GMGA Spring Conference

Georgia Master Gardener Association Spring 2011 Conference on April 29 and 30 in Rome, Georgia. When in Rome….Green Gardening for the Future

Floyd Master Gardeners invite you to come to Rome, Georgia for the Spring 2011 Georgia Master Gardener Association Conference. Located in beautiful northwest Georgia in an enchanted land where the rivers meet the mountains, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. On Friday, you can register early to get into the Forum to sneak and peek at all the goodies the venders have for sale. A tour of the majestic Oakhill Museum and Gardens is planned for the afternoon. Then, join in the fun at the ECO Center for an evening of wine and hors d’oeuvres. You also will have opportunity to meet the speakers for the conference. And, best of all, you can take a ride on the Roman Holiday Riverboat. If you still have the energy, the conference continues bright and early on Saturday at the Forum. The focus of this conference is on ecologically sound practices that go beyond gardening. The agenda is jam packed with all sorts of interesting things to do and see. There’s more information at http://georgiamastergardeners.org/

Friday April 29, 2011

2:30 - 6:00 Early Registration/Check-in at the Forum

3:00 - 4:30 Tour Oakhill Gardens

4:00 - 6:00 Sneak-a-Peek at what the Venders have for sale at The Forum

5:30 - 7:30 Meet and Greet Fellow Master Gardeners at the ECO Center

Meet Dr. Scott Angle – Dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia

Listen to Eric Lindberg, ECO Center Director, talk about the ECO Center’s mission and LEED remodeling.

Learn what Malcolm Hodges of the Georgia Chapter of the Nature Conservancy knows about the unique and endangered species of Blacks Bluff Preserve, Marshall Forest, and Braille Trail located in Floyd County

Ride the Roman Holiday Riverboat on the Oostanaula and Coosa Rivers

Ride a shuttle from/to Forum and Eco Center -or-

Take a walking tour on the Riverwalk to the Eco Center

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres with wine and other beverages

Meet the conference speakers

Saturday, April 30, 2011

8:30 – 9:30 Registration and Check-in

8:50 – 9:00 Welcome and Greeting

9:00 –10:00 Tara Dillard - Gardens of Italy Politics, Religion and Sex

10:00-10:05 First Door Prize Drawings

10:05-10:30 Visit Venders

10:30-11:30 Dr. William Welch - Southern Heirloom Gardens Rediscovering Our Green Connections

11:30-11:35 Second Door Prize Drawings

11:35 - 1:30 Lunch Break

12:00–12:30 Munchin’ Meeting - Joe Cook –Tour the Coosa River Watershed

12:45 –1:15 Munchin’ Meeting – Dr. Martin Cipollini –American Chestnut and Longleaf Pin Restoration

1:15 – 1:30 GMGA Update

1:30 – 1:35 Third Door Prize Drawings

1:35 - 2:35 Jim Rodgers – Build Your Own National Park

2:35 – 2:40 Fourth Door Prize Drawings

2:40 – 3:00 Visit Venders

3:00 – 4:00 Terry Kay - Hungrier by the Dozen

4:00 – 4:10 Final Door Prize Drawings and Grand Prize Drawing

4:10 - 4:15 Thank You and Farewell