Jan 4, 2013

Seats Still Available on California Spring Trials ExcursionSource: Cornell University

There are still some seats available if you would like to join a group of educators for a tour of several of the main stops at California Spring Trials.

For a third year, a tour is being organized by Dr. Mark Bridgen and Dr. Neil Mattson of Cornell University and Dr. Roberto Lopez of Purdue University. This guided excursion is an intense, educational and entertaining way to visit several of the key Spring Trial locations with fellow horticulturists. It allows attendees the convenience of not having to arrange for their own stops, hotels and transportation. The itinerary is filled with three full days of tours with the days beginning early and continuing at a fast pace late into the evening.

Attendees should plan to arrive at the San Jose Airport on April 5, and will stay at the Holiday Inn San Jose near the airport. The journey begins on April 6, when the group will visit Proven Winners, Syngenta Flowers, Sakata Seed and Speedling (this stop includes: ABZ Seeds, Greenex USA Inc., Hem Genetics, Plant Source International Inc., Thompson & Morgan and Vista Farms). Participants will stay at the Holiday Inn Express Salinas on Saturday night.

On April 7, the tour will include visits to Dümmen USA Inc., Ball Horticultural Co., Skagit Gardens, Fides/Oro and Ecke and a stop at Pismo Beach. That night will be spent at the Crowne Plaza Ventura.

On Monday, the day will begin with a visit to Skagit Gardens, GroLink Plant Co., and Fides/Oro, which will include Ecke. There is also a stop at Stonehaus Winery during the ride to Hollywood. Overnight accommodations will be at the Ramada Plaza West Hollywood.

On Tuesday, Super Shuttle will provide the transportation to either the Los Angeles Airport or Burbank Airport, where participants may return home or travel on their own to other locations. Flight itineraries must be provided to Travel Concepts to confirm pickup.

This package trip includes the cost of hotel accommodations for four nights from April 5 to 8, bus transportation from San Jose Airport on the first day and from West Hollywood to LAX or Burbank Airport on the last day, breakfasts and lunches on travel days, a wine tasting, and three experienced horticultural guides.

Participants must arrange their own transportation into San Jose on April 5 and out of Los Angeles or Burbank Airport on April 9, and cover their own dinner costs. A travel agency is available to assist with these reservations.

The cost of the trip is $690 per person in a double room (we will help you to find roommates if needed) or $995 per person for a single room. These rates are based on 40 participants and will be adjusted slightly if minimum capacity is not met. The trip is subject to change and may be cancelled if minimum capacity is not met.

Register by Feb. 28, to reserve a seat on this trip. For online reservation, go to www.concepts.us.com and click on Event Registration. Be sure to go to the site labeled Greenhouse Growers Spring Trials 2013.