Aug 1, 2008

Industry Leaders Selected to Serve on Sustainability Standards CommitteeSource: Leonardo Academy

The committee that will set the country’s first national standards of sustainable agriculture has been selected and GPN‘s Dr. Jim Barrett, University of Florida and Stan Pohmer, Pohmer Consulting Group, will serve as industry representatives. The committee will be responsible for approving the Draft National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture Production, which, once accepted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will certify a company’s products as sustainable.

Representatives from the ornamental horticulture industry include :

• Jim Barrett, University of Florida
• Stan Pohmer, Pohmer Consulting Group, Minnetonka, Minn.
• Hans Brand, B&H Flowers, Carpinteria, Calif.
• Will Healy, Ball Horticultural Company
• Juan Carlos Isaza, Asocolflores
• Tom Leckman, Sierra Flower Trading, Montreal, Canada
• Mark Yelanich, Metrolina Greenhouses, Huntersville, N.C.

Of the 175 applications received, 58 were chosen – expanded from the initially planned 40. Other members making up the committee include producers, users, environmentalists and other general interests. Members were chosen based on interest, experience, technical expertise, sector representation and sustainability affiliations.

Leonardo Academy, a neutral third party approved by ANSI, will facilitate the development process. To learn more about the committee or the Draft National Standard for Agriculture Production, visit the Leonardo Academy’s website.