2022 UVM Extension Master Gardener Conference

Saturday, December 3, 2022, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET

Offered Online via Zoom

Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Doug Tallamy

Doug TallamyWe are thrilled that Dr. Doug Tallamy will join us this year to give our keynote address. Dr. Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored eighty research articles and has taught Insect Taxonomy, Behavioral Ecology, Humans and Nature, and other courses for thirty-two years.

Author of "Nature's Best Hope", "Bringing Nature Home" and "The Nature of Oaks", Tallamy is a champion of biodiversity and bringing ecosystem function to our lived landscapes.

Photo credit: University of Delaware

Conference Details

Registration Fees 

Sign up early to receive our early bird rate! The registration fee covers your cost to participate in the live broadcast of the conference as outlined in the agenda below. No discounts are available. Registration closes at 5 p.m. ET on December 1, 2022.

Conference rates before 11/19:

$25 per person for UVM Extension Master Gardeners and Vermont Master Composters and interns

$40 per person for general public

Conference rates 11/19 to 12/1/22:

$40 per person for UVM Extension Master Gardeners and Vermont Master Composters and interns

$55 per person for general public

Location

The conference will be held online over Zoom. The conference will *not* be recorded so please make every effort to participate in the entire program.

Accommodations

Thanks to Interpreter Services provided by the UVM Center for Academic Success, all plenary sessions at the conference will be live captioned. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Deb Heleba at debra.heleba@uvm.edu or 802-656-1777 by November 19, 2022 so we may assist you.  

Refund Policy

Cancellation requests must be made in writing to University Event Services registration team at eventregistration@uvm.edu. Requests made by December 1, 2022 will receive a refund minus a $5 cancellation fee. No refunds are available after the close of registration at 5 p.m. ET on December 1, 2022.

UVM Extension Master Gardener Hours

UVM Extension Master Gardeners and Composters and interns may claim Education hours for this conference. If you would like to volunteer as a facilitator for one of the optional "Chat and Chew" break-out sessions, please contact Deb; this time may be claimed as Volunteer hours.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Heleba by email at debra.heleba@uvm.edu or phone at 802-656-1777.

2022 Conference Agenda

9:30 a.m. Welcome

Statewide Outreach & Education Program Manager Deb Heleba will introduce the conference and get us grounded for the day. 

9:45 a.m. A Reading: Trees, Guardians of the Plant Nation

UVM Extension Master Gardener Bob Little Tree will read an article he wrote for the Branch Out Burlington! newsletter called, "Trees, Guardians of the Plant Nation".

10:00 a.m. Keynote: “Bringing Nature Home” to Vermont and Other Thoughts

Dr. Doug Tallamy will provide us with some inspiring and aspiring thoughts about bringing nature into our home landscapes. 

11:15 a.m. Putting Dr. Tallamy's Words into Action in Vermont

A panel of gardening enthusiasts will share their efforts about how they've implemented the lessons learned from Dr. Tallamy to provide pollinator habitats and encourage biodiversity in our Vermont gardens. Panelists include Bethany Barry, Addison County Pollinator Pathways; Master Naturalist Kate Kruesi; and Extension Master Gardener Dottie Sundquist, co-chair of the Bennington County Chapter of Extension Master Gardeners.

12:15 p.m. Break

Leave your Zoom on while we take a break.

12:30 p.m. Optional "Chat and Chew" -- Exploring What Works & Sharing Tips

As an exciting new feature this year, we will hold small-group break-outs to provide space for Extension Master Gardeners and other volunteers for sharing. This is a time for you to informally share what works and what challenges you've faced to educate and engage with the public. As a community of volunteers, we will learn tips and techniques from one another, troubleshoot challenges, and have a fun time connecting! Choose from one of the following five areas for this optional activity.

• Demonstration gardens / Place-based learning labs
• Victory gardens / food security projects
• Gardening workshops/presentations for Adults
• Gardening workshops for Kids/School projects
• Ask a Volunteer--Tabling/Event displays

1:15 p.m. Report outs from "Chat & Chew" 

We'll reconvene with highlights from our Chat & Chew session. 

1:30 p.m.  Keynote: "IPM Update: Looking Back & Looking Forward"

University of Vermont Extension Plant Pathologist Dr. Ann Hazelrigg will take a look back at the pests we faced this season and share what to expect for the 2023 growing season. 

2:30 p.m. Final Words

We'll end the conference with some thoughts provided by Extension Master Gardener program staffer Cindy Heath.

3:00 p.m. Adjourn

2022 Conference at a Glance

Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Online (via Zoom)

Registration is Now Closed as of 12/1/22

 

Support the Conference

Please consider supporting the conference by making a gift today. Thank you!