Plants will headline Sandoz Society Conference
Something new — a combined conference of the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum — will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday March 27–29 at Chadron State College. The program will be open to the public, but it is especially designed for devotees of Sandoz’s works, gardeners at all levels, landowners, homeowners, horticulturists and those new to the region.
Leaders of the Sandoz Society and the Statewide Arboretum decided to join forces for this year’s conference to celebrate the High Plains environment of author Mari Sandoz, whose settings in works such as “Old Jules,” reflect the land and plants of her native western Nebraska.
The conference’s horticultural presentations will feature lessons, both old and new, about how to grow plants in the region’s demanding environment.
The conference’s co-chairperson, Lucinda Mays of Chadron, said those who watch garden shows on television will appreciate seeing in person Roger Swain, long-time host of “The Victory Garden,” and panelists from Nebraska Educational Television’s “Backyard Farmer.”
Thursday will be filled with presentations on topics such as turf and trees, bugs and wildflowers, garden design and pruning techniques.
“Plan to come away inspired and ready to tackle your garden and landscaping projects,” Mays said. “Register for a full day of classes and have lunch with the presenters.”
Starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, the presenters will be available to answer horticulture questions during an informal town hall meeting in the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center at CSC. The session will be open to the public without charge.
Also free of charge Thursday evening will be Swain’s keynote presentation, “Planting Villages: How Gardens Make Good Neighbors.” It will begin at 7 o’clock in the CSC Student Center.
Friday’s program will bring experts on cultural geography, environmental horticulture, the “jewels” that pioneer botanist Claude Barr grew in his garden near Smithwick, S.D., Sandhills plants and Nebraska wines.
“We’re encouraging people to mix the two days together for a stimulating, thought-provoking end to 2008’s High Plains winter,” Mays said.
The conference will wrap up Saturday with workshops for researchers, a visit to CSC’s High Plains Herbarium and a caravan of cars to Mari Sandoz’ gravesite south of Gordon.
Those with questions may call the Sandoz Center at CSC at 308-432-6401 or visit the Sandoz Society web site at www.marisandoz.org.
Category: Campus News, Sandoz Society