Programs and Meetings

2012 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo, December 4 to 6

 

The Western Michigan Greenhouse Association, the Metro Detroit Flower Growers’ Association,

and the Michigan State University Floriculture Team are proud to offer the
 

2012 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo

in coordination with

The Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo

in the Devos Place Convention Center, downtown Grand Rapids
Visit the Great Lakes Expo Website to register and for more information

Greenhouse Education Sessions at a Glance (Preliminary)

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Special Session: Farm Business Transitions Workshop

9:00am to 12:00pm

Roger Betz and Adam Kantrovich, MSU Extension

Family-owned business operations and farm families are faced with challenges when it comes to succession and estate planning issues. Often they are not sure how or where to turn for answers to complex legal and financial matters. This workshop has been designed to provide a forum where business and farm owners can meet with experts in the field of succession and estate planning specific to farm and small business operations. Discussions will include estate tax law, business structures to facilitate transfer, family communications, management functions and transfer, uses of balance sheets, and who may help with your transfer plan.  An additional $10 fee is required for materials.

Special Tour: Western Michigan Greenhouse Bus Tour

9:00am to 3:30pm

Tour leader: Tom Dudek, MSU Extension

An additional $79 fee is required to cover transportation and lunch costs.
Highlights of the tour stops are listed below, followed by photos of the different companies.

Romence Gardens Greenhouse

• In business in northeast Grand Rapids for over 75 years
• Over 6.5 acres of covered growing area are used to produce potted plants, annuals, perennials and vegetable plants for customers across the area
• Tour attendees will see facilities with 100% concrete floors and a total water recycling system, ebb-flood tables, computer-controlled climate system, automated energy/shade curtains, rolling benches, and a "Counter Point" point of sale computer system to track customer sales data
• Facility earned verification under the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program

Walters Gardens Inc.

• A third generation, family-run business that has been in operation since 1946
• One of the largest perennial growers in the country, offering over 1,000 varieties of perennials and temperennials that are grown in 500,000 square feet of modern greenhouses and 1500 acres of field production
• Over 15 million liners are shipped from Walters Gardens annually to garden centers, wholesale growers, landscapers, mail order companies, and more, across the US and Canada
• Highlights of your visit to Walters Gardens will include tours of their plug growing operation (including Elle pots), bare root processing facilities, tissue culture lab, and streamlined shipping system

Meadowridge Inc. Greenhouse

• Established in 1984, Meadowridge is a wholesale grower of spring annuals and fall mums, where they grow their own plugs and root cuttings for production
• Utilizes approximately 250,000 square feet of indoor, computer-controlled growing space with ebb & flow benches, irrigation booms, Echo basket lines, as well as energy curtains
• 95% of the facility is gutter connected, the remaining 5% being ground to ground houses with roll up sidewalls
• Customers consist of independent garden centers and one regional chain

Pell Greenhouse

• A family owned wholesale greenhouse business established in 1970 with 12 acres under cover
• Specialize in finished fall mums, finished poinsettias, finished spring annuals, pre-finished Regal geraniums, and young plants
• Expect to see Ipomoea stock, poinsettias, Regal geranium stock, and young plant propagation during the tour
• Facility uses Biotherm floor heat, boom watering, a boxing/shipping line, refrigerated cooler (60' x 60'), ebb and flow flood floors, and a sticking line with a fixed scanner

  Copyright © 2013, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University.

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.