The Society of American Florists (SAF) encourages Long Island greenhouse and floriculture growers to respond to the USDSA NASS survey.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service again has funding to prepare an annual Floriculture Crops Summary report (after several years lapse in the survey). The information is valuable to producers to help learn industry sales and pricing trends. Good survey results depend on a high percentage of the industry reporting. The survey is being mailed out to commercial floriculture growers the week of Dec. 10 and reporting is due before Feb. 8. More information is available at https://safnow.org/commercial-floriculture-survey-responses-needed.

As some of you may know, there are current efforts to unionize farmworkers. Cornell Ag Workforce Specialist Richard Stup gives a basic overview of TIPS and FOE which are the basic ground rules for what employers can and cannot say and do. All farm owners, managers, and supervisors should be familiar with and understand these ground rules.

Visit: https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/2019/10/23/what-employers-can-and-cannot-say-about-unions/.

 

It has been a long time since our stakeholders have been able to walk into the Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center at 3059 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. Stakeholders and visitors will again be allowed to access our buildings. All visitors will be required to wear a mask and physically distance when indoors, regardless of their vaccination status, during this initial reopening phase. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

A new insect to be aware of: box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis. This insect can cause some serious issues with boxwood and can also affect euonymus and holly. It’s new the the US and you can learn more by visiting: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2021/sa-05/box-tree-moth.

Another new insect to watch for is the elm zigzag sawfly. It has been newly reported in Quebec but thankfully not yet in the US. Learn more by visiting: https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/first-confirmed-sighting-of-a-new-invasive-in-north-america-elm-zigzag-sawfly/.

DATE:  Deadline is July 30, 2019

The Long Island Flower Growers’ Association (LIFGA) will celebrate its 60th anniversary on August 8 at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, NY.

A special Anniversary Book is being prepared to celebrate this event. You can highlight your business in the Anniversary Book by purchasing a full-page ad, a half-page ad, or a quarter-page ad.

Your ad can contain anything you would like, including a logo and photos.  (The book will be published in black-and-white only).

Time is limited! Responses are needed as soon as possible in order to have the book printed.

DATE:  Deadline is May 1, 2019

Applications are now being accepted for more than 25 different scholarships through the American Floral Endowment (AFE).

Sophomore, junior, senior and graduate students studying floriculture and horticulture must submit their applications online by the May 1 deadline.

Scholarships range from $500 to $6,000. In 2018, the Endowment awarded more than $42,000 in scholarships.

“AFE strives to support the next generation of industry members in any way we can. One of the ways we do this is through awarding scholarships to help ease their financial burdens,” said Greg Royer, Chairman of Royers Flowers & Gifts and AFE Education Committee Chair.

For more information on each scholarship and to apply, please visit Endowment Scholarships.