Overseas representatives study local nursery industry
The existence of a global economy was unquestionable early this week as six delegates from nurseries located in European nations traveled to the Nursery Capital of the World.
Nursery representatives from Germany, the Netherlands and France traveled to the United States in conjunction with international trade shows in the United States and Germany. The project was funded by the Southern United States Agriculture Trade Association and helps foster global nursery trading and networking, representatives indicated.
“Many of them are aware that we have a good industry in the U.S., but aren’t really sure how that [plant] material could or would fit into their operations,” Paul Nordstrom of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture said of the idea behind the exchange while acting as one of the group’s hosts Monday.
“This gives them an opportunity to see a plant that may fit into their location and actually talk to people who are already growing it.”
The group traveled to Hale and Hines Nursery, Pleasant Cove Nursery, Triangle Nursery, Warren County Nursery and Heather Nursery in Warren County in addition to three other nurseries in the Winchester area.
Susanne Podlich of Munster, Germany, said she made several conclusions about nurseries in Tennessee after her brief visits.
“I like the surroundings here and the land. There are very friendly people here. The nurseries are different from our German nurseries in their techniques – different but effective,” she added.
“We learned that you can do things very effectively with simple doings – that you don’t have to have the complicated, technical equipment. The target is to water, fertilize and grow the plants. The Germans always want to do it technically and perfectly. That’s not always necessary.”
Paulus van den Berk of the Netherlands said he wants to be able to import so-called root ball trees.
“The people can fly all over the world, but not trees,” he said.
Warren County Nursery co-owner Michael Hobbs said every little exchange of information helps the industry.
“They’ve asked a lot of questions as to how or why we do the things we do, which is quite different in many cases, from the way they do it. So whether they can incorporate some our ideas into their operations, you never know,” he said.
“In visiting any nursery, at any where or at any time, you never know when you’re going to see just one little thing that they do that gives us an idea.”
Nordstrom said in conjunction with the trade shows, Tennessee nursery industry representatives would visit European countries similarly.