DATE:     3/14/01
CONTACT:  Dr. Brenda Vander Mey, (864) 656-3821; vanmey@clemson.edu
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343; tlollis@clemson.edu

Gardening for Children symposium
will be held at Clemson University

     CLEMSON - The third annual Betsy M. Campbell Gardening 
with Children Symposium will be May 2-3 at the Madren Center 
on the Clemson University campus.
     The symposium is for teachers, Extension Service personnel, 
Master Gardeners and anyone else involved with gardening projects 
for young people.
     The symposium was established to show how gardening may be 
used to enhance and supplement classroom activities and strengthen 
a sense of community in schools, according to sociologist Brenda 
Vander Mey, Clemson Extension specialist and coordinator for the
Landscapes for Learning Cooperative.
     "We focused last year on how gardening projects can enhance
science and math, though we suggested that people look at other 
areas of the curriculum.  Now were showing how it can be used in 
all areas - from art and writing to social studies," she said.
     Registration for the symposium is $25, which covers the cost 
of breaks, lunches and materials.
     "Registration will close when we reach 70 paid participants," 
said Vander Mey. The symposium will run from 9 to 5 on May 2 and 
from 8:30 to 1 on May 3.
     Keynote speakers will be Tim Grant, co-editor of Green Teacher
magazine, and Tom Tyler, Extension horticulture specialist in 
Arlington, Va. Tyler is a Clemson graduate and president of the
American Community Gardening Association.
     Grant will talk about hands-on school grounds projects that 
work. Tyler will tell why community gardening should be tried in 
South Carolina.
     Ed Falco of Duke Power will tell about the Habitat Stewards
organization, Carolina Fence Gardens and other Stewards-inspired
projects.
     Larry Kowalski, science teacher in Anderson County, will share 
his experiences with the Junior Master Gardening Program, Project
Challenge and the gardens his students created for and with Hospice 
of the Upstate. Bob Polomski, Clemson Extension home horticulturist 
and coordinator for the Master Gardener Program, will join in
Kowalski's presentation.
     Frank Wertheim, an Extension educator from Maine, will tell 
how Kids Can Grow through gardening. Sara Thieber of the S.C. 
Wildlife Federation will give an overview of the programs and 
outreach provided by the federation.
     Rick Huffman, president of the S.C. Native Plant Society, 
will discuss using native plants in landscape design.
    Lisa Wagner, education coordinator for the S.C. Botanical 
Garden, will talk about the nonformal educational programs offered 
by the garden and some of her experiences about gardening with
children.
     Joe Culin, chairman of the Department of Entomology at 
Clemson University, will update participants on the school-based
butterfly gardening and research program that he coordinates.
     Schools and organizations may also enter a poster contest for 
the symposium. First prize is $500. Second prize is $350, and third 
is $100.
     For more information or to make reservations contact Brenda 
Vander Mey, Landscapes for Learning, Department of Sociology, Box
341356, Brackett Hall, Clemson University, Clemson. SC 29634-1356.
Telephone 864-656-3821 or fax to 864-656-1252. The e-mail address 
is vanmey@clemson.edu.
                              END