FNGLA Announces Pest Management Certification

There's been a growing demand for skilled pest management processionals, and to meet that demand we need quality training and information—specifically training related to pest management in nursery production systems.

Rising to the challenge, the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA) has announced the launch of the FNGLA Pest Management Technician Certification, a new certification designed to elevate the level of expertise and professionalism within the nursery, greenhouse and landscape industries.

While this certification will not replace any state-required licensing, it'll equip individuals with an in-depth understanding of integrated pest management (IPM) practices, pesticide safety, pest identification and the latest control techniques, building mastery in anyone that pursues this course. Technicians who obtain this certification can showcase their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, effectiveness and environmental stewardship. Most of all, this training will equip professionals with the tools needed to recognize pests and take effective action to control them.

You can read more about the certification HERE.

TREE Fund Scholarships

Scholarship alert! The Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund has put out their spring 2025 spring scholarships, each awarding $5,000 to deserving students interested in arboriculture and tree science. With the close relationship between growers, landscapers, arborists and, of course, the trees, there's a strong likelihood that you may know a student worthy of one of the six scholarships that are open from January 15 – March 15 every year.

For those who may not be familiar with the TREE Fund, it was established in 2002 and awards research and education grants along with scholarships to individuals and organizations that support tree science. The TREE Fund’s mission involves improving the quality of nursery-grown trees, stopping diseases and pests, and improving integrated pest management programs, enhancing public workforce safety, quantifying the benefits of trees, revolutionizing global best practices, and connecting youth with nature. Who doesn’t love trees?

All six of the following scholarships are available, each slightly different:

Bonnie Appleton Memorial Scholarship—Available to all students with interest in arboriculture, urban forestry, horticulture, nursery management or related field
Robert Felix Memorial Scholarship—Available to college students in arboriculture, urban forestry or related fields
Larry R. Hall Memorial Scholarship—Available for high school seniors or undergraduate students interested in entering the arboriculture industry
Will Nutter Memorial Scholarship—For students interested in arboriculture and urban forestry
Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship—Specifically for female college students enrolled in arboriculture or urban forestry
John Wright Memorial Scholarship—Available for college students and high school seniors interested in pursuing careers related to arboriculture

Check out the TREE Fund website to apply or find out more about these scholarships.

Star Roses and Plants Introduces the Marth Stewart Rose

Nothing gets people excited at the garden center like roses. As they say, roses are timeless—and as we approach the most rose-heavy holiday we know, what better time than to announce the release of a new and exciting rose to the market.

The Martha Stewart Rose is a hybrid tea rose. Boasting over 100 soft pink and apricot petals, this rose ushers in connotations of an elegant ballet as they dance in the wind. Moreover, this is an aromatic rose, with notes of citrus and honeysuckle.

Bred by Meilland, and first introduced in Europe as Jean de la Fontanie, this North American launch with Star Roses and Plants will make the Martha Stewart rose available at independent garden centers across the U.S. in 2026. Growers can start ordering bareroot plants now to get in the game early. Inquiries for stock should be made to your Star Roses territory managers.

I'll be looking forward to seeing this rose next year now that I have to wait for public releases like everyone else. It's new plant releases that make me miss managing the trial gardens the most!

Women in Horticulture

American Hort’s Women in Horticulture series is back, bringing an interview with Grace Elton, CEO of the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. In this interview, Grace will discuss how she transitioned from engineering to horticulture—a move that many wish they could make. We'll also find out more about her experiences at Longwood Gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London and the Lewis Ginter Botanic Garden. (I don’t know about you, but I think that's a seriously strong resume!)

As a leader, Grace has been committed to enhancing workplace satisfaction and fostering a positive, inclusive environment for her teams. Now at the helm of the New England Botanic Garden, a 200-acre garden in Boylston, Massachusetts, Grace will share her story and her journey from her early years in the Everglades to a storied career in environmental horticulture.

This webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern/1:00 p.m. Central. You can register for the webinar HERE.

Any Snow Damage to Report?

I'd like to close this newsletter with a request to growers in the Gulf South. I've received reports from several nurseries regarding damage from the recent snow storm that plagued growers from Houston through the Florida panhandle into the Carolinas. With record-breaking snows moving across the area, many growers were caught without much defense for these highly irregular weather conditions. Growers in the Gulf South know their fair share (if not more) of extreme weather, but a record-setting snowstorm was likely not on many people's bingo cards this year.

You can see the snow from Houston through the Florida panhandle from this NOAA satellite image.

In the last newsletter, I mentioned the cancellation of the Gulf States Horticulture Expo, right as the snows were piling up. Now as the snows melt away, we can begin to assess the damage. I'd like to use this platform to highlight the trials and tribulations that growers in the Gulf South have faced in recent times. While many were enjoying the snow (and I can't blame them—who wouldn’t like a couple days of a winter wonderland experience?) those who were fighting the snow to save their livelihoods can sometimes go forgotten. We can immediately assess structural damage and crop loss assessments aren't far behind, but cold damage is a bit of a slow-acting pest. As spring comes and sap starts flowing, we can expect to see even more damage, especially in woody crops. Just something to keep in mind ...

If anyone would be willing to share the damage they received from the snow storm, please reach out to me HERE. If you have photos or just a story, I want to make sure your voice is heard. I've visited with my colleagues in the area and we hope to put something together to get a better assessment as to the extent of the damage.

Think big,

Jeb Fields
Editor-at-Large
Nursery & Landscape Insider

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