Extension Master Gardener College

2026 EMGC – Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center, Glen Allen, VA

We are pleased to announce that EMGC 2026 will be at the Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center in Glen Allen, Virginia, June 26-28.

We anticipate registration to open in the early spring and close about 3 weeks before the event.

• Some food will be included in your registration price, but not all. Plan to have a few meals on your own during the conference weekend.
• Lodging block rates will be available through the conference center and several other suitable hotels are nearby if you need lodging (wait to book a room).
• Tours will have a different format this year and will not have an additional cost.
• Lightning Talks and the Project Poster Session will be back this year!
• We will be offering a hybrid registration option for keynote and general sessions for those unable to attend in person.

Sponsorship

If your local unit’s EMG Association wishes to sponsor the event, please see the sponsorship form. Many units asked us for this information in enough time to work into their annual budgets.

Other local public gardens worth touring on your own pre/post conference:

• Lewis Ginter – Spanning over 50 acres, Lewis Ginter features more than a dozen themed gardens, including a Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Asian Valley and others. It has become a centerpiece of Richmond’s “garden trail” and is highly rated by visitors.
• Maymont – Maymont is a 100-acre historic estate and public park in Richmond that blends gardens, wildlife exhibits, and historic architecture. The grounds include formal Italian and Japanese gardens, a carriage collection, arboretum and nature center.
• Low Line – A unique urban green space, the Low Line is a 5.5-acre linear garden and trail along the James River / Kanawha Canal in Richmond’s East End, created from a rehabilitated neglected corridor beneath active rail trestles.
• Agecroft  Hall  and  Gardens – Located in Richmond, this estate’s gardens were designed in the 1930s by landscape architect Charles Gillette and include terraces and a sunken garden inspired by Hampton Court Palace.
• Great Shiplock Park – This park lies along the historic James River & Kanawha Canal and includes renovated plantings, rain gardens, and a self guided plant tour.

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Schedule at a glance

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Session Descriptions

Keynotes and general sessions

Friday AM: Horticulture Myths, Lies, and B.S. (Bad Science) | Linda Chalker-Scott – Some of our most recognized horticultural “facts” are in fact based on fallacies and falsehoods. This presentation pulls the curtain back on some of our most common horticultural myth-conceptions including those based on bad science (B.S.). As Carl Sagan said, “We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.”

Friday PM: EMG Lightning Talks – Extension Master Gardeners will provide highlights of stand-out programs in this exciting general session.

Saturday AM: Cultivating Harmony: Conflict Management for Master Gardener Teams | Christina
Ruszczyk-Murray – Conflict is a natural part of working with others, but when it isn’t managed early, it can disrupt teamwork and team satisfaction. This interactive session will help Master Gardener volunteers learn practical strategies to recognize and address conflict before it escalates. Through short discussions, hands-on activities, and real-life scenarios, participants will explore tools for effective communication, collaborative problem-solving, and maintaining a positive team environment.

Saturday PM: VT’s Invasive Species Collaborative and Optimism in the Face of Invasion | Jacob Barney – Overview of the landscape of invasive species policies in the US following by some important updates on what’s been happening in Virginia.

About Jacob: Dr. Jacob Barney is Professor of Invasive Plant Ecology and Director of the Invasive Species Collaborative at Virginia Tech. He received his BS in chemistry from the University of Kentucky and his MS and PhD from Cornell University in weed ecology. Dr. Barney moved to the University of California Davis as a Postdoctoral Scholar before beginning his position in Blacksburg in 2010. Dr. Barney’s research program is focused on broad aspects of invasive plant biology, ecology, management, and policy. Dr. Barney has research programs in a variety of systems, including deciduous forests, reclaimed coal mines, riparian systems, and agroecosystems. He has published >110 peer-reviewed papers on many aspects of invasive plants, serves on several state-wide committees on weedy, invasive, and noxious species, and was recently appointed to serve on the federal Invasive Species Advisory Committee (now cancelled).

Concurrent session 1

The Things that Really Matter When Managing Turf | Mike Goatley – There are lots of ideas, information resources, strategies, and products to choose from in developing turfgrass management programs, and some are absolutely critical for success. Dr. Goatley applies his 38 years of experience in the world of turfgrass science in identifying and discussing THE most important criteria to be met in having quality, environmentally responsible turfgrass, as well as where he thinks the industry is headed in the coming years.

Concurrent session 2

VA’s Butterflies & Moths: Beyond the Basics (OR Things You Didn’t Know You Wanted to Know!) | Linda McBride – In this session, we will go beyond the basics and learn some cool and interesting things about Virginia’s native butterflies and moths. We’ll discuss tips to help identify some tricky species and learn the secret to enticing butterflies and moths to your yard!

Concurrent session 3

Pollinator Diversity | Grace Kunkel – Pollinators are essential for healthy ecosystems and food production, yet they face significant man-made challenges. This talk will explore the incredible diversity of pollinators, why they matter, and practical ways to support them in our landscapes. Grace will highlight dynamic projects that demonstrate how communities can make a difference—creating habitats, fostering biodiversity, and ensuring pollinators thrive for generations to come.

Losing the Night: How Light Pollution Impacts Plants, Insects, and People | Erin Clark – Our night sky is one of our most valuable natural resources—yet it’s vanishing under the glow of artificial light. In this session, we’ll explore how increasing light pollution affects plant growth cycles, disrupts insect behavior, and even influences human health. Learn how simple changes in outdoor lighting and landscape choices can help restore the natural rhythms of night for a healthier environment and community.

Camellias: Know, Grow and Love these Wonderful Winter Garden Gems | Mike Andruzyczk – Come learn about Camellias via powerpoint. How to grow them, the different types as well as flower forms, pest issues and management. How to propagate them by air-layering, seed, and see a demonstration. Will have a camellia door prize or two as well.