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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Discover the secrets to successfully growing pecans and the many reasons to enjoy them in your diet. This session will cover essential tips for cultivating healthy pecan trees, from site selection to maintenance and harvesting. Learn about the nutritional benefits of pecans, their role in a healthy lifestyle, and delicious ways to incorporate them into…
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Have you ever eaten a pluot, aprium, or nectaplum and wondered where it came from, or whether such a genetic concoction is possible in the first place? Come explore the diverse world of stone fruit and learn about the many exciting varieties of hybrids among them! This session will cover the history of inter-specific hybridization…
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Across the world, chefs, farmers, plant scientists and everyday growers are doing something extraordinary: creating new generations of fruit, vegetables and cereals that will flourish locally, taste delicious, increase diversity and contribute to a sustainable and robust food future. In this illustrated talk, Mr. Alexander will don his seed-detective homburg to meet 21st century seed…
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Learn how to grow unusual culinary herbs such as ginger, lemon grass, lemon verbena and roselle. For each herb, discover the best time and method to start, cultural requirements, harvesting and preserving techniques, and methods for using them in the kitchen. These are herbs that can be grown in the summer, but they are not…
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Challenges associated with increased fluctuations in global climate, enhanced severity of weather events, and exacerbated urban heat island effects have created serious issues for plant specifications in modern landscape designs. Designs for these built environments will require increasing attention to plant specifications of taxa and maintenance regimes on the site that anticipate future needs. Structural…
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Gardening visionary Brie Arthur reveals a world where plants are not just beautiful, but also functional problem solvers. In this captivating program, she will show you how everyone has the power to make a positive impact through thoughtful planting. Drawing from the wisdom within her books, she will guide you through the art of ingenious…
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If tradiitonal houseplant advice is followed, the caregiver will be left with disappointment because the plant is no longer "perfect". Darryl's approach breaks down the barriers to true, long-lasting enjoyment of houseplants - when a person understands how plants work, she/he can gain a deeper appreciation for the plant's character and more acceptance of how…
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