Upcoming Programs Colorado State University Extension Tri River Area

PROGRAMS and WORKSHOPS

July 2008
- Plant Diagnostics - Tri River Area
  - Master Gardener diagnosticians are meeting each week in each of our offices, to examine the plant samples that have been brought to us and try to determine the cause of the problems. If you are bringing us a plant sample, there are several things you can do to help out the diagnostic team:
    - Bring in as fresh a sample as possible. Plants left in a hot car become much harder to identify.
    - Bring in as much of the plant as possible, including the root where feasible. Bring along some of the soil, so it can be tested for salts.
    - Bring in both an area of the plant that is suffering, and if possible an adjacent section that is doing well. This is especially helpful with turf samples.
    - If you need the plant identified, flowers and/or fruit will make diagnosis easier.
  - When you come to the office, the Master Gardeners will have you fill out a form that asks a number of questions about the plant. Answering these as thoroughly as possible is very helpful! You can reach the Master Gardeners at each of our offices. In Delta, we’re at 874-2195; in Montrose, at 249-3935, and in Grand Junction we’re at 244-1836. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

July 2008
- Western Slope Gardening Internet Discussion Group - Tri River Area
  - Western Slope Garden is an internet discussion group dealing with subjects of interest to Western Colorado gardeners. If you'd like to share your observations and learn about what others are seeing in their yards, or have problems you'd like help with, contact Sheryl Williams at sherylwil@gmail.com and ask about getting added to the list.

July 2008
- Mesa County Noxious Weed Cost-Share Program - Mesa County of Colorado
  - All weeds on the Mesa County Noxious Weed List plus chicory are eligible. The County will reimburse landowners for 50% of the cost of herbicides, herbicide application by a certified professional, and/or 50% of the cost for labor (assessed at $10/hour) for mechanical control if that method is appropriate for the weed involved (for example, annuals or biennials). Up to $500 per landowner can be reimbursed by the County. In other words, a landowner spending $1000 can be reimbursed $500 if their application is approved. Because funds are limited, applications are reviewed and selected for funding by the County Weed Advisory Board. Jude Sirota, Mesa County Pest Inspector, or Karen Eslinger, Pest Control Technician, are available to assist landowners with identification of the weeds and preparing their Management Plans. More details and a Cost-Share application are available from Jude Sirota, P.O. Box 20,000-5025, Grand Junction, CO, 81502-5025, phone: 970-255-7120, email: jude.sirota@mesacounty.us. Or visit the website to download the application at http://www.mesacounty.us/pest/.

July 2008
- Home Use Pesticide Database - Tri River Area
  - The Home Use Pesticide Database is finally on line at http://homeusepesticide.org. This site is an easy to use compilation of over-the-counter pesticides with links to labels or information sites. A user can sort by pesticide type (insecticide, herbicide, vertebrate control ...), and uses within the type (fly, vegetable, fruit, houseplant, etc. insecticides). Organic gardeners can limit their search to organic materials only if they so desire. There are approximately 1000 products in the database. This site will be updated annually, and will be expanded this winter to include information on over-the-counter pesticides and their use.
  - Please use the site if it fits your needs. If you like it, let others know about it. Any and all comments on usability, bugs, and suggested improvements are welcome, please send these comments to Bob Hammon, Extension Agent - Entomology via email to bob.hammon@mesacounty.us.

July 11, 18 and 25, 2008
- Native Plant Master - Grand Mesa, Colorado
  - Native Plant Master courses are field classes that take place on three consecutive Friday or Saturday mornings in open space parks or public lands. The courses cover forty to fifty native plants and noxious weeds over the three sessions, with emphasis on learning plant family characteristics, keying, and botanical names. Ecological relationships and human uses are also covered.
  - The cost is $100.00 for each three session course, with a reduced fee of $50.00 for those who commit to educating 20 others with information learned in the course. To become a Certified Native Plant Master, you will need to complete three different courses, but this does not need to be done all in one year. You’ll also need to commit to and make the required educational contacts. More information on the program is available at http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/jefferson/natural/native.htm and you’ll find a link to the Tri River Area application there as well. It is also available on our website at http://westernslopegardening.org Our application deadline is April 1, and space is very limited, so interested persons should apply right away. Feel free to contact me at susan.rose@colostate.edu or 244-1841 for more information.

July 12, 2008
- Weed ID Workshop and Weed Detection Dog Demo Pulling for Colorado Day - Collbran, Colorado
  - Bring your own weed for identification! The Detection Dog Demo will be held at a park near the Auditorium at approximately 11:30am. The workshop will be at the Colorado Auditorium on east side of Main Street just north of High from 8:30am to Noon.
  - Please register with the Conservation District at 242-4511 extension 100 no later than Thursday, July 10, 5:00pm. This event is sponsored by Debeque-Plateau Valley Conservation District, Encana, and Mesa County Division of Pest Management, and Montana State University.

July 12, 19 and 26, 2008
- Native Plant Master - Grand Mesa, Colorado
  - Native Plant Master courses are field classes that take place on three consecutive Friday or Saturday mornings in open space parks or public lands. The courses cover forty to fifty native plants and noxious weeds over the three sessions, with emphasis on learning plant family characteristics, keying, and botanical names. Ecological relationships and human uses are also covered.
  - The cost is $100.00 for each three session course, with a reduced fee of $50.00 for those who commit to educating 20 others with information learned in the course. To become a Certified Native Plant Master, you will need to complete three different courses, but this does not need to be done all in one year. You’ll also need to commit to and make the required educational contacts. More information on the program is available at http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/jefferson/natural/native.htm and you’ll find a link to the Tri River Area application there as well. It is also available on our website at http://westernslopegardening.org Our application deadline is April 1, and space is very limited, so interested persons should apply right away. Feel free to contact me at susan.rose@colostate.edu or 244-1841 for more information.

July 26, 2008
- Hops Growing Workshop - Hotchkiss, Colorado
  - Dr. Ron Godin, who has been researching hop varieties for several years, will present an overview of hops production. Ali Hamm, a CSU Masters student in hop production will cover different hop varieties and in-season hop maintenance. Dr. Ed Page, CSU Extension Agent will cover start-up budgets and the economics. Area hop growers will also be on hand to lend their expertise and answer questions.
  - Morning session will cover the following topics: Growing Hops: From rhizomes to beer; Hop Varieties - which produce well in Colorado; Hop diseases; Quality testing; Colorado breweries and their needs; In-Season Hop Care; and Hop Yard Construction.
  - Afternoon seesion will be a site visit to Rogers Mesa Research Center and session entitled, "Out in the Hop Yard - Harvesting, Timing harvesting for quality hops, and drying and packaging." Questions and answers in the hop yard, different trellising systems, etc.
  - This workshop will be held at the Memorial Hall, 185 N. 1st Street (corner of 1st and Main) in Hotchkiss and at the CSU Rogers Mesa Research Center, 30624 Highway 92, 4 miles west of Hotchkiss from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Cost is $40 for early registration by July 21st, $50 after July 21st. Or register on-line at http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/TRA/Special/HopsGrowing2008.html. For more information call Ed Page at 970-249-3935.

August 4, 2008
- ServSafe Certification Course - Delta, Colorado
  - ServSafe is a nationally recognized course developed by the National Restaurant Association as a comprehensive treatment of the subject of food safety. Food Service Managers who are not certified by an accredited Food Safety Course. The Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations state that a manager needs to be on hand who has passed a certified food safety program. Class space is limited. Registration, first come first serve basis. To register please call the Mesa Extension Office at 244-1834 or online at http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/TRA/Special/SS2008.htm.

October 11, 2008
- 11th Annual Tree Auction and Plant Sale- Grand Junction, Colorado
  - Plant sale begins 9:00am and the Tree Auction begins at 10:00am. This event is held at CSU Tri River Area Extension Office at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, 2775 Highway 50 in Grand Jct. Trees, shrubs and perennials donated by local nurseries, garden centers and tree farms. Master Gardeners will be available to provide identification and plant consultation from 9am to 10am. Proceeds benefit the Master Gardener Scholarship Fund.
  - For more information, contact Mesa County CSU Tri River Area Extension office at 970-244-1834.

January 15 - March 26, 2009
- Apprentice Master Gardener Program - Grand Junction, Colorado
  - The 2008 Master Gardener Apprentice Program is a training program for individuals interested in gardening and community education. Trained Master Gardeners extend research-based information on gardening to the community.
  - The cost of the program is $125, which includes the Tri River Area Master Gardener Manual, Fact Sheets and other publications and hand outs. The course is also available for those who do not choose to return 50 hours, for $425. (Costs subject to change.)
  - Following training, Apprentice Master Gardeners return a minimum of 50 hours to Tri River Area Extension. They answer gardening questions by telephone at our area offices, research and diagnose plant problems, assist at clinics and workshops, maintain our demonstration gardens, and may participate in other Tri River Area Extension horticulture projects.
  - For more information or if you would like an application to be sent in November 2008, please contact: Susan Rose by email at susan.rose@colostate.edu or 244-1841 for more information.

February 6-9, 2009
- Landscapes West Conference and Garden Show - Grand Junction, Colorado
  - This annual event is held at Two Rivers Convention Center, see our Central Garden Display, free workshops during the garden show, speak to vendors and industry professionals, or perhaps attend the gardening conference featuring talented speakers. More information will be available at a later date, if you would like to be included on the mailing list for this event, please contact the Mesa Extension Office at 244-1834.

Page Maintained by Norraine Hetzel