Rescheduled for Tuesday, September 21stJoin us for our in person Summer Plant Symposium! Outdoor Event - although in-person, this will be an outdoor event following all current CDC guidelines for safety.  2021 Summer Plant Symposium Agenda TALK CREDITS: NJ Pest: Core - 2, 3A - 4, 3B - 2, 8C - 4, PP2 - 4
PA Pest: PC - 4, 06 - 4, 18 - 4, 23 - 4
ProFACT (Fertilizer): 2 Credits
LTE/LTCO: 2.5 Credits
NJUCF: 4 Credits
ISA: 5 Credits
APLD: 5 Credits
CNLP: 1 Design, 1 Plants, 2 Environment, 1 Professional
NALP: 5 Credits
OPTIONAL TOUR CREDITS: NJ Pest: 3A - 2, 10 - 2, PP2 - 2
LTE/LTCO: .5 Credits
NJUCF: 1 Credits
ISA: 1.5 Credits
APLD: .75 Credit
CNLP: .5 Environment, 1 Professional
NALP: 1 Credit SPS AGENDA
9:00am-10:00am Speaker: Steve Rettke, Ag & Natural Resources Program Associate, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County, NJAES Topic: "Selecting Reduced Risk Insecticides to Protect Beneficial Insects & Pollinators." Description: Steve’s talk will focus on pesticides that are classified as "EPA reduced risk" as well as materials that are OMRI approved. Steve will also discuss pesticides that are stated to be pollinator friendly. 10:00am-11:00am Speaker: Randi V. Wilfert Eckel, PhD - Toadshade Wildflower Farm Topic: If you Plant it, they will come: The Importance of Native Plants in the Landscape Description: Butterflies, pollinators, birds, and other wildlife relies on native plants and trees to survive. Randi will discuss the importance of supporting our native wildlife within our gardens, show examples of some creatures that rely upon specific plants, and discuss the complexities of attracting rare wildlife (rare butterflies, for example) to our gardens. She will also touch on how and when to protect native plants from problem pests (such as Japanese Beetles or Emerald Ash Borer), while minimizing the impact of pesticide use on pollinators and wildlife. 11:00pm-12:00pm Speaker: Bruce Crawford, State Program Leader in Home & Public Horticulture, Rutgers Topic: Native Plants, Shrubs and Trees – Designing to Attract Wildlife Description: There has been a tremendous surge in the use and interest in native plants. Yes, these plants provide both attractive floral and foliar additions to the Garden, but the interest in these plants extends far beyond beauty. The also provide food for our beneficial insects. Bruce will share thoughts starting from the ground up on how to combine these plants into a cohesive and attractive designs! 12:00pm -1:00pm Lunch – Vendor Introductions - Update by NJ State Board of Ag President, David DeFrange 1:00pm-2:00pm Speaker: Richard A. McCoy, Richard A. McCoy Horticultural Services Topic: Organic-Ecological-Sustainable Land Care A traditional landscape company's transition to sustainable practices. Description: Learn how innovation and adaptation can transform a company and the greater landscape industry to consider more environmentally friendly practices. By treating the landscape as a whole living system, organic, ecological, and sustainable practices demonstrate that all living things matter. No matter how small. All living things are recognized and nurtured. The ecosystem services that sustain life on our planet all depend on and begin with the microscopic living biology of the soil. The soil provides nutrients to plants and trees, the plants and trees then become food for caterpillars, and in turn, the caterpillars are food for birds and so on. Times are changing, and it's time for the landscape industry to recognize the need to be more environmentally conscious of our impact on the planet's overall health by being thoughtful of these natural systems. As public awareness continues to grow regarding the dangers of synthetic pesticides, invasive plants, and gas-powered equipment, the pressures of consumer demand will drive our industry to change. With that, the responsibility to create a healthy environment for our clients fall on us, and these discussions of environmental consciousness become more imperative. Learn how to transform your company to meet the new demands of clients in 2021 and beyond with best landscape practices that illuminate our responsibility not only to the environment but to human health. Information will be provided on ways to remove synthetic pesticides, invasive plants, and gas-powered equipment from your business and how to incorporate eco-friendly practices such as native plants, battery-powered equipment, 25b minimum risk pesticides, and the consideration of soil health. 2:00pm-3:00pm Keynote Speaker: Dr. Douglas Tallamy Topic: The Nature of Oaks Description: Once we have decided to restore the ecological integrity of our human-dominated landscapes, we need to decide what plants to add to our properties. Oaks are superior landscape trees throughout most of the U.S. because of their many ecological and aesthetic attributes. Using activity on the oaks in his yard each month of the year as examples, Tallamy will compare oak species to other popular shade trees in terms of their ability to support animal diversity, protect watersheds, and sequester carbon dioxide. Learning that oaks provide life support to thousands of species, may motivate us to return more of these essential trees to our built landscapes. 3:00pm-4:30pm Signing for Credits Optional tour of Fernbrook Farms, hosted by owner Speaker: Larry Kuser, Owner Title: Tour of Fernbrook Farms Description: Join Fernbrook Farm’s owner, Larry Kuser on a tour of his family-owned nursery. This wholesale nursery grows and sells a large variety of native, ornamentals, conifers, shade, container & flowering plants, trees and shrubs. We’ll board the wagon and enjoy the sights of this 230-acre preserved farm, while hearing about growing methods and what cultural practices are used to maintain high quality plant material. The minimal use of pesticides, types and uses and pesticide alternatives will be discussed, and examples of plants that were reviewed in the day's talks will be highlighted. Credits for tour have been applied for & will be separate from the rest of the day.
|
