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Working with Landscapers
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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
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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.
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Sessions to Get You Growing on Right Track
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"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!
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OFA Bulletin is Now Green!
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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!
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Fun Events at OFA Short Course
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 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.
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Take Heed & Collect Data
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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
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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. | |