Rhody Native Propagation
Workshop Series

This workshop series is offered free of charge to nursery growers and green industry professionals by the University of Rhode Island, in cooperation with the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association and the Rhode Island Natural History Survey through a Northeast SARE grant.

These workshops showcase a collection of industry best practices, and are intended for professionals interested in diversifying to natives or training employees in native plant propagation, design and marketing. Growers that attend all four workshops will be eligible for seed donation through the Rhody Native Initiative.

Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Preference will be given to green industry professionals. Call (401) 874-2900 or email outreach@uri.edu to register.

Workshop 1: Designing with Natives
Open to the Public Thursday, October 18, 2012 6-8pm Location: URI Kingston Campus, CBLS Auditorium Speakers: Karen Beck, Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants, Inc.; Catherine Weaver, Tupelo Gardenworks; Shannon Brawley, RINLA; Vanessa Venturini, URI Designing with natives for residential, municipal and habitat restoration projects Recording of the workshop (skip to 1:50 for beginning of presentation) Introduction to the Rhody Native Initiative and Workshop Series, Presentation by Vanessa Venturini Using Native Plants in Traditional Landscape Settings, Presentation by Catherine Weaver Designing with Rhody Natives: Opportunities Beyond the Residential Scale, Presentation by Karen Beck Rhody Native Plants Available 2012	Catherine Weaver, Tupelo Gardenworks
Workshop 2: Field ID and Seed Collection
Preference given to green industry professionals Saturday, October 20th, 2012 9am-12pm or 1-4pm Location: TBD Speaker: Hope Leeson, RINHS Native plant identification and seed collection methods
Workshop 3: Propagation Methods
Preference given to green industry professionals Wednesday, October 24, 2012 4:30-7 pm Location: Clark Farms, Matunuck, RI Speakers: Nick Castrataro, URI; Hope Leeson, RINHS; Dr. Brian Maynard, URI; Thomasina Taylor, Blue Moon Farm Perennials; Peter van Berkum, Van Berkum Nurseries Hands-on methodologies including seed cleaning and stratification, stem cutting, growing mediums and practices Handout: Rhody Native seeds available for donation Handout: Van Berkum Nurseries Species List
Workshop 4: Marketing Native Plants
Open to the Public Thursday, November 8, 2012 6-8 pm Location: URI Kingston Campus, CBLS Room 10 Speakers: Billie Best, Project Native; Steve Castorani, North Creek Nursery and American Beauties Native Plants; Ken Ayars, RIDEM Division of Agriculture; Gary Casabona RI NRCS Native plant marketing and point of sale display for nurseries and garden centers. Discussion of opportunities and resources for growers. Podcast of the workshop Marketing Native Plants, Presentation by Steve Castorani Marketing Native Plants, Presentation by Billie Best Handout: RIDEM Nursery Licensing, Inspection & Certification