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Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference

The 2006 North American Berry Conference has been planned with your needs in mind.

We made significant changes in the program and schedule to make this an affordable meeting, without scrimping on the educational value you have come to expect from NASGA. Although the Berry Conference continues to stand on it’s own, we are making it possible for even more people to take advantage of the strawberry industry’s premier event by staging it in conjunction with the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference that is held each year in Savannah. For information on the Southeast Regional Conference go to: http://www.gfvga.org. While registration for the two events is separate, the back-to-back positioning makes this an extraordinary opportunity for growers and suppliers to get the most benefit from their travel, time, and financial investment.

Our speakers are distinguished experts and specialized tracks on production and business related issues allow you to pick and choose the topics that are most important to you. The North American Berry Conference is designed for progressive strawberry growers and their suppliers. The program includes something for every interest and every stage of grower experience. There is so much quality education and growth opportunity that you will need to read this entire brochure to learn about everything.

Savannah is a wonderfully charming old Southern city and this meeting gives you the perfect opportunity to turn your business trip into a family vacation. Voted one of the "World’s Top Ten Trendy Travel Hot Spots" by the New York Times and named one of the "Top 10 U.S. Cities to Visit" by Condé Nast Traveler -- millions of visitors each year are captivated with Savannah’s gracious hospitality.

Schedule of Events

Opening Day - Wednesday, January 4

8:00 - 8:15 am	Welcome - Rudy Heeman, NASGA President, and Anne Geyer, Conference Program Chair
8:15 - Noon	Concurrent Focused Breakout Tracks (Three Sessions)
	Production for Profitability	Making Your Business Profitable
Session One 8:15 to 9:15	The Strawberry Plant: What You Need to Know And How It Applies To Matted Row Production David Handley, Ph.D. Univ. of Maine Cooperative Ext. Monmouth, ME	Building Services Around Your Crop Shannon Mangnuson Chesterfield Berry Farm Moseley, VA
Session Two 9:30 to 10:30	Biofumigation With Composting for Soil Borne Pests Carl Sams, Ph.D. University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN	Return Per Hour Profit William A. Beckham, Jr. Vice President AgFirst Farm Credit Bank Columbia, SC
10:30 - 11:00	Break - Sponsored by Nourse Farms
Session Three 11:00 to Noon	Growing Organic Eric Sideman, Ph.D. Director of Technical Services Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Green, ME	The ABC's of Getting and Keeping School Tour Business Jen Arter Director of School Promotions Walnut Springs Farm Elkton, MD
Noon -1:30 pm Group	Group Lunch and NASGA Annual Membership Meeting - Sponsored by Lassen Canyon Nursery, Inc.
1:30 - 2:30 pm	Grower Showcase: Phil Johnson, Walnut Springs Farm, Elkton, MD
2:45 - 5:00 pm	Concurrent Focused Breakout Tracks (Two Sessions)
	Production for Profitability	Making Your Business Profitable
Session Four 2:45 to 3:45	Drip Irrigation John R. Duval, Ph.D. Consultant, Gainesville, FL	Selecting and Hiring for Good Retention Norine Larson, Farm Business Consultant Edina, MN
Session Five 4:00 to 5:00	Strawberry Cultivars & Breeding Shahrokh Khanizadeh, Ph.D. Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, CRDH Quebec, Canada	Training Employees to Work Together Norine Larson, Farm Business Consultant Edina, MN
5:00 - 7:30 pm	Dinner On Your Own
7:30 - 9:30 pm	Two Concurrent Farmer-to-Farmer Discussion Sessions
	Production: Challenges to Profitability Hosted by NASGA President Rudy Heeman	Business and Marketing: Ideas and Opportunities Hosted by NASGA Vice President Anne Geyer

Thursday, January 5

7:15 am - 5:00 pm

Tour Details On Next Page (Ticketed Separately)

Friday, January 6

8:00 am - Noon	General Session
8:00 - 8:50	Insect Identification, Scouting, and Management - David Handley, Ph. D., University of Maine Cooperative Extension
8:50 -9:50	Grower Showcase: Ron Cottle, Cottle Strawberry Nursery, Faison, NC
9:50 - 10:15	Break - Sponsored by G.W. Allen Nursery, Ltd.
10:15 - 11:00	Using Alternative Techniques to Meet Market Demands - Bob Gray, Four Corners Farm, South Newbury, VT
11:00 - Noon	Choosing Your Cultivar and Growing Method for Profitability - Craig K. Chandler, Ph. D., University of Florida Strawberry Lab with a panel of growers and open discussion
Noon	Berry Conference Adjourns
Afternoon	Wear your NASGA Berry Conference Badge for free admittance to the Trade Show of the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, also being held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. Separate registration fees apply for the Southeast Conference educational program. (Go to: http://www.gfvga.org)

Tour -- Thursday, January 5
(Ticketed Separately -- See Form for Fees)

7:15 am -- Our buses will depart on schedule

In Route to Pooler, GA
Overview of Savannah Area Green Industry and Agriculture
David Linvill, Chatham County Extension Agent

Tour of Ottawa Farms - Pooler, GA
Hosted by Pete Waller
This 700 acre farm is one of few farms still operating in Chatham County. Pete Waller, the owner, is the third generation to carry on the tradition of "old time farming.” They specialize in PYO strawberries and blueberries, and also have onions, corn and other produce.

In Route to Statesboro, GA
Georgia Watermelon & Vegetable Production Information
Dr. George Boyhan, UGA Extension Vegetable Specialist

Tour of Clark Farm and Produce - Twin City, GA
Hosted by Al Clark
A family owned and operated business, Clark Farm takes service to a new level. They shell your peas and butter beans, boil the peanuts freshly picked out of their field, and, for a small fee, will deliver the produce to your door. They offer school tours, gift baskets with fruit and canned products and hayrides for families or small parties.

In Route to Claxton, GA
Overview of Georgia Small Fruit Industry
Dr. Gerard Krewer, UGA Extension Small Fruit Specialist

Lunch at Harry's BBQ - Claxton, GA
Welcome, Mike Dollar - UGA Evans County Extension
Coordinator

Tour of Wilbanks Apiary - Claxton, GA
Hosted by: Reg Wilbanks
Wilbanks Apiaries, in its fifth generation of family ownership, is among the largest commercial beekeeping concerns in Georgia, with 6,000 honeybee colonies. They are a major supplier of packaged bees.

In Route to Tattnall County.
“Farm Fresh Tattnall" Marketing Program
Reid Torrance, UGA Area Onion Agent

Tattnall County is one of the largest and most diversified agricultural counties in Georgia. Tour two farms that are part of the Farm Fresh Tattnall, Inc., a new farmer co-op. It's members are folks that have been in the roadside market and U-Pick produce business for years.

D.C. Durrence Farm -- Reidsville, GA
Hosted by Danny Durrance

W. A. Rogers and Sons Farm Market --
Glennville, GA
Hosted by Alex Rogers

5:00 pm -- Return to Hotel in Savannah
(Dinner on Your Own)

NASGA thanks Dr. Gerard Krewer for coordinating this tour.

Tour Registration and Brochure

Hotel and Travel Information

Garden Hotel Historic Savannah
321 West Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-721-5000
www.gardenhotelsavannah.com

The deadline to reserve a room in the Conference group block is Wednesday, November 30. NASGA has a limited block of rooms, so do not delay in making hotel reservations. We cannot guarantee room availability and after November 30 you will pay the hotel’s standard room rates. Making your reservation promptly also insures that our block gets credit for your room, reducing overall meeting costs.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Call: 877-245-8854 or 912-721-5000

TO INSURE RECEIPT OF GROUP RATE PLEASE REFERENCE
North American Strawberry Growers
Group discounted rates cannot be booked
using the hotel’s website reservation center.

OUR OUTSTANDING GROUP ROOM RATE
$119 per night for single/double + 12% tax & .30 city occupancy fee

The Garden Hotel in Savannah is sold out on Thursday night. 
click here for details

OTHER HOTEL INFORMATION:

Check in: 4:00 pm - Check out: Noon A deposit of the first night’s stay is required via credit card when making your reservation. You must give 24- hour prior notice for early check out or cancellation to avoid any penalties.

This historic downtown Savannah hotel is one block from River Street and City Market - where dining, shops, and nightlife abound. It is just 15 miles or approximately 20 minutes from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (Airport Code: SAV). There is no complimentary shuttle service to and from the Airport. Major rental car services are available and estimated taxi fare is $20 each way per person. For those arriving by car, we have arranged a group discounted valet parking rate of $8 daily. Be sure to tell the bell stand when you park your car about the special rate. This year the Conference sessions will be held at the Savannah Convention Center, rather than at the hotel.

The beautiful hotel features unique artwork and furnishings throughout, reflecting its historic surroundings. Each guest room features a coffeemaker, iron and ironing board, free high-speed wireless Internet access, as well as microwaves and refrigerators. In the evening, enjoy Savannah’s famous hospitality in the lounge before retiring. There is a full southern breakfast buffet available in the morning for an additional charge.

The Garden Hotel in Savannah is sold out on Thursday night. 

As of December 6 the Garden Hotel only had rooms available at the group rate for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, but was sold out for Thursday night.  For those requiring reservations on Thursday night or beyond, NASGA suggests these nearby options:

Comfort Suites
630 West Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-629-2001
Email: comfortsuites@comcast.net
Website: www.comfortsuites.com/hotel/ga323

Room Rates Currently Available:
Thursday, January 5 -  $129 single or double
Friday, January 6 with check out Sunday - rate is $149 weekend.

Days Inn
201 West Bay St.
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-236-4440, 877-542-7666
Email: savbaysales@aol.com
Website: www.innatellissquare.com

Room Rates Currently Available:
Thursday, January 5 – Sunday, January 8 -  $139 single or double

Hyatt Regency
2 West Bay St.
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-238-1234, 800-233-1234
Email: sedwards@savrspo.hyatt.com
Web site: www.savannah.hyatt.com

Room Rates Currently Available:
Thursday, January 5 – Sunday, January 8 - $111.00 (On Decmber 6 there were only 2 rooms left)

SAVANNAH:

In January, Savannah’s average monthly high temperature is 60°F and low is 38°F. For more about Savannah activities and sights go to:

http://www.savannah-visit.com/

Exhibits

Rather than have an separate Exhibit Area, we have made arrangements for Berry Conference attendees to have free admittance to the Trade Show that is part of the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. It immediately follows the Berry Conference at the Convention Center. Your NASGA Berry Conference Badge will be your entry ticket. Separate registration fees apply for the Southeast Conference educational program.