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2020 Horticulture Leadership Retreat
Friday, November 06, 2020, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM MDT
Category: Educational Event

Join us for one virtually awesome event! After many years of pursuing Dr. Charlie Hall, we have booked him to provide his one-of-a-kind insights. You'll gain valuable knowledge from industry experts and learn from your peers through stimulating round table sessions. 

Note: All sessions will be recorded and registered participants will have complimentary access to the program for 60 days.

Agenda

8:30 a.m. - Welcome and Introductions

8:45 a.m. - Update from the Colorado Department of Agriculture - Laura Pottorff

9:00 a.m. -  Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Charlie Hall, presented by Tagawa Greenhouse Enterprises

Dr. Hall will bring us his ever-changing economic forecast and an economically-focused discussion of the election results, as well as his predictions for spring 2021. 

10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. - Legislative Update - Federal: AmericanHort; State of Colorado: Hicks and Associates

Noon - 1:00 p.m. Lunch Break 

1:00 - Meet back up for Breakouts. Breakouts will be divided into three Zoom rooms - you may switch between rooms

 Breakouts Sponsored by BlueTarp

SESSION 1   1:10 - 1:40

Room 1: New Colorado Employment Laws You Need to Know
COMPS - Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards; Criminal Penalties for Wage Violations; Equal Pay for Equal Work; Ban the Box, Wage Garnishment Reform. These laws take effect January 1, 2021. Make sure you are in compliance!
Presented by Jody. N. Duvall, Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, LLP

Room 2: Making Diversity Work in our Industry
How diverse is our industry? How do we promote and invite diversity in our businesses? How do you celebrate diversity and train staff on sensitivity and serving diverse customers? Let's get this important discussion started. Led by Jesse Eastman, Fort Collins Nursery

Room 3: How to Qualify for an Energy Efficiency Audit and Grants
As we head into winter, energy costs are on everyone's minds. Over the past four program years, the Agriculture Energy Efficiency program has continued to analyze and develop its turnkey approach which includes a no-cost energy audit and technical assistance to help you increase economic and environmental sustainability. If you have more than $4800 in energy costs a year, attend this session to hear about a free energy audit and the opportunity to apply for grants to increase efficiency. Brian Carlin, Engineering Manager, Utility Services, Nexant (https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/clean-energy-programs/agricultural-energy-efficiency)

Break   1:40 - 1:50 

SESSION 2   1:50 - 2:20

Room 1: Benefits for Seasonal Workers
What are the sources for offering benefits to seasonal employees? What benefits SHOULD you offer seasonal employees? How much will it cost and what are the logistics you have to consider? RSS Insurance will facilitate. 

Room 2: Sounding Board - What More Can CNGA Do For You and Your Business?
Give your association your feedback - What are your biggest challenges and what can CNGA do to help you and your business? How has CNGA done dealing w/Covid? How can we help you in 2021? Should we continue the Plant Something program, and how should we improve or modify it? CNGA staff. 

Room 3: Insurance Updates - Make Sure you are Protected
Hear important updates on the insurance coverage you need to protect yourself. Updated information on 1) Director/Officer liability rates increasing because of fears of COVID litigation, 2) EPLA Employment Practices Liability (can you be sued because of your employment/hiring policies? YES!), and 3) Wrongful transfer insurance. Wrongful transfer is getting funds sent to a scammer through hacking, social engineering or phishing, as well as system hijacking and ransom. This insurance is important for small companies as well as larger operations. Presented by Ernie Schaefer, RSS Insurance

Break   2:20 - 2:30 

SESSION 3   2:30 - 3:00

Room 1: Climate Change and the Future of Water in Horticulture
The Earth has warmed significantly since the 1970s. The primary cause of this warming is the enormous daily release of greenhouse gasses from human activities. This warming is already impacting water supplies in the American West through higher evaporation rates. We have the policy tools and technologies (at reasonable costs) that we need to solve this problem, but solutions will need actions on an unprecedented scale. So far, we have collectively decided to ignore what is an enormous threat to all aspects of human and natural systems. What we grow and what we plant will be an important part of adapting to, and perhaps preventing some of, these future changes. Presented by Brad Udall, Senior Water and Climate Research Scientist, CSU Colorado Water Center

Room 2: COVID Business Logistics

Join this round table to discuss how you and fellow members are tackling the new challenges in finding, training and keeping a stable workforce in the COVID environment? How has the pandemic disrupted the supply chain — and are those changes permanent?  Which businesses have found ways to make the most of new efficiencies? Facilitator pending. 

 

 Room 3: How to Apply for Financial Assistance Through CFAP II
CFAP II - federal aid program for Specialty Crops (that's us!) CFAP II will be provided to producers who have been affected by marketing disruptions and extra marketing costs due to COVID-19. Hear from a specialist from the USDA Farm Service Agency about the program and how to apply. Tiffany Ariel, USDA-Farm Service Agency

 Sign Up Here

 

We thank our sponsors: