New York Botanical Garden’s School of Professional Horticulture to Host 6th Annual Free Green Industry Field Day, July 18

“We have rigorously built on our foundation through the glowing feedback we receive from an ever-expanding attendee community, the growing lineup of corporate sponsors, and the dedication of NYBG staff. This year, we are extremely excited about our peerless roster of speakers and our record-breaking band of interns who now not only represent the NYC-area; but also hail from across the country,” Yurgalevitch explained. “Green Industry Field Day – otherwise and afffectionately known as Hortie Hoopla continues to expand to serve the needs of our horticulture community and, in fact, has become the recognized industry event benchmark for emerging hort professionals,” he added.

Attendees can view the Garden’s collections and talk with NYBG Horticulture curators and experts, test their Plant ID skills, and conclude the day with food and refreshments, games, and prizes. Plus, enjoy 30% off at NYBG Shop all day!

Keynote Address: Ahmed Hassan

3–5 p.m.—Site visits to the new Edible Academy, Green Materials Recycling Center (composting facility), plant ID contest, and more!

5:00 p.m. to dusk—BBQ in the new Edible Academy with games, prizes, and more.

Keynote Speaker

Ahmed Hassan, best known as the host and co-creator of Yard Crashers, Blog Cabin, and Turf War on DIY and HGTV network. He owns and operates Ahmed Hassan Landscape Services (AHLS), a landscape design, construction, and garden installation company in Northern California, and regularly travels the country hosting workshops, speaking engagements and performing philanthropy with his group of “Sustainable Heroes”.

Jack Algiere is farm director at The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. Jack graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in horticulture and has been actively farming since the early 1990s. His lifetime of experience in organic, biodynamic and ecological systems brings a broad diversity of experience in greenhouses, orchards, fields and pastures. Jack plays the drums, is captain of the local volunteer fire department, and sits on the board of Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

Tatiana Morin co-founded and was subsequently named Director of the NYC Urban Soils Institute. She was a member of the steering committee for SWIM NYC (Stormwater Infrastructure Matters) and served as a Stormwater Technician for NYC Soil and Water Conservation District. Currently, she is working on her Masters in Environmental Science while overseeing operations for the Urban Soils Institute in five programming areas.

Shephali Patel is a farmer, educator, and writer.

Her work is split between building models that display the interconnections between soil, agriculture, and ecological health; and empowering others to use this knowledge to create positive change in their communities. Shephali has worked at The Youth Farm, Snug Harbor Heritage Farm, and The Jane Goodall Institute, among others. Her latest published essays include “Darshan” in Spiritual Ecology (2nd edition, 2016) and “Sacred Soil” in Parabola Magazine (Fall 2017).

Christopher Roddick is Arborist and Foreman of Grounds at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

For over 20 years, he has developed the Garden’s tree care program where he specializes in conservation arboriculture and veteran tree care. In addition, Chris consults with landscape architects and private clients on mature tree preservation and tree protection in construction and development sites. He is the author of, The Tree Care Primer a guide to care for young, mature, and veteran trees.

Jessica A. Schuler, Director of the Thain Family Forest, is responsible for the management of the 50-acre, old growth urban forest including ecological restoration and the development of education and research programs. Jessica earned a BS in plant science with distinction in research from Cornell University, is an ISA-certified arborist, and a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner with the Society for Ecological Restoration.