permaculture

[Richard Morris <webmaster@pfaf.org>]

Hi all,
        I received this questionaire on alternative
greenhouse crops and I guess someone out there might
have some useful feed back for Gary.
If you do fill in please tell him I sent you.

        ttfn

        Rich

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Alternative greenhouse crops
Date:   Fri, 27 Feb 2004 09:12:42 -0800
From:   Gary Jones <Gary.Jones@kwantlen.ca>
To:     webmaster@pfaf.org

Dear Colleague,

I am a Horticulture Instructor at Kwantlen University College, near
Vancouver, BC. I am currently on educational leave and am undertaking an
investigation into 'alternative greenhouse edible crops'. I have come
across your name during a web survey of this topic.

During the next week or so, I will be sending to you a short
questionnaire, in the form of an attached 'Word' document. I would like
very much if you could spare the 35 minutes it would take to complete
it, and return it to me. Your input will be very helpful.
(text version below).

Should you have any questions, please write to me at this e-mail
address, or at my home e-mail (_jones6@shaw.ca_), or call me at home on
(001) 604-513-3944.

Best wishes,

Gary Jones, M.Sc., MIoH.
Horticulture Instructor (Production Dept.),
School of Horticulture,
Kwantlen University College,
12666 - 72nd Avenue,
Surrey, BC
Canada V3W 2M8
Tel (001) 604 599 3311
Fax (001) 604 599 3277


Questionnaire for Educators, Researchers.

Name of respondent:.................................    
Organisation:...........................

Address: .................................................      Telephone 
number:...................
        ...................................................     E-mail 
address:........................
        ..................................................                    
                          

Primary job role:.............................. Years in fresh produce 
industry:............

Primary field of 
interest:............................................................................



1.	Very approximately, what is the value of each of the following in 
your geographical area:
a.      Greenhouse edibles:  $.................US/cdn (please circle currency)
b.      Field grown edibles:  $..................US/cdn (please circle 
currency)

2.      What are the main edible crops produced?
a.      
Greenhouse.....................................................................
..........................................................................................
...........................................................................................
...........................................................................................
b.      Field 
grown.......................................................................
............................................................................................
............................................................................................
............................................................................................

3.	How many of these crops are 'non-traditional' (commercially grown for 
less than the last 10 years)? .................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................

4.      What is your understanding of the term 'alternative' edible crops?
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................


5.	What does the term 'exotic crops' means to you and the growers in 
your area, if different from the answer to question 4?
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................

6.	Have growers or marketing groups in your area considered growing or 
selling other edible crops?
Yes             Go to question 7.
No              Go to question 12.

7.      If yes, which crops are these?
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
.................................................................................................

8.      If yes, did they actually make the change?
a.      Yes............ (go to question 9)
b.      No............. (go to question 10)

9.      If yes to question 8, what actually convinced them to make the switch?
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

10.      If no to question 8, what convinced them not to make the switch?
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

11.	What criteria are important to you / growers in your area when 
deciding whether or not to switch to another crop? (then go to question 12)
............................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................


12.	 If no to question 6, what stopped growers in your area from 
considering any new crops?
............................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................

13.	Do you think growers in your area will consider growing different 
crops in the next 3-5 years?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................

14.	If you or growers in your area were looking for another crop to 
grow, what would be the factors that would rate as high priority for a 
new crop?
............................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................

15.	In general terms, please suggest 3 ways in which you think growers 
could improve the profitability of their businesses. (e.g. new 
varieties, new species, pest management, marketing, improved crop 
nutrition, staff training, etc, etc). Please list in priority order, 
with the most important first.
......1...................................................................................................
......2...................................................................................................
......3...................................................................................................

16.	Time for crystal -ball gazing and self-indulgence. If money and time 
were no object (wouldn't that be nice!) and you could investigate one 
particular aspect of the fresh produce industry that you think could 
revolutionise profitability of the industry, what would it be?
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................

17.	Penultimate question: do you think there are any questions I have 
not asked? (If 'yes', go to question 18. If 'no', go to 'further comments'.)
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................

18.     Finally, please ask that question here, and supply your answer.
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................


Please add any further comments:
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................





Thank you very much for your time and help.

Gary Jones,
Instructor, School of Horticulture,
Kwantlen University College,
20901 Langley By-pass,
LANGLEY,                                        Tel: 604 599 3311
BC.                                             Fax: 604 599 3277
Canada.                                 E-mail: Gary.Jones@Kwantlen.ca


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