One Way To Do Spring Pack Trials

A bus trip for greenhouse growers is being planned to next year’s California Spring Pack Trials from April 9-13, 2010.

Dr. Mark Bridgen of Cornell University, along with Dr. Brian Krug of the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Roberto Lopez of Purdue University and Dr. Neal Mattson of Cornell University have organized an educational trip to several of the key Spring Trial locations. The trip is designed specifically for greenhouse growers and other horticulture professionals.

Advertisement

Each day of the trip will begin early and continue at a fast pace late into the evening. Attendees should plan to arrive on Friday, April 9 and stay at a designated hotel near the San Jose Airport.

The journey begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, when the bus departs from the hotel. That first day, the group will visit Golden State Bulb Growers in Watsonville, Syngenta Flowers/Goldsmith Seeds in Gilroy, Speedling (along with exhibitors Thompson & Morgan, GreenNex USA, Hem Genetics, MasterTag, Northern Innovators, Plant Source International and Schoneveld Twello) in San Juan Batista, and Sakata Seed in Salinas.  Participants will stay in Salinas on Saturday night.

On Sunday, April 11, the day will begin with a two-hour drive to San Luis Obispo, where the first stop will be Dömmen USA. After a short drive to Arroyo Grande, the group will visit Greenheart Farms. The last stop of the day will be in Santa Barbara, where participants will visit Jiffy along with its exhibitors: Northern Innovators, Skagit Gardens and Florist de Kwakel.

Top Articles
Two Horticulture Podcasts You’ll Want to Check Out

Monday, April 12, includes a visit to PlantHaven. The group will then visit Ball Horticultural Co. in Santa Paula, where displays of PanAmerican, Kieft Seeds and Selecta varieties will be featured. Lunch will be hosted by Ball. In the afternoon, Green Fuse Botanicals in Oxnard will be visited along with GroLink. If time allows, the last stop of the day will be in Somis to visit Suntory.

Participants need to arrange their own transportation into San Jose on April 9 and out of West Hollywood on April 12, and cover their own dinner costs. A travel agency is available to assist with these reservations. Visit Concepts.us.com to register. Click on Event Registration at the bottom left of the site.  Be sure to go to the site labeled: Pack Trial Excursion for Greenhouse Growers April 9-13, 2010.

If you have questions, contact Dr. Mark Bridgen at [email protected] or at 631-727-3595.

The cost of the trip will be $450 per person in a double room or $720 per person for a single room. These rates are based on 47 participants and will be adjusted slightly if minimum capacity is not met. The trip is subject to change and may be cancelled if minimum capacity is not met.

This group trip to the 2010 California Spring Pack Trials is a new venture for growers. All greenhouse growers and floriculture professionals are invited to attend. It is an opportunity to meet fellow growers, breeders and other plant company representatives to share ideas, update your understanding of what’s happening in our industry and travel with trained professionals.

0