National Green Centre University 
Thanks to Missouri Emerald Ash Borer Program
National Green Centre University brings together the top professors, researchers, and other guest lecturers in the horticulture industry. This year, enjoy a series of discussions with industry experts from botanic gardens, arboretums and university gardens discussing a range of horticultural topics. Thanks to Jason Griffin of Kansas State University for helping to organizing National Green Centre University and Kansas State University's Horticulture Department, the official horticulture department of National Green Centre University!
National Green Centre University is located in the exhibit hall.
Knowing and Managing Your Water
Drs. Warren, Bilderback and Owen will review water management practices in nursery production from source to plant to runoff. Beginning at the source, water sampling and the impact of ground or surface water quality on nursery crops will be reviewed. Water delivery systems and irrigation scheduling will be examined in depth taking into consideration soil, media, container type, crop, etc... Lastly, the implications and methods to capture, manage, and collect water will be briefly discussed.
Dr. Stuart Warren
Sunday, January 9th; 10:00 - 11:00
Dr. Stuart Warren is a professor and head of the Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources at Kansas State University. From 1986 to 2007 he was a member of the Department of Horticulture at North Carolina State University with responsibilities in teaching and research. During those years his research was focused on increasing water and nutrient efficient in container and field-production of nursery stock. Being department head at Kansas State University does not leave much time for research or teaching but Stu keeps in touch with the nursery industry by visiting nurseries in addition to teaching Nursery Management.
Dr. Ted Bilderback: Water Quality: Managing the Chemistry in Your Irrigation Water Supply
Sunday, January 9th; 11:30 - 12:30
This presentation will discuss challenges in growing container nursery crops with elevated, chloride, sodium, bicarbonate, iron and other irrigation challenges. The speaker may not have all the answers so experienced growers and irrigation wise counselors are welcome.
Dr. Ted Bilderback is a professor and Interim Arboretum director at North Carolina State University where he has been a member of the Horticultural Science Department since 1977. Ted's research and extension programs have focused on environmentally conscious cultural practices for growing nursery stock. Extension, teaching, and research responsibilities for nursery crops include emphasis on cultural production techniques. Research emphasis includes plant water relations and nutrition of container nursery stock as related to manipulation of container substrates and irrigation practices.
website
Dr. Jim Owen
Sunday, January 9th; 2:30 - 3:30
Dr. Jim Owen is an assistant professor of Nursery Crops Research and Extension at Oregon State University. He has a Ph.D. Horticultural Science from North Carolina State University in 2006, a M.Sc. Environmental Science from University of Rhode Island in 2002, and a B.Sc. Plant and Soil Science from University of Kentucky in 1999. His position (FTE: 70% Research / 30% Extension) is to develop a progressive, forward-looking research and extension program for the Oregon nursery crop industry with an emphasis on research on environmental issues related to nursery production as well as biotic or abiotic factors limiting plant production or quality. This program will emphasize integrated container production systems: propagation, production, and post-production problems of plants in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Michael Dosmann: Future garden and industry collaboration: What's in store?
Sunday, January 9th; 4:00 - 5:00
Gardens and arboreta have long had relationships with industry, most notably through plant exploration, introduction, distribution, and evaluation efforts. These activities certainly continue, however it is a very different world today than it was even 25 years ago; just think what it will be like for the next 25. In this lecture, Dr. Dosmann briefly reviews the past, ponders the realities of the present, and attempts to read the Camellia sinensis leaves when it comes to future collaboration between these groups.
Dr. Michael Dosmann is Curator of Living Collections at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, North America's oldest public arboretum. His job responsibilities range from overseeing all plant acquisitions to signing off on all removals - and of course a myriad of things in between. A staunch advocate for living plant collections, he also conducts research, publishes, and lectures frequently on issues related to curating botanic gardens. One of his fundamental goals is to improve the standards of gardens across the globe, thereby safeguarding the plants for generations to come. In his spare time, he also conducts work on the physiology, ecology and taxonomy of woody plants. He holds a BS in Public Horticulture from Purdue University, an MS in Horticulture and Physiology from Iowa State University, and a PhD in Horticulture and Ecology from Cornell University.
Dr. Richard Olsen: The Woody Landscape Plant Germplasm Repository: new plants in the making
Monday, January 10th; 10:00 - 11:00
The Woody Landscape Plant Germplasm Repository at the U.S. National Arboretum oversees the collection, preservation, characterization, evaluation, and distribution of woody ornamental plant germplasm and information to the nursery industry, researchers, and botanical institutes. Initiated twenty years ago, the repository manages nearly 200 different genera, together with the living collections of the National Arboretum, amount to nearly 26,000 accessions available for research access and distribution. Dr. Olsen will highlight the historical role of germplasm repositories, current research at the National Arboretum in germplasm characterization and breeding for nursery crops, and how nurseries can utilizing the repositories for their own plant development.
Dr. Richard Olsen is a research geneticist with the United States National Arboretum. He is the "lead scientist for the urban tree breeding and germplasm programs, responsible for developing superior urban landscape trees with pest and disease tolerances as well as non-invasiveness. Germplasm research characterizes genetic diversity in cultivated plant material, identifies unique germplasm for broadening the gene pool, and improves storage and regeneration techniques for germplasm. Richard has a bachelor degree in landscape design (BS, NC State University, 1998), a master degree in horticulture (MS, University of Georgia, 2001) and a doctorate in horticultural science (Ph.D. NC State University, 2006).
Andrew C. Bell, PhD: Evaluating and Promoting New and Old Plants in a Changing Climate: The Chicago Experience.
Monday, January 10th; 11:30 - 12:30
The Chicago Botanic Garden's ornamental plant breeding and evaluation programs aim to promote the best plants for gardens and landscapes. These plants not only have to thrive in normal garden settings but also under highly undesirable urban conditions. This presentation will highlight efforts at the Chicago Botanic Garden and its work with the City of Chicago to evaluate new and old plants in a time of climate change, both politically and environmentally.
Dr. Andrew Bell is Curator of Woody Plants at the Chicago Botanic Garden where he is responsible for acquiring and managing the development of the Garden's woody plant collection and oversees its use, research, and interpretation. Andrew's work includes evaluating and promoting woody plants for sustainable landscapes. Currently, Andrew is co-chair of the Research and Strategy Working Group for the Chicago Trees Initiative, a City of Chicago effort to protect and expand the urban forest and to promote best practices and plants for the urban landscapes. Andrew is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Illinois Institute of Technology where he teaches a course for the Master of Landscape Architecture Program. Andrew has bachelor degree in horticulture from the University of Tennessee, a master degree in botany from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a doctorate in horticultural science from North Carolina State University.
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Dr. Ted Bilderback
Monday, January 10th; 1:30 - 2:30
Dr. Ted Bilderback is a professor and Interim Arboretum director at North Carolina State University where he has been a member of the Horticultural Science Department since 1977. Ted's research and extension programs have focused on environmentally conscious cultural practices for growing nursery stock. Extension, teaching, and research responsibilities for nursery crops include emphasis on cultural production techniques. Research emphasis includes plant water relations and nutrition of container nursery stock as related to manipulation of container substrates and irrigation practices.
website
Dr. Dave Creech: Plants, Plans and People - Can a University Garden Stay Relevant During Tough Economic Times?
Monday, January 10th; 3:00 - 4:00
In the academic world, botanical gardens, arboreta, and Horticulture gardens are part of the mix of the deep south. With budget cuts the norm, is it possible to stay relevant? The investment in facilities - greenhouses, nurseries, gardens, and labs - is often substantial. In many cases, the number of students involved is not all that big. For administrators, it can all add up to quite a tempting target. Gardens that survive and thrive carry a common thread - plants, plans, and people. Some call it excitement; others call it energy. A horticulture program that's relevant to the nursery and landscape industry is critical. Whether it's new plants, educational programs, or discovering new ways to grow plants better, it all becomes part of the message to those who manage the budgets. Having university, city, regional, and industry support doesn't guarantee survival, but it helps.
Dr. Dave Creech is the director of the Stephen F. Austin State University Mast Arboretum. Dr. Creech as a BS in Horticulture from Texas A and M University, an MS in Horticulture from Colorado State University, and a PhD from Texas A and M University. His research effort has focused on blueberry germplasm evaluation and horticultural studies, alternative crop/alternative technology work, crop nutrition studies, new plant introductions for the ornamental horticulture industry, endangered plant rescue, research and reintroduction, and finding sustainable solutions to environmental concerns. Dr. Creech has authored numerous scholarly and trade articles and lectures widely.
Dr. Jason Griffin
A huge thanks to Jason for organizing National Green Centre University!
Dr. Jason Griffin is an associate professor of nursery crops at Kansas State University and the Director of the John C. Pair Horticultural Center in Wichita, Kansas. Jason arrived in Kansas July 1, 2002 after completing his PhD in Horticulture Science / Plant Physiology from North Carolina State University. He also has his M.S. in Horticulture Science from NCSU and his B.S. in Plant Science from Cornell University. Jason grew up in New York where his parents owned and operated a golf course, Griffin's Greens. He brings with him great interest in field trials and is willing and able to assist the industry and home owners in the Central Plains.
Dr. Griffin's current research includes: Plant propagation - investigating sexual and asexual plant propagation practices utilizing pre-germination treatments, stock plant manipulation, and root stimulating hormones; Landscape establishment - investigating methods to improve transplant survival and growth of landscape plants; Environmental Stress Physiology - investigating landscape plant response to environmental stresses in Kansas and species/provenances with improved tolerance to such stresses; Nursery Production - investigating alternative substrates for Kansas container nursery growers; Woody Plant Selection and Evaluation - identifying and evaluating species, provenances, and cultivars with improved landscape characteristics for use throughout the region.
