Shine in ‘09: High Performance Management to Survive Turbulent Times

Webinar Series Sponsored By
The Ellison Chair in International Floriculture and
Texas AgriLife Extension

This webinar (web-based seminar) series is designed to assist you in making better (more informed) managerial decisions in the midst of an economic downturn that is literally turning markets upside down. In this hypercompetitive market, the competitive advantages you enjoy today may vanish with breathtaking speed and frequency. Truly, in this type of environment, the things you don’t know can hurt you!

You may be saying to yourself: “I don’t have time and can’t afford to attend another meeting.” That’s the beauty of a webinar – it only takes an hour out of your day; you don’t have to spend money traveling anywhere; and you can ‘attend’ sitting in front of your own computer!

Ask yourself these questions…

· Are business profits shrinking and you’re not sure why?
· Are you uncertain how sustainability can help your business?
· Has marketing become more of a challenge?
· Has your business been impacted by the economic downturn?
· Are operating costs spiraling out of control?

If you answered yes to any of these questions; if you feel the business climate continues to deteriorate; or if you are worried about the future of your business, then you need to attend this webinar series and learn useful strategies to increase your firm’s bottom line!

March 9, 2009 -- 11:00 a.m. CST (1 hour) – Dr. Charlie Hall, Texas A&M University
Webinar 1 Topic: Action Points to Survive the Downturn – Developing and fine-tuning your downturn strategies to ensure your business will survive!

April 14, 2009 – 11:00 a.m. CST (1 hour) – Dr. Don Wilkerson, Texas AgriLife Extension
Webinar 2 Topic: Differentiating By Being Sustainable – Being proactive by developing your own sustainability code of ethics can help set you apart from the competition!

May 12, 2009 – 11:00 a.m. CST (1 hour) – Dr. Jennifer Dennis, Purdue University
Webinar Topic 3: Marketing Green! The “green” marketing strategies you need to thrive in a maturing marketplace!

So don't hesitate -- space is limited! Go to http://ellisonchair.tamu.edu/webinar.htm to register. There is no charge for the first three webinars in this series, so reserve your space today!

Meetings to address insect control on greenhouse & nursery crops

Now that it is starting to warm up, crop producers need to be thinking about how to properly manage insect pests on their crops. I have designed an integrated pest management course to help ornamental crop producers better manage insect and mite pests. The three hour course will be offered in Canton, Fort Worth, Houston, Jacksonville and McKinney (see dates below).

The meetings will cover:

• An overview of the insecticides and miticides on the market today.
• The biology of the major insect and mite pests to provide effective control.
• Developing management programs that will decrease the likelihood of pests developing tolerance to key insecticides.

Producers attending will gain a better understanding of how to successfully use the insecticides and miticides on the market today, and how they fit into an integrated pest management program.

Those attending will be eligible to earn three continuing education units, one in the integrated pest management and two in the general category, toward renewal of the their Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicators license.

Texas certified nursery and certified landscape professionals will receive three continuing education units toward recertification.

Preregistration is $25 per person and can be done online with a check, credit or debit card at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu/. At-the-door registration will be $35, checks and cash only.

The trainings will be held at these locations and times:

• In Canton, from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Farm Bureau Building, 281 E. Hwy 243.
• In Fort Worth, from 9 a.m. to noon on March 5 in the AgriLife Extension office, Tarrant County Plaza Building, 200 Taylor Street, Suite 500. Driving directions can be found at http://tarrant-tx.tamu.edu/map.htm.
• In Houston, from 12:30.-3:30 p.m. on March 11 at the AgriLife Extension office in Harris County, 3033 Bear Creek Drive.
• In Jacksonville, from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Woodman of the World Building, 1800 College Avenue.
• In McKinney, from 1:30- 4:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Landing at Myers Park & Event Center, 7117 County Road 166. More information can be found at http://www.co.collin.tx.us/parks/myers/MyersCC.pdf .

Maps and other information are available at the East Texas Nursery and Greenhouse IPM Program website.

For more information: Contact Scott Ludwig at 903-834-6191 or swludwig@tamu.edu