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Ornamentals F.A.Q.s |
Where can I find information on how to start an ornamental operation?
The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association jointly produce a guide to assist new growers in setting up a nursery. The guide is called Starting a Nursery Business in B.C. and is available from the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association (Tel: 604 574-7772; Fax: 604 574-7773). There is a fee for this publication. For floriculture operations, refer to the "Commercial Floriculture Grower – Getting Started" [PDF] publication located in the production section of this website.
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Is there any government support available for start-up growers?
There have been funding programs available in the past; they focused mainly on providing funding to offset the costs of adopting new technology or environmental enhancements. These funding programs have been terminated and grower support is now concentrated on providing growers and grower organizations with information or assistance in the areas of production, business planning, and marketing. Many low cost or free services are available through various B.C. Ministries. It may be possible to receive partial funding on some select projects, such as those that involve research or marketing.
There are several federally and provincially funded programs that provide support for start-up producers. Each program has different aims — some focus on exports, while others focus on research. These programs have strategic priorities and formalized eligibility and application guidelines. And many programs provide services rather than funding. Funding programs include:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Electronic Information Service
Provides information on inspection, regulations, industry information, research and technology, and human resources.
Website: http://www.agr.gc.ca/B.C. Investment Agriculture Foundation
A non-profit agricultural association that helps fosters growth in the agri-food industry. A secondary role is to assist industry in responding to current issues facing the sector.
Phone: 250 356-1833
Fax: 250 953-5162
Website: http://www.iafbc.ca/Business Development Bank of Canada
Provides information on financial products, venture capital, and consulting services.
Website: http://www.bdc.ca/Canada/British Columbia Business Service Centre
A business resource centre that provides information on starting a new business, entering new markets, accessing government programs and services, taxation, and regulations.
Phone: 604 775-5525
Fax: 604 775-5520
Website: http://www.smallbusinessbc.ca/Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
Assists companies to succeed in the global marketplace.
Website: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/If you are looking for general information on export marketing, financing and logistics, go to the Canada Business export webpage.
Export Development Corporation
Provides programs that can assist Canadian exporters to compete in foreign markets
Website: http://www.edc.ca/Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
The FCC offers innovative products and services to farmers and small- and medium-sized agri-businesses. The family farm has been and will continue to be the main focus of their lending operations. They also support farmer-controlled diversification initiatives and value-added agricultural operations on the farm and beyond the farm gate.
Website: http:\\www.fcc-fac.ca/Industry Canada
Provides programs and funding to assist with exporting and research and development.
Website: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
WD offers a network of business professionals to help with business planning and development, accessing capital, export or trade development, selling to government markets, and providing information on government programs and services for which a business may be eligible.
Website: http://www.wd.gc.ca/
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What crop will bring me the best financial return?
There is no one answer to this question. The crop that has good returns this year could have dismal returns next year. The ornamental industry is characterized by an incredible diversity of crops. More than 2,000 genera are in commercial production, so choosing which crop to grow is not an easy one. Keep in mind your production experience, the amount of information available on producing the crop, the capital and variable costs involved in producing the crop, potential markets for the crop, and potential prices.
You need to consider whether you want to grow greenhouse versus outdoor crops or if you want to grow floriculture or nursery crops. Floriculture crops can be further subdivided into cut flowers, potted plants or bedding plants. The main groupings of nursery crops are field and container production. It can be further subdivided into bareroot, large caliper trees, pot-in-pot, propagation, deciduous or conifer trees or shrubs, native plants, and perennials. You may decide to grow a mixture of crops to reduce risk. It is strongly advisable to do a business plan and a market study before starting to grow any crop. Whatever crops you decide to grow focus on producing high quality, pest-free products.
For more information on choosing nursery crops refer to Starting a Nursery Business in B.C. that is available from the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association (Tel: 604 574-7772; Fax: 604 574-7773). There is a fee for this publication. For floriculture crops refer to the publications "Commercial Floriculture Grower – Getting Started" [PDF] and "Field Grown Cut Flowers" [PDF].
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Do you require a license to operate an ornamental operation?
No, a license is not required. However, there are numerous municipal, federal, and provincial acts and bylaws that regulate what you can do on your farm. Contact your municipal government for information on bylaws that will pertain to your operation. For nursery operations, refer to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands publication "Starting a Nursery Business in B.C. (2006)", which is available on InfoBasket in Section 1.1 - Overview & Starting Up . It provides an overview of pertinent legislation. For floriculture, refer to the publication "Commercial Floriculture Grower – Getting Started".
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Are there any quotas or other methods of market allocation for ornamental crops?
The ornamental industry does not have any supply management systems in place. Growers can produce any ornamental crop in any quantity that they wish. (Refer to the question and answer on crop choice for more information.) While there are no quotas, there are many municipal, provincial, and federal acts and regulations that impact ornamentals. Contact your municipal office for more information on zoning. For floriculture, see "Preparing a Business Plan", "Commercial Floriculture Grower – Getting Started", and "Field Grown Cut Flowers". These publications are all located in the production area of this website. For nursery, refer to Starting a Nursery Business in B.C. (September 1999) that is available from the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association (Tel: 604 574-7772; Fax: 604 574-7773). There is a fee for this publication.
One potential market outlet for floriculture products is the United Flower Growers’ Co-operative Association (UFG) or the flower auction. They do not have quotas, but you must obtain shipping status before they will sell your product. Contact the UFG well before you are ready to ship any plants. They can be reached at 604 430-2211. They do not have guaranteed prices; prices can fluctuate greatly depending upon the day’s supply and demand. They are located close to Vancouver, so if your greenhouses are located outside the Fraser Valley you will be at a competitive disadvantage because of higher transportation costs.
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Are there regulations that affect the movement of ornamental products into and out of Canada?
There are several regulations that affect the importation and exportation of ornamental plants. You may need an import permit to bring plants or plant material into Canada. Soil (and the plants that grow in it) that originates from outside the continental USA is not allowed into Canada. In addition, plants grown in soil or soilless media may need a phytosanitary certificate for import into Canada or export to the USA. Cut flowers are not affected by these regulations, but cut flower imports may be inspected for the presence of diseases and insects. Certain crops are prohibited from entry into Canada for disease or insect reasons. For more information contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) .
A domestic movement certificate is required for the movement of regulated nursery stock within Canada. There is a listing in the Nursery & Landscape Pest Management & Production Guide of plant quarantine regulations that affect the movement of specific crops into B.C. from other countries and/or provinces. Contact the CFIA for an up-to-date list of plant quarantine regulations.
The CFIA should be contacted for more information on import certification requirements of Canada and other countries, restricted plants, and phytosanitary certificates. The CFIA offices in B.C. are:
Burnaby
Tel: 604 666-2891
Fax: 604 666-8577
Victoria
Tel: 250 363-3618
Fax: 250 363-0144
Kelowna
Tel: 250 470-4884
Fax: 250 470-4899
The CFIA has numerous websites that provide more detailed information:
For more information on importing or exporting orchids: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-96-09e.shtml
For a listing of the general policy directives: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/hort/horte.shtml
Pests Regulated by the CFIA http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/internat/internate.shtml#2
Some plants, for example orchids and cacti, are covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and a CITES certificate must be obtained before they can be imported or exported. For more information on CITES, contact Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service in Ottawa (Tel: 819 997-1840; Fax: 819 953-6283). Their home page is: http://www.cites.ec.gc.ca/cites/html/eng/sct0/index_e.htm
Houseplants and bedding plants (annuals) that are intended for your own use can be transported across the Canada/USA border without import permits or phytosanitary certificates. They must be grown by a commercial operation located within 80 kilometres of either the Canadian or the continental USA border. There are some exceptions, so check with the CFIA before travelling with plants across the border.
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Where can I get information on the pesticides registered for ornamental crops?
The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands produces a series of production guides for commercial horticultural producers. They provide information on pest life cycles and identification, soil management, integrated pest management, current pesticide recommendations for a range of pests, and general information on pesticides and how to calibrate spraying equipment. Producers of nursery crops should refer to the Nursery & Landscape Pest Management & Production Guide available from the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association (Tel: 604 574-7772; Fax: 604 574-7773). Producers of floriculture crops should refer to the Floriculture Production Guide – Best Management Practices available from the United Flower Growers’ Co-operative Association at 604 430-2211. There is a fee for these publications.
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Where can I get listings of B.C. ornamental growers’ addresses and products?
The B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) annually produces a comprehensive Buyers Guide that lists all of the member wholesale nurseries and the types and sizes of plants they grow. Contact the BCLNA (Tel: 604 574-7772; Fax: 604 574-7773) for a copy of the Buyers Guide. The supplier list is also available on the website: http://canadanursery.com/
Flowers Canada publishes a directory that provides a fairly comprehensive listing of companies involved in the floriculture industry, including growers, wholesalers, and suppliers. It’s titled British Columbia Floriculture Directory & Buyers’ Guide. Complementary copies can be obtained through Flowers Canada-B.C. Region or by phoning the United Flower Growers’ Co-operative Association at 604 430-2211.
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