Agenda

cover for the NECV conference schedule bookletNECV Schedule Booklet PDF for printing purposes only. – Full descriptive (accessible) text is provided on the Schedule at a Glance, Keynote Speaker, Presentations and Post-Conference Meeting Day portions of the NECV Agenda page as well as the Educational Sessions Schedule page and Presentations page. For more information regarding the maps included in this booklet, visit the following web pages: Map: Lobby and Convention Hall Layout (Holiday Inn by the Bay) and Map: Second Floor Function Rooms Layout (Holiday Inn by the Bay).

Join the BAND for in-conference information or download and print a copy of the NECV 2025 Program:

Schedule at a Glance

All events take place in the New Hampshire/Vermont Rooms unless otherwise indicated.

Monday, April 21

  • 2:00 p.m. — Registration Opens, Foyer
  • 4:00-6:00 p.m. — Networking, Maine Baked Potato Bar and Cash Bar
  • 5:00 p.m. — Posters Set Up, Foyer
  • 6:00 p.m. — Dinner on Your Own

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

Challenges and Opportunities: 21st Century Volunteering

The world in 2025 is vastly different and will continue to evolve rapidly. What worked with volunteers and communities in the past may not work in the future.  Extension programs have made such a powerful, positive impact in American communities—how can we continue to do so effectively into tomorrow? How do we rethink volunteer engagement to do that? In his keynote, Mr. Cowling will encourage, inspire and challenge us to think through our concepts and approaches to volunteering so that Extension programs can continue to strengthen individual volunteers, build relationships, create community, and deliver impact.

Welcome by Dr. Hannah Carter, Associate Provost for Online and Continuing Education and Dean of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Martin J. Cowling, Keynote Speaker, will also present in Room 1: From Toxicity to Transformation: Creating Health Volunteer Ecosystems

Martin J. Cowling, Keynote Speaker, will also present in Room 1: From Numbers to Narrative: Measuring, Maximizing, and Celebrating Volunteer Impact

  • 5:00-5:30 p.m. — Poster Session
  • 5:30 p.m. — Maine Lobster Bake

Wednesday, April 23

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.

Along with the Keynote Address, Martin will be presenting the following:

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

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
  • 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 Panawahpskek, 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