J. Berry Nursery and American Farms have announced a new collaboration; American Farms will be offering the J. Berry Hibiscus Hollywood liners for sale through the broker network, beginning in late October.
The initial offering from American Farms LLC will be limited to five varieties but quantities and variety selection will increase as production ramps up in 2021. The focus will be on two key varieties: Rico Suave and First to Arrive with limited availability on Disco Diva, Heartbreaker and Leading Lady.
American Farms will offer two liner sizes as well, a single stuck 72 cell Preforma tray and a multi-stuck (3ppp), pinched quart, packed 8/shuttle tray.
“Due to the incredible popularity of our Hollywood Hibiscus varieties, we’ve expanded our partnerships to boost availability through our young plant brokers,” said Jim Berry, owner and founder of the Hollywood Hibiscus brand. “American Farms LLC is highly respected in the industry, and we’re confident that the sales via its broker network will help fulfill demand for our Hollywood Hibiscus stars.”
To learn more about J. Berry’s history and plant introductions, visit jberrynursery.com.
IPPS Southern Region
IPPS launches website for 2020 North American Summit
The International Plant Propagators' Society (IPPS) has announced the launch of a new website designed specifically for the North American Summit. Attendees can easily navigate to the registration links at https://ippsnorthamericansummit.com/. The virtual three-day event will showcase IPPS members and their nurseries across the regions of North America, plus the emerging India region.
Program registration is FREE to all, however, only IPPS members will have access to the program recordings.
A free October webinar from horticulture technology firm Argus Controls will provide growers with some food-for-thought around how adding automation can help them grow more, better.
“How a well-designed automation system can contribute to increased yield and quality in crop production” will be held October 29, 2020, at 1:00 pm EST.
“Environmental control systems have proven to be a key element for indoor and greenhouse growers, helping users to improve plant quality and control temperature and other variables,” writes Argus Controls. “They are crucial for the collection of useful data and an important labor-saving tool. However, only well-designed systems will bring the operation to optimal levels. Join us and our panel of experts online on October 29 to learn the advantages and how to optimize your automation system.”
Dümmen Orange has announced the hiring of Debbie Rempert as senior brand manager. She brings 21 years of experience in horticultural marketing to the Dümmen Orange team in this newly created position.
“We are very fortunate to bring someone of her stature to our company,” said Keith Cable, Dümmen Orange North America president. “Debbie will be a valuable addition as she arrives fully understanding the balance between breeder, production and brokerage.”
With a reputation for organization and producing desired results, her extensive insight will strengthen the marketing department and better focus all marketing messages and industry brands.
Rempert is a senior member of the Dümmen Orange marketing team and will be based out of the company’s Naperville, Illinois. office. Her new responsibilities will focus on management, collaboration and strategy including print, digital and sampling programs as well as creating a strong landscape for Dümmen Orange genetics that has staying power in the industry. She will help develop and maintain standards for Dümmen Orange and its brands including McHutchison, Vaughan’s, Dümmen Delta and Quick Plug.
Prior to joining Dümmen Orange, Rempert spent that past two decades as an account executive and marketing manager for Ball Horticultural and many of its companies including Ball Seed, PanAmerican Seed, Ball FloraPlant, Selecta One, Darwin Perennials and others.
As the horticulture industry continues to evolve and rise to meet new challenges, there is perhaps no better time than now to recognize some of the best employers and organizations to work for.
That’s why Greenhouse Management and Garden Center magazines are excited to launch the 2021 Best Horticulture Companies to Work For program. This survey and awards program will identify and recognize the best employers in the greenhouse and garden center markets.
“The passion for people that you find in horticulture is unlike any other industry. Because of that, there are so many great places for employees, both new and veteran, to develop a career,” said Kate Spirgen, editor of Garden Center and Greenhouse Management magazines. “As the popularity of plants continues to rise and the market evolves, competition for employees continues to be a pain point for many companies. We look forward to showcasing companies that are creating healthy and productive working environments, and helping them attract the talent they need to grow.”
The deadline for program submissions is Nov. 20, 2020.
The survey is organized and managed by the Best Companies Group (BCG), an independent research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing great places to work.
Why participate?
By participating, you can find out if you are one of the green industry’s best employers. Additionally, the program will provide multiple opportunities for heightened company pride, increased marketing and public relations opportunities.
Eligibility requirements
Commercial horticultural companies are eligible to enter either as a greenhouse, or garden center operation, or both.
In order to enter, companies must:
Have 50% or more of the business revenue coming from either greenhouse operations or garden center operations
Be a publicly or privately held, for-profit or not-for-profit business based in the U.S. or Canada
Employ a minimum of 15 full-time or part-time employees
Have been in businessfor a minimum of one year
The evaluation process
Best Companies Group will manage the nomination and evaluation process. The 2021 honorees will be featured in a future issue of Greenhouse Management or Garden Center magazine.
The nomination and evaluation process will include two surveys to gather detailed data about each participating company, with both employers and employees submitting feedback via separate surveys. Best Horticulture Companies to Work For honorees will be notified of their status prior to the release of the winner rankings. Those that participate but are not selected to the final list will not be revealed publicly.
For most operations, the program will be entirely free of cost to participate in, although in some circumstances, fees will apply.
