VNLA Newsletter Spring 2018

The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) is a consortium of industry leaders who are pro- moting the benefits and value of horticulture. NICH brings together academia, government, industry, and non- profits to cultivate the growth and development of a healthy world through landscapes, gardens and plants - indoors and out. The Mission of NICH is to grow a healthy world through plants, gardens, and landscapes. #PlantsDoThat - Horticulture: The Art, Science & Business Be a Difference Maker Want to make a difference in the horticulture industry and help cultivate a gardening culture in the U.S.? Attend the Third Annual National Initiative for Consumer Hor- ticulture (NICH) Conference in Atlanta June 27-29. For more information, visit www.consumerhort.org/conference Why attend? • Help craft a new value proposition for horticulture • Help create a unified, strategic plan focusing on in- dustry-wide priorities to promote the value of horticulture and get 90% of the US gardening by 2025 • Help shape the national agenda to ensure federal and state funding for consumer horticulture research and educa- tion, including aligning with Specialty Crop Research Initia- tive priorities in the USDA Farm Bill. Plan to be part of this grassroots movement and come to the NICH national meeting. Susan McCoy, Garden Media Group, http://www.gardenmediagroup.com +1 6104443040 The next 4 Infographics illustrate and provide proven research for you to use in your business to promote #PlantsDoThat These are also the basis for the Virginia Certified Horticulturist Quiz for 1 CEU on page 29. e e t I f i s ill t t i proven res arch for you to use in your business to promote #PlantsDoThat ese re ls t e sis f r t e Virginia Certified Horticulturist Quiz for 1 CEU on page 29. of Plants is available at the NICH website www.ConsumerHort.org

News - The Power of Plants Enriching Lives, Creating Jobs, Building Wealth, Saving Money

Horticulture positively affects people's lives where they live, work, shop and play, according to a new report from the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH). The benefits of consumer hor- ticulture are spotlighted in “#PlantsDoThat, Horticul- ture: The Art, Science, & Busi- ness of Plants.” These in- fographics illustrates how con- sumer horticulture contributes $196 billion to the U.S. economy and creates more than 2 million jobs. “The story doesn’t just stop at direct economic impact,” said Casey Sclar, NICH Chair. “Consumer and society engage- ment through plants permeates all aspects of our lives, from providing the aesthetic backdrop to directly enriching our health and well-being.” According to the NICH report, plants benefit society in many ways:  Plants in the workplace reduce employee sick time by 14%  Well-landscaped homes are more valuable; since homes represent 25% of personal wealth, outdoor plants pack a powerful personal finance punch  American’s are growing more of their own food - 25% of all Americans grow berries, veggies or fruit trees  Shaded roadways save 60% of repaving costs  America’s public gardens generate $2.3 billion in tour- ism spending The infographics, developed by the NICH Economic Com- mittee, uses data gathered by Dr. Charlie Hall, the Ellison Endowed Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University. The infographic series is available to companies, institu- tions and individuals for use in outreach to horticulture in- dustry and non-industry members. “We envision the infographics as a tool showcasing the power of consumer horticulture for the purpose of building support for more plants in our personal and public spaces,” says Debbie Hamrick, NICH Economic Committee chair. For instance, Hamrick says the infographic could be used by a landscaper speaking before a City Council about a new or renovated development, or by nurserymen on Capitol Hill making the case for research, or an environmental en- gineer arguing for using vegetated plant systems instead of or in conjunction with gray infrastructure. $196 billion to the U.S. economy and creates more than 2 million jobs Consumer horticulture contributes

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April/May/June 2018 VNLA Newsletter April / May / June 2018 V LA Newsletter