2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Although the Mojave Desert is not known as an agricultural paradise, it does have a great deal of ornamental horticulture activity. Desert Green is a collaborative effort of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, the Society for Arboriculture, Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Extension faculty specialists and Department of Agriculture Specialists from Nevada, as well as professionals from surrounding states teach classes. During the three-day conference, well over 275 attendees participate in workshops that provide continuing education credits in arboriculture, golf course management and pesticide applicator certification. These CEUs are approved for California, Utah, Arizona as well as Nevada. On the last day of the conference, attendees are able to take the state examination to obtain their Restricted Use Pesticide applicator certificate or license. This conference could not operate in the smooth way it has for the past 22 years without the contributions of the Master Gardeners of Southern Nevada. These volunteers handle registration tables, direct participants to their rooms, staff booths, and act as time-keepers for individual workshops. Over 25 Master Gardener volunteers help keep things running smoothly.