60TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMER CELEBRATION!!
DATE: August 8, 2019 @ 6PM
LOCATION: Long Island Aquarium, 431 E Main St, Riverhead, NY 11901 Google Maps
The Long Island Flower Growers Association invites you, your family and staff members to join us for our 60th Anniversary summer celebration at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. Enjoy a great dinner by the river and visit with fellow LIFGA members. A Chinese auction will be held along with our 50/50 raffle. *Please bring your donations for the auction to the dinner.
Registration begins at at 5:45 pm. Cocktails and dinner will be served at 6pm.
RSVP’s A MUST BY JULY 29TH!
Please contact Diane Hanwick to make your reservations at (631) 727-3595 (her work), (631) 886-2213 (LIFGA, leave a message) or by email: info@lifga.com.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!
Welcome To Long Island Flower Growers Association (LIFGA)
The mission of Long Island Flower Growers Association’s (LIFGA) is to increase awareness, education, and appreciation of plant diversity and to be a regional center of expertise in greenhouse management, landscape design and exhibition of horticultural “best” practices.
LIFGA supports academic research projects and continuing education programs on issues related to the use, management and care-giving of landscape plants by providing high-reach, high-content and cost-effective means of delivery, and new and routine information to Long Island’s horticultural audiences.
Professionals related to the enviromental horticultural industry are LIFGA’s primary audience, such as:
– Landscape maintenance and construction contractors.
– Plant and seed brokers.
– Retail and wholesale greenhouse and nursery professionals.
– Irrigation designers and equipment manufacturers.
– Public parks and public works personnel.
– Arborists
Important secondary audiences are home horticulture enthusiasts and media representatives.
Find Out How Your Business Can Save The Planet!
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LINKS
COVID-19 BREAKING ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES
Special Announcement: NYS Agriculture and Marketshouses and Nurseries
Interim Guidance for Horticulture (March 24, 2020) – This guidance is provided for greenhouse operations, landscapers, arborists, garden centers, and nurseries.
UPDATE (April 1, 2020) – With regards to Horticulture:
1) At this time, horticulture is designated as a non-essential business (with the exception of nurseries/greenhouses selling food producing plants),
2) Guidance issued on March 24, 2020 is no longer applicable. Horticultural operations should continue to check back here for any updates.
Webinar: Best Management Practices for COVID-19 Safety in Greenhouses and Nurseries
Join Via Zoom (May 14, 2:00-3:00 PM) – See information below
As New York State municipalities and businesses start to consider reopening, greenhouse and nursery operations and retail greenhouses need to create plans to fulfill the requirements of safe operation to protect themselves, their employees and their customers. This webinar will address: employee training and standard operating procedures, best management practices for farmworker health, housing, and transportation, implementing best management practices including social distancing and sanitation, and NYS/Cornell resources to reduce COVID-19 risks. The format will include short presentations by speakers followed by time for Q&A.
Speakers include:
– Richard Stup, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Specialist
– Mary Jo Dudley, director of Cornell Farmworker Program
– Jon Greenberg, director, Division of Food Safety & Inspection, NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets
– Betsy Bihn, Cornell Food Science, director of Produce Safety Alliance
This webinar will be recorded and made available as soon as possible at: https://nysipm.cornell.edu/agriculture/ornamental-crops/covid-19-resources-ornamentals/
Please click this link to join the webinar: https://cornell.zoom.us/j/93851613222 – Webinar ID: 938 5161 3222
Landscaping, Gardening, Horticulture AND Nursery and Floriculture Production Permitted throughout NYS
Many of you have already heard that the governor announced on May 11th that certain low-risk businesses and recreational activities including landscaping and gardening would re-open on May 15th statewide. Yesterday the official updated Guidance for Determining Whether a Business Enterprise is Subject to a Workforce Reduction Under Recent Executive Orders was posted by Empire State Development. In section 5 it lists ‘landscaping, gardening, and horticulture’ as essential services.
Additionally, as part of the phased re-opening outlined in NY Forward there is a New York Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool. Using this tool, you can find that the categories ‘Floriculture Production’, ‘Nursery and Tree Production’, and ‘Nursery and Floriculture Production’ are all permitted to operate statewide. If you are curious about other types of businesses you can use the tool.
In order to operate you must read the document Interim Guidance for Non-Food Related Agricultural Actives During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. At the end of the document, make sure you click the link to affirm that you read and understand your obligation to operate in accordance to the guidance outlined in the document.
You must also create a business safety plan for your operation, you can find a template here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYS_BusinessReopeningSafetyPlanTemplate.pdf.
Free Hand Sanitizer Available to the Agriculture, Horticulture, Aquaculture and Craft Beverage Industries
CCE of Suffolk County, in cooperation with NYS Ag and Markets will distribute free NYS Clean hand sanitizer (1-gallon containers) to the Agriculture, Horticulture, Aquaculture and Craft Beverage Industries. There is also a limited supply of face coverings available also. The effort is aimed at ensuring safe distribution and sale of goods while minimizing spread of COVID-19. It is recommended for use by both employees and customers served.
Distribution will take place at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank and at the Long Island Horticulture Research and Extension Center in Riverhead on scheduled days and times. We will do our best to accommodate requests for pick-up location and times, but alternatives may be assigned. Limited quantities are available and will be distributed on a first come basis.
Interested businesses must fill out a short request form. The form can be found at http://ccesuffolk.org/about-cce/covid-19-resources.
Please submit form to ccescsanitizer@cornell.edu or call 631-603-4332. After submitting, you will receive a call confirming your pick-up location. We will not be able to accommodate any unscheduled pick-ups.
JULY COVID THOUGHTS
by Allan Armitage
Please join me for a few minutes as I share some thoughts on the currents times we are living through. These are stranges days and we have a responsibility to be smart, healthy and well for ourselves and each others.
LIFGA SCHOLARSHIP
Ms. Cassandra Castano from Farmingdale State College received the LIFGA Scholarship of $1,400.
BOB GUNTHER LIFGA SCHOLARSHIP
Mr. Jesse Friel from Farmingdale State College received the LIFGA Bob Gunther Scholarship of $1,000.
2019 LIFGA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
The LIFGA established a scholarship fund with the American Floral Endowment in 2010 after fund raising for more than 12 years. This scholarship is intended for students in the Long Island/New York area studying ornamental horticulture at a community college or a four-year institution.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
HORTICULTURAL CENTER
GREENHOUSE HORTICULTURE
LOCAL EVENTS
LOWe always have fun events going on. Whether you’re a participant or a volunteer, we want you to be part of it! Stay up to date with our events calendar, and make sure to RSVP for each event
COMMERCIAL FLORTICULTURE SURVEY: GROWER RESPONSES NEEDED
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.
CULTIVATE '20
DATES: July 11-14, 2020
Cultivate is the largest all-industry trade show and conference for the horticulture industry. It is the industry event that brings the entire professional community together to make an even greater impact. This is the industry’s preeminent event for business, networking, professional development, trends, industry research, and business growth.
Cultivate is where the entire green industry gathers for an event that’s unparalleled in quality of education, variety of exhibitors, and cross-channel networking and learning. This premier event is known by horticulture professionals as their go-to source for new products, new varieties and educational sessions.
Cultivate is happening from 11 July 2020, Saturday to 14 July 2020, Tuesday at Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH. The organizer of the event is AmericanHort. It is open to trade visitors. The estimated number of attendance is 10,000. Visitors come from over 45 countries. The estimated number of exhibitors is 650. The event will accommodate approximately 350,000 square feet of exhibit space. There will be over 150 speakers, over 150 sessions. The frequency of this event is annual.
LIFGA 60TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK - Place Your Ad
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.
AMERICAN FLORAL ENDOWMENT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
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.
MEMBERSHIP SNAPSHOT
Members
28LIFGA’s success is attributed to the dedication we put forward toward local growers, retail garden centers, nurseries, landscapers, arborists, farms and complement industries. We support group discussions and promote content that is most prevalent to the LI horticultural community.
Our association continues to grow by offering many opportunities through means of continuing education, networking dinners, sponsored events, website advertisements and affiliate of the PlantSomething national campaign.
Being a member of LIFGA is more than just being connected to a business group, it’s about being part of a larger family .. who LISTEN AND CARE !!
Commercial Growers
Garden Centers
Supporting Industries
Advertisers
PREMIUM MEMBERS
FARM CREDIT EAST
FARM CREDIT EAST is dedicated to serving the agricultural credit and financial needs of those in the business of agriculture, including farmers, nursery and greenhouse operators, lobstermen, part-time growers, agribusiness owners and country home owners.
CJ VAN BOURGONDIEN
CJ VAN BOURGONDIEN, Inc started with one man wanting to settle down and start a family while living the American dream. Going from a bulb salesman, working for his father from Holland, to a business owner in the United States, all started in 1916.
FARM FAMILY INSURANCE
FARM FAMILY INSURANCE – Choosing the right insurance is critical. As a business owner, I understand that a one-size-fits-all policy doesn’t make sense for individuals, families or businesses. You know insuring your future means more than just getting the quickest quote or finding the best price
EMMA'S GARDEN
EMMA’S GARDEN GROWERS are a 3rd generation, family-owned business serving the New York City metropolitan area, Long Island, Westchester County, Western Connecticut and Northern NJ. We are growers of high quality annuals, perennials, ground covers, and holiday crops.
GREEN ISLAND DISTRIBUTORS
GREEN ISLAND DISTRIBUTORS. Inc is a family owned and operated business dedicated to serving the Tri-State Area’s greenhouse and nursery growers. We are committed to providing responsive and efficient customer service to our customers.
BIANCHI-DAVIS GREENHOUSES
BIANCHI-DAVIS GREENHOUSES provides a moderate climate and computer-automated facility for the ideal growing home of our Phalaenopsis Orchids. Your order is picked from our benches by seasoned professionals. You tell us exactly what you want and we deliver it.
SPONSORING MEMBERS
ATLANTIC NURSERIES
691 DEER PARK AVE, DIX HILLS, NY 11746 (631) 586-6242
We are a wholesale and grower operation. Our goal is to provide landscape professionals with the highest standard of quality plant material and a broad variety of unusual, hard to find plants. To learn more visit our website.
COLORFUL GARDENS
35 MILL RD, CALVERTON, NY 11933 (631) 369-5598
Colorful Gardens serves garden centers and nurseries in the tri-state areas with annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables and ground cover plants. We have an extensive client list and value quality service. Check out our Facebook page.
CHARLES SPITZNER NURSERY
PO BOX 40, MANORVILLE, NY 11949 (631) 878-1021
Family owned and operated Wholesale Greenhouse operation. We specialize in NG Impatiens, Geraniums, Dahlias, Non-Stop Begonias, Easter Mums and Garden Mums. Growing under 120,000 sqf of covered greenhouses. Find out more ..
EMERALD FLORA
478 WEEKS AVE, MANORVILLE, NY 11949 (631) 874-8742
Emerald Flora is a wholesale greenhouse operation hidden in the woods of Manorville. We are a smaller operation that caters to the more diverse and specific needs of garden centers and landscapers, most notably specializing in quality accent plants used in container gardens.” Find out more.
FRED GLOECKNER
171 ICELAND AVE, HUNTINGTON ST, NY 11746 (516) 982-5925
Fred C Gloeckner company has been committed to providing commercial growers with quality horticultural products from worldwide sources since 1934. Please contact Walter Bissex to learn about our latest offerings.
LANDCRAFT ENVIRONMENTS
1160 EAST MILL RD, MATTITUCK, NY 11952 (631) 734-6832
We grow tropicals, tender perennials and unusual annuals as well as a few fairly common annuals. All the plants we grow thrive in our hot, humid summers and many perform well into the autumn months. Visit our website.
NORMAN KEIL NURSERIES
38A FIFTY ACRE ROAD, ST JAMES, NY, 11780 (631) 584-6330
Norman Keil Nurseries is a wholesale greenhouse operation with a customer base that includes large chain stores, supermarkets, garden centers, and the landscape trade. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality products combined with excellent customer service.
WEBTRACK BY
BALL HORTICULTURAL
Ball WebTrack manages your business so you can have more time in your greenhouse and less time behind your desk. WebTrack offers the broadest selection of live online inventory, less paperwork, and online order management. Learn more ..
NORMAN KEIL NURSERIES
38A FIFTY ACRE RD, SAINT JAMES, NY 11780 (631) 584-6330
Norman Keil Nurseries is a large wholesale greenhouse operation established in 1996. Our customer base includes large chain stores, supermarkets, garden centers, and the landscape trade. Visit our website.
NF BOUTIQUE GARDENS
2450 ELIJAH’S LN, MATTITUCK, NY 11952 (631) 734-6832
North Fork Boutique Gardens is a wholesale supplier of premium landscape plants. Located on the North Fork of Long Island, NFBG operates on 17 acres in the Village of Mattituck. Visit our website.