Finished plant and tree growers from all over the world are invited to compete for Gold in the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) International Grower of the Year Awards (IGOTY) 2018.
“This past year we got amazing coverage, literally all over the world. The owners and workers were all very excited. We were humbled and it really did motivate us to do even better” Mike Rimland, Costa Farms, USA, 2016 ‘Finished Plants and Trees’ winner.
In partnership with Founding Partner, FloraCulture International (FCI), the awards recognise best practice in horticultural production. In addition to a category for ‘Finished Plants and Trees’ there are also categories for ‘Young Plants’ and ‘Cut Flowers, Foliage & Bulbs’ as well as two more categories, new for 2018.
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 Gui Zhou Miaofu Urban Horticulture Co. Ltd, China, took home the Gold for ‘Finished Plants & Trees’. Currently a pioneer in nursery stocks production and landscape construction in China with a production base covering an area of 1,500 hectares and an intelligent greenhouse with an area of 70,000 square meters. Every year they have roughly 5 million nursery stocks of different types and sizes in their nurseries for the market, including 56 species and 42,000 modelling plants.
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, including a video from the IGOTY 2017 awards, visit: www.aiph.org/groweroftheyear
