WisconsinOrnamentals.com

December 28, 2009 Newsletter

In This Issue
Crop Production Training
Horticulture Census
Saving Money
Employee Discipline
2010 Trends
Greenhouse Fertilization
Educational Needs Survey
Garden Center Symposium
Upcoming Events
Quick Links
 
 
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Eileen Nelson
UW-Madison Department of Horticulture
608-265-5283 
Happy New Year! 
 
     If you have not participated in the Educational Needs Survey  yet, we'd appreciate a few minutes of your time.  
Greenhouse Crop Production Training Course
This announcement comes from Dr. Charlie Hall's blog "Making Cents".

COLLEGE STATION - A self-directed online course is being offered for greenhouse employees nationwide, according to Dr. Charlie Hall, Texas A&M University Ellison Chair in International Floriculture.

The course provides introductory-level information about the greenhouse industry plus learning models on greenhouse crop production from beginning to end, controlling insects and diseases, and shipping and handling procedures, Hall noted.

"One of the unique features of this training is that it is offered in English and Spanish," Hall said. "With the increased number of Hispanic workers in the green industry, this training series provides a valuable service to the industry by providing employees who are new to the industry with an overview of what greenhouse production of floral crops is all about."

Videos are used throughout the course sections, and the instruction is available in both languages with transcripts available for downloading.

The course costs $55 and is available through eXtension, an online collaboration among the Cooperative Extension System which includes the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. People can enroll at any time and receive a "key" to the site which is valid for 90 days.

The course is located at http://campus.extension.org under the gardening and horticulture section. Registration for the course may be completed at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu under "Online Courses."

Census of Horticultural Specialties
 Here's a reminder to complete the Census of Horticultural Specialties questionnaires that should have come in your mail this month.  This information is important to the Green Industry  to help reflect an accurate assessment of the value of horticultural crops in Wisconsin.
 
Recipients are required to respond by February 5, 2010. Results will be published in December 2010.
 
For more information visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.
Saving Money in Tight Times
 "How does a retail grower save tens of thousands of dollars in order to turn a healthy profit in tight economic times?"
In her "Under an Acre" article in GrowerTalks, Barbara Mulhern gets tips from a retail grower in Troy Michigan.
Being Progressive with Discipline
 "Even if you make great hiring decisions, you may find it necessary to discipline some of your employees."
 
Read through this article by Elaine Khachi in GrowerTalks for some guidelines.
Jumpstarting 2010
 Yale Youngblook for Garden Center Magazine lists some "trend guidelines" that he has accumlated that he hopes will help you "take the lead" in the 2010 season. Some of them may surprise you.
Planning your greenhouse fertilization program
 Use this self-directed presentation from Dr. Neil Mattson of Cornell University to help you analyze your fertilization program for the coming season.
 
The information is easy to follow and includes good visual cues including this Key to Visual Diagnosis of Nutrient Disorders from the University of Minnesota.
UW-Madison Educational Needs Survey
 Your assistance will be a big help!
 
If you haven't filled it out the Educational Needs Survey yet - please do so now.
 
The survey is intended to help us develop outreach materials for those of you owning and operating garden centers, production facilities and landscaping operations.
 
Responses given to the questions will help us determine the topics that you would like to have access to.
 
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey which can be found here.  Your feedback will help us do a more complete job of serving your needs.
 
Thanks.
Garden Center Symposium
 January 27-28, 2010
 
Plan to attend the 46th Annual Garden Center Symposium at the Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center, January 27-28.  Program details and registration information can be found at www.gardencentersymposium.com
 
Speakers will be:
  • Steve Bailey of Steve Bailey Consulting (see article in Garden Center.com below)
  • Amy Kolden of Monrovia Growers
  • Ping Lim of Roses by Ping
  • John Kennedy of Kenndy Consulting
  • Bill Calkins of Ball Horticultural Company
Take a break from winter, educate the mind, visit with colleagues, and use the information from speakers and vendors to help plan your 2010.
Other Upcoming Events
Mid-Am Horticulture Trade Show January 20-22, 2010
McCormick Place West, Chicago, Illinois
 
Northern Green Expo  January 6-8, 2010
Minneapolis Convention Center
 
Please let us know what you think about the changed newsletter format for www.WisconsinOrnamentals.com
 
We also hope you will send it on to others you think might like to be on the mailing list. Thanks.
 
Sincerely,
Eileen Nelson  (eonelson@wisc.edu)
WisconsinOrnamentals.com