[CCMG-Announce] International MG Conference 2015

Fri Apr 24 09:19:52 PDT 2015

Master Gardeners,

Interested in meeting with 1,000 of other Master Gardeners across the nation? Attend the International Master Gardener Conference September 22-25 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Read the notification below on what to expect from this great Continuing Education opportunity.

Cheers,

Ava Heap
Program Coordinator, Horticulture
University of Illinois Extension, Unit 13
Champaign County
801 N. Country Fair Drive, Suite D
Champaign, IL  61821
carmien2 at illinois.edu<mailto:carmien2 at illinois.edu>
217-333-7672
The Garden Scoop<http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb310/>

April 24, 2015
International Master Gardener Conference
September 22 to 25, Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, IA

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Dear Terri,
Five months and counting!  The preconference workshop with Julie Weisenhorn has an absolute limit of 24 attendees, and those ten terrific tours also have small limits, so early registration is important for them as well.  We already have one breakout session that is full and another one with only 2 spots open.  But there is still so much available.  Full conference registration remains at the early bird price of only $330 (no code required). Full conference information, and links to the registration form and to hotel reservation information can be found at: 2015 International Master Gardener Conference Web Page<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yED_Ocg1YkMHl578G5ui60SbVEKdtAXSexyQnhZeOTeDyq2yuQh1E7w7wt1VTd4eaB7kfaFyMBEcBCSXdgk92YfCZw7HpsBKAPh6zsSL4ruaFxOVwnLmpVl4SnfNVJNJuhtBGG5oFaSRp-1PYt6S7f85SpoPPNVwJGzmEE1GFQk3ZVYxXZfGXsPpLp8udK6j&c=jRaOfy2D9F0LHT3N20455zx1XsbqEw6Ux_J0Qfg-V6qZEqSMT9Lx_A==&ch=WsyjNTkxUcXJZjOnvrP1P6dTKf18bEazUVcZqisEhu67dyXMeGq8sA==>

2015 IMGC Hosted by:
[http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs140/1108082818519/img/109.jpg]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yED_Ocg1YkMHl578G5ui60SbVEKdtAXSexyQnhZeOTeDyq2yuQh1EzOqkV41WZQ8KrrIYDYga7JvhLvHCa76M-6Mgs-WIUBANJa2QvATDjKa10ikijX3LMJkB4RL3IZoNLzuuEJOfNIKi-RSmrmrhUmWm4y54qhsDRraeTlNTZYLEP4hKpUNbRpg2PujqDm7&c=jRaOfy2D9F0LHT3N20455zx1XsbqEw6Ux_J0Qfg-V6qZEqSMT9Lx_A==&ch=WsyjNTkxUcXJZjOnvrP1P6dTKf18bEazUVcZqisEhu67dyXMeGq8sA==>
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HOTELS UPDATE
New Information about hotel rooms before and after the conference has been posted on the web page.  We have the very reduced conference rate ($89) at Harrah's for Monday evening and the somewhat reduced rates for Friday night ($119).  Rooms at Embassy Suites are available at the conference rate ($124) for multiple days either side of the conference.

From the Missouri to the Mississippi

After the closing remarks on Friday, board a bus to explore Iowa. First stop is the Armstrong Research Farm in Lewis, Iowa, then on to The Machine Shed in Urbandale, Iowa for dinner and to Des Moines for the night. Breakfast at the hotel on Saturday morning head for the Des Moines Botanical Gardens.
After lunch in the gardens we head to the Iowa Arboretum at Madrid and Reiman Gardens on the Iowa State University campus in Ames. Dinner is at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant and a night at the Clairmont Inn Hotel, both in Cedar Falls. Sunday morning we leave the hotel at 8:00 headed for the FranMara Garden (a conifer garden) in Oelwein and then on to Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah. Lunch will be at the Restauraation Restaurant in Decorah. We cap the tour with a scenic drive to the Effigy Mounds and the banks of the Mississippi River, then on to Clive for dinner and back to Council Bluffs.

Early Bird Registration Still Open

Not registered yet?  Visit the IMGC 2015 Web<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yED_Ocg1YkMHl578G5ui60SbVEKdtAXSexyQnhZeOTeDyq2yuQh1E7w7wt1VTd4eaB7kfaFyMBEcBCSXdgk92YfCZw7HpsBKAPh6zsSL4ruaFxOVwnLmpVl4SnfNVJNJuhtBGG5oFaSRp-1PYt6S7f85SpoPPNVwJGzmEE1GFQk3ZVYxXZfGXsPpLp8udK6j&c=jRaOfy2D9F0LHT3N20455zx1XsbqEw6Ux_J0Qfg-V6qZEqSMT9Lx_A==&ch=WsyjNTkxUcXJZjOnvrP1P6dTKf18bEazUVcZqisEhu67dyXMeGq8sA==> page to check out the daily session descriptions, the downloadable brochure, descriptions of tours, hotel information, and more.

[http://files.ctctcdn.com/7ddf1eef101/535d4b08-2b87-4860-ae04-ea6ed90ef7ec.jpg]Sunken Gardens in Lincoln
The Sunken Gardens is a shining example in Nebraska's gardens.  It is included in both of our pre-conference tours!  Our Missouri to the Foothills of the Rockies tour stops in Lincoln the first day and visits many different spots including the Sunken Gardens.  On Tuesday, the shorter pre-conference tour A Capitol Day of Gardens and More will start the day at the Sunken Gardens and then explore a variety of other gardens in Lincoln, including the Backyard Farmer garden.

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and Steamboat Bertrand Museum, Wednesday, Sept 23
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Join us for a trip to the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yED_Ocg1YkMHl578G5ui60SbVEKdtAXSexyQnhZeOTeDyq2yuQh1ExpKNfx_TUiUa1xq36TmK7CGDZoYTFU3UGpTfqd-BNV874DAMOOf8s13AfhSvKL069xGCkc1fcw1PI0osUAzi0FanyvX_KAWak8LIZoDvZRv3VNoOPGPI4fPIfWYgxwbvPgcId_JtlBr&c=jRaOfy2D9F0LHT3N20455zx1XsbqEw6Ux_J0Qfg-V6qZEqSMT9Lx_A==&ch=WsyjNTkxUcXJZjOnvrP1P6dTKf18bEazUVcZqisEhu67dyXMeGq8sA==> on the banks of the Missouri River and the Steamboat Bertrand Museum a repository of artifacts salvaged from the Steamboat Bertrand 102 years after it sank.  The refuge, spanning areas of both Nebraska and Iowa is a temporary home to many migratory waterfowl in both the spring and the fall.

Nebraska City Home of Arbor Day Tour

8:00am to 5:00pm, Sept.22

Board the bus for Nebraska City, Arbor Lodge, and the Kimmel Orchards.
We begin the day at Arbor Day Farms, the original estate of J. Sterling Morton,founder of Arbor Day in America; followed by a look inside the Fuelwood Energy Plant, a walk to the Tree Adventure and front-row seat to nature on board the Discovery Ride, a one-hour journey into the backwoods of Arbor Day Farm. The Discovery Ride takes you through orchards and vineyards, over stream beds, and all across the historic 260 acres of Arbor Day Farm. Along the way, a Nature Interpreter shares interesting facts, historical tidbits, and conservation information about your natural surroundings. You may even find deer, turkey, fox, raccoons, and other woodland creatures at home in the forest.

Then on to the Kimmel Orchard.  Started as a simple roadside fruit stand it grew to be a favorite destination for those seeking a slice of country life in the Missouri River Valley. Kimmel Orchard in cooperation with the University of Nebraska built the Kimmel Education and Research Center which extends the UNL campus into the heart of Southeast Nebraska. The center houses research facilities and a food laboratory. The Kimmel Education and Research Center-Located on the Kimmel Orchard campus, the Kimmel Education and Research Center promotes growth in research and economic opportunities through the development of value-added products and expansion of markets in Nebraska and the region.
By definition, sustainable agriculture seeks to minimize waste and the environmental impact of farming. The Kimmel Orchard puts theory into practice throughout the property. Information about these efforts can be found throughout the orchard and along the trails.

Sustainable Green Infrastructure of Omaha ($25)

Green infrastructure typically refers to planted areas located and designed to manage rainwater where it falls. During this tour, you will visit a vegetated green roof and three bioretention gardens. You will see examples of porous hardscape and rainwater harvesting. A landscape architect and biological systems engineer will be on hand to answer your questions. Rainwater is a valuable resource. View how Omaha is using plants and more to help slow rain down and soak rain in so less runs off!
[https://d8142femxnlg1.cloudfront.net/cropped-profile-photos/eca8d31b0b8432ffc617b2d60cecc2c953fbc79b-s75.jpeg]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yED_Ocg1YkMHl578G5ui60SbVEKdtAXSexyQnhZeOTeDyq2yuQh1E7bnJeFcWmZSv2S0GBaI4APCzpAfV3xMP1-eEbOTvoGhX57cvjzY2YQwev_mhsMsGbkAWRsy338_Y-uuRLMw8wfPQEf7Cj1SIaPuaxoTWxNagDBkGN3ut1V2awxDNlkaqvSpzZ2CSp9awCihiCyni8E=&c=jRaOfy2D9F0LHT3N20455zx1XsbqEw6Ux_J0Qfg-V6qZEqSMT9Lx_A==&ch=WsyjNTkxUcXJZjOnvrP1P6dTKf18bEazUVcZqisEhu67dyXMeGq8sA==>
Kelly Feehan

Extension Educator-Environmental Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Kelly Feehan has been a horticulturist with the University of Nebraska Extension since 1982. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture with a focus in urban forestry from North Dakota State University; and a Master of Arts degree in Adult and Continuing Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her focus is sustainable horticulture and waterwise landscape management for vital communities.

How Plants Think: Science or Snake Oil?

This presentation introduces what many refer to as neurobotany. We will cover the early studies of Darwin, groovy botanists of the 60's, and finishing with current views and trends of the scientific community. Much is being done in the study of plant intelligence. Many Universities are researching this area and finding amazing results in the way plants communicate to each other, insects, and us. Plants have shown abilities to call in predatory insects to feed on pests, the abilities to warn neighbors, the movement away from competing plants, Plants speaking to each other through sounds and a chemical vocabulary we can't directly perceive or comprehend. Researchers are also, with new improved methods, showing that plants have a form of memory. Plants, then, pass those memories into seeds so future generation will remember what to do.

 [https://d8142femxnlg1.cloudfront.net/cropped-profile-photos/69aa9419fdc40d94ceddd69bb7fb45078f84fe98-s75.jpeg] <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yED_Ocg1YkMHl578G5ui60SbVEKdtAXSexyQnhZeOTeDyq2yuQh1E7bnJeFcWmZSxNwWUGQS2jCnuLunbYwn0tgy9aPGzivAm1i0CWX6jOa22P9ker_i21tFb8DCquQD3m1AT55QhoY4O56OaS6hfqVDSa9cqmuMySzVG8HtH178JrEJMxY6CZRuW-lew05H&c=jRaOfy2D9F0LHT3N20455zx1XsbqEw6Ux_J0Qfg-V6qZEqSMT9Lx_A==&ch=WsyjNTkxUcXJZjOnvrP1P6dTKf18bEazUVcZqisEhu67dyXMeGq8sA==>
by Tony McCammon

The Plant Whisperer, University of Idaho, Extension Educator

Tony McCammon is a horticulturalist with the University of Idaho Extension system. He is a dynamic speaker with 11+ years of experience in the field of plant science. Distinguishing him from others in his field of expertise is that he treats horticulture as entertainment. Tony believes humor and relevance are what keep people from switching the channel, and he uses his story-telling style to help students connect with his message. He has had the opportunity to present all over the western United States on various topics including landscape design, healthy lawns, water conservation, and a variety of other horticulture-related topics. Based in Twin Falls, Idaho, he is determined to uncover the secrets of the desert and continues research in Native American ethnobotany and plant signaling (formerly known as neurobotany). One particular research project in native plant domestication is providing the nursery industry many beautiful and drought tolerant options for western gardeners. In his spare time, Tony enjoys hiking through the mountains looking for plants, rock climbing, and spending time in his edible landscape. He also relishes writing in the third person.

Understanding Soils in Your Landscape, Details for Success
There are some amazing things going on underground. In fact, there are millions of living microorganisms in just one teaspoon of soil. Knowledge of these living creatures and their homes allows for the proper development of a garden fertility plan. This session will dig into the fundamental differences between organic and synthetic fertilizers and how these different amendments affect garden plants and the living soil. Specific topics include: compost, brewing compost tea, slow and quick release fertilizers, water management, soil testing, soil quality, and soil microbiology. At the end of the session, Master Gardeners will know how to unlock the secrets in the soil that produce beautiful gardens and abundant harvests.

by Ted Hartsig, Senior Soil Scientist, Olsson Associates

A soil scientist with more than 30 years of experience in natural resources management and restoration, including extensive experience in stormwater management and Low Impact/Conservation Development, Ted has contributed in the development of soil and plant management strategies for optimizing stormwater Best Management Practices throughout the Midwest U.S.

Contacts
2015 IMGC Steering Committee
imgc2015 at gmail.com<mailto:imgc2015 at gmail.com>