Plane crash claims 4 from Iowa greenhouse
Funeral services were held last week for 4 victims killed in a twin-engine Cessna airplane crash as the group returned from a business trip to a Texas grower. The victims, according to Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Dept.: Shawn Peters, 44, v.p. at Dallas Johnson Greenhouses, a wholesale grower in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Dale Peckham, 43, who worked in sales at the company; April Myers, 31, head grower; and pilot Steven Revord, 51. The group had been making a sales visit to Timberline Nursery in Hillister, Texas, northeast of Houston. As the plane headed back to Council Bluffs on Feb. 16, winds were gusting and visibility was limited due to heavy snowfall. The plane crashed in a field as it approached Council Bluffs; there were no survivors.
Growers concerned over high wind tests
Connecticut growers are voicing concerns to the Conn. Greenhouse Growers Assoc. and Conn. Nursery & Landscape Assoc. that building inspectors are requiring 100+ mph wind tests for greenhouses. Bob Heffernan, exec. sec. of CGGA, said this is a result of changes to national building codes due to structural damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Several growers have said local inspectors are demanding engineer seals certifying new greenhouses for hurricane-force winds. Heffernan said the state building inspector will not budge on the issue. Conn. Green Industries and Conn. Farm Bureau are seeking legislation that would implement a special building code for ag. buildings. Ag. engineer John Bartok Jr., Univ. of Conn. ext. professor emeritus, will discuss greenhouse wind test issues at the March 15 CGGA Evening at the Greenhouse program at Cromwell Growers.
MSU offers online tour of trial gardens
You can now view results of past annual trials conducted at Mich. St. Univ. online. This new Web site summarizes plant performance trials from past years and was set up by hort. professor Norm Lownds, coordinator of the university's annual trials. The site has searchable databases for each year's entries by genus, series, cultivar, company or rating.
N.J. forms produce task force
A Produce Safety Task Force has been created to protect N. J. consumers and to help local producers adapt to anticipated new produce-safety standards. The task force includes representatives from Dept. of Ag. and Health & Human Senior Services, produce and food industry officials and Rutgers Univ.'s Food Policy Institute and Ext. Service.
Study focuses on outdoor living market
Outdoor Living -- a New Landscape for Home & Garden Consumers is a comprehensive report about the outdoor living market from a consumer perspective prepared by market research company Standpoint. It details those areas where significant growth opportunities exist in the outdoor living market segment. Companies can also use the report to re-evaluate existing product lines and services as well as make modifications to meet consumers' needs.
AFE scholarship applications now available
Applications and info on American Floral Endowment's Ball and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Programs are available for students looking to gain experience in greenhouse production, floral retail and wholesale and allied trade fields. The Vic and Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program funds training at floriculture production greenhouses. The Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program helps support students who participate in internships at a retail florist, wholesaler or allied trade company. Both scholarships are awarded twice each year. Deadlines are March 1 and Oct. 1. Applications can be downloaded from the AFE Web site.
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