Self-reliance is back

By Jay Tompt

and projects that number to increase 19Vo to 43 million households in 2009. In a separate report, they found that nine out of 10 households believe that it's important to maintain their landscape in a way that benefits the environment, although only about half are knowledgeable about how to do so. That gap is the retailer's opportu- nity-a budding population of food gardeners with a thirst for knowledge.

For those dealers with garden centers (those without might reconsider), it should be relatively easy to source organic soils, plant foods, pest control products, and drip irrigation kits, as these product categories have been growing for years and most L&G distributors stock them. Seeds can be a different matter. I recommend Seeds of Change (www.seedsofchange. com), which stocks a wide variety of organic and heirloom varieties.

Getting staff educated is key. In California, there's a fantastic program called Our Water Our World (www. ourwaterourworld.org), a non-profit funded by state and utility grants that provides free training and education for store staff on pesticide-free methods for controlling garden pests. Similarly focused non-profits and organic gardening organizations sh the country, so they should be easy to find.

But there's more to household selfreliance than simply planting a garden. Households generate lots of organic waste, with food scraps accounting for a big chunk of what goes to the local landfill, where it's consumed by anaerobic microbes that produce methane-a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. The solution is simple: composting.

Composting organic waste produces a nutrient-rich soil amendment, which every gardener knows is essential. There are some good composters on the market that look attractive on the retail floor, such as those from EnviroCycle, Terracycle, and Earth Machine. Some, like Green Johanna, even work in cold weather and can handle meat and bones. An alternative to conventional composters is a worm bin, such as the Worm Factory, which works well for folks without a yard.

Little "economic recovery" gardens, irrigated by rainwater, with soil amended by composted organic waste, are ripe with merchandising opportunities for self-reliant retailers.

- Jay Tompt is vice president of green product development at distributor Plan-lt Hardware and a leading expert in sustainable business and supply chain issues. He can be reached at info@plan-ithardwere.com or (415) 359-9914.

Vegas Dealers Join Forces

A.C. Houston Lumber Co., Las Vegas, Nv., has purchased the assets of 28-year-old Sandlin Lumber Co., Las Vegas. A.C. Houston will operate out of both its existing and newlY acquired Las Vegas locations.

"This expansion reaffirms A.C. Houston Lumber's commitment to the southem Nevada market in which we have had the pleasure of Providing quality service and products since l948," said president Ron Mason.

A.C. Houston operates lumber and truss manufacturing facilities in Las Vegas; Indio and Sacramento, Ca., and Ketchum, Id. A year ago, it sold five yards in New Mexico and Colorado to Alpine Lumber Co.

Hampton Sawmills Cut Back

Hampton Affiliates. Portland, Or., is reducing operating hours at its Oregon and Washington sawmills, resulting in roughly 225 layotfs effective June 6.

Mills in Darrington, Wa., and Tillamook, Or., will cut hours by 607o, with Darrington laying off 90 of 220 workers and Tillamook losing 85. Its rnill in Willamina, Or., will reduce production slightly.

The curlailments are indefinite and anticipated to exceed six months.

"Customer dcmand and lumber prices are at historically low levels, and most forecasts predict it may be several years before normal housing markets return." said c.e.o. Steve Zrka.

PlyGem Slashes Production

Ply Gem Industries, CarY, N.C., has begun consolidating production at several of its manufacturing facilities to improve efficiency and reduce operating expense by over $6 million a year.

The company will shift the majority of procluction from its KearneY, Mo., vinyl siding plant to its other three vinyl facilities, laying off 140. The Kearney plant will run on a limited basis until the housing market rebounds.

PlyGem will close its Tupelo, Ms., window and door manufacturing facility, which employs 23, and consolidate all window lineal production into its Rocky Mount, Va., Plant. Production of its West Coast window and door facilities in Sacramento, Ca., and Auburn, Wa., will also be realigned.

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