In this Valentine’s Day edition of 5 Ways To Stay Involved, the URI Cooperative Extension invites you to check out its upcoming events—there’s something for everyone! If you don’t already, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay connected there as well! We’d love to hear from you!

Online Class To Target School Recycling, Food Waste

Are you a teacher, PTA member, or food waste advocate interested in learning more about recycling and composting in R.I. schools? Join us for a free online class Feb. 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

This Zoom class, presented by the URI Master Gardener Program and Food Recovery for Rhode Island, will offer an overview of the R.I. School Waste Recycling and Refuse Disposal law and highlight 2023 recycling and composting requirements. Registration is free! Learn more.

Town Hosting Free Workshops Taught by Master Gardeners

URI Master Gardeners are hitting the road, partnering with the town of Barrington to present free workshops, open to all, now through May.

Topics will include Vegetable Gardening for Beginners on Feb. 28, Invasive Plants on March 28, The Wonder of Trees on May 11, and many more! Volunteers will be on-site to answer gardening questions before and after the in-person talks, so bring your questions! Registration is required for in-person and virtual workshops. Learn more.

Conference, Trade Show Focus Is Food Waste, Compost

Join experts and community members March 8 at Rhode Island College to discuss strategies to reduce food waste in Rhode Island and brainstorm solutions. This conference-style event is open to all. Learn more.

Half-Day Land, Water, Gardens Mini-Summit Slated for April 8

The Rhode Island Land Trust Council, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and the URI Cooperative Extension are joining forces to bring you a half-day Land and Water (and Gardens) Mini-Summit on April 8 in a new location this year.

The mini-summit, to be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the URI Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences building, will feature a keynote address, a vibrant panel discussion, breakout sessions, a marketplace, and opportunities to network with other volunteers. Learn more.

Annual Sale To Feature Plants, Soil-Testing, Free Seeds

The annual Master Gardener Program Spring Plant Sale is back on May 6 from 9 a.m. to noon in the URI Botanical Gardens and will feature annuals, perennials, herbs, and vegetable seedlings.

Bring a soil sample for pH testing, a wagon to carry your plant purchases, and your toughest gardening questions. Free seeds, courtesy of the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation, will be available, as well. Learn more.

Timely Resources

Gardening with the Masters Tour: June 24 and 25. Details. 

Have a gardening or environmental question? Contact our hotline! 

Looking for even more ways to learn and stay involved? Visit our events page!