Jan 13, 2006

Latest Vendor NewsSource: Various

Wisconsin Growers Eligible for Controller Rebates

As of Jan. 1, 2006, Wisconsin greenhouse owners served by certain utility companies became eligible for rebates on purchases of greenhouse controller equipment. Focus on Energy, a public-private partnership with a goal to encourage energy efficiency, is offering rebates on controllers, to help reduce energy usage and costs. The rebate amounts will be based on square footage of greenhouse to be controlled, at a rate of $.03 per sq.ft.

Controllers must meet these requirements to qualify for the rebate program:

• A minimum of two temperature stages in a 24-hour period.
• Heating and cooling appliances controlled by the same sensor.
• The ability to force a delay between when heating and cooling events occur.
• The ability to maintain a deadband zone of 7 degrees or greater between the heating and cooling events.
• The ability to temporarily override set program temperatures.

Greenhouse growers in Wisconsin can contact Focus on Energy at (800) 762-7077 and ask for the Agriculture and Rural Business Program. The controller purchases for this rebate program must be made by June 30, 2006. There is a maximum rebate amount of $3,000 per facility per calendar year in this program. The rebate grant may not exceed 50 percent of the installed cost of the controller equipment.

Novalis Expands Growers and Web site

Novalis, Inc., announced that it has added three new growers to its alliance-based network, making it one of the largest plant providers in the Untied States, according to Novalis. On the heels of incorporating the new growers, Novalis has also launched a new and interactive Web site that will serve to communicate online with independent garden centers and plant consumers.

The three new growers round out the national Novalis network to 10 growers and more than 15 nursery and greenhouse locations. The new growers include Fisher Farms in Gaston and Sherwood, Ore. Hackney Nursery Company in Greensboro, Fla.; and Windmill Nursery in Folsom, La.

The new Novalis Web site was designed to address the various ways in which plant information is communicated in today’s busy industry. The site contains comprehensive sections, which were written and created specifically for three important segmentations to Novalis. These include the owners and managers of independent garden centers for whom Novalis plants are grown, horticulture media editors/news producers interested in the latest in plant trends and the general consumer market. To tune in to the Web site visit http://www.novalisinc.com.