The Dearing, Georgia-based McCorkle Nurseries has earned their MPS-ABC certificate for sustainable growing, and in doing so, they became the first nursery shrub grower in North America to receive an A rating.

The nursery uses water reclamation ponds, and has both recycling and composting programs on site. Their plant health program relies on careful monitoring and biocontrols, and as of 2019, all plants raised on site are grown without neonicotinoids, “in accordance with recommended management practices for pollinator safety.”

In addition, McCorkle Nurseries also supports breeding innovations and new research that contributes to sustainable growing and sustainable consumer care. Case in point—their Gardener’s Confidence Collection focuses on locally adapted, disease-resistant plants. They also sponsor research for biocontrols and disease-resistant plant varieties at the Center for Applied Nursery Research.

Skeetter McCorkle, CEO of McCorkle Nurseries, says, “As a family-owned company, we have always focused on leaving a legacy for our future generations, including a green and healthy earth. At McCorkle Nurseries, one of our guiding values is to serve as stewards of God’s creation. It drives our commitment to protect and improve the environment.”
 

OHP has a new herbicide approved for organic production called FireWorxx, an OMRI-listed, fast-acting biological herbicide that's active against weeds, algae and moss. It uses a non-staining ammonium soap of fatty acids and is a non-selective herbicide that controls or suppresses many troublesome weeds, such as bittercress, chickweed, groundsel, dandelions, oxalis and grasses, as well as algae and moss. For use in greenhouses, nurseries, landscaped areas, flower gardens, around buildings and sidewalks, in gravel and in other areas. Users should be aware not to spray on desirable plants. FireWorxx can be used in cooler weather conditions. It has a 12-hour restricted entry interval (REI) and caution signal word. 
 

From my colleague Jen Polanz, editor of  Inside Grower.

The cannabis industry’s effect is being felt in many places and many ways in horticulture, and here’s one more: Koppert Biological Systems has acquired a company that specializes in chemical-free pest management for commercial cannabis production.

Natural Enemies was founded in 2014 when Shane Young saw the emerging cannabis market and the need to help educate growers on the effective use of biological controls—or as he terms them, “BCAs” or biological control agents. The company quickly became a leader in the field, attracting the attention of Koppert. The two companies share the ambition of providing superior customer service and educating growers about the benefits and the patience needed for development of a successful IPM program.

“We are very excited and grateful that the Natural Enemies team has joined Koppert Biological Systems,” said Ryan Hill, general manager of Koppert USA in a statement. “Since 2014, Shane and his team have developed and grown the Natural Enemies name into one of the leaders in the industry. With the addition of the Koppert supply chain, our goal will be to take what they have developed and work jointly to expand it.” 

Ever wonder what a greenhouse business’s sustainability report might look like? Or, in the case of organic grower Wholesum, it’s their “Conscientious Company Report.”

With operations in both the U.S. and Mexico, this Fair-Trade Certified business has 3,090 acres of organic production between their family and partner farms.

They’ve put some hard numbers behind their company story in their just-released 2018 report. For example, since 2017, they’ve increased their renewable energy use by 34% and they’ve had a 30% increase in diverted recyclables. The report also discusses the impact of their Fair Trade projects and their growing practices.

Take a look at their report HERE.  What stories do you have to tell your customers?  

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is honoring three organic industry leaders next month during their Leadership Awards Celebration.

Israel Morales Sr., lead grower at JV Farms Organic, will be awarded Organic Farmer of the Year. According to OTA, “He has both an old-school mentality on how to grow organically, with also a flair for innovation. A successful large-scale organic farmer, he is known as an excellent steward of land—minimizing disturbance, maximizing soil cover, maximizing biodiversity and maximizing the presence of living roots.” His innovative system that uses conservation tillage beds allows him to use cover crops on 80 to 90% of his acreage during the winter fallow.

Lynn Coody is earning the Growing the Organic Community Award for her active involvement in organic issues since the 1970s. She’s done everything from working on Oregon’s groundbreaking Organic Food Law in the late '80s, to serving as a technical advisor during the drafting of the Organic Foods Production Act. Today, as a consultant, she’s considered a core expert on organic production, focusing primarily on education, standards development, management of quality systems for organic certification, advocacy and research.

Nate Powell is receiving OTA’s Rising Star Award. While he isn’t yet 30 years old, he still boasts 15 years of organic production experience. A 4-H project that got him into cattle led him to expanding his Bozeman, Montana, project into a full-fledged certtified organic cattle operation. During college, he worked as an organic inspector, and he’s since expanded his farm into crop production as well. And he’s leading both in Montana and on the national stage, including testifying before a U.S. House committee on sustainable agricultural practices.