October 30, 2017

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

Bob Reeves  

Beyond Organic Matter - Unlocking the Power in Soil Microbial Life
We will unravel the mystery of how plants in undisturbed natural settings perform so much better than the same plants in an urban landscape. Why are plants in undisturbed ecosystems more drought-tolerant? Why do they live longer? Why are they less likely to suffer from disease or insect attack? Where and how are they obtaining water and nutrients when the same plants in suburban landscape seem to need constant inputs and care? This presentation will provide a practical guide to understanding the dynamics and importance of plant/microbe interactions in soil and information that anyone who makes their living in the landscape trades cannot afford to ignore. The session will conclude with a detailed look at how landscape professionals can implement a more holistic approach to growing, installing, and caring for landscape plants. Plant failures are a major profit killer - no one wins when a plant dies on a landscape site. The audience will be asked consider where we are now, and how to move toward sustainable landscapes - and a sustainable business model for the future.

Bob Reeves, Root Rescue Environmental Products Inc.
Bob's passion is his conviction: Soil Health = Plant Health. He began the Root Rescue project in 2005 with a discovery he made at his family's nursery / garden centre, Reeves Florist & Nursery in Woodbridge, Ontario. Bob found that lifeless suburban soils were compromising plant success and hurting his company's bottom line. He has worn many hats over the years: grower, nursery buyer, IT manager, and landscape designer; estimator for his own design-build company, Reevision Designs. Bob was also the original developer of the widely-used landscape design and quotation software suite - DynaScape. At the centre of his career has been the pursuit of his twin loves: landscape plants, and industry innovation. Bob advocates strongly for a holistic, restorative approach when planting and maintaining the landscapes we all work with.

Rich Hawkes   Improving Soils Through Organics - in partnership with Nutrite
The overall objective of this presentation is to show how understanding soils, and placing the emphasis on improving soil conditions will significantly improve any fertility program. Understanding Soils: Managing Organic Matter, Managing Microbes, Mychorrhizae. 
Organic Amendments: Composts, - Bio-stimulants, Organic Fertilizers. 
Research: University studies showing how organic practices reduce pesticide usage; Field Studies showing the effects of organic amendments reducing disease outbreak. 
Organic Programs: IPM strategies, Organic and Organic based programs.


Rich Hawkes, Sustane Natural Fertilizer of America
Rich has been with Sustane Natural Fertilizers of America since 1993 and is currently the Regional Sales Manager - Northeast with responsibilities for the Northeast US and Eastern Canada. Over 35 years in the greens industry employed as manufacturer's representative specializing in organic products. He has conducted numerous organic symposiums over the years as related to soils, soil amendments, organic matter, biostimulants, composts and organic fertilizers. Schools Attended include Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY; State University of NY, Farmingdale, NY; Craig County College, Craig, CO.