The 5th Eastern Produce Council ( EPC ) Leadership Class had a chance to get their boots on the ground at Hionis Greenhouses in Whitehouse Station , NJ , and the Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm at Rutgers University located near Pittstown , NJ , on October 3 as part of the on-going EPC leadership pedagogy program . Tim Hionis , co - owner of Hionis Greenhouses , provided a exhaustive tour of the surgical process ’s principal glasshouse , presently overflowing with mums , fall ornamentals , and Christmas painted leaf . “ We are presently in the middle of crepuscle mamma season , ” Hionis assure the group . “ We grow about half a million mums per year . ”
The operation was founded by Hionis ’ father and female parent ( Spiro and Angie ) three decade ago and is now race by Hionis and his three brothers ( Pete , Spiro , and Gerry ) . “ We presently have two emplacement total 15 Accho under cover and 65 open bailiwick , and we ’re amplify another four land of hoop house , ” says Hionis . “ We ’ve also been investing in more mechanisation technology . This does n’t exchange DoL but allows us to use our worthful labor movement in other surface area . ”Jessica Sarter , Regional Account Manager at Pulmuone Foods , related gaining a new appreciation for ornamental products making it to the retail venue . “ Often , at the end of the supply chain of mountains , you do n’t really consider everything it ’s take to get it there , ” she said . “ From get seed to root to come out them in pots , to the growth that has to happen in irregular weather conditions - it ’s helpful to see first - hand all that exit into the ware at this point . ”The second leg of the day included a visit to the 390 - Akko Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm . Peter Nitzsche , Morris County Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent , toured the class around the farm in a wagon ride , explaining the inquiry project afoot . “ Our goal here is to explore and march innovative practices for growers , ” he said . “ We currently have 120 cultivate Acre , which include a variety of projects from looking at butternut squash proceeds to an agrivoltaics project to determine the feasibleness of growing crops between solar farm panels . ”Megan Muehlbauer , Hunterdon County Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent explained her current hazel project to the class , as well as several ongoing Malus pumila assortment trials . The group enjoyed pick some Macoun apples to try out and take home . “ The farm tour showed various aspects of production touch mature plants and different species , ” say Max Pozzessere , Regional Sales Manager with Little Leaf Farms . “ It was interesting to learn about different disease and how the researchers are work to mitigate them , particularly how the research continues to be an evolving bicycle because of the nature of the disease . ”“These field experiences add so much to professional development because our participants are exposed to unequalled areas of the industry they may not encounter in their everyday work , ” said Susan McAleavey Sarlund , EPC Executive Director . “ In addition to our classroom and conference activities , getting out into existent product and inquiry facilities add another bed of manufacture discernment . ”
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