| 1996 S-103 Winter
Meeting
February 29 - March 2
Houston, Texas Members
present: Behe, Turner, Brumfield, Rhodus, Emino, Farris, McNiel, Safley, Kuehney,
Harkess, Phillips, Barton, Lownds, Tilt, Williams, and Hall 1.
Introduction of members and visitors: Mike Arnold, Texas A&M
University, Don Wilkerson, Texas A&M University 2. Minutes from
last meeting approved. 3. Accolades expressed for the successful tour:
Tim Rhodus - for his insightful internet workshop Greg Knowlton -
for his tour of Turkey Creek Farms Tom Teas - for his tour of Teas Nursery
Don Wilkerson - for his assistance in setting up the tour Dan Lineberger
- for his assistance with the internet workshop 4. Comments from
Everett Emino, Administrative Advisor: The new S103 publication will
be put on the internet on the Texas A&M Univeristy server. Brian Maynard
(from Rhode Island) has been approved for S103 membership. U.Mass will participate,
but we don't know who the representative will be yet. Committee members were
encouraged to maintain cooperative efforts. 5. Comments from Paul
Farris, CSREES Representative: Encouraged to submit bullet accomplishments
to CSREES in September each year. 6. Manuscript reports:
Landscape publication - Bob McNiel will be following through.
Irrigation publication - Copies will be sent to Emino, members can preview
the publication on the internet. Overwintering publication - Subcommittee
will meet to discuss this publication. 7. Discussion held regarding
internet publishing of S103 publications versus hard copies. 8. Presentation
by Bridget Behe regarding application of SERVQUAL in the retail garden center
industry. 9. Subcommittee meetings held - Bedding plant, Marketing, Greenhouse,
Turf, Internet subcommittees. | Marketing
| (1) Members are still working on the Retail Market Research Summary.
June 1 is the deadline for drafts of the assigned sections. | | | (2)
Behe is proposing to write a HRI grant for a Spring 1997 project regarding SERVQUAL
research on retail garden centers. Contact her directly if you are interested
in participating. | | Greenhouse
| (1) We will ask Denny Wolnick to put his greenhouse bibliography on the Internet
S103 web site. In doing so, each member will have a valuable resource when addressing
requests for information by clientele that are not currently in business, but
are interested in going into the greenhouse business. | | | (2)
The subcommittee decided to put together a publication targeted to greenhouse
growers that are already in business. This publication will be entitled Improving
Profitability in the Greenhouse Business. Several chapters were identified
are being critical to such a publication. These chapters, along with members who
agreed to take the lead in putting together an initial draft include: Brumfield
-- Mechanization of the greenhouse business Brumfield -- Developing
cost of production budgets Barton -- Personnel management Behe
-- Increasing inventory turnover Safley -- Developing a marketing
plan Rhodus -- Using computers in the greenhouse business van
Blockland -- Financial management (credit, accts payable & receivable)
Hall -- Marketing strategies (EDI, racking, accounts mgt, labeling,
etc.) Harkess -- Systems for post-harvest handling |
If there are other topics that are not addressed here, but you would like
to see included, please contact Charlie Hall. 10. Discussion held
regarding future presentations. Dave Williams agreed to do a presentation
on GIS at the Winter 1997 meeting. Robin Brumfield will discuss aspects of the
Australian nursery industry at the next meeting. 11. Discussion
held regarding the need for horticulture-related case studies for use in the classroom.
A subcommittee may be formed if enough people are interested. 12.
Officer elections were held. Steve Turner was elected as chair.
Bridget Behe was elected as secretary. Congratulations to these members (and thanks
for their willingness to serve in those positions). 13. Future meeting
dates: August 6, 1996 -- Rutgers, New Jersey Feb 27, 1997
-- Ft. Meyers, Florida 14. Susan Barton was commended for her
excellent performance as chair of the committee the past four years.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Charlie Hall, S103 secretary.
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