2 minute read
Executive Director message
Welcome to our newest UAC board members: Pam Dooley, Plants Creative Landscapes, Jennifer Jorge, KingGreen and Steve Ware, Centennial Olympic Park/Georgia World Congress Center. We are excited to have them joining the board, and look forward to their input and guidance with the association. Learn more about Pam, Jennifer and Steve starting on page 6.
Heading into fall, I’m reflecting on how important all of the members of our industry – your businesses and your employees – are to our local cities, communities and the state. Contractors design and install landscapes; maintain residential and commercial properties; keep rightof-ways and roadways clear and weed-free; grow flowers, ornamental plants and turf; design, install and maintain irrigation systems that provide efficient water use; safely provide tree care; install and maintain all kinds of sports venues and more. The suppliers, vendors and manufacturers who provide services and equipment for contractors are highly professional and know their stuff, offering expert guidance and advice to their customers. The educators, institutions and professional trade associations who are UAC members support all sectors of the industry. I’ve been fortunate in the last few months to visit with many of our members throughout the state, learning about your businesses and your communities, and I look forward to more in-person visits throughout this fall and winter. I thank all of you for your membership and support of the Georgia Urban Ag Council and each other.
Great opportunities coming your way
October brings in more education and networking events! We are proud to sponsor two Landscape Design Seminars this month: > Oct. 6: Fundamentals of Design Graphics > Oct. 7: Creating the Ultimate Landscape Design These seminars are limited to 30 attendees per day, so make sure to sign up quickly! Dr. Richard Ludwig and Bill Slack, ASLA are the instructors; we thank Caldwell Landscape for hosting this event at their business training room. Details on page 26.
We have tentatively scheduled an Industry/
Student Networking Dinner
for October 26 at Gwinnett Tech. This is a great opportunity to meet students in the Horticulture Program and learn more about them and their educational experiences. Please keep tuned - we are waiting on final confirmation from the school. October 28 brings our annual UAC Sporting Clays Tournament at Blalock Lakes in Newnan, GA. One of our most popular events, it’s a great opportunity to reward your employees and/or treat your clients to an always outstanding day of sport, food and fellowship. The following week (November 5), UAC member Verdure Turf will hold the 2nd Annual “Tower Blast” shooting event, and UAC will be on hand to meet with attendees and promote our association. Don’t miss either of these events. Head down to Tifton, GA on November 2-3 for the
UAC Georgia Sod & Landscape Field Day and 74th
Annual SE Turfgrass Conference. For the first time, these two events are combined, offering sod producers, landscape and turfgrass professionals and educators an opportunity to learn, network and attend the exhibitor tradeshow and demonstrations. Thanks to UGA Tifton and Superior Turf Farms for hosting us in 2021. Check out the agenda on page 41. In early 2022, we’ll be hosting an Industry/Student 4 Networking Event at Chattahoochee Tech, as well. Information about all of these events and registration can be found at the UAC website: urbanagcouncil.com Just click on “Events” for a complete list. More events will be added as we lock in on them! Have a safe, healthy and profitable fall!
