DIG IN!! Extension Master Gardeners

Tuesdays 6 - 7 p.m. ET
Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11,
April 8, May 13, June 10,
July 8, Sept. 9, Oct. 14
and Nov. 11

Online via Zoom - (recordings will be available for registrants two weeks after airing)

Cost: Free (This class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers)

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January 14: Erica Clites – MSU Extension Michigan Sea Grant Educator
Gardening in the Great Lakes Watershed

Using native plants in your home garden can help address many of the top challenges in the Great Lakes watershed including habitat loss, stormwater flooding and excess nutrients. Learn how Michigan Sea Grant works with partners throughout the state to support conservation of Great Lakes resources as well as how you and your home garden can help.

February 11: Sharron 'Ronnie' Miller – MSU PhD Candidate Pollination Ecology Lab
Reconnecting Native Bees, Land Management, and Humans

Ronnie Miller, a PhD candidate in MSU's Department of Entomology, will discuss her current research examining bumble bee communities in human-altered landscapes across southern Michigan. She'll discuss the relationship between bees and the many plants that sustain and enrich our lives with their beauty, edible offerings, and healing medicines, along with why we should offer our support back to these amazing creatures.

March 11: Deanna F. Hedlund – MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator
The Lure of Lilacs: Springtime Scents, Bountiful Blooms, and Captivating Colors

Lilacs are beloved flowering shrubs (or occasionally trees!) in Michigan’s landscapes. Deanna Hedlund, MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator, will discuss the history of these storied plants and she’ll point us towards some garden-worthy selections for today’s landscape, including tried-and-true classics, as well as modern offerings.

April 8: Molly Wozniak – GiLLS Invasive Species Coordinator
Keeping an Eye on Invasive Species

Since the 1800s, the United States has been dealing with invasive species. Some of these you may have heard of (think zebra mussels, sea lamprey, or Phragmites), while others may seem completely ordinary in our landscape but actually threaten our native ecosystems. Join us to learn about invasive species in our landscape, the work that is being done to manage them, and how you can get involved.

May 13: Marianna Szucs – MSU Associate Professor, Department of Entomology
The Devil Devastating Your Lilies: The Scarlet Lily Beetle

Michigan is currently on the front lines of the scarlet lily beetle invasion, which began in Massachusetts in 1992 and spread to Ontario in 1993. A successful biological control program in Canada and New England introduced three parasitoid species that lay eggs in lily beetle larvae, effectively managing this destructive pest. This presentation will cover the biology and life cycle of the scarlet lily beetle, its preference for specific lily varieties, and the ongoing efforts to introduce these biocontrol parasitoids to Michigan to combat the infestation.

June 10: Phimmasone Owens – University of Michigan, Founder of Refugee Garden Initiatives
Cultivating Connection: Refugee Stories and the Transformative Power of Gardening

Gardeners understand the deep connection between tending the land and nurturing the soul. In this presentation, Phimmasone will share her journey as a refugee and how the upheaval of displacement led her to create Refugee Garden Initiatives (RGI). Phimmasone will explore how reconnecting to the land provides healing, fosters resilience, and rebuilds a sense of home for refugees who have lost so much. Together, we’ll reflect on how gardening can be more than a hobby—it can be a bridge that brings people and cultures together, fostering understanding and cultivating community one seed at a time.

July 8: Kelly McClelland – MSU Extension Community Food Systems Educator
Growing Together: Strategies, Structures, and Impact of Community Gardens

Community Food Systems Educator Kelly McClelland will explore the vital role of community gardens, focusing on strategies and structures that maximize their impact. She will share research on the benefits of community gardens, along with personal stories from her work supporting community gardens in the Genesee County area.

September 9: Becca Krans – MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator
Smart Ways to Bring Native Plants Into Your Landscape

What’s all the buzz about native plants? Are some better than others? How can I use native plants when my yard is already planted? Discover ways to incorporate native plants into your existing lawn, vegetable garden, or other areas of your yard.

October 14: Julie Crick – MSU Extension Natural Resources Educator
Guiding Neighborhood Trees through Climate Change

Natural Resources Educator, Julie Crick, will discuss climate variations, both experienced and expected, and provide tips to limit resulting stressors on our urban trees. In addition, she will review species vulnerability reports for urban trees in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

November 11: Lindsey Kerr and MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Colleagues
Garden Gifts, Tools and Books

Gear up for the gift-giving season with ideas from the MSU Consumer Horticulture Team. Join Lindsey Kerr and her colleagues to roll out their favorites. Cool books, garden tools, and gadgets—get great ideas for gift giving to gardening friends…and what to add to your wish list!

How to Connect: The day prior to each event, registrants will receive an email message which will contain the virtual event link and Zoom instructions. (Be sure to check your Inbox and Spam folders for this email.)

Technology Requirements: Below are recommendations for the optimal interactive online learning experience:
   *  A computer, laptop or tablet with the latest version of your browser
   *  A reliable, internet connection - broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)
   *  Webcam or HD webcam - built-in or USP plug-in
   *  Speakers and a microphone - built-in or USB plug-in

First time Zoom users: Never used Zoom before? No worries. Registrants will be emailed an overview of how to get started, complete with screen shots. Plus, there’s a help line to contact if you encounter any difficulties.