EVENTS2024 Brown Bag Seminar SeriesAfter a successful first offering of ecologically focused garden seminars in 2023, MUBG has again scheduled three Brown Bag Seminars for this spring and summer. Brown Bag Seminar PDFThe Science of Compost: How to create “Super Soil” Tuesday, March 12 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Columbia Public Library Friends Room. Backyard composters, gardeners and plant enthusiasts are invited to learn about the science behind why compost is key to soil health: it unlocks soil nutrients, helps fight soil-borne pests and plant diseases, enhances water conservation and diverts organics from landfills. This deep ‘dig ‘ into the topic will look into the micro-organisms and thermal phases that produce this essential soil amendment, and how to optimize the process.Presenter Peculis is a City of Columbia Compost Ambassador and an emeritus faculty member with the University of Missouri Department of Biochemistry. Cosponsored by Daniel Boone Regional Library and the City of Columbia.How to Bring Back the Buzz of Insect Pollinators on Flowering PlantsTuesday, June 4 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Columbia Public Library Friends RoomBecause of habitat loss and other adverse environmental factors, the mutually beneficial and essential relationship that has existed for millions of years between bees as pollinators and flowering plants is being disrupted. Bees rely on flower pollen and nectar for food, and most flowering plants rely on bees and other pollinators, for fertilization to develop seeds and fruits. Come hear how diverse plantings of native plant species to create habitat and food sources can help rebuild populations of native pollinators.Presenters Michael Chippendale and Chris Starbuck, are emeritus faculty members of the MU Division of Plant Science and Technology in Entomology and Horticulture, respectively. Chippendale has special interests in insect-plant relationships and Starbuck’s emphasis is woody ornamental plants. Cosponsored by Daniel Boone Regional Library An Introduction to Cover CropsWednesday, July 10 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture’s Agriculture ParkCover-cropping is a practice getting a lot of attention for the low-cost diversity of ecosystem services it provides. Come hear how Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA) has utilized different individual cover crop species and species mixtures, or “cover crop cocktails,” to regenerate degraded urban soils into productive agricultural ones! Plant selection, seed sourcing, planting, tending, and termination will be discussed as attendees tour the productive demonstration plantings at the Agriculture Park.Presenter Tony Minnick, the Agriculture Park Director for Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA), has a degree in environmental science with an emphasis in food systems from Loyola University Chicago. In his past 10 years as a grower, Minnick has experimented with many species and styles of cover cropping and has worked some real magic at CCUA. Cosponsored by Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture. We hope you plan to visit the Mizzou Botanic Garden in person soon. These planning resources will make finding your way to campus easier. You can schedule a tour on the website’s homepage. Driving directionsParking informationIf you have any questions that aren't answered regarding visiting campus, try the University's Visitor Relations site.