01/17/12

Story by Anne Christiansen-Bullers, 913-469-8500, ext. 4184

Horticultural Sciences Field Day

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The politics of water, the business of landscaping and pest management, among other topics, will be discussed at the second annual Horticultural Sciences Field Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Johnson County Community College.

Speakers from academics, business and government will share varied topics related to horticultural science in the Capitol Federal Conference Center (Regnier Center 101).

The public is invited to attend, and admission is free.

Stuart Warren, professor/chair, Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University, will present "Water Wars: Are You Ready?" at 10 a.m., followed by other industry professionals speaking throughout the day. Other speakers are as follows:

• 11-11:30 a.m. Larry Ryan, CEO, Ryan Lawn and Tree. "Marketing Horticulture."
• 11:30 a.m.-12: 15 p.m. Alan Stevens, director, Kansas State University Research and Extension. "Holiday Decorations and Flowers: Building Pride in Our Neighborhoods and Communities."
• 12:15-1 p.m. Dalton Hermes, CEO, Hermes Landscaping Inc., and Hermes Nursery. "Success in the Green Industry: What Employers Really Want."
• 1:30-2:30 p.m. Raymond Cloyd, professor, entomology, Kansas State University, "How insecticides work."
• 2:30-3:15 p.m. Rodney St. John, assistant professor, turfgrass science, K-State Research and Extension Center – Olathe. "Mythbustin’ Lawncare."
• 3:15-4 p.m. Collin Wamsley, state entomologist, Missouri Department of Agriculture, "Exotic Pest Threats in the Midwest."
• 4:15-4:45 p.m. Donna Duffey, professor/chair, entrepreneurship, JCCC. "Make Money with Your Passion."
• 4:45-5:30 p.m. Jeff Vogel, program manager, plant protection and weed control, Kansas Department of Agriculture. "Invasive Horticultural Plants for Small Landscapes."
• 5:30-6 p.m. Jane Male and Frank Male, MAGICouncil, "Landscape Industry Certification."
• 6-7 p.m. Royan Teter, chief, pesticides program team, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 7. "Overview of the Worker Protection Standard, including Compliance Tips, Pesticides and Water Quality, and Pesticide Labeling."

The field day is sponsored by Hermes Landscaping and Nursery, Inc., Ryan Lawn and Tree, Suburban Lawn and Garden and JCCC’s Center for Sustainability and College Now program.

More than 20 businesses will participate in the accompanying trade show.

The event organizer is Lekha Sreedhar, associate professor/chair, horticultural sciences, JCCC.

“Events such as this provide students exposure to the industry and excellent networking opportunities. Such commitment and participation from local businesses shows acceptance and recognition of our program at the regional level,” Sreedhar said.

“Students who attended the event last year were thrilled at the excellent job opportunities the event provided,” she said.

For more information about the field day, call or email Sreedhar at 913-469-8500, ext. 3763.

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