Marketplace News

Syngenta Flowers breaks ground on $8.25 million research and development flower breeding center
Syngenta Flowers (www.syngentaflowersinc.com)—the global company known for its breeding and production of hybrid flower seed and vegetative cuttings for pot and bedding plants—recently broke ground on an $8.25 million research and development campus in Gilroy, Calif. The company plans to build a "world-class R&D Center of Excellence for ornamental horticulture."

In an interview with GIE Media's Horticulture Group, Tim Kroenke, head of Syngenta Lawn & Garden, North America; and Keelan Pulliam, president of Syngenta Flowers in North America, emphasized the comprehensive scope of the R&D activities that will take place at the Gilroy facility.

"Again, it's not only traditional breeding we'll be investigating," Pulliam said, "but how to integrate growing media and other elements."

Kroenke added: "One of the areas we have a lot of interest in is: 'How can we make the consumer experience better, as well? How do we make a plant even more foolproof?'"

Pulliam and Kroenke also discussed their desire to use innovative approaches at the facility, allowing Syngenta to break out of a "business as usual" mentality that characterizes the green industry. Pullliam emphasized that the time is right for Syngenta to make investments and changes.
 

Enrollment opens for GCU class of 2014
The first semester of Garden Center University: Class of 2014 will be held January 24-25, 2012, at the ANLA Clinic in Louisville, Ky., (www.anlaclinic.org). Participants will meet five times over two years, graduating in January 2014. The fee is $599 per semester, with a 10-percent discount for members who pay for all semesters upfront. The program, billed as a mini-MBA for garden centers, is led by respected industry consultant and Garden Center magazine contributing editor Ian Baldwin.

SUPERthrive inventor to celebrate 100th birthday
Dr. John A. A. Thomson, inventor of the vitamins-hormones solution SUPERthrive (www.superthrive.com), will celebrate his 100th birthday on November 23. Thomson developed SUPERthrive in 1939 and founded Vitamin Institute to market it. Seventy-two years later, he is still active in the company.
 

America in Bloom 2011 award winners announced
Winners of the prestigious 2011 America in Bloom national awards were announced at the organization's annual program held in the Washington, D.C., area on Oct. 6-8.

"Quality of life is an important element in promoting a city, and is an important factor in its economic prosperity. We know that beauty is one of the factors that tie people to a community, and congratulate not only the winners, but all the participants on their efforts," said awards program chairperson, Jack Clasen.

Each participating town was judged on eight criteria: tidiness, community involvement, environmental awareness, heritage, urban forestry, landscape, floral displays, and turf and groundcovers across three sectors: municipal, residential and commercial.

Specially trained judges visited towns of similar populations and spent two days touring each town, meeting municipal officials, residents and volunteers.

America in Bloom president Marvin Miller stated, "We are excited that these cities are participating in America in Bloom's national award program. With this commitment, they join with nearly 200 other cities across the U.S. and many more around the world which have recognized the importance of flowers, trees, and other plants to the economic, environmental, psychological and sociological well-being of their residents."
 

Population category winners:

• Sackets Harbor, N.Y. - Under 4,000 Population Category
• Gallipolis, Ohio - 4,001 – 10,000 Population Category
• Bexley, Ohio - 10,001 – 15,000 Population Category
• Arroyo Grande, Calif. - 15,001 – 25,000 Population Category
• Holland, Mich. - 25,001 – 50,000 Population Category
• Fayetteville, Ark. - Over 50,000 Population Category

Criteria award winners:
These awards are based on feedback received from the teams of judges on outstanding efforts they witnessed during their summer of judging across America. These criteria awards only go to one community among all the AIB entrants across all population categories.

• Tidiness: Holland, Mich.
• Environmental Effort: McCall, Idaho
• Community Involvement: Washington, Mo.
• Heritage Preservation: Arroyo Grande, Calif.
• Urban Forestry: Bexley, Ohio
• Landscaped Areas: Sackets Harbor, Mich.
• Floral Displays: Springfield, Ohio
• Turf & Groundcover Areas: Fayetteville, Ark.

Special award winners:

• Best Hanging Baskets: Demopolis, Ala.
• Most Whimsical Feature: North East, Pa.– frog sculptures
• Best Adaptive Reuse Project: Gallipolis, Ohio: Ariel Theatre – Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Center
• Most Beautiful Town Entrance: Rising Sun, Ind.
• Greatest Number of Years in AIB: Fayetteville, Ark.
• Best Community Garden Program: Coshocton, Ohio
• Best Feature for Young People: Springfield, Ohio – Eco-Sports Corridor
• Most Creative Ideas for Fundraising: Springfield, Ohio – Hollandia Botanical Garden (sell butterflies to be released in the name of a loved one)
• Most Creative Idea in the Past 10 Years: The "Ten Years of Best Ideas" book by Evelyn Alemanni that presents nearly 2,000 best practices and photos of accomplishments by America in Bloom participating towns over the past 10 years.

Registrations for the 2012 program can be submitted until Feb. 28, 2012.

America in Bloom is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements.

America in Bloom provides educational programs, resources, and an annual national program that provides one-on-one mentoring and written evaluations to towns and cities around the United States.