The Parkland Master Gardeners and the St. Francois County Extension Center presented the 16th Annual Parkland Gardening Symposium at Mineral Area College on Saturday.
They had nearly 200 people registered for the event, along with several vendors set up. There were four sessions with five classes in each session that were offered.
Parkland Master Gardener and Vice-President Colleen Cruse said they had 200 people attending and that’s what they wanted.
“They were able to pick the four classes they wanted to attend when they signed up. There are presenters from the extension office, one person from Lincoln University, and several Master Gardeners that are presenting the classes,” said Cruse.
Master Gardener Ginny Smith said all the proceeds from the event go to a scholarship.
“The money we take in will go towards a scholarship for two horticulture students at Mineral Area College,” said Smith.
MAC Horticulture Assistant Professor Chad Follis and Parkland Master Gardener President Faye Worley introduced the MAC students during the gardening symposium. Sandra Jarvis and Abbie Hamblin were given their scholarships at that time.
Lincoln University Assistant Professor Zalalem Mersha said this was his first time participating in the symposium and his class covered the basic concepts, diagnosis, identification and prevention of plant diseases.
“I am a state extension specialist. I cover Missouri and I am the state plant pathology specialist on vegetables and small fruits. The organizing is done well here and I am just excited to meet the gardeners and talk with them. I will talk with them about what I am doing in my Plant Pathology Program, and what they can do if they are having problems,” said Mersha.
The classes that were offered ranged from container gardening, landscaping, greenhouse design and construction, canning, weed warfare, wild edibles of the Native Americans, rain gardens, invasive species, combating common insect pests in the garden, bird baths and garden art, cooking with herbs, tomatoes galore and much more.
MU Extension Plant Science Specialist Kate Kammler said she instructed a class in each session. She ended up filling in for two other classes besides the two she was scheduled to lead.
“We covered the basis of the topics of each class. I am a very hands-on teacher. Whatever questions people have I want to answer them, because it’s about what they want to learn out of it. This is one of my covered counties, so I teach a class here every year and it has really expanded a lot. The master gardeners group does a great job organizing this event and they do an excellent job of managing everything, getting speakers and picking good topics,” said Kammler.
Symposium attendee Jean Trask said she was looking forward to the afternoon classes she was taking.
“I wanted to take the class about starting plants. I have come to this in the past and enjoy it thoroughly. I look forward to the classes and have put what I have learned to good use,” said Trask.
There were also 12 vendors set up in the atrium for the attendees to view and purchase the products if they liked. Everything was locally made products such as honey, bird house gourds, compost, jams and jellies, pottery and soaps.
Garden’s Green Compost employee Matt Plunkett said this was the first time he has come down as a vendor to this event.
“We offer a variety of all natural composts made up of animal waste, sawdust and manure. There are several different compost blends, including one that feeds and weeds at the same time,” said Plunkett.
The compost was created to reduce the use of fungicides and herbicides, as well as water conservation, healthier soils and protection of sensitive ecosystems. It contains all the major plant nutrients which will provide a steady long-term feeding of nutrients to plants.
Owner of The Farmer’s Daughter, Jean Merrill-Doss, said this is the second year being a vendor at the symposium.
“It’s great to see everyone come through. I sell jams, jellies, spice mixes, baked goods and gifts from a jar. It’s usually worthwhile to come down, but for me it just creates awareness that I’ll be at the Farmington Farmers Market this year,” said Merrill-Doss.
Parkland Master Gardener President Faye Worley said they had a wonderful turnout and it was very successful.
“I heard wonderful comments about the presenters, the classes, and we are all very happy with it. It’s a great sign when the fact that people who stopped us would say it was a great event and that they were having a great time. That is what we like to hear, because we are always trying to get what people would like to learn,” said Worley.
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