Meadville, PA – July 21, 2015 — Ernst Conservation Seeds, Inc. and Fairview Evergreen Nurseries have teamed up to bring landscape and nursery professionals an opportunity for education, networking and good food at Ernst Conservation Seeds in Meadville, PA on Thursday, July 30 at 5:30 p.m.
All landscape and nursery companies and their key employees are invited to attend. The event qualifies for one Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist CEU.
The green industry networking event is part of the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association’s (PLNA) ongoing MeetUps program. MeetUps are a chance for landscape and nursery industry professionals to learn and network with each other based on real world experiences while building relationships and connecting with fellow industry leaders.
The evening will include the educational talk, “Pollinator Stewardship for Green Industry Professionals” by Ruth Benner of Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension. This core presentation will discuss best practices for pesticide selection, application timing and application methods to minimize impact on pollinators. Participants will learn about the addition of the Bee Advisory Box on many pesticide labels. The group will review recent research findings on the impacts that pesticides and other biological and abiotic factors play on pollinator health.
A tour of Ernst Conservation Seeds’ operations will follow. Guests will see how Ernst runs its native seed agribusiness and learn how it has evolved over the years, becoming the leading native seed supplier in the eastern United States.
A catered barbecue and networking will round out the evening’s activities.
The event is open to the first 100 guests that register (PLNA members and non-members welcome). A $5 fee is payable in cash at the door. Registration will begin at 5:00 p.m., with the event starting at 5:30 p.m.
Attendees should RSVP no later than July 27th by visiting the PLNA website, www.plna.org and clicking the “Upcoming PLNA MeetUps” link on the right side of the home page.
For more information, contact Andy Ernst of Ernst Conservation Seeds at (800) 873-3321 or Hagan Hetz of Fairview Evergreen Nurseries at (800) 458-2234.
About Ernst Conservation Seeds
Founded in 1964, Ernst Conservation Seeds is the largest native seed producer and supplier in the eastern United States. Ernst grows, processes and sells over 200 species of native seeds and live plant materials and sells an additional 200 species of naturalized seeds propagated on more than 8,000 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania. Ernst owns additional farmland in Florida, and has cooperative growing relationships in Maryland, North Carolina and Oregon. The company employs nearly 100 people during its busy seasons, of which 75 are full-time. Its seeds are used throughout the eastern United States for pipeline and right-of-way restoration, wetland mitigation, sustainable landscaping, erosion control and pollinator and wildlife habitat by customers including conservation organizations, landscape architects, reclamation/restoration contractors, government agencies and private landowners.
About Fairview Evergreen Nurseries
Fairview Evergreen Nurseries, Inc. (FEN) is a wholesale grower of top quality ornamental plant material, supplying many of the finest landscapers, re-wholesalers, and garden centers in the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1911 by Frank C. Hetz, FEN continues to thrive today as a fourth generation, family owned and operated company celebrating 100 years of service to the green industry in 2011. Located in Fairview, Pennsylvania on the south shore of Lake Erie, the company’s market reach extends to Ontario and Quebec in the north, all along the Atlantic coast, south to Tennessee, west to Kansas and Nebraska, and includes bare root shipments to Oregon and British Columbia.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Randy Ferguson, Dir. Marketing & Communications
Ernst Conservation Seeds
814-336-2404 (office)
724-813-0839 (cell)
rferguson@ernstseed.com