Native American Horticulture is Focus of Upcoming Workshop

By Trisha Gedon, Oklahoma State University

First posted on 03-04-2010

Individuals who are interested in Native American horticulture should plan to attend an educational one-day conference April 8 at the Payne County Expo Center, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Expo Center is located east of Stillwater at the intersection of State Highway 51 and Fairgrounds Road.

Mike Schnelle, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension ornamental floriculture specialist, said professionals from OSU and abroad, will be on hand to share information during this educational workshop.

“We’ve got a great conference planned and we’re offering participants the opportunity to take home a lot of valuable information,” Schnelle said. “The informational workshops are geared toward a wide variety of gardening enthusiasts.”

Christine Price-Abelow, lead horticulturist for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C., will present “Creating a Native Landscape” and discuss the details about what went into the planning and now the maintenance of this challenging landscape at the museum. This unique landscape features more than 33,000 plants and represents four native habitats.
She also will present “Incorporating Horticulture into Your Educational Programs.” In this session, participants will learn about some examples of unique ways the Smithsonian’s Horticulture Services Department contributes to the National Museum of the American Indian’s public programs and special events.

Dennis Peterson, manager of the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center in Southeastern Oklahoma, will speak about crops grown by people indigenous to that area. In addition, Deb Echo-Hawk will provide information about the Pawnee Seed Preservation Project.

Fred Schneider, Cleveland County Master Gardener and professor emeritus in anthropology at the University of North Dakota, will be on hand to provide information regarding traditional Native American gardening in the North Plains.

Also on the agenda will be a presentation regarding Selection and Management of Native Grasses and Navajo Agricultural Products.

Registration is $75 per person and must be postmarked by March 29. OBGA members, Extension educators and Master Gardeners may register for $50. Registration is $100 after March 29. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Stephanie Larimer at 405-744-5404, or e-mail at .

This event is sponsored by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, department of horticulture and landscape architecture and the OBGA.

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