Help the Georgia green industry make it through spring
The drought in Georgia has shaken state and local officials. Their reaction was to enact a strict ban on all outdoor watering. By early December 2007, the restrictions contributed to unemployment of about half the green industry.
Sherry Loudermilk, executive director of the Georgia Green Industry Association, and many others have been lobbying on several fronts to save the industry. Their campaigning led to the watering ban being lifted at the state level in February.
However, the public is still reluctant to garden. The Georgia green industry has decided a publicity campaign is needed to teach homeowners that gardening is safe and can actually help with drought, if done responsibly. For that, funds are needed.
Keep reading to see Loudermilk’s letter to GGIA members and supporters. A link to the donation form is included.
-- Carol
Dear GGIA Members and Supporters,
As many of you may know by previous e-mails, the industry is working hard on your behalf legislatively. Most important to all of us is the ability for our customers to water product whether it be a landscaper or consumer. GGIA, in conjunction with our UAC partners [Urban Ag. Council], is working diligently on this issue and many others. GGIA has already invested over $65,000 toward these efforts in the last 5 months. In order to continue the fight, we need your financial support.
As an industry we are in need of raising $150,000 to $200,000 to continue the fight. GGIA and its fellow UAC organizations are challenging our members to contribute toward these efforts. Many of you may want details as to where this money would go. Here is an overview of what this money is needed for:
1) Water Variance Program - With the Governor’s press release a few weeks back we have worked diligently with UAC to address the logistics and promotion strategy for the variance program allowing landscapes and retail garden centers to attract the customers back. We now have the variance program finalized and UAC website will provide an online portal to obtain the variance needed by the homeowner or professional. In addition, the program has been deployed out to the Extension Service in every county and it is available for the general public to obtain through their Extension office. What is now necessary is a media/awareness campaign both for the value of gardening and how to obtain the variance. This will take a significant investment and a financial campaign is in the process of rolling out. Please seriously consider contributing to this campaign. Without effectively communicating to our consumers the availability of this program, our businesses will face greater losses this spring.
2) Legislative Monitoring - As you may have seen from previous updates, we are at the capitol several times speaking in committee hearings and ensuring our position is heard on bills that impact our industry. Most recently we have been successful in defeating a flawed Invasive Plant Bill, securing support for a Pre-Emption Bill, and are working on a Drought-tolerant Plant List Bill in contention now. Furthermore we have secured funding from the Commissioner of Agriculture for promotion of the Water Variance Program.
3) Providing Water Management Consultation - GGIA has retained the services of a 30 year water management veteran that also consults for Florida and North Carolina’s Green Industry. He has been instrumental in meetings with the Lt. Governor, Governor and EPD staff. Further assistance is needed in working with local water authorities on the current drought management crisis and with all state leaders on the long term impact the State Water Management Plan will have on our industry.
There are other related initiatives, but the three above are the most critical to ensuring your business and our industry pulls through this current crisis. GGIA is challenging each of you to consider donating to this effort and funding is needed immediately. If your business depends on the available flow of water, then your business depends on the success of the efforts undertaken by the leaders of GGIA and UAC on your behalf.
Would you please consider contributing to our efforts at one of the following levels? Additional funds are needed by March 15th.
Individual Sponsor: $50.00
Company Sponsor:
Bronze - $250
Silver - $500
Gold - $1,000
Platinum - $5,000 or greater
Payments can be made by check and payable to GGIA. You can call the office and make a contribution by credit card as well. Return your check to GGIA, PO Box 369, Epworth, GA 30541. A donation form can be downloaded by clicking here: Donation form.
As of today, we have received Gold Sponsor donations from Classic Groundcovers and McCorkle Nurseries. Each of these companies challenge you to invest in YOUR industry.
On behalf of GGIA, the entire Board wants to thank you for contributing to the future of our industry, which is in fact the future of your own business. All financial supporters will be recognized in upcoming Journal publication.
After twenty plus years, the metro Atlanta garden center “professionals” still have not wised up. They all deserved to go out of business due to their lack of leadership. Shame on them. Shame, shame, shame! So do not cry for them.
How many times does this have to happen before they get a clue? Pikes Nurseries DID NOT goes into bankruptcy due to the lack of rainfall the past several years. It was poor management by the Pike Family and NOT Roark Capital. Randy thought they could compete with the big box stores – wrong. Well let’s see… Pikes’ 22 location compared to a few thousand big box stores – mmm. Who has the bigger purchase power? That translates into better prices and terms for the buyer. Do the math.
The local industry MUST educate the public and do it on constant basis. If they do not rally together, then they should kiss it goodbye.
Posted by: Morton Baker | March 13, 2008 at 11:16 PM