Coalition moving ahead with promotion order
The development committee of the Floral Marketing Funding Initiative Coalition has agreed on the issues necessary for writing a promotion order. The committee, which consists of major domestic producers and importers, said adoption of a program rests solely on the acceptability of traditional and mass market channels of distribution for passing along an assessment. The assessment would be 2% on cut flowers and greens at the domestic producer and importer level. Any grower or importer whose dollar volume is less than $100,000 would be exempt. Before a program would be initiated, a positive vote of domestic growers and importers is needed. The initial vote would occur before the program is implemented with a referendum scheduled 4 years later. The earliest an order could be implemented is 2008. The development committee is planning meetings to gather industry input and to discuss the program.
USDA seeks comments on potential invasive species
USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service is conducting an electronic public discussion on ways to evaluate the invasive potential of imported plants. The discussion, lasting until Jan. 26, allows participants to upload files and interact with other participants and with members of the APHIS Weed Team. In addition to providing general comments about evaluating invasiveness, APHIS asks participants to respond to 6 questions.
New marbled poinsettia being developed
Univ. of Ill. plant scientist Daniel Warnock is developing a natural mutation of poinsettia Premium Picasso. The marbled sport, which produces bracts with unusual watercolor shades of pink, red and white, is currently genetically unstable. Of the 50 plants that Warnock is working with, he will select 2-3 that have the desired percentage of mixed colors. He will take cuttings from these plants to produce a predictable, commercially reproducible plant. For the last 5 years, Warnock has been working with researchers at Kan. St. Univ. and Tenn. St. Univ. to trial new varieties for commercial breeders.
Metal theft hits California ag. industry
Metal theft has become the fastest growing crime affecting California agriculture. Calif. Farm Bureau Foundation reports products containing recyclable metals at ag businesses have been stolen, including copper wire, stainless steel tanks and aluminum irrigation pipes. Copper wire is the metal most often stolen. Since Jan. 2006, metal thefts from ag. businesses have jumped 200%. Total loss for 8 Central Valley counties and Monterey County through October is about $2.5 million. Fresno leads the Central Valley as the county with the highest number of metal thefts. In May, Ag. Task Force detectives in Fresno County launched Operation Heavy Metal, a 3-month investigation to cut copper wire thefts in the county by 50%.
Perilla sales aid cerebral palsy patients
Sales of Proven Winners' new 'Gage's Shadow' perilla will assist patients of a local United Cerebral Palsy chapter. The variety, bred by Cheryl Baker of The Shed Floral Nursery in Mentone, Ala., is named for Baker's 13-year-old son Gage, who has cerebral palsy. 'Gage's Shadow' is a vigorous black-purple foliage plant with unusual texture. Proven Winners will donate 100% of the marketing funds received from the sale of the plant to the United Cerebral Palsy chapter where Gage receives treatment. Proven Winners will also make a donation to the UCP-Huntsville Chapter in 2007.
Worth a visit
Congressional issues that impact the ornamentals industry this year are numerous: immigration reform, minimum wage, taxes, health care and trade issues. Prepare to address the issues of 2007 and beyond. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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New England Grows is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6 - Thursday, February 8, 2007 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Register online today!
Something’s keeping you awake at night. You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. 3 intense days. 75 business changing sessions. 1000 green industry professionals.
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