Educational Events

2009 Illinois Master Gardener Conference

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“Nurture Nature, Nurture You”
September 10-12, 2009
Thelma Keller Convention Center
Effingham, Illinois

2009 Conference General Information

Speakers

Keynote: Holly Shimizu, Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden will present the keynote address "Backyard Bounty" a talk on working with nature to create diversity in our landscapes through the selection of both ornamentals and edibles in our landscapes.

Holly Shimizu

Holly H. Shimizu
Executive Director, U.S. Botanic Garden

Holly H. Shimizu has been the Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden since 2000. Under her direction the Botanic Garden, located adjacent to the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall, is experiencing a renaissance with the renovation of the Conservatory, the completion of the National Garden, and continued creation of innovative exhibitions and inspiring gardens. Holly has worked in gardens in many parts of the world and is often recognized from ten years as a host of the popular Victory Garden television show. She has degrees in horticulture from Temple University, Ambler Campus, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Maryland. Throughout her career, Holly has received numerous awards, most recently the prestigious 2008 Professional Award for an Outstanding Public Garden Director from the American Horticultural Society. She has written for numerous publications and can often be heard on National Public Radio. She is currently on the Board of Botanic Gardens Conservation International – U.S. and is dedicated to heightening an awareness and love of plants through her work. Her husband Osamu is a Garden Designer that she met while working in Europe. They live in Glen Echo, Maryland with their dog Petey and where they enjoy their meditative garden near the Potomac River.

Speakers

Breakout Sessions

A variety of class sessions plus several hands-on classes and demos will be offered. Here are just a few of the selections:

  • An off-site demo at the Firefly Grill titled “Taste the Difference of Farm to Table” with Chief Sous Chef Brad Goers and Manager Cara Milewski will include a walk-though of their garden and a cooking presentation.
  • Cheryl Bennerup from Sunny Border Nursery in Kensington, CT will present “Bodacious Temperennials” and “Underused Groundcovers”.
  • John Gaydos from Proven Winners will talk about New Releases and how plants are bred and selected for the consumer market.
  • George deVault, Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, IA will talk on “Seed Saving”.
  • Trudi Temple, founder of Market Day and gardener extraordinaire will present “Order and Creativity in the Garden”.
  • Terra Brockman from the Land Connection will explain “Growing for Yourself and Others”.

Other breakout sessions include– Ornamental Grasses; Home Biodiversity; Designing for Midwest Roller-Coaster Weather; Weed Control; Water Gardening; Small Scale Gardening; Food Preservation and Safety; Water Wise Gardening; Nuisance Wildlife Management, Medicinal Plants, Monarchs and Migration; Soil Testing; Small and Medium Shrubs for the Landscape; Tree Selection; Gardening with Children and much more.

Tours

All Day Tours

Ballard Nature Center
This tour incorporates hands-on activities such as tree ID; wildflower walk; photography and bird watching. The Nature Center covers 210 acres of Illinois prairie and deciduous hardwood forest and includes miles of trails through wetland, woodland, savannah and prairie ecosystems. This will be a perfect way to experience nature first-hand. http://www.ballardnaturecenter.org/

Gardens of Coles County
The tour begins at Lake Land College where you will see the use of color, texture, shape and form in the gardens. The viewer will see how the architecture and plantings are used to nurture minds of those on campus. Next travel to Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, the last home and farm of Abraham Lincoln’s father and stepmother. Gardening 1840’s style and lunch will be the highlights of this stop. The final garden is a little known wonder of east central Illinois-Wes Whiteside’s five acre collection of trees and shrubs has been developed over the past 50 years. Magnolias are a specialty and there are carnivorous plants including Venus fly-traps by the hundreds.

Lincoln Log Cabin Historic Site http://www.lincolnlogcabin.org/

Vandalia Tour
This tour will begin with a visit to the Vandalia Community Gardens. This Master Gardener project features a children’s garden, flower garden and vegetable garden where more than 2,600 lbs. of produce were donated to feed needy families. The group will make a stop at the oldest existing IL Capitol Building, built in 1836, where Lincoln started his political career. Attendees will also travel to St. Peter to view the Mennonite Settlement and gardens and to feast on a typical home-cooked meal.

Morning Tour

The Cross and Local Greenhouses
The 198 foot Cross in Effingham serves as a beacon of hope to travelers and is also home to a landscaping and educational project by Effingham County Master Gardeners. This tour also stops at Alwerdt Gardens which has an impressive All-America Selection Display Garden with over 1,000 varieties of herbs, perennials and ornamentals. Last but not least, the tour will include a visit to Cumberland Trail Growers- a wholesale greenhouse operation with 4.5 acres under plastic and 7 acres outside; that ships annuals, perennials and vegetables all over the Midwest.

Cross at the Crossroads
http://www.crossusa.org/

Alwerdt Gardens
http://www.altamontil.net/alwerdt.htm

Cumberland Trail Growers
http://www.ctgrowers.com/

Afternoon Tour

Wineries
If you want to spend the afternoon learning about grape growing and wine making this trip is for you. The group will visit both Vahling and Cameo Vineyards in the area with a chance to sample the local wines.

Vahling Vineyards
https://vahlingvineyard.c2.ixwebhosting.com/home.htm

Cameo Vineyard
http://www.cameowine.com/

Photo Contest

Digital Photo Contest

Silent Auction

Once again the State Master Gardener Conference will feature a silent auction. Put on your thinking caps to consider what you or your county could donate for the sixth year of this fundraising effort. This project benefits the State Master Gardener office for expenses such as the Imagine newsletter and the current manual revision. Coles County Extension Master Gardeners, who coordinated the 1st ever silent auction, will be coordinating the effort this year, so make contact with slkuhns@illinois.edu if you have questions. Complete details will be in the July/August Imagine newsletter.

Accommodations

Hilton Garden Inn
(adjacent to the conference center)
$79.20/night plus tax
217-540-777
Made-to-order breakfast for $7.95.

Country Inn and Suites
(3-5 minute walk from the conference center)
$65/night plus tax
217-540-5555
Complimentary continental breakfast

Holiday Inn Express
(3-5 minute walk from conference center)
$65/night plus tax
217-540-1111
Complimentary continental breakfast

Call to reserve your hotel rooms before August 26. Please mention the “Master Gardener Conference” - to receive the discounted rate

Effingham Area Log

Effingham Area Information

Effingham has much to offer from excellent restaurants to antique shopping to nearby Lake Sara, the Corvette Museum, Sculpture on the Avenues and much more. www.visiteffinghamil.com

Rosebud Theatre
Brand new in 2007, this 1550+ seat theatrical and performing arts center features top entertainment in country, pop and christian music as well as comedians and live stage plays and musicals. www.therosebudtheatre.com

Registration

2009 Conference General Information