Congressional Water Caucus to look at water issues
Congress established a Water Caucus to promote a dialogue about water issues and provide timely, scientific info. about water resources and water use. Co-chairs are Rep. John Linder, R-Ga.; Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif.; Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich.; Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., and Rep. George Radanovich, R-Calif. The co-chairs identified 12 Principles of Water Policy that include securing sufficient water supply for urban and rural areas; considering all available technologies for increasing water supply efficiently while safeguarding the environment; and implementing strategies to improve efficiencies.

Higher food prices could impact floral sales
Considering whether to raise prices? Now might be a good time considering that consumers are paying more for other perishables. During May, food and beverage prices rose nearly 4% from a year earlier. Food prices could end up being 7% higher for the year. The reasons include bad weather, higher corn prices because of increased demand for ethanol production, higher fuel costs and strong buying from consumers worldwide. What's the concern for floriculture? The more people spend on food, the less they have to spend on other nonessential items like flowers. Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, told USA Today that food prices could have a far more detrimental impact on the economy than higher gas prices.

Grocer promotes lilies from GMPRO cover grower
Central Market in Fort Worth featured fresh cut lilies from local grower Texas Floral last weekend. The grocer also used a display with a blowup of the June cover of GMPRO, which focused on the local grower. The company, which started with 10 acres in 2006, is adding 18,000 sq. ft. of greenhouses.

Online manual offers herb help
"Pest Management for Herb Bedding Plants Grown in the Greenhouse" is a 16-page manual available online that provides info. on common herb insects (whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, thrips, plant bugs, scales, fungus gnats, slugs, caterpillars and beetles) and diseases (blights, root rots, mildews, rusts, fungal and bacterial diseases and viruses). The manual, written by Univ. of Conn. ext. horticulture and greenhouse IPM specialist Leanne Pundt, and Univ. of Mass. ext. floriculture specialist Tina Smith, discusses how to manage these insects and diseases with production practices and biological controls. The manual also covers resistant cultivars, recordkeeping and monitoring techniques.

Worth a visit
The 12-month Solutions Source series provides solutions to the challenges growers face today. This month: rising insurance and health care costs. Only on GreenBeam.com.

• Valent
• Yoder Brothers
• Goldsmith Seeds

Valent Booth 1512, 2007 OFA Short Course, July 14-17, 2007, Columbus, OH

Available only from Blooms of Bressingham®, the Tutti Frutti Series of Achilleas have compact habits that make them ideal for pot crops.

Think...Cora™ Vinca for strength and beauty in the garden! To order, call your favorite supplier. Bred by Goldsmith.