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Michael Geary
Michael Geary is president and CEO of AmericanHort. Learn more about the association by visiting AmericanHort.org.
June 24, 2014
AmericanHort Will Offer Content And Connections Geared Toward Business Success At Cultivate’14 In July
Michael Geary, the association's President and CEO, discusses how AmericanHort aims to help growers succeed, and what you'll find when you attend Cultivate'14 in Columbus, Ohio, this July 12-15.
February 29, 2012
Why OFA Is Adapting – And Why Your Business Should Too
If you Google the expression “adapt or die,” you find thousands of references to books, whitepapers, newspaper articles, speeches and journal articles confirming the need to change. “Adapt or die” is not a creative phrase, but it’s certainly clear: Like death and taxes, we seem to have no alternative. The need to transform is not unique to horticulture. All industries have experienced pain over the last few years and still today. Businesses are struggling, consumers are just starting to gain some financial ground, and we know it’s going to be a few more years before the global economy is back to normal– whatever “normal” means. In the meantime, we cannot sit back and wait for change to come to us. OFA is certainly not going to relax and hope for the best. As we announced two years ago, OFA’s strategic plan includes an objective to expand our relationships with other […]
December 9, 2011
Let’s Partner With New Groups
There are a wide variety of organizations at the local and state levels that can provide additional marketing opportunities for growers. Connecting with these groups may bring added sales and will certainly expand the visibility of your company. Savvy growers will also arm themselves with data about how flowers, plants and trees contribute to the economic well being of communities (America in Bloom, for example, publishes this information on its website). A suggested list of organizations includes the local and state chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects, National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors. Other entities to consider are larger homeowners associations and local organizations committed to beautification and green infrastructure like America in Bloom, Keep America Beautiful, National Garden Clubs, Master Gardeners and Tree City USA. Many of these groups have monthly lunch or dinner meetings at which you can network with potential […]
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February 25, 2015
National Garden Bureau Designates 2015 As Year Of The G…
Gaillardia, also known as the blanket flower, is a member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and a long-blooming pollinator plant. It is fitting that the National Garden Bureau has specified 2015 as The Year of the Gaillardia.
February 25, 2015
International Plant Propagators Western Region Sets Ann…
The annual meet for the International Plant Propagators' Society (IPPS) Western Region has been set for this September. It will take place September 23 to 26 in Modesto, Calif., and will include learning sessions, tours to local nurseries, a research poster display and poster presentations, various networking opportunities and an awards banquet to close the event.
February 24, 2015
Blue Ribbon Bloomers For Greenhouse Production
Grow what consumers want! Surveys show that blue is one of the top preferred colors of today’s consumers. Here are twelve top recommended blue-flowering Proven Winners annuals and perennials to suit your spring production cycle.
February 24, 2015
Myers Industries, Inc. Lawn And Garden Business Sold, N…
The management of Myers Lawn and Garden Group, along with Wingate Partners V, L.P. have recently acquired the Myers Industries, Inc. Lawn and Garden business. The new company is named The HC Companies, and will continue as a North American leading provider of horticulture containers supplying the greenhouse, nursery and retail markets.
February 24, 2015
Save Energy With The Right Greenhouse Glazing
The glazing you choose can make a big difference in your energy bill and the uniformity of your crops.
February 24, 2015
Rough Brothers Takes A Hands-On Approach To Several Pro…
Two projects Rough Brothers worked on for Altman plants in Giddings, Texas, and Scissortail Farms in Tulsa County, Okla., show that pre-planning on the grower's part opens the way for a smooth-running expansion project.
February 24, 2015
Ethylene From Defective Greenhouse Heaters Damages Crop…
Malfunctioning greenhouse heaters can lead to crop damage from ethylene and carbon monoxide induced illness for workers. Michigan State University's Extension educators Tom Dudek and Randy Beaudry teach you how to recognize the symptoms and check greenhouse heaters to avoid the concern.
February 23, 2015
Stuppy Greenhouse Manufacturing Says Every Customer’s G…
Well-suited greenhouses that function efficiently for customers arise from involving them in the design process from start to finish. Stuppy Greenhouse Manufacturing put this philosophy on a greenhouse design for a wholesale grower looking to expand his annuals operation. The grower's needs were simple, yet daunting: design a greenhouse that delivers the perfect growing environment, but keep maintenance and operating costs low.
February 18, 2015
Robots Grab Hold Of Growers’ Material Handling Needs
Harvest Automation’s HV-100 robots automate one of the hardest, most labor-intensive jobs at growing operations – plant spacing. With more technology coming, investing in robots could become even more realistic for growers of all sizes.
February 18, 2015
Range Of Nursery Inspections To Protect Patented Plants…
Plant patents are under protection, and breeders are fighting for their rights to keep growers from illegally propagating protected varieties. It's something you don't want to take a chance on, because the risk is far higher than the reward. More than 300 inspections were carried out last year from New York to British Columbia and from Ontario to Florida to protect plant patents, Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) and branded programs.
February 18, 2015
California Spring Trials Sneak Peek: New Annuals For 20…
If you're like us and you can't wait until the 2015 California Spring Trials to see some of the new genetics that will be hitting the market in 2016, never fear. We contacted the breeders who will be displaying their new varieties in California in April, and they gave us a sneak peek. Check out our slideshow to see some of the new annuals making their debut to the trade this spring.
February 18, 2015
ForemostCo And Athena Brazil Unite To Supply Unrooted P…
ForemostCo, Inc. and Athena Brazil have forged a working relationship to support each other in the unrooted perennial cuttings market for North America. The partnership, geared toward accommodating increasing demand for unrooted perennial cuttings in North America, adds diversity to a recently consolidated market.
February 17, 2015
Poinsettias Had Their Best Year In Many In 2014
Poinsettia growers report a strong year in 2014, thanks to a few conditions. Growers were encouraged by high plant quality, enthusiastic shoppers and a stronger, less saturated market for poinsettias throughout the selling season. Seasonal cold at just the right time put consumers in a festive mood to buy early and often, and with no big snowstorms to hold up shipments and a reduction of supply available in the market, the season was strong from start to finish.
February 17, 2015
A New Look At Biological Control: Can Plants Affect The…
The success of a biological control program depends on a number of factors including quality of natural enemies, timing of release, release rates and environmental conditions. However, what is typically not taken into consideration is how plants can affect the performance of natural enemies, including attack rate and searching ability. Biological control agents work hard to protect plants, but plants have ways to help themselves, too.
February 17, 2015
AmericanHort Announces New Board Members
AmericanHort recently announced the election of new officers and members to the board of directors. Each will assume their positions on the board during Cultivate’15, July 11 to 14 in Columbus, Ohio.
February 17, 2015
All-America Selections Elects New Officers, Names New J…
While meeting during the Flower and Vegetable Seed Conference in Tampa, Fla., hosted by the American Seed Trade Association, All-America Selections elected new officers for a two-year term. Read on to learn about the new officers, as well as all of the new judges that were added in 2014.
February 17, 2015
Geranium Hybrid ‘Biokovo’ Dubbed 2015 Peren…
Geranium xcantabrigiense ‘Biokovo,' a naturally occurring hybrid of G. dalmaticum and G. macrorrhizum, is the Perennial Plant Association's top pick for 2015 Perennial of the Year. Learn why this tough, landscape geranium took home the prize.
February 12, 2015
GROW Perspective: What Is It You Do Again?
The industry is very good at talking about what we do and how we do it, but has almost completely lost touch with talking about why this work is important. As an industry, we need to promote our professions as vital to healthier living.