Home and Garden Symposium

The Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Foundation will hold its 12th annual Home and Garden Symposium on Wednesday, May 11, on the campus of OCtech. The day will begin with flower show entry drop-off from 8 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a silent auction and brunch catered by Buckridge Plantation from 10 to 11:45 a.m. in the atrium of OCtech's Math and Science Center, Building R. The keynote speaker will be Jim Martin, a horticulturalist who previously worked at Brookgreen Gardens, Mepkin Abbey Botanical Garden and Riverbanks Zoo, where he played a key role in the development of its Botanical Garden. His topic will be ''Tips, Tricks and Turnips: Farm to Table Revealed'' – life lessons for healthy, sustainable living and why it matters. Martin's presentation will begin at noon in Roquemore Auditorium. Following his talk, local ''celebrities'' will battle for the best decorative vegetable arrangement live on stage. SuperSod's Hillary Thompson will also share ''The Benefits of Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening'' with the audience. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the flower show and purchase plants following the presentations. Tickets to the Home and Garden Symposium are $45 each. Funds raised assist in providing scholarships for deserving students at OCtech and special projects at the college. For more information or tickets, call the Foundation office at 803-535-1246 or email pearsonmq@octech.edu.