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Special Project 1 || Special Project 2 || Special Project 3
SPECIAL PROJECT III: MECHANIZATION
Objective: Discuss mechanization versus hand labor in container and field production nurseries, and design a layout and production plan for maximum or most efficient mechanization of a production nursery.
Location: Anywhere in Texas
Size: Minimum: 50 acres; Maximum - Your decision
Type of Plant Materials: Combination of woody shrubs and trees, hard and soft color or other market niche-oriented plants
Type of Nursery: Field or container with protected structures (propagation, winterization)
Source of Plants: Propagated by cuttings, seeds, plugs, tissue culture liners and/or specialized structures
Size of Plants: Any combination, but not more than 20% rooted cuttings or seedlings. Also, include larger materials in your operation
Points of Consider
1. History of Mechanization
2. Mechanization in: Irrigation systems
Soil sterilization
Soil pasteurization & mixing
Potting systems
Transplanting
Fertilization
Pest control
Hauling within nursery
Digging of plants etc.
3. Relative costs of various systems and operation
4. Efficiencies
5. Labor for operation
6. Limitations of equipment and advantage
7. Manufacturers
8. Site organization: Justify why
9. Structures related to equipment
10. Depreciation & replacement costs
11. List of references
This is intended as a guideline for an in-depth study of nursery mechanization. Ultimate development is up to each of you. Justify and explain your decisions and selections.
(2-page preliminary synopsis of project due Thurs., Oct. 20).
(Business Plan due Weds, Nov 9). [II-ExecSummary, III-BusDescription, IV-Operations]
(Business Plan Weds., Nov 16).[VII Finacial]
(All projects due Mon., December 5, 2011 by 4pm). [Detailed I, II, III,IV,V,VI, VII finished project composed on a word processor with a bound, hardcopy.
BONUS POINTS (10 pts.) -- CREATE A HOME PAGE FOR YOUR NURSERY
Scholastic Dishonesty
As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one’s own ideas, work, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated. If you have questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section “Scholastic Dishonesty.”
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