Berry Family buys Oregon nursery
Berry Family of Nurseries purchased Thompson & Walters Nursery in Cornelius, Ore. The 375-acre nursery, which has been named Zelenka Northwest, had been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy since Aug. 17. Berry Family of Nurseries operates 6 regional nurseries including Tri-B Nursery in Oklahoma, Judkin's Nursery in Tennessee and Zelenka Nursery in Michigan, North Carolina and Tennessee. The Oregon facility will allow the Berry Family group to offer a broader line of plants. "There are many products that all the Berry Family operations sell that grow most economically in Oregon," said CEO Bob Berry. (918) 456-7174.
No holiday decorations for governor's house
The Connecticut green industry won't be able to decorate the governor's house for the holidays for the first time in 15 years, said Bob Heffernan, Conn. Nursery & Landscape Assoc. exec. sec. This follows a more strict interpretation of an ethics law that forbids "gifts to the state by regulated donors," Heffernan said. The state's Ethics Office and legislators have indicated they will try to refine the laws to allow green-industry representatives to decorate the house next year.
CANGC receives international marketing grant
Calif. Assoc. of Nurseries and Garden Centers received a $88,200 grant from USDA to promote nursery products overseas. The grant is part of a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service program that donated $39 million to 56 U.S. trade organizations.
Valleybrook launches Rock Stars program
Canadian grower Valleybrook Gardens introduced a marketing program to drive sales of alpine plants. Rock Stars is a collection of 150 short, hardy, alpine plants that thrive in rock gardens and year-round outdoor containers. "My objective was to bring some fun to the world of rock garden and alpine plants," said Valleybrook president John Schroeder. "We want to encourage younger and less-experienced gardeners to enjoy these cool plants without being intimidated." Pots, tags, brochures, posters and bench wrap will be available in spring 2007 for participating retailers.
North Carolina funds pesticide container recycling
N.C. Dept. of Ag. and Consumer Services announced $51,875 in grants to fund pesticide container recycling programs in 11 counties. In 2005, the state recycled more than 359,000 pounds of pesticide containers, a total that trails only 5 other states. The recycled plastic is used to make industrial products such as fence posts and drain pipes.
Worth a visit
Matt Edmundson recounts his face-to-face visit with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez to discuss labor and immigration issues. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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