specialties include practical soil science, therapeutic horticulture, and sustainable landscape design. 

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Tuesday, November 19
12 - 1 PM

the plant and pest diagnostic clinic:  Your partner in plant health
Francesca rotondo, program director, c. wayne ellet plant and pest diagnostic clinic, The Ohio State University

Bio

Dr. Francesca Rotondo is the Program Director of  the OSU C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic, CFAES Wooster Campus. The Clinic offers a broad spectrum of testing for residential and commercial clients to identify pests and cultural/environmental related plant health issues. 

Prior to this position, Dr. Rotondo was Research Associate in Dr. Sally A. Miller’s research group in the Department of Plant Pathology at The Ohio State University),working mainly on bacterial diseases of tomato and their management. Under the leadership of Dr. Miller, Dr. Rotondo coordinated the Ohio State Vegetable Pathology Lab’s diagnostics services by being actively involved in the diagnostic process and interactions with growers and Extension Educators.

From 2011 to 2012, Dr. Rotondo worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, in Tucson. During this period, Dr. Rotondo investigated speciation processes among closely related Alternaria taxa that differ primarily in their host associations.

She received her degrees from the University of Bologna, Italy (B.Sc. in Biology, M.S. in Environmental Ecology, and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology).

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Tuesday, november 26
12 - 1 PM

Promoting a healthy lawn using minimal inputs
Dominic petrella, assistant professor, turfgrass management, The Ohio State University

Bio

My primary research interests revolve around turfgrass response to environmental cues and stresses, with most attention paid to responses to light. I am interested in turfgrass perception and acclimation to altered spectral radiation due to foliar shade and using this information to select and breed for shade tolerant turfgrasses. I am also interested in the response of shaded turfgrasses to other co-occurring stresses such as the effects of ultraviolet light and high-intensity light on turfgrasses under shade. Beyond shade, I am currently investigating the role of high-intensity light stress on cold tolerance and cold acclimation in a diverse range of turfgrass species and cultivars. 

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Tuesday, December 10
12 - 1 PM

Navigating differences in pesticide recomendations
Drew Jeffers, horticulture agent, county coordinator, clemson University

Bio

I am a native of the mountains of eastern Tennessee. I have a B.S. in Agriculture – Plant and Soil Science, and M.S. in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Tennessee. My thesis project focused on woody tree and shrub liner production. I have worked as an herbaceous perennial grower for Zelenka Nurseries, a production manager for Brussel's Bonsai Nursery, a bedding plant grower for Van Wingerden International, and an Integrated Pest Management(IPM)coordinator for Costa Farms - Costa Carolina.

My primary interests are in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), herbaceous perennial production and cultivation, annual and bedding plant production and cultivation, woody ornamental (tree and shrub) production and cultivation, plant growth regulator techniques and combinations, and minimizing ornamental production and cultivation impacts to water and other natural resources.

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tuesday, January 7 
12 - 1 PM

The Importance of Liming in your landscape: What you need to know
marcus mccartney, extension educator, washington county, the ohio state university

Bio

Marcus started his career with Ohio State University Extension in 2014 as the Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator in Meigs County. In 2015, Marcus became the Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator in Washington County where he actively engages with clientele implements agriculture and horticulture program for youth and adults, coordinates the OSU Master Gardener program, participates in state-wide studies and research, and serves on local and state-wide committees. Marcus received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from West Virginia University in 2003 and went on to complete his master’s degree in Agriculture and Extension Education from West Virginia University 2014.

Marcus is an avid gardener, dedicated patriot, and military veteran.

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Tuesday, January 14 
12 - 1 PM

What lies beneath - a look a soil managment
amanda douridas, extension educator, madison county, The Ohio state university extension

Bio

Amanda took her first step into Extension work in 2008 as a title program coordinator for environmental management in the Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department on OSU’s main campus. She worked with farmers and manure applicators on research and best practices for manure application. For the last several years, she served as the agriculture and natural resources educator for Champaign county before moving Madison County Extension office in 2022.

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tuesday, february 11  
12 - 1 PM

the aftermath of drought - Weeds gone wild!
grey meyer, extension educator, warren county, The Ohio state university

Bio

I grew up in Northern Ohio in Sandusky County. My grandparents had a small farm where I developed my interest in farming and livestock production. I was active in both 4-H and FFA and showed livestock at the national, state and local levels.

I have two degrees from The Ohio State University. My undergraduate degree was Animal Sciences. My graduate degree was Human & Community Resource Development. I have been employed as an Extension Educator for Agriculture & Natural Resources in Warren County since 1994. My Extension specialization is livestock and forage production, but because of the needs of Warren County, I have also developed an interest in horticulture. I started the Master Gardener program in Warren County over 15 years ago.

I reside in Lebanon with my wife and two boys. In my spare time, I like to watch the Buckeyes and spend time with my family playing sports and doing 4-H activities.

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Tuesday, february 25 
12 - 1 PM

common amphibians of Ohio
marne titchenell, program director, wildlife, school of natural resources, The Ohio State University

Bio

Marne Titchenell received her bachelor of science in wildlife management and forestry from The Ohio State University in 2004. She continued her study of forest wildlife at OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources, where she obtained her master of science in 2007. In late 2007, she became a Wildlife Extension Program Specialist, for OSU Extension. Her areas of expertise include wildlife habitat management, forest wildlife ecology and managment, bat ecology and management, among many others. 

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tuesday, march 11 
12 - 1 PM

phenology for gardeners
Denise ellsworth, PRogram director, pollinator education, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERsiTY

Bio

Denise directs pollinator education programming through the Ohio State University Department of Entomology, a position she has held since 2012. In her Extension and outreach work, Denise supports and teaches beekeepers, farmers, gardeners, and others across the state through a variety of workshops, webinars, written materials, and electronic resources. 

Before coming to Entomology, Denise served for 18 years as agriculture and natural resources county extension educator in the Akron/Canton area with a focus on horticulture, integrated pest management, and environmental education.

In addition to chasing bees, Denise enjoys gardening, cycling, and hiking the towpath trail along the Tuscarawas river with her husband and dogs.

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Tuesday, march 25 
12 - 1 PM

Crash course on tree identifcation
carrie brown, extension educator, fairfield county, The Ohio State University

Bio

Carrie Brown is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator for Ohio State University Extension in Fairfield County. She is passionate about community outreach and engagement and is delighted to have the opportunity to work with local producers to create more sustainable, profitable, and resilient operations. She is eager to provide research-based agricultural and natural resource programming and educational resources to help fulfill the needs of Fairfield County businesses, organizations, and communities.

Some of her favorite topics to teach include sustainable agriculture, soil health, invasive weed management, native plants, and community science.

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Tuesday, april 8
12 - 1 PM

easiest cut flowers for beginners
sabrina schirtzinger, extension educator, knox County, The Ohio State university

Bio

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Tuesday, April 22 
12 -  PM

Asexual Cuttings Propagation:  Techniques and More
Harold firster, master gardener volunteer, Trumbull county, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERsitY

Bio

Harold is a retired Physician/Surgeon 26 years, Warren, Ohio, Retired Major, Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, Former Deputy US Marshall Service, Currently, THA Trumbull Humane Agent, Owner 160 acre productive farm in Newton Township, TC. (My personal  huge ‘greenhouse’)

Hobbies- Research, MGV, horses and German Shephard Dogs 

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Tuesday, may 13
12 - 1 PM

native alternatives to popular landscape plants
dave gardner, professor, turgrass science, the ohio state university

Bio

I'm originally from Des Moines, Iowa. I help plan the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation (OTF) Conference & Show, as well as the OTF Field Day & Spring-Tee Off Events. I also serve as the faculty advisor to the OSU Turf Club, as well as being actively involved in the Turf Industry both locally & nationally.

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Tuesday, May 20 
12 - 1 PM

Moths, butterflies and skippers:  What's the difference
curtis young, extension educator, van wert County, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERsitY

Bio

Curtis has worked with Ohio State University Extension since June 1992 and has been an Educator in Van Wert County since April 2011. As an entomologist, he works in numerous areas including agriculture, horticulture and landscape maintenance.  He teaches on a diversity of subjects such as basic entomology, plant biology, field identification of the macro-fungi, and plant pathology to Master Gardener Volunteer Trainees, Plant and Pest Diagnostics, commercial and private pesticide applicator license recertification training, and Forensic Entomology. He also conducts field research and survey work in the area of agronomic crop production systems. 

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Tuesday, May 27 
12 - 1 PM

small scale hydroponics
amanda bennett, extension educator, Miami county, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERsitY

Bio

Amanda Bennett has been the Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator in Miami County since 2015. Raised on a grain farm, she has developed a passion for growing all types of plants whether they grow in rows, by the acre, in her raised bed vegetable gardens or in her native plant focused landscape. As a beekeeper, she also has a vested interest and a passion for sharing her knowledge with other budding green thumbs!

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