Education Sessions Speakers

Edible landscaping – what does this mean to the gardener in Missouri? We often choose landscape plants based on aesthetic considerations – form, color, fragrance, texture. Why not add the dimension of taste! Many plants, in addition to their beauty, offer fruits that are delicious fresh, or useful in processed products. We will discuss the fruits that are suitable for Missouri landscapes – apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, strawberry, brambles, blueberry, grape, and other lesser known delights like gooseberry, pawpaw, and fig. We will focus on specific aspects of the landscape – focal points, walls and screens, ground coverings, containers, overhead structures – and the use of fruits for each aspect.

Patrick Byers, Fruit Grower Advisor at the State Fruit Experiment Station, Missouri State University, was born in Nebraska and raised in the Midwest.  He can trace his interest in fruit and vegetable production to market gardening while he was in his teens.  His educational background includes an associate degree in commercial horticulture from the University of Nebraska, a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from the University of Missouri, and a Master’s degree, also in horticulture, from the University of Arkansas.  Job experience includes 3 years at the University of Arkansas Fruit Substation, where he served as research associate in the peach and apple breeding programs, and 18 years in his current position of Fruit Grower Advisor at Missouri State University’s State Fruit Experiment Station in Mountain Grove.  Patrick’s responsibilities include outreach education to Missouri’s commercial fruit industry, as well as research interests in elderberry, pawpaw, persimmon, blueberry, strawberry, primocane raspberry, blackberry, and other fruit crops.  Patrick and his family manage a small commercial orchard near Fordland, Missouri, where they produce and market peaches, sweet corn and other vegetables, and honey.  Travel interests include recent trips to Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and China for agricultural consultation.
Website: http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu/commercial/

Mike is currently a Natural History Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation (St. Louis Region), involved with natural community management, the Natural Heritage Program, prescribed fire planning, implementation and training, and other things. He has worked previously for the National Park Service, Michigan State University, the University of Missouri and Togo's sandwich shop. Mike's interest in bees began accidentally in 1979 when he was told by an entomology professor not to waste time on carabid beetles. Since then he has collected and studied bees throughout the country, and has had the benefit of learning from many mellitologists and naturalists. He has developed particular interests in the relationships of bees to natural communities, and the systematics of the genus Sphecodes and Osmia. Mike has been co-ordinating a Bees of Missouri project for many years.

An 11-year veteran of the Conservation Department, Mike Arduser is the regional natural history biologist at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. He says one of the most enjoyable aspects of his job is teaching people the importance of conservation in urban areas. He enjoys canoeing, hiking and fishing with his wife, Jane, and their three children.

Nathan will talk in general about orchids and what makes them unique Then he will discuss how to grow them in a home versus a greenhouse. He will look at common problems that people have including failure to bloom and whether you should fertilize an orchid.

Adam Coulter is an urban conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service- South Missouri Water Quality Project in Ozark Missouri. Adam’s principal duties include working with local planning and zoning departments, public works officials, developers and citizens within the White River Basin in order to facilitate urban conservation practices. Previously Mr. Coulter worked at the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks for eight years as Development Coordinator and currently teaches at Missouri State University. Adam’s past experiences include administering Clean Water 319 grants, supervising watershed assessment and monitoring programs and implementing agriculture and urban conservation practices. Adam received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Geography and Geology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Master of Science degree in Geoenvironmental Science from the University of Pennsylvania-Shippensburg.

This presentation will allow attendees to become familiar with techniques utilized to design and construct rain gardens and bio-retention cells. The purpose of these gardens is to treat storm water discharges while enhancing the aesthetics of residential or commercial lots. The principles that will be discussed include site location, construction phases, selecting plants and maintenance issues.

Find out about the many joys of water gardening and how a home aquatic installation positively effects the environment. We will cover the ecosystem structure, balance of fish, filtering and aquatic plants and how to work with Mother Nature in our quest for water clarity. We will also speak about pond maintenance and myths, pond-less waterfalls and we’ll outline the 20 pond installation steps for enthusiasts who want to build their own piece of paradise! In conclusion, we’ll have a question and answer session.

Cliff Fitzwater, owner of Fitz Water Design has lived in the Tri-Lakes area his whole life, attending Blue Eye Schools and earning his Bachelors Degree with honors in Organizational Management from John Brown University. He has been involved in lawn and garden maintenance, tree service and multiple commercial projects. Fitz Water Designs has installed over 100 Aquascape water features in the past three years making it the premier pond and pond-less waterfall builder in the Southwest Missouri area.

Join Missouri Department of Conservation Urban Forester, Cindy Garner for a session focused on a new way to look at the strength of our trees. After recent ice storms a common question she has been asked is “What is the strongest tree I can plant?” The answer is not simply an oak or hickory, but focuses on the investment you put you’re your trees over time. Proper site selection, planting, pruning and care over time will aid you in growing each of your trees to their best and strongest potential.

Cindy Garner is an Urban Forester in Southwest Missouri. Cindy is a native Missourian, growing up in St. Charles County. Cindy has a teenage son, Sam and lives in the city limits of Nixa, where she tries to practice what she preaches, for urban tree care.

The Urban Forester assists cities and landowners manage their urban forests, sometimes one tree at a time. They provide tree education to both city employees and the general public. The urban foresters with the Conservation Department also implement a grant program which enables cities and towns to maintain and or plant trees. Tree City USA, a National Arbor Day Program is managed by the urban forester.

Ronda works in southwest Missouri with all stakeholders who wish to incorporate conservation practices into urban areas or learn more about conservation-friendly development practices, including potential funding sources. Ronda received a bachelor of landscape architecture from Louisiana State University and a master of urban planning from the University of Kansas where her concentration was in environmental and land use planning. After gaining professional experience at a variety of private companies and public agencies she joined the Missouri Department of Conservation in May of 2005.

John Miller is the Visitor Center Manager at the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center in Branson MO.  Originally from Sedalia, MO, he has been with the Missouri Department of Conservation since 1990.  John worked as a Fisheries Aide (West Plains) and Naturalist (St. Charles) before taking his current position in Branson in 1999.  Although he works at a fish hatchery, John's favorite animals are reptiles and amphibians. John and his wife Kathy spend time in the outdoors with their two dogs.

Armadillos are relatively new to the Midwest and so dealing with them can be a challenge. They are not malicious, but can cause lots of damage to lawns, gardens, and landscaping. This presentation will help to understand what they are, why they are here, armadillo myths, and how to cope with them as neighbors.

Wayne Pianta works for one of the largest breeders of ornamental plant products in the world, Ball Horticultural Company. Ball Horticultural Company has plant breeding and development organizations around the world. As a Product Technical Specialist, Wayne works with many Universities, Trial Gardens, and Botanical Gardens and Arboretums to test and evaluate new products for their suitability and adaptation to regional environments around the United States. He also works with a network of the largest wholesale producers and retailers of ornamental plants to introduce these products to consumers through the various market outlets.

A native Texan. Wayne has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Horticultural Science from Texas A&M University. For the last thirty years. since his first job as Director of the Tyler Rose Garden in 1977, Wayne has made his living working with all segments of the ornamental Horticulture Industry.

His presentation will focus on the supply chain that brings us plants for our gardens starting with retail and working backwards to the actual plant breeding and seed harvesting. He will also give participants a preview of the top ten new plants for your garden that will be seen in 2009.

In this session, Joe will give you the basic rules of design, color, and texture, as well as tips on cutting, conditioning and presenting your flowers. He will give you ideas on how and where to get unique bases and containers, how to find and use natural items such as driftwood, fruit and pods. He will also cover the use of rhythm, harmony and balance in delightful bouquets. Don’t be satisfied with cutting a flower and sticking it in a vase. Join Joe and learn how to make amazing designs that will wow your friends and family.

Stone County has been Joe’s home for many years. He owned and operated a flower shop in Reeds Spring, taught flower arranging classes at Gibson Vo-Tech, pastored local churches and organized numerous community activities. He has been a Master Gardener for five years, being in the first group in this area to achieve this honor. He is also a past president of Master Gardeners of the Ozarks. He currently lives in Galena where he enjoys eighteen acres of natural beauty in his private gardens known as Gatewood.