|
Who
We Are |
| |
|
|
GGIA Facts - Past & present |
|
| |
|
| The horticulture
industry has a long history in the state of Georgia and
finds its roots at the former P.J. Berckmans' Fruitlands Nursery near
Augusta. P.J. Berckmans' influence is still seen all over the south through
his work in the fruit and ornamental industry and in 1908 the U.S.
Department of Agriculture declared that he had done more for American
horticulture than almost any other man. Fruitlands Nursery became a world-class experimental station as well as a botanical garden which
disseminated many of the most valuable plants of the southern
horticulturist including Honey peaches, Kelsey plum, Japanese
persimmon, hardy lemon, Amoor River privet, Berckmans dwarf
arborvitae, eleagnus, wisteria and other fruits and ornamentals. Fruitlands
Nursery is still at the forefront of interest in Georgia. The nursery is
now
known as the Augusta National Golf Club and annually hosts the Masters
Golf Tournament. The Augusta National Club House is the original family
home of the Berckmans. |
| |
|
|
During the late 1800's, P. J. Berckman,
of Fruitlands Nursery, began the Georgia Horticultural Society, which became the parent organization
of the Georgia Nurserymen's Association (GNA). GNA served the horticulture industry
throughout the state until 1990 when GNA merged with the Georgia Association of Landscape Professionals
to form the Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA). A need for a
more unified voice to serve growers, landscapers, and retail garden centers provided the catalyst to form GGIA.
|
| |
|
| Horticulture is one of the
fastest growing segments in Georgia agriculture. Gross sales of nursery, greenhouse and turf products grown in Georgia exceed $2.5 billion. Georgia
is home to many of the nation's most respected nurseries.
The metro-Atlanta area is home to several of the best landscape
companies in the nation as well as home to one of the nation's largest family-owned retail garden chains. Atlanta is also corporate headquarters
for the nation's number one retailer of plants through home and garden center
stores. Once Georgia produced horticultural commodities are sold and
established in the landscape, the added value of the product exceeds $5.7
billion annually. |
| |
|
| GGIA produces an
annual educational conference and trade show. In addition, each Division
of GGIA provides educational seminars throughout the year incorporating
current topics of interest in each particular discipline of the industry.
GGIA administers the Georgia Certified Plant Professional exam and endorses
the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional exam. |
| |
|
| GGIA also cooperates with the
state's Extension Service to host several educational events each year. GGIA updated a certification exam formerly administered by GNA. The
exam is designed for retailers and growers and is a measurement of
general horticultural knowledge, pest and disease identification, selling
and
customer service techniques, and includes a plant identification portion.
Successful participants receive the "Certified Plant Professional - Retail
Specialist" title. GGIA has developed another exam for landscape
professionals which includes written test skills ranging from reading a
blueprint to choosing the best plant for a given situation. The hands-on
portion of the exam takes about eight hours to complete. Test applicants
must demonstrate proficiency in nine areas of common landscape tasks. Successful participants in this exam receive the "Certified Landscape
Specialist" designation. |
| |
|
| As the State
Legislature convenes each January, GGIA is busy providing legislative monitoring and reporting services to
its
membership. Each February, GGIA visits the Capitol taking a plant to
each legislator and staff member. This activity has allowed GGIA the
opportunity to educate the elected officials about the scope of the green
industry in the state. |
| |
|
| The Journal,
the monthly publication of the association, includes research reports, legislative
updates,
marketing tips, new products, and upcoming events in each issue. Many
members say the Journal always finds its way into the "must read" stack
of publications. |
| |
|
| All projects of GGIA are directed by volunteer leadership
in four Divisions of the association - Landscape, Retail, Sales & Marketing and Wholesale.
There are six standing committees serving the GGIA membership of over 800 firms.
As the industry
continues its rapid growth, GGIA is dedicated to providing services to meet the
demands of its membership. The future of the state's horticulture industry
and GGIA is bright. |
| |
|
|
|
