Event Date
Join the UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance (UCNFA), CANERS Foundation, and UC IPN for the 2026 California Nursery Conference, California's premier educational event for nursery and greenhouse professionals.
For more than 30 years, the California Nursery Conference has brought together nursery growers, greenhouse operators, retailers, researchers, educators, landscape professionals, students, and allied industry partners to explore the latest innovations, research, and best practices shaping the future of California horticulture.
This year's conference features two days of educational programming, hands-on demonstrations, student research posters, networking opportunities, and guided nursery tours designed to provide practical solutions you can take back to your operation.
Why Attend?
Join nursery professionals from across California for two days of practical education, networking, and industry insights designed to help your business grow.
- Learn from Industry Experts – Hear the latest research, best practices, and regulatory updates from UC specialists and industry leaders.
- Explore Innovative Research – Discover student research, live demonstrations, and emerging technologies.
- Stay Ahead of Industry Trends – Gain practical insights on pest management, greenhouse production, irrigation, regulations, and California native plants.
- NEW! Retail Nursery Track – Practical UC IPM-led sessions designed specifically for retail nursery and garden center professionals.
- Spanish Educational Sessions – Dedicated Spanish-language presentations covering plant health and workplace safety.
- Build Your Network – Connect with growers, researchers, educators, suppliers, and industry leaders from across the state.
- Experience the Industry Firsthand – Tour premier nursery and greenhouse operations showcasing innovative production and sustainability practices.
Conference Schedule:
Tuesday, October 27 | Welcome Reception
Kick off the conference by joining colleagues, industry leaders, researchers, exhibitors, and students for an evening of networking, refreshments, and conversation. Hosted by the CANERS Foundation, the Welcome Reception is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with peers, build new relationships, and support research and scholarship programs benefiting California's nursery industry.
Wednesday, October 28 | Educational Conference
Wednesday features a full day of educational sessions, interactive demonstrations, student research posters, and networking opportunities designed to provide practical, research-based solutions for today's nursery professionals.
- Session 1 | Industry Policy & Programs
Explore the latest industry regulations, water and nutrient management, California native plants, and arboriculture shaping the future of nursery production. - Session 2A | Plant Health
Learn practical strategies for identifying, preventing, and managing plant diseases, including Phytophthora, along with workplace heat illness prevention. - Session 2B | Spanish Educational Sessions
Spanish-language presentations covering ornamental plant disease management, heat illness prevention, and integrated disease management for nursery and greenhouse operations. - Session 3A | Pest Management
Discover practical, research-based solutions for managing nursery pests and diseases through integrated pest management and best production practices. - Session 3B | Retail Nursery & Garden Center (New for 2026!)
Designed for retail nursery professionals, these sessions focus on plant diagnostics, pesticide labels, invasive pests, and helping customers confidently solve landscape challenges. - Session 4A | Nursery & Greenhouse Production
Explore innovative production technologies and sustainable growing practices that improve crop quality, efficiency, and greenhouse operations. - Session 4B | Retail Nursery & Garden Center (Continued)
Continue building practical retail knowledge with sessions focused on invasive pests, lawn care solutions, and customer education. - Student Research Posters & Live Demonstrations
Connect with students, researchers, and industry experts while exploring hands-on demonstrations and the latest research in irrigation, plant nutrition, diagnostics, pest management, and greenhouse production.
Wednesday Evening | Honoring the Past, Growing the Future Celebration
Continue the networking at a special evening celebration hosted by Generation Growers as they commemorate their 70th Anniversary. Enjoy tours of the nursery, great food and beverages, and the opportunity to celebrate six generations of horticultural excellence while connecting with fellow conference attendees.
Thursday, October 29 | Day 2 Tour of Local Nurseries & Greenhouses
Experience California's nursery industry firsthand during a guided tour of some of the Central Valley's premier nursery and greenhouse operations.
Attendees will travel together by charter bus and enjoy behind-the-scenes access while learning about innovative production practices, sustainability initiatives, and successful retail operations.
Tour registration includes:
- Charter bus transportation
- Morning refreshments
- Water and snacks
- Boxed lunch
Tour Stops
- Burchell Nursery
A leading breeder and grower of fruit and nut trees with over 1,200 acres of production and a nationally recognized in-house breeding program.
- Frantz Wholesale Nursery
Discover one of California's premier wholesale nurseries and learn about its commitment to sustainable production, solar energy, water recycling, and innovative growing practices.
- The Greenery Nursery & Garden Shop
Visit one of California's premier independent garden centers and explore how exceptional retail merchandising, horticultural expertise, educational programming, and customer service create an outstanding garden center experience.
Registration Options
Choose the registration option that best fits your schedule:
- Full Conference Registration (Tuesday CANERS Foundation Reception + Wednesday Education + Thursday Tour)
- Wednesday Educational Conference Only
- Thursday Nursery Tour Only
- NEW! Retail Nursery & Garden Center Afternoon Program
- California Citrus Nursery Board Research Committee Meeting (No Cost)
Student discounts are available. Please contact Jenny Devine, [email protected], for the student discount code.
Register Today!
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts, explore the latest research, build valuable connections, and experience firsthand the innovation shaping California's nursery industry.
Become a Conference Sponsor
Support one of California's premier educational events for the nursery and horticulture industry while showcasing your organization to growers, retailers, researchers, educators, students, and allied industry professionals from across the state. Sponsorship demonstrates your commitment to advancing education, research, and innovation while increasing your visibility throughout the conference.
Gold Sponsor – $500
Maximize your visibility with a complimentary full conference registration, tabletop exhibit space, logo recognition, and prominent sponsor acknowledgment throughout the conference.
Silver Sponsor – $250
Show your support through conference-wide logo recognition and onsite acknowledgment while demonstrating your commitment to California's nursery industry.
Accommodations
If you require overnight accommodations, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Modesto-Salida is the closest hotel to the Modesto Junior College Ag Pavilion and offers convenient access to the conference venue. The average room rate currently is $154 per night.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Modesto-Salida
4300 Bangs Avenue
Modesto, CA 95356
Hotel Information
We look forward to welcoming you to Modesto this October!