All Rooms

• Room 1
• Jim Rhodes, Nancy Johnson, Claude Bess
• Led by District Extension Directors, this session encourages county staff to expand volunteer roles beyond traditional programs. Using elements of Boyd's ISOTURE model, participants will explore consistent orientation, respectful partnerships, and intentional volunteer engagement.

• Room 2
• Audrey King
• Volunteers never have enough time, but AI does. This session shows how simple AI tools can help with planning, problem-solving, and communication. We’ll focus on real tasks and low-stress tools anyone can use. Participants will leave with ideas for saving time and strengthening volunteer efforts.

• Room 3
• Julia Laughlin, Mary Beth Becker
• This program will take the mystery out of planning a group travel event for your volunteers. Learn how to plan, organize, execute and succeed with travel experiences for your group. Will also include tips for local, out of state and international group travel.

• Room 4
• Matt Beartrack, Lynda Carrier
• We will discuss timing for cool and warm season vegetable crops, ways to improve timing and season extensions.  Irrigation, mulch, cover crops, rotations, varieties to choose, and transplanting.

• Room 5
• Tyler Mason
• Horticulture clients have diverse interests, abilities, and motivations for learning new skills. This group discussion will enhance volunteer understanding of how to leverage learner motivation and desire to implement to enhance program impact.

• Room 6
• Becky Carroll
• Designed for gardeners of all experience levels, this session blends fig fundamentals with hands-on learning. Topics include fig growth habits, propagation timing, rooting techniques, and care of young plants, with ample time for questions and practice.

• Room 7
• Marty New, Dana Zook, Raedan Sharry, Josh Bushong
• This workshop will focus on types of ag volunteers (crop/livestock).  We will discuss establishing demonstration plot and how to follow-up with the results through showcasing the data through a field day.
  We will also include a panel discussion with County Ag Educator to discuss experiences.

• Room 8
• Michael Schnelle
• Many Oklahomans forget to plan for beauty and utility, for all four seasons, when landscaping their residence or business.  With forethought, plants can be sited that will impact our five senses even in winter. This workshop will address how to plan and what to plant for year-round excitement.

• Room 9
• Sierra  Schupp
• Participants will learn techniques to create posts, take better photos, and build consistent messaging that strengthens the public image of Extension. Whether you’re new to social media or looking to sharpen your skills, this session offers steps anyone can apply.

• Room 10
• Becky Walker
• Hands-on teamwork workshop focused on volunteerism. Participants engage in interactive activities and small-group problem solving to practice communication, trust-building, and shared leadership. Attendees leave with practical tools to strengthen volunteer teams.

• Room 11
• Kara Robinson, Oklahoma 4-H Volunteer Board
• Helping all volunteers and 4-H leaders connect with one another while exploring a wide variety of 4-H curriculum and resources they can immediately use in their clubs. Leave knowing where to find quality resources, how to help club needs, and with materials you can take home and use right away.

• Room 1
• Cathy Allen, Kevin Allen
  4-H Volunteer
• Nature Navigators is a seasonal Healthy Living and Natural Resources program for youth. Participants explore the outdoors through hiking, mindfulness, and nature challenges, building resilience, connection and wellness. The curriculum uses badges to inspire year-round engagement to wellness.

• Room 2
• Harriett Edwards
• Facilitating training for adults is tricky – we do not like silly games but we need to get comfortable in the learning space and meet others in the room.  This session features ideas and activities to help engage learners with content-relevant activities; think of it as play with a purpose!

• Room 3
• Cheryl Cheadle
• The Blue Thumb Water Quality Education Program is a part of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission's Water Quality Division.  Volunteers monitor and use their creativity to engage and educate the residents in the watersheds where they monitor.

• Room 4
• Courtney DeKalb-Myers
• Generative AI can be a helpful tool for overcoming roadblocks in Extension programming, whether that be new ideas for a newsletter, unique lesson plans, or outlining a presentation. Join us to learn prompt AI efficiently and expand your reach.

• Room 5
• Monica Garcia; Organizing Okies, LLC.; Huerta Urbana, OKC
• Grow local, together. Transform your yard into a thriving farm. This workshop, "Oklahoma Urban Backyard Farming” offers the tools and knowledge needed to start or expand your native sustainable and organic food production journey in the heart of the city.

• Room 6
• Sarah Jones
• One of the hardest challenges can be coming up with new ideas for meetings year after year. Together we will look at using themes for the year and how to plan meetings with ease.

• Room 7
• Averie Hinchey-Lucas
• Learn how Assistive Technology (AT), such as amplifiers, magnifiers, adaptive mice, and communication devices, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME), including wheelchairs, shower chairs, walkers, and CPAP machines, can support the individuals you serve. Oklahoma ABLE Tech will share information about its programs and services and how they can assist individuals with disabilities across Oklahoma in all ages in all environments, community living, employment, and education.

• Room 8
• Kelly Wardlaw, Oklahoma 4-H STEM Innovators
• Discover how to host an exciting CSI Day Camp in your county! Explore fun ways to teach fingerprinting, DNA, and more—then put your detective skills to the test to crack the case. Leave with creative activities and resources that spark curiosity and adventure in young investigators.

• Room 9
• Diana Romano
• This session explores the cultural, dietary, and health characteristics of Hispanic communities in the U.S. and in Oklahoma, with a focus on how acculturation shapes nutrition and health behaviors.

• Room 10
• Liz Taylor, Grady County Officer Team
• Step into an interactive challenge designed to unlock leadership skills! Through our Escape Room experience, 4-H Club Officers will discover their roles and responsibilities, all developed by teen volunteers.

• Room 11
• Bill Velten
• A collaborative session for Master Gardener leaders to exchange ideas, enhance recruitment and retention, and explore new community‑beneficial opportunities. Learn sustainable approaches that strengthen program structure, support volunteer leadership, and equip participants with best practices for long‑term program success.

• Room 2
• Harriett Edwards
• Clearly communicating messages when people are emotional or passionate can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.  This session focuses on providing strategies and tools to make difficult or fierce conversations easier to manage.

• Room 7
• Lori Evans, Charli Evans
• Explore practical ways to connect 4-H youth, OHCE members, and Master Gardeners in intergenerational projects that grow skills, relationships, and community impact. Participants will learn a simple planning framework and leave with a ready-to-use project idea for their county.

• Room 9
• Suzette Barta, Jennifer Hedges, Jan Dawson, Kathy Enyart
• Participants will learn some basic poverty statistics for Oklahoma and how to interpret them. Participants will also learn about Oklahoma's Poverty Simulation program and how they can serve as volunteers at simulations in their area.

• Room 10
• Mark Turner
• This workshop will cover attracting desirable wildlife around the home, as well as effectively managing against wildlife damage.

• Room 11
• Mariah Menzie
• You don't need to be a tech wizard to use AI. We explore readily available tools for tree identification, office work, and social media to deliver inclusive training with less effort. Addressing privacy and safety, this session helps you work smarter, not harder.

• Room 1
• Craig  Woods, Renee Conklin
• Participants will learn basic filming techniques, simple editing, and tips for sharing videos on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. This session helps volunteers bring their stories to life through video while staying aligned with Extension communication standards.

• Room 2
• Trish Gedon, Dean Ruhl, Dakota Ballard
• Teaching volunteers how to turn everyday experiences into compelling narratives that highlight the value of Extension programs. Participants will learn simple storytelling frameworks, tips for gathering quotes, and strategies for sharing stories effectively. No writing experience required.

• Room 3
• Joan York, Christi Evans
• We created a self-paced online course to deliver research-based training while reducing travel and supporting participation. Volunteers completed the modules before a hands-on workshop. This blended model improved engagement, strengthened skill development, and was well-received by participants.

• Room 4
• Leah Haxton
• ZSuite makes enrollment and daily tracking easier for staff and volunteers. This session covers simple steps for setting up programs, keeping accurate records, and avoiding common challenges. Gain confidence using the system to support reliable data and smooth program reporting.

• Room 5
• Daniel Adamson
• This workshop will walk volunteers through the process of determining an irrigation system's output, the soil's water holding capacity, and the crop's water need to correctly irrigate around their homes and conserve water. AI will be discussed as a potential tool to help with this.

• Room 6
• Casey Hentges
• This talk shares urban soil research findings, highlighting how soil properties, management practices, and water influence plant health in home and community landscapes.

• Room 7
• David Hillock
• We will introduce the 2026 Oklahoma Proven Plant (OKP) Selections as well as some of our favorite past selections. Choosing the right plant for the right place is important for success and the OKP Selections provide a great resource for plants we know grow well in Oklahoma.

• Room 8
• Janet Horner
• Canadian County Master Gardeners, educators and students transformed an overgrown area into the BlueSTEM Pollinator Garden, fostering community pride and environmental stewardship. This presentation will highlight the practices that contributed to the success of this garden.

• Room 9
• Karen Walters, Anthony Dowell, Pam Kanuch
• Volunteers are the heartbeat of successful programs but even the most dedicated helpers need the right tools to lead with confidence. This workshop opens up the “Leadership Toolbox,” a practical collection of strategies for volunteers who want to strengthen their communication, teamwork, & skills.

• Room 10
• Katie Jones
• Extension Volunteers are deeply passionate about their volunteer positions.  They develop deep relationships with both the agents and clientele they serve.  In this workshop, we’ll discuss how volunteers can help navigate transitions in agent leadership and allow the program to continue to thrive.

• Room 2
• Fun Shops - Must pre-register

• Room 3
  
• Fun Shops - Must pre-register

• Room 4
  
• Fun Shops - Must pre-register

• Room 5
  
• Fun Shops - Must pre-register

• Room 6
  
• Fun Shops - Must pre-register

• Room 1
• Mengya Wang, Barbara Nickles
• The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers a meaningful opportunity to support underserved populations. No tax knowledge required — volunteers do not file taxes themselves, but play a vital role in helping families access free, reliable tax assistance.

• Room 2
• Mark Weathers
• A behind‑the‑scenes look at how Simmons Foods, one of the nation’s leading poultry producers, raises birds in a vertically integrated, farm‑to‑table system. Participants will explore every stage of the lifecycle, from hatchery to harvest, to better understand the poultry farms in their communities.

• Room 3
• Courtney Keck, Leif Keck
• Making an insect collection can be a bit confusing. Leif, a Canadian County 4-H youth, and I are going to walk you through the steps of building an insect collection that you could enter into the fair, use for your 4-H project area, or use as a teaching tool.

• Room 4
• Bee Chim
• Garden problems often start below ground. This workshop tackles common soil myths and mistakes using real soil test examples, helping Master Gardeners make smarter decisions about amendments, pH, and nutrients—so gardens grow better, not just busier.

• Room 5
• Danyelle Kuss
• This workshop equips volunteers with strategies to help youth navigate conflict constructively. Participants will explore youth development perspectives on conflict, the impact of emotion on conflict, reframing approaches, and action planning to empower young people as problem-solvers.

• Room 6
• Lindsey Mixon, Vicki Densmore, Tammy St. James
• Children learn best through stories and modeled behavior. This workshop discusses the effects of a program designed to encourage values such as citizenship, responsibility, and trustworthiness among young children. Common needs in public schools and ways to get involved are also discussed.

• Room 7
• Samantha Pratt
• This presentation will address pest management practices used over three growing seasons for four different vegetable crops. Participants will gain a better understanding of pest management practices used in Certified Naturally Grown and alternative production systems.

• Room 8
• Dave Close
• Kirton’s Adaption Innovation Theory and Inventory assist us in understanding cognitive diversity which sometimes fuels clashes. Participants will learn about problem solving styles and identifying cognitive gaps which inform strategies for building more cohesive and effective volunteer teams.

• Room 9
• Nila Pradhananga, Chriti Evans
• This interactive workshop introduces practical strategies for communicating nutrition and food safety science to diverse audiences. Participants will explore evidence-based messaging, address misinformation, and practice translating complex concepts into clear and engaging messages.

• Room 10
• Sierra Schupp
• Participants will learn techniques to create strong posts, take better photos, and build consistent messaging that strengthens the public image of Extension. Whether you’re brand new to social media or looking to sharpen your skills, this session offers practical steps anyone can apply right away.

• Room 11
• Carla Smith, Karen Lyall, Jennifer Smith, Pam Cronk, Jim Ruth
• Presentation will include a detailed timeline for hosting a half-day workshop event to show committee planning efforts and coordination to host a comprehensive mini conference.

• Room 1
• Mengya Wang, Connie Wollenberg, Kris Bailey, Amanda Lewis, Kathy Enyart
• This session introduces Reality Money Check (RMC), a financial education simulation delivered by Oklahoma State University Extension, and explores how Extension connects schools, volunteers, and community partners to recruit, train, and retain program support.

• Room 3
• Courtney Keck
• This workshop is intended to encourage Horticulture Educators and Master Gardener organizations to utilize their volunteers as speakers and writers. This in turn fulfills Extension's mission to share research-based information with the public, improving the lives of Oklahomans.

• Room 4
• Joy Rhodes
• Walk and Talk is a way to create a new volunteer experience for an educational, healthy and wellness activity.  Start your own fun walking program with the added benefits of getting to know your community, make new friends, and exercise in a whole new way.

• Room 5
• Danyelle Kuss
• You are more than a club leader; you are a consistent adult in a child's life. Discover how "small moments" of connection can support kids facing adversity. We will cover the basics of trauma-informed care and how those principals can inform your clubs.

• Room 6
• Becky Roberts
• This facilitated conversation creates a shared listening space for volunteers and Extension staff to reflect on roles, challenges, and collaboration. Using flexible dialogue and optional prompts, participants deepen understanding, surface insights and strengthen a sense of working "In This Together".

• Room 7
• Kara Robinson
• Everyone makes purchasing decisions every day, from food to tech and entertainment, but how often were we taught how to make smart choices? The Consumer Decision Making Contest explores how to compare options, evaluate needs vs wants, and think critically through fun, hands on activities.

• Room 8
• Lisa Robinson
• This session explores strategies for identifying volunteer strengths, addressing disengagement, and fostering motivation within volunteer teams. Participants will learn practical approaches to strengthen participation, manage challenges, and support sustainable volunteer engagement.
  

• Room 9
• Jeff Sadler, KJ Jafarzadegan, Ali Mirchi
• The Stream Trailer is a hands-on, physical stream simulator for water education. We will interact with the Trailer, explore water and environmental concepts, share volunteer-ready demonstration outlines, and discuss practical considerations including setup, maintenance, transport and safety.

• Room 10
• Sierra Schupp
• Participants will learn techniques to create posts, take better photos, and build consistent messaging that strengthens the public image of Extension. Whether you’re new to social media or looking to sharpen your skills, this session offers steps anyone can apply.

• Room 11
• Carla Smith
• This session introduces creating themed, portable gardening demonstration kits to support hands-on education in a time-saving format.  Four themed ideas will be presented with everything you need to get out the door for a simple spring garden workshop.

• Room 1
• Pat McNally
• When you are asked, "What is your program or organization all about?", how do you respond?  This session will help you prepare a quick informative response (otherwise known as an elevator speech).  It may be hard to summarize everything you do in a summary statement -- but it can be done!

• Room 2
• Suzette Barta
• This workshop is the first in a series of two. It focuses on why customer service is important to your community and to your customers. If participants take both part 1 and part 2, and complete a homework assignment, they will earn an OSU-recognized microcredential for customer service.

• Room 3
• Debbie Sharp
• Youth of all ages love to cook and prepare foods and this 4-H Food Science club is the perfect avenue for teaching life skills. Food science ranges from selection to safety, preparation to serving, budgeting to careers just to name a few. Learn how to organize and start a local project club.

• Room 4
• Becky Walker
• Hands-on teamwork workshop focused on volunteerism. Participants engage in interactive activities and small-group problem solving to practice communication, trust-building, and shared leadership. Attendees leave with practical tools to strengthen volunteer teams.

• Room 5
• Sara Wallace
• An introduction into the world of native plants, importance and value to wildlife.  Decrease your lawn and water bill, these low maintenance, low input plants will increase the pollinators and wildlife in your yard. You can showcase these plants and share this knowledge with others.

• Room 6
• Kelly Wardlaw, Kara Wardlaw
• Dive into a fun, hands on adventure exploring balance—on your feet and in life! Build a balance themed STEM project, mix yoga with the 4 H Pledge, and connect the four H’s to the many roles youth juggle. Expect movement, creativity, laughs, and healthy habit–building along the way.

• Room 7
• Kimberly Williams
• Program evaluation is more than numbers; it is a powerful tool for storytelling and growth. This session explores how evaluation can highlight the impact of programs and inspire stakeholders. Learn practical strategies to showcase achievements and identify next steps.

• Room 8
• Nicole Black
• Project Learning Tree (PLT) provides hands-on, research-based activities that help volunteers engage youth in learning about trees, forests, and natural resources. This interactive workshop introduces PLT’s Explore Your Environment K-8 guide and fun activities to go along with it.

• Room 9
• Jim Rutledge
• Volunteers are the face of Extension—and what they teach matters. In this workshop, participants learn how to find and use research‑based information, avoid misinformation, and confidently deliver trusted programs that strengthen community impact and support the “Say Yes to FCS” message.

• Room 10
• Lori Barnett, Brance Barnett
• Learn the ins and outs of a successful youth Marketplace: what works, doesn't work and how to utilize a shakedown for maximum success. Use 4-H Entrepreneurship curriculum to get youth ready for Commerce.

• Room 11
• Gina Peek, Susan Routh, Susan Allen, Heather Winn
• Join us for a lively mix‑and‑mingle designed to spark connections, share resources, and highlight updates across OHCE and Master FCS Volunteer programs.  We’ll also pause to recognize and thank the volunteers who make our work possible.

• Room 1
• Jim Rhodes, Nancy Johnson, Claude Bess
• Led by District Extension Directors, this session encourages county staff to expand volunteer roles beyond traditional programs. Using elements of Boyd's ISOTURE model, participants will explore consistent orientation, respectful partnerships, and intentional volunteer engagement.

• Room 2
• Suzette Barta
• This workshop is the second in a series of two. Part 2 focuses on basic hospitality skills and managing "moments of truth" for your customers. If participants take both part 1 and part 2, and complete a homework assignment, they will earn an OSU-recognized microcredential for customer service.

• Room 3
• Debbie Sharp
• Young people of all ages need to be introduced to social, communication and dining etiquette to prepare them for the expectations of adulthood. Social acceptance is based on manners and the basic skills associated will always be important. Where can today's youth  go for this? You can be that person!

• Room 4
• Martin Cowling
• Goal:  Keep great volunteers and help them thrive.  Combine recognition, feedback, and progression pathways (mentors, team leads, advisory rolls) with cross-program strategies that reduce silos and support strong, year-round volunteer teams.

• Room 5
• Sara Wallace
• Making the IPM pyramid practical to prevent and avoid plant diseases and pests in your garden this year!

• Room 6
• Dr. Laura Garrett
• This workshop introduces the Life Events model to replace age-based labels, helping Extension programs bridge generational differences. By focusing on shared experiences, participants will gain strategies to improve communication and strengthen collaborative teams that enhance Extension’s programs.

• Room 11
• Gina Peek, Kelly Wardlaw, Susan Routh, Kimberly Williams
• Family and Consumer Sciences brings science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to life through everyday learning. This session shares hands-on examples and practical strategies for identifying and teaching these concepts while helping learners build STEM skills.

• Room 9
• Courtney DeKalb-Myers
• Master Gardener Volunteers assist with providing research-based gardening resources to the public. This often comes with the question "What's wrong with my plant?", to which there's not always an easy answer. This workshop will cover the diagnostic process and helping our client's sick plants.

• Room 10
• Susan Dobbins, Shelly Collins
• Wildhorse Gardens and Market, in Mustang, is the only community garden combined with a farmers market in Oklahoma.  Shelly Collins, WGM's Market manager will share lessons learned over 10 years about how volunteers committed to a goal-achieved success.

• Room 7
• Rick Clovis
• The phases of Matter are Demonstrated using liquid nitrogen to blow up, freeze, break and eat make the different phases of matter more understandable. brownian motion is demonstrated using styrene microspheres and microscopic video. The double slit experiment is demonstrated with a pen laser.

• Room 1
• Douglas C. Needham, Ph.D., V.M.M
• Plants have so many names: common names, botanical names, trade names, cultivar names, and grexes, just to name a few! What does each mean, and how are they used? Attendees will learn to identify the components of plant names, how names can tell us about a plant, and how to decipher plant labels.

• Room 2
• Suzette Barta, MS Volunteers
• This session will provide an overview of the Master Sewing Volunteer (MSV) program, highlighting recent activities and the meaningful community impacts achieved through volunteer efforts. Participants will engage in a discussion on the direction and growth of the program and explore how to become a Master Sewing Volunteer.

• Room 3
• Becky Roberts
• This facilitated conversation creates a shared listening space for volunteers and Extension staff to reflect on roles, challenges, and collaboration. Using flexible dialogue and optional prompts, participants deepen understanding, surface insights and strengthen a sense of working "In This Together".

• Room 4
• Lori Evans, Charli Evans
• Explore practical ways to connect 4-H youth, OHCE members, and Master Gardeners in intergenerational projects that grow skills, relationships, and community impact. Participants will learn a simple planning framework and leave with a ready-to-use project idea for their county.

• Room 5
• Stephen Beck, Leslie Lewis, Kendra Alcala, Sara Randolph
• Extension volunteer programs provide community value but involve risks for participants, volunteers, and institutions. This workshop covers practical risk mitigation through liability management, insurance options, policy, and protective best practices for all stakeholders.

• Room 6
• Laura Garrett
• This session shows how Cooperative Extension can strengthen programs by using the Life Events model to improve communication, collaboration, and volunteer motivation across generations, creating inclusive teams where all ages feel valued and empowered to support Extension’s mission.

• Room 11
• Dennis Hagy
• Effective Meeting Facilitation in Volunteer Organizations presents its own set of challenges. Gain tried and tested ideas and concepts useful for anyone seeking to improve their ability to effectively participate or lead in a volunteer organization. Explore the dynamics that contribute to the feeling that you are “herding cats.”

• Room 8
• Jennifer Hedges
• Learn how to design and promote a successful local scholarship from start to finish. This workshop covers creating an effective application, developing a scoring rubric, conducting meaningful interviews, and promoting opportunities to local school districts to maximize impact and participation.

• Room 9
• Susan Allen, Susan Routh, Heather Winn
• When educators and volunteers work together, the capacity of the county educational program is enhanced.  Educators will learn how their professional development will influence their ability to work WITH volunteers.  Volunteers will gain insights into how to work WITH educators.

• Room 10
• Nikki Parker
• Volunteers and those who lead them often give deeply while carrying heavy emotional loads. This session introduces The Happiness Formula, a practical framework for sustaining energy, connection, and purpose while preventing burnout, strengthening communication, and creating healthier, more resilient volunteers.