May | June 2010


important to our industry. Last year, the Association spent many hours working with EPD to add drip ir- rigation and soaker hoses to the list of exemptions for outdoor use. Capitol Day, an annual GGIA event, raises awareness of the industry with key legislative leaders. There are many other concerns that our Asso- ciation helps fight for our industry. Our Association has a clear and strong voice that represents all mem- bers from many different industry segments.


We offer chapter meetings because we know that not everyone can attend the quarterly board meetings. Each chapter helps members connect local concerns with state issues and allow local feedback. Each chapter president attends the state quarterly meetings to up- date the board on the concerns and ideas on how to grow the chapter. But most importantly to me as the Chair, the chapter meetings give each person a time of fellowship and a time of learning from each others’ successes.


The four current


Chapters that serve the state of Georgia are like the mirrors in our car; we are always looking


into them for advice, and seeking the knowledge of seeing what is beside us or possibly behind us.


Education is another facet of the association. Our educational programs are designed for many different members of our association; training workshops for the irrigation contractor, landscape production work- shop for basic pest and disease I.D., certified classes for the landscape and plant professionals, sediment & erosion control workshops, FFA Junior certification, invasive non-native plant control workshop, scholar- ship programs and the list goes on and on. Education is the lifeline to the Association. We should always be pouring knowledge and wisdom into our industry just as we do when our car needs that 3000-mile oil change.


The other benefits of belonging to GGIA are compa- rable to the upgrades we make while deciding which car we want to purchase. The insurance coverage from BB&T can be compared to the GPS; it navigates us through unknown territory and offers security during our travels. The Association partnered with BB&T Insurance Company because we knew the hardest thing to find is a specialist that offers competitive pricing and still has that family-oriented environment that cares for your business.


“‘Part of GGIA’s role is to continue to promote the industry while educating all Georgians as to the environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits that only our industry can offer. For that effort to be effective, we need the support of all industry members from across the state.’”


Another upgrade we offer is the advantage program through Staples. This advantage program could be compared to the cruise control in our car. If we use it, it could save us money from speed- ing tickets and less fuel usage. The advantage program is a commercial division of Staples and offers busi- nesses substantial savings over list price, customized pricing and win- ning customer service.


style benefits that only our industry can offer.


As my friend Chris Butts best stat- ed, “Part of GGIA’s role is to con- tinue to promote the industry while educating all Georgians as to the environmental, economic and life- For


that effort to be effective, we need the support of all industry members from across the state.” I’m hop- ing I’ve answered the initial question of, “What do you get by becoming a member of the Georgia Green Industry Association?” The value of the Association is far greater than the $200.00 cost of the member- ship. Please support this state association by inviting a friend to become a member.


Jenny Law, Monrovia Growers President, Georgia Green Industry Association 1-800-342-6012 jlaw@monrovia.com


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