WSU Extension
“From the Ground Up Workshop
Continuing education for gardening enthusiasts
Learning and growing
Research based information for today’s gardening challenges
Stevens County is full of small pockets of microclimates, and each year’s weather seems different from the last. Local gardeners face unpredictability in an area that defies the “norms” of hardiness zones and frost dates. Our Extension Master Gardeners stay abreast of cutting-edge, research-based gardening practices centered around resiliency and sustainability, so we can give unbiased, valuable advice in our communities. One way to do this is through hosting a gardening conference. We bring together top speakers and experts on topics relevant to Stevens County gardeners and farmers.
Check out what we have coming your way!
More Information
“From the Ground Up” – A 1-day Gardening Workshop
April 19th, 2025
9:00am-3:00pm
Community Colleges of Spokane
– Colville Campus
985 S Elm St., Colville, WA 99114
Presenters and Presentation Descriptions
9 to 10 a.m. Presentations
| Room Number | Presenter | Presentation Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caleb Lankford -WSDA Pollinator Program | A Gardner's Guide to a Bee Friendly Yard: Gardening Practices to Support Native Bee Populations | Interested in supporting native bee populations through gardening? Learning about basic bee biology can help you upgrade your backyard into a native bee paradise! Hear from Washington Bee Atlas program coordinator Caleb Lankford about how to transform your garden into a bee biodiversity hotspot. |
| 2 | Bob Stolz -retired entomologist | Common Pest and Beneficial Insects | Insects can be friends or foes. Learn some of the common ones and how to tell the difference. |
| 3 | Bonnie Stichart -WSU Extension Food Safety Advisor | Preserving the Harvest | Basics of using a pressure canner & waterbathing |
| 4 | Darla Clowser -Stevens County Conservation District | Waterwise Landscape Planning | Considerations for landscape planning in a low-precipitation zone. Tools, tips, and information on reducing water use in your landscape. |
10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Presentations
| Room Number | Presenter | Presentation Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Candace D. Hultberg (Bennett) - Wildlife Conflict Specialist, WDFW | Best Practices for Managing Wildlife Conflict in Your Home Landscape | Bears, deer, and turkeys vs. beehives, gardens, and fruit trees. |
| 2 | Lisa Matthews - Colville Reservation Ag & Natural Resources Coordinator | Your Garden Has Cooties!!!: An Overview of Garden Soil Microbiology | Are all cooties bad? Explore the invisible world of soil microbes. We’ll cover the whats, wheres, and hows including the contribution to soil ecosystem and plant health, as well as pathogenic varieties. Remember … if your garden soil doesn’t have cooties, it’s just dirt! |
| 3 | Rebecca Cahill-Kemmer & Julianna - Fertile Valley Farm | Raising Poultry | Valuable info to help poultry keepers expand their knowledge & skills while enjoying their flock. |
| 4 | Caleb Lankford - WSDA Pollinator Program | An Introduction to the Washington Bee Atlas | The Washington Bee Atlas is a volunteer coordinated effort to survey the native bee populations of Washington State. Attend this session to learn about the value of native bees, how the WaBA works, and what you can do to support native bees in your area! |
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Presentations
| Room Number | Presenter | Presentation Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dana Combest - Stevens County Master Gardener | Gardening for the Penny-Pincher | Talk about ways to start your garden without spending a lot, and to keep your gardening affordable. |
| 2 | Candace D. Hultberg (Bennett) - Wildlife Conflict Specialist, WDFW | Best Practices for Managing Wildlife Conflict in Your Home Landscape | Bears, deer, and turkeys vs. beehives, gardens, and fruit trees. |
| 3 | Rebecca Cahill-Kemmer & Julianna - Fertile Valley Farm | Raising Poultry | Valuable info to help poultry keepers expand their knowledge & skills while enjoying their flock. |
| 4 | Kristina Trahern - Stevens County Conservation District | Wildfire Preparedness & Home Ignition Zones | How to create a fire wise landscape and prepare your home for wildfires through fuel reduction and home hardening. See how fire moves across the landscape and how small changes can make a big difference. |
1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Presentations
| Room Number | Presenter | Presentation Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laura Patterson - Stevens County Master Gardener | Landscaping with Trees & Shrubs | Learn how trees & shrubs provide animal & insect habitats, species diversity, and aesthetic interest. |
| 2 | Dana Combest - Stevens County Master Gardener | Saving Seed From Your Garden | Saving seeds keeps expenses down, helps plants adapt to local conditions, & supports sustainability. |
| 3 | Amy Cabral - vineyard owner | Raisin' Cane: Grapes, Gardening & Good Times | Basics of grapes: where to site, trellis systems, vine care, pruning and taking cuttings. |
| 4 | Sandy Dotts - Stevens County Master Gardener Intern | Composting for Beginners | Learn benefits of composting, various methods, and Do’s and Don’t’s to ensure success |
Sponsors & Donors:
Frequently asked questions:
A: lunch is provided IF you *pre-register* before April 17th.
Lunch will be provided by Mr. Sub and will include a variety of 6″ sandwiches, a full-size bag of chips, an apple, and a soda.