Education Tracks

 To read more, click on the Speaker’s Name

 

Passion for Environment and Sustainability

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Mary Gardiner – 10:00-11:00 am – Garden Spiders: Exporing the diversity of eight-legged predators in your backyard.  Do you see a spider and run the other way? These fascinating arthropods provide us with beneficial pest control in the garden and pose no serious risk to people or pets.  Discover the beauty and diversity of spiders found in Ohio gardens and learn how these creatures catch prey, find mates, care for their young, and more.

 

Dan Herms -11:15-12:15 pm – Dr. Dan Herms: Avoiding Disasters by Design:  Landscape design and maintenance principles to prevent pest outbreaks in ornamental landscapes.  Many insects that are rarely pests in natural ecosystems are prone to outbreaks in urban and ornamental landscapes because of factors that destabilize their populations. Ecological interactions between plant-feeding insects, natural enemies, and their environment can be manipulated to prevent pest outbreaks.  Learn the theory and evidence behind ecologically-based pest management programs for ornamental landscapes

 

Ann Brandt – 3:15-4:15 pm – Ann Brandt: Indecent Exposure – Is Your Soil Protected?As Theodore Roosevelt once said “A nation that destroys its soil, destroys itself”. What is healthy soil and how do we achieve it? Learn how management techniques and cover crops can build healthier, more resilient soils.

 

 Passion for Plants and Design

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Bill Hahn – 10:00-11:00 am – Bill Hahn: Tough Trees for Urban Sites.  Urban planting sites, park sites, and residential sites seldom mimic the native environment in which trees are typically found. Thus, stress is introduced, allowing insect pressure and disease to challenge plant health and longevity.  Sustainable survival is the main goal of any responsible planting project, making careful species selection very important.  The appropriate use of some exotic species will be considered.

 

Martha Marsh – 11:15-12:15 pm – Martha Marsh: Flower Arranging: Inspiration from Your Garden.  A walk through your garden or woodlot can provide wonderful materials for a fall arrangement. Join this international and national floral design winner and judge as she takes elements common in our garden and creates beautiful seasonal arrangements.

 

Stacey Hirvela – 3:15-4:15 pm – Stacey Hirvela: Dream Gardens with Shrubs.  Get a little closer to your dream garden with a look at beautifully designed gardens around the world. Learn to interpret their most successful elements in your own yard with careful selection of easy-care shrubs. THIS SESSION IS FULL.

 

A Passion for Knowledge

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Eric Barrett -10:00-11:00 am – Eric Barrett: Gardening Myths and Legends.  We’ve all heard time-honored remedies for garden pests and diseases. Many times that remedy is not treating the real problem, but only the symptom, and is actually making the problem worse.  In some instances the remedy is dangerous to plants and gardeners alike.  Discover what the research tells us about the remedies that work and those that should be discarded.

 

Enrico Bonello – 11:15-12:15 pm – Dr. Enrico Bonello: How Plants Defend Themselves.  How well do we understand a tree’s natural defenses against disease and pests? This presentation will discuss the general features of tree defense mechanisms against pathogens, and why they are important in the maintenance of tree health.  THIS SESSION IS FULL.

 

Pam Bennett – 3:15-4:15 pm – Pam Bennett: What’s “App” with Gardening Apps.  As Master Gardener Volunteers you are in the spotlight when it comes to answering plant questions.  There are numerous garden apps available but which can really help?  The technology is there – how can it help us do our job?  This fast-paced presentation will take you through many of the apps and share the advantages and disadvantages.

 

A Passion for Backyard and Local Foods

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Chef Glenn Gillespie 10:00-11:00 am – Changing Your Life Through Your Diet (A Cooking Demonstration).  How do your food choices affect your energy level, mood, and metabolism? Chef Glenn will use in-season, sustainable produce that is easily obtainable as he demonstrates how good food choices in your daily diet will maximize your day and keep you healthy.

 

Stacy Hirvela – 11:15-12:15 pm – Stacey Hirvela: Edible Spots and Pots.  Growing vegetables and herbs in containers isn’t just for apartment dwellers. Anyone can enjoy the benefits. Learn to up your container gardening game with growing practices that ensure beautiful, productive, healthy gardens.

 

Jeanne Poremski – 3:15-4:15 pm –  Tried and True or New: What’s Good for You? Which merits your garden space – old vegetable favorites or new selections? Jeanne will explore new choices to make your food growing exciting and more successful, while expanding your vegetable vocabulary.