Three commercial horticulture seminars and workshops were held in 2002-03: 2003 Northeast Region Landscape Seminar I –IPM & Best Management in Horticulture; 2003 NE Region Landscape Seminar II – IPM & Best Management in Horticulture II; and 2003 Summer NE Region Grounds, Landscape & Athletic Field Maintenance Workshop & Seminar. Overall these programs trained 123 participants, 83 of whom completed evaluations noting that they have increased their knowledge and skills related to profitably and sustainably operating their agricultural businesses.

Impact information was gathered from program evaluations with participants indicating they would be changing operations or had an increase in knowledge or understanding of some to a lot (25-47%).

This quarterly 8-page newsletter addresses issues of interest to commercial businesses and horticulture organizations in the tri-county area. It is distributed to 500-600 businesses. Topics covered include: Upcoming Programs; New Plants to Sell and Use; About Basics – Soils, Fertilizers and Water; Pesticide Applicator Information; IPM – Integrated Pest Management; and Business Management & Market Overview.

Master Gardener Program

The Pike County Master Gardener group, coordinated by Elaine Haines, Pike Co. Master Gardener Coordinator, has been very active and enthusiastic, with a massive expansion in the number of volunteer hours and people reached with programming this year.

Activity by Pike County Master Gardeners provided over 1,011.5 hours of volunteer service and made 1,252 contacts.

2002-2003 Volunteer for
Pike County Master Gardeners
Edward Haines - 150 hours
Elaine Haines - over 240 hours
Carole Linkiewicz - over 240 hours
Carol Padalino - over 240 hours

Total Volunteer Time in Service to
Master Gardener Program
500 hour award - Carol Padalino
300 hour award - Elaine Haines
300 hour award - Carol Linkiewicz
100 hour award - Marguerite Rickett
50 hour award - Chris Turn

Backyard Composting

Backyard compost workshops were conducted in Fall 2002 and Fall 2003. Master Gardeners Elaine Haines, Ed Haines, Carole Linkiewicz, Carol Padalino and Chris Turn coordinated and conducted 6 (2002) and 8 (2003) programs. One hundred fifty free bins each for 2002 and 2003 were distributed at the end of the 2002-03 and beginning of the 2003-04 program years. All evaluation results were posted on-line. For more composting information, visit the following website: http:backyardcompost.cas.psu.edu

Master Gardener Calendar

The 2003 Pocono Master Gardener Calendar of Gardening was designed, promoted, marketed and sold by Master Gardeners to retail garden centers, non-profit organizations and the general public by the group. Ed Haines, Elaine Haines and Chris Turn provided major assistance in Pike County with the program and marketing.