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For many of our growers, interstate shipping requirements are a familiar part of doing business. As more retail garden centers add online sales and direct-to-consumer shipping, we wanted to share a few resources from the Georgia Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Division that may be helpful for businesses shipping plant material across state lines. Before You Ship: Check the Destination State A note for retail garden centers: If you are shipping plants out of state,

The Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA) recognized some of the most impactful leaders, educators, and businesses in the industry during its annual awards program at Southeast Green, taking place June 9–11 in Athens, Georgia. The awards banquet was held on June 11. Each year, GGIA’s awards highlight the people and organizations shaping the future of Georgia’s green industry—through leadership, innovation, education, and service. The 2026 honorees represent excellence acr

The Georgia Green Industry Association is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 scholarships, recognizing outstanding students who are preparing to make a lasting impact on Georgia’s green industry. These students were formally recognized during the awards ceremony at Southeast Green 2026 on June 11 in Athens—an opportunity to celebrate their achievements alongside industry leaders from across the state. Through the Bill Inabinet Scholarship and the Wilbur Mull Endowed

Many GGIA members may have already seen this update, but this issue is important enough that we wanted to make sure it reaches our entire green industry network. This week, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson introduced the bipartisan Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026, a major federal agricultural labor reform bill that could have significant implications for Georgia’s green industry. This is a major development for agriculture. The H-2A agricu

The Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA) recognized some of the most impactful leaders, educators, and businesses in the industry during its annual awards program at Southeast Green, taking place June 9–11 in Athens, Georgia. The awards banquet was held on June 11. Each year, GGIA’s awards highlight the people and organizations shaping the future of Georgia’s green industry—through leadership, innovation, education, and service. The 2026 honorees represent excellence acr

GGIA has continued to monitor information related to the brown-winged planthopper (Pochazia shantungensis) since it was first detected in Georgia in fall 2025. We shared an initial update with the industry in December 2025, followed by additional information in April 2026. As we move further into the 2026 growing season, new information from Dr. Shimat Joseph at the University of Georgia provides important context for nursery growers, landscape professionals, retailers, and a

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has released an official Pest Alert regarding the Brown Winged Plant Hopper (BWP), Pochazia shantungensis, an invasive insect recently detected in Georgia. Native to China and present in several other countries, this pest has been reported as damaging to fruit trees in South Korea. Its potential impact on Georgia agriculture is not yet known. BWP has been recorded on more than 200 plant species across 81 plant families, with fruit trees s

U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop visited Monrovia in Grady County on April 8 for an on-the-ground look at ornamental horticulture and specialty crop production in Georgia’s Second Congressional District. Organized by the Georgia Green Industry Association in partnership with Monrovia Nursery, the visit brought together growers, suppliers, allied industry representatives, local leaders, and community partners to provide a firsthand look at the scale, importance, opportunities

Dr. Michael A. Dirr was formally inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame on Friday, March 20, 2026, during a ceremony hosted by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—an honor recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to agriculture and agribusiness in Georgia. Dr. Dirr, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, has had a profound and lasting impact on the green industry through h

Photo courtesy of Ag Wage Reform An overflowing room of agricultural producers, association leaders, and policymakers gathered this morning for the Ag Wage Reform press conference and roundtable discussion, underscoring the urgency and national scope of the need for permanent reform to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). Speakers representing dozens of commodities across six states addressed the crowd, collectively urging Congress and federal policymakers to codify the inte