THURSDAY, FEB. 16 | 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m |  Optional* Growing Operations Tour
See two fascinating and different operations during this optional pre-conference tour. Walt Disney World Nursery — All the specialty products used at its theme parks are produced here — hanging baskets, floating gardens, flower towers, themed containers and the well known Disney Character topiaries. Disney also has a horticulture special events group to support conventions and other events throughout the property. Gaylord Palms Resort and Conference Center — See 4-1/2 acres of lush tropical gardens and learn about the unique challenges of maintaining a public garden in this resort and conference center. Pest management in an interior, 24-hour setting is just one of many complexities. *Additional registration fee required
| 6:00 p.m. -
7:30 p.m. | Networking Reception |
FRIDAY, FEB. 17 | 8:00 a.m. -
8:10 a.m. | Introduction | 8:10 a.m. -
9:00 a.m. | How We Change Our World
David G. Clark, Ph.D., University of Florida, Plant Innovation Program New and improved varieties of flowers and plants have always been an important driver for product diversity in the floriculture industry, but unfortunately not every new variety ends up being commercially successful. A majority of flowers and plants are bought by affluent, educated women, but most plant breeders and producers of plants are men. Since it is known that women and men have different preferences for colors and fragrances (sight and smell), understanding which traits appeal to women's senses will likely provide us the information needed to produce the successful new flower and plant varieties of the future. Following this concept, known as 'Consumer-Assisted Selection', we believe we can change the floriculture world as we know it by understanding the new products consumers want before they are actually developed. | 9:00 a.m. -
9:30 a.m. | A World Without Boundaries: And None for the Pests as Well Wayne Dixon, Ph.D., Florida Department of Agriculture and National Plant Board
Florida is the poster child for the consequences of a world without boundaries. The intersection of a ever burgeoning movement of world travelers, a tsunami of goods destined for our ports, a land teeming with potential host plants and an environment optimal for the survival of newly arrived invasive plant pests—the ingredients for an explosion of invasive plant pests in Florida. A look at the watershed of pests in Florida that have been found in Florida will be presented. | 9:30 a.m. -
10:00 a.m. | Stealthy Pest Movement - A New Pest Threat
Jim Bethke, University of California Cooperative Extension Since its discovery in 2010 in Southern California, Duponchelia fovealis, the "European Pepper Moth" has been confirmed in 17 California counties and in 14 additional states. While the moth appears not to be particularly cold-tolerant, it has a wide range of host plants, including peppers, pomegranates, strawberries, aquatic plants, bedding plants, and nursery stock. It's a stealthy moth, widespread in Europe and North Africa, that probably had been in southern California for some time before it was recognized. Learn how -- and where -- to look for this new pest, what research is being done on its control, and what the new USDA-APHIS Task Force is doing to help educate growers about it. | 10:00 a.m. -
10:30 a.m. | Break and Tabletop Exhibits
| 10:30 a.m. -
11:15 a.m. | Movement of Pests: From Production to Landscape and Back Lance Osborne, Ph.D., University of Florida, Mid Florida Research & Education Center; and Cindy McKenzie, Ph.D., US Horticultural Research Laboratory, ARS, USDA We will discuss the implications for and management of pest movement in the ornamental industry. Resistant and new pests pose the risk of increased economic losses, customer dissatisfaction and scrutiny by many diverse groups. The movement into production systems from neighboring agricultural and urban landscapes will also be discussed. | 11:15 a.m. -
11:45 a.m. | Movement of Weeds: Internationally and From Production to Landscape Robert Stamps, Ph.D., University of Florida, Mid Florida Research & Education Center Weeds are moved about by many abiotic and biotic forces. Perhaps the greatest force in recent times is humankind. And agriculture has played a big role, with ornamental horticulture being a major contributor to the spread of weeds. Can we break the cycle? | 11:45 a.m. -
12:15 p.m. | Removing Cultural & Language Barriers to Worker Education & Professional Development Carlos Bográn, Ph.D., Texas AgriLife Extension Service Greenhouses and nurseries are labor-intensive production systems but the majority of workers have little formal education in modern agriculture. This presentation will provide tips and ideas for worker education and professional development programs that overcome potential socioeconomic and cultural barriers of participants. Armed with basic but key concepts on plant production and protection co-workers are in the position to better contribute to plant quality maintenance programs to lower production costs and reduce production, environmental and health risks. | 12:15 p.m. -
1:30 p.m. |  Lunch
Sponsored by American Floral Endowment
| 1:30 p.m. -
2:00 p.m. | Taking Down Barriers: Informing Growers and Legislators About Research Funding Wayne Mackay, Ph.D., University of Florida; and Terril Nell, Ph.D., University of Florida Cutting-edge scientific research is the foundation of any vibrant and healthy industry -- and that is certainly true for agriculture. Imagine our world without information on how to fight thrips, pythium, leafminers, rusts, whiteflies, Ralstonia, Xanthomonas, phytophthoras, or those pests and diseases we are still unaware of! Or, as some in Washington are suggesting, imagine a world where industry had to pay the full cost of all of that research! Not pretty... but you can help stem that tide. Learn how meeting your legislators, and educating them about your business and the floral industry, can and will make a difference. | 2:05 p.m. -
5:00 p.m. Session Rotation 2:05 p.m. -
2:50 p.m. 3:20 p.m. -
4:05 p.m. 4:10 p.m. -
5:00 p.m. | ROTATING BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Breakout A: New and Emerging Pests of Potential Concern to the U.S. Landscape-Protecting Plants in an Age of Global Travel and Trade Facilitators: Juang-Horng "JC" Chong, Ph.D., Clemson University; Catherine Mannion, Ph.D., University of Florida, Tropical Research & Education Center; and Amanda Hodges, Ph.D., University of Florida The U.S. spends billions of dollars each year in eradication, detection, or management programs related to invasive species. The green industry has been adversely affected by the influx of unwanted invader pest guests. Although no notable new species was introduced into greenhouse productions, some of the older foes, such as thrips (chilli and western flower thrips) and Q-biotype whitefly, continue to present significant management difficulty. Examples of recent invasive species that had impacted or have the potential to impact landscape and nursery industries include the following: European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis; red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferruguineus; light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana; daylily leafminer, Ophiomyia kwansonis; giant African land snail, Achatina fulica; and the brown marmorated stinkbug, Halyomorpha halys. The cast of characters is subject to change pending the latest and greatest pest outbreak that has decided to make a center stage news debut as an important and emerging pest. Breakout B: New and Important Weeds Facilitators: Robert Stamps, Ph.D., University of Florida, Mid Florida Research & Education Center; and Andy Senesac, Ph.D., Cornell State University
New weeds are coming your way with regulatory, economic and environmental implications. There is potential for growers to face quarantine issues, ornamental plant producers to experience increased production costs, and workers to have health issues related to these weeds. Arm yourself with knowledge so you will be ready to spot these newcomers and deal with them. Breakout C: New and Newly Important Diseases Facilitators: Dave Norman, Ph.D., University of Florida, Mid Florida Research & Education Center; Margery Daughtrey, Cornell State University; and Aaron Palmateer, Ph.D., University of Florida, Tropical Research & Education Center This presentation will focus on new, economically important diseases affecting tropical ornamental production in South Florida, as well as bedding plants and mums across the country. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing characteristic symptoms associated with disease. Results for recent studies will highlight effective management strategies. Bacterial diseases caused by Xanthomonas species, Phytophthora problems, downy mildew on impatiens, and a number of unfamiliar diseases will also be covered. | 2:50 p.m. -
3:20 p.m. | Break and Tabletop Exhibits
| 3:20 p.m. -
5:00 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSIONS CONTINUE |
SATURDAY, FEB. 18 | 8:00 a.m. -
8:05 a.m. | Introduction | 8:05 a.m. -
8:35 a.m. | Expanding the Boundaries: Diseases of Mixed Edible & Non Edible Cropping Systems Ann Chase, Ph.D., Chase Horticultural Research; and Margery Daughtrey, Cornell University As more ornamental growers add edible crops to their production, disease prevention and control become more complicated. Margery and Ann will focus on diseases know to attack both edible and non-edible crops with a review of their biology and early detection. They will also touch on the types of concerns that face choice of legal and effective products and provide some broad-based solutions. | 8:35 a.m. -
9:00 a.m. | Establishing Some Boundaries: What Management Tools Can Be Used for Edible Crops and Why Cristi Palmer, Ph.D., The IR-4 Project When do you use Marathon or Admire? What about Emerald or Pageant? It may not be an easy answer if you are growing edible and ornamental crops. Knowing why labels are written the way they are and why labels written for edible crops must be used for herbs and edible bedding plants, like tomato, is important for daily business as growers move back and forth between these crops. This talk will cover the different information needed to develop labels for edible and non-edible crops. | 9:00 a.m. -
10:00 a.m. | No Boundaries: Agricultural Production, Horticultural Production, Landscape Interface Discussion Panel Facilitator: Jim Bethke, University of California Cooperative Extension; Panelists: James Bryan, Costa Farms Color Division; Galen Frantz, Glades Crop Care; Doyle Hicks, Costa Farms Color Division; Brighton Logan and Cal Leggett, Valley Crest Landscape Bugs and diseases move! You know that -- but have you thought about how they move from surrounding landscapes and landscaped areas into your nursery? From the tomato fields next door into your greenhouse? Or (perish the thought) from your greenhouse or nursery to nearby agricultural production or landscapes? This panel of experts will give you food for thought, and help you avoid being victim -- or perpetrator. | 10:00 a.m. -
10:30 a.m. | Break and Tabletop Exhibits
| 10:30 a.m. -
11:00 a.m. | Defining Boundaries: Managing Exotic Pests Lin Schmale, Society of American Florists As imports continue to increase, what are the federal and state governments doing to protect us from exotic pests? How can you be involved in their decision making? Learn about regulatory changes, and potential opportunities for comment from growers. This session will highlight Quarantine-37 regulations, certification of nurseries and greenhouses, chrysanthemum white rust, shifts in inspection of imported cuttings, the "Task Force" approach to solving problems... and more. | 11:00 a.m. -
11:30 Noon | Nematology: Current Tools William T. Crow, Ph.D., University of Florida Plant-parasitic nematodes are important pests of floral and foliage plants, but are often overlooked or little understood. The attendee will learn about the major types of nematodes affecting foliar and foliage crops, their symptoms, and diagnosis. Further, this presentation will provide the attendee with knowledge of the current nematode management tools available, including chemical nematicides, bionematicides, and sanitation techniques. | 11:30 a.m. -
12:00 Noon | Labor 101: Complying with Immigration Law Monte Lake, Esq., CJ Lake LLC The session will discuss current employer compliance challenges stemming from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) audits of I-9 Forms and the Social Security Administration's resumption of sending employers "no-match" letters. The program will focus on practical guidance on how to self-audit your practices in these areas and best position your business to avoid problems. New legislative and regulatory developments with regard to E-Verify and the H-2A and H-2B guest worker programs also will be addressed. | 12:00 Noon -
1:00 p.m. | Lunch and Tabletop Exhibits
| 1:00 p.m. -
1:40 p.m. | Biocontrol in Landscapes Paula Shrewsbury, Ph.D., University of Maryland Biocontrol is possible in landscaping! This session will give you new information and results from a research program focused on ornamentals in landscaping. Ecological studies of plant-herbivore-natural enemy interactions has led the way to innovative pest management options -- as has studying the role of natural enemies as they relate to biological control. This session will also provide practical information on the use of native and alien plants in urban environments as that relates to conservation, biological control and pest management. | 1:40 p.m. -
2:20 p.m. | Biocontrol in Greenhouses and Nurseries Lance Osborne, Ph.D., University of Florida, Mid Florida Research & Education Center One of the most important issues facing growers using predatory mites and probably other natural enemies is their "Quality" after being shipped. The producer packages good quality products but they have little to know control over the product once it is given to the companies that transport them to the end user. We will discuss methods growers might be able to use to determine if they receive product that will perform as advertised. Economics and availability are also issues, which can be addressed through the use of Banker Plants which will also be discussed in detail. | 2:20 p.m. -
3:00 p.m. | Final Thoughts Discussion Facilitators: 2011 Pest and Production Management Conference Coordinators
Ann Chase, Ph.D., Chase Horticultural Research
JC Chong, Ph.D., Clemson University
Cristi Palmer, Ph.D., The IR-4 Project
Robert Stamps, Ph.D., University of Florida
NOW is your chance to voice concerns, experiences and ideas! This session will be facilitated by the conference coordinators as a wrap up of the conference. Throughout the conference we will be collecting your verbal and written comments about what you are interested in hearing or saying and how all of these critical issues of our expanding boundaries impact our ornamental world. |
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