January 2019 Articles

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Northeast Louisiana garden seminar set for Jan. 19

Northeast Louisiana garden seminar set for Jan. 19 Karol Osborne at 318-574-2465 or kosborne@agcenter.lsu.edu(11/26/18) WEST MONROE, La. — Renowned seed saver and master gardener John Coykendall will be the keynote speaker at the ninth annual Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners Association seminar at the West Monroe Convention Center on Jan. 19. “Our half-day seminar features three expert gardeners and focuses on heirloom seeds and fruit, and the stories behind them,” said LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Kerry Heafner. Held in conjunction with the Northeast Louisiana Ag Expo, the seminar is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners Association. Coykendall is the subject of a Louisiana Public Broadcasting documentary “Deeply Rooted: John Coykendall’s Journey to Save Our Seeds and Stories.” He has collected seeds from gardens around the world — many from south Louisiana — and partners with Seed Saver’s Exchange to repopulate seeds that are near extinction. Coykendall will present “Seeds of the Past for the Future,” passing on a rich history of seeds and their stories. The seminar also will feature a seed swap, and participants are encouraged to bring seeds to share. Retired AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings will discuss “Easy Seeding: Ornamentals to Greaux.” Owings currently serves as senior horticulturist at Bracy’s Nursery in Amite City. Mississippi nursery owner Larry Stephenson will present “The Apple Hunters,” sharing his passion for Deep South apple varieties. Stephenson is editor of the Southern Fruit Fellowship Newsletter and a longtime member of the North American Fruit Explorers. Registration for the seminar is $20, with pre-registration preferred. Checks should be made payable to NELAMG, ATTN: January Seminar, 704 Cypress St., West Monroe, LA 71292. The West Monroe Convention Center is located at 901 Ridge Ave. The program will begin at 7:30 a.m. and run until 1:30 p.m