Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist Permian Basin Master Gardeners

October 26 - 28, 2016

P u r p o s e : To provide advanced training for Master Gardeners who wish to obtain specialization in areas that support or expand designated educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

M a s t er Ga r d e n er Oak Wilt S p e cia li st: In an effort to provide advanced training, the Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist training was created as an, intensive multi-day program that will equip Master Gardeners with knowledge and skills to effectively support and multiply Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service efforts in educational programs.

Master Gardeners who fulfill specified training and volunteer requirements will be recognized as a Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialists. This certification does not grant a volunteer with supervisory or administrative authority within his/her local county program.

Req u i r e m e n t s : To be eligible for Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist training, an individual must be Master Gardener in good standing or be an employee of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Master Gardener applicants must be approved by their local County Extension Agent.

M a s t er Ga r d e n er Oak Wilt Specialist: The Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist program is designed to train and certify Master Gardeners to become part of a state corps of Oak Wilt educators. To become a certified Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist, Master Gardeners are required to attend the Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist training to fulfill training requirements and subsequently meet service requirements described below. Training activities during the course will empower Master Gardeners to complete these service requirements.

P o si t i on De s c r i pt i o n: The Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist is charged with increasing awareness and providing training in Oak Wilt.

T i m e C o m m itme n t: The Master Gardener is required to serve a minimum of one year as a Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist providing a minimum of 20 hours of service.

T r ai n i ng a n d S e r v ice R e q u i r eme n t s : • Attend the Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist training• Serve as a local resource as a Master Gardener Oak Wilt Specialist• Assist County Extension Agent with Oak Wilt Training for Master Gardeners and trainees• Conduct community and youth Oak Wilt education programs• Increase clientele knowledge about Oak Wilt through: presentations, workshops and mass media

efforts (i.e. radio, newspaper, television, newsletters)

S p ec i a list R e c o g n i t i o n a n d Cer t i f i c a t i on : Upon completion of the Master Gardener Oak Wilt service requirements, the Master Gardener will be formally recognized at the annual Texas Master Gardener Conference, at which time they will be awarded a Master Gardener Specialist certificate and lapel pin.

R e s o u r c es A v a i l a bl e to M a s t er G arde n e r Oak Wilt S p ec i alists: Oak Wilt Specialist training, Educational materials and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service resources.

Dress: Dress casually, wear comfortable closed toe shoes.

L o c a t io n : West Texas Food Bank, 411 South Pagewood Avenue. Odessa, TX 79761

Master Gardener Oak Wilt SpecialistOctober 26-28, 2016

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 The Tree•         12:00 PM - 12:30 PM - Registration & Greetings

Permian Basin Master Gardener Hosts•         12:30 PM - 1:00 PM – Oaks in History

Pat Hunter,Permian Basin Master Gardener & Texas Master Naturalist

•         1:00 PM - 2:30 PM – Oaks in the LandscapeJeff Floyd,Certified Arborist, County Agent, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

•         2:30 PM - 3:30 PM – Benefits of Urban TreesJonathan Motsinger,Certified Arborist, Regional Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

•         3:30 PM - Break•         3:45 PM - 4:45 PM – Estimating the Dollar Value of Trees

Mark Walter,Arborist, Owner of Walter Tree Services

•         4:45 PM - 5:45 PM - Sharing the Love of TreesJonathan Motsinger,Certified Arborist, Regional Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

•         5:45 PM - Break•         6:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Dinner catered at the residence of Mrs. Dianne Williams

Demonstration – “How to Hire an Arborist”Mark Walter, Arborist, Owner of Walter Tree CareLuis Galvan, Certified Arborist, Owner of the Young Pro Tree Service

Thursday October 27, 2016 The Pathogen•         8:30 AM - 9:00 AM – Coffee & Pastries•         9:00 AM - 10:00 AM – The Oak Wilt Pathogen

Rachel McGregorProject Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

•         10:00 AM - Break•         10:15 AM - 11:15 AM – Signs & Symptoms of Oak WiltJames Tuttle, Certified Arborist, Owner of Tree Loving CareFormer President of International Society of Arboriculture-Texas•         11:15 AM – 12:15 PM –Spread of Oak Wilt

Mickey Merritt,Certified Arborist, Staff Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

•         12:15 PM - 1:00 PM - Lunch•         1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Management of Oak Wilt: Cultural & Direct Methods

Rachel McGregorProject Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

•         3:00 PM Break•         3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Infection Center Site Visit

Demonstration: Direct Management of Oak WiltMilton Kirby,Certified Arborist, Owner of Landscape Services

•         5:00 PM - Break

•         5:30 PM - 7:00 PM - DinnerChallenge: Stump the Arborist Q & A Panel

Milton Kirby, Certified Arborist, Owner of Landscape ServicesRachel McGregor, Project Forester, Texas A&M Forest ServiceMickey Merritt, Certified Arborist, Staff Forester Texas A&M Forest ServiceMaxwell, Certified Arborist, Owner of Arbor Max SolutionsOthers

Friday October 28, 2016 The Future•         8:30 AM - 9:00 AM – Coffee & Pastries•         9:00 AM - 11:00 AM – Outlook (Oak Wilt, EAB, SOD, Mites, Scale, Thrips & Other Pests)

Rachel McGregorProject Forester, Texas A&M Forest ServiceMickey Merritt,Certified Arborist, Staff Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

•         11:00 AM - Break•         11:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Education & Outreach

Jeff Floyd,Certified Arborist, County Agent, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

•         12:00 PM - Adjourn 

L o c a t io n : West Texas Food Bank, 411 South Pagewood Avenue. Odessa, TX 79761

Nearby Lodging:

Residence Inn by Marriott, 7261 Tres Hermanas Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762, (432) 563-2190; 4.6 StarsBest Western Plus, 7001 Tres Hermanas Blvd, Odessa, TX 79765, (432) 614-4696; 4.5 StarsHomewood Suites by Hilton, 7221 Tres Hermanas Blvd, Odessa, TX, 79765, (432) 614-4696 79765, 4.6 StarsSuper 8 Odessa TX 2833 E Interstate 20, Odessa, TX 79766, (432) 272-4550, (432) 704-5199; super8.com, 4.1 stars