Learning Opportunity: Eight Panel Discussions at Cultivate’23 You Should Attend
July 7, 2023 Whenever I travel to industry conferences that are built on education, I immediately seek out panel discussions for two reasons: 1) they offer perspectives from multiple industry members who may have different experiences but ultimately common goals, and 2) they encourage dialogue and can often spark new ideas.
Taking a look at the educational program for Cultivate’23, there are a number of panel discussions on the schedule that would be worth attending. Here are just a few of them.
Investing in Automation (July 15): No matter the scale of your operation, automation can be a worthwhile investment for many reasons. But what type of automation is best for your company? During this panel, you can learn about different variations of automation companies are choosing to implement in order to drive growth and increase employee satisfaction.
Improving Profitability with Free Marketing Programs (July 15): In this session, a panel of experienced growers, brokers, and retailers will explain how they use the free marketing programs that the non-profit organizations All-America Selections (AAS) and National Garden Bureau (NGB) create for the industry. They will give a better understanding of the AAS trials and resulting winners and NGB’s “Year Of” program for annuals, perennials, edibles, shrubs, houseplants, and bulb crops. Then, they will explain how they have, are, and will use the free programs provided by these organizations.
Back2Basics: Irrigation Management (July 16): During this panel, growers will hear from industry providers about which fundamental factors should be considered when investing in an irrigation system, as well as the mechanics of moving and delivering water.
Top Plants for 2023 (July 16): Hundreds of new plant varieties are introduced each year. Breeders, growers, architects, and designers know people want exciting new varieties, but they also know that customers want reliable performance. How do you balance the two? During this session, speakers will offer their favorites to help you balance performance and customer expectations.
Using and Navigating the H-2A Program (July 16): Leaders from the industry’s advocacy and labor arena will cover updates on labor issues and trends horticulture businesses will need to know. Whether you need help untangling policy and some real-world clarity on H-2A programs, or general regulatory updates, the team will answer the latest happenings in the policy environment impacting your green business.
Back2Basics: Small Greenhouse and Farm Technology (July 16): This session is designed for small greenhouse operations and farms with one or more free-standing greenhouses. Dive into a case study on the many decisions small growers make when choosing a greenhouse structure, its primary systems, and environment control. Attendees will hear from industry partners who contributed to this installation, review their technologies, and discuss how they assisted in making design and purchase decisions. Speakers will also present cost and investment payback analyses that can help guide growers through decisions about how much technology can or should be considered.
Technology for IPM Management (July 17): IPM Management is a daily responsibility and requires a keen eye. Implementing technology into your program may reduce labor and eliminate inaccurate data. This panel will discuss how growers are incorporating technology such as in-field sensors, drones, and other tools to monitor pests in real-time.
Expanding Diversity in Horticulture (July 17): The National Gardening Survey has reported for the third year in a row that a greater number of people of color are participating in gardening and landscape activities than ever before. Additionally, consumers are more likely to purchase from retail locations that have greater representation of their racial or ethnic group within the employee base and within marketing images and messages. With consumers preferring and requesting greater representation, how can we foster greater equity within horticulture firms for employees? This panel will discuss opportunities for the industry to create and foster employee equity and a sense of belonging through how we recruit, train, and market jobs and products to appeal to more diverse audiences.
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