Virginia Green Industry Council Minutes
March 7, 2005, 1-4:30
State Fair Office, Richmond Present: Cary Gouldin, Jeff Miller, Bill Bonwell, Lin Diacont, Mary Williams, Rick Baker, Lorene Blackwood, Sue Bostic, Sylvia Wright, Donna Pugh Johnson, President Agribusiness Council. Presidents Comments: Lin presented his overview of the Council’s responsibilities and his recommendations for the future. See attachment under President’s Notes. Minutes and financial reports were approved. Jeff Miller, Executive Director Report
• Working to make the VGIC more visible the following has been done:
• Sixteen Green Industry related articles have been sent out as press releases.
• To heighten awareness and increase membership the following groups will be contacted: Christmas Tree Growers, Direct Marketing Association, School Counselors/FFA Teachers and Extension Agents Membership: There are five new VGIC members. Jeff will contact past companies and groups that participated on the Virginia Gardening.com site and solicit their membership. Treasurer’s Report: Membership Due /Reminders will be sent out. Bill Bonwell will set up a meeting for the State Master Gardeners to encourage membership and create a better understanding of VGIC.
Dr. Pat Sobrero, Director of Extension will be invited to the next meeting. Rick Baker, FISMIP Everyone is to submit their travel and related expenses to Rick when they are working on the promotion of the Green Industry Council. Lori Lincoln is spearheading the VGIC promotion at Strange’s Garden Center this March.
VGIC will have an “Ask the Expert” booth at the Virginia Food Festival, August 3, 2005. Monies from the FISMAT Grant may be used to support this program. In keeping with the mission to promote the VGIC, Michelle Fletcher will now be in charge of the VGIC Newsletter. It is critical that VGIC gets its name out to the public. Bearing that in mind, Rick will develop a consumer brochure promoting the VGIC and will develop a plan to promote the industry thru the garden centers throughout Virginia. He will work with Jeff on this project. Communications and Public Relations Chairperson: Local communications specialist, Sylvia Hoehns Wright, was appointed communications and pubic relations chairperson for the Virginia Green Industry Council’s Go Green project: a unified effort to strengthen and promote the Green Industry and maintain, promote and certify industry practices and principles that keep Virginia green and growing. As chairperson, Wright will oversee the evaluation of issues to champion, distribution of press releases and other forms of communication, recruitment and selection of advertising media, and updating of VGIC’s web site www.virginiagreen.org . Legislative and Agribusiness Update: Donna Pugh Johnson, President Agribusiness Council: Donna thanked the members of the VGIC for their support of the Agribusiness Banquet. Members of VGIC provided over 1,000 plants for the Banquet. The Green Industry was recognized as being a major force in Virginia’s agriculture. Once again legislators, staff and guests were “fighting” over the plants and flowers. Many thanks to the following companies that provided the plants to showcase Green Industry: (See list at end of minutes). The Drought Prevention Policy has been sent to the Governor. Please note that legislative critical issues that impact the Green Industry are sent to every council member via email. Please read the issues and respond to Donna or Jeff. That way, your voice is heard. Jamestown 2007 - There was a concern regarding the Jamestown 2007 program. Jeff has tried to contact Ross Richardson several times regarding the VGIC’s participation and no one has returned calls. VGIC has signed an agreement to support 2007 but without information and direction this will not be a possibility. State Fair Update: Fair dates for 2005 are September 22-October 2. The Fair will be held at the Richmond International Raceway through 2006. Carol Smallwood is coordinating the plant solicitation and installation. Thanks to everyone in advance for their generous donations of material, time and labor. AgDay will be September 23. The candidates for Governor will be invited to speak. Invasive Species: Mary recommended that the VGIC endorse an Invasive Code of Conduct that is used by many states. Next Meeting: June 20, 1:00 P.M. State Fair Office Respectively submitted, Lorene Blackwood
Legislative and Agribusiness Update: Donna Pugh Johnson, President Agribusiness Council: Donna thanked the members of the VGIC for their support of the Agribusiness Banquet. Members of VGIC provided over 1,000 plants for the Banquet. The Green Industry was recognized as being a major force in Virginia’s agriculture. Once again legislators, staff and guests were “fighting” over the plants and flowers. Many thanks to the following companies that provided the plants to showcase Green Industry: PLANTS FOR BANQUET | DONOR | CONTACT & TELEPHONE | DONATION | BATTLEFIELD FARMS 23190 CLARKS MOUNTAIN RD. RAPIDAN VA. 22733 | KENNY VANHOVEN 540-454-6485 | 200 4-INCH PRIMULA | BROOKMEADE SOD FARM 14328 MEDLEY GROVE LN DOSWELL VA | LOUIS BROOKING 804-893-6338 | DONATED SOD FOR STAGE | CHADWICK & SON 1240 DORSET RD. POWHATAN VA. 23139 | ART CHADWICK 404-598.7560 | 25 ASSORTED 6-INCH ORCHIDS | STONES GREENHOUSE P.O. BOX 1128 GLEN ALLEN VA. 23060 | RUSS STONE CELL 437-3701 | 60 4-INCH CYCLAMEN 20 6-INCH CYCLAMEN | WHITES GREENHOUSE 3133 OLD MILL RD. CHESAPEAKE VA. 23323 | TAL WHITE 757-487-1300 | 500 ASSORTED 4.5-INCH FLOWERS: ROSES , GERBER DAISY AND CINERARIA | WILLOW RUN COMP. PO BOX 6 ELKWOOD VA. 22718 | PETE GYORY 800-825-8812 | 104 ASSORTED 4-INCH IVY | YODER BROS. 115 3RD STREET SW BARBERTON OHIO 44203 | BILL RASBACH PRES. | 100 ASST 6-INCH AZALEA | LUTHER GREENHOUSE 2450 PEARTREE ROAD ELIZABETH CITY N.C. 27908 | BOB LUTHER 252-438-3751 | 300 4.5-INCH PANSEY | LIN'S LANDSCAPING 7388 POLEGREEN RD. MECHANICSVILLE. VA 23118 | LIN DIACONT 804-746-3737 | DECORATED HALLS AND PODIUM | BOULEVARD FLOWERS 3018 BOULEVARD COLONIAL HEIGHTS VA, 23834 | MARK LAN DA 804-526-4000 | 100 4-INCH PANSEY AND 50 ASSORTED POINSETTIAS | THE GREENHOUSE P.O. BOX 1086 GLEN ALLEN VA. 23060 | GEORGE MILES 804-262-7318 | 150 ASSORTED POINSETTIAS | WEBER'S NURSERY 937 MARTINSBURG PIKE WINCHESTER VA. 22801 | MIKE WEBER 540-662-4311 | 50 4-INCH CYCLAMEN | SMALLWOODS 14202 CHULA ROAD AMELIA VA, 23002 | CAROL SMALLWOOD 804-561-5307 | ORGANIZE PLANTS AT STRANGE'S SET UP AT ARTHUR ASHE CENTER | STATE FAIR OF VA. P.O. BOX 26805 RICHMOND. VA. 23261 | GWEN HUBBARD 804-539-6106 | PUT SPEED COVERS ON PLANTS AT STRANGE'S AND SET UP AT ARTHUR ASHE CENTER | SWIFT CREEK BERRY FARM AND GREENHOUSE 17210 GENITO ROAD MOSELEY, VA. 23120 | CLYDE GOODE 804-739-2037 | PLACED PLANTS AT ARTHUR ASHE CENTER THURSDAY MORNING |
VGIC Group Presentations Report for March 7, 2005 Board meeting I presented the VGIC PowerPoint presentation to the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Board on January 7.
Shelly Arthur did the presentation to the VSLD on February 26.
I have the following for a presentation
• MAC-ISA (arborist) on March 18 in Charlottesville
• Direct Marketing Association on March 23 at Graves Mountain
• Scenic VA on April 11 in Richmond I've added 3 additional info slides at the end on:
1. Current VGIC Activities
2. Things VGIC groups are working on separately, but in common
3. What Your Association can do Please let me know if your association/board/group would like to schedule a presentation.
Jeff Miller Proposed: The Green Industry’s Position On Invasive Plant Species In Virginia  | The Green Industry professionals have a strong vested interest in environmental stewardship supporting measures designed to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants. | | The Green Industry intends to give full cooperation to the Virginia Invasive Species Council (VISC) when working through the decision making on invasive plants. | | The Green Industry endorses the Virginia Invasive Species Council to have thorough consideration and analysis of the best available scientific, environmental, and economic factors as a plant considered for invasive list. | | The Green Industry have continual participation in developing the criteria for evaluating the potential for invasive plants species and regulating what plants can be grown, sold, transported, installed and imported. | | The Green Industry plays an important role of educating the consumer about using alternative plants to ones that are potentially invasive in the area and in the state of Virginia. | | The Green Industry plays an important role of educating the industry about using alternative plants to ones that are potentially invasive in the area and in the state of Virginia. | | The Green Industry plays an important role in promoting alternative plants and volunteering to reduce sales and production of plants that are on the invasive plant species list. | | The Green Industry takes volunteer measures to train their professionals to use Best Management Practices by promoting the principle of “putting the right plant in the right place”. |
Observations for the Green Industry Plant Introductions: Propose a risk assessment type system where new plants would first have to be proven non-invasive before being released onto the market.
Ensure that invasive potential is assessed prior to introducing and marketing new plant species. Identification - Always have plants identified by their botanical names along with the common name. Plant Lists - The nursery industry needs to review commercially available plants from both previous and future invasive plant lists, with a good understanding of the plants’ problems from both environmental and economic points of view. Economic Impact - Growers and retailers in the nursery industry can be financially affected in a negative way when having to loose sales from phasing out or eradicating plants that are listed invasive. The industry needs to develop its own criteria for an economic impact study to determine the financial loss of sales of plants on future invasive plant lists and examine the financial loss when switching plant production from one plant to an alternative. This can take from five to ten years. Cultivars - There needs to be less confusion and more scientific facts when “blacklisting” an entire species of a plant. There may be cultivars or hybrids that behave differently than their parent species and will not spread. Continual research needs to be done to understand the behavior of invasiveness of cultivars.
Questions need to be asked: Do the cultivars pose a threat to the environment?
Do the cultivars cause substantial economic damage?
Do the cultivars behave differently than its parent species? Use these considerations when considering invasive plants and alternative plants:
Plants’ impact on ecosystems
Plants’ invasive traits such as runners, seeds or potential for human dispersal;
Plants’ actual distribution over various ecosystems
Plants being dangerous, a threat or a nuisance
Plants creating a monoculture that harms biodiversity
Alternatives: Plants attracting beneficial insects
Plants preventing soil erosion
Plants provide a habitat and/or food for birds and other wild animals Alternatives - The nursery industry develops their own list of landscape alternatives, making suggestions for additions and deletions from previous alternatives.
• Have plans in place for gradual withdrawal of invasive species.
• Have extensive research to find ways of making sterile invasive plants that are popular with the public. Analyzing Native plants in the landscape
When landscaping, focus on plants adapted to a site as well as relative to the desired purpose.
Plants were native to locations far removed from where they are currently native.
Conditions change and with the change plant species shift or adapt or die.
Just because a plant is native to a site does not necessarily mean that site and conditions are optimum for its growth.
At some point in time, all plants here today that we consider native were probably invasive. Growth Conditions -
Just because a plant is growing native under certain conditions does not mean that it is at its peak or optimum. It simply means that it is able to tolerate the current conditions and survive.
Changing local site conditions, the plant can become more vigorous and aggressive in the future as conditions become more favorable.
To have successful plantings on highly disturbed urban sites, we must look to plants with a wide range of tolerance. (Nandina example)
It needs to be considered that some plants are chosen for growing well in a particular landscape for the very reason others consider it is invasive (groundcovers) – they are considered invasive for doing what they’re supposed to do – spread. Questions and Observations for the Virginia Invasive Species Council Survey – In order to determine the scope of invasive plants, have a survey of publicly owned natural areas.
When surveying invasive plants, determine how many acres are affected Education – When a plant is considered invasive, have enough funds in place for public education mentioning alternatives to invasive plant species.
Have in place an extensive public education campaign that mentions alternatives to invasive plant species. This helps to eliminate public demand for invasive plants from the retail end of the Green Industry, while creating a new market for alternatives. Economic Impact - Be aware of the economic impact to the Green Industry due to the loss of sales when plants can no longer be sold or put on an invasive plant list. There needs to be consideration that some plants are chosen for growing well in a particular landscape for the very reason others consider it is invasive (groundcovers) – they are considered invasive for doing what they’re supposed to do – spread. Have extensive research in place to find ways of making sterile invasive plants that are popular with the public. Questions:
• Will the state be reimbursing growers their lost revenue when a commercial plant is put on an invasive plant list?
• Is a plant best adapted to where it is native? Just because a plant is native to an area, does that mean that the location/conditions are where it grows best?
• Consider adaptation of a plant to a site or region instead of just native versus exotic.
• Will there be research on cultivars of the considered invasive plant?
• Will there be in place scientific proof that determines that plants do indeed escape from a managed landscape into the wilds, where they become invasive?
• Each year new ornamental plants are developed; will every new plant have to be proven non-invasive before being released into the marketplace?
• What is the procedure for removing a plant once it is on the list?
• Is a plant necessarily best adapted to where it is native?
• Just because a plant is native to an area, does that mean that the location/conditions are where it grows best?
• Shouldn’t adaptation of a plant to a site or region be considered instead of just native versus exotic? Plants behave differently, even within their own species/family/variety. Some plants on the invasive plant list have cultivars (or hybrids) that are popular, but don’t seem to be invasive like their cousins. When is more research needed?\\
• Is it always bad for an invasive to create a monoculture that changes biodiversity?
PRESIDENTS REPORT 03-07-05 We Crawled in 2004
We are Walking in 2005
We will be Running by 2006
Please encourage all associations to think about
how they can coordinate their efforts through the VGIC People need to think of the "Go Green" in VGIC as a source
and supporter of the newest - the best - and the most fun in gardening. JANUARY
Attended many seminars and meetings to promote VGIC
Worked on increasing membership both Association ad Individual
Those Associations or groups I made contact with (See Membership notes below)
Develop Association List-go to meeting to discuss opportunities, membership package-Power Point Presentation (See Membership notes below)
On suggestion from Nanette-contacted Michelle Fletcher about Newsletter
Worked with Bonnie Appleton on getting certifications posters out in magazines
Solicited support from groups listed on poster
Kept abreast of legislation affecting our industry
Talked with Maryland’s Green Industry Council Representatives @ MANTS
Talked with representatives from North Carolina Green Industry Council by phone
Communicate with “Project Evergreen” Board
FEBRUARY
Met with VTC Legislative Committee
Discussed re-organization of group
How VGIC could help
Encouraged them to coordinate efforts trough VGIC
Shad Planking Opportunities-Let VGIC Represent industry with their and other associations support
Michele agreed to serve as Newsletter Editor
Continued attending many seminars and meetings to promote VGIC
Continued working on increasing membership both Association ad Individual
Those Associations or groups I made contact with (See Membership notes below)
Continued working with Bonnie Appleton on getting certifications posters out in magazines
Kept abreast of legislation affecting our industry
Discuss with Computer person about doing Committee Reports On-Line
Talked with New Jersey Green Industry Council representative @ Landscape Supply Show Roanoke
Attended Virginia Agriculture Summit-Roanoke
Tom Saunders, Saunders Brothers Nursery represented VGIC on panel
Met with Dean Sharron Quisenberry-discuss Industry needs concerns, asked her how we could help her. (continued discussion)
Communicate with “Project Evergreen” Board MARCH
Discussed Newsletter thoughts with Michele
Prepped Agenda for meeting COMMITTEE WORK, THOUGHTS SUGGESTIONS
GENERAL COMMITTEE NOTES
Each committee is requested to meet in between board meetings to plan and discuss committee work
Prepare and send reports to Jeff prior to board meeting
Make reports on-line when available
Use the Grant money as appropriate per committee in a timely fashion. MEMBERSHIP
VA Small Fruit and Specialty Growers Association, c/o Tony Bratsch (Jeff Miller)
MAC/ISA-(Jeff Miller)Jeff
Christmas Tree Growers-Sue Bostic (Jeff-Lin)
RPGMS-Lin-agreed to support when funds are available
Virginia Native Plant Society-Jeff
Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association-
Virginia Irrigation Association- still working on these guys
Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association- check should be forthcoming
Virginia Turfgrass Foundation- check should be forthcoming
Virginia Golf Summit-coordinating with them and Golf Course guys
Virginia Horticulture Foundation-agreed to support
Landscape Supply Seminars-Roanoke and Richmond On List to Contact
Old Dominion Turf Equipment Mechanics Association-did not get to talk with them but will do so ASAP
Piedmont Landscape Association, Charlottesville
President Bart McDowell 540-888-3836
Virginia Urban Forest Council
James River Equipment
Coordinate invoice mailings and renewals with Jeff
Track membership status, new, renewed, not renewed
Encourage new membership
Submit Budget request In Kind Considerations
FFA, Maymont, Lewis Ginter, Norfolk Botanical, Virginia Beach Flower Show, Belvedere Plantation Flower and Garden Show others Sponsorships/Pledges Possibilities
VTC, VNLA, Va Flower Growers, etc
WEB PAGE
Hits
Scholarships
FFA
State Fair
VNLA
Calendar of Events
Ideas - Jeff is requesting ideas and info for the websites.
VGIC websites link to information resources on member association sites rather than trying to re-create the same info.
Links: Company Listings - are they members? Do they need to be or should they be? FSMIP
Clearly define the activities through our committees.
Exit Survey
• Maymont-Lorene, Gwen, Karen, Lin ( no opportunity)
• Strange’s-Lorrie-needs help-solicit members
• Lewis Ginter-Lorrie
• Farm and Family Showcase 72 surveys, Sept 2003; (no longer available)
• The State Fair of Virginia 520 Surveys, Sept 2003
• Maymont Garden Show 78 Surveys, Feb 2004 Open House, LEGISLATION-Lorene
New Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bloxom
National Policy
RISE-Frank Gasperini
Federal Estate Tax Repeal
Invasive Species BUDGET-Cary
Organize budget Request
Pre Budget for fiscal year
Solicit for budget input from Committees
Make report at Board Meeting regarding budget
Consider and recommend monetary request
NEWSLETTER: Michele Fletcher
(Sent these thoughts about Newsletter to Michele)
Committee
Is there anyone that you would specifically like to serve with you on this committee?
I will solicit support at board meeting
Timeline
Publication Dates
Publication Deadlines
Budget
Printing and mailing
Format: Start with a one-page 8.5x11 or maybe an 8.5x14. Grow it from there
Quarterly, possibly bi-monthly
Topics
News releases
Used on 32 Local Virginia Newspapers
Activities
Future
Updates on current or recent involvement
Upcoming events,
What’s going on in our industry
Legislative Update
Committee Reports
Solicitation for membership
Membership Benefits
New member intro’s
Member recognition
Meeting minute,
Items of interest or industry concerns,
Info about Web Sites,
Article about FISMIP, surveys, summary of reports/findings
COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS, JOYCE LATIMER(NEED TO FIND A NEW CHAIR)
VGIC Marketing Plan-Need to update the website. Grant money can be used for this.
A Green Industry Newsletter needs to be designed and set up for press releases.
Articles for newspaper columns need to be developed.
Develop guidelines for listing members in brochures, websites, etc. Should logos, websites, names etc be listed?
Certification –
It was suggested that a tag line be added “Brought to you by members of the Virginia Green Industry Council” or similar rather than using logos of the different groups.
It was also suggested that ethnic diversity be considered in the “models”.
Tennessee Greenhouse Growers locator maps
Do something similar for Virginia PROGRAM AND EDUCATION, GREG EATON
Events
Green Industry Expo
Meadow Farms
The P&E Committee will increase efforts to formulate a stand-alone Green Expo John Deere Landscapes and Smith Turf and Irrigation
VGIC Board input on this ‘flagship’ event is strongly encouraged.
Promotional PowerPoint Presentation
Prepare budget and projections for event
Make budget request as appropriate for current and future endeavors
Agribusiness Council Functions
Food Festival
Golf Tourney
Appreciation Banquet
Ag in the Classroom
Autumn Jubilee
FFA Career Day- FUTURE PLANS
Review what wine industry people did to get strategic plan in place for council
Shad Planking, April 20th-coordinate Green Industry Groups to attend
Belvedere Plantation Flower & Garden Marketplace
Surf and Turf
Home and Garden Shows-Complimentary Booths
Encourage all contacts to go to our Websites and to offer suggestions on how we can better serve them
Develop Association List-go to meeting to discuss opportunities, membership package-Power Point Presentation (See Membership notes below)
Coordinate Industry Wide survey-work with VGIC
Work on spill plan program-industry wide specifications for our members Books at Conferences
Need to hook Don Byrne(computer guy) with Jeff to setup committee reports page on-line
Call all committee Chair people to discuss committees
Contact Pennsylvania and California Green Industry Councils
Contact 4-H for possible support and membership | 
