Garden Symposium on Soil and Seeds

FROM: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, COCONINO COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS AND COCONINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
(928) 774-1868 EXT 17

A GARDEN SYMPOSIUM
FEBRUARY 27, 2010 – 9 AM TO 5 PM
CLINE LIBRARY ASSEMBLY HALL
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, FLAGSTAFF, AZ

All gardening fans are invited to attend ‘A Garden Symposium’ featuring two highly-recognized and inspiring speakers: soil food web specialist Michael Martin Melendrez and seed expert Bill McDorman. This event will conclude with a presentation on local foods and a chance to ask questions from the experts. This is a one-day seminar for all gardeners, from beginner and experienced, who want to learn more about growing food in Northern Arizona.

Michael Melendrez will present the morning session. He is the owner of Soil Secrets, a company that produces organic soil amendments, and Trees That Please in Los Lunas, N.M. Michael’s topics will be "Healthy soil grows healthy food" and "Understanding the science of humus and microbiology." Attendees will gain a better understanding of soil organic matter, compost, the importance of humus, and how to build a better soil.

Bill McDorman will begin the afternoon program with his talk "Gardening from the inside out and why we garden," and then offer a session on seed saving. Bill is the president of Seeds Trust, Inc., of Cornville, a company dedicated to genetic conservation and the values of sustainable agriculture. A passionate and engaging speaker, Bill has lectured about seeds and seed saving for more than two decades.
The final hour of the symposium will feature several presenters who will introduce us to the many local foods projects in Northern Arizona.

‘A Garden Symposium’ will be held Saturday, February 27 from 9 am to 5 pm at Cline Library Assembly Hall at Northern Arizona University. It is jointly sponsored by Coconino Community College, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and Coconino County Master Gardeners. The cost is $15 and registration is through CCC, course #13827. Lunch is on your own. Register online at www.coconino.edu/ or by calling 526-7654 to enroll by phone. For more information, call Coconino County Extension at (928)774-1868 ext. 17 or visit extension.arizona.edu/Coconino.

Many thanks go to Ed Dunn. We used his photo for the flier! The flyer for the course is included. You can print and post. Please click on the underlined flyer. You will be redirected to Google docs and the picture will look fuzzy, but if you click on print on that screen it will send you to a pdf file that is clear for printing.