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Business College of Knowledge

A team of MSU faculty and MSU extension educators in Horticulture and Agricultural Economics have developed a series of four business and management modules for greenhouse owners and managers.

This new track of four 4-hour courses follows a format similar to the highly successful Floriculture College of Knowledge. These workshops are specifically developed for greenhouse and nursery owners and managers that want to enhance their business, management, and marketing skills. Course titles and brief descriptions follow. These courses were offered for the first time at the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo in Lansing in late 2005, and will be offered for the first time in Ohio at the OFA Short Course in Columbus on July 7 and 8.

Course Information - Business

		Managing Employees in Horticulture Developed by Vera Bitsch, Department of Agricultural Economics This course will discuss how to hire, train, motivate, reward, and discipline employees to strengthen your horticultural company’s workforce. You’ll learn how to train your employees to become reliable and independent performers and how to build employee commitment and provide helpful feedback. In addition, wages and benefits, overcoming conflicts, and suitable discipline and dismissal processes will be discussed.
		Marketing of Ornamentals Developed by Bridget Behe, Department of Horticulture Marketing may be one of the last parts of the business strategy ornamental plant growers develop, but it should be among the first. In this workshop, you will discuss how marketing encompasses: 1) identifying the types of products that will be offered for sale, 2) identifying the kinds of customers who may want or need those products, and 3) how the product offerings will be communicated to the potential consumers. Discover how to realize profit using a customer-focused, effective marketing strategy that addresses needs with products and services offered.
		Financial Management for Horticultural Businesses Developed by Roger Betz, MSU Southwest District Extension Farm Management Agent This module will give you a better understanding of how to manage your business in ornamentals. You’ll learn how to develop and use accurate net worth and income statements and the differences between taxable income and true income for your business. You will develop methods to help determine each products contribution to overhead. The factors needed to determine total economic cost of production of ornamentals will be identified and discussed.
		Strategic Planning for Horticultural Companies Developed by Van Varner, MSU Southeast District Extension Farm Management Agent In this module, you will learn how to analyze both your external economic climate (such as market trends, influence of competitors, and regulatory changes) and your internal business operation (such as vision and mission, management and financial capacities, facilities, and production methods). In addition, you will identify opportunities and threats to the business, elucidate a desired long-range position for your company, and set goals needed to reach that position.

This page was last edited in 10/19/07 .

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.