2009 Organic Gardening Day

This article was originally published on October 20, 2009 and expired on November 13, 2009. It is provided here for archival purposes and may contain dated information.

This letter is to announce that Organic Gardening Day 2009 has been scheduled for Saturday, November 21, from 8:00 am (when registration begins and the retail area opens) through 4:30 pm, at the Hawthorn Hotel and Suites, 101 Trade Center Drive, Champaign, IL. (217) 398-3400. The Hawthorn Suites is just south of Kirby and lies between State and Neil Streets. This is a different location than past Organic Gardening Days. From the north, I would recommend taking the University Avenue exit off I-57, turning right on Mattis Avenue, taking that to a left on Kirby, and turning right on State Street. From the south, you could take the Curtis Road exit and cross over to Neil Street (Rt. 45). From the east on I-74, you can take the Neil Street exit south about 3 miles and turn right on Kirby and immediately left on State. Hotel rooms are reserved for Organic Gardening Day attendees at a special rate ($99.99, king or double) until November . After that date, this rate will only be in effect if rooms at the hotel remain available. A Hilton Garden Inn is just up the street, too. The first educational session begins promptly at 9 am.

As has become traditional, organic gardening experts from around the world will present five educational sessions to inspire herb gardening and use in the coming year.

Dr. John Biernbaum, from Michigan State University, where he works with organics, herbs, greenhouses, and the student farm, will first talk about Soil Building Techniques. In the afternoon, he will relate his experiences with Year-Round Production in Unheated Greenhouses.

Anne Patterson, from Living Earth Farm, in Farmington, Illinois, will explain how to bring about Real Health Care Reform – From Your Garden! Eat healthy to be healthy.

Niall and Kristie Campbell, the owners of Firefly Grill in Effingham, Illinois, will co-present From Garden to Table: Savoring the Fruits of Your Labors, a discussion and cooking demonstration featuring recipes which incorporate fresh herbs and organic produce.

Jim Schmidt, a home horticulture specialist from the Department of Crop Sciences here at UIUC, will speak about Pest-Free Posies, which will detail some relatively trouble-free flowers for the organic garden.

There will be a retail area selling a broad spectrum of gardening products. Get a jump-start on the 2010 gardening season by shopping now. Morning coffee, tea, and rolls will be available near the exhibit area, and an organic-themed lunch buffet will be served. The capacity of the lecture room at this location is limited to no more than 150 registrants, so be sure to send in your reservations right away.

Attendees may register and reserve lunch at any time through November 13, as long as space remains available. Registrations will be allotted on a first come, first served basis, so reserve now. Once the available spaces are filled, any additional registrations will be returned. On-site registration will only be available if all seats are not filled by pre-registration. On-site registration does not include lunch.

Cost of registration, including lunch, is $59 per person. This includes seating in the lectures, coffee, tea, and rolls during morning registration, an organic theme lunch buffet (including vegetarian options), and access to the retail area. A vegan plate is available, but only if requested on the registration form. Reservations must be received by November 13, 2009, to guarantee lunch. Those interested in attending should mail checks, payable to the University of Illinois, to: Organic Gardening Day 2009, Attn: Tracey Malkovich, AW-101, Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801-4730 (see enclosed return envelope) to reserve registration and lunch. For more information, call (217) 333-3420 and mention Organic Gardening Day 2009. Sorry, credit card orders cannot be accepted, and cancellations will not be refunded. Registrations may be transferred to another individual, as long as Tracey Malkovich is notified of the name change by November 13.

No confirmation of registration will be sent. To confirm receipt of registration, please phone (217) 333-3420 or e-mail malkovic@illinois.edu.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration Form
(due by November 13, 2009)

For Organic Gardening Day 2009 on Saturday, November 21:

Participant(s) name (for nametag), address, and phone number (please print):

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Total number of registrations requested: x $59 = $

Number for vegan lunch plate (no meat, dairy, or eggs). List name(s) below:

Send check, payable to UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, to Organic Gardening Day 2009, Attn: Tracey Malkovich, AW-101 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801-4730. Sorry, no credit card orders.

Source: Charles Voigt, Extension Specialist, Vegetable Crops, cevoigt@illinois.edu