JCRA Arborfest

Sponsored by the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University, Horticultural Science Urban Horticulture Program, and the JC Raulston Arboretum


  • Saturday, April 4, 2009 – 10:00 am3:00 pm

Schedule

10:00 AM – Frank Franciosi – "Compost Use In Ornamental Horticulture"

11:00 AM – David Orr – "Organic Insect Management"

12:00 PM – Lunch (not provided) break

1:00 PM – Helen T. Kraus, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Anne Spafford, M.L.A., Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University – "Rain Gardening in the South"

2:00 PM – Rhonda Sherman, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University – "Vermicomposting: Turn Your Garbage Into High Quality Compost"

Master Gardener "Successful Gardening Clinic"

10:00 AM-3:00 PM – The Master Gardeners of Wake County will be available to help you with your gardening questions and to talk about best gardening techniques practices.

Speakers and Presentation Descriptions

Frank Franciosi – Manager, Nature's GREEN-RELEAF, Novozymes North America

"Compost Use in Ornamental Horticulture"

Frank's presentation is a discussion of compost quality and application as it pertains to use in ornamental horticulture. Topics include commercial compost production, quality control and assurance testing and also the physical, chemical, and biological benefits of using compost as a media or amendment.

Frank has a B.S. in horticulture from West Virginia University. Past experience includes sales and operations management in the green industry, working for national lawn care companies in the commercial landscape sector. Frank has spent the last 17 years working with residuals management and composting. Frank started North Carolina's first source separated organics composting facility in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Frank serves as current president of the North Carolina Composting Council, the first state chapter of the US Composting Council. Frank also serves as treasurer of the U.S. Composting Council and is chairman of the Professional Credentials and the Nominations Committees. As principal of Akkadia Consulting, he has provided professional consulting services on projects of animal waste management, biosolids management, coal ash residuals, composting of pharmaceutical residuals, and product marketing. Frank Franciosi is currently manager of the Nature's GREEN-RELEAF, Novozymes North America, a composting facility in Franklinton, North Carolina.

Helen T. Kraus, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University
Anne Spafford, M.L.A. – Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University

"Rain Gardening in the South"

You may be wondering, how does my garden and landscape affect the environment, specifically our water supplies? Home gardens and landscapes can contribute substantial amounts to water pollution — but they also can be a part of the solution. Rain gardens to the rescue! These specially designed gardens are designed to capture rainfall flowing through your yard (known as runoff), store that water to nurture its plants, and cleanse runoff, thus removing the pollutants it carries with it. Sounds good, doesn't it! Ready for more good news? Rain gardens are fairly easy and inexpensive to create having a defined structure made up of only five basic components. Learn about the next great gardening practice that will define a landscape as being both beautiful and water-wise. Be the first house in your neighborhood to create one!

Helen Kraus earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in horticultural science from NC State University, where she currently teaches. Helen specializes in ornamentals research and teaches Nursery Management and Production (HS 411 and HS 051) and Principles of Horticulture (HS 201). Her research interests include production and management of nursery crops, especially improving irrigation and fertilizer efficiency in container-grown ornamental plant production, water stress, utilization of composts in container-grown ornamental plant production, and nutrition of woody and herbaceous perennial ornamental plants.

Anne Spafford received her B.S. degree in ornamental horticulture and M.L.A. in landscape architecture from the University of Illinois. Anne is a professor in Department of Horticultural Sciences at NC State University where she teaches courses in landscape design and construction, including site planning and construction materials.

David Orr – Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, NC State University

"Organic Insect Management"

David will present the various approaches used for organic insect management. Also presented will be information about beneficial insects and management of habitats in a yard to encourage these beneficials.

David is currently an associate professor of Entomology at North Carolina State University, with a 70% research, 20% extension, and 10% teaching appointment. His primary research and extension focus has been on applied biological control of insect pests and organic insect management. A current research project seeks ways to manage farm landscapes to enhance the ecological services provided by insect predators, weed seed predators, pollinators, and farmland wildlife. He also teaches classes in both biological control and organic agriculture.

Rhonda Sherman – Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University

"Vermicomposting: Turn Your Garbage Into High Quality Compost"

Get ready to turn your food scraps into rich compost for your garden and houseplants. Learn how to set up and maintain a worm bin to recycle your food scraps and used paper. Find out how vermicompost makes plants healthier and curbs disease and pest attacks on plants.

Rhonda Sherman is a faculty member of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at NC State University, providing leadership for university outreach programs on solid waste management issues through the Cooperative Extension Service. She holds degrees in environmental studies and urban/regional planning, and environmental resources analysis with an emphasis in solid waste management. Rhonda has developed and conducted countless training courses and workshops, and created a variety of publications and audiovisuals on solid waste management and sustainability issues. Rhonda provides education and technical assistance about vermicomposting and composting throughout the United States and to 54 countries. Since 2001, Rhonda has annually offered the nation's only conference on large-scale vermicomposting.

Plant Sales

If you are looking for a unique plant or item for your garden or home or are looking for a great gift or plant, check out the vendors at this year's Arborfest. Each of the vendors will be sharing part of their proceeds with the JC Raulston Arboretum.

This year's vendors include:

Cliff Parks – primula
Pine Knot Farms – perennials
The Unique Plant – hard-to-find or unusual trees, dwarf conifers, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses
Weston Farms – "signature" woody plants

Lunch and Refreshments

Bring your own lunch to Arborfest or enjoy hot dogs, snacks, and drinks available for purchase at New York Style Hot Dogs' food cart.

Rain Date

As with most of the JC Raulston Arboretum's programs, Arborfest will be held rain or shine. Each of the day's presentations will be held in the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center. The vendors and the tour will be located and held outdoors.

Cost
Free.
Registration
Advance registration is not available.
Location
JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Parking
Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum.
Questions
Please call (919) 513-7005 for more information about this event.