WisconsinOrnamentals.com

May 31, 2010 Newsletter

In This Issue
Virtual Grower
Fresh Air Forum
Plants are not a luxury
Tree Assistance
Youth Gardening
Trees mean jobs
Plant Disease Diagnostics
OFA
PPA
2010 IGC Show
Quick Links
 
 
 
Join Our List
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Eileen Nelson
UW-Madison Department of Horticulture
608-265-5283 
 
If you have checked the website recently, you will see that content has not been updated in quite some time.  I'm not sure when it will be.  When I ran out of time to do both the website and the newsletter I opted to focus on the newsletter.  Previously in the newsletter I was referring to articles I had posted on the website. . .which made it a two step process. 
 
I have had good response to the newsletter in its current format so plan to continue.  Giving you links here directly to articles that are on line means that putting the same information on www.wisconsinornamentals.com is a duplication of effort. 
 
I appreciate feedback. 
Virtual Grower
Source:  Greenhouse Grower
 
Virtual Grower is a high-tech tool that allows growers to examine the performance of their greenhouse structures, coverings and heating systems.  The model allows growers to compare styles of structures, the materials they are built from, fuel sources and crop times based on temperature settings and regional culture.
 
To get started go to VirtualGrower.net to download the program.  A downloadable manual is available to help you through the process.
Fresh Air Forum
 
If you want to know what experiences others are having in ornamental horticulture, check out the Fresh Air Forum. This on-line community for greenhouse and nursery owners and garden center operators is sponsored by Greenhouse Grower, Today's Garden Center and Ornamental Outlook.
 
On the site you can find discussion forums about almost any topic of concern to industry personnel (spraying, irrigation, marketing, etc.), Subgroup discussions, i.e. Retailers, Landscapers, Growers, Suppliers, etc.,  Photos, Blogs, etc.
 
When you have the time, this is a great resource to catch up on what the rest of the industry has to say.
Plants are not a luxury -- they are a necessity
Bert Swanson, President of the MNLA, provides an interesting commentary on how we in the ornamental industry are unconsciously sending the wrong message to our customers.  Read his opinion in the latest issue of the MNLA Scoop here on pages 8 and 9.
Tree Assistance Program
 Source: ANLA
 
WASHINGTON, May 7, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today said that orchardists and nursery tree growers can begin applying for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program, which was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. Signup begins Monday, May 10, 2010, at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.

"This program helps our orchardists and nursery tree growers replant and get back on their feet after natural disasters," said Vilsack.

The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides help to orchardists and nursery tree growers who produce trees, bushes and vines for commercial purposes, to replant or rehabilitate trees, bushes and vines damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. The 2008 Farm Bill expanded eligibility to include Christmas tree and nursery tree growers that were ineligible under prior legislation.

 
For more information, link here., pages 16-17.
Youth Gardening
 Source: Greenhouse Product News

Burpee Home Gardens kicked off its national "I Can Grow" program by supporting younger and novice gardeners in community events across the country, and by collaborating with the National Gardening Association on the new educational I Can Grow Guide. "I Can Grow" is a confidence-building program from Burpee Home Gardens for youth and novice gardeners that focuses on The Four E's of vegetable gardening: Education, Eating better, Environment and Economy.

In order to make youth gardening education more accessible, Burpee Home Gardens has collaborated with the National Gardening Association to produce the I Can Grow Guide. This 55-page educational resource offers ideas for teachers, youth group leaders and volunteers on how to cultivate a successful youth garden program. The guide is available as a free download through the Burpee website, www.burpeehomegardens.com.

To learn more about the "I Can Grow" program, visit www.burpeehomegardens.com, or visit the Burpee Home Gardens Facebook page at www.facebook.com/burpeehomegardens
Trees mean Jobs
 Source: ANLA
 
Reauthorization of a national tree-planting program could produce an economic impact of $741 million over the next five years, as well as create more than 6,000 jobs, according to a recent report. More than $87 million in revenue for federal, state and local governments also would be realized, should the Small Business Environmental Stewardship Assistance Act (SBESA) pass as proposed. The report - "Projected Economic Impacts of the Proposed Small Business Administration Tree Planting Program" - was produced by Dr. Alan Hodges of the University of Florida in cooperation with Dr. Charles Hall and Dr. Marco Palma, Texas A&M. The American Nursery & Landscape Association has launched a web-based campaign in support of the act.
 
 For more information read the article in this month's MNLA Scoop. 
UW-Extension/Madison Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic
If you wonder what types of disease problems pop up around the state, here is a list from Brian Hudelson of the samples he has received to this point in 2010.
 
2010 OFA Short Course
July 10-13, 2010 are the dates for this year's OFA short course program.  Registration and Reservations can be made here.
 
What you will find there:
  • 500 companies in a 1,500-booth trade show with products and services to make your business successful
  • 150 speakers from across the world
  • 150 sessions for all segments of the industry
  • Garden Center Live! - A new feature that will provide a creative boost for retailers.
  • Idea exchanges, tours, hands-on workshops
  • New Varieties and New Products displays
  • Project: Green Industry eco-friendly products display
  • OFA Short Course Reception - Back by popular demand!
  • Decorations and inspirations throughout the convention center
  • Florist design contest and design demonstrations
 
Perennial Plant Association Annual Conference
 The 28th Perennial Plant Association Symposium will be held in Portland, Oregon, July 18-24, 2010.  Link here for registration information.
2010 Independent Garden Center Show
This year's Independent Garden Center Show, scheduled to run August 17-19 at downtown Chicago's stunning waterfront Navy Pier facility, will present more vendors and new products specifically targeted for the garden center market than any other show in the world.
 
 
 
Please forward this newsletter on to others. 
 
Thanks. 
Eileen Nelson  ([email protected])
www.WisconsinOrnamentals.com