Jan 7, 2015
AmericanHort Turns One

On January 1, AmericanHort celebrated its first birthday.

On January 1, AmericanHort celebrated its first birthday. The organization formally launched on January 1, 2014, through the consolidation of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFAThe Association of Horticulture Professionals.

It was the culmination of the vision the respective members of both groups who wanted “to bring together the two national organizations and replace them with one comprehensive horticulture industry association to serve the industry in North America.”

The members voted in September 2013 to approve the consolidation of ANLA and OFA.

The mission of AmericanHort is to connect the vast diversity of the industry. The horticulture community now has a strong and unifying voice and the infrastructure to support and expand horticultural businesses, and to promote the value of flowers, plants, trees, and turf. With that influence and member participation, the association is celebrating numerous successes of the first year. Here are some highlights:

Launched the first-ever comprehensive research project to support the future of garden retailing and related horticulture services.
Organized the industry’s Bee and Pollinator Stewardship Initiative.
Influenced efforts to provide a reliable immigrant workforce for our industry.
Collaborated with the Horticultural Research Institute to leverage more than $10 million in research to support all industry sectors.
Published nearly 400 articles, videos, and webinars on the AmericanHort Knowledge Center website.
Persuaded the U.S. House of Representatives to retain industry-friendly accounting rules.
Produced an expanded Cultivate’14, the largest all-industry event in North America.
Expanded its Interior Plantscape Community through a partnership with Plantscape Institute of America.
Hosted several business development conferences for all business sectors.
Supported important consumer-focused organizations, including AmericanHort’s community service affiliate, America in Bloom.
Published a revised ANSI American Standard for Nursery Stock, which is used by retailers, growers, landscapers, and municipalities.