Getting a View from the Hill
This has been a very interesting year in Washington, D.C.
A lot has happened since last year’s elections as each and every day brings new headlines about national and international issues.
For the horticulture industry, labor regulations, a new Farm Bill and other pending legislation are just a few of the things that should be on your radar.
These issues could have a major impact on our industry — and your business — so you need to be informed and up to date on what is going on in the nation’s capital.
One way you can do that is by attending the 2017 Big Grower Executive Summit, Oct. 1-3, in Wakefield, Massachusetts (just north of Boston).
At the Big Grower Executive Summit, AmericanHort’s Craig Regelbrugge will be on hand to sort out what is going on in Washington and what it may or may not mean to our industry in the weeks, months and years ahead. Craig will break down who is doing what and why they are doing it — and what it means to you!
Some of the other topics that be addressed at this year’s Executive Summit include insight into today’s (and tomorrow’s) consumers, emerging markets for growers, developing a mutually beneficial relationship with your banker, selecting the right insurance for your business, and today’s changing economy and what is on the horizon.
We also will be visiting Pleasant View Gardens and lēf Farms for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of their growing operations.
If you would like to find more about the program or to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration discount, please visit www.biggrower.com/executivesummit.
Home Depot to Add Solar Farms to 50 Store Rooftops
The Home Depot plans to add solar installations at 50 of its stores this year as the company continues to expand its alternative energy portfolio, essentially creating mini solar farms out of unused rooftops. The project reportedly will reduce electricity grid demand by an estimated 30 to 35 percent annually at each store — the equivalent of powering 2,300 average U.S. homes for a year. The average store roof, at approximately 104,000 square feet, will accommodate 1,000 panels. The solar farms will bring the company’s alternative energy footprint to more than 130 megawatts as it pursues the goal of utilizing 135 MW of alternative and renewable energy by 2020.
Lowe’s Launches Program to Renovate Boys & Girls Clubs
On Aug. 8, Lowe’s launched a $2.5 million program to renovate 50 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. Lowe’s Renovation Across the Nation is an initiative where Lowe’s gives a $50,000 grant and hands-on support from employee volunteers to one Boys & Girls Club in each of the 50 states to refurbish the facility. This year, customers can join the cause by donating at any Lowe’s store nationwide, through Sept. 5. The home improvement retailer kicked off the program at the Preston Taylor Boys & Girls Club in Nashville, Tennessee, with a surprise concert from country music star Hunter Hayes.
Hamilton E. (Tony) James has been elected as the chairman of the board of directors at Costco. James replaces company co-founder and chairman Jeff Brotman who died earlier this month. James is the president and chief operating officer of the Blackstone Group L.P., and a member of the board of directors of its general partner, Blackstone Group Management LLC. He is also a member of Blackstone’s Management Committee and sits on each of the firm’s investment committees. James has been a director of Costco Wholesale since August 1988 and was its lead independent director since 2005.
Video Library 
