Congress extends Farm Bill 30 days
The House and Senate passed a 30-day extension of the current Farm Bill law, which was scheduled to expire March 14. Negotiations on the new Farm Bill continue. House and Senate negotiators are working to reconcile competing versions of a new bill.

Study finds no link between immigration, crime rate
Harvard Univ. sociologist Robert Sampson examined crime and immigration in Chicago and around the U.S. to review the popular stereotype that areas undergoing immigration are associated with spiraling crime. Sampson found concentrated immigration predicts lower rates of violence across communities in Chicago, with the relationship strongest in poor neighborhoods. Not only does immigration appear to be "protective" against violence in poverty areas, violence was significantly lower among Mexican-Americans compared to blacks and whites. He reported 1st-generation immigrants were 45% less likely to commit violence than 3rd-generation Americans. Reasons commonly cited for the apparent paradox of 1st-generation immigrants, especially Mexicans, are motivation to work, ambition and a desire not to be deported, characteristics that predispose them to low crime, he said.

Encourage legislators to increase research funds
Green-industry organizations are urging growers to contact senators and representatives to support increased funding for the Floriculture & Nursery Research Initiative. "This year will be a difficult one for funding, and Congress must hear from the industry in support of the initiative," said Lin Schmale, sr. dir. of gov't. relations at SAF. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees are meeting soon on the matter, she said. To make your letter most effective, add information about your business. Floriculture and nursery crops are the 3rd-largest domestic crop in value, outranked only by corn and soybeans. But hort. research commands a much smaller portion of the USDA research budget.

All-America Rose Selections names 2009 winners
The 2009 AARS winners are Carefree Spirit, Pink Promise and Cinco de Mayo. Carefree Spirit from Conard-Pyle has a mounding habit and produces deep-red flowers with white accents. The rose thrived in AARS test gardens for 2 years without any fungicide applications. Pink Promise from Coiner Nursery is a highly fragrant hybrid tea with large pink flowers and dark-green foliage. A percentage of sales from this rose will be donated to Nat'l. Breast Cancer Foundation. Cinco de Mayo from Weeks Roses is a floribunda with lavender flowers and a hint of rusty red-orange accents.

Univ. of Ga. trials will apply sustainable practices
Univ. of Ga. trial gardens will be "completely sustainable by 2009," said hort. professor Allan Armitage. Practices include: reduction of water waste; application of organic fertilizer and beneficial soil microorganisms; use of beneficial insects, organic pesticides and banker plants; manual removal or organic herbicides for weed control; and reduction of nonrenewable resources such as plastic pots. Erica Mehan will act as the gardens' sustainability coordinator.

Calif. state entomologist disputes LBAM report
Kevin Hoffman, Calif.'s state entomologist, reviewed "Integrated Pest Management Practices for the Light Brown Apple Moth in New Zealand: Implications for California" and found faults with the findings. The paper "oversimplifies the case, and the authors omit key points regarding the damage from the introduction of non-native natural enemies," he said. Hoffman's complete review is here. The report also left out "important information and failed to take into account differences between Calif. and New Zealand, he said. Hoffman also heard from Max Suckling, the science leader for New Zealand's hort. research agency. Suckling said the report "did not incorporate editorial changes suggested by HortResearch personnel, and chose to instead draw erroneous conclusions that can and should be challenged." Suckling has been researching LBAM for more than 20 years.

Colo. to require licensing of LAs
As a reminder, individuals practicing landscape architecture in Colorado will need to be licensed as a result of Colorado's Landscape Architects Professional Licensing Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1. The act affects all projects that require landscaping on any properties except single-family residences and multi-family housing of 4 units or less. Exemptions are the "design of irrigation systems by professionals qualified by appropriate experience or certification" and landscape construction and installation services. Here's the whole document.

Discovering the world of sustainability
Staff writer Kelli Rodda says it's time to end the madness of political leaders who execute sweeping and rigid water restrictions including outright bans on landscape irrigation. Project: Green Industry

Worth a visit
Read about how Eastern Shore Nursery has carved a niche with its containerized fruit trees. The nursery grows old-fashioned varieties, new selections and exotics. These products will now be marketed under the Hollybrook Orchards brand. Only on GreenBeamPro.com.

Each cultivar selected for the Chicagoland Grows® Plant Introduction Program has proven performance under Northern growing conditions after a rigorous, independent evaluation by the region's top horticultural experts.

Emerald Coast Growers produces superior starter plants in a variety of cell sizes; specializing in ornamental grasses and perennial plants.

Mavrik Aquaflow® Insecticide/Miticide provides immediate and long term, broad-spectrum insect control for use on all greenhouse and nursery crops. For more information contact your local distributor, call 1-800-248-7763 or visit us online at www.mavrikaquaflow.com.

Since 1910, Dayton Bag & Burlap has served the nursery industry with the highest quality products from 4 locations nationwide. Visit www.daybag.com for more information!