MFGA Winter Meeting • February 12, 2019
Flower Growers Winter Meeting and Education Program
Northeast Nursery, 8 Dearborn Road, Peabody, Massachusetts
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association and University of Massachusetts Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program
Registration includes lunch! Registration must be received by February 8, 2019.
Click here for a downloadable pdf that includes the registration form and complete agenda.
— Special Feature: Allied Trade Tables—open 9am–3pm —
8:15–9:15am
Open House—visit before you come to the meeting
Kane’s Flower World, Inc., 64 Andover Street, Rte. 114, Danvers, Massachusetts. Owners Jeff and Ralph Kane invite you to stop by and tour their retail and wholesale operation.
9:00am
Registration Open—complimentary coffee and pastries
9:40am
Welcome—Tom Spence, Northeast Greenhouse & Supply manager
9:45–10:45am
Review of New Pesticides—Rick Yates, technical support manager, Griffins Greenhouse Supply (1 pesticide recertification credit)
This presentation will be a “deep dive” review of pesticides released in the past year, as well as some that are slated for introduction soon. Interested in reducing the cost and increasing the effectiveness of biocontrol? Rick will talk about it! Last but not least, he will talk about some new pesticide application technologies that might find a home at your operation.
10:45–11:45am
Managing Common diseases of Young Plants in the Greenhouse
Dr. Nora Catlin, Floriculture Specialist and Agriculture Program Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County Long Island (1 pesticide recertification credit)
This presentation will discuss common diseases of young plants in the greenhouse and provide strategies for prevention and control.
11:45am–12:00pm
Continue visit with Allied Trade vendors
12:00–1:00pm
Catered Lunch—reservations requested by February 8, 2019
MFGA Annual Meeting—Bart King, president, and Bob Luczai, secretary MFGA
1:00 – 2:00pm
Common Nutrient Problems of Spring Greenhouse Crops
Dr. Rosa Raudales, assistant professor and Extension specialist, UConn
Dr. Raudales will discuss common nutrient problems observed in spring greenhouse crops and how to prevent problems from happening.
2:00–3:00pm
Ways to Diversify your Business and Products to Attract Customers
An “Ideas” session—This panel presentation will discuss what some garden retail members have done to attract and serve more customers. We’ll also hear about a potential product line to consider for retail sales. Panelist include Jeff Doherty, Angel’s Garden Center, Hopkinton MA; Linda Zukas, retail manager, Nunan Florist & Greenhouse, Georgetown MA; and Sheri Gustafson, MDAR Massachusetts Animal Fund coordinator, plants for pets to promote sales.
For more information contact:
Bob Luczai, MFGA: 781-275-4811 (office) or 508-935-8264 (cell)
Geoffrey Njue 617-243-1932, UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program
