Full schedule of speakers set for WNA Winter Workshop

Experts in several fields will share their knowledge at the next Winter Workshop, the Wisconsin Nursery Association’s largest educational event of the year.  The all-day event returns to the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011.

The list of speakers includes:

Dr. R. Chris Williamson will speak at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Williamson is an associate professor of entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he is an extension/research entomologist (70 percent extension/30 percent applied research) in urban landscape entomology, including turfgrass (golf courses, lawns, athletic fields, and sod farms), nursery and landscape ornamentals, Christmas trees, and greenhouses.  The title of his presentation is “New & Emerging Insect Control Products – What's on the horizon?”

Following Dr. Williamson will be Bob Dahl of the Wisconsin DATCP, who returns to the Winter Workshop with his State Pest Update.  Mr. Dahl has been a State Nursery Inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection since 1993. He is section chief for the Plant Protection Section of the Bureau of Plant Industry where he supervises field staff in the nursery, Christmas tree, sod, ginseng, potato and other inspection programs.  He works closely with the Gypsy Moth and pest survey programs, and also is the editor and producer of the Cooperative Pest Survey Bulletin.

Kelly Kearns, of the Wisconsin DNR, speaks next. Her presentation is entitled “Invasive Species in the Nursery Industry and New State Rules.” Ms. Kearns is responsible for coordinating DNR activities regarding ecologically invasive plants at the DNR’s Bureau of Endangered Resources, and she was on the team responsible for developing NR 40, the comprehensive invasive species rule.

Christy Webber, president and founder of Christy Webber Landscapes, a $20 million Chicago-based landscape contracting company will entertain the group with her talk, “Using Green to Make Green$$$.”  Ms. Webber employs more than 250 workers at her company, which provides landscape design, construction, and maintenance for residential, commercial and municipal clients in and around the windy city.

Dr. Laura Jull, associate professor of horticulture at UW-Madison and the state extension specialist of Woody Ornamental Horticulture, will return to the Winter Workshop to supply the audience with details about the candidates for Plants of the Year. All who attend are invited to vote for their favorite plants in two categories:  Perennial Plant of the Year and Woody Ornamental Plant of the Year. The plants with the most votes in each category are announced at the end of the Workshop.

After a substantial hot lunch buffet, at which WNA will hold its General Membership Meeting and receive an update from ANLA Senator Ed Knapton, the day’s events will continue with the popular horticulturist, author and radio/TV personality Melinda Myers. Ms. Myers will talk about “Marketing on a Budget—Affordable strategies to build and keep your customer base.”

With more than 30 years of horticulture experience, Ms. Myers is a well-respected expert in the field.  She has a master’s degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist, and has written more than 20 books.  She’s also the host of “Melinda’s Garden Moments,” which air on television and radio stations all over the country.

The final speaker of the day will be Dr. Brent McCown, who will answer the question, “Where are all those new introductions of ornamental plants from UW?” He and Dr. William Hoch, assistant professor at Montana State University, have partnered for research on ornamental plants recently, and Dr. McCown will illuminate those assembled on the latest data. Dr. McCown is a distinguished professor of Horticulture at UW-Madison. His field of study includes the physiology of growth behavior in plants, plant propagation, microculture and micropropagation of plants, and biotechnology of woody perennial crops. Dr. McCown’s research has led to genetic improvements of fruit, ornamental, and forestry crops as well as the formation of several firms.

There are special price discounts for students and Master Gardeners and for all those who sign up before Jan. 24.

To register, call (414) 529-4705.