Photos From the 2018 NCEMGVA Conference - June 7-9  : Gardening A Prescription for Healthy Living

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2018 NCEMGVA Awards, Grants and Madeline Collier Landscape Garden Design Competition Prize Presented at the NCEMGVA State Conference in Greenville, June 8-9th.

The Educational Matching Grants Program 

• Provides partial funding for one-day or partial-day events cooperatively planned by EMGVs and Extension personnel.

 • Utilizing research based information, these events are intended to foster the growth and education of EMGVs, as well as the general public.

The 2018 Educational Matching Grant is awarded to: 

Johnston County for their Birds, Bees and Butterflies: Growing Native Gardens Symposium!

“The 2018 grant is to partially fund a full day symposium planned for October 2019 focusing on birds, bees and butterflies as important pollinators, their relationship to native plants and promoting growing native plants in the landscape. Anne Spafford, Landscape Architect and a NCSU Horticulture Professor will be one of the speakers along with backyard bird expert, NCSU Professor Chris Moorman and Charlotte Glen, State NCEMGV Coordinator.”

Grantwriter MarJean Telke accepted on behalf of the Johnston County program.

Johnston County Master Gardener, MarJean Telke, (center) accepts the NCEMGVA Educational Matching Grant from NCEMGVA Awards Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

The NCEMGVA Project Grants Program

● Provides partial funding for demonstration, school or community garden and educational projects that further the goals of individual and multi-county EMGV programs.

A 2018 Project Grant is awarded to Orange County for the Cedar Grove Community Center Senior and Youth Community Garden.

“The Cedar Grove Community Center will develop a partnership between the senior citizens and youth of the community to grow and provide fresh fruits and vegetables. This project will provide a hand-on approach to healthy eating, environmental changes, water conservation and team building.”

NCEMGVA Delegate, Bill Harris. accepted on behalf of Orange County.

Orange County Master Gardener, and NCEMGVA County Delegate, Bill Harris, (center) accepts a NCEMGVA Project Grant from Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

A 2018 Project Grant is awarded to Rowan County for their ​Edible Curbside Demonstration Garden.

“The current parking area at the Rowan County Center has curbed islands of grass with demonstration trees. County maintenance mowers are too large, blowing mulch away and damaging trees. Rowan County Extension Master Gardeners will make these areas low maintenance, with a twist, by using sustainable edible plants as a demonstration for potential urban parking lots.”

Sandy Quinn accepted the certificate and check on behalf of Rowan County.

NCEMGVA Project Grant for Rowan County's Edible Curbside Demonstration Garden presented to Sandy Quinn by NCEMGVA Award and Grants Co-Chairs Margery Pearl, right, and Brenda Clayton, on the left.

The Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award 

● Represents an opportunity for EMGVs to recognize their colleagues for exceptional service to their county program and also to the State Association.

2018 Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer Mary Leonhardi from Orange ​County

From the application question, “What makes this EMGV Outstanding?” “Mary started our pollinator garden 5 years ago working with town and local boy scouts to obtain and clear the land. It was expanded last year to include a “Bee Hotel” and is recognized as a highlight in our local park. 2 years ago, she began a mentorship program for new EMGVs to walk them through and enhance the certification process. It has been a great program for our new interns. Mary is a doer. She cares. She makes things happen. She recognizes a need, figures out a solution and makes it happen. Mary is a strong, strong, asset to our program.”

Orange County EMGV Mary Leonhardi (center) receives a 2018 NCEMGVA Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award from Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

2018 Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Carole Massey from Rowan County

The description on our next Outstanding Volunteer application under County and Regional Program participation and leadership for our next Outstanding Volunteer was very lengthy and very impressive. One highlight was that she appeared on an episode of “In the Garden with Bryce Lane”, explaining the garden features of the West End Community Garden. What makes her outstanding? Her nominator writes: “Carole is our link from 1998 to today. She sustains relationships, encourages members and shows by example how to get things done. Carole is proud to be a Master Gardener and a champion of the goals for Extension.” Her motto also inscribed on the award: “It’s What We Do”

NCEMGVA Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award presented to Rowan County EMGV Carole Massey by NCEMGVA Co-Chairs Margery Pearl, right, and Brenda Clayton, on the left.

2018 Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Cindy Scott of Davidson County

Cindy is described as “A Master Gardener Who Shares.” Her nominator writes: Since 2009, Cindy has led our MG Association to share local gardens by directing our Spring Garden Tours. Along with the Fall Plant Sales, also under Cindy’s capable leadership, these events draw gardeners from surrounding counties. The funds raised have enabled us to support our annual Garden Conference, many service projects and college scholarships. Cindy’s ability to share is far reaching!”

Cindy Scott could not attend the Conference. Accepting on her behalf was Anice Griffin, President of the Davidson County Association.

Anice Griffin, DCEMGVA President, accepts a 2018 NCEMGVA Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award for Davidson County's Cindy Scott from Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

2018 Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Chris Stadther from Dare County

Chris had a one and a half page listing of accomplishments! What makes this EMGV outstanding? Her nominator writes: “Chris’s service goes beyond mere hours. She is a versatile volunteer who has had a positive impact on the Dare County Master Gardener program. Besides being active in the Association, she serves as a teacher, mentor, and public speaker by leading team efforts, creating educational programs and inspiring others to volunteer.”

Dare County EMGV Chris Stadther (center) receives a 2018 NCEMGVA Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award from Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right).

The NC State Extension Achievement Award 

● Recognizes those County Directors, Horticultural or Agricultural Agents, or others within the NC State Cooperative Extension who have significantly contributed to the success of their EMGV Program.

The 2018 NC State Extension Achievement Award Winner Dr. Jeana Myers, Wake County Horticulture-Agriculture Agent

The Award recognizes Jeana for her outstanding leadership of more than 140 program volunteers. Recent accomplishments by Jeana and her team include the ​Raleigh Urban Horticulture Award and the "​Ready-Garden-Grow" vegetable gardening classes. The award was presented by EMGVs Cathy Burton and Annette Byrd from Wake County.

NCEMGVA Awards Co-Chairs Margery Pearl (far right) and Brenda Clayton (far left), Wake EMGVs Cathy Burton (center right) and Annette Byrd (center left) presenting the NCEMGVA Award to Wake County Horticulture- Agriculture Agent, Jeana Myers (center).

Wake County Horticulture-Agriculture Agent, Jeana Myers, accepting the NCEMGVA NC Extension Achievement Award

Madeline Collier Landscape Garden Design Competition

Category A for less than 50 members and Category B for 50 or more members. 

● Is intended to showcase EMGV demonstration and educational gardens that have been completed, are under construction, or are in the late design stage of planning.

Category A Madeline Collier Competition winner for their Hellstrip/Groundcover Demonstration Garden is Rowan County

“The garden concept was to demonstrate how a small “Hellstrip”, the area between the sidewalk and the curb, could be planted in a more interesting way. Liriope was replaced by a variety of small, low maintenance, drought tolerant perennials, succulents, herbs, groundcovers and bulbs. No fertilizer or pesticide was used.”

Sandy Quinn accepted the certificate and check on behalf of Rowan County.

Madeline Collier Landscape Garden Design Competition prize presented to Sandy Quinn (center) for Rowan County's Hellstrip Groundcover Demonstration Garden by NCEMGVA Awards Co-Chairs Margery Pearl (right) and Brenda Clayton (left).

Category B Madeline Collier Competition winner for their “Herbs Gone Spiral!” Garden​ is Pitt County

“The Pitt County Arboretum’s new spiral herb garden shows how to grow many herbs in a small space. The height for the spiral herb garden is made of stacked flagstones. From a major pathway, visitors see how more plants with varying sun and water requirements can be grown in a small space. The Pitt County Arboretum compost nourishes all plantings and pesticides are not used.”

Knox Chadwick and Mary Jo Larkin accepted on behalf of Pitt County.

Pitt County Master Gardeners, Mary Jo Larkin (center left) and Knox Chadwick (center right), accept the MC Landscape Garden Competition prize from NCEMGVA Awards Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

Free Pollinator Champions Online Course
The Michigan Pollinator Initiative team is excited to announce the  
launch of our new online course! Pollinator Champions is a free,  
self-paced course offered at Michigan State University. The course is  
packed full of videos, articles, and fun activities to guide you  
through the amazing world of pollinators and pollination. Anyone with  
an internet connection can enroll. You do not have to be an MSU  
student or faculty to participate.

Everyone is welcome to learn about pollinators for free, but for a  
small contribution, you can also receive a certificate and materials  
to help you give your own presentations about pollinators. Help us  
spread the word as an MSU Certified Pollinator Champion!

Read more or register for Pollinator Champions at  
www.pollinators.msu.edu/ programs/pollinator-champions/

Click Here for the Pollinator Champions flyer 

Dr. Lucy Bradley Professor and Extension Specialist, Urban Horticulture

Director, Extension Master Gardener Program

Department of Horticultural Science

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

“Science Policy Field Tour - Security from Invasive Species: Protecting Our National Health, Food Supply, and Environment”.

The Plant and Insect Ecosystems Section of the Entomological Society of America is pleased to invite you to a very special event: “Science Policy Field Tour - Security from Invasive Species: Protecting Our National Health, Food Supply, and Environment”.  This 2½ day tour will be based out of Philadelphia, August 20-22, 2018. We hope that you can attend and share your perspectives on this important issue. This will be a good opportunity to network with other scientists, stakeholders, and policymakers!

 Invasive insect species from all over the world arrive regularly at US ports of entry, posing potentially disastrous consequences for agriculture, forestry, human, and animal health.   The economic impact is estimated at over $30 billion annually, due to crop losses and mitigation costs!  In recognition, the US Department of Agriculture recently appropriated $17.5 million dollars to fund spotted lanternfly eradication in Pennsylvania.  Nationally, another $14 million is allocated for invasive species research.

This field tour will assemble private and public-sector scientists, government representatives, science policy advocates, and policymakers to provide a first-hand understanding of the processes that underlie new arrivals, establishment, spread, and invasive impact.  We seek to understand the resources needed to improve prevention, early detection, rapid response, and the potential for eradication.  Additionally, we plan to use the tour to leverage public education and outreach strategies to inform everyone about the impact of invasive species and actions we can take to slow their occurrence and spread.

The tour begins Monday, August 20, at the Sheraton Suites Philadelphia Airport with a welcome reception at 6 pm.  (If you drive in, hotel parking is free).  On Tuesday, the tour bus will depart immediately after breakfast to visit orchards and vineyards in the spotted lanternfly quarantine zone, viewing the impact of this most recent invasive, as well as brown marmorated stink bug, emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and other species. All meals are included, and as we return to Philadelphia we will stop for dinner at an historic restaurant near Valley Forge.  Wednesday we visit the Philadelphia Port of Entry, seeing first-hand the challenges faced daily by USDA-APHIS agricultural inspectors. We then visit the Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences for a private behind-the-scenes tour of their historic insect collection and a discussion of the importance of scientific collections in identifying invasive risks, monitoring, distribution, and spread.  The tour concludes at the hotel with a working lunch and a wrap up discussion of what we have learned.  The tour ends mid-afternoon (about 2:30 pm), and the shuttle will return people to the airport.

 The tour will be an intimate event with no more than 50 attendees. We would be honored for you to attend and bring your voice to the role of recommending policy and stakeholder action to better protect our country from invasive species affecting our health, environment, and our food security.  If you are unable to attend, but could recommend another colleague who would represent your interests, please send us contact information for your recommendations.

As is typical for Society-sponsored meetings, there is a $645 registration fee (which includes all shuttle and bus transportation, all meals, welcome reception, 2 nights lodging, all museum/port/field tour admissions and associated expenses).  Registration has been extended until July 31, 2018. You will be responsible for any personal travel expenses to/from the tour location in Philadelphia.   

The Invasive Species Tour website provides additional information.  Please register soon, because seats are limited. Once available seats are filled, others will be placed on a wait-list and notified if there are any cancellations.

Instructions for registration:     Registration has been extended until July 31, 2018.

·         Go to registration link hosted by ESA:  Invasive Species Tour Registration

·         If you are an Entomological Society of America member, proceed to login and then you will be taken directly to the registration site.

 ·         If you are not an Entomological Society of America member, you will need to create a userID and login (at no cost).  Please complete the required fields marked with a red asterisk.  You will then be taken to the registration site.

·         The registration site will capture all of your pertinent information and any special requirements, along with your payment.

 Please feel free to call me if you have any questions!

 Sincerely,

 Thomas E. Anderson, Ph.D.

Chair, Invasive Species Field Tour Planning Committee

Entomological Society of America Science Policy Fellow

tom@entoniche.com

215-776-1222

Click here for the  complete Invasive Species Itinerary

-