Yes, it is that time of year again, and for many community, like Rockhill, this time of the year means citizens ramping up their summer gardening plans as they prepare to apply to the Sullivan Renaissance grant programs for beautifying our communities. Last year my own design for Mountaindale's Train Garden propelled our community, and its many volunteers into a Second Place finish in Sullivan Renaissance's Category B, and of course all of us here in Mountaindale are anxiously waiting to see what our $7,000 grant award will bring in new community beautification projects/infrastructure here in our hamlet.
This year's conference is a MUST ATTEND event for all serious gardeners, and for anyone who is planning on participating in Sullivan Renaissance...get your reservations in early, as many of the work shops fill up fast.
Saturday, March 10:
RENAISSANCE CONFERENCE
Expert on Gardening Trends to Give Keynote Address
[FERNDALE] – This year’s Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference and Expo will focus on gardening trends around the country – and introduce the Renaissance Collection, a group of annuals and perennials that meet the challenges of gardening in Sullivan County. The conference will be held on Saturday, March 10 at the CVI Center in Ferndale.
The Renaissance
Collection of annuals and perennials includes nine plants that do well in the
Sullivan County climate and are designed to assist communities as the basis of
new gardens or as additions to existing beds.
There will be a display of the plants at the expo, and the collection
will be available at local nurseries and garden centers in the spring.
The keynote address will be delivered by Joe Lamp’l (aka Joe Gardener), one of the
country’s most recognized and trusted personalities in gardening and
sustainability. In 2011 the American Horticultural Society selected him
as the recipient of its B.Y. Morrison Communication Award, which recognizes
effective and inspirational communication to advance public interest and
participation in horticulture – through print, radio, TV and/or online
media. That passion was evident to the nationwide audience who watched
Joe as host of the popular series “Fresh from the Garden” on DIY Network
and “GardenSMART” on PBS.
Today, Joe Lamp’l combines his national television experience and
expertise of gardening, environmental stewardship and eco-friendly living as
host and executive producer of the award-winning series “Growing a Green World”
on public television.
“Growing a Greener World
is a groundbreaking television series that delivers the latest trends in
eco-friendly living mixed with traditional gardening know-how to a modern
audience,” said Joe Lamp’l, “Each episode features the people,
organizations and events that are making a difference in our world today by
raising awareness and influencing others to better stewardship of the
environment we all share.”
To view a full episode online, go to www.growingagreenerworld.com
Recipients of the 17th Annual Sullivan First Achievement Awards – to be recognized at the conference – will soon be announced. Door prizes will be awarded at the conference conclusion.
The conference
features exhibits and workshops on the Renaissance Collection of plants, garden
maintenance, recruiting volunteers, cultivating leaders, cultivating leaders,
Main Street success stories, enhancing storefronts, and the Catskill Edible
Garden Project It will also outline the
new 2012 Sullivan Renaissance grant program and have applications available.
The
conference begins at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast and registration. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs to 2:00
p.m. Workshops include:
·
The
Renaissance Collection: Learn how to
use this unique collection of
annuals and perennials that have exceptional ability to meet the challenges of
gardening in Sullivan County. Visit the collection
in the Expo.
·
Getting Maintenance
Support: Learn how this new support program can provide technical
and financial resources to enhance the beauty and sustainability of your
community garden. Explore how a master
calendar can optimize volunteer hours.
· Recruiting &
Retaining Volunteers: What makes a person volunteer and stay with an
organization from year to year? Hear about a professional’s experience in finding and
working with volunteers.
·
Cultivating Community Leaders: Successful communities need one or more “spark plugs” to
move a community to the next level. Learn
about the qualities of these “spark plugs” and how to cultivate talent in your
community.
·
Main Street Success Stories: Using case studies
from the central Catskills, including the communities of Margaretville, Roxbury
and Fleischmanns, this session focuses on what it takes to create a successful
and beautiful Main Street.
·
Enhance Your Storefront for Under $200: Beautiful storefronts enhance the appearance of the communities and
invite customers. Learn how the Sullivan
Renaissance Mini Grant Program can help.
·
Catskill Edible Garden Project (Two Sessions): Edible gardens are a wonderful way to connect young people with their
food, while helping them learn about nature, volunteering and nutrition. Include
a presentation of edible garden programs that have succeeded.
·
Sullivan
Renaissance Salon (Individual Appointments): Bring ideas for beautification projects and
have a one-on-one conversation with staff, who will review grant paperwork and
answer questions. Sign up for one of
seven 15 minute slots from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Workshop space will be limited to
the first registrants. To sign up
on-line, go to www.sullivanrenaissance.org. To
obtain a registration form, call Sullivan Renaissance
office at 845-295-2445. To return a
form, email to sgonzalez@sullivanrenaissance.
