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Executive Director message
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Dear UAC Members and Supporters,
It’s March 2, 2020 as I write this letter, and
since January 1, we’ve had almost 19 inches of rain, with 3-4 more inches expected this week. Our annual average rainfall is about 55 inches, so we are well ahead of the average – as if I need to state the obvious! Let’s all hope that we dry out and have a busy and prosperous spring work season and we get the rain throughout the late summer to sustain all the installations and maintenance jobs.
While on the topic of water, UGA’s Urban Water/Irrigation Management Agent Rolando Orellana has proposed an irrigation demonstration area to be installed at the UGA Griffin campus this spring.
This project will be used to educate industry, homeowners, master gardeners and students on water conservation, landscape watering principles and best irrigation techniques.
This site will be equipped with the latest technology available from a variety of manufacturers, and UGA scientists will research water-related issues that impact Urban Agriculture, including research on turf and ornamentals with drip and overhead systems. Rolando and the UGA Griffin team will be soliciting both financial and in-kind donations, and we look forward to participating in this much-needed training project!
Workforce development continues to be a top priority for UAC. We know that one of the most promising avenues to find future employees for our industry is to maximize the strength of Georgia’s high, middle and elementary school students, like those who are currently involved in FFA. While the letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America, FFA recognizes that these letters are a part of their history, but FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers; FFA also welcomes members who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more.
UAC is proud to announce that we are sponsoring the 2019-2020 Georgia FFA Landscape Management Proficiency Awards Program, which recognizes students who excel in the areas of planting and maintaining plants and shrubs, landscaping and outdoor beautification, grounds keeping, sprinkler installations and improvement of recreational areas.
The top three students in this competition and the first-place winner’s teacher will be recognized with cash awards and plaques and the top student will also receive a financial award to offset travel expenses to the national FFA competition.
UAC is also pleased to announce that our industry will be part of the Georgia
Foundation for Agriculture Mobile
Classroom.
This innovative, technology-based mobile classroom will educate young people about the importance of Georgia agriculture – including horticulture, landscape and turf!
The mobile unit is under design and will literally be driven across Georgia to reach elementary age children in their own communities. Our “ag-sector” will highlight areas of our great industry to appeal to and educate youngsters about what our industry is and does, and what their roles can be in the future.
Finally, thank you to all the UAC member companies who have gone above and beyond their membership investment commitment and become SEED Sponsors (Support, Energize, Enable, Develop). These financial contributions assist our operations and initiatives, and at the same time promote these companies with a listing on all our print information and emails! If you’d like to add your name to this list, please contact me today! 706.750.0350 or mkw@georgiauac.com Mary Kay Woodworth Executive Director
