The Dirt – December 7, 2018: In Memoriam, Time to Sort Seeds, URI Garden Symposium

What’s Inside:

Poinsettia sale, Onwards and Upwards with Rudi’s Rangers, Lots of volunteer activities, Love the winter for Continuing Ed possibilities

In Memoriam: Master Gardener Bernie Alderson

Submitted by Gary Holmstrom, URIMG Class of 2015

Bernie Alderson, our dear colleague, friend and dedicated Master Gardener, Class of 2018, passed away while at work on November 29, 2018 in West Greenwich. Everyone who knew Bernie is shocked, yet humbly consoled at how such a fine gentlemen could positively affect so many people in a short time through his capabilities, attitude of focus, and kindness. Bernie Alderson entered the URIMGP 2018 class with years of experience in home gardening and a healthy dose of intellectual curiosity about the science and processes presented. He repeatedly shared with his mentoring group what he had learned from the classes and how he planned to apply that knowledge. Over the weeks, he directed his focus to the soil, the foundation of ecologically-sound horticulture. Beginning as an understudy in soil testing, he quickly added hours and then graduated to a regional leadership role in four months! This Master Gardener never shouted out his accomplishments or his dedication to the URIMG program; rather, he worked calmly as a dedicated team member, willing to hear and consider others’ thoughts, relying on science and research to educate the public. His pleasant communication skills made him a natural for working in citizen education, and his interest in life-long learning made him a welcomed colleague. Bernie was also a 2018 Rookie of the Year nominee.

From the obituary:

Bernard was born in Fall River, the eldest son of the late Jennings L. and Agnes (Bouffard) Alderson. Mr. Alderson was a graduate of URI with a Civil Engineering degree that he used to excel in his trade for over 45 years.

Bernie was a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, and served in the Vietnam War where he earned a Bronze Star. Besides his wife Donna (Archer) Alderson he is survived by his children John Alderson of Amherst, NH, Mark Alderson of Salisbury, NH, Adam Alderson of Attleboro MA. and Valerie Alderson of San Diego, CA. He was a doting grandfather to 10 grandchildren.

Bernie’s funeral was held Wednesday December 5, 2018 at 10:30 am at the Smith Funeral Home and Memorial Services, 8 Schoolhouse Road, Warren, RI, and was followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00pm in St. Louis DeFrance Church, 56 Buffington Street, Swansea. Burial with Military Honors were held in the Rehoboth Village Cemetery, Bay State Road, Rehoboth, MA.

Although this announcement will be published after Bernie’s services have taken place, we know you will consider that in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bernie’s name to the URI Master Gardener Make-A-Gift Program. He will be greatly missed. More information can be viewed in the Providence Journal on Dec 2, 2018 and at www.wjsmith.com

The Annual Seed Sort Has Begun

Submitted by Mary Malouin, URIMG Class of 1993

It is time to sort seeds for the community! Our 2019 seeds have arrived at the new Ocean State Job Lot Plaza sorting and distribution location at 12 Stilson Road in Richmond (exit 3A off 95, Route 138 East). This is a great way to earn volunteer hours during the winter months.

About the project:

Ocean State Job Lot donates all their unsold Burpee seed packets to URI Cooperative Extension at the end of each year. Emails offering free seeds are sent to schools, community gardens, farms, 4-H Club, Girl and Boy Scout troops, public libraries, churches and other community organizations across Rhode Island and more. Last year we served 1,948 individuals, schools and educational organizations by sorting packets, filling seed orders and distributing them to our clients. Interested in joining us? Come now through January 26, 2019. Volunteer hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and you may choose your own hours and work days. There is plenty of parking, and remember: We give our projects and activities first choice of seeds. URIMGP Project Leaders can come early for their supply before the Free Seed Program order form goes online (likely around mid-December). Please mark your calendars and look out for future announcements in The Dirt! Interested volunteers should contact Mary Malouin, URIMG Free Seed Program Coordinator at smelltheroses1@verizon.net or by phone: 401-374-0483.

Need a Holiday Gift Idea for the Gardener in Your Life? URI Garden Symposium registration is now OPEN!

Saturday, March 2, 2019 | 8:00 am–4:00 pm

URI CBLS (accessible facility)

Looking for the perfect gift for the avid gardener in your life or are you already thinking about spring? Mark your calendar for the 9th annual URI Master Gardener Program Spring Garden Symposium, Explore New Paths to Gardening, on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences at URI, Kingston, RI. Join other gardeners for a fun and informative day as you learn new ways to look at your gardens and implement different methods.

Speakers and topics include:

Brie Arthur, The Foodscape Revolution
Nancy Lawson, The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife
Vincent Simone, How to Grow More With Less: Sustainable Garden Method

Continental breakfast, lunch, educational booths, vendors, Q & A, and speakers’ book signing are all parts of the day. Early Bird tickets are available from December 4, 2018, to February 1, 2019, for $65.00. After February 1, the price will be $75.00. For more information, please check the URIMGP website.

Help spread the word about the Symposium by posting the event flyer at your local library or community events.

NEWS & INFORMATION

Christmas Greens Law: Think Before You Pick

Reprinted from the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society December E-News 2018

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are beginning to think about natural decorations: wreaths of hemlock, sprigs of holly, boughs of fir, twining or ground pine, vases of sea lavender–we love the colors, textures, and smells of these gifts from nature. Unfortunately, many of our plants are in danger of being loved to death as people tramp the woods and fields in search of them, and dealers in holiday decorations strip our public lands.

The “Christmas Greens” law (State of R.I. & Providence Plantations, Chapter 2, General Laws 1956, 2-15-12 through 2-15-17) protects these plants. It is illegal to take a part, or the whole, of any plant protected by this law, unless you are on your own property, or have written permission from the owner of a property.

All plants on state property are protected; this includes state parks, management areas, state beaches and salt marshes. You must have written permission from the Department of Environmental Management to dig or cut plants in these areas. All plants on Nature Conservancy and Audubon Society of Rhode Island properties are also protected. Illustrations of plants protected by the “Christmas Greens” law

MG Quick Tip: Winter Burn on Evergreens

Pictured: Rhododendron winter damage.

Photo by: plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu

Frequently occurs on the SW exposure of the plant.
Rhododendrons, hollies, boxwood and mountain laurels are susceptible.
Sun angle on a mild day in winter heats up the tissue then plunging night temperatures freeze the sap.
Damage sometimes is not seen until the plant fully comes out of dormancy in April or May.
Wrap in burlap in late fall.

Check this website for more information: http://ag.purdue.edu/btny/ppdl/Pages/POTW_old/6-2-08.html

HELP WANTED

Proofread/Edit the URIMGP Garden Tour Guidebook

The Garden Tour Guidebook editing and proofreading session takes place Thursday, December 13, at 10:00 am–12:00 pm in the conference room, Mallon Outreach Center, 3 East Alumni Ave., Kingston, RI. If interested, please contact Mary Ann Buckley.

Public Presentation Manager

Our Educational Services Coordinator is looking for candidates for the Public Presentation Manager position. The person filling this role will be working with an assistant to lead the process of engaging URI Master Gardener volunteers in presenting a variety of horticultural topics to the public. Hosts are typically public libraries, educational institutions, garden clubs, businesses, and similar organizations. Typical tasks include creating and maintaining an Excel master schedule of upcoming presentations, following up with hosts upon receiving requests, engaging speakers for the various requests, and debriefing speakers after the event. Basic computer and Excel skills along with professional communication and organizational skills are beneficial for this position. The position is perfect for a volunteer who has a flexible schedule, and most of the work can be done at home. If you’d like to join the team, please contact Stephanie Serino.

Co-leader for Good Shepherd Community Garden

Jeff Faria, project leader for the Church of the Good Shepherd Community Garden in Pawtucket, is looking for a co-leader to help with organizing activities and education there. The Parish of the Good Shepherd offers community space for neighbors who live in two- and three-family houses with no garden space of their own. This garden group hopes to be a model for other community gardens in Pawtucket and beyond. Interested Master Gardeners, please contact Jeff Faria (401-556-6804).

Roger Williams Park Edible Forest Garden Co-Leader

Jaime Nash, the project leader for the Edible Forest Garden at Roger Williams Park, just below the Botanical Center greenhouses, is looking for a co-leader to help him with organizing volunteer work sessions and activities, participating in project leader events and meetings, coordinating project reporting and outcomes, and representing the EFG project at MGP events as needed.

The Edible Forest Garden is a habitat-rich, food-producing, urban ecosystem designed around permaculture ethics and principles. It features unconventional plants, such as hardy kiwis, hazelnut, and American Chestnut trees and demonstrates permaculture techniques, including herb spirals, a keyhole garden, and hugelkultur gardening. Master Gardeners interested in this opportunity, please contact jaime_nash@yahoo.com (401-447-8100).

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Rhode Island Food System Summit
Friday, January 18, 2019
9:00 am–2:00 pm (formal program) & 2:30 pm–5:00 pm (optional tours)
URI’s Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences

The University of Rhode Island will once again host the third annual Rhode Island Food System Summit in early 2019. Registration opens in November. Join government, business, and community partners as we discuss the implementation of the Rhode Island Food Strategy and how we can support the food sector and our state into the future. The event takes place at URI’s Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences and will include a panel discussion and break-out sessions to discuss key components of the state’s food strategy. The formal program runs from 9:00 am–2:00 pm with lunch provided, followed by optional tours of food-related businesses from 2:30–5:00 pm. For more information and to register, please visit the Rhode Island Food Center at URI webpage.

Ecological Landscape Alliance Webinars

December 2018

Backyard Carbon Sequestration – How You Can Help, December 4, 1:30 pm
Quest for Resilience: Adaptive Strategies for Sustainable Plant Design, December 14, 1:30 pm

More upcoming URIMGP Continuing Education.

Have something you’d like to see in The Dirt?

Please email us at thedirtnewsletteruri@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you! Have a submission related to the URI Master Gardener Program? Send it to us (in email or MS Word ONLY please) by Tuesday at 8:00 pm to include in that week’s newsletter!

Questions?

Do you have questions about the URI Master Gardener Program? Please find our leadership directory in the documents page. This will point you in the direction of the proper council member, MG leader or staff member who can answer your question.

Stay Connected with the URIMGP!

Follow @URICoopExt on Facebook and Instagram. Not into social media? Visit the MGP website for our event listing.

March 2, 2019 9 am – 3 pm	URIMGP Garden Symposium URI Kingston
June 17-21, 2019 TBD	International Master Gardener Conference Valley Forge, PA
June 29 & 30, 2019 TBD	URIMGP’s Gardening with the Masters Tour Gardens statewide