OSU to host Native Plant Materials Conference

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Anyone who wants to know the latest information regarding native plant materials should make plans to attend the Native Plant Materials Conference slated Oct. 10 on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater.

The conference is sponsored by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, OSU’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and The Botanic Garden at OSU. The conference will take place at the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU campus.

“We have a great conference planned and we’re offering participants the opportunity to take home a lot of valuable information,” said Mike Schnelle, OSU Cooperative Extension ornamental floriculture specialist. “The informational workshops are geared toward industry specialists such as landscapers, nursery personnel, greenhouse growers and master gardeners, as well as individuals who are gardening hobbyists. You don’t have to be a horticultural professional to attend the conference.”

Early registration is $85 and must be postmarked by Sept. 30. Members of The Botanic Garden at OSU, Extension educators, Master Gardeners, Linnaeus Gardeners and students may register early for $60. All registration will be $130 after Sept. 30. Lunch is included in the registration fee. To register for the conference, contact Stephanie Larimer at 405-744-5404, or email her at stephanie.larimer@okstate.edu.

Online registration is available at https://secure.touchnet.com/C20271_ustores/web/index.jsp. Click on the “Horticulture Landscape” Store and then select “Conference Registration.”

Workshops will be taught by a number of industry and academic specialists. A description of workshops is available online at http://www.hortla.okstate.edu/. Workshop topics will include overviews of appropriate native plants for Oklahoma and peripheral states.

“I think anyone who attends this conference is sure to gain a lot of valuable information. The conference is offering a wide variety of topics, so there is something for everyone,” Schnelle said.