Finished Plant Conference to Debut in October

In October, AmericanHort will debut its first-ever Finished Plant Conference, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

During the three-day conference (Oct. 11-13), attendees will learn best practices in the world of finished plants during the education sessions and network with suppliers at the trade show. There also will be a Greenhouse Tour and the Perennial Workshop.

The 25+ educational sessions will focus on specific production practices and crops that have the highest potential to impact profit margin. Topics to be covered include quality control, space efficiency, labor reduction strategies, scheduling, PGRs, overwintering and more.

During the trade show, key vendors will be exhibiting and sharing their expertise at the conference. Attendees will walk the trade show looking to discover new suppliers, strategies and opportunities to help grow their businesses.

There also will be a Greenhouse Tour that will visit several world-class locations including Walters Gardens, Spring Meadow Nursery, Henry Mast Greenhouse and Garden Crossings.

Walters Gardens also will be hosting the Finished Plant Conference Perennial Workshop. This workshop is ideal for both beginner to intermediate perennial growers and will cover weed control, perennial PGRs and application methods, handling of bare-root material and more.

For more information, visit AmericanHort.org/FinishedPlant.

— Tim

Whole Foods Foundation Dishes Out $3 Million in Garden Grants

Whole Kids Foundation, a nonprofit established by Whole Foods Market and dedicated to helping to improve children’s nutrition, is granting a record $3 million in garden grants to help schools and nonprofit organizations start or expand edible learning spaces as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. The Foundation is awarding the funds after receiving more than 1,400 applications from schools and nonprofits that want to create hands-on learning spaces that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity and support classroom curriculums. A total of 1,000 schools and nonprofit organizations will receive grants of $3,000 each this fall.

Walmart Launches Walmart GoLocal Delivery Service

Walmart has created a new business — Walmart GoLocal — which extends its expertise in delivering goods to customers to businesses of all sizes. Walmart GoLocal is built on the retailer’s ability to execute delivery capabilities at scale with efficiency. In recent years, Walmart launched and scaled delivery and Express delivery for its customers on 160,000+ items from more than 3,000 stores, reaching nearly 70% of the U.S. population. This white-label delivery service includes delivery on a range of assortment, including those with size and complex requirements, as well as the flexibility to meet varying timelines. The business will also rapidly expand to offer additional innovative offerings.

Lowe’s Kicks Off #FallTogether Program

To celebrate autumn, Lowe’s has assembled the #FallTogether Collective, a diverse and distinguished group of 10 creators, who will work with Lowe’s customers to help them bring their passion for the season to life in their outdoor spaces. Lowe’s customers can now register for the FallTogether Matchmaker Program for a chance to be matched with one of Lowe’s Collective creators. Each winner will receive a virtual consultation, customized project plan and $500 Lowe’s gift card to help infuse the sights, sounds and flavors of fall into their homes. The Collective includes individuals like Epic Gardening’s Kevin Espiritu, lifestyle creator Sopha Rush, and environmental Jenny Ong, among others.

Tim Hodson