2016 Tennessee Extension Master Gardener

Central Region Workshop

Thursday, June 30th

 

Held at the Ellington Agricultural Center,

440 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN

 

 

Choice of three morning sessions (full descriptions below)

 

Lunch followed by a general session with guest speaker Troy Marden

 

Central Region Planning meeting to network and begin planning future regional events

 

Early registration deadline: June 15th

 

Full schedule, session, and registration information attached and available at: https://extension.tennessee.edu/MasterGardener/Pages/default.aspx

 

 

Registration- two options

1. Register by mail: Complete the second page of the attached form and mail it along with fees to the UT Plant Sciences Dept. for arrival by June 15.

 

2. Register online: The link below will take you to a UT e-marketplace site. At the bottom of the first page, you will click the Add to Cart button.

You will then be taken to a page that enables you to enter contact and payment information as well as select topics for breakout sessions, attend the tour, and list dietary restrictions. 

 

 

https://secure.touchnet.com/C21610_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=792

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Session Descriptions

 

Lessons in project leadership- Selecting and managing service projects is one of the most essential roles in a Master Gardener organization, and leading these projects can sometimes be daunting for MG volunteers. Join Rutherford County Extension Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator Janie Becker for a session that focuses on deciding what projects are the best use of time and resources and how to best manage these projects. You will hear from experienced project leaders from around the central region as they share some tips and lessons on getting great results and involving your fellow volunteers. (This session will only be held once at 9:00)

 

Plant diagnostics learning lab- Some of the most frequent questions that we get as Master Gardeners involve diagnosing pest or disease issues and helping residents troubleshoot in their home lawns and landscapes. When it comes to diagnosing these issues, we all know that there is no substitute for hands-on experience. Join IPM experts and Master Gardener Coordinators David Cook and Amy Dismukes for a session that will allow you to work with samples to develop a diagnosis and then hear an explanation of the correct diagnosis of those samples along with tips to help you enhance your skills for the future. (This hands-on session will be repeated in all three time slots to allow maximum participation)

 

Plant CSI walkabout- On the grounds of Ellington Agricultural center, there are a range of edible and ornamental plantings that provide great learning opportunities for Master Gardeners. Join Dr. Alan Windham, professor and UT Extension Specialist, for a walking tour that focuses on investigating plants on site and diagnosing issues and determining corrective action. Think of it as plant pest and disease crime scene investigation. (This session will be repeated at 9:00 and 11:30to allow maximum participation)

 

Starting off strong- We all know that one of the most important aspects of building and sustaining a successful Master Gardener group is engaging interns. Intern training involves not only sharing horticultural information, but also integrating new volunteers into our organizations and making sure they are welcomed into the group and are given opportunities to share their passions and skills. Join Wilson County Extension Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator Justin Stefanski for an interactive discussion of the ways agents and existing volunteers can work together to create excellent intern training experiences for new volunteers. (This session will only be held once at 10:15)

 

Davidson County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden- Demonstration gardens are one of our best tools to engage the public and teach residents horticultural practices. The Davidson County Master Gardeners have an excellent example of a demonstration garden that has grown and changed through the years to meet the needs of the community. From raised beds for vegetables to native plants and herbs and even zombies and gnomes, this garden has something for all ages and gardening types. Join DCMG volunteers for a guided tour of this garden and hear about some of the groups and events that utilize and benefit from this site. (This tour will only be held once at 10:15)

 

Officers and board members session- While we as Master Gardeners are all seeking to improve lives through horticulture education, the ways that our boards, officers, and organizations function can often differ from county to county. Join Natalie Bumgarner for an opening introduction and then take part in break-out discussions with other MG officers and leaders from around the region to share about roles, responsibilities, and tactics for leading and engaging volunteers. We hope this session enables to you meet and learn from those in other organizations who are carrying out the same roles and tasks as you and provides some ideas to take back to your home county (This session will be held only once at 11:30)

 

 

General Session- Troy Marden   ‘Plant This Instead!’  1:30 PM

 

Plant This Instead! is about making wiser choices in the garden when it comes to plant selection.  It focuses on how to avoid the common pitfalls of choosing plants which, while readily available, are poorly suited to residential landscapes and gardens. It also addresses new and improved varieties of old-fashioned or common garden plants.