Cursos sobre manejo de flores en octubre y noviembre

George Staby, Presidente of Perishables Research Organization (PRO), y Chain of Life Network anuncian una serie de cursos para noviembre y diciembre. Denominado Instituto PRO, cada programa tiene por objetivo compartir experiencias en el manejo de ornamentalses con comercializadores, cultivadores, importadores, etc. El texto expandido contiene más información en inglés.

Perishables Research Organization - Fall 2004 Programs
October 10-13 & November 7-10

George Staby, President of Perishables Research Organization (PRO), and the Chain of Life Network are pleased to announce a series of unique educational experiences. Called PRO Institutes, each program is designed to share the floral expertise of mass marketers, growers, importers, bouquet manufacturers, florists, wholesalers and/or dry good suppliers with the research findings and commercial experiences of George and his colleagues.

Headquartered at the historic St. George Hotel in the beautiful Sierra Mountains (Volcano, CA), each PRO Institute is limited to 20 participants. The hotel is a short 90-minute drive from Sacramento Airport. Programs start Sunday afternoon and continue through Tuesday evening.

Unique learning opportunities - Participation will ensure that you are ahead of the curve with practical, cutting edge and commercially viable solutions to your postharvest related problems. General subjects to be addressed in each Institute include the latest in flower and plant care and handling, quality measurements, production factors that influence postharvest crop quality, cold chain issues, factors affecting crop quality after harvest and consumer reactions to floral products and services.

Specific topics include ethylene control systems, effectiveness of various postharvest floral treatments/products, packaging innovations, time/temperature interactions, carbon dioxide effects, leaf yellowing prevention, labeling, pay-by-scan issues and transportation advances to name a few. Dr. Ann Chase will present a special segment on the importance of postharvest pest (disease and insect) detection, identification and control, while Dr. Michael Reid will present a session on emerging postharvest care and handling procedures and latest research findings. In addition, a special section will focus on ways to establish a culture within floral businesses to deal with the value of proper care and handling. A tentative agenda is presented at the end of this announcement.

You also will have opportunities to raise other topics with George, Ann, Michael and fellow attendees in a relaxed setting. Whenever possible, topics will be added and/or adjusted to answer specific needs of those attending.

Make the most of your trip - Depending on the time of year, non-floral related local adventures include fishing, skiing, golf, wine tasting, gold panning, rafting, gaming, shopping and hiking. In addition, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma/Napa Valleys and Yosemite are less than three hours away, while Lake Tahoe and Kirkwood area resorts are much closer, just beautiful rides further up the mountain. Those attendees interested in arriving early, departing late and/or bringing their families to enjoy the mountains and surrounding venues can be accommodated.

Dates - The first two PRO Institutes are scheduled for October 10-13 and November 7-10, 2004. Additional Institute dates are being evaluated and finalized.

Cost - A fee of $1185 includes three nights lodging, food and beverages (reception, seven meals and four breaks), handouts, textbook, other materials and the program itself. All Institute related costs except transportation are included.

Rooms - Hotel rooms are available on a first come basis and can be viewed by clicking here. All room reservations are being handled through the PRO offices. Please note that most of the rooms have been booked for the Institute dates, which is how they are being held for attendees.

Registration - Contact George by e-mail or phone (209-295-1577) for further information, registration and room selection. A $500 deposit payable to Perishables Research Organization, 18210 Conifer Court, Pioneer, CA 95666 is needed to secure your room and participation in the PRO Institute. The balance ($685) is due three weeks before the start of your PRO Institute. If cancellation is necessary, payments received will be refunded minus a $150 service fee.

Tentative Agenda

Sunday:
- 1:00…..Check-in at the St. George Hotel
- 5:00…..Meet your fellow attendees at a private reception featuring a
selection of local wines, beer and a supper prepared
by the award winning Chef of the St. George Hotel.
- 6:30….."The Quality is Free", Your host, Dr. George Staby will
provide an overview of the conference.
Monday:
- 7:00…..Breakfast
- 8:00…..Session I: Dr. Staby will discuss production and harvest
factors influencing the quality of floral crops along with
providing you with objective standards for measuring quality
and proper processing at the wholesale/retail level.
-10:00….Break
-10:30….Session II: Dr. Staby will present the latest research on
environmental, packaging, transport and handling factors
that influences crop quality as well as cost effective ways to
maintain crop quality.
-12:30….Lunch
-1:45…..Session III: Dr. Reid, Professor UC-Davis and
consultant will review the most current postharvest
research findings while providing specifics that can
dramatically improve the chain of life from wholesale to
consumer. Additionally, he will give you a look into what
technologies are on the horizon and how you may be able to
capitalize on them.
- 3:45….Break
- 4:00….Session IV: Drs. Staby and Reid will lead a discussion on the
effects of marketing on postharvest performance.
- 6:00….Join Drs. Staby and Reid for a period of social adjustment
(a.k.a. cocktails) followed by dinner featuring the best in local
cuisine.
- 8:00….Formulate your Action Plans! Drs. Staby and Reid will lead the
group in creating a manageable, workable 'to-do' list, putting
all of the day's learning's into practice.
Tuesday:
- 7:00…..Breakfast
- 8:00…..Session V: Dr. Staby will present research on consumer buying
habits as related to improving crop quality and increasing
floral sales.
- 10:00…Break
- 10:30…Session VI: A review of products that reportedly improve
postharvest performance, presented by Dr. Staby
- 12:30…Lunch
- 1:45…..Session VII: Dr. Ann Chase, Professor Emeritus, University of
Florida and author, will instruct the group on disease and
insect detection as well as providing control techniques for
use in both the production and marketing of floral crops.
- 3:45…..Break
- 4:00…..Session VII: Focusing on cost effective measures, Drs. Staby
and Chase will review the information presented to help
attendees implement what they have learned. Time to update
your action plans.
- 6:00…..It's that time again - Time to relax and enjoy cocktails and
dinner with friends at The Restaurant - voted. "The Best in
Fine Dining" in Amador Country.
Wednesday:
- 7:00…Breakfast and departure