| PROJECT SUMMARY |
1) Interest in planting field-grown nursery stock has increased in recent years as agricultural producers have considered new ways of diversifying. Although many agricultural professionals are familiar with field production of certain other agricultural crops, they usually have no experience with nursery stock. Some aspects of growing shade trees in the field are similar to producing row crops, but many characteristics—such as procuring line-out stock, spacing, pruning, weed management and managing a crop for more than one year—are quite different. Growers are demanding information from any reliable resource - and this manual and seminars will provide this currently unavailble information.
Dr.’s Ted Bilderback, Anthony LeBude and Joe Neal, Charles Safley, Ted Feitshans, and Craig Adkins (NCSU collaborators on the project) will provide new up to date environmentally conscious strategic information compatible to federal and state water quality basin wide management practices for reducing sediment and nutrient loading in public watersheds. Information on soil conservation practices, soil amendments, nutrient management, ground cover management, cover crops, weed management practices and irrigation as well as the legal implications of these practices will be covered.
Because of the main author, Ted Bilderback´s sabbatical in New Zealand, a lack of time to advertise and organize the seminars, they will be scheduled during 2009 and 2010 after this project is closed. 2, 3 & 4) 2 has been rescheduled by the collaborators in free-standing sites in the eastern and western region of North Carolina as well as offered in seminar or small group sessions at the Green & Growin´ trade show and education held in January 2010 (Greensboro - central NC). A hard copy BMP manual and PowerPoint CD will be given to each participant, extension personnel, and available to producers through the trade association office. Seminars will be scheduled in summer/winter of 2009 because lead professor is on sabbatical leave in New Zealand. A no cost extension to Dr. Ken Stokes is being requested until June 15, 2008 to cover the seminars and marketing material costs.
5) The ability for a participant to have available a hard copy and CD of the latest risk management tools: technological, sound economic tools, legal and regulatory information, employee safety, water and soil conservation, and production management is vital to a successful horticulture industry across NC and the nation. It will result in improved understanding and application of Best Management Practices (legal, "good neighbor", strategic and business planning skills).
6) This project will provide the only Production and Publication of a Best Management Practices for Field Production of Nursery Crops, 2nd Edition with Education Seminars teaching tool and resource guide for over 1,500 nursery crop producers across NC, Extension Agents, Educators and utilized across the United States.
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| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1000 |
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Market analysis and outlook |
| Marketing strategies, plans and clubs |
| Financial records, analysis, and bench-marking |
| Tools for managing legal liability |
| Understanding of economic risks associated with new production technologies |
| Business and strategic planning |
| Ability to manage changes in policy and regulation |
