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Heather Connors-Dunphy’s journey into adult learning began after she retired from a 30-year career with New Brunswick Power. Growing up on a farm, Heather always had an interest in agriculture and began gardening after the purchase of her first home.

“When I retired, I wanted to learn more about gardening and do some volunteer work,” she explained.

Heather enrolled in the Master Gardener program at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture in 2006 and is one of many adult learners being celebrated during Adult Learners Week April 6-14^th, 2013 across the province.

Learning Happens Here festivities are taking place on April 6th from 10 a.m-2 p.m at the Marigold Cultural Centre in Truro, featuring interactive workshops, panel discussions, displays and much more to celebrate all aspects of formal and informal learning. The celebration recognizes the vibrant learning community that already exists in the region and hopes to bring people together during the launch to raise awareness and inspire more learning.

Master Gardener Jim Sharpe, Chair of the Nova Scotia Adult Learners’ Week Committee and an avid gardener wants to show how learning makes a difference.

“I’m very interested in gardening, where you learn by looking at the plants and seeing how the plants respond to what you do,” he explains.  “I think it is the same in life. If you want to work with others you need to plant a seed, propose an idea and then take some action. You need to respond to how others engage with a proposal and where they take things, rather than being tied to what you put forward. You need to be open to new types of learning, the ideas of others and making changes along the way, if you are going to create a beautiful garden.”

Adult Learning Happens through all kinds of ways with all kinds of learners.  

“Master Gardeners are certified annually and are required to complete a number of volunteer hours in an effort to hone their skills with more "studies" while educating others,” added Connors-Dunphy.  Currently Connors Dunphy is president of the Atlantic Master Gardeners' Association and is on the Board and also Treasurer of the Fredericton Botanic Garden.  She chairs a number of committees for the Fredericton Botanic Garden while also volunteering there. She also does some work with the parents' group of the Connaught Street School in Fredericton and is involved with the International Master Gardeners' Conference Committee.

The Northern/Truro region’s planning committee is comprised of volunteers from The Colchester Adult Learning Association, Centre communautaire francophone de Truro, Glooscap Heritage Centre, Dalhousie University (Truro) Faculty of Agriculture, Literacy Nova Scotia, Marigold Centre, Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education Adult Education Division (Northern region) and the Truro Campus of the Nova Scotia community College.

The volunteer-driven regional planning committees are active in the Annapolis Valley, Antigonish, Halifax and Truro/Northern regions and collaborating on festivities inspired by UNESCO’s International Adult Learners Week campaign. So pick a place and join us to celebrate!

Other regional events include:

The Spring Workshop Launch of workshops at the Annapolis Valley First Nation Learning Centre offered by the Valley Community Learning Association and the Annapolis Valley First Nation April 9th

Learning Lunch with James Goldie talk presented by St. Francis Xavier University, Department of Continuing and Distance Education in partnership with Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library on April 10th

HRM Celebrates Lifelong Learning – The Mayor of Halifax joins the celebrations of Lifelong Learning in the Halifax Regional Municipality at City Hall on April 10th

“I love colour and light and their interplay with texture, added Connors-Dunphy. “I enjoy this aspect of gardening.  I like to help people grow things and be better gardeners.  I enjoy my veggie garden…nothing like Caesar salad made with a lettuce that is still warm from the sun.

For more information of the Faculty of Agriculture’s Extended learning opportunities please contact Dr. Kathleen Kevany, Director of Extended Learning at 893.6725 to share your ideas. You can also email at extended.learning@dal.ca

The region’s many learning opportunities and venues are also being highlighted on the Learning Happens Here map, at http://www.learninghappenshere.com. To find out more about having your organization listed, please contact (902)893-5988.