Agenda

Schedule at a Glance

Monday, April 21

  • 2:00 p.m. — Registration Opens
  • 4:00 p.m. — Network, Meet and Greet, Light Refreshments
  • 5:00 p.m. — Posters Set Up
  • 6:00 p.m. — Dinner on Your Own

microphone at a conference with an audience in the backgroundTuesday, April 22

  • 8:15 a.m. — Breakfast
  • 9:30 a.m. — Opening Keynote
  • 11:15 a.m. — Ed Session 1
  • 12:30 p.m. — Lunch
  • 2:15 p.m. — Ed Session 2
  • 3:45 p.m. — Ed Session 3
  • 5:00 p.m. — Maine Lobster Bake

Wednesday, April 23

  • 8:15 a.m. — Breakfast
  • 9:30 a.m. — Ed Session 4
  • 11:00 a.m. — Ed Session 5
  • 12:15 p.m. — Lunch
  • 1:45 p.m. — Ed Session 6
  • a coffee break at a conference with participants in the background3:00 p.m. — Break
  • 3:30 p.m. — Ed Session 7
  • 4:45 p.m. — Poster Session 5-6
  • 6:00-8:00 p.m. — Dinner On Your Own

Thursday, April 24 – 4-H and Master Gardener Specialists

Keynote Speaker

Martin J. Cowling

Publicity headshot of keynote speaker Martin J. Cowling
Keynote Speaker: Martin J. Cowling

Martin is driven by a passion for effective change, leadership, and impact. With a diverse background as a volunteer, hands-on manager, leader, researcher, and consultant, he has collaborated with organizations ranging from small grassroots groups to large social purpose entities, as well as corporates and governments. His work spans across 13 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the UK, and the USA.

Martin led the Office of the Not-for-Profit Sector for the Australian government and played a pivotal role in establishing the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) in 2013. Recognized as one of the top 100 speakers on philanthropy by Philanthropy 101, Martin is an accomplished and engaging presenter.

Believing that people are the cornerstone of an organization’s success, Martin is dedicated to fostering mutually beneficial relationships among employees and volunteers to create lasting positive change. As a trusted partner, he offers a comprehensive range of services to empower leaders, strengthen teams, and drive impactful change. Through personalized coaching, training, resource mobilization support, and strategic guidance, Martin equips organizations with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to achieve lasting impact, organizational excellence, and social change.

Presentations

Visit the 2025 NECV Presentations page for a full listing, as well as a downloadable PDF, of this year’s featured Lightning Talks, Posters, Research Sessions and Workshops.

Review: 2025 NECV Presentations

Post-Conference Meeting Day
Thursday, April 24, 2025

Master Gardener Post-Conference

  • 8:00 a.m. — Breakfast at hotel/on your own
  • 8:30 a.m. — Meet at hotel lobby and drive to Cumberland County Extension Office, 75 Clearwater Dr., Ste. 104, Falmouth, Maine 04105 (at least two Extension vehicles will be available for transportation)
  • 9:00-9:10 a.m. — Welcome
  • 9:10-10:00 a.m. — Public Value of Master Gardener by Missy Gable
  • 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. — Mini presentations (20 minute presentation, 10 minutes of questions) from UMaine Extension Staff and Master Gardener Volunteers
    • 10:00- 10:30 a.m. – Maine Harvest for Hunger (food security): Community gardens, farm and farmers market gleanings, etc.

Join Extension Horticulture Professional, Lynne Holland, as she provides an overview of our largest food security program administered by UMaine Extension Staff and Master Gardener Volunteers. In this session, you’ll learn the many ways Master Gardener Volunteers contribute to Maine Harvest for Hunger and hear about the unique relationships developed with local farms, farm stands, and farmers markets from a local gleaning coordinator. Since the year 2000, this program has donated 4 million pounds of food to Mainers in need.

    • 10:30-11:00 a.m. – Promoting Pollinator-Friendly Gardening Practices as a Master Gardener Volunteer

Join two of our Master Gardener Volunteers from the Pollinator-Friendly Garden Certification Committee as they provide a brief overview of the program. This collaborative program with the UNH Master Gardeners focuses on both educating gardeners and certifying gardens that help pollinators thrive. They will share their experiences serving on the committee and providing education for the community.

    • 11:00-11:30 a.m. – Kid-Friendly Activities

Join Extension Horticulture Professional, Kate Garland as she showcases kid-friendly activities designed for field trips and field day events that she and her team regularly host at the Demonstration Garden at Rogers Farm. Come discover how they cultivate curiosity and creativity in young minds through simple and low-cost nature-based experiences.

    • 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. –  Enhancing Inclusivity at Rogers Farm through Signage

This presentation highlights our initiative to further acknowledge and raise awareness for the Wabanaki community’s connection to this land and the plants within it through a series of garden signs designed for school and public gardens. Through this project we also hope to increase the inclusivity of public horticultural spaces for the growingly diverse populations that make up our state. These signs feature Panawhpskek, Spanish, English, and Latin, accompanied by images of each named element and links to more information. These signs are the result of a collaboration with Panawahpskek citizens, language experts, and a Wabanaki Studies Specialist. Christina Lannan, Rogers Farm Enrichment Coordinator, will present the signs, discuss the development process, and share how the project has progressed.

Join Extension Horticulture Professional, Pamela Hargest and Extension Community Education Assistant, Abi Griffith for a tour of the UMaine Gardens at Tidewater Farm, a public education garden maintained by UMaine Extension Staff and Master Gardener Volunteers. During this interactive tour, you’ll learn about the various garden spaces we manage, our informal and formal learning opportunities, and how Master Gardener Volunteers contribute to this community project.

  • 2:45-3:00 p.m. – Head to the next site
  • 3:00-4:00 p.m. – Talbot School Garden, Portland (tentative)

4-H Volunteer Specialists

  • 7:00-9:00 a.m. – Registration Open
  • 8:30-9:30 a.m. – Breakfast
  • 10:00 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions
  • 10:30 a.m. – PLWG 4-H Volunteerism Committee Update
  • 11:15 a.m. – State Success Stories and Networking
  • 12:00 Noon – Lunch
  • 1:00- 4:00 p.m. – Group Discussion, Networking, Resource Building from Survey Results
  • 4:00 p.m. – Adjourn