Source: Larry Erickson, 785-532-4313, lerick@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/brownfields-gardening/
News release prepared by: Mary Rankin, 785-532-6715, mrankin@k-state.edu

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010

URBAN GARDENING SEMINAR JAN. 10-12 AT K-STATE

MANHATTAN -- The seminar "Brownfields and Urban Gardening" will be offered Jan. 10-12, 2011, at Kansas State University in 1052 Rathbone Hall.

The seminar will focus on urban soils and safe gardening practices. Participants will hear from experts on contaminants in urban soils and progress in urban agriculture.

Leadership for the seminar, which may be taken for academic credit under CHE 650 or for continuing education, is provided by K-State's Center for Hazardous Substance Research, and the departments of chemical engineering and agronomy.

"Brownfields, urban gardening and local foods have all been in the news recently as leaders such as President and Mrs. Obama discuss the growing importance of fresh produce in diets," said Larry Erickson, director of the Center for Hazardous Substance Research. "This is an increasingly important topic because of obesity and the importance of good nutrition."

A free, open public session, "Soil Quality, Compost and Composting," will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, in 1052 Rathbone Hall.

More information about the seminar, including online registration, is available at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/brownfields-gardening/.