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The 2013 NC Extension Master Gardeners Conference was a pleasing success
with over 250 guests in attendance. This year's theme was "Mastering the Garden Harvest" and focused on Local Foods. Nationally known speakers and workshops detailed the benefits of eating fresher, locally grown foods, growing your own produce, and supporting your local farmers. We would like to extend a sincere "Thank You", to all involved, for making this event a tremendous success! CONFERENCE IMAGES & HIGHLIGHTS:
CONFERENCE EDUCATIONAL HANDOUTS:Tony Avent's presentation was on the importance of preparing the soil before planting. It was both informative and entertaining!
*Below are three files, one for each page, of his handout. Please feel free to print and share.
Mary Roberts, of Windcrest Farms, breakout session was on how to grow great tomatoes! Mary has shared her handout file below.
*Please feel free to print and share. 
A REVIEW OF OUR HIGHLIGHTED SPEAKERS:
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PETER HATCH, former Director of Gardens & Grounds at Monticello
"Few topics tell us more about Jefferson as his gardening." Peter is the former Director of Monticello’s Gardens and Grounds, where he oversaw the maintenance, interpretation, and conservation of its 2,400-acre landscape. At Monticello, Thomas Jefferson experimented with over 330 varieties and some 99 species of vegetables. His agricultural pursuits introduced a long list of unfamiliar species to Virginia including tomatoes, okra, eggplant, lima beans, peanuts, and peppers. Through Peter’s 1980’s restoration project, the grounds now flourishes with the same plants that it once cultivated in the early nineteenth century. Peter has also written several books and is an advisor to First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House kitchen garden. www.peterjhatch.com |
TONY AVENT, American Horticulturist and Plantsman
"Right plant, right place.” Tony has had a lifetime passion for plants. Instead of playing games, he spent his time studying wildflowers around his home and was propagating flowers in his own greenhouse by age 8. A pleasantly brilliant down-to-earth guy, Tony is full of Southern charm. An avid collector and breeder, he has made over 60 expeditions around the world in search of new and unique plants. When he's not being a globetrotting gardener, Tony writes and teaches and has authored over 50 articles and contributed to several books. His Plant Delights Nursery, in Raleigh, NC, has a unique focus on propagating rare and endangered U.S. native wildflowers. |
JIM NOBLE, Chef and Restaurateur
“My passion is crafting food that is clean and natural ... What’s in my heart is on your plate.” Chef Jim Noble is a husband, father, chef, and restaurateur, minister who is passionate about slow foods, organic and natural foods, local food and wine. He may be best known for his “new southern cuisine” which features local and organic produce and proteins whenever possible. Through his restaurant, "The King's Kitchen", Jim's true calling is "To Feed the Hungry & to Heal the Brokenhearted". He and his staff train recovering addicts, former convicts and high-risk youth to work in the restaurant, so they can go out and find jobs. Profits from "The King's Kitchen" go to ministries that feed the poor. |
"A Rich Spot of Earth"
Thomas Jefferson's Revolutionary Garden at Monticello by Peter J. Hatch http://www.monticello.org/site/house-and-gardens/richspotofearth THE WHITE HOUSE KITCHEN GARDEN
Peter Hatch assisted, First Lady, Michelle Obama with the planting of the White House Kitchen Garden by providing some of the seeds and starts from Monticello.
http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com 
Peter Hatch featured in the September 2012 issue of Southern Living, BEHIND THE SCENES:SECRETS OF MONTICELLO. http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com
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Tony Avent's Plant Delight Nursery http://www.plantdelights.com/
Also find them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/PlantDelightsNursery 
Tony Avent: the Howard Stern of horticulture? http://dirtyhorticulture.blogspot.com/
Watch Plant Delights / Tony Avent on PBS. See more from In the Garden. 
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Chef Jim Noble featured on CNN discussing his passion for King's Kitchen
Chef Jim Noble
Follow him on twitter: http://twitter.com
Chef Jim Noble supports local farmers through his "farm to table" focus and partnerships.
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A SPECIAL "THANK YOU" TO OUR 2013 CONFERENCE DONORS!!
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Friend us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Union-County-Master-Gardeners/268362312226
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/UnionCtyMstGard
Check out our pinterest boards: http://pinterhttp://pinterest.com/ucmgva/2013-nc-mg-conference/
Contact us at: ucmgwebsite@gmail.com
Friend us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Union-County-Master-Gardeners/268362312226
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/UnionCtyMstGard
Check out our pinterest boards: http://pinterhttp://pinterest.com/ucmgva/2013-nc-mg-conference/
Contact us at: ucmgwebsite@gmail.com