Seeds for Thought Garden Symposium
Just in time for spring, the Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach 2023 Seeds for Thought Garden Symposium will be held on March 25 from 9 am—3 pm at the DMACC campus in Newton.
This educational event will offer a variety of presentations on topics that are sure to match any gardener’s interests and provide a fun day of learning for gardeners of any experience level. Gardeners (or gardening hopefuls!) can learn and grow their skills with educational breakout sessions on topics, such as: preparing the garden for spring, new garden trends, pollinator conservation, shade gardening, tropical and native plants, mushrooms, conifers, vegetable irrigation, birds and bird feeding, and honeybees.
Aaron Steil, ISU Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist is the keynote presenter and will be sharing his expertise on “Preparing for Spring in the Garden and 2023 Garden Trends”. Steil will also present “Diagnosing Indoor Plant Problem: Troubleshooting Common Issues with Houseplants”. Other breakout session presenters include Sara Nizzi “Pollinator Conservation for the Homestead and Backyard Garden”; Kari Byrum “A Touch of the Tropics”; Derek McKay “Native Plants: Lessons Learned from the Prairie”; Dave Layton “Our Brighter Future with Fungi”; Paula Flynn “Crazy about Conifers”; Dan Fillius, ISU “Irrigation Basics for Homegrown Vegetables”; Melissa Peterson “Creating Stunning Shade Gardens”; Rachel Vakulich, Iowa Honey Queen “Honeybee 101”; and Doug Haar, “Beginning Bird Feeding…and Bringing Birds to Your Yard”.
The registration fee is $45 and includes the keynote presentation, a variety of breakout sessions, and lunch. The registration deadline is March 13. For a registration brochure, which includes descriptions of the session topics, please visit Jasper, Mahaska, Marion or Poweshiek county ISU Extension and Outreach offices or their websites; or contact ISU Extension and Outreach – Jasper County at 550 North 2nd Ave W, Newton, (641-792-6433)
Sponsoring organizations include Iowa State University Extension and Outreach from Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, Poweshiek Counties, Grinnell College, and Grinnell Mutual.