Make plans to attend the March 17 PAC Fundraiser in Asheville. See the details in the invitation below and use the registration form to attend or donate to the PAC!

ASHEVILLE PAC INVITATION

ASHEVILLE PAC REGISTRATION FORM

The Green Industry Council held it’s 2010 Annual Meeting on January 14 at the Sheraton Hotel Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. The meeting was during the Green & Growin” show, which combines several days of educational classes and a trade show.

GIC members gathered to socialize at a reception sponsored by Syngenta, followed by a short business meeting where members voted to approve the new 2010 officers: President, Dennis Niemeyer; Vice President, Buddy Murrow; & Sec./Treasurer, Doug Chapman.

Guest speakers for the event were Rep. Hugh Holliman, Rep. Pryor Gibson and Rep. Thom Tillis. Rep. Holliman spoke to the group on some of the environmental improvements that have been enacted in NC over the past several years.

Rep. Pryor Gibson stressed the importance of continuing the work being done by the GIC, but added that more people need to be involved. Staying in touch with your legislators and building that relationship before an issue comes up is key to helping advance green industry issues. Doug Chapman presented Rep. Gibson with the “2009 Legislator of the Year” plaque for his ongoing support of the green industry.

Rep. Tillis remarked on the impact of the tax on services to small and medium businesses. He also sees the state playing a bigger role in immigration issues going forward. He is very opposed to the “Card Check” push by unions and this is something the GIC also opposed and lobbied against in 2009. Buddy Murrow presented Rep. Tillis with the “2009 Friend of the Green Industry” plaque for his work with the green industry this year.

Here is a composite of photos from our recent PAC fundraisers around the state.(Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, & Wilson)

Photos of the GIC PAC Fundraiser Nov. 20 in Raleigh at the JCRA. Those attending the Raleigh fundraiser mingled with guest speakers Rep. Paul Stam, Rep. Pryor Gibson & Jake Parker from NC Farm Bureau. (click on photos to enlarge)

Greensboro PAC Invitation

The GIC booth was full of information about the Water Wise Works consumer education program, Liquid Assets pilot program in Charlotte, examples of smart irrigation technology, our green industry economic impact study, the Environmental Benefits of Turf brochures, Water Rights books, Turf-Files info and more. We made many good contacts with municipalities and took several orders for the Water Wise Works brochures as well as handed out grab bags to town managers, mayors and staff. The LOM annual conference and trade show is in Winston Salem next year and we are already looking forward to our involvement in that event.

This was the second year for the GIC participating in the League of Municipalities annual conference and trade show and the green industry is really beginning to be recognized as an important participant and partner.Our goal is to build working relationships with municipalities through understanding, communication and finding solutions to shared problems.”

“Thanks to NCNLA members Worthington Farms, Jericho Farms, Adams Concrete Products and NC SPA for their support in providing trees, shrubs, annual flower color, pavers, sod and help with set up and move out for two nice garden areas featuring NC grown plants and flowers, new permeable pavers and both warm and cool season turf.

GIC Legislative Committee
Doug Chapman
Buddy Murrow
Mark Peters   
                                                

The Horticulture Dept.hosted the 2009 Horticultural Science Outstanding Alumnus Award Reception to honor Mark Peters - class of 1979 with a BS degree and an emphasis on ornamentals and nursery production.
The reception was Friday, October 9th at 3:00 pm in 121 Kilgore Hall (Conference Room). Friends from the green industry and NC State attended the reception to celebrate Mark Peters’ many accomplishments as an outstanding alumnus of the Department.

(click on photos to enlarge)

“Oh, and the food! What a great job the Green Industry Council members did cooking the delicious babyback ribs, succulent pig, grilled chicken, Portobello mushrooms, all the sides, hushpuppies, and three, count ‘em three desserts! I got many requests for the caterer’s name, so it was a thrill to share that it really was “down-home cooking” by our own amazing North Carolina nurserymen. A lot of attendees went to The Pit and The Mecca restaurants near our host hotel in an attempt to get more NC-style BBQ, but they had to admit that it just wasn’t the same! Thank you to Proven Winners for the free plants. Thank you to Mark for setting up a plant sale. Thank you to the volunteers who brought so much joy. Thank you to all of the staff for all of your hard work and love of the Arboretum. And, a big thank you to the GIC for feeding the masses.”

Sincerely,
Pam Beck

This was a successful event and couldn’t have taken place without all the wonderful volunteers who worked very hard! 

On September 24, the GIC also participated in a day long trade show for the National Garden Writers at the Raleigh Convention Center. All of our members were well represented with brochures and information on all aspects of the NC green industry. A big thank you to our trade show volunteers: Cyndy Allison, Sheryl Bynum, Doug Chapman, Daniel Currin, Buddy Murrow, Mark Peters and Ross Williams.