Educators Plan Group Trip to California Spring Trials

A bus trip for members of the greenhouse and floriculture industries is being planned to 2011 California Spring Trials in March. Last April, this group organized their first trip to Spring Trials for 36 participants.

A bus trip for members of the greenhouse and floriculture industries is being planned to this year’s California Spring Trials Dr. Mark Bridgen and Dr. Neil Mattson, Cornell University and Dr. Roberto Lopez, Purdue University have organized an intense, educational trip to several of the key Spring Trial locations.

This is the second year the group has offered such a trip. In 2010, 36 tour participants traveled from north to south. This year, the excursion begins in Los Angeles and travels north for four days visiting many different locations than the the 2010 tour.

This package trip includes the cost of first class hotel accommodations for five nights from March 25-29, bus transportation from San Diego Airport on the first day to San Jose on the last day, lunches on travel days, and three experienced horticultural guides.

The days begin early and continue at a fast pace late into the evening. Attendees should plan to arrive at the San Diego Airport on March 25 and will stay at the Crowne Plaza San Diego near the airport. The journey begins on March 26 and will visit the Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas and Proven Winners in Bonsall.

On March 27, the first stop is at Fides North America followed by a visit to Ball Horticultural Co. in Santa Paula where displays of PanAmerican, Ball FloraPlant, Kieft Seeds, and Selecta varieties will be featured.

Next, the group will visit Island View Nursery which includes HIP Labels, PlantHaven, Inc. and Westflowers. If time allows that day, the group will visit Imagination Canyon Greenhouse which includes displays by Florist de Kwakel, GGG-International, Jiffy Products, The John Henry Company, Northern Innovators, and Skagit Gardens.

On March 28, the day starts at Dummen USA in San Luis Obispo and then continues north to Salinas to visit Sakata and American Takii. The next day begins in Gilroy at Headstart Nursery to see Danziger ‘Dan’ Flower Farm and Oro Farms. Close by is Syngenta Flowers who will host lunch. The final stop is at Pacific Plug & Liner which includes the Agrexco companies: Cohen, Hishtil, Jaldety, Isaacson Flowers and Schwartz Nursery.

On Wednesday, March 30, the hotel will provide a free shuttle to the San Jose Airport or participants may travel on their own to other locations.

Participants need to arrange their own transportation into San Diego on March 25 and out of San Jose on March 30, and cover their own dinner costs. A travel agency is available to assist with reservations. The cost of the trip is $690 per person in a double room or $995 per person for a single room. These rates are based on 36 participants and will be adjusted slightly if minimum capacity is not met. The trip is subject to change and may be canceled if minimum capacity is not met.

Register by Feb. 18. For on-line reservation, go to www.concepts.us.com and click on “Event Registration” – Be sure to go to the site labeled “Greenhouse Growers Spring Trials 2011.”

If you have registration questions, call Denise at 203.262.6260. If you have questions about details of the trip, contact Dr. Mark Bridgen at mpb27@cornell.edu or at 631.727.3595.