March 22, 2006

Contact: Gordon Ovenshine: 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

SRU TO HOST ORGANIC GARDENING WORKSHOP APRIL 8

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Robert A Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research at Slippery Rock University will hold an introductory workshop for novice gardeners April 8, covering garden design, soil management, seeds, transplants, composting and other getting-started concepts.

 The “Organic Gardening 101 Workshop” will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $30, $15 for students. There is a limit of 30 persons for the workshop. Receipt of the fee reserves a spot on a first come, first serve basis. Call 724-738-4050 for informationor check the Macoskey Center homepage at www.sru.edu/pages/756.asp for more details.

Participants will take part in hands-on demonstrations and learn how to create and maintain their own organic garden. SRU’s Thomas Reynolds, Macoseky Center director, and graduate students Kyle Holzhueter of Kimberton and Kristin Quell or Port Chester, N.Y. will lead the workshop.

 Thomas has been the director since 2000. Holzhueter, in SRU’s sustainable systems program, has studied natural farming in Japan and eco-village design in Australia. Quell, a parks and recreation graduate student, works as the environmental education graduate assistant at the center.

Organic gardeners strive to work in harmony with natural systems and grow food that is chemical free, Reynolds said, adding that numerous studies indicate organic produce is healthier as well.

#PN, PR