March 20, 2009

In This Issue
Working with Landscapers
Keynote Returns to OFA Short Course
Sessions to Get You Growing on the Right Track
OFA Bulletin is Now Green!
Fun Events at OFA Short Course
Take Heed & Collect Data
E-Source Spotlight - Total Crop Managment Program
Quick Links
Industry-Related Events
 
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Working with Landscapers
We won't even ask if you'd like to sell more plants, because who doesn't? The question is to whom? Don't you just wish there was an untapped market out there waiting for you? Well there is, sort of.
 
Many landscapers are still riding the "do-it-for-me" wave and capitalizing on their knowledge and skills to create beautiful gardens for people who don't garden. But landscapers are hungry for information about good new plants and even more interested in finding reliable suppliers for what they need now.
 
In a one-hour session at this year's OFA Short Course, Bruce Hellerick of the Brickman Group will help growers and retailers sort through the thousands of flower possibilities to select those that are easy to grow, bloom abundantly, and require minimal care. Following this fairly strict criteria, Bruce will share with attendees his list of the top 20 plants that can provide dramatic landscape displays.
 
Learning what this specialty list might just be enough to help you tap into a whole new market. Find out at the OFA Short Course.
 
Members can read an OFA Bulletin article that Bruce wrote about on this topic in its entirety to get more suggestions and tips for increasing sales with this underserved population. Read it at the myOFA section of www.ofa.org.
Keynote Returns to OFA Short Course

Back by popular demand! It's been several years since the OFA Short Course has had a keynote presentation. But because this session is so important, we knew that everyone MUST hear it. Fred Kirschenmann of the Leopold Center for Sustainability will address "Future Challenges and Opportunities in Our Food and Agriculture Enterprises." Learn how today's challenges present us with unprecedented opportunities to develop new markets. A revolution is already underway and opportunities await those who anticipate the direction the market is going and get a head start.
 
Setting the tone for the entire OFA Short Course, this session will show attendees some ways to get involved, get creative and get market share.
 
Sessions to Get You Growing on Right Track


"Problem" Vegetative Crops and How to Grow Them 2-Part Series
Profits lie in not just good growing but also growing those plants that not everyone can grow. Gain an edge on your competition, and expand your customer base by offering unique crops that can bring you higher profits. Join experts from six major plant development companies to learn how to grow some of the coolest new crops that their  customers have a hard time growing. Many of the new crops on the market have a few twists in their production schedules, and there is a great market potential in some of the new woody crops as well. Once you know a few of the secrets you will be able to grow these crops. 

New Plant Finds for Container Designs
Learn about new woody plants, vines, and perennials that will light up and add color, texture, and ornamental interest to container gardening. New Hydrangea, Buddleia, Caryopteris, and Physocarpus are just some of the plants to be covered in the presentation. Exciting new breakthroughs in plant breeding and selection have delivered new flower color choices, foliage colors, and plant forms. See how these new introductions will excite and differentiate your new container design creations.
 
See this year's exciting educational program!

OFA Bulletin is Now Green!
Pushing forward in its effort to "green" this green industry, OFA is now offering members and subscribers an opportunity to receive the OFA Bulletin electronically. Read the March/April issue online.

Sure, the association's bi-monthly publication can still be delivered through the mail if you prefer, but by using an exciting design, the new electronic version makes reading article just as easy. You'll get all the conveniences of faster delivery and fewer hassles And just think of how much you'll be impacting the world with fewer trees for paper, less emissions for delivery, and less waste in landfills.

Electronically is definitely the way to go, so sign up today!
 
Fun Events at OFA Short Course
America in Bloom (AIB) again will sponsor a variety of fundraising opportunities in conjunction with the OFA Short Course.

On slate for this year are a $5,000 raffle, the D.S. Cole Hockey in Columbus game, and the Dramm 5k Relay for Floriculture. These events offer attendees the opportunity to support a great cause while showing a bit of friendly competition.

Go online today to register your team, purchase tickets, or learn how to be part of the excitement. All proceeds will support AIB's ongoing efforts to promote community beautification.

Take Heed & Collect Data

With the revised crop insurance standards, many growers learned a hard lesson in 2008: Failure to adequately support reported inventory values and retain records may results in voided policies.

John Hodapp, Hortica's senior vice president for agency operations, explained the importance of tracking information: "We know crop insurance can be complex. But we also know it could make the difference between survival and going out of business for growers who suffer disasters, particularly since waiving crop insurance equates to also waiving federal disaster assistance. "

The USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) has expressed its preference that producers use RMA's "Crop Inventory Valuation Estimate Report" (a Nursery Inventory Software program commonly known as DataScape) to develop their Plant Inventory Value Report (PIVR). And as in 2008, Hortica will enter its customers' information into the DataScape program. Both new and renewal customers must have their inventory reports in Hortica's hands by April 1, 2009 to take advantage of this valuable service.

For more information about crop insurance or the DataScape program, contact Hortica.
E-Source Spotlight - Total Crop Managment Program
Supporting its Total Crop Management Program, the University of Massachusetts Extension department has created a virtual storehouse of information to help growers establish and maintain a healthy growing environment for greenhouse production.

Nearly 50 fact sheets provide detailed information about general greenhouse management, plant nutrition/irrigation, plant growth regulators, and greenhouse engineering/energy.  This resource can provide a quick refresher, answer on-the-spot questions and help you plan for the next season.
Visit the web site.