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OFA announces new joint venture with ANLA

OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals – announced last month that it is forming a joint venture with the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA).

In a statement released by its president, Michael McCabe of McCabe’s Greenhouse & Floral in Lawrenceburg, Ind., the organization explained the details of the new partnership, citing dramatic changes occurring in the horticulture industry as a reason for their current union. Instead of competing against one another, the two associations have decided to come together and share their resources to be of better support for its staff and members.

McCabe mentioned in his letter that both members of OFA and ANLA would like to see their industry associations be all encompassing, as “one that touches and links all pieces of the horticulture industry together in a comprehensive manner to assist in the growth of the industry.”

Together the organizations will review their current education programs and make any necessary changes, with the goal of providing cost-effective education for both online and in-person courses. They also hope to have a stronger influence on federal legislation.

While the organizations are not merging, the letter explained that if in several years they both see the joint venture will better serve the industry and be of value to its members, a single premier horticulture organization will be formed to serve North America.

Want to know more? To read more about OFA and ANLA’s joint venture, visit www.ofa.org/default.aspx?action=News&NewsId=43
 

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Quotable:

Both associations have unique strengths and those strengths reside in different areas of association work.  Working together means building on those differing strengths for the benefit of our members and the industry.  It means avoiding duplication and competition for industry resources and member participation.

— Bob Lyons, ANLA president, on the ANLA/OFA merger