New Announcements

1. Webinar Series:
1. May 14, 2:00pm | Hayley Conrad – Social Media Basics – Are you responsible for your local unit Facebook page? Want to learn to help with social media content. Hayley Conrad, Social Media Manager for CALS and VCE joins us to provide basic information on social media for EMGs. Register Now
2. June – No webinar! Register for Master Gardener College!
3. July 10, 1:00pm | Control and Management of Invasive Plants with Lauren Taylor, Executive Director, Blue Ridge PRISM -During this online workshop, you will learn how to best manage invasive plants during the specific season. This workshop will take place via Zoom and will include a Q&A with PRISM experts.
   Topics covered in this session include: Best seasonal practices for specific invasive plants, The right tools, Using manual & mechanical control methods, Methods for controlling invasive plants with careful use of herbicides, Planning a work schedule with best timings for multiple plants Register now
2. Master Gardener College registration now open: Register here before prices increase May 8
1. Program and more information here
2. Want more in-person programming? Register for the VMGA annual meeting on June 15
3. 2023 Annual Report now available here
4. Blue Ridge PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) is surveying a broad group of participants to better understand what invasive plant species have been or are becoming, a problem for Virginia homeowners, farmers, commercial property owners, and natural area stewards. We need your help to identify which invasive plants you are seeing locally and are most concerned about. Please fill out the Invasive Plants of Virginia Survey #inVAsives
5. Beekeepers’ Short Course May 18, 2024 – Southwest Higher Education Center, Abingdon VA –Pre registration required:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DPPlT6F1EQA6HRqU23PJGhZR5490-4tj/view?usp=drive_link
1. Join Extension Apiculturist James Wilson, in an in-depth look into honey bee anatomy and physiology. This honey bee microscopy workshop will dive into the individual mechanisms of how honey bees work inside and out! Learn about respiratory, circulatory, nervous and digestive systems of honey bees and their adaptations for defense and a lifetime of flower foraging. Working with provided stereo microscopes and precision dissecting tools, participants will get a primer of honey bee internal anatomy and physiology and then hands on experience with their own dissections. See these fascinating insects up close and learn more about how adapted they are for the tasks that make them such beneficial pollinators.

Old Announcements May:

6. VMGA Spring Continuing Education – Conservation Landscaping – 5/18/2024  Via Zoom – The Science and Practical Application to Create or Restore Biodiversity in the Home Restoration Ecology of Urban Trees – Dr. David BurkeResearch chair of the Holden ArboretumConcentrating on soil ecology, His presentation examines interaction between plants and soil microorganisms, especially mutualistic and associative soil organisms, to restore critical balances in urban trees and plants. Ph.D. from Rutgers University.  Restore Biodiversity with Keystone Plants – Krista De Cooke,Innovation Project Manager for Homegrown National Park.How the homeowner can improve biodiversity that supports the birds, and the insects on which they rely. M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee; MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Haslam College of Business. Register here: https://forms.gle/gMeaDSWeYzU3c2kh7  Once registered, you will be sent a reminder with the Zoom link the week of the event.
7. Entomological Society of America – Chrysalis fund grants for projects that teach kids about bugs https://entsoc.org/support/chrysalis-fund Deadline to apply: May 31
8. Heart of Virginia Lunch & Learn Series Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA
1. 4/4/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Saving & Starting Seeds
2. 5/4/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Rain Barrels
3. 6/6/2024 – 12 – 1 pm  All about African violets with Jill Fischer.
4. 6/29/2024 11 am – 12 pm  Water Gardens for everyone!
5. 8/1/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Lawn Renovation
6. 10/3/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Mushrooms

Old Announcements June:

9. GardenFest 2024 6/1/2024 – Belle Grove Plantation 336 Belle Grove Rd Middletown VA 22645 – GardenFest 2024 – 6/1/2024 – VCE supported by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association presents GardenFest at Belle Grove Plantation at 336 Belle Grove Rd, Middletown VA 22645. Event will be 8am to 2pm Rain or Shine. The Master Gardener Plant Sale will feature a large variety of perennials, annuals, houseplants, shrubs and trees. Other highlights: gently used garden items at the Second Hand Rose tent, Children’s Activities, Gardening Advice, Garden Tool Sharpening, Food/Plant/Specialty Vendors and Border Collie Duck Herding Demonstration. Free parking and admission. No Pets Please. Contact nsvmganews@gmail.com for questions. See https://nsvmga.org/events/gardenfest/ for more information.