May 8, 2009

New York Grower Receives VeriFlora CertificationSource: Dickman Farms

Dickman Farms joined the ranks of the horticulture industry’s top greenhouse-production facilities when it received VeriFlora certification for growing sustainable floral products including vegetative liners, finished annuals, perennials, herbs, ground covers, hardy mums and hanging baskets in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Scientific Certification Systems, a global leader in third-party certification of environmental performance and sustainability claims, administers the awards, paying special attention to chemical and fertilizer use, environmental protocols, fuel usage, recycling and the company’s overall carbon footprint. The sustainability certification process also reviews how a company interacts with its employees and the local community.

“Sustainability is taking a holistic approach to operating a business; it is a journey, not a destination,” said Dave Dickman, president of Dickman Farms. “It is a tremendous honor to have Dickman Farms earn VeriFlora certification, and to be the first to receive this designation in New York state.” Dickman Farms is a fourth-generation family-owned business that has built its reputation on high-quality plant materials with conscientious customer service.

Dickman Farms is a young plant propagation business and is an exclusive supplier to Ball Horticultural Company. They grow more than 1,500 items for Ball in their 365,000-square-foot production facility, including vegetative annuals, geraniums and perennials. The facility also boasts more than 6 acres of outdoor growing space. Dickman Farms wholesale division ships more than 9.5 million plants annually to other growers throughout North America. Dickman Farms is also the largest grower of finished annuals and perennials in central New York, shipping to more than 80 independent garden centers within 500 miles of the facility. For the individual consumer, Dickman Farms features a 26,000-square-foot enclosed retail space with a 3-acre exterior nursery yard at its Auburn location. For more information, visit www.dickmanfarms.com.