MFGA Winter Meeting: Register Today!

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

King Farm Inc., 15 Scales Lane, Townsend, MA
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association and University of Massachusetts Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program

Click here to download the registration form.

Special Feature: Allied Trade Tables

8:30–10am

Open Houses at greenhouses
King Farm
The Flower Hutch, 42 Bayberry Hill Rd., Townsend, MA

9:30am

Registration: Complimentary Coffee

10am

Welcome
Jason Hutchins, President MFGA
Dana and Bart King, King Farm

10:10–11am

The Best 10 New Varieties and How to Successfully Grow Them
Jason Twaddell, Selecta-Ball FloraPlant
Jessica Boldt, Production R&D Manager, Pleasant View Gardens

11am–12pm

Value-added Products and Services for Garden Centers:
What Works and What to Consider
Dee Dice, Constant Growth, Marketing and Consulting, MA
Yes, we want proven ideas that make money, and we will talk about that, but there are other things to consider. Dee will present ideas to contemplate and explore with proven examples.

12–1pm

Catered lunch: Reservations requested by January 23
MFGA Annual Meeting: Jason Hutchins, The Flower Hutch and Bob Luczai, MFGA
Plant Something Marketing Update
Henry Gillet will provide an update on legislative issues affecting our industry.

1–1:30pm

Technology Tools to Help Your Business (Panel)
Our panel will share the technology tools they use including smart phone apps. Join in the discussion, learn about new apps and share your favorite technology tool with others.

1:30–2:20pm

Disease Diagnostic Test Kits for Greenhouse Crops*
Janet Lamborn, Agdia Inc.
Janet will discuss how, what, and why growers send samples to testing services and what technologies we have available to help you identify the problem and allow you to make educated decisions instead of going in blind. Janet will then introduce you to Agdia’s ImmunoStrip® Tests that allow growers to test plants in the greenhouse with results in 30 minutes. You will have then be a part of a group hands on demonstraKon.

2:20–2:50pm

Pest Management Update for Spring Greenhouse Crops*
UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program

2:50–3:15pm

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Answering Customer’s Questions*
Geoffrey Njue, UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program
What are GMOs? How do they relate to the greenhouse industry? Learn what you should know about GMOs, to educate yourself, your staff and your customers.

*Two pesticide credits for attending program from 1:30 – 3:15pm

Click here to download the registration form.

For more information contact:
Bob Luczai, MFGA, 781.275.4811