Registration for the 2020 Master Gardener Volunteer State Conference and Awards Program!

March 30, 2020

Dear Master Gardener Volunteers;

STATE CONFERENCE

Greetings and we are very excited to invite you to the 2020 State Master Gardener Volunteer Conference and Awards Program on October 22-23, 2020.  The conference is split into two days, from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m to help everyone avoid Zoom Fatigue!

Cuyahoga County was to have hosted us in September of this year but that was not possible.  Their MGVs offered to help set up a VIRTUAL conference and we appreciate their assistance!  They will return to hosting the State Conference in 2022!  In the meantime, we have a great line up of speakers for this Conference and a great price! 

The cost for the two-day Virtual Conference is $40.00 and includes a copy of Keynote speaker Brie Arthur's book, Growing Grains. Brie is one of the up and coming young horticulturists and won the first Emerging Professional distinction by the American Horticultural Society.  She is also a wonderful speaker.  She has agreed to sign this book and mail it to you after the conference.  In addition, when registering, you will have the opportunity to purchase her other book, The Foodscape Revolution. Learn more about Brie and her books here.  

You can register for the 2020 Conference by paying with credit card (preferred method) or mailing a check.  If paying with a credit card, you will receive an immediate confirmation.  If paying by check, you will receive a confirmation from Jen Andon when the check is recieved at the OSU business office.  All registrants will receive an email by 4:00 p.m. on October 21 with the ZOOM link to join the conference.  Check your email (and your spam filter) if it's not in your inbox.  Please don't share this link with others as this is your personal link for registering.  

A bonus!  Once you register, you will have the opportunity to review all of the recorded sessions.  The recordings will be available from November 1 - 30, 2020.  Please do not share the links to the recordings with others who have not registered.  

Below you will find the entire Conference Program, topics, times and speakers.  

 

Registration has closed

STATE CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION

 

AWARDS PROGRAM

While it's not possible for all of us to gather face to face to recognize our Master Gardener Volunteers, it is incredibly important to recognize them!  The Vitrual Awards Program is the evening of October 22, 2020 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.  This free event is open to all so be sure to invite your friends, co-workers, and family!  We will be recognizing the Friends, Outstanding MGVs and MGV Coordinators as well as the Outstanding Projects.  Learn more about what others are doing around Ohio as we present the projects.  

In addition, we will have some fun with periodic horticulture trivia questions.  Thanks to the Franklin County MGVs for developing the questions and helping with the event.  Winners will receive a copy of Dr. Michael Dirr's newest book, The Tree Book: Superior Selections for Landscapes, Streetscapes, and Gardens (Hardcover, $79.99 value).  

The Awards Program is free to all and we hope that you can join us to honor fellow MGVs and others associated with the program.

AWARDS PROGRAM
REGISTRATION

 

STATE conference Program schedule

Thursday, October 22, 2020                                               

8:45 am.  Welcome and announcements:  Pam Bennett, State MGV Progam Director


9:00 a.m. 

The Foodscape Revolution
Keynote Presenter: Brie Arthur “The Plant Lady,” Author and Horticulturist

Best-selling author Brie Arthur has fine-tuned her signature gardening technique of foodscaping, a sustainable practice that embraces beauty and bounty. Brie aims to inspire attendees to think creatively about planting veggie by pairing them with flowering perennials. Easy planting strategies are explained, including creative ideas for deterring deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and voles. This is a fast paced, informative presentation that leaves attendees inspired and ready to foodscape!

Bio
Known for her leadership with the suburban Foodscape movement and her work with public schools, Brie is a celebrated speaker and bestselling author. A recipient of an American Horticultural Society Award, Brie studied landscape design at Purdue University. She has worked as a grower and propagator for leading nurseries and her passions center on sustainable land management and promoting the value of gardening across the US.


10:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 1

Succulents Are Sexy
Bill Hendricks, President of Klyn Wholesale Nurseries in Northeast Ohio

Explore the exciting world of cacti and succulents and their amazing rise in popularity.  Bill will discuss their diversity and how to care for them in the home and garden and creative ways to use and display your plants.

BIO
Bill is the recipient of many horticulture awards including “2014 Grower of the Year” and has served on numerous Plant and Landscape Association boards. He was an adjunct faculty member at Cleveland State University for 20 years and he and his wife Nancy received the “Friends of Master Gardener Program” award in 2008. He has a cactus and succulent collection of over 4,000 species started at age 9 and is a continuing hobby today. Klyn Nurseries’ catalogue lists over 1800 species and cultivars of ornamentals for the Mid-West. Bill has long been a cherished friend and supporter of Master Gardeners in many Ohio counties.

Breakout Session 2

The Literary Gardens of England
Carol Chernega, Author, Horticulturalist

Visit the gardens of your favorite authors, including Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Beatrix Potter, Agatha Christie, and Frances Hodgson Burnett.  Learn how these writers used their surroundings in their classic novels, and get tips on creating your own English garden.

BIO
Carol Chernega has been visiting England and studying English gardens for the past 20 years.  She worked in Jane Austen’s garden in Chawton, England as part of a grant from the Jane Austen Society of North America. Carol’s the author of A Dream House: Exploring the Literary Homes of England and has been published in a variety of magazines, including Pennsylvania Gardener and National Wildlife.

Breakout Session 3

Snakes, Turtles, and Lizards – Oh My!
Marne Titchenell, Wildlife Program Specialist OSUE

Let’s face it, not everyone is a fan of snakes, especially when one seemingly pops out of nowhere during a garden work session. Don’t worry, most snakes in Ohio are harmless and those found in a garden are actually quite beneficial to have around. In this talk, we will identify some of Ohio’s common snakes, turtles, and lizards, while discussing common issues and frequently asked questions.  

BIO
Marne is an Extension Wildlife Program Specialist, with the Ohio State University. She works within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences in the School of Environment and Natural Resources. She provides a variety of educational programs, workshops, conferences, and publications centered on wildlife ecology and biology, habitat management for wildlife, and managing nuisance wildlife species.


11:30 Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session 1

Planning to Preserve
Barbara Pleasant, Author/Speaker, Floyd VA

Wouldn’t it be great to eat from your garden every day of the year? Learn proven strategies for
stocking your own homegrown pantry, from the ground up. Start by choosing easy-to-grow crops that store themselves, and then learn simple ways to preserve vegetables and fruits so they are welcome in the winter kitchen. Award-winning garden writer Barbara Pleasant will share dozens of tips and ideas to help you eat from your garden year-round.

BIO
Barbara Pleasant is “one of America’s most trusted garden writers” according to Cheryl Long, editor-in-chief of Mother Earth News magazine. Barbara has written for Organic Gardening Magazine, Mother Earth News, American Gardener and GrowVeg.com and received multiple awards from the Garden Writers Association and the American Nursery and Landscape Association. Her newest book, Homegrown PantrySelecting the Best Varieties and Planting the Perfect Amounts for What You Want to Eat Year-Round was a finalist for a 2018 INDIE Forward award.

Breakout Session 2

2020 Vision:  A Look Back to Look Forward
Joe Boggs, ANR Extension Educator, Hamilton County

This presentation will focus on the top landscape and urban forest pests reported through Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL) Alerts posted in 2020 with an eye towards 2021.  It's a look back to look forward!

BIO
Joe is based in the OSU Extension office in Hamilton County and has a courtesy appointment with the OSU Department of Entomology.  He specializes in tree and shrub diagnostics as well as pest and disease management.

Breakout Session 3

Growing Raspberries in the Home Garden
Gary Gao, PhD., Extension Specialist for Fruit Crops OSUE
 

Raspberries are known to have many health benefits. The raspberry fruits come in black, purple, red, and yellow colors. Raspberry bushes can also be everbearing or summer bearing. One interesting fact is that black raspberries are native of Ohio. A few new cultivars and different production systems have been introduced during the last 5-10 years. Please join Dr. Gary Gao for an informative session on raspberry growing in the home gardens.

BIO
Gary is also a courtesy professor of the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University. He has worked at Ohio State since 1994, first in Clermont and Delaware counties, Joining OSU South Centers in 2011. Dr. Gao received his Ph.D. and Master's from The Ohio State University. He is the editor and a co-author of the award-winning "Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide" and a regular contributor to American Fruit Grower Magazine.


Friday October 23, 2010

8:45 Welcome and announcements:  Pam Bennett, State MGV Program Director

 

9:00 a.m.

Gardening with Grains
Keynote Presenter: Brie Arthur “The Plant Lady,” Author and Horticulturist

Featuring design and growing inspiration from her new book, Brie Arthur dives deep into the wild world of Gardening with Grains. Learn how to cultivate grains alongside your favorite ornamental and edible plants. Brie will explain to how design a space that can provide nourishment for your family and your favorite birds year-round! Discover easy-to-apply management strategies for long term success, including how to naturally improve your soil and reduce the need for fertilizer and irrigation. From ancient times to modern living, grains are an essential part of our daily lives. This program is sure to get attendees thinking of all the fun and creative ways they can garden with grains… and maybe even grow some homemade bread and beer!

BIO
Known for her leadership with the suburban Foodscape movement and her work with public schools, Brie is a celebrated speaker and bestselling author. A recipient of an American Horticultural Society Award, Brie studied landscape design at Purdue University. She has worked as a grower and propagator for leading nurseries and her passions center on sustainable land management and promoting the value of gardening across the US.

 

10:15 a.m. Breakout sessions

Breakout Session 1

Climate Change and Trees: impacts and Mitigation
Dan Herms, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Development for The Davey Tree Expert Company 

Dan brings us new, cutting edge research on the daunting question: what protocols do experts use for selecting trees to plant for future climates? What is the role of trees in mitigating climate change?  Hear about the horticultural impacts of climate change to date and The Trillion Tree Initiative. You may have heard Dan Herms before, but you’ve not heard this!

BIO 
Prior to joining Davey, Dr. Herms served on the faculty in the Department of Entomology at The Ohio State University from 1997-2017, where he served on the OSU Climate Change Outreach Team.  His research and outreach programs focus on the ecology and management of trees in forests, urban forests, and ornamental landscapes, including interactions with insects, soils, and climate. 

Breakout Session 2

Insects: The Under-Celebrated Partners of the Bird World
Shawn T. Dash, PhD., Assistant Professor, Evolutionary Biology-Zoology-Entomology, Hampton University, VA

Shawn’s presentation will focus on unraveling the complex interactions and interdependent natural history of insects and birds. He will cover all aspects of bird and insect interactions, from feeding and parasites to the importance of insects in your yard and garden.

BIO
As a young child in Baltimore, Dr. Dash loved exploring the natural world around him. He continues to explore with his work on ants and soil invertebrates in the context of evolution and ecology. Dr. Dash has given numerous outreach programs on insect ecology for audiences from elementary to college level. He double majored in Entomology and Wildlife Conservation at the University of Delaware, received his Masters of Science in Entomology from Louisiana State University and his PhD in Pathobiology at the University of Texas at El Paso. 

Breakout Session 3

Flowering Trees for the Home Landscape
Ann Chanon, PhD., ANR Extension Educator, Lorain County

Finding the right tree for the location is essential for a pleasing and effective landscape. Factors like size, adaptability, and neatness all play a role in the selection process. Come and learn about trees that can add interest to your landscape throughout the growing season. The programs will highlight noteworthy characteristics, growing conditions, and care considerations for these garden gems.

BIO
Ann developed her love for woody plants and flowers at an early age and turned her passion into a profession by earning a B.S. in Horticulture from Ohio State, M.S. in Horticultural Science from Texas A&M, and Ph.D. in Horticulture and Crop Science from Ohio State. The emphasis for all three degrees was woody plant improvement. In her previous role as Research Associate at the OARDC, she contributed to a number of projects including, germplasm improvement and domestication of a new crop species, and studies on fruit quality.

11:30 a.m. Breakout sessions

Breakout Session 1

Healthy Soil – Healthy Food Webs: Going beyond composting to understand the life beneath our feet
David Burke, Ph.D., Vice President for Science and Conservation,  Holden Forests and Gardens

What is good soil? How should we approach composting, nutrients, organic matter, fertilization? Dr. David Burke will address some of these questions, but will also provide a new perspective on soil, one that views soil as alive with organisms that all contribute to healthy soil and healthy food webs. If we can “grow” our soil wisely, our plants will thrive and grow, too.

BIO
David Burke, PhD is a scientist at The Holden Arboretum who serves as the Chair of Holden's Research Department. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member in in the Department of Biology at Case Western Reserve University and the Department of Biological Sciences at Kent State. David’s work focuses on the interactions between plant roots and soil organisms with a particular emphasis on mycorrhizal ecology. His Bachelors and PhD degrees are from Rutgers University.

Breakout Session 2

Life Is Short: Extend that season 
Scott Beurelein, Horticulturalist, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Plants that provide late fall, winter and early spring beauty are so valuable to the gardener and to wildlife. This presentation highlights plants which provided exceptional beauty and function into those difficult months.

BIO
Scott Beuerlein is the Manager of Botanical Garden Education and Outreach at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Scott is Chair of the Boone County Arboretum Collections Committee, past Chairman of Taking Root, past President of the Cincinnati Flower Growers Association, and Past Chairman of the Northern Kentucky Urban and Community Forestry Council.  He has published over 100 magazine articles, including Ohio Gardener, Horticulture Magazine, and American Nurseryman. He is an ONLA Certified Landscape Technician and an ISA Certified Arborist.

Breakout Session 3

Fifty Shades of Pollination
Shawn T. Dash, PhD., Assistant Professor, Evolutionary Biology-Zoology-Entomology, Hampton University, VA

Learn about the evolution of species interactions and the mutualistic relationships of pollination. Dr. Dash will also discuss the various pollination syndromes, using these patterns to provide a context to the biodiversity of some of your local pollinators. Finally, he will share information about developing a pollinator garden and general tips for attracting them in any landscape.

BIO
As a young child in Baltimore, Dr. Dash loved exploring the natural world around him. He continues to explore with his work on ants and soil invertebrates in the context of evolution and ecology. Dr. Dash has given numerous outreach programs on insect ecology for audiences from elementary to college level. He double majored in Entomology and Wildlife Conservation at the University of Delaware, received his Masters of Science in Entomology from Louisiana State University and his PhD in Pathobiology at the University of Texas at El Paso.