Plants, Local Foods, and Outdoor Spaces
Thank you for joining us!
NDSU's Plants, Local Foods, and Outdoor Spaces took place on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at the Research and Demonstration Gardens on NDSU's Main Campus.
Highlights of the 2026 event
Highlights of the day included our early afternoon talks indoors. Guests could choose from two concurrent tracks, edible gardening or ornamental landscaping. Dr.'s David Dai, Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, and Chiwon Lee spoke to one group while Dr. Todd West, Dr. Esther McGinnis and Don Kinzler led sessions in another room.
Outdoor festivities began at 4:00 p.m. with a garden welcome, including honoring NDSU Extension Master Gardeners from Cass County for 10 years of their Veggies for the Pantry produce collection project.
The gardens were filled with interactive booths allowing for exploration and walking tours of the annual and daylily gardens were very popular as was the opportunity for each guest to vote for their favorite annual as they toured the gardens.
Support the Gardens
The future is bright at NDSU and we could use your help. Donating funds will keep the gardens looking beautiful for years to come by funding Undergraduate Internships and improving infrastructure through interpretive signage and creation of shady spaces with benches to sit and reflect.
We thank you for your consideration of donating to this beautiful space.
If you have questions about donating, please contact Esther McGinnis at 701.231.7406.
Questions about this annual event can be directed to Esther McGinnis, 701.231.7406.
Interested in participating as a vendor or caterer at our next event?
Contact Shannon Ueker at 701.231.4170.