Transition to Value-Added Floral and Nursery Workshop

The second in a series of one-day intensive classes keying in on specific product categories, NABC will provide an interesting and engaging day in which participants will learn about the current market and product trends in the floral, nursery and medicinal herb category, what to consider in the development of these products, and how to meet food safety and regulatory requirements.

Medicinal Herbs, Business and Market development Opportunities in the Puget Sound Region: Presenter- Jenny Perez, Herb Garden Coordinator, Bastyr University Nationally. Consumers spent more than $12 billion on natural supplements last year--nearly double the amount spent in 1994, and sales continue to grow at better than 10% a year. Jenny will provide information and recent data on the nation's top medicinal herbs under cultivation and fine-tune it for this region based on her experience growing many of these plants at Bastyr's Herb Garden. Creating and teaching classes that integrate the horticulture and medicinal/nutritional attributes of the many beautiful plants and cultural traditions is Jenny's passion.

Cut Flower Growers School, Building a Viable Business and Capturing Local Markets: Presenter- Diane Szuchovathy, co-owner of Jello Mold Farm and founding member of the Seattle Growers Wholesale Market (a regional floral producer marketing cooperative). Most consumers aren't aware that more than 80% of the cut flowers sold in the U.S are imported. As well as sharing some land and water stewardship strategies that can help to capture the local sensibilities of the Puget Sound region's consumers, Diane will share the nuts and bolts of her farming, production, and business operation's experience.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from the NABC website: http://www.agbizcenter.org/node/73

Cost: $95 general registration / $85 with PSFN Member discount (membership will be verified). Includes box lunch and handouts. Class is limited to 25 attendees.

For more information or questions, please contact Jeff Voltz.

When	Feb 01, 2012 from 09:00 am to 04:30 pm
Where	WSU Mt. Vernon Research Center
Contact Name	Jeff Voltz
Contact Email	jeff@agbizcenter.org
Contact Phone	360-593-4744
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