Product Details: Unrooted and callused cuttings of Ball FloraPlant geraniums; Unrooted cuttings of Ball FloraPlant Specialty Garden; perennial plants; seed production
 
Current sustainable practices:

• Reusing soil media instead of purchasing every year; Also eliminates the need to dispose of used media
• Creation of ponds to catch run-off water from greenhouses
• Construction of a new shed to store and handle chemicals
• Improved irrigation management, which cuts fertilization costs and maintains a better growing environment
• Composting of plant wastes after production cycle
• Reforestation in surrounding areas
• Recycling of plastics, paper, kitchen waste
   

What does it mean to be a Certified EcoSource Supplier? “It means that we are serious about finding innovative ways to produce excellent products while being environmentally responsible. MPS certification allows us to have an external audit of our progress. Our performance is compared to norms in the floriculture industry.”
 

Product Details: Unrooted cuttings of Ball FloraPlant Specialty Garden; perennial plants; seed production

Current sustainable practices:

• Recycling of paper, plastic, biological waste and
• The reuse of soil media has saved significant money spent on individual medium components – virgin soil has become a scarce resource in Costa Rica
• Reforestation
• Installation of biological “digester” to dispose of outdated pesticides
• Worm composting

What does it means to be a Certified EcoSource Supplier? “We want to be a leader in developing practical sustainable production methods. While the Ecological Flag Certificate gives us recognition of being an environmental and socially responsible company, subscription to the MPS program offers us a blue print to chart our progress in the reduction of harmful chemical outputs, water and energy usage.” 

 

Products details: Seed plugs (many sizes, including Punchables); One of the largest cut flower plug growers in the U.S.; Vegetative annuals and Perennials in 216 trays; Woody ornamentals

Current sustainable practices:

• Controlling and recycling tail water and storm runoff
• Recycling of waste materials and used soil
• Improving the heating system and upgrading the environmental controls has lowered energy costs
• Using recycled materials for shipping, decreasing box costs
• Introduced the use of beneficial insects and improved IPM
• Improved safety and containment capabilities of chemical storage
• Creating a wildlife habitat with landscape “buffer zones”
• Strong employee relations and benefits, which prevents high employee turnover
• Environmental protection and conservation
• Community involvement including AIB, Agricultural advisory to the County Board of Supervisors and Fund raising for college scholarships and local charities.
   

What does it mean to be a Certified EcoSource Supplier? “(Certification) gives us the verified re-organization of our company culture – that we are concerned about our employees, our community, the environment and the quality of plants we deliver to our customers with a positive impact on our world. For our customers, it strengthens the sustainable chain when they are selling a certified product.”
 

Product details: Unrooted cuttings of Specialty Garden Annuals

Current sustainable practices: Cohen’s nuclear stock and virus testing laboratories are certified, which allows them to provide their suppliers with the highest-quality plants that is 100 percent virus free. Production is conducted by separate, specially trained staff that specializes in working under strict sustainable procedures. And the stock is tested for viruses three times a year in an independent laboratory that is approved by the Israeli Plant Protection.

Product Details: Vegetative annuals in split 102 trays, as well as 50 trays and 32 count trays; Mums in split 102 trays

Current sustainable practices:

• Installation of ebb-and-flow benching and watering systems beginning in 1991
• Most of the buildings in the facility have two heat screens for better efficiency
• More focus on “scouting” and spot spraying with the use of “soft” chemicals where appropriate
• Introducing predators in the greenhouse to control damaging insects instead of using chemical pesticides
• The environmental controls of the entire facility is run by a Priva computer, which monitors and adjusts the climate, along with controlling the irrigation system
• Recycling of cardboard, plastic and metal
   

What does it mean to be a Certified EcoSource Supplier? “For us, it means that we will continue to move in a direction of reducing inputs whenever possible,” says Doug Cole. “The MPS program is ongoing. There is an incentive to continue to raise our score from year to year. Our goal is to get to the “A” Level and to be able to stay there.

"We not just satisfying a certificate - we continue to look at our inputs and challenge ourselves to improve.”

Product Details: Vegetative annuals in 105 trays; Unrooted cuttings; Liners for 2.5-in. pots; Regal geraniums in 50 trays and 4-in. pre-finished

Current sustainable practices:

• Collection of rain water instead of purchasing city water
• Using Anolyte (activated water) for sterilization instead of traditional chemicals, which saves money
• Burning wood pellets to heat greenhouses has reduced heating costs
• Using kelp as a natural fertilizer
• Composting
• Recycling batteries, oil and tires at local depots
• Replacing sprinklers with floor systems to catch and collect water and fertilizer
• Purchase of electric equipment to replace gasoline/diesel equipment to reduce noise, pollution and expenditures on replacement
• Construction of a retaining wall to prevent erosion
• Planting of a windbreak, which forms a natural habitat for native animals 
   

What does it mean to be a Certified EcoSource Supplier? “To use what we have wisely, to think of others and our future together in everything we do. That way, we can be an example in the community in which we live.”
 

Product details: Vegetative annuals in 105 trays and QT Fast Finish 50 program; Ball FloraPlant geraniums in 100 and 50 trays; Perennials in 105 and 21 trays

Current sustainable practices:

• Recycling of pots, trays and cardboard
• Composting of unsold plant material
• Reduction of water and fertilizer use through an extensive drip irrigation system has saved 35% in expenses
• 100% of labor force is from within their own community
• Developed a safer work environment through signage and safety training

What does it mean to be a Certified EcoSource Supplier? “Going through the certification process gave us an opportunity to take an introspective look at our business and the industry in general. Operating ‘sustainably’ is a comprehensive approach to doing business. Once one gets the mindset in place, everything else follows and makes sense.

We were doing a lot of things required for certification just as good business practice and by being a responsible employer. While it was important for us to ‘become certified,’ it is more important to us to continue the process as our business and industry grows.”
 

Certification: USDA Organic Herbs and Vegetables (All products grown under full organic protocol using only OMRI Certified products)

Product Details: Organic herbs and vegetables, succulent liners, combination starters, Burpee Home Gardens starters

Current sustainable practices:

• Have been recycling plastics since 1983 – customers can return pots and trays for recycling—18 skids in 2008!
• 100% biological pest/disease management for the past three years, which allows better environmental stewardship and quality, lower pest pressure, less shrink
• Use 100% organic soil for all products
• Recycling and re-using of all water since 1985
• Over 90% of all pots are biodegradable - 5% are terra cotta and reuseable
• Compost tea brewing and application provides greater disease and insect resistance, better rooting systems and better fertilizer efficiency
• Fully mechanized and automated for maximum efficiency, enhanced quality, and employee benefit

What does it mean to be a Certified EcoSource Suppliers? “We believe that our positioning in the marketplace is excellent – especially in a difficult economy. Clearly, there is a desire for Organic herbs and vegetables, and growing ALL products under the same protocol has made material differences in our quality and customer satisfaction.

“We also know that we are doing what is right and good – and there is great personal satisfaction in that. The workforce is buying into the changes, and customers are understanding why we are so dedicated to following through with all of our production. It is crucial that they tell this important story at retail at every opportunity.”

Product Details: Annual Seed Raised Plugs; Annual Vegetative Liners; Vegetative and Seed Raised Perennials; and Prefinished Products in a variety of tray sizes including Punchables®

What does it mean to be a Certified EcoSource Supplier? For over 40 years, Tagawa has provided quality plugs, liners and finished plants. With the new certification, they will implement new programs as part of their continuing commitment to promoting more earth-friendly production.

“Tagawa’s core values have always included People, Plant, Products and Profits. Being certified sustainable recommits us to our core values by reinforcing our existing programs. Being certified sustainable encourages implementing new programs as part of our continuing commitment to improve, not only within our organization, but to those people and organizations we affect” said Randy Tagawa, CEO.

(Pictured: John Williams, TITLE, Tagawa Greenhouses)