Wildland fire is a natural part of a large portion of both North American and global ecosystems. The current conversations on how to prepare homes, neighborhoods and broader landscapes are spanning the globe. No matter where a person lives, the basics of how wildland fire burns and what residents can do to protect their homes…
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Volunteers make a significant impact beyond their time contributed, yet reports about service tend to focus on volunteer numbers, hours, and financial value. To bridge this gap, this session integrates research with practice to identify meaningful ways to capture volunteer value. It provides a holistic approach to sharing tangible and intangible volunteer impact by linking…
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Earth-Kind Landscaping promotes a balanced ecosystem that conserves water and protects the environment through the judicious use of irrigation, pesticides and fertilizers. Earth-Kind Landscaping stands upon twin pillars: Soil Management and Plant Selection. Soil Management uses the additions of organic matter, which helps build soil structure to improve aeration and plant-available water, and shredded hardwood…
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Gardening experts advocate for four seasons of interest, but rarely champion 24-hour gardens. In recent decades, as opposed to flowers, foliage, and pollinators, hardscape frequently dominates evening spaces. By focusing vespertine/daybreak gardens on plants, serenity, intimacy, and connection to nature are maximized. These gardens offer refuge from urban heat and intense sun, while employing a…
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Do deer consider your landscape to be an all-you-can-eat buffet? These beautiful but ravenous creatures are a problem in many gardens. Join Extension Master Gardener Kathie Clements to learn effective strategies for dealing with deer. Deer browsing pressure requires creative thinking about home landscapes. She discusses deer behavior and how knowing their habits can help…
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Master Gardeners play an important role in promoting food justice within urban environments. The presentation examines how Master Gardeners can leverage their expertise to empower under-served communities to overcome food insecurity and economic disparity through sustainable urban agriculture. Coy's passion for sustainable food systems fuels his work as co-owner of Poitier and Associates, an agricultural…
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Working with under-served audiences can present many challenges, but also opportunities IF one knows where to start. Often, modifications are made to traditional programming, usually with limited success. This session will present new perspectives and practical tips for creating effective programming for under-served audiences of all kinds. Nancy Kuhajda is a Horticulture Educator with the…
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Changes in memory function can be scary but a missed appointment or a forgotten name are not necessarily indicative of something more serious either. During this session, Mr. Crocker will explore typical and atypical memory function as people age, including dementia, and also discuss healthy habits for the brain and body. Andy Crocker joined Texas…
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Just as tending to soil yields stronger gardens, tending to appreciation yields more meaningful volunteer experiences. Join us to broaden notions of volunteer appreciation and explore creative ways to help volunteers feel seen, heard, and valued. This session draws on research to inspire formal and informal ways to honor the efforts of all volunteers. Sue…
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Today’s farmers are more than growers—they’re storytellers, healers, and connectors, re-imagining agriculture as a tool for joy, unity, and change. As an LGBTQ farmer in a traditionally conservative region, Brett experienced firsthand how focusing on shared joys—like flowers and the land—can bridge divides, create community, and inspire healing. Brett will share how farming helped him…
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In order for Extension Master Gardener programs to grow, they must recruit, embrace, and work side-by-side with Gen Z volunteers. However, generational gaps create a sense of disconnect, as each generation grew up with different ways of thinking, communicating, and understanding the world. In this interactive and bucket filling presentation, Emily will identify Gen Z…
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A new initiative at Texas A&M University is entitled Plant, Nature and Health. This session describes the research and outreach programs that are currently underway that highlight the benefits of plants and green spaces. Dr. Charlie Hall grew up in the industry on a nursery in Western North Carolina. Although an economist by training, he…
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