March 8, 2001

High-Value Horticulture Day Set April 7 in Minot

High-Value Horticulture Day, a program for people interested in exploring business opportunities with juneberries, herbs and other horticultural crops, will be held Saturday, April 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Student Union Conference Center at Minot State University.

Participants will hear speakers and visit exhibits to learn more about developing a business with high-vale crops, including developing markets, commercial production practices for juneberries, greenhouse crops, herbs and other small fruits, and how to develop a business plan.

"When people leave this event, I hope they will have a better understanding of what it takes to get started in a horticultural business," says Mike Rose, NDSU Extension Service agent in Ward County. "They’ll have been exposed to many ideas and new businesses that were developed by people with visionary ideas."

Speakers will include Denise Spanjer of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, who will explain how to investigate markets and develop business plans; Rudy Radke, diversification/high-value crop specialist with the NDSU Extension Service, who will discuss the variety of high-value crops that can be grown in North Dakota; and Patti Patrie of Patrie’s Raspberries on the Prairie, who will speak on growing crops for processing.

There will also be three concurrent sessions, including Marcus Jackson, extension forester at NDSU, who will cover juneberries and other small fuits; Ron Smith, NDSU extension horticulturist, discussing commercial production of herbs, and Phil Lowe of Lowe’s Garden Center in Minot, speaking on producing greenhouse crops.

Exhibitors will also provide information on high-value horticulture, including juneberries, raspberries, dried flowers, herbs, commercial vegetable production and business planning.

For information or to pre-register, call (701) 857-6444 by April 2. A $15 registration fee will be collected at the door.

High-Value Horticulture Day is sponsored by the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce.

Source: Mike Rose, (701) 857-6444, mrose@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Gary Moran, (701) 231-7865, gmoran@ndsuext.nodak.edu