Your Chance to Attend California Spring Trials With Your Peers

By Cornell University|February 18, 2022

Greenhouse growers and horticulture professionals are invited to take part in a group tour of the main stops along the California Spring Trial (CAST) route. This one-of-a-kind guided excursion, which takes place March 31-April 2, 2022, is an intense, educational, and entertaining way to visit several of the key Spring Trial locations with fellow horticulturists. It allows attendees the convenience of not having to arrange for your own stops, hotels, and transportation. The itinerary is packed with three full days of tours.

Guests will be able to visit the major horticultural companies that distribute plant materials and supplies and get a first-hand look at the products and new varieties that are available to the horticulture industry. This excursion is designed specifically for members of the greenhouse, nursery, and landscape industries, other horticulture professionals, and academics. It is an opportunity to meet fellow growers, breeders, and other plant company representatives to see the latest new plant introductions, share ideas, update your understanding of what’s happening in our industry, and travel with trained professionals.

Attendees should plan to arrive at the San Francisco Airport (SFO) on Wednesday, March 30, and will stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Francisco Airport (complimentary airport shuttle and breakfast included). The journey begins on Thursday morning, March 31, when the bus departs from the hotel. That first day, the group will visit Danziger, Syngenta Flowers (includes lunch), Benary, and Suncrest Nursery, which features Cohen Nurseries, Hishtil Nurseries, Jaldety Nursery, Kamel Plastic Pots, Nir Nurseries, and Prudac. That night, participants will stay in the Courtyard by Marriott Salinas.

Friday, April 1, will be a busy day with a morning visit to Sakata Seed and American Takii, both in Salinas, followed by Dümmen Orange in San Luis Obispo in the afternoon. That night will be spent at the Crowne Plaza Ventura located on a beautiful Pacific Ocean beach (breakfast not included). Saturday, April 2, begins with a visit to Santa Barbara Polo Club. This stop features PlantHaven, Pacific Plug & Liner, Plant Development Services (Southern Living Plant Collection and Sunset Western Garden Collection), Suntory, and Vivero. Then we are off to Ball Horticultural Co., which includes Ball FloraPlant, Ball Ingenuity, Darwin Perennials, Kieft Seed, PanAmerican Seed, and Selecta One. Lunch will be supplied at this stop. The last stop of the day is at Green Fuse Grove, which features Beekenkamp, Hem Genetics, Schoneveld, and Westhoff. At the end of the day, the bus travels to West Hollywood where overnight accommodations will be at the Ramada Plaza Hotel. On Sunday, April 2, Uber, Lyft, or a taxi will be available at the traveler’s expense for transportation to either the Los Angeles Airport or Burbank Airport where participants may return home or travel on their own to other locations.

The trip is subject to change and may be cancelled if minimum capacity is not met. Full COVID vaccination is required of participants.