Local produce tops on national chef's survey!

Check out this post from a colleague in North Carolina: Results of the 2010 national chefs survey!
It's looking good for Colorado greenhouse growers interested in producing for local markets!

Japanese Beetle Quarantine in place Jan. 2010

For a summary of the new Colorado quarantine against Japanese Beetle, please click here. This quarantine affects the following plants and plant products brought into Colorado from states that are under quarantine:
Sod
Soil, compost, and manure
All rooted plants in containers or with root balls greater than 12 inches in diameter
All ornamental grasses and sedges
Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (these are exempt when free of soil)

If you bring these items in as a nursery, landscaper, other business or even a private citizen you are required to follow the guidelines of the quarantine language. Make sure to request the full quarantine language from the CDA as it provides details of what is required.

Rule changes approved for the CO Nursery Act

Two rules changes to the CO Nursery act have been approved. These rules increase the state registration fee by $10 and require keeping records of plants brought in from out of state. If you're a nursery owner, please take note and check out the details.

CSU Speciality Crops Program Request for Proposals

Great opportunity for small growers in Colorado! If you want to brainstorm project ideas-feel free to call or email: Brooke Edmunds, 303-637-8016 brooke.edmunds @ colostate.edu

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Grower Research and Education Grants Available!

The Specialty Crops Program at Colorado State University is accepting applications for grower research and education grants for the 2010 production season. The application deadline is Dec. 15.

The request for proposals is intended for research, demonstration, and/or education projects addressing specialty crops production, processing, and marketing issues faced by small farmers, beginning farmers or socially disadvantaged farmers in Colorado.

These classifications are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as:

· Small farmers receive at least 50 percent of their income from the farm, and have gross farm sales of less than $250,000 per year.

· Beginning farmers are individuals who have not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years. The 10-year requirement applies to all operators of the farm or ranch.

· Socially disadvantaged farmers are farmers or ranchers who are members of a socially disadvantaged group. A "socially disadvantaged group" is a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.

Producers and groups of producers interested in conducting research, demonstration, and/or education projects related to specialty crop production, processing, or marketing are encouraged to apply.

For a downloadable program description and application form of the Grower Research and Education Grant Program, please visit http://www.specialtycrops.colostate.edu, contact Frank Stonaker at (970) 491-7068 or apply by writing to:

Specialty Crops Program RFP
1173 Campus Delivery
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173

Upcoming Greenhouse Workshop

Front Range Greenhouse IPM Workshop:
Viruses Affecting Production

Two locations:

Dec. 3rd 9-12pm: Gulley Greenhouse & Garden Center
6029 S. Shields, Fort Collins
OR
Dec. 8th, 9-12pm: Center Greenhouse, 1550 E. 73rd Ave, Denver

Who should attend: Greenhouse growers and pest management staff

Topics to be covered :

Identifying and managing common viruses affecting production stock in greenhouses

Presented by Brooke Edmunds, Ph.D.; Regional Specialist, Colorado State University Extension

How to identify and manage the most common viruses that affect production stock including TMV, INSV, TSWV, and CMV. There will be plenty of time to answer questions!

Virus testing: The why, when, and how of virus testing

Why is clean stock important to your operation? How do I submit plant samples for virus testing to the Plant Diagnostic Lab in Adams County? There will also be a hands-on opportunity to practice using Agdia ImmunoStrip® to test in-house.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture Phytosanitary Program: What you need to know

Presented by Laura Pottorff, M.S.; Nursery, Seed and Phytosanitary Program Manager, Colorado Department of Agriculture

Laura will outline the CDA phytosanitary certificate and inspection process.

Cost : $20/person to cover supplies and a light breakfast ($25 if not a member of CNGA)

***You must preregister!***

To register: e-mail brooke.edmunds@colostate.edu or call 303/637-8016

The Pour-Through Extraction Procedure: A Nutrient Management Technique for Nurseries

As part of your quality control and fertilization program, nurseries should regularly check the pH and EC (electrical conductivity) of stock grown in pots. Knowing these numbers helps you diagnose the level and availability of nutrients to the plants. You can save money by fertilizing as needed rather than on set schedule.

NCSU has just released a new publication which outlines the steps of the Pour-Through Extraction Method (opens as a pdf) to measure soil EC and pH. This technique is easy to learn and should be part of your regular routine.

Need help learning the method? Would you like an on-site demonstration of how to properly use ec/pH meters or pens? If so, please contact me and I would be happy to arrange a visit to your nursery.
My office phone 303/637-8016 or email brooke.edmunds@colostate.edu

Chrysanthemum white rust webinar

The Society of American Florists is hosting a free 30 minute webinar on chrysanthemum white rust. Learn to identify the signs and symptoms of white rust and how to protect your mum crop.
The webinar is offered on August 11th, 13th, and 18th at 10am and 2pm (EST). For more information and to register, click here.