The Quad Cities’ Premier Gardening Symposium!
Get ready to dig into inspiration and knowledge at Nursery School: Lessons in Gardening, the 26th annual symposium hosted by University of Illinois Extension and our Master Gardeners. Whether you’re planting your first seeds or expanding your expertise, this event promises something for everyone.
Your Gardening Story Starts Here
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Location: Vibrant Arena, 1201 River Drive, Moline, IL
Kickoff Keynote – 8:45 AM | Enjoy complimentary morning coffee and rolls
Start your day with Perfectly Paired: Plants, Pollinators, & You. Emily Swihart, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, will unveil the essential connections between plants and pollinators, setting the tone for a day of growth and discovery.
Choose Your Adventure – Tailored Learning Sessions
Adventure 1: 10:00 - 11:00 AM
- Plan to Plant Your 2025 Garden: New Plants for Current Trends
Discover 2025’s must-have plants with Kate Terrell, President of Wallace’s Garden Center. Learn about heat- and drought-tolerant varieties, native plants, and cutting garden trends. - Honey and Health: Nature’s Sweet Treat
Kristin Bogdonas, Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator, explores honey’s varieties, benefits, and culinary uses, complete with tastings. - Jumping Worms: Identification, Impact, and Prevention in Illinois
Chris Evans, Illinois Extension Forester, educates on the invasive jumping worm species and their effects on Illinois ecosystems.
Adventure 2: 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
- Tapestry Farms: An Urban Farm System in the QC
Ann McGlynn, Executive Director of Tapestry Farms, shares how urban farming empowers refugees and supports the local community. - Elevate Expectations with Raised Bed Gardening
Ken Johnson, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, demonstrates how to create accessible and productive raised beds. - The Enchanting World of Dragonflies and Damselflies
Amy Loving, Director of Education at Nahant Marsh, delves into the ecology of these fascinating creatures.
Midday Break – Lunch, Shopping, and Networking
Help yourself to our taco bar buffet, and then spend time visiting unique garden vendors. Be sure to visit each one for a chance to win a gift basket filled with items from the vendors - to be given away during the closing keynote.
Closing Chapter Keynote – 1:15 PM
Nancy Kreith, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, wraps up the day with a session on Landscape Design, inspiring attendees to craft sustainable outdoor spaces.
Special Features
- Vendor Giveaway Drawing: Complete your “Nursery School library card” at the vendor booths for a chance to win a prize basket.
- Nursery School Gift Certificates Available: Perfect for the garden lovers in your life. Get details and order one for $60 at go.illinois.edu/NurserySchoolGift
- Garden Vendors Wanted. If you have items, services, or products that appeal to the garden-enthusiasts, sign up to be a vendor, starting at $25 for a booth. Get details at go.illinois.edu/NSvendor
Registration Details
- Early Bird Registration: $60 (through January 31)
- Standard Registration: $70 (February 1–15)
Registration closes February 15. Visit [Insert Registration Link] or call (309) 756-9978 to secure your spot.
Hosted by University of Illinois Extension and Our Master Gardeners
Brought to you by University of Illinois Extension and our dedicated Master Gardeners from Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark counties, this event is a must for anyone passionate about gardening.
Download the full brochure and start planning your gardening adventure today!
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.