Updates

Cole Burrell is an acclaimed lecturer, garden designer, award-winning author and photographer. A certified chlorophyll addict, Cole is an avid and lifelong plantsman, gardener and naturalist. Cole is a lecturer in the Landscape Architecture Department at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture, where he teaches about plants and their ecological connections to natural systems and cultural landscapes. Cole has… Read More »Keynote Speaker Highlight: Cole Burrell

“With therapeutic gardening becoming more popular, Extension Master Gardeners (GMGs) are increasingly asked to develop educational opportunities for individuals with special needs. Inherent in these requests come challenges to ensure activities are successful and appropriate to the needs of the individuals and EMGs. Recognizing this, Green Spring Gardens EMGs developed a specialized approach, highlighting two therapeutic gardening projects. The Fairfax… Read More »Concurrent Session Spotlight: Planting Seeds of Hope: Cultivating, Nurturing and Replicating a Horticultural Therapy Program

“Learn about constructing, using and managing a small home hydroponic system. Mullins will cover the need for small-scale hydroponic systems, as well as construction, and management of small hydroponic systems. Learn about different types of hydroponic systems and the suitability of these system to different situations. He will also address how these systems can be used in the community to… Read More »Concurrent Session Spotlight: Home Hydroponics

Join accomplished nature photographer Danae Wolfe for a session on shooting bug and botanical subjects up close! You can view some of Wolfe’s amazing work here: http://www.wolfemacrophotography.com/ “Contrary to popular belief, garden photography need not be expensive and need not require highly technical equipment or skills. With just a few simple tools and some practice, garden photography can be an… Read More »Workshop Spotlight: A Closer Look: Bug and Botanical Portrait Photography – Danae Wolfe

The local effects of climate change, destruction of pollinator habitats, and water pollution can all be affected by home gardening practice. In this series of sessions, learn about topics like pollinator hedgerows, firewise landscaping, and choosing plants for a resilient landscape. Registration is NOW OPEN for IMGC 2021! Optional Workshop: Microbes Under Your Fingernails | Gwynee Mhuireach Accumulating research has… Read More »Sample Conference Schedule: Focus on ecology

“Daffodil? Jonquil? Narcissus? Which is it…? How can you tell? This session isn’t necessarily everything you wanted to know and were afraid to ask…but close to it! It’s an informative session on one of the best known globetrotters of the world’s gardens and gardeners. We’ll look joyously at that quintessential burst of spring and the many categories of this bounteous… Read More »Concurrent Session Spotlight: True Confessions of a Narcissus Lover – Michelli Booker

Are you passionate about compost? Do you eagerly wait for soil test season? If you’re a soil lover, check out this sample conference schedule focused on microbes, nematodes, and all things soil! Optional Workshop: Microbes Under Your Fingernails | Gwynee Mhuireach Accumulating research has improved our understanding of soil microbial life and how it affects the growth, health, and survival… Read More »Sample Conference Schedule: Focus on Soil

Before registering, you can review our program here. If you encounter any issues during your registration, please contact the Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) office at cpeinfo@vt.edu or (540) 231-5182. What you need to know before registering: Decide if you would like to participate in an optional conference workshop. View workshops here. You may choose a maximum of… Read More »How to register

When you register for IMGC 2021, don’t forget to add a t-shirt (or two) to your registration package! T-shirts will be shipped along with your conference swag box, so there is no additional shipping fee! T-Shirts are 100% cotton and available in three designs: Blue dogwood Red bee balm Green button bush Each design is available in either a classic… Read More »T-Shirt Designs Released

Are you an Extension Master Gardener passionate about community engagement? Our speaker planning team has assembled this sample conference schedule that focuses on community work! (Remember, you do not need to decide in advance of registration which concurrent sessions you will attend–you can decide during the conference.) Optional Sunday workshop: Interactive Dialogues for Cultivating A More Culturally-Inclusive Master Gardner Program… Read More »Sample Conference Schedule: Focus on Community Engagement