On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA February - March 2017 | Page 22

Green Industry News

HRI Announces Best Bee Practices

The Horticultural Research Institute ( HRI ), the research foundation of AmericanHort , has announced the release of “ Best Management Practices ( BMPs ) for Bee Health in the Horticultural Industry .”
BMPs are intended to inform horticultural professionals about the green industry ’ s impact on bee health . Through the use of BMP guidelines , horticulture can continue to play an important role in pollinator health .
HRI developed the BMPs , which cover greenhouse and nursery production , woody ornamentals and managed landscapes , with the assistance of researchers and apiarists throughout North America . Updates to these recommendations will be made as additional research results regarding bee and pollinator health are released .
For the full Best Management Practices ( BMPs ) for Bee Health in the Horticultural Industry , visit GrowWise , Bee Smart .

Bailey ’ s Spring Previews

To kick off the spring season , Bailey Nurseries hosts an annual Spring Preview meeting for its customers throughout the United States . These one-day meetings provide education , new variety information and retail support programs to encourage a successful and profitable spring season . In addition to a brief update on Bailey Nurseries and brand programs , nationally recognized ZingTrain will discuss “ The Art of Giving Great Customer Service ” in a half-day workshop .
For the first Spring Preview on the East Coast , Bailey Nurseries will be bringing Michael Dirr to offer a keynote on “ Hydrangea Breeding , Selection and Marketing ” in Boston . In addition to the keynote address , ZingTrain will give a morning seminar on “ Creating a Culture of Great Service .” Bailey Nurseries will provide an update on 2017 promotional plans and retail support .

Corona Tools Joins Seed Keep Project

Corona Tools has joined the 7th annual Seed Keep Project . The support will include helping to grow the project and supply garden snips for every winning school garden . “ Corona Tools is excited to become a sponsor of the Seed Keeper Project . It is important for children to become acquainted with the life skill of gardening ,” said Chris Sabbarese , Corona Tools ’ Digital Marketing & Communications Manager and GWA member and sponsor .
The winning schools also receive Gardenpedia : An A-Z Guide to Gardening Terms ( St . Lynn ’ s Press ), a donation by its authors by Maria Zampini , GWA Secretary , and Pam Bennett , GWA member .
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Chanticleer hosts Aaron Bertelsen

Chanticleer presents the 17th annual Lecture March 27 , in collaboration with the Radnor Library . Aaron Bertelsen will speak about his new book , The Great Dixter Cookbook . Check the Chanticleer website for details .
Chanticleer opens for the 2017 season on Wednesday , March 29 , and is open Wednesdays through Sundays , 10 a . m . to 5 p . m . until October 29 . GWA members receive free admission .
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AHS Gets New URL

The American Horticultural Society ( AHS ) has begun transitioning to a new website address : www . ahsgardening . org . The old website will continue to function until March 31 , 2017 . During that time , visitors will be redirected to the new one . AHS email addresses are also changing accordingly .
This move is part of a long-term strategy to update and refresh AHS assets and branding leading up to the society ’ s 100th anniversary in 2022 . “ There are several organizations that have initials or acronyms similar to ours , so our new website address will help to differentiate us when people are searching online for gardening information ,” explains AHS Executive Director Tom Underwood . “ Our new domain name is intended to more clearly indicate what we ’ re all about .”
Although the address has been changed , the AHS website itself remains the same , so visitors to www . ahsgardening . org will still find all the resources and other content available at the old address .
Lunch at MANTS has become an annual gathering point for GWA members . This year , more than 100 GWA members , vendors or sponsors were spotted on the exhibition show floor , January 11-13 . Thirty-seven members and friends Connected at the Lord Baltimore Hotel lobby bar and more than 50 attended the press preview and breakfast sponsored by MANTS . Special thanks go to show managers Vanessa and Kelly Finney and MANTS ’ Board of Directors for the excellent support they have given to GWA ’ s expanding presence at the show .
PHOTO COURTESY KIRK BROWN
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