Green Industry News
All-America Selections , based in Downers Grove , Illinois , has a redesigned , responsive website to better serve garden communicators , says director Diane Blazek . Go to either all-americaselections . org or aaswinners . com to see the new look and functions . Information about AAS winners and display gardens is freely available ; simply copy or download any image or text and attribute the photo — by variety name — to All-America Selections .
AIB 2017 deadline
Encourage your community to participate ! Registration deadline is February 28 , 2017 . Download details and registration forms .
PHOTO COURTESY BRENTANDBECKYSBULBS . COM
PHOTO COURTESY LAURA KUNKLE
America in Bloom Management Transitions to New Company
Professional management of America in Bloom ( AIB ) is transitioning from AmericanHort to Second Wind Management , effective January 1 , 2017 . Since America in Bloom ’ s founding in 2001 , OFA ( now called AmericanHort ) has served as its home and has provided administrative leadership and support .
Now that AIB has reached maturity and is self-sustaining , it is starting a new phase of exciting programs designed to encourage economic development centered on horticulture , environmental awareness , heritage preservation and volunteerism , according to an AmericanHort news release .
Second Wind Management LLC , is a Columbus , Ohio-based non-profit management company owned by GWA member Laura Kunkle , who has served as America in Bloom ’ s executive director through her employment with AmericanHort .
“ I ’ m looking forward to the next chapter in my career ,” Kunkle said . “ I ’ ve been involved with AIB since day one and am excited to help lead America in Bloom into the future through managing the organization via my own company . Maintaining my long-standing relationship with America in Bloom is such an honor and I thank AIB ’ s leadership for their trust and support .”
GRATEFUL FOR AMERIHORT SUPPORT
Katy Moss Warner , president of AIB , thanked AmericanHort for serving as AIB ’ s home for the past 15 years . “ It ’ s been a wonderful partnership , and AmericanHort ’ s support has allowed AIB to grow to the point that we can now explore new directions ,” she said .
Ken Fisher , AmericanHort President and CEO , said , “ AmericanHort supports the mission and vision of AIB , and plans to continue promoting AIB . This program is essential for the horticulture industry , and we will continue to help AIB spread its important message .”
America in Bloom connects people to plants at the grassroots level , and educates and promotes the benefits of horticulture products and services . It is a volunteer-driven organization that depends on its board of directors , professional judges and others to fulfill its vision . Ultimately , AIB helps communities throughout the country to become welcoming and vibrant places to live , work , and play , benefitting from colorful plants and trees ; enjoying clean environments ; celebrating heritage ; and planting pride through volunteerism .
Effective January 1 , the contact information will be : America in Bloom , P . O . Box 44005 , Columbus , OH 43204 , 614-463-0744 , aib @ AmericaInBloom . org , AmericaInBoom . org .
The National Garden Bureau declares 2017 is the Year of the Daffodil , including ‘ Tahiti ’.
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NGB announces 2017 year of honorees
Diane Blazek reports that the National Garden Bureau has declared 2017 the Year of the Pansy , the Year of the Brassica , the Year of the Rose ( in cooperation with the American Rose Society ) and the Year of the Daffodil ( in cooperation with the American Daffodil Society ). Free promotional materials on all these plants are available to garden communicators at nbg . org , including “ Year of ” PowerPoint presentations available through its SlideShare account .
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Walters Gardens launches new website
Walters Gardens Inc ., one of the country ’ s largest growers of perennials , has redone its website — waltersgardens . com — to facilitate wholesale ordering and to make it mobile friendly .
Garden writers rely on the Walters Gardens website for low- and high-resolution photos , which are downloadable at no charge . “ GWA members will need to register at the new site to gain access to the photography ,” said Karin Walters , marketing director at Walters Gardens .
She reminds GWA members to give photo credit to PerennialResource . com , which is Walters Gardens ’ consumer website that has lots of information about the plants to growers and markets .
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