IPPS offers students chance to attend conference
Int'l. Plant Propagators' Society Western Region is accepting applications until July 1 from students to attend its annual meeting. The 2008 Bruce Briggs Memorial Scholarship pays for students to attend (registration and accommodations) the annual IPPS meeting held in the Western Region. Undergraduate and graduate students interested in a career in plant propagation can apply. Download the application here.
2 species added to P. ramorum regulation
Starting June 9, USDA-APHIS will be regulating new species under its rule that limits interstate movement of certain items to prevent the spread of Phytophthora ramorum. Magnolia figo and Cercis chinensis were added to the regulation list, bringing it to 117 hosts. The detection on M. figo occurred in the U.S. and the detection on C. chinensis occurred outside the U.S. Nurseries operating under a compliance agreement may continue to ship hosts and associated plants, including the newly listed plants.
Emergency amendment removed from H-2A bill
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., used a parliamentary procedure that caused the Emergency Agriculture Relief Act (EARA) to be stripped from the 2008 Emergency Supplemental Funding bill. Menendez said he stripped the amendment because the measure "didn't do enough to help immigrants." EARA is a 5-year temporary program that aims to stabilize the ag. work force. It overhauls the H-2A worker program and allows experienced workers to earn temporary status if they pay a fine, undergo a background check and commit to future farm labor.
Federal minimum wage goes up in July
Are you prepared for the next step up in the federal minimum wage? Last May the wage increased to $5.85 an hour, the first increase since 1997. The wage also increases on July 24, 2008, to $6.55, and to $7.25 on July 24, 2009. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and Rep. George Miller , D-Calif., have pledged to introduce legislation that would increase the wage to $9.50 an hour by 2011 and also index it to inflation.
Oklahoma workshops tackle tough topics
A risk-management workshop, "Surviving Difficult Times in the Green Industry," will be held in 2 Oklahoma locations: Stillwater on June 5 and Norman on June 6. The event has been made possible by a grant so the only charge is $10 for lunch. Mike Schnelle has details.
New England organization raising funds for native projects
New England Wild Flower Society launched a $3.8 million campaign for a new native plant center and an updated online database. Dianne Butt, the society's director of development, said the organization had already raised more than $2.5 million through corporate and nonprofit philanthropy and private donations. The society plans a LEED-certified Native Plant Center at its Nasami Farm and Sanctuary in Whately, Mass. The facility will allow the organization to better collect, propagate and store seeds. The organization also hopes to fund a comprehensive online compendium of New England native plants and their habitats.
Overuse results in glyphosate-resistant weeds
The widespread, repeated and often sole use of glyphosate for weed management has selected weeds that have become resistant and are not controlled by the herbicide, Weed Science Society of America (WSA) warned. "Glyphosate is easy to use," said Chris Boerboom, Univ. of Wis. Ext. weed scientist. "Glyphosate's effectiveness as a broad-spectrum herbicide left many growers relying on it frequently and even exclusively in their battle to control weeds. Unfortunately, once a naturally resistant weed appears in a field, it can escape and multiply into a serious problem in the next few years. Over the past several years, we have seen the list of glyphosate-resistant weeds grow to 9 species, which are scattered across at least 20 states. We urgently need to slow the development of resistance before glyphosate's value to farmers is diminished." WSA encouraged growers to use a diverse set of tools to manage weeds.
New perennials needed for feature
We're still accepting information on new perennial plants for an upcoming feature that will appear in NMPRO and GMPRO in August. The deadline is fast approaching. Contact Jyme for more details.
Discovering the world of sustainability
Higher food prices could put the brakes on the sale of organic products. Project: Green Industry
Worth a visit
Despite the current economic setbacks, a Delaware grower is expanding its operation. Only on GreenBeamPro.com.
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