A bursary is now available for a young person to take part on the week-long study tour organised for 19-27 February 2017 to the north-west coast of the USA (Washington and Oregon states) and Canada, in association with The Independent Traveller.
WD Smith & Son director Mike Smith said: "This will be an invaluable experience, giving us the opportunity to see how the American and Canadian commercial horticultural industry is evolving with regards to growing, marketing and management techniques. To see all these businesses with a group of UK growers is a fantastic opportunity for networking and discussion."
The study tour for 2017 focuses on the production of seasonal plants by nursery businesses and marketing strategies employed by retailers. The nurseries to be visited produce a range of crops including bedding and patio plants, herbaceous perennials and young/plug plants.
On each site the different technologies that are employed in the production process will be viewed and discussed directly with the owners and managers.
Visits will include Terra Nova Nurseries, Smiths Gardens, Northwest Horticulture and De Vry Greenhouses and Rainbow Greenhouses.
Wayne Brough at AHDB is hoping to finalise numbers in late October. Cole Mangum of Bell Nursery in Maryland has provided a bursary to support a student/apprentice in training who wishes to travel to the USA and Canada. Contact the BPOA for details (bpoa@btconnect.com).
