2011 Info Sessions
Info Sessions Schedule at a Glance - Click here.
Saturday, April 2
10:00 - 10:45 am
Sensational Seasonings… Leave the Salt Shaker Behind
Learn to “flavor up” your foods without the salt. Join registered dietitian Nan Jensen and Sherell White, The Healthy Chef, as they demonstrate ways to use herbs and spices to liven up the taste and boost the health benefits of the food on your plate.
Presenters:
Nan Jensen, Pinellas County, Family/Consumer Science Agent
Sherell White, The Healthy Chef
Door Prize:
Gift Certificates compliments of Fresh Go Market
11:00-11:45 am
Green Jobs Panel Session
The green economy and green jobs are hot button topics! Join our expert panelists as we explore existing industries for green jobs and discuss new areas of opportunity and innovation for green technology. Learn about energy rebates and incentives, green collar jobs, green building and green business.
Presenters:
John Wakefield, Eco2Assets, Senior VP
Josh Bomstein, Creative Contractors, VP, Business Dev't
Karl Nurse, City Council, St. Pete
Brian Lane, Sensing Nature, VP, Senior Ecologist
Christian Sein, Progress Energy, Energy Efficiency Advisor
Scott Deitche, GPI Southeast, Environmental Scientist
Door Prize:
Energy Kit compliments of Pinellas County Extension
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Conquering your Sprinkler System Challenges
Trying to win the battle between you and your sprinkler system? Have you inherited an old system and not know a thing about it? Or, are you fighting dry spots, frequently breaking sprinklers, sprinklers coming on at all hours of the day, or constantly wet areas? Attend this session to gain an understanding of how your system should work, and ideas to help solve these and other typical sprinkler system problems.
Presenter:
Chris Claus, Water Conservation
Coordinator, City of St. Petersburg
Door Prize:
Micro Irrigation Kit compliments Mr. Landscaper
1:00 - 1:45 pm
It's Not Easy Being Green!
Join the co-founder of Fire of Hope,a local permaculture enterprise as he shares his insight about starting and owning a green business. Learn about permaculture and how these practices are increasing worldwide. If you thought it was only about edible landscapes, you're wrong! Gain firsthand knowledge from a green business entrepreneur and his foray into the Green Business revolution.
Presenter:
Robert Segundo, Sustainability
Consultant, Co-Founder, Fire of Hope
Door Prize:
Compost Bin compliments Pinellas County Utilities Solid Waste
2:00 - 2:45 pm
Green Living Session
If a green and eco-friendly lifestyle interests you then join us for this panel discussion on green living practices. We'll explore waste reduction strategies, alternative energy, and community opportunities for you to share what you've learned. Get involved, make a difference, and save the planet!
Presenters:
Marissa Segundo, Recycling Coordinator, City of Largo
Stan Stoudenmire, Pinellas County Health
Department, Environmental Specialist II Indoor Air Quality
Jeremiah Rohr, Solar Source, President
Dave Bracciano, Tampa Bay Water, Demand Coordinator
Tod Stephen, NexGen Viz Consulting, IADT, Building Information Modeling Applications Engineer, Adjunct Instructor
Eric Stewart, Code Green Community, Director
Door Prize:
Bamboo Table compliments of Refresh Interiors. Table is 100% bamboo, no formaldehyde or toxins, handmade in St. Petersburg, valued $1100 with delivery in the local area if needed. Table is available for viewing Booth # 301
3:00 - 3:45 pm
ABCs of Composting
Do you think making compost out of your yard waste is complicated? Join our compost expert for a hands-on demonstration to learn how easy composting can be. Just add your kitchen scraps to leaves, yard clippings, etc and compost happens! Recycling your yard waste by turning it into compost instead of sending it to a landfill is a green practice!
Presenter:
Ed McKenna, Master Gardener, Pinellas County Extension
Door Prize:
Compost Bin compliments Pinellas County Utilities Solid Waste
4:00 - 4:45 pm
Social Entrepreneurship - a flavor from home and abroad
Social Entrepreneurship uses innovative ideas to find solutions to society’s pressing problems, USFSP College of Business faculty and student tell us about their experiences in Guatemala with water filtration and the women's weaving cooperative. Plus as an added bonus - we take an interesting and innovative look at the latest in cooperation research in ant colonies and bio-economics.
Presenters:
USFSP College of Business and College of Arts and Sciences
Maling Ebrahimpour, Dean
Alison Watkins, Associate Dean
Huseyin Zeybek, MBA graduate
Deby Cassil, Associate Professor
Door Prize:
Rain Barrel compliments of Pinellas County Extension
Sunday, April 3
11:00 - 11:45 am
Energy Tips and Myths
As consumers, we are bombarded with energy information, products and services every day and want to make the right decisions. David will lead an interactive discussion on energy myths and tips with the goal of saving you energy and money and making your next energy-related decision a little easier.
Presenter:
David Palange, Eco2Assets, Sustainability Consultant
Door Prize:
Energy Kit compliments of Pinellas County Extension
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Native Plants for Florida Landscapes
With 5,000 species of native plants and innumerable ecological reasons for using native plants in our landscapes, this session is a must for the gardening enthusiast! By using the right plant in the right place, we will conserve natural resources, limit chemical usage and increase the variety of life in our landscape. Join Craig, author of 3 books devoted to native landscapes, as he shares his 23 years of experience with native plants in home landscapes.
Presenter:
Craig Huegel, Ph.D., Ecological Services Associates, Managing Ecologist
Door Prize:
Native plants compliments of Wilcox Nursery
1:00 - 1:45 pm
Green Training Panel Discussion
Green jobs require training but where can you get that training? Join our experts from advanced training programs and learn about the opportunities that are avaialble in your local area. From college programs to corporate programs and enhanced technical knowledge, there is a green training track for everyone!
Presenters:
Thomas Kronz, PTEC
Jeanne Murphy, Sensing Nature, President, Senior Wildlife Biologist
James Robinson, WorkNet Pinellas, Weatherization Coordinator
Jason Green, St. Pete College, Sustainability Coordinator
Lori Polachy, Boley Centers Inc., Resource Coordinator
Scott Deitche, GPI Southeast, Environmental Scientist
Sudeep Vyapari , Ph.D., Hillsborough Community College, Sustainability Coordinator
Door Prize:
Energy Kit compliments of Pinellas County Extension
2:00 - 2:45 pm
Green Pest Control - Termites and Lawns
Join Michael for an interactive presentation on handling pests and managing lawn care using practical green approaches. From high tech, costly applications to low tech, inexpensive applications, there's a green pest control program for every budget and home. In this session, you will learn the pros and cons of many common industry solutions vs natural/ organic solutions and much more! Advantage Pest Control has been in business since 1989 and Michael will share his 5+ years experience using green, natural products for pest control that replace or minimize the need for synthetics.
Presenter:
Michael Piacenza, Advantage Pest Control Eco-Unit Manager, Technician, K9 handler
Door Prize:
$225 Gift certificate compliments of Advantage Pest Control. Includes Eco Friendly Pest Control Service