Flower Shop Network Salutes Arkansas Green Industry Association’s Support of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission

The Arkansas Green Industry Association (ARGIA – formally the Arkansas Nurserymen’s Assoc.) held their annual convention last week in Hot Springs Arkansas. This year the underlying theme was “getting involved” both, with the association and the community. In an effort to get involved, the association gave its support to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission and it’s environmentally friendly program. Going green and being pro-environment is not a new concept for ARGIA, so supporting the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission was a natural fit. As Anne Fuller, ARGIA director, put it “our industry was green when green wasn’t cool.” Nurseries and landscapers for many years have used organic and recycled products; created green-scapes that encourage the benefits of nature; promoted the benefits of gardening and giving back to the earth. In fact, the keynote speaker Matt Stueck of Suburban Lawn & Garden (with location in Overland Park KS and Kansas City MO) touched on their recycling efforts at their nursery. Several going green ideas were introduced to the convention including Ball Horticulture’s rice hulls pots and trays (very environmentally friendly). Of course, the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission hits at the foundation of the going green trend – keeping the environment clean through litter prevention, recycling and community beautification. The commission held mini demonstrations showing landscapers how to properly tarp their loads; handed-out special ashtrays; gave valuable recycling information to all the attendees.

This past August, Floral Management also addressed the eco-friendly lifestyle. The article outlined the way the floral industry and florists play a part in the eco-friendly movement. It is amazing how the people (florists, garden centers, landscapers) who help us create beautiful home environments, also, want to help us create beautiful environmentally friendly environments.

For more information on recycling, litter prevention or tools and resources for community beautification check out Keep Arkansas Beautiful.com