March 2011 Archives

Master Naturalist Annual Conference
May 20-22, 2011
Northwestern College
St. Paul, MN

Interested in learning more about the environment? The Master Naturalist Program? Water quality? Wildlife? Native Plants?  Here's your chance! Attend the 2011 Master Naturalist Annual Conference. Speakers will be featured from the University, the DNR, the Bell Museum, and the Will Steger Foundation, to name a few. Even I will be speaking at this event on winter interest and my backyard renovation.


As a Master Gardener, you can also accumulate CE hours for the classes you attend at this conference.

For details and registration:
Master Naturalist Registration Booklet.pdf
Master Naturalist Registration Form - Volunteers Guests - Writeable.pdf

Would you like to learn how to....

● Write blog posts for the national Extension Master Gardener blog
(http://blogs.extension.org/mastergardener/) to share news, resources,
and stories of volunteering?

● Use social media such as Twitter and Facebook to engage audiences?

A new training series and resource site is available for you and Master Gardeners you'd like to refer to this opportunity @:


Questions? Contact Karen Jeannette, karen.jeannette@extension.org

Due to the great response from Master Gardeners, and their positive comments about our courses, IPM³ will again be offering a 16% Master Gardener Discount for the following 4 courses this spring:

•  IPM Core Concepts Module - Coupon code X243
  
•  Pest Biology - Weeds - Coupon code X238
  
• Pest Biology - Plant Pathology - Coupon code X244
  
• Invasive Species Specialty Module - Coupon code X237
  

For class descriptions: UMN IPM3 Continuing Ed Classes.pdf

HOW TO REGISTER:

1. Go to http://www.umn.edu/ipm3
2. Use the "At A Glance" section to select a course.
3. After creating an account and / or logging in, save the base tuition.
4. Insert the appropriate Coupon Code found at UMN IPM3 Continuing Ed Classes.pdf
5. The discount will be reflected on the next page.
6. Select the payment option and Continue.

Here's a collection of web resources that are fun for any gardener to use:  http://www.gardenforever.com/

We had some changes to the schedule for the MG core course classes in Morris. For the new updated schedule: 2011 MG Core Course - Morris schedule.xls

According to University of Minnesota Climatologist, Mark Seely, has provided an update on the flooding situation in Minnesota this coming spring. Click http://climate.umn.edu/ to earn about the critical flood potential for Minnesota communities.

From HORT 1003 student Yazdaan Juma:

Hi Julie

An increasing number of urban groups and organizations are attracted to the idea of harvesting apples, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, blueberries and cherries in a
backyard, schoolyard, churchyard, or community center. Before you dig a row of holes and start planting your vision of an urban orchard, ensure satisfaction and success by learning what you can and should do in your setting.

Growing fruit in your community is the focus of The Community Orchard: Growing Fruit in the City Symposium. During the symposium you will address key questions about growing fruit, including: Is your location suitable for growing fruit? How much work and how long will it take to cultivate a sustainable orchard? What varieties are best for your site? Should you grow one type of fruit or multiple kinds? Where can you get plants? How do you grow them? Can they be grown organically? And just how much could you pick?

Bring a team from your organization, and by the end of the symposium, you will have the
information needed to create a viable and reasonable plan for your setting. The information offered during the symposium will also be appropriate for homeowners. Educators can receive continuing education hours for the symposium.

Speakers:

Emily Hoover, Ph.D., an expert in sustainable fruit production and Professor and Head of the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota fruit.cfans.umn.edu

Emily Tepe, Research Associate at the University of Minnesota and author of the UM Edible Landscape Blog http://umediblelandscape.blogspot.com/

Kirsten Saylor, Executive Director of Gardening Matters.

April 23, 2011
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Morning calories, caffeine & registration at 8:30 AM
$30 members / $35 non-members

Registration:
By phone: 952-443-1422
Online: http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/horticulturetechniques.aspx