MELNA Education Day, February 28, 2025
Registration is now closed.
Download the Day’s Schedule. NOTE: Roanne Robbins will be speaking at 9:20 and Ray Defeo will speak at 10:10.
Schedule for the Day (updated)
9:00 – 9:20am: Sign in, Coffee, Tea, Refreshments
9:20 – 10:00am: Roanne Robbins, Van Berkum Nursery
Did you say Native?!
Learn about straight- species U.S. natives thriving in New England native and ornamental gardens.
10:10 – 10:50am: Ray Defeo, Prides Corner Farms
What is missing from your nursery or landscape?!
Join Ray to discuss different specialty Evergreens, Roses and Fruits to have your customer’s landscape stand out
from the rest!
11:00am – 11:40pm: Jeff O’Donal, McSherry’s Nursery
Container Growing versus Field Growing
To grow in a container or out in the fi that is the question. Jeff will help guide growers down a successful
path.
LUNCH: 11:50 – 12:30pm – Included
12:30 – 1:10pm: Ryan Liberty, Crooked Brook Farm
Christmas Tree Farm Start up
Learn about the challenges and rewards of starting an unconventional Christmas Tree Farm.
1:20 – 2:00pm: John Wagner, Evergreen Farms Nursery
Pruning, Maintenance and Longevity for tree farms
Join John to learn his pruning techniques and how he cares for his farm. Christmas Tree farms require a special knack and we will discuss it!
2:10 – 3:10pm: Michael Parisio, Maine Forest Service + 1 Pesticide Credit
Forest Insect & Disease Update
To wrap up the day, we will summarize the learnings for 2024’s insects and pathogens and how we can continue moving forward.
AG Day in the Legislature
March 18, 2025
State Capitol
Augusta, ME
Community Service Project:
Each year requests are submitted to our organization to request our expertise in landscaping a particular locale. It is our difficult task to choose a project deserving of our attention. Once chosen, a landscape is designed, plants and materials are donated by our membership in a coordinated effort, and we descend upon the site for the installation. It is an amazing to see a site transformed so quickly by many experienced hands. Equipment and materials quickly move about, completing the project many times in a matter of hours. The camaraderie amongst the workers is a true draw on the day for many. If you haven’t had the experience, we encourage you to become involved – you will be in awe of what we can do!
If you have any questions or ideas, please contact
Don Sproul, Executive Director
Maine Landscape and Nursery Association
PO Box 4666
Augusta, ME 04330
Email: exdir@melna.org
Phone: (207) 623-6430