Feb. 10, 2006: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences news release
		Media contacts: Leah Chester-Davis, communications specialist, 704.895.1122 or 704.617.0502; Kevin Starr, Extension director, Lincoln County, 704.736.8452 Annual Master Gardener Luncheon is March 3 Robert Bowden, director of Leu Botanical Gardens in Orlando, Florida, will be the featured speaker March 3 at the 10 th Annual Southern Cooperative Extension and Master Gardener Luncheon during the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show in Charlotte. The home and garden show is March 1-5 at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart. The luncheon recognizes the contributions that Master Gardeners and North Carolina Cooperative Extension horticultural programs make to communities across the Carolinas and Virginia. Bowden's topic will be "What's Hot and Spicy in the Garden - Trends for 2006." He will talk about trends in outdoor living areas as well as lawn alternatives and colorful, maintenance-free tropical plants. Tickets to the luncheon are $35 before Feb. 18 and $40 if purchased after that date. The ticket price includes admission to the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show. The luncheon is open to the public. Attendance is not restricted to Master Gardeners. Home and Garden Show tickets only are $7.50 in advance and $9 at the door. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, contact Southern Shows at 704.376.6594 or 1.800.849.0248 or visit www.southernshows.com . The show will also feature Extension's Successful Gardener Learning Center, an exhibit at which North Carolina Cooperative Extension horticultural experts and Master Gardeners will provide a wealth of gardening information. Learn more about Extension's Successful Gardener at www.successfulgardener.org/ . North Carolina Cooperative Extension is an educational partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, county governments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cooperative Extension's mission is to help people put research-based knowledge to work for economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and an improved quality of life. Learn more on line at www.ces.ncsu.edu . - end - OTHER NEWS RESOURCES Current news releases | Earlier news releases | Media guide to experts | Extension On-Line News | Economic Focus and Economic Perspective | Media guide to disaster recovery experts | Perspectives On Line | Teletip To receive our releases before they are posted here or sent out in hard copy, subscribe to our e-mail news service.