Public Education Kickoff Cooperative Extension URI Master Gardener Program 3.25.2016
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URI Master Gardener Program
URI Extension Team Providing juried, verifiable, science- and knowledgebased information to the public via education in Consumer Horticulture Youth Environmental Education Small-scale Livestock Water Quality Sustainable Agriculture Food Safety Nutrition 4-H Leadership Development Sustainable Energy Plant Protection Aquaculture We bring University resources to EVERYONE.
URI Master Gardener Program Mission The mission of the URI Master Gardener Program is to educate RI citizens in environmentally-sound gardening practices through the dissemination of factual, research-based information. PUBLIC EDUCATION Learn Something Do Something Differently
Train the Trainer Phase 1: Learn Something New Phase 2: Teach Others
National EMG Standards: Teach Program Structure and Expectations Engages in Extensionapproved projects and programs designed to educate the public about horticulture and gardening
Workshops and Public Presentations Encourage Environmentally Sound Gardening Techniques Kiosk Soil Testing Hotline
URI Master Gardener Program GOAL Encourage adoption of research-based gardening techniques Engage more people in gardening Improve yields Decease pollution Gardens as habitat
The IMPACT: Research-Based Gardening Techniques #1 NEW behavior adopted by URI Master Gardener Program clients in 2016? Use research-based resources (18% began) #2 NEW behavior adopted by URI Master Gardener Program clients in 2016? Test soil (15% began) 48% amend soil
Evaluation How do we know if people are learning / we are changing behavior? How do we evaluate our collective impact?
Representatives of URI and Master Gardeners
MG s Share Resources Role = Educator and Conduit to Research-based Resources
Workshops and Public Presentations Encourage Environmentally Sound Gardening Techniques Chemical- free, Organic, IPM Kiosk Soil Testing Hotline
Our goals Behavior Change Science-based gardening techniqes Healthy communities Improved Environmental Quality
Detailed info Soil Testing /Kiosk Hotline Conduit to Extension resources + services Gardening advice Answer question or referral + resource for more info Public Presentations Detailed info on specific topic
The Decision Making Process We Encourage Encourage observation Research the options using science-based resources Consider which option fits with your personal philosophy Take action The role of a URI Master Gardener
Pest Control Recommendations Process 1. Provide summary of several possible methods to managing pest problems Pros + cons, which is environmentally sound? Cultural, mechanical, biological, chemical Pesticides Label is law 2. Clarify source of information Extension publication vs. personal experience 3. Client chooses method to use
When answering client questions at Kiosk If you know the answer provide: Provide answer + Research based resource If you don t know the answer provide: Research-based resource Hotline Card
Who is our audience? Home Gardener URI Master Gardeners Farmers or Green Industry Professionals URI Plant Protection Clinic/ Extension Staff
GMO s As URI Master Gardeners we are serving on URI Extension team in the role of educators for the home gardener. Not an advocacy organization do not support or oppose GMO s. No GMO seeds or plants available to home gardener More info FAQ website from USDA If GMO plants approved for use by home gardener training
INTERNAL RESOURCES What s found in the Kiosk Kit? 1. Provide answer 2. Provide research-based resource 3. Connect to Extension Service
Master Gardener Quick Tip Woodchuck - In RI, it is illegal to trap and move them. - They are herbivores and eat a wide range of vegetation. - They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. They look for a shady hideout for the day and a den at night. - Repellents are your best means of control. Predator scents like coyote or fox makes them think a predator is near. The real thing is best! Let your dog out to mark his territory in your yard. Or sprinkle dried blood (from the garden center) around the garden or plants being attacked. It smells like a predator and may scare him off. Photo by Rosanne Sherry, URI MG Call the URI Master Gardener hotline M-TH March thru October 9-2PM 1-800-448-1011 Visit:web.uri.edu/ceoc 23
Winter Moth Spring Master Gardener Quick Tip The caterpillar starts feeding in March and April in the tight buds. Leaves emerge in May already damaged. It is a green inchworm with a white line down it s back. Leaves are riddled with holes. Maples and oaks are favorite hosts. If you still see the caterpillars, spray an organic product like Bt (Bacillus thuringensis) or Spinosad. Only treat plants under 15 feet. Especially blueberries and newly planted trees or specimens. Larger trees will survive. Birds and other wildlife do feed on the caterpillars. Call the URI Master Gardener hotline M-TH March thru October 9-2PM 1-800-448-1011 Visit:web.uri.edu/ceoc 24
Winter Moth Fall Master Gardener Quick Tip Like it s name implies, it is seen in late November and early December as adult moths. They emerge from the soil and are active whenever air temperatures are above freezing. The flying moths are males, the female cannot fly and stays in the trees. They are seeking mates and will lay eggs in the loose bark of host trees. In early fall, trees can be wrapped with safe materials like cotton batting or canvas at 4-5 foot height. No chemicals need to be applied. Females crawling up the tree will get caught. Clean up the wrapping regularly as long as you see activity. Eggs start hatching as early as late March. Call the URI Master Gardener hotline M- TH March Visit:web.uri.edu/ceoc thru October 9-2PM 1-800-448-1011 25
MG Hotline Info Card Ways to connect with the hotline CALL Monday-Thursday from 9am-2pm at 1.800.448.1011 (toll free) or (401) 874.4836 EMAIL gardener@etal.uri.edu WALK IN from 9:30am-1:30 to get help with identifying plants & insects, free ph soil testing or with questions. The URI Gardening & Environmental Hotline is located at the URI Outreach Center, 3 East Alumni Ave, Kingston, RI, 02881 Draft 8/6/2014
NEW Resource DECISION TREE
Who is the Client? What is the nature of their question? Send response and appropriate resources for more information Residential Plant Problem Diagnostics Master Gardener Program URI Plant Protection Clinic MGP State Coordinator Pest or Disease Problem URI Plant Protection Clinic Professional (farmer or green industry) Turf Food Safety / Good Agricultural Practices Certification Dr. Nathaniel Mitkowski Dr. Lori Pivarnik Request for professional services (Landscaper, arborist, etc.) Draft 3/15/16 RINLA Invasive Mgt. Certified Invasive Managers Request for organic land care professional NOFA Land Care Professionals
Gardening Methods (residential clients) Edibles Organic Methods Cultural Practices Extension Search Tool Cornell Vegetable Growing Guides Food Preservation URI Food Safety Resource Cornell Extension Lawn Lawn Care Library Gardening Methods (cultural methods, pruning, propagation, etc.) Ornamentals Cultural Practices Propagation Organic Methods Cornell Extension Extension Search Tool NOFA Homeowner Resources Native plants Cultural Methods Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center Draft 3/15/16 Compost Propagation URI Outreach Center Resource Page Native Plant Propagation Protocol Database
Diagnostics I (residential clients) UMASS Landscape Message Ornamentals/ Turf Extension Search Tool Pests and Environmental Info Edibles Cultural Cornell Extension Emerging Pests MA Invasive Pests House Plants University of Illinois Houseplant Resources GMO USDA FAQ Page for Biotechnology Draft 3/15/16
Diagnostics II (residential clients) Insects and Arachnids North Carolina State Insect ID Resources Discover Life ID Tool Penn State Insect Factsheets URI Tick Encounter Pests and Environmental Info Wildlife DEM Wildlife Factsheets Landscape Plants rated by Deer Resistance Plants Native Alternatives RI Native Plant Guide Invasive Species MASS Introduced Pest Factsheets URI Outreach Center Invasive Plant Resources New England Wild Flower Society Draft 3/15/16
Plant Identification and Selection (residential clients) Native NEWFS Go Botany Newcomb s Wildflower Guide (book) General Extension Search Tool Plant ID Ornamental Woody UCONN Plant Database Herbaceous Invasive Invasive Plant Atlas of New England Native Plants Plant selection, functions, bird/butterfly gardens where to buy Native Plant Site Solutions for Backyard Habitat RI Native Plant Guide Draft 3/15/16 Coastal buffer plants (CRMC regulations) RI Coastal Plant Guide
URI Extension Services I (residential clients) Plant Problem Diagnostics Kiosk URI Plant Protection Clinic URI Outreach Center website Gardening Walk-ins URI Master Gardener Hotline ph Soil Testing Schedule around the state Master Gardener Program Inquiries URI MGP State Coordinator UMass Soil Lab Full Soil Test UConn Soil Lab Lead Issue Dawn Pettinelli, UConn Extension Invasive Plant Management Draft 3/15/16 Invasive Plant Management Certification Program URI Outreach Center website
URI Extension Services II (residential clients) Food Safety (Canning, rain barrels, harvesting, storage) URI Food Safety Resource Center Stormwater RI Stormwater Solutions Website Water Quality Information Wells URI Home*A*Syst Private well water quality testing Septic Systems New England OW Training Program Ticks Draft 3/15/16 URI Tick Encounter Resource Center
*Penn State Extension*
*CT Agriculture Experiment Station*
Google for Extension! https://search.extension.org
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICES & RESOURCES
URI Master Gardener Program NEW WEBSITE Inquiries web.uri.edu/mastergardener Project info Community Events Core Training App. Contact info
Gardening Questions? URI Gardening & Environmental Hotline Monday-Thursday 9:00am - 2:00pm Call: 1-800-448-1011 Email: gardener@etal.uri.edu ph Soil testing
Plant Problems? URI Plant Protection Clinic
RI Native Plant Guide in collaboration with: www.web.uri.edu/rinativeplants/
Choose the Right Plant for the Right Place.
Example: Drought Tolerant Perennials for Full Sun conditions along the Coast that are most attractive to our local Pollinators
Here are a dozen perennials suitable for those specific conditions.
mmm, I recognize this plant. If you plant some of these, you just might find me (and my beautiful mother) in your garden.
Blue Moon Farm Perennials is just one of over 20 nurseries that has begun to list their native plant availability in the guide.
Gardening with natives is no longer just a peripheral option favored by vegetarians and erstwhile hippies. It is an important part of a paradigm shift in our shaky relationship with the planet that sustains us one that mainstream gardeners can no longer afford to ignore. -Douglas Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home www.web.uri.edu/rinativeplants/
FREE Soil Testing, Seeds and Workshops from URI Master Gardeners
Complete Soil Testing UMASS and UCONN When to recommend full test? Renovating garden Changing crop Plant issues Every 3 years
web.uri.edu/ceoc
Referral for Professional
School Garden 101 Conference Website coming soon!
School Garden Mentor Program If school needs long term assistance, school garden mentors are URI Master Gardeners trained to: Provide technical gardening guidance Connection to Extension resources Long-term program continuity New schools must be approved vanessa@uri.edu
School Garden Curricula: Water Quality Food Literacy Biodiversity
Learning Landscape Field Trips
CAN T REMEMBER ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES?
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URI Outreach Center & Social Media Like us on Facebook! Get behind the scenes, participate in contests, stay connected popular events & when the latest training is taking place! facebook.com/urioutreachcenter Follow us on Twitter! Our favorite place to share tips on gardening, growing food & energy! twitter.com/urioutreach Share with us on Instagram! Our goal is to take pictures of plants, insects, diseases etc. so that you can learn how to ID too! instagram.com/urioutreachcenter
Eco-Exploration Camp
Checking Understanding CASE STUDIES
Kiosk Scenario: Plant Sample The next week, you re volunteering at the Kiosk at the farmer s market again. The vegetable grower from the next stand asks you to take a look at his tomato plant. What do you tell her? What resources do you share?
Farmers Farmers (commercial growers) + green industry professionals URI Extension Staff (Plant Protection Clinic)
Kiosk Scenario: Plant Sample A gardener approaches you at the same farmer s market with an oddly similar tomato plant sample to look at. What do you say? What resource(s) do you share?
Thought Process May be showing signs of nutrient deficiency or disease Resource: Full soil test for specific soil amendment recommendations (UMass or UConn) Resource: for diagnosis hotline or plant clinic URI Gardening & Environmental Hotline
Hotline Scenario: Pollinator Garden A teacher approaches you with an interest in installing a pollinator garden at her school. What do you say? What resource(s) do you share?
School Garden Resources + Pollinator Gardens Resources: School Gardens School Garden Conference email list What stage are you in with your garden? School Garden Mentor Program Plant Selection RI Native Plant Guide pollinator tab Xerces Society