Gwinnett County Master Gardener Meeting: “The Hope of Healthy Soil” with Cris Force

On March 16 at 7pm, Master Gardener Cris Force will share her award-winning insights into development of healthy soils in a Gwinnett Master Gardener presentation that explores a growing national concern – the health of soil and its impact on our selves, our communities and landscapes.

In April of 2019, the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) announced it would provide $1.9 million to continue funding Soil Science Collaborative Research projects focused on soil science and soil survey research. This concern for the important natural resources issues facing our nation is echoed by the International Master Gardeners Organization (IMGO) which also supports research leading to innovative solutions for improving soils.

The IMGO recently recognized Cris and fellow Master Gardener Linda Hlozansky for their research in a project called the “No-Till Mycorrhizal Sweet Potato Garden Experiment.” In the Gwinnett Master Gardener presentation on March 16, Cris will share the discoveries that earned her team first place in the Research category of the IMGO’s 2019 Search for Excellence Awards.

Cris notes that recent scientific study is revealing far more than the health of plants are at stake when considering how we treat our soils. Current research is indicating that soil conditions also affect the health of our children and ourselves, and even play a role in climate change. In her March presentation, Cris will share how mycorrhizal fungi makes our soil healthy and how the destructive horticultural practices of the 20th century can be reversed.

A Master Gardener for 12 years, Force is active in Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County. She serves on the Education Committee as chair of the School Gardens Sub-Committee, and is co-chair of her organization’s book club, Thyme to Read.

GCMGA meets on the third Monday of each month at The Bethesda Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30044. The event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to bring a covered dish to share for a potluck dinner at 6:30pm or just arrive in time for the program which begins promptly at 7pm. For program updates and to find out about any cancellations, please visit www.gwinnettmastergardeners.com