WSU Extension
Workshops
Continuing education for gardening enthusiasts
Learning and growing
Research-based information for today’s gardening challenges
Stevens County has many 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 workshop. We bring together top speakers and experts on topics relevant to Stevens County gardeners and farmers.
More Information
“From the Ground Up” – A one-day Gardening Workshop
April 11th, 2026
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 | Joey Rosario-WSU Masters student with Honeybees + Pollinators Program | Pollinators and Pesticides | Learn the importance of pollinators, focusing on native bees and honeybees, and how pesticides can affect bees when they come into contact with them. |
| 2 | Sandy Dotts -Certified Master Gardener for Stevens County | No Greenhouse? No Problem! Strategies for Growing Veggies Year-Round in NE Washington | Learn the keys to non-stop crops, including how to extend the growing season well into the fall, start gardening earlier in the spring, and pick the right plants to provide a continuous harvest of homegrown veggies, all without a greenhouse |
| 3 | Dana Combest -Certified Master Gardener for Stevens County | More Trees, Please! The Miyawaki Method of Planting Mini-Forests | The Miyawaki method helps communities and individuals create mini-forests in a relatively short period of time. We will review the concepts of the method and look at some examples, including the tuḿ / ś́ḱʷuy Food Forest near Wellpinit. |
| 4 | Cindy Jennings - Stevens County Weed Board (retired) | Strategies for Control of Noxious Weeds | Learn to identify noxious weeds in our county and neighboring counties and various control methods for each one. |
10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Presentations
| Room Number | Presenter | Presentation Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Barreca - owner, Barreca Vineyards | Basic Biochar | Learn how to use biochar as an additive to store carbon, retain water, and to inoculate your soil with beneficial biology. |
| 2 | Darla Clowser - Stevens County Conservation District | Waterwise Gardening | Considerations for landscape planning in a low-precipitation zone. Tools, tips, and information on reducing water use in your landscape. |
| 3 | Larry Bray - owner, The Preserve at Dry Creek | Growing Mushrooms at Home | Learn how to grow your own mushrooms (the edible kind) at home. |
| 4 | Tim Kohlhauff - WSU Spokane Extension Master Gardener Coordinator and Arborist by trade | Pruning for Better Fruit Production | It doesn't make sense: better fruit production with less tree? How can that work? The answer is to prune out the unproductive parts of your fruit trees and strengthen the productive parts. Come learn what to keep and what to prune. |
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Presentations
| Room Number | Presenter | Presentation Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathryn Hoogheem - WSU Stevens County Extension Agriculture Educator | Compost and Vegetable Garden Maintenance | Compost as you go, prevent contamination and disease, and keep your garden healthy with simple "tidying up". |
| 2 | Sheree Collins - Certified Master Gardener for Stevens County Rob Blade - retiree professional gardener | Go Native!: The Why, What, and How of our Native Plants | Native plants are essential for native pollinators and play an important role in a healthy, biodiverse landscape. This presentation will discuss what defines a native, why and how we should plant them, and which varieties are best for our area, including substitutions for common plants. |
| 3 | Lisa Matthews - Air Quality Program Manager, Office of Environmental Trust, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation | Hidden Soil Heroes: How Fungi Help Your Garden | When you hear the word "fungi" do you envision mushrooms? Or perhaps the molds and mildews that can ruin your garden? If so, then it's time to broaden your horizons. There are many more fungi that help your fruits and veggies grow, and many of your garden plants need these hidden soil heroes to thrive. Come and learn about beneficial garden fungi and what they do for you! |
| 4 | Tim Kohlhauff - WSU Spokane Extension Master Gardener Coordinator and Arborist by trade | Pruning for Better Fruit Production | It doesn't make sense: better fruit production with less tree? How can that work? The answer is to prune out the unproductive parts of your fruit trees and strengthen the productive parts. Come learn what to keep and what to prune. |
1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Presentations
| Room Number | Presenter | Presentation Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lora Lea Misterly - owner, Quillisascut Farm | Eating Between the Rows: Free Food While You Weed | The greens that are considered weeds between your cultivated row crops often have higher nutrient density than the ones you are intentionally growing. This presentation will discuss identification of these “weeds”, best times to harvest, and recipes that showcase them in delicious ways. |
| 2 | Kristina Trahern - Stevens County Conservation District | Firewise Landscaping | How to create a firewise 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. |
| 3 | Amy Cabral - Stevens County Weed Board and experienced local Grape Grower | Raisin' Cane: Grape Care in NE WA | A brief primer on growing grapes from cuttings with a smattering of viticulture and other tidbits. Some info on growing raspberries and blackberries will be lightly touched on. |
| 4 | Christine Gile - Certified Master Gardener for Stevens County | Hydroponics for Beginners: the Kratky Method | Simple and cheap method for growing plants indoors. |
Sponsors & Donors:
Frequently asked questions:
A: Lunch is optional if you buy your ticket before April 9th and select to add a lunch to your ticket.
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. Gluten-free or vegetarian options available (choices in the drop-down field when buying ticket).
A: You can attend up to 4 sessions at this event. The cost for the ticket remains the same no matter how many sessions you choose to attend.