Aug 4, 2025

Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo highlights floriculture, small fruit production

The Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo will return Nov. 12-13, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel and Expo Center in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The biennial event, known as the largest greenhouse education and trade show in the region, is co-sponsored by New England Floriculture Inc., a coalition of growers and university extension staff from across the Northeast. Exhibitor and sponsor registration is currently open, and attendee registration will begin in July.

The 2025 conference will feature an expanded exhibit hall and a comprehensive schedule of educational sessions now available online. Topics include floriculture production, pest and disease management, herbaceous perennials, native plants, cut flowers, hydroponic production, soilless substrates, business and marketing, Spanish-language sessions, small fruit production and greenhouse technology.

“The conference provides an opportunity for growers to learn about new research and techniques while networking with peers and suppliers from across the Northeast,” said conference coordinator Suzanne Klick.

The event’s downtown location offers attendees convenient access to local restaurants and shops.

Find the full education schedule and registration information for the Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo here.

Updates as of Sept. 10, 2025: 

Small fruit production sessions

Two presenters will be discussing small fruit production on Thursday, Nov. 13,
followed by a refreshment break with exhibitors.

Ryan Dickson, an associate professor of greenhouse and protected horticulture at the University of Arkansas, will give an introduction to growing caneberries (blackberry and raspberry) in soilless substrate and using “long-cane” techniques

Neil Mattson, professor and greenhouse Extension specialist at Cornell University, will discuss greenhouse and high tunnel strawberry production.

Perennials and native plants

On Thursday, Nov. 13, several presentations will discuss herbaceous perennials and native plants.

Wendy Brister, marketing director from Cavano’s Perennials, will give a talk about perennials for pollinator-friendly gardens and another session on must have native perennials and grasses for the garden.

Peter Van Berkum, owner of Van Berkum Nursery, will talk about the experiences of running a nursery for 35 years and his desire to “run around in the woods and find cool plants.”

Jane Sorensen from Northeast Pollinator Plants is a full-time farmer and co-owner of River Berry Farm. She will give a discussion on native and naturalized perennials for pollinators of New England.

Garrett Owen, assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at Ohio State University, will discuss propagating perennials. His major program initiatives include floriculture and nursery crop propagation and production, plant nutrition and growth regulation, nutritional monitoring and crop diagnostics.

Floriculture and cut flowers

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, several sessions will discuss cut flowers.

Dave Dowling from Ball Seed with talk about cut flowers that work.

Roberto Lopez from Michigan State University will give tips on manipulating the day length to extend the cut flower season.

Stephanie Burnett from the University of Maine will discuss growing cut flowers in the greenhouse.

On both Nov. 12 and Nov. 13, floriculture sessions will be held.

Krystal Snyder from Pennsylvania State University will show the best of the best from annual and perennial trials from the Penn State Flower Trials.

Rosa Raudales from the University of Connecticut talks about water treatment theories and practices.

Paul Fisher from the University of Florida will discuss methods to train your staff to irrigate.

Roberto Lopez from Michigan State University will provide tips for growing foliage plants in the North.

Garrett Owen from Ohio State University will cover diagnosing common nutrient disorders of floriculture crops.

Greenhouse technology

Greenhouse technology talks will be on Thursday, Nov. 13.

Frans-Peter Dechering from Corvus Drones will discuss how drone crop monitoring simplifies floriculture greenhouse operations.

Camilo Villouta from University of Rhode Island and John Gedraitis from Van Berkum Nursery will talk about energy upgrades for growers.

Neil Mattson from Cornell University will present on plasma activated water to improve plant vigor and pest tolerance.