Employee Training for Garden Retailers
Pre-register on-line using a credit card or by mail:
On-line Registration (There is a non-refundable service fee for on-line registration)
Print version of program and registration form (to mail in)
For garden center employees, horticulture retailers, roadside stands, master gardeners and others that work with home gardeners. Help customers by learning about the latest research-based, unbiased information.
Pesticide & Professional Certification Credits
Three pesticide contact hours available for categories 26, 29, 36, and Applicators License; MCH and MCLP credits available.
8:30 – 9:00 Registration, Coffee and Muffins
Morning Session: For almost 100 years, UMass Extension in collaboration with USDA has conducted research that addresses the needs of citizens, businesses and public agencies in Massachusetts. We are extending this research to you through our employee training during the morning session. We will highlight some of that research that is currently relevant to the green industry. UMass faculty, Extension specialists and USDA staff will present updates on diseases, insects and weeds to prepare retailers to meet the challenges of the 2012 gardening season.
9:00 - 9:50 Late Blight & Garden Tomatoes, Downy Mildew and Garden Impatiens and How Fungicides Work
Rob Wick, Dept of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, University of Massachusetts
Late blight is a devastating disease for home gardeners and commercial farmers. Prevent late blight in the region with tips from Dr. Wick. Down mildew was diagnosed on garden impatiens in the landscape in MA for the first time in 2011. Learn about this important disease and what to look for. Rob will also explain how fungicides work. (Pesticide Credit Requested)
9:50 – 10:45 Exotic Pests, New Strategies Update
Jennifer Forman-Orth, State Plant Pest Survey Specialist, Mass Dept of Agricultural Resources
What are those purple boxes I see in trees around the state? What’s the current information about Asian Longhorn beetle, Brown Marmorated stinkbug, Boxwood Blight and more? How do these and other invasive species get here to become a problem, and what regulations are in place to stop them? This session will provide an update on survey work, eradication efforts, research and treatments so you can be prepared to answer questions about these very serious exotic pests. (Pesticide Credit Requested)
10:45 – 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:00 How to Manage the Dirty Dozen - Dealing with the Most Commonly Asked About Weeds
Randall Prostak, University of Massachusetts Extension
You get the questions…How do I control poison ivy or crab grass or Japanese knotweed or bittersweet? Randy will help provide answers using a variety of weed control strategies and retail products. After this session – you too will be able answer these questions! (Pesticide Credit Requested)
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch on your own
Afternoon session: Back to the earth. Growing your own food is very popular. To help you answer questions from home gardeners we offer sessions for the afternoon on food production.
1:00 - 2:00 How to Plant a Fruiting Wall
Jon Clements, University of Massachusetts Extension
A fruiting wall is the best method to grow fruit for the home orchardist. Your customers would love a fruiting wall (two bushels each of five apple varieties in just 3 years from planting using just over 100 square feet of backyard!). Jon will take you step-by-step on what customers would need to know about growing a fruiting wall.
2:00 – 3:00 Culinary Herb Favorites and How to Play them Up with Customers!
Jodie Gilson, J. Gilson Greenhouses, Groton, MA
Jodie has many years of experience growing herbs as a wholesale grower and educating her customers about herbs. Jodie will share her tips and misconceptions for growing and marketing her most popular culinary herbs – that you can in turn …share with your customers!
Options for Lunch: Bring your own, fast food restaurants within short drive, or best option, have lunch at the Publick House restaurant.
For information contact Tina Smith, UMass Extension at 413-545-5306, tsmith@umext.umass.edu
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