Horticulture Fact Sheet
H-98-034

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service

Sources of Information for Environmental Horticulture Professionals

Melvin P. Garber, Gary L. Wade, James T. Midcap and Paul A. Thomas, Extension Horticulturists

Suppliers
Trade Journals
Trade Associations
Trade Shows
Reference Material
CD-ROMS
Videos
Suggested Web Sites
Industry Certification Programs
Continuing Education Opportunities
Resource Personnel
County Extension Offices in Georgia

This publication provides information on resources available to nursery and greenhouse growers and landscape professionals which will assist them in operating a successful business. While it is difficult to anticipate all of the needs, the following is a collection of information that is often sought by environmental horticulture professionals. It is impossible to list all sources, and is not our intent to exclude other sources which may also be available to the industry.

If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the many resources listed in this publication including your county extension agent, state extension specialist or nursery inspector.

Suppliers

Every business needs dependable suppliers in order to be successful. This section identifies businesses which specialize in supply to growers. In addition to the firms listed below, a more complete list of national suppliers can be found in selected issues of national trade magazines that cater to the greenhouse and nursery industry (see section on trade journals).

Trade Journals

The Environmental Horticulture industry is growing and changing rapidly, so it is imperative that owners and employees stay current. One of the best ways to monitors issues, such as product line trends, new production technology and regulatory requirements is to subscribe to industry trade journals. Trade journals also provide summaries of research relative to the Environmental Horticulture Industry done by agricultural scientists across the United States. They also report upcoming trade shows, meetings and other happenings throughout the industry. The following are some of these trade journals:

Trade Associations

Every Environmental Horticulture professional should consider joining one or more of the state associations representing his/her industry. These industry associations address issues critical to the profitability of growers, retailers and landscapers. Regional associations, such as the Southern Nursery Association and national associations, such as the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) also have a lot to offer. The Southern Nursery Association (SNA), for instance, convenes annually in Atlanta for one of the largest trade shows in the U.S. Research scientists from throughout the southeast also convene at SNA to report latest research relevant to the Environmental Horticulture industry. The American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA -- formerly American Association of Nurserymen) focuses on legislative and regulatory issues that are becoming an increasingly important part of managing a nursery or landscape business. The following are some trade associations to consider joining:

Trade Shows

Industry trade shows provide an excellent opportunity to meet suppliers, to review the latest product line and to develop new customers. An annual trip to two or three trade shows can keep you current of industry trends and save a lot of time and money. Trade shows also offer the opportunity to exhibit and showcase your operation. The four trade shows listed below are highly recommended and are convenient to Georgia growers and landscapers. Contact the sponsoring organization for exact dates and conference information.

WinterGreen Conference and Trade Show: Sponsored by the Georgia Green Industry Association, held in January at the Cobb Galleria Plaza in Atlanta
Contact: Georgia Green Industry Association
A must see for nurserymen, greenhouse growers, retailers and landscape professionals. Tremendous line-up of speakers.

Southeast Greenhouse Conference: Sponsored by greenhouse grower associations throughout the Southeast, held in June at the Palmetto International Exposition Center in Greenville, South Carolina.
Contact: Georgia Commercial Flower Growers Association
Emphasis on greenhouse crops and allied trade. Excellent educational sessions.

Georgia Turfgrass Association Conference and Trade Show: The Greatest Show on Turf: Sponsored by the Georgia Turfgrass Association, the Georgia Golf Course Superintendent's Association, Georgia Sod Producers, the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association and The University of Georgia, held in December at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta.
Contact: The Georgia Turfgrass Association.
Primarily for Landscape Professionals who manage turfgrass. Excellent educational sessions.

Southern Nursery Association Conference and Trade Show: Sponsored by the Southern Nursery Association. Held in August at the World Congress Center in Atlanta
Contact: Southern Nursery Association
This is one of the largest Environmental Horticulture trade shows in the country with over 1,000 exhibitors. Plants and products relative to nursery and greenhouse producers and landscape professionals are exhibited. The show hosts many national and international exhibitors. Nationally acclaimed speakers are featured throughout the show. A new-plants exhibit displays the hotest new plants for today and tomorrow. A great place to find new suppliers and to make professional contacts.

Reference Material

Reference material available for grower, retailers and landscapers far exceeds the space available in this publication. Listed below are a few publications, CD-ROMS and web sites that have proven to be good resources for Environmental Horticulture Professionals. Unless otherwise indicated, you can order the books listed from any commercial book store by giving them the title, author, publisher and ISBN number.

Georgia Pest Control Handbook
Edited by Dr. Paul Guillebeau and published annually by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Available through your local county extension agent or directly from the Agricultural Business Office, Cooperative Extension Service, Room 203 Conner Hall, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Cost is $15 for bound copy and $10 for CD-ROM. Contains current information on insect, disease and weed management pesticides, nematicides and growth regulators. Useful cross references on plants and pests for which a material is labeled. Also contains valuable reference material manufacturers, sprayer calibration, mixing and rate calculations, pesticide legislation and poison control centers. Every Environmental Horticulture professional should have a copy of this book.

Ball Red Book (16th Edition)
Detailed information on greenhouse crop production scheduling and growing of greenhouse crops.
Ball Publishing, 335 North River Street, Batavia, IL 60510; 630-208-9080
ISBN: 1-883052-15-17

Greenhouse Operation and Management, 5th edition.
By Paul Nelson, North Carolina State University
Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07458
Comprehensive Coverage of necessary skills required to manage a greenhouse
ISBN: 0-13-374687-9

Nursery Management: Administration and Culture
By Harold Davidson, Roy Mecklenburg and Curtis Peterson
Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
ISBN: 0-13-627382-3

Plant Production in Containers
By Carl Whitcomb, Professor Emeritis, Oklahoma State University
Lacebark Publications, Stillwater, OK
ISBN: 0-9613109-1-X

Landscape Plant Production: Establishment and Maintenance
By Carl Whitcomb, Professor Emeritis, Oklahoma State University
Lacebark Publications, Stillwater, OK
ISBN: 0-9613109-2-8

Foliage Plant Production
By Jasper Joiner, Dept. Of Environmental Hort., The University of Florida
Prentis-Hall, Inglewood Cliffs, NJ
ISBN: 0-13-322867-3

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses
By Michael Dirr, Department of Horticulture, The University of Georgia
Stipes Publishing Company, Chicago, IL
ISBN 0-87563-344-7

Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on their Identification, Culture and Garden Attributes
By Allan Armitage, Department of Horticulture, The University of Georgia
Second Edition, Varsity Press, Athens, GA
ISBN 0-87563-723-X

The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation: From Seed to Tissue Culture
By Michael Dirr and Charles Heuser, Jr.
Varsity Press, Athens, GA
ISBN: 0-942375-00-9

Landscape Plants of the Southeast
By Gordon Halfacre and Anne Shawcroft, Clemson University
Sparks Press, Raleigh, NC
ISBN 0-916822-10-9

Know-It and Grow-It
By Carl Whitcomb, Professor Emeritis, Oklahoma State University
Lacebark Publications, Stillwater, OK
ISBN: 0-9613109-0-1

Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southeast: Landscaping Uses and Identification
By Leonard Foote and Samuel Jones, Jr., The University of Georgia
Timber Press, Portland, OR
ISBN: 0-88192-128-9

Trees of the Southeastern United States
By Wilbur and Marion Duncan, The University of Georgia
The University of Georgia Press, Athens, GA
ISBN: 0-8203-0954-0

Grounds Maintenance Estimating Guidelines, 7th edition
Grounds Maintenance Management Guidelines, 4th edition
Grounds Management Forms and Job Descriptions Guide, 4th edition
Available from the Professional Grounds Management Society
120 Cockeysville Rd., Suite 104, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031, Ph:410-584-9754, FAX: 410-584-9756

CD-ROMS

Photo-Library of Woody Landscape Plants
By Michael Dirr, The University of Georgia
7,600 images of woody landscape plants
Available from PlantAmerica, LLC, P.O. Box 589, Locust Valley, NY 11560, 1-888-PLANT, www.plantamerica.com

Southern Trees: An Expert System for Selecting Trees
By E.F. Gilman, H.W. Beck, D.G. Watson, P. Fowler, D.L. Weigle and N. R. Morgan, The University of Florida
An extensive database of trees, including descriptive texts and numerous photographs of 877 trees common throughout the southeast. An expert system guides you in selecting trees suitable for specific site criteria
Available from Betrock Information Systems, Inc., 7770 Davie Road Extension, Hollywood, FL, 33024-2516.

HORTICOPIA: Perennials and Annuals CD-ROM
Over 1500 color photos of 780 plants showing outstanding characteristics
Available from Betrock Information Systems, Inc., 7770 Davie Road Extension, Hollywood, FL, 33024-2516.

Videos

Employee Training Videos for Landscape Professionals
For sale by Georgia Green Industry Association and Georgia Turfgrass Association, $39.95, (document available when purchasing the entire set) Available in Spanish and English. Developed by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service.

• Annual Bed Preparation and Installation
• Introduction to Pesticide Safety
• Planting Procedures for Woody Ornamentals
• Equipment Use, Safety and Field Maintenance
• Installation and Establishment of Turfgrass
• Quality Landscape Management: The Employee's Role

Suggested Web Sites

The University of Georgia
http://www.ces.uga.edu

University of Florida
http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu

North Carolina State University
http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/project/floriculture/www/index.html

Texas A&M University -Nursery and Greenhouse
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/comgreen.html

Michigan State University - Extension
http://www.msue.msu.edu

Ohio State University Floriculture
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~flori/

Industry Certification Programs

Certified Plant Specialist
200 page retail nursery manual. Exam includes 100 question multiple choice test and 100 plant ID. Given at SNA in August and at the GGIA Conference in January of each year.
Contact: Georgia Green Industry Association

Certified Landcape Specialist
200 page landscape reference manual. Test includes 4 written components, including multiple choice exam, plan take-off, plant selection, and pest ID, plus nine outdoor hands-on components where participants demonstrate their skill at laying sod, operating equipment, applying pesticides, pruning etc. Written test is given at the SNA conference in August and at the GGIA Conference in January. Ourdoor exam is given twice a year, in spring and fall. Participants must pass all components to become certified.
Contact: Georgia Green Industry Association

Certified Turfgrass Professional
A home study certification preparation course on turfgrass management practices and procedure, developed by The University of Georgia and administered by the Professional Lawn Care Association of America. Participants study on their own and take a monitored exam. Participants have 12 months to complete the course. For more information contact Community Learning Resources, Suite 191, Georgia Center for Continuing Education, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-3603, Ph: 1-800-542-8097.

Certified Grounds Manager
A comprehensive exam with extensive study material and references. Exam is given in two parts: a 100 question exam adminstered by a local proctor and a seven-part take-home exam to be completed by the applicant, using his personal experiences and local situations.
Administered by The Professional Grounds Management Society.

Continuing Education Opportunities

The University of Georgia and state and regional trade associations sponsor regular seminars on topics of interest to Environmental Horticulture Professionals. These seminars are one of the best ways to stay current and to improve your skills. Some of these seminars are held in conjuction with major trade shows and offer a convenient and economical way to obtain continuing education credits as well as credits for renewal of pesticide applicators license.

Georgia Green Industry Updates
Annually, three to five locations across Georgia
Contact: Your local county extension agent for mailings relative to these programs.

Georgia Green Industry Grower and Retailer Seminars
Annually, three to four locations across the state
Contact: Georgia Green Industry Association, 706-492-4664

Georgia Commercial Flower Grower Seminars
Annually or semi-annually, 3 to 4 locations across the state
Contact: Georgia Commercial Flower Growers Association, 706-845-0704

Southern Nursery Research Conference
Annually in conjuction with the SNA trade show
Contact: Southern Nurserymen Association, 770-973-9026

County Extension Production meetings
Contact: your local county extension office (See listing below.)

Resource Personnel

There are several organizations in Georgia that can provide technical, professional development and business support to Environmental Horticulture Operations:

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
County extension agents and state specialists
Contact your county extension office (see listing below)

Georgia Department of Agriculture
State agricultural inspectors perform annual license renewal inspections
Contact the Department of Agriculture in Tifton (912-386-3464) or Atlanta (404-651-9486)
for nursery license, contact the Entomology and Pesticide Division for pesticide applicator license (404-656-4958).

Business Outreach Services/Small Business Development Center
The University of Georgia. A wide variety of services provided to small businesses. Offices throughout the state. Contact the state office for a location near you, Ph: 706/542-6762.

Trade Associations (see addresses and phone numbers under trade associations)

County Extension Offices in Georgia

Publication No. H-98-034/February, 1998

The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director