The green industry—encompassing greenhouses, nurseries, floriculture, landscape design and conservation, turf and tree cultivation—is one of the fastest-growing segments of agriculture in North Carolina. Accounting for an estimated 150,000 jobs and an economic impact of over $8 billion, the industry depends on new research and technology to improve and implement its practices in environmental stewardship. That’s why the North Carolina Green Industry Council teamed up with the Carolinas Irrigation Association, the North Carolina Sod Producers Association and the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina to support the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI).
“The North Carolina Green Industry Council unites all green industry associations and constituents under one umbrella organization,” said Dennis Niemeyer, president of the North Carolina Green Industry Council. “We represent and protect the interests of our members regarding local, state and federal legislation, promote the value of green industry products and services, and represent the green industry as an advocate and leader of environmental stewardship.”
“That environmental stewardship dovetails into NC State and the research they conduct regarding technology and new science with issues we champion,” he continued.
The Council is looking forward to new research coming out of N.C. PSI that includes plant breeding to reduce invasive species, the development of pesticides and their technical application, and new techniques in green infrastructure, where plants and landscape are utilized for water management in industrial builds.
“Supporting N.C. PSI is an investment in our future. The collaboration happening at N.C. PSI will give a broader perspective and bring the best of the best to creating sustainable solutions in agriculture and infrastructure, ” said Niemeyer. “We see it as a win-win. Our support helps NC State produce our technical people and a big chunk of our workforce, along with the science and technology of our industry’s future.”
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What we Think and Do improves the world through plant science innovation. Please consider supporting our work with your financial support.
Dinah Schuster
Senior Director of Development, Plant Sciences Initiative
P: 919.513.8294
daschust@ncsu.edu
