Bi-State Gardening Conference brings together top speakers from Illinois and Indiana

 

[December 19, 2024]  Covington, IND –The Bi-State Gardening Conference, known for its insightful presentations from University of Illinois and Purdue University, returns this year with an impressive lineup of speakers on Jan. 14, 2025.

"We're thrilled to bring together such a distinguished group of experts," says Phillip Cox, Purdue Extension Educator. "This conference offers novice and experienced gardeners’ valuable knowledge, addressing current challenges and practical solutions."

The conference kicks off with Heather Miller, Program Coordinator and Instructor at the University of Illinois School of Earth, Society, and Environment. Her talk, "Catch My Drift: Understanding Spray Drift and Its Impact on Plants and the Environment," dives into the growing concern of pesticide drift, its causes, and mitigation strategies.

Following, Kyle Daniels, Nursery & Landscape Outreach Specialist at Purdue University, shares his expertise in "Beyond Glyphosate: Exploring Effective Alternatives." Kyle will discuss alternative solutions for managing weeds in landscaping.

The afternoon session features Will Drews, Nursery Inspector, and Compliance Officer at the Indiana DNR Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Will's presentation, "Pests in the Green Industry and Beyond," delves into the most prevalent nursery pests of 2024, potential threats for 2025, and other ongoing pest-related efforts by the DNR.

The full-day conference, starting at 10:30 a.m. and concluding at 1:30 p.m., costs $30, including a delicious lunch the Beef House serves. Cash or checks will be taken at the door. Registration closes on Thursday, January 9th.

For more information or to register, visit go.illinois.edu/BiStateGarden. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please email Phillip Cox at [e-mail]. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. University of Illinois and Purdue University Extension provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

[Text received from Anita Wilkinson]