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X-WR-CALNAME:IMGC 2025
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for IMGC 2025
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T144500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T154500
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T170640Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250505T210512Z
UID:309-1756133100-1756136700@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout B3: Volunteer Appreciation: Cultivating a Culture of Gratitude [Dr. Sue Kahl]
DESCRIPTION: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.  \nSue Carter Kahl has spent her professional life working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector. Her work as President of Sue Carter Kahl Consulting is infused with lessons learned as a nonprofit executive\, board member\, fundraiser\, volunteer\, and researcher. Her current projects include consulting and training on the value that volunteers bring to organizations\, translating research on volunteer impact into practitioner-friendly resources\, and blogging at Volunteer Commons. Sue has a PhD in Leadership Studies. She serves as a pro bono executive coach through the Fieldstone Leadership Network and on projects that help advance volunteerism. She lives and gardens in San Diego.
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs10-volunteer-appreciation-cultivating-a-culture-of-gratitude/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/sue-kahl-better.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T144500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T154500
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T170527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250709T202600Z
UID:306-1756133100-1756136700@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout B2: Thanks for the Memories [Dr. Andrew Crocker]
DESCRIPTION: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. \nAndy Crocker joined Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Family and Community Health Unit in 2003. His role is to support County Extension Agents for Family and Community Health in their efforts to educate older adults\, caregivers\, and the professionals who serve them. \nMr. Crocker has authored\, adapted\, and adopted programs to help promote optimal aging with topics including caregiving\, fall risk reduction\, health literacy\, and memory\, among others. In addition to his programming responsibilities related to aging\, Crocker administers grant projects addressing military family caregiving and building capacity to help support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also leads AgriLife Extension’s Master Wellness Volunteer Program\, leveraging Extension’s outreach and education related to health\, nutrition\, and food safety through trained volunteers. \nMr. Crocker is a past recipient of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Award for Superior Service\, as an individual and as part of a team\, and a two-time recipient of the Texas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences’ Specialist Award for Distinguished Achievement. \nMr. Crocker earned a B.A. in Biology (2001) and an M.S. in Gerontology (2002) from Baylor University in Waco\, Texas. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in One Health Sciences from the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo\, Texas.
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs9-thanks-for-the-memories/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Crocker_Andrew-4x5-2-scaled-e1744651983700.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T144500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T154500
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T170347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T155815Z
UID:303-1756133100-1756136700@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout B1: It is Not Thinking Outside the Box\, It isn't Our Box to Start With: Serving the Under-served Audience [Nancy Kuhajda]
DESCRIPTION: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. \nNancy Kuhajda is a Horticulture Educator with the University of Illinois Extension. She has over 30 years of experience working with the Master Gardener program. Nancy specializes in creating innovative\, highly effective programming for a wide range of audiences including pre-kindergarten through elders\, individuals with special needs\, and urban audiences. Nancy holds an M.S. from the University of Illinois in Agricultural Leadership\, Education and Communications. Prior to the educator role\, Nancy served as the program coordinator for Master Gardeners.
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs8-it-is-not-thinking-outside-the-box-it-isnt-our-box-to-start-with-serving-the-under-served-audience/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kuhajda_Nancy-4x5-2-e1744651912915.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T144500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T154500
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T170059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T154748Z
UID:300-1756133100-1756136700@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout B1: Master Gardeners: Cultivating Food Justice in the City [Coy Poitier]
DESCRIPTION: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.  \nCoy’s passion for sustainable food systems fuels his work as co-owner of Poitier and Associates\, an agricultural consulting firm dedicated to green landscapes\, vibrant gardens\, and food-secure communities in Dallas\, Texas. His expertise extends to the ground-level as a certified Texas Master Gardener and urban farmer. \nLeadership resonates in Coy’s commitment to public service. He chairs the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency’s Dallas Urban County Committee and serves as State Director of the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees\, championing sustainable agriculture on a broader scale. \nRecognized in “Who’s Who In Black Dallas\,” Coy Poitier is a multi-faceted leader weaving diverse threads into a tapestry of positive change. He excels as an award-winning filmmaker\, impactful keynote speaker\, talented music producer\, and dedicated Dallas County Historical Commissioner. \nBeyond these endeavors\, Coy’s life finds harmony in music. He skillfully plays the organ and drums\, and even produces his own music\, adding a creative dimension to his dynamic journey. \nCoy Poitier’s story is a testament to the power of passion and dedication\, reminding us that positive change can bloom in countless forms. \n 
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs7-master-gardeners-cultivating-food-justice-in-the-city/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Poitier_Coy-4x5-2-e1744651859520.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T143000
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T165731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T155750Z
UID:296-1756128600-1756132200@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout A6: Strategies for Dealing with Deer [Kathie Clements]
DESCRIPTION: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 attendees develop effective ways to better protect their gardens. Creative hardscape options as well as resourceful use of shrubs and smart plant placement will be covered. Find out about how exclusion tactics such as landscape choices\, barriers\, repellants\, and scare devices can discourage deer from visiting any yard. Advice for making wise plant choices and recommended resources to guide the selection of plant materials will be shared. \nKathie Clements is an Extension Master Gardener from Arlington\, Virginia who focuses on sustainable landscaping and use of native plants to beautify our gardens and support the local ecosystem. Her interest in deer grew from the frequent visits of the local herd to her neighborhood. Kathie’s encounters with these hungry animals and the fawn daycare in her next-door neighbor’s yard prompted her to research deer and learn what to do to discourage them from visiting her garden. She is happiest when she is outside either working in a garden\, hiking in the woods\, kayaking local waterways\, tending her bonsai\, or spending time with friends.
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs6-strategies-for-dealing-with-deer/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Clements_Kathy-4x5-2-e1744651214177.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T143000
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T165450Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T172140Z
UID:293-1756128600-1756132200@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout A5: Embracing the Spirit of the Night: Designing Vespertine Gardens [Christopher Sheridan]
DESCRIPTION: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 fresh palette of scents\, colors\, and textures. This session will cover: 1) design strategies for a range of spaces; 2) the incorporation of containers; 3) native and introduced plant palettes; and 4) the wellness benefits of magic hour gardening and creating a garden which is always open and delightfully alive. \nChristopher Barrett Sheridan is an award-winning civic educator\, pursuing a second career in horticulture and planting design. Chris specializes in scented plants\, cottage garden design\, Arts and Crafts design\, the Language of Flowers\, garden history\, and heirloom plants. \nChris is an instructor with Longwood Gardens and a returning presenter at the Philadelphia Flower Show\, both in Pennsylvania. Some recent programs have focused on fragrant ikebana and scented native plants. Upcoming programs will explore moon gardens and cocktail container design. \nBecause of his emphasis on fragrant flowers and experience in the wine industry\, Chris branded his website The Flower Sommelier (www.flowersommelier.com)\, to remind everyone that flowers are best appreciated up close\, with the eyes\, hands\, and nose. \nChris has been published in The American Gardener and is frequently interviewed by fellow garden writers when their subject includes scented plants or sensory gardens. He hopes to launch a podcast in 2025\, something fun\, unconventional\, and focused on wild and romantic gardens. \nChris is an active member of Garden Communicators International (GardenComm)\, The Fling\, the American Public Gardens Association\, and the Hardy Plant Society. Chris gardens in suburban Philadelphia and at the New Jersey shore. He is very pleased to be a part of the 2025 International Master Gardener Conference.
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs5-capture-the-spirit-of-the-garden-designing-with-fragrant-flowers-and-aromatic-foliage/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sheridan_Christopher-4x5-1-e1744651299905.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T143000
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T165346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T155653Z
UID:290-1756128600-1756132200@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout A4: Earth-Kind Sustainable Landscaping [Brad Voss]
DESCRIPTION: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 mulch to help control soil temperature\, reduce moisture loss\, and reduce soil erosion and runoff that can damage water quality. Plant Selection uses years of replicated\, randomized research to recommend plants tough enough to contend with the harsh Texas climate while looking spectacular. Selected plants have shown they can thrive with no fertilizers\, no pesticides\, and only minimal irrigation. Combined\, the twin pillars of Earth-Kind create a healthy\, resilient landscape that consumes dramatically less water\, requires minimal to no fertilization and pesticide usage\, and promotes increased biodiversity including beneficial insects such as predator insects and pollinators. \nBrad Voss is the County Extension Agent for Horticulture with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Collin County. In this role\, he provides research-based information and educational programs to residents\, landowners\, and horticultural producers in Collin County. He holds a B.S. with honors in Agricultural Sciences and an M.S. in Agricultural Sciences from Texas A&M University – Commerce. His specialties are soil science and fertility\, plant nutrition\, and integrated pest management. Brad likes discussing the ins and outs of our Blackland soils and helping folks overcome the challenges they bring. Brad and his wife\, Audrey\, have two boys\, Owen and Rhys.
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs4-earth-kind-sustainable-landscaping/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Voss_Brad-4x5-1-e1744650848482.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T143000
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T165157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250505T210446Z
UID:287-1756128600-1756132200@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout A3: Volunteer Impact: Finding the Whole Among the Pieces [Dr. Sue Kahl]
DESCRIPTION: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 it to mission\, values\, and audience. Participants will gain practical tools for applying the content to their work. \nSue Carter Kahl has spent her professional life working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector. Her work as President of Sue Carter Kahl Consulting is infused with lessons learned as a nonprofit executive\, board member\, fundraiser\, volunteer\, and researcher. Her current projects include consulting and training on the value that volunteers bring to organizations\, translating research on volunteer impact into practitioner-friendly resources\, and blogging at Volunteer Commons. Sue has a PhD in Leadership Studies. She serves as a pro bono executive coach through the Fieldstone Leadership Network and on projects that help advance volunteerism. She lives and gardens in San Diego.
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs3-volunteer-impact-finding-the-whole-among-the-pieces/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/sue-kahl-better-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T143000
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T165040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250429T161850Z
UID:284-1756128600-1756132200@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout A2: Wildfire Preparedness: Actionable Steps for Risk Reduction [Kari Hines]
DESCRIPTION: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 hold true. Kari will explore some of these fundamentals and introduce resources on where attendees can learn more.  \nKari Hines currently serves the State of Texas as the Firewise Coordinator for the Texas A&M Forest Service. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Northern Arizona University she joined the agency as an inventory forester and has worked in the Wildfire Mitigation and Prevention Department for 10 years\, as a mitigation field specialist and team lead before her current role. Kari holds multiple National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualifications including Public Information Officer Type\, Incident Commander Type 5\, and Wildland Firefighter Type 1. Additionally\, she holds Certified Arborist credentials through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Kari is the creator and lead instructor for the ISA Wildfire Risk Reduction qualification course\, emphasizing her desire to balance community wildfire preparedness with natural resource sustainability.
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs2-wildfire-preparedness-actionable-steps-for-risk-reduction/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hines_Kari-4x5-2-e1744651520350.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T143000
DTSTAMP:20260429T190459
CREATED:20250331T163231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250414T203416Z
UID:281-1756128600-1756132200@www.imgc2025.com
SUMMARY:Breakout A1: Medicine In Your Garden: How To Safely Utilize Medicinal Plants [Dr. Andrew King]
DESCRIPTION:This session will provide a brief overview of the reported uses\, identification\, and culture of medicinal plants and select essential oils; the history of phytomedicinals; the role of horticulture in the advent of modern pharmaceuticals; and how to explore the benefits of medicinal plants safely. \nDr. Andrew King is an assistant professor of ornamental horticulture for Texas A&M AgriLife in Overton\, Texas. Andrew’s research interests include ornamental plant improvement\, ornamental plant trialing\, medicinal plants and nursery/greenhouse production systems. Andrew is a fourth generation horticulturist whose family business\, King’s Nursery in Tenaha\, Texas\, is well over 100 years old. Andrew has served on faculty in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences in College Station\, Texas and as the Assistant Director of SFA Gardens on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches\, Texas.  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.imgc2025.com/event/bs1-medicine-in-your-garden-how-to-safely-utilize-medicinal-plants/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.imgc2025.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/King_Andrew-4x5-1-scaled-e1744650796348.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nicky Maddams":MAILTO:texasmastergardener@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR