AIPH calls on leading ornamental young plant growers

Calling all industry leading ornamental young plant producers, enter the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) International Grower of the Year Awards (IGOTY) 2018 for your chance to gain international acclaim.

In partnership with Founding Partner, FloraCulture International (FCI), the awards recognise best practice in horticultural production. In addition to a category for ‘Young Plants’, there are also categories for ‘Cut Flowers, Foliage and Bulbs’ and ‘Finished Plants and Trees’ as well as two more categories, new for 2018.

“This award is very different from any other award, as its given to us by a fellow plantsman. This is a fantastic honour for our team, so they can see that vision and strategy is not just a paper exercise.” Poul Graff, Owner, Graff Kristensen, Denmark, ‘Young Plants’ Gold award winner 2017.

For 2018 all award entrants will be invited to put their business forward for the new AIPH ‘Sustainability’ award. The award will recognise the best practice and innovation in improving sustainability in areas including water use, chemical use, climate change, energy use, transportation, labour management and social standards. Also new for 2018 is the AIPH ‘Inspiring Business’ award which is looking for small businesses that demonstrate unique qualities and innovation. Grower businesses with less than ten employees (full-time equivalent) can apply.

Earlier this year Graff Kristensen, Denmark, took home the Gold for ‘Young Plants’. Since the millennium, breeding has been an important part of the global activities of the company, which today is owned and managed by the third generation of the family, and with the fourth generation working in the nursery.

Due to popular demand the awards will again take place during IPM Essen, Germany. The event commences with a drinks reception, followed by a gourmet gala dinner and awards ceremony. After the awards, there will be an evening of celebration with live entertainment and international networking.

The deadline for entries is 15 July 2017. Last year ornamentals growers from Colombia, Russia, the Netherlands, China, Denmark, the UK and Belgium were IGOTY finalists.

For more information:
www.aiph.org/groweroftheyear

Publication date: Tue 20 Jun 2017