Growing Together
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Growing Together 2014 UC MASTER GARDENER CONFERENCE October 7–10, 2014 | Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Welcome I’d like to personally welcome each of you to the 2014 UC Master Gardener conference. It’s an exciting time for our community as we have grown to 6,048 volunteers in 50 counties across the state of California. Thank you for growing with us, staying ever adaptable, motivated and responsive as we find new ways to reach our audience with messages of sustainability in the garden. The theme for our conference is “Growing Together” – symbolically represented in our conference logo with the Three Sisters and physically represented at our event with record numbers, new faces and program innovations. Over the next couple of days, we’ll enjoy talks from some of the nation’s leading horticulture and industry experts, network with our peers and get energized about the years to come. UC Master Gardener volunteers remain a vital link between the public and the University of California, especially in times of drought, fire stress and expanding food deserts. I feel fortunate that our community is part of the solution, at the front lines of improving lives and supporting the health of California’s ecosystem. In closing, many thanks to each of you for attending the triennial conference and bringing your energy and expertise to this gathering. A special welcome to the UC Master Food Preservers in attendance – we are so pleased to have you join us. Please enjoy the event and take advantage of the time to network and meet your fellow UC Master Gardeners and UC Master Food Preservers. I look forward to seeing each of you in the garden … or in this case, the Tenaya Lodge’s Grand Ballroom. With gratitude, Missy Gable Director UC Master Gardener Program “Welcome to the 2014 UC Master Gardener conference and congratulations on a record turnout. How fitting that the statewide conference is taking place in UC Cooperative Extension’s Centennial Year as we focus on science and service. UC Master Gardener volunteers epitomize this theme and we couldn’t accomplish all that we do at UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources without your support and hard work. I look forward to continuing to work together towards a common vision as we pave our way into the future.” Barbara Allen-Diaz Vice President UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Director University of California Cooperative Extension KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Dan Heims Renee Shepherd President, Terra Nova Nurseries Owner, Renee’s Garden Keynote Presentation: “A Funny Keynote Presentation: “A Seedy Business” Thing Happened on the Way to the Renee Shepherd is widely regarded Garden Center”– Humor from the as a pioneering innovator in Horticultural Trenches introducing international specialty vegetables and Since 1973, Dan Heims has been deeply involved in all herbs for home gardens and gourmet restaurants. facets of horticulture and he is currently the president She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. Dan’s work and garden in Santa Cruz where she taught in the Environ- has also been featured in USA Today, Forbes, Better mental Studies department before founding Homes and Gardens, Sunset Magazine, Martha Stewart Renee’s Garden. TV, and Organic Gardening. Alan McHughen Doug Tallamy Cooperative Extension Specialist, Professor, University of Delaware UC Riverside Keynote Presentation: “Networks Keynote Presentation: for Life: Your Role in Building “Pandora’s Picnic Basket” Biological Corridors” Alan McHughen is a public sector educator, scientist Doug Tallamy is a professor at the Entomology and and consumer advocate. After earning his doctorate Wildlife Ecology Department at the University of at Oxford University, Alan worked at Yale University Delaware. He has spent more than 33 years studying and the University of Saskatchewan before joining insects and their role in the environment, including the University of California, Riverside. A molecular researching the impact of alien plants on native geneticist, his current research focus is crop ecosystems, interactions between plants and insects, improvement and environmental sustainability. and the conservation of biodiversity. 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 3 GUEST SPEAKERS Kevin Cann Chair, Mariposa County Board of Supervisors Welcome to Mariposa County Kevin Cann enjoyed a 30-year career with the National Park Service (NPS). The last 18 years of Cann’s career were spent in Yosemite National Park – serving as the park’s deputy superintendent for his PHOTO CREDIT: DAN HORNER last ten years. Elected to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors in 2008, after retiring from the NPS, Cann Don Neubacher is now in his second term. Superintendent, Yosemite National Park Shelton Johnson Presentation Title: “Discovering Yosemite: 150 Years and Counting” Park Ranger, Yosemite National Park Presentation Title: “Down the Mountain” Don Neubacher, Yosemite National Park Shelton Johnson, a Detroit native and Superintendent, oversees and directs Yosemite National University of Michigan graduate, has Park’s complex daily operations. Yosemite, known for been a park ranger since 1987. Johnson has spent the its waterfalls, deep valleys and meadows, is a World last 20 years of his career as a National Park Ranger Heritage Site which attracts more than four million at Yosemite National Park. Johnson was featured in visitors annually. Neubacher received degrees Ken Burns’ Emmy-winning 2009 documentary, The in environmental planning and management and National Parks: America’s Best Idea. resource management. “I’m pleased to be joining all of you for this event to learn from exceptional speakers, share program ideas and inspire innovative outreach. UC Master Gardener volunteers donated over 385,000 hours in the past year to enable the people of California to better understand the research-based principles behind sustainable gardening. I greatly appreciate your efforts in promoting sustainable water and food systems to provide for a healthier environment and community across the state.” Bill Frost Associate Vice President UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources 4 • 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference CELEBRATION OF GRATITUDE It is our pleasure to celebrate Pam Geisel and her incredible contributions to the University of California Master Gardener Program. Pam has been and continues to be a key component of the UC Master Gardener Program’s success. Her long career with Cooperative Extension began in 1981 as an environmental horticulture advisor. An early adopter of the “power of volunteerism”, she saw a promising opportunity for public engagement and established the UC Master Gardener Program of Fresno County. In 2006, with years of community impact already defining her career, Pam became the first statewide director of the UC Master Gardener Program. During her time as director Pam worked diligently to establish the UC Master Gardener Program within the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR). She quickly doubled program reach across all corners of California from 24 counties to 50 counties, her work made tools and resources available for the first time - bringing program consistency and credibility. She retired and joined the emeriti community in June 2013. Pam’s achievements are too many to list but every action contributed to the transformation of the UC Master Gardener Program into a statewide community of volunteers and coordinators extending research-based home horticulture information to the public. Pam’s leadership has left an incredible legacy; because of her efforts the UC Master Gardener Program will continue to grow and serve as a vital program for ANR’s strategic initiatives. At the conference, Pam will be awarded the ANR Distinguished Service “Outstanding Leader Award” and we’re pleased that Pam will have the opportunity to celebrate her achievements with the many volunteers and coordinators that are so dear to her. Silent Auction Specialty items will be on display near the Outdoor Pavilion during the Welcome Reception. Silent Auction bidding takes place from 6 – 8 p.m. Special thanks to the following donors: Dripworks, GEOBINS Composting Systems, PHOTO BY PAT ALTHIZERPHOTO PAT PHOTOSAFARIYOSEMITE.COM BY Matt Ritter, Monrovia Growers, UC ANR, Xerces Partners in Pollinator Conservation Welcome Reception and to the following UC Master We welcome you to join us on Wednesday evening Gardener Programs for their donations from 6 – 8 p.m., for a “Magical Night at Tenaya.” and support: Mingle with UC Master Gardeners from other Amador Mendocino San Luis Obispo counties, speakers and guests, place your bid for Butte Monterey Santa Barbara the Silent Auction, and shop at the Marketplace and Vendor Mall. Calaveras Napa Solano Colusa Orange Sonoma Hors d’oeuvres and no-host beverages will be Fresno Riverside Sutter/ Yuba available. Reception will begin on the Grand Terrace and continue onto the Outdoor Pavilion allowing Madera San Bernardino Trinity guests to enjoy a beautiful fall evening in the Mariposa San Diego Tulare/Kings splendor of Yosemite. Merced San Joaquin 2014 UC Master Gardener Conference • 5 SPONSORS We would like to acknowledge the sponsors that generously helped make this conference possible. Monrovia Growers, www.monrovia.com Niche Software Solutions, 559.283.0673 Renee’s Garden, www.reneesgarden.com UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources UC Master Gardeners of Colusa County UC Master Gardeners of El Dorado County UC Master Gardeners of Fresno County UC Master Gardeners