GrassSolutions - July 2019

In this issue:

Shape the Research Agenda
Spread the Power of Plants
Why You Should Let Nature Take Over Your Lawn
Circular Cities: What Can Green Infrastructure Do?
Six Powerhouse Native Grasses
Forgotten Landscapes: The Rich Grasslands of the Southeast
Cultivate'19 Recap
Upcoming Events

Shape the Research Agenda

The IR-4 project's biennial survey is the best way to tell researchers what disease, pest, and weed problems you face. It's aimed at issues you have a difficult time managing because you don't have sufficient tools to address them.

This survey helps direct funding and priorities for research. It's worth your time to chime in. The survey deadline is July 31, so you have just a few days left.

Tell them what you need. Take the grower survey.

Going Greener

Spread the Power of Plants

Feeling stressed? Can't concentrate? Walking outside and being around plants can make it better. Those of us who work with plants know they're powerful. Research being done across disciplines continues to bear that out. To begin pulling it all together, Dr. Charlie Hall and colleague Melinda Knuth have published a review of the emotional and mental health benefits of plants.

According to the authors, "This paper is the first of a four-part series that provides a review of the substantial body of peer-reviewed research that has been conducted regarding the economic, environmental, and health and well-being benefits of green industry products and services. This article focuses specifically on the health and well-being benefits."

Why conduct this research? It's critical for our industry to show consumers how the goods and services we provide are improving their quality of life. It demonstrates the value of what we do. Now it's up to us to include it in our marketing messages and get the word out. We'll keep an eye out for the next paper in their series.

Read the article

Why You Should Let Nature Take Over Your Lawn

Referencing well-known designers Larry Weaner, Claudia West, Roy Diblik, and others, Popular Mechanics takes an ecological approach to American landscapes. In this interesting article, they make the case for letting nature do the driving.

Read more
www.popularmechanics.com

Circular Cities: What Can Green Infrastructure Do?

Green infrastructure is a planned network of natural and semi-natural areas in urban areas strategically designed to solve problems with storm water management, heat stress, air quality and biodiversity. Circular cities take their cues from nature.

Read more
m.phys.org

Going with Native Grasses

Six Powerhouse Native Grasses

With so many native grasses to choose from, where do you start? The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center profiled the cream of the crop – powerhouse grasses that are native far and wide across the U.S. and have great garden appeal. We love their list!

Read more
www.wildflower.org

Forgotten Landscapes: The Rich Grasslands of the Southeast

Did you know the remaining grassland in the Southeastern U.S. includes more grassland plants and animals than the Great Plains and Midwest combined? This excellent article describes the why and how of work being done to preserve what's left.

Read more
e360.yale.edu

Cultivate'19 Recap

Cultivate'19 was a rousing success! Hoffman Nursery's team was there for a intense few days of networking, hearing from customers, and expanding their knowledge. A few highlights:

Martha Hamblin, our Director of HR & Legal, helped host the first "It's All About the Workforce," workshop. Reports and feedback from attendees were very positive.
David Hoffman, our Chief Customer Experience Officer, was honored as one of GPN's 40 Under 40 Class of 2019. It was thrilling to see all these young professionals being recognized!
Head Grower Bill Hall received the Excellence in Leadership Medal from Greenhouse Grower. He was also a finalist for the Head Grower of the Year award, which went to Battlefield Farm's Marc Verdel. Congrats to all the evening's winners and nominees!

At the 40 Under 40 event: (top row) Bill Hall, Jessica Hall, David Hoffman, Jill Hoffman, John Hoffman; (bottom row) Martha Hamblin, Sara Bell, Shannon Currey

Thanks to everyone who came by the booth and who attended and/or hosted these events. It's a wonderful reminder that we're part of a fantastic industry.

Upcoming Events

National Perennial Plant Symposium

July 28-August 2, 2019; Chicago, IL

It's almost here! The Perennial Plant Association's starts this Sunday, July 27. It brings together all kinds of professionals devoted to perennials.

In Chicago this year, it will be held for the first time in conjunction with All-American Selections and the National Garden Bureau. Our Marketing Director Shannon Currey will be speaking on Success with Sedges.

TNLA Nursery/Landscape EXPO

August 8-10, 2019; San Antonio, TX

After a great experience last summer, we are going back to the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association's (TNLA) big show. Grasses and sedges are also getting big in Texas, and we're thrilled to be a part of it. Find us at there in Booth 4014.

Our Marketing Director, Shannon Currey, will be part of the educational sessions. Her presentation, Time to Think Green...Infrastructure will give an overview of green infrastructure and factors driving its implementation. Using examples from Hoffman Nursery’s palette of grasses and sedges, she'll explore new approaches and ways to capitalize on this expanding market. Catch her on Thursday, August 8 from 3-4pm.

Nursery Management Conference

October 1-3, 2019; Fort Worth, TX

Be inspired. See the Future. That's the vision for Nursery Management's conference this fall. They're bringing together nursery professionals to discuss the issues impacting the horticulture industry today, and the impact they will have in the years ahead.

We've attended in the past and are excited to see this conference expanding. Their goal is to give you actionable, tangible ideas that that will improve production processes, bolster business management techniques and grow profits. Sounds like a plan!