May 2, 2008

Around the IndustrySource: Various

Growing Business Named SBA 2008 Hawaii State Exporter of the Year

David Fell and Sandy Kasman, owners of Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery, have been named Hawaii’s Small Business Exporters for 2008 by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

This award is given out each year to the small business that best exemplifies a successful community-oriented export business.

Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery, founded in 1978, operates two nurseries on the Big Island and a third nursery on Oahu. The nursery specializes in growing bromeliads and tropical foliage for the retail, landscape and resort industries.

For more information, visit http://www.HawaiianSunshineNursery.com.

ASCFG Celebrates 20 Years

The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) was created at the University of Georgia in 1988 by Allan Armitage and Judy Laushman. Twenty years later, the organization provides production and marketing information to 600 growers across the United States and seven other countries, according to an ASCFG press release.

Members grow perennials, annuals, herbs, grasses, bulbs and woody cut stems as cut flowers. They sell their materials to wholesale and retail florists, grocery and chain stores, and restaurants and event planners. About a third of the membership base sells cut flowers at farmers markets.

In addition, ASCFG provides networking opportunities to members through its annual National Conference and Trade Show, slated this year for September 8 to 11 in Portland, Ore. Other popular member services include an online bulletin board, connecting growers on diverse topics, and the Cut Flower Quarterly publication. The ASCFG also supports national seed, perennial and woody cut flower trials.

For more information, visit http://www.ascfg.org.