2011 North Carolina2011 North Carolina2011 North Carolina Master Gardener Conference Master Gardener Conference Master Gardener Conference

Come to the City of the Oaks this May and let us show you what’s happened to downtown Raleigh! While the focus of this year’s conference will be the new Raleigh Convention Center and adjoining Marriott City Center Hotel, a host of opportunities await you to explore the Triangle’s public and private gardens, NC State’s research facilities, and the Museum of Natural Sciences.

Arriving on Sunday is a good way to beat the registration lines and get your bear-ings. Be sure to catch Rosalind Creasy’s pre-conference lecture on Heirloom Garden-ing that evening in the hotel.

On Monday, there are a variety of choices. Spend a full day visiting the area’s public gardens or a half-day browsing the private gardens of NC State faculty or NCSU’s state-of -the art horticultural research facilities. As an alternative, choose from among 9 half-day, hands-on workshops, or mix a workshop and a half-day tour. Wind up the day with our “Night at the Museum” reception and the music of the Boys from Carolina.

Beginning Tuesday, an opening keynote by Rosalind Creasy and six tracks of edu-cational sessions, from Community Gardening to Sustainable Strategies, will immerse you in what’s happening in NC consumer horticulture. Don’t forget to vote on the Landscape Garden Design entries, visit the vendors and exhibitors, and browse the silent auction. Tuesday night features the conference banquet with speaker Carol Reese and the NCMGVA business meeting.

The educational sessions continue Wednesday morning, followed by lunch and a closing keynote by Bryce Lane. On your way home, stop by Tony Avent’s Plant De-lights Nursery for an open house, just one more reminder that North Carolina is truly the best place to put down roots!

Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Here’s your chance to learn more about this great volunteer program and experience the state-of-the

art in consumer horticulture education. Register today for the

Hosted by the

North Carolina Master Gardener Volunteer Association

The Master Gardener programs of Durham, Johnston, Orange,

and Wake County

and

NC Cooperative Extension

May 8-11, 2011

Raleigh Convention Center

Marriott City Center Hotel

For more information or to register, go to www.ncmastergardeners.org , “Upcoming Events”, email bob_kellam@msn.com, or call 919-623-5318