2025 EMGC – June 11-15 Blacksburg VA
Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener College will be in person this year from June 11-15 in Blacksburg.
Registration opens April 29!
Prepare for registration
To help prepare for registration, please fill out this registration worksheet. We strongly recommend you review the program and use this worksheet to record your preferred sessions. Keep this sheet with you when you enter your registration choices online staring April 29!
You can choose to stay on campus or off campus. We have a room block at the Virginia Tech Inn, which you can reserve now. Note that the Inn is some distance from Torgersen Hall and you will be responsible for transportation there and back each day. You can also stay on campus.
On campus registration is not yet open. The link for on campus housing will be available at the same time as (or shortly after) the registration link is sent on April 29. Due to ongoing construction, campus housing is limited this year. In order to offer this affordable option to the largest number of participants, we are limiting campus housing to doubles only–which means you will need to share a room with a friend, or opt to be assigned a roommate.
Schedule Highlights
Keynotes and General Sessions
Thursday 6:00 -7:00 PM – You Can’t Judge a Bush by its Color: Using IPM in the Landscape – Heather Zindash
Get ready to be inspired by the dynamic and entertaining Heather Zindash in our opening keynote, “You Can’t Judge a Bush by its Color: Using IPM in the Landscape.” Heather, a lively and knowledgeable expert in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), will take you on a journey through the world of IPM with her signature blend of humor and insight. Discover how to effectively implement IPM strategies in your landscape, learn the importance of monitoring and identifying pests, and explore the benefits of a holistic approach to pest management. Heather will share practical tips and techniques for maintaining healthy, vibrant landscapes. This keynote is a must-attend for anyone looking to enhance their gardening practices and promote sustainable, eco-friendly landscapes. Don’t miss out on this fun and informative session!
Friday 9:00 – 10:00 AM – General Session 1: Utilizing VT’s Service Labs Utilizing VT’s Service Labs – Michael Flessner, Lina Rodriguez Salamanca, Eric Day, and Theresa Dellinger
This session is designed to empower our dedicated Extension Master Gardener volunteers with essential knowledge about the services provided by our labs and the correct procedures for utilizing them. Delivered by experienced VT Service Lab Directors, this session will highlight how our labs, including the Weed Identification Lab, Insect Identification Lab, and Plant Disease Clinic, support volunteer efforts. By attending, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively collaborate with your local VCE office, ultimately enhancing the impact of your VCE Help desks within your community. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and contribute to the success of your EMG Unit. Get ready to take your gardening expertise to the next level!
Friday 3:30 – 4:30 PM – General Session 2: Five Strategies for Farmers Market Engagement – Keala Timko
Discover innovative ways to enhance your presence and impact at farmers markets with the session “Five Strategies for Farmers Market Engagement” by Keala Timko from the Central Shenandoah Valley EMG Unit. This session is designed to equip Extension Master Gardener volunteers with practical and effective strategies to engage with the community, attract more visitors, and promote sustainable gardening practices. Keala Timko, an expert in community engagement and market dynamics, will share insights on how to create an inviting market booth, develop engaging educational materials, and build strong relationships with market-goers. By attending, you will learn how to leverage these strategies to increase your visibility and influence at farmers markets, ultimately supporting your mission to educate and inspire the community. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and tools that will help you make a greater impact at your local farmers markets. Get ready to elevate your engagement and make a lasting difference!
Saturday 9:00- 10:00 AM – General Session 3: Beyond the White Oaks: Cultivating Biodiversity in Native Trees – Adam Downing
Join us for an engaging session where we delve into the fascinating world of oak trees and their rising prominence, discovering the reasons behind their recent surge in attention and exploring their crucial role in our ecosystems. We’ll also journey through the contributions of various other species, highlighting their unique roles in maintaining the balance of natural systems. By the end of our session, you’ll be equipped to articulate the immense value of biodiversity, understanding how diversity enriches all environments and supports the resilience of our planet. Come ready to learn, share, and appreciate the intricate web of life that surrounds us.
Saturday 3:30- 4:30 PM – General Session 4: How People Learn – Michael Enz
Unlock the secrets of effective teaching and studying with our session “How People Learn.” This engaging session is presented by VT’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to help Extension Master Gardener volunteers develop their teaching skills for both formal and informal settings. By exploring the fascinating insights that neuroscience offers about the learning process, you’ll understand why some teaching and studying methods are more effective than others. Join us to discuss practical strategies that can enhance learning, making your courses more engaging. This session will not only help you become a better teacher but also boost your confidence in delivering educational content. Transform your approach to education and make a lasting difference in your community.
Sunday 9:30 – 10:30 AM – General Session 5: Bee and Pollinator Management – James Wilson
Join us for an insightful session on “Bee and Pollinator Management,” presented by James Wilson. This workshop will delve into essential beekeeping practices and strategies to promote bee health. James, an expert in apiculture and pollinator health, will cover topics such as creating pollinator-friendly habitats, understanding the needs of different bee species, and implementing sustainable hive management practices. Learn how to support and protect these vital creatures through effective hive management, controlling pests like Varroa mites, and ensuring bees have access to diverse and nutritious forage. Additionally, James will provide updates on the latest research and extension programs aimed at improving honeybee health.
Sunday 11:00 – 12:15 AM – Closing Keynote: Amsonia for the Mid-Atlantic Region – Sam Hoadley
Amsonia, or bluestars are rugged, versatile, and endlessly garden-worthy genus that deserve a place in almost any home landscape. Without exception, bluestars are long-lived and provide multiple seasons of interest from their blue flowers in May and June, to their beautiful foliar textures in the summer, and their striking golden fall color. In addition to being exemplary garden plants, Amsonia support a variety of early season pollinators, including bumblebees and hummingbirds, and are even the host plant for several butterflies and moths. Take an in depth look into Mt. Cuba Center’s ten year trial on the genus and learn about the best bluestars for the mid-Atlantic region.