The Virginia Cooperative Extension and Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners will sponsor a fall gardening symposium, “Intensive Edible Gardening,” on Sept. 24. The symposium will feature three sessions.

“Containers, Containment, and Accessibility” will be lead by Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Jeanne Grunert. Grunert is a freelance writer and avid gardener in central

Virginia. She is the author of Plan and Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden and several other gardening books. She regularly contributes to the Virginia Gardener magazine. She shares gardening tips and advice on her website and blog, www.homegardnjoy.com.

Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent Caitlin Miller, who emphasizes local food system with Virginia Cooperative Extension, will cover “Economic Value of Edible Gardening.”

The third session is titled “Intensive Gardening Practices for Small Spaces” and will be conducted by Extension specialist and Virginia State University Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Assistant Professor Leonard Githinji.

The symposium will be held from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Fuqua School, Gee Price Center, 605 Fuqua Drive, in Farmville. In addition to the three presentations, participants will tour the Bayscape Garden and demonstration vegetable garden at the Prince Edward Extension Office. Exhibits, plant sales, book sales, and door prizes are also planned.

The cost of the symposium is $20 for Master Gardeners and $25 for non-members. This registration fee includes a boxed lunch. For additional information visit our webpage at www.HOVMG.org or call Shelda Daniels at 434 392 4246.

The registration deadline is Sept. 16, and registration forms are available on our website and at the Prince Edward Extension Office.