2018 State Master Gardener Volunteer Conference
Conference Schedule
Friday Dinner - Gorman Farm Schedule
Friday, September 28, 2018
Tour Details : 8:00 am to 4:30 pm - Cost $75.00
Growing & Greening in Cincinnati (SOLD OUT)
This tour will cover urban agriculture and the local leaders that are making our region greener. It will include interactive study tours of Turner Farms, Indian Hill’s historic (early 1800s) working organic farm & CSA, Findlay Kitchen supporting local food entrepreneurs. It will end with a visit to Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the “Greenest Zoo in America”.
Horticultural History & Public Gardens (SOLD OUT)
This tour will highlight the rich horticultural history of our region beginning at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden where you will learn about garden design from 1875 to today’s creative use of plants in natural habitats. You will continue on to a lecture on Cincinnati’s horticultural heritage at AJ Rahn’s 126 year old greenhouse. You'll finish with an exploration of Smale Ohio Riverfront Park and a scenic ride through Eden Park.
Parks & Landscaping Heritage (SOLD OUT)
This tour covers the landscape heritage of Adolph Strauch, “Father of Landscape Plan” at Clifton’s Mt. Storm Park and Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum. You will continue with a visit to the scenic overlook parks of Fairview & Bellevue, and experience guided tours of Findlay Market & Washington Park.
Dinner at Gorman Heritage Farm - Cost $50.00
Join us at the Gorman Heritage Farm, a Cincinnati treasure, for dinner on Friday night. Gorman Heritage Farm, located at 10052 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241, is a 122-acre nonprofit, working farm with a mission to educate about agriculture, nutrition, sustainability, and the environment. Before dinner you can enjoy a guided tour of the farm or set out on your own tour where you can visit acres of sunflowers, monarch sanctuary, wildflower garden, children garden's, market garden and farm yard to meet the Gorman animals (including chickens, miniature horses and many other animals), catch the wagon for a hayride or just walk the many trails all before dinner. Dinner (buffet with vegetarian options) will be locally sourced with local Cincinnati wine. Our keynote speaker, Carol Reese, will give a presentation titled “The Pact between People and Plants”. Carol is a Research Horticulture Specialist at the University of Tennessee’s West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. She is a nationally-known speaker, blending equal parts gardening knowledge, homespun wisdom and humor. Carol is the gardening and nature columnist for the Jackson Sun, as well as a contributor to Horticulture Magazine. It will be a beautiful night under the Cincinnati stars.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Sharonville Convention Center
11355 Chester Road
Cincinnati, OH 45246
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Conference Cost - $129.00
Keynote Speakers
Jon Carloftis, Kentucky native, is a great American gardener. His more than 25- year career in gardening began far from home in New York City where he has become one of America’s pioneers in rooftop/small space gardening. As a 10th generation Kentuckian, Jon graduated from University of Kentucky and moved to New York City in 1988. What was supposed to be a summer spent in the city before starting his business at home in Lexington ended up being a 25 year career of designing and installing rooftop gardens all over Manhattan.
Claudia West is a leading voice in the emerging field of ecological planting design. Known for her passionate advocacy of plant-driven design, Claudia is a widely sought out speaker and consultant who applies the technologies of plant systems to bring essential natural functions back into our cities and towns. She has worked on all sides of the green industry—as a designer, a grower, installer, and land manager—grounding her innovative work in pragmatic solutions that address the realities of our urbanizing world. She is the co-author of the critically acclaimed book, Planting in a Post-Wild World (Timber Press, 2015).
Carol Reese is a Research Horticulture Specialist at the University of Tennessee’s West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. She is a nationally-known speaker, blending equal parts gardening knowledge, homespun wisdom and humor. Carol is the gardening and nature columnist for the Jackson Sun, as well as a contributor to Horticulture Magazine.
Conference Schedule-at-a-Glance
Speaker Titles and Descriptions
Cancellation Policy
There will be a $10 processing fee per participant for refunds prior to September 1, 2018. There will be no refund after September 1, 2018.
Hotel Information
HYATT PLACE CINCINNATI/SHARONVILLE CONVENTION CENTER - 11345 Chester Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45246
There are a block of rooms held for Master Gardeners for September 27 and 28 at a cost of $135.00 per night. The cut-off date is 08/27/18. Reservation requests received after the cut-off date will be based on availability at the Hotel’s prevailing rate.
Below is the reservation instructions:
1. Guests are welcome to cut and paste the entire link below into their web browser for reservations. (Please ensure the last four characters (OSHC) are included in the link). Guests should input their travel dates into the site and proceed with their reservation:
https://cincinnatisharonville.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?corp_id=G-OSHC
2. Travelers may also call the reservations line toll-free: 513-771-1718 and ask for The Ohio Sate University Hamilton County September Block
Questions: Email Julie Crook at crook.46@osu.edu