Educational Program
New England Greenhouse Conference and Trade Expo
Worcester, Mass. Oct. 18-20, 2004
Key
E=Everyone; These sessions have broad application to everyone in the industry.
A=Advanced: These sessions either provide in-depth coverage of a specialized topic, or information new to even experienced industry members.
B=Basic: These sessions are especially suitable for beginners, or for those who want a comprehensive overview of a topic.
M = These sessions have been approved for pesticide recertification credits in New England states, New York and Pennsylvania.
MONDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2004
No Trade Show
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PRINCIPLES OF GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION 1 Ballroom 3 |
GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION 2 Ballroom 1 |
RETAIL GARDEN CENTERS & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Meeting Rooms A/B |
PERENNIAL SCHOOL Ballroom 2 |
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8:00 – 9:10 |
M Pest Management Basics Ray Cloyd,University of Illinois Insects and mites can cause significant injury to plants, as well as vector plant pathogens. Learn how to identify the most common pests and how to manage them.B |
Watering Systems Will Healy, Ball Seed CompanyPlug production, potted material, and hangers…what are the options for watering systems?
E |
The Retail Garden Center, Marketing for All Seasons Grower panel How can you bring customers in year-round? Join this session to learn about activities and events that will keep your customers coming 12 months a year. E |
Hot, New perennials! Richard Hawke, Chicago Botanic GardenWhat’s best suited for northern climates? Interested in Epimedium? Phlox? Then come learn about some of the newest perennials. E |
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9:10 – 10:20 |
M Fertilization and pH Management Bill Argo, the Blackmore CompanyProper management of pH and nutrients is key to producing a healthy crop. Lean the basics of testing and management. B |
Water Regulations…Friend or Foe? Jeff O’Donal, O’Donal Nurseries (ME); Rob Johnson, NH Farm BureauWhat are the regulations? How do we deal with them? How can you effectively work with your legislators. Join this session for a lively discussion! E |
Designing a Garden Center Greenhouse Ed Bemis & John BartokED will share his experience in designing and building a successful retail greenhouse. John will offer insight on the pros & cons of various designs. E |
M Bad Bugs – Managing Insects in Perennials Stanton Gill, Univ. Maryland Coop. Ext.Insect pests can be a long-term problem in perennials. Learn the most effective methods and products for managing pests such as aphids and lily leaf beetle. E |
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10:20 – 11:30 |
Watering and Irrigation Will Healy, Ball Seed CompanySounds simple? Learn the tricks of proper watering for successful crop production. Join Will for a discussion of watering.
B |
Growing the Challenging New Annuals Mike Goyette, Pleasant View GardensDoes the mention of Osteospermum, Nemesia and Calibrachoa fill your head with questions? Mike will share production tips that will provide the answers.A |
M Pest Management in the Retail Greenhouse Ray Cloyd, University of IllinoisPest management in a retail greenhouse can be a challenge. Ray will discuss options for insect control in areas open to customer traffic. A |
M Disease Prevention for Perennials Jean Williams-Woodward, University of Georgia Are mildews, rust and root rots a problem? Prevention is the key! Jean will guide you through management practices that help prevent disease problems. E |
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11:30 - 1:00 |
Lunch |
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1:00 – 2:10 |
Media Basics Bill Fonteno, North Carolina State Univ.It’ not just ‘dirt’. Come explore what’s in media and what components are best for certain crops. B |
M Nutrients – A Balancing Act Bill Argo, the Blackmore CompanyLearn how to recognize and correct nutrient deficiencies and toxicities E |
Sources of Labor Robin Ritz, Prides Corner Nursery; John Young, NEACFinding reliable sources of labor is a common problem. Join us for a discussion of interns, temporary services, the H2A program and other sources to fill your labor needs E |
M Weed Control in Perennials Andy Senesac, Cornell UniversityWeeds can be a frustrating and serious challenge in perennial plant production. Learn how to identify weeds and reduce their impact on your crop. E |
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2:10 – 3:20 |
M Disease Management Basics Jean Williams-Woodward, University of GeorgiaPlant diseases develop only when the pathogen, crop and environment are right. Tip the scale in your favor by managing your greenhouse's conditions to reduce the threat of disease. B |
Electronic Technology… Will it help make you more efficient?Lloyd Traven,Peace Tree Farm Both large and small operations can benefit by incorporating technology into their daily operations. What’s available, and what are the costs & potential returns? E |
The Trials and Tribulations of Zoning Regulations & Taxation John Moulton, Moulton Farm John will share some of his experiences dealing with local zoning regulations.
E |
Perennials: Production Systems and Scheduling Leonard Perry, University of VermontLeonard will cover various production systems, including how to choose the right one. He’ll discuss growing - from plug production to details of finishing your crops E |
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3:20 – 4:30 |
Climate Control: Understanding how Plants Grow & Respond to the Environment Paul Thomas, University of GeorgiaLight, temperature and water. Paul will help us understand the role these environmental factors play in plant growth and health. B |
Energy Conservation John Bartok,University of ConnecticutBoth large and small operations can benefit by incorporating technology into their daily operations. What’s available and what are the costs & potential returns? E |
Which Crops are Making You Money? Robin Brumfield, Rutgers University Partial Budgets…are your crop choices profitable? Robin will reveal the secrets of enterprise budgets. E |
Native Perennial Plants Bill Cullina, Garden in the Woods NurseryNative perennials are in demand. Bill will share his vast knowledge on selecting and propagating native perennials. E |
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4:30 – 7:00 |
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7:00 – 9:00
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Garden Center Idea Exchange Moderator: Chris Beytes, GrowerTalks Magazine Tina Bemis, Bemis Farms Nursery (MA); Scott Longfellow, Longfellow Greenhouses (ME); Dave Hamlen, Hamlen’s Garden Center (VT); Bill Stockman, Spiderweb Gardens (NH); Bill VanWilgen, VanWilgen’s Garden Center, (CT) Ever wonder what other Garden Centers are doing to be so successful? This informative and informal session will provide an opportunity to hear great ideas from garden center owners and operators from around New England. Learn what works well and what doesn’t! Then participate in the open discussion. This is sure to be is a lively and interactive session! |
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TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2004
Trade Show hours 10:00 – 6:30
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SELLING (AM) PERENNIALS (PM) Ballroom 3 |
PEST MANAGEMENT Ballroom 1 |
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Meeting Rooms A/B |
CROPS: HERBS & VEGETATIVE ANUALS Ballroom 2 |
HOW TO START A GREENHOUSE BUSINESS Ballroom 2 |
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8:00 - 9:00 |
Customer Service? Bruce Baker, Middlebury Jewelry and DesignCustomer service is a critical component of sales and profitability. Join Bruce for an enlightening discussion of customer service do’s and don’ts. E |
M The 10 Most Unwanted Problems Jim Wilmott,Rutgers University Bedding Plants have lots of potential problems. Jim will discuss the ten biggest problems and the best solutions to avoid them. E |
Developing an Employee Handbook Robert NoonanDo your employees know where to go for answers to common questions? An employee handbook can be a valuable resource for your employees and a time-saver for you. E |
Herbs: The ABC’s of Growing and Selling Herbs Lloyd Traven,Peace Tree Farm Herbs are one of the hot new items with consumers. But which ones should you grow? Who will buy them? Learn how to select, grow market & merchandise herbs. E |
The Dynamic Marketing Plan – A Winning Invention Charlene Andersen , Kamigo MarketingAre you ‘skippin’ & ‘jumpin’ around with ideas on advertising, promotions, pricing, etc? Is your marketing plan progressive? Come learn about dynamic marketing where strategies and tactical tools are combined to create positive results! E |
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9:00 - 10:00 |
M Pesticide Application – Equipment Options John Sawyer, Griffin Greenhouse & Nursery Supplies, Inc.Once you know what to apply, how to apply it is the next step to successful pest control. Learn what’s new and what works with what. E |
Employee issues – Questions and Answers Robert Noonan,Bring your questions concerning employee issues and join Robert for an informative discussion.
E |
Sourcing – Where to Get What You Need Bob Luczai, Ball Seed Co.Once you know who you’re going to sell to and what you’re going to grow, where do you get what you need to get started. B |
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10:00 -1:30 |
Visit Trade Show, food service in trade show, demonstrations ongoing |
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1:30 - 2:30 |
Spring Forward & Fall in Love With New Perennials Dan Heims, Terra Nova NurseriesDan unveils the mystery of plants that excite the masses in early spring and then offers materials that extend the season to go along with pumpkin sales. Dedicated customers are coming earlier and staying later than the old "spring rush", come find out why. E |
M Insect Control Stanton Gill, Univ. Maryland Coop. Ext. Insects can cause significant losses through feeding injury and the introduction of pathogens. Stanton will discuss the basics of insect management. E |
Using The Press as an Effective Marketing Tool Chris Beytes,GrowerTalks MagazineNewspapers, magazines, journals… which is best? What’s free? Chris will guide us through the maze of selecting the options that will most effectively get your message across. E |
New Introductions Doug Cole, D. S. Cole Growers & John Gaydos, Proven WinnersDoug & John will give us a look of some of the latest new plant material. You won’t want to miss this one! E |
So You Want to Start A Greenhouse Business Michelle Elston, (MA); John Loosigian,(MA); Peter Okum, (MA)Starting a Greenhouse business can be a daunting task. Learn from these growers what you’ll need to consider from the planning stages through construction and ultimately…opening Day! B |
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2:30 - 3:30 |
M Steps to Diagnosing Plant Problems Margery Daughtrey,Cornell University What’s Wrong with my plant? Diagnosing plant problems can often be a frustrating task. Learn from an expert as Margery takes us through the process. E |
Effective Advertising Moderator: Chris Beytes Tina Bemis (MA); Dave Hamlen (VT)Mass media – what’s most effective? Contacts – who do you know (or should know)? How to use email effectively (without spamming your customers). Don’t miss this informative Session! E |
Propagating Vegetative Annuals Lockwood ‘Pooh‘ Sprague, Edgewater FarmDo you have some ‘special’ or unusual plants you’d like to propagate? Pooh will share his techniques and give some hints for successfully propagating vegetative annuals using stock plants. E |
What’s the best greenhouse system for me? Bob Rimol,Rimol Greenhouse SystemsPoly? Glass? Gutter-connected? Natural ventilation? So Many choices. Bob will help sort it out so you can make the best selection to fit your needs. B |
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3:30 - 4:30 |
The Beauty of Ornamental Grasses in The landscape Robert Herman, Robert Herman and Uncommon PlantsThe character, texture and three-season value of grasses add beauty, movement and grace to the garden. Robert will present a broad palette of plants, concentrating on their selection and combinations with other perennials, to create a distinctive landscape. E |
M Plant Growth Regulators – An Expert’s View David Hartley,Colorado State Univ. Growth Regulators can be powerful tools, but can also cause potential problems. David will share his knowledge and experience using PGRs. A |
The First 30 Days Robin Ritz,Prides Corner FarmsThe first 30 days are critical to employee retention. Robin will discuss how to provide the best orientation and environment for retaining your workforce. E |
Crops From the Tropics Jamie Gibson, University of FloridaWhat are some of the new, plants coming out of the tropics? Will these exciting exotics have a place in your crop lineup? E |
M Growing Healthy Plants Jim Wilmott, Rutgers UniversityHealthy profits depend upon healthy plants. Soil testing, pest management, and nutrient management are all key to producing quality plants.
B |
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4:30 - 6:30 |
Reception in Trade Show |
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WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2004
Trade Show hours 8:30 – 4:00
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PERENNIALS & ENGINEERING Ballroom 3 |
CROPS & PEST MANAGEMENT Ballroom 1 |
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & PROFITABILITY Meeting Rooms A/B |
VEGETATIVE ANNUALS & CROPS Ballroom 2 |
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8:00 - 9:00 |
Perennials – Bare Rooted Material Bill Miller, Cornell UniversityBareroot materials have become a major component of the perennial landscaping industry. Successful growing, shipping and utilization of bareroot material is dependent on many factors. Join us for this enlightening session. E |
Growing Field-Grown Cut Flowers Mark Bridgen,Cornell UniversityMark will review annual and herbaceous perennial plants that can be used for field-grown cut flowers, and how to grow them. This primer on cut flowers is a "must see" presentation if you are involved with or interested in field-grown cut flowers. E |
Displays that Sell! John Moulton & Rob Stevens, Moulton FarmProduct placement can make or break a sale. This panel of retail marketers and growers will share their expertise and experiences for a lively discussion of display do's and don’ts. E |
New ‘Varieties’ From Seed Mitch Rand,Ball Seed Co.There’s lots of new exciting material out there. Come learn what’s available and how to successfully grow these new materials. E |
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9:00 - 10:00 |
New Perennials John Friel,Yoder-Green LeafWhat Do You Say When They Ask, 'What's New?' At trade shows and at retail, everyone wants the latest perennials. Join John for a look at new, promising varieties, plus a glance in the rearview mirror at some recent introductions to see what worked and what didn't. E |
Plants for Water Gardens Matt Horn,Matterhorn NurseryWater gardens come in all sizes and shapes. Join Matt to learn which plants are best suited for your customer’s needs and how to grow them. E |
Developing an Industry: the Team Approach Lois Berg Stack,University of MaineSmall businesses are flexible and manageable. But when large size is an advantage, why not work with other small businesses to buy, market, create industry identity, and more?E |
Creative Containers Chris Schlegel & Khristen Graham,D. S. Cole GrowersChris & Kristen will share their expertise to help you determine the best product mix for creating attractive combinations that sell. E |
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10:00 – 1:30 |
Visit Trade Show, food service in trade show, demonstrations ongoing |
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1:30 - 2:30 |
Greenhouse Lighting Paul Fisher,Univ. of New HampshireBedding plants, poinsettias, propagation areas…lighting requirements can vary greatly. Paul will help sort out the options.
A |
M Management Options for Viruses & Bacteria Margery Daughtrey,Cornell University Margery will bring us up-to-date on how to manage diseases caused by Viruses and bacteria.
E |
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Poinsettias – is There More to Know? You bet there is! Harvey Lang, Fischer, USA"Harvey will take you through some of the common production problems encountered every season. He'll discuss prevention & management tips. He'll also discuss some of the new varieties and marketing." E |
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2:30 - 3:30 |
Roofing Options Richard Vollebregt, Cravo Equipment Corp.So many choices! Richard will tell us what’s available and what will work best in different situations.
A |
M Biological Control: Real Experiences Tom Doubleday (VT), Greg Berger (NH), and Kyle Fletcher-Baker (ME)Successful use of biological controls is dependent upon many factors. Learn from these growers and Michael what works and what doesn’t. B |
Fall Crops that Can Make Money John Gaydos, Proven WinnersAutumn offers numerous opportunities to encourage customers to return for more. These plants will be sure to entice them!
E |
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3:30 - 4:30 |
Change, How Do We Do It? Mark Adams (NY), Michael DeFrancesco (CT) & Joe Vaiuso (CT)What will you operation look like in 5 years? How do you plan for & incorporate change? These growers will share what they did and why. A |
M What’s New Michael Brownbridge, University of Vermont New pest control materials are continually introduced. Come see what’s available and what’s on the way! E |
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