Wilsonville, Ore. - The 2016 Farwest Show, August 25-27, in Portland, Ore., has invited Dr. Luisa Santamaria, Extension Plant Pathologist & Bilingual Educator, NWREC at Oregon State University, to deliver a Spanish-only address to shed light on issues around soilborne pathogens. Her talk, "Management of Soilborne Pathogens in Nursery Production," goes beyond the chemistry and physics of the soil, to look at pathogenic causes of plant diseases. Dr. Santamaria will point out the groups of pathogenic soilborne organisms associated with nursery crops and how to reduce their population levels. A diagnostic practice to identify symptoms associated with these pathogens will complement the lecture.
Her session takes place, Thursday, August 25, at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Room B115-116. This Spanish-only presentation is part of Farwest’s bilingual education outreach that offers 8 hours of Spanish Only and Translated Pesticide Recertification Credits.
Retail expert Brian Minter, president and owner of Minter Country Garden, will also speak on the quantum shift in the role of plants in people’s lives today. His talk, "The Changing Dynamics of Garden Retailing," will point out how in today’s garden realities we need to understand the new values of a changing consumer blend. Plants and their related products have become a means of achieving these values. It’s more about what they can do than what they are, such as providing privacy, cleaning toxins from our homes, attracting bees, providing new food flavors and creating a greater sense of happiness and well-being. Minter’s seminar takes place Thursday, August 25, from 10-11 a.m., Room B115-116.
Dr. Santamaria joined Oregon State University as an Assistant Professor - Extension Plant Pathology Specialist in March 2009. In her current position at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) in Aurora, she is focused on the development of bilingual educational programs in plant health for nursery workers. Her goal is to train the nursery workforce on systems approach to prevent plant diseases and develop a better understanding of an integrated pest management. Dr. Santamaria’s applied research is dedicated to a better understanding of incidence and impact of soilborne pathogens, such as Phytotphtora spp, Pythium spp and Verticillium spp, on nursery production.
Minter is a horticulturist, entrepreneur, recipient of the "Order of Canada" and "Honorary Doctorate of Technology." He is co-owner with his wife, Faye, of Minter Country Garden, an innovative destination garden center and greenhouse growing operation in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. Well known from his magazine articles, syndicated newspaper columns and TV and radio programs, Minter is in demand internationally as a speaker by industry and by gardening and tourism groups. In 2014 he was awarded the highest honors given by the Perennial Plant Association and by the Garden Writers Association. He has sat on and chaired numerous boards related to his extensive green industry experience and served two terms as the first Chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley.
For complete information on both sessions and to register for the Show, visit www.FarwestShow.com.