INDUSTRY NEWS
The GIC:
Major issues the GIC has tackled over the years include water-use policy, establishing a North Carolina statute for irrigation, and landscape contracting licensure to ensure consumer protection and a high professional standard for the industry. Landscapers working in North Carolina are encouraged to become licensed and remain accredited through continuing education requirements, to provide consumer protection and meet minimum standards of workmanship and professionalism. “The passage of these two licensure statutes has been The Green Industry Council (GIC) was established in the and remains very important to North Carolina consumers, early 2000s to address water restrictions across North Carand also helps facilitate the training and continuing educaolina during the droughts of 1998-2002. This effort led to tion of new and practicing landscape and irrigation contracthe establishment of solid working relationships with many tors,” said Mark Peters, former GIC president. municipalities, DENR, key legislators and other entities. As The GIC also actively monitors legislation being introgreen industry groups united in the GIC, the focus became duced or amended by the North Carolina General Assembly legislative advocacy in Raleigh and at the federal level, in that may impact the North Carolina green industry. concert with the former American Nursery & Landscape Most recently, the GIC helped the green industry Association and the North Carolina Farm Bureau. obtain essential status during the 2020 pandemic, safeguard“The GIC unites all green ining businesses from shutdowns dustry associations and constituents experienced by many other under one umbrella organization,” companies in the state. Niemeysaid Dennis Niemeyer, former GIC er credits that success to the president. “It represents and protects relationships the council has the interests of members in local, state developed with the governor, and federal legislation; promotes the local representatives and other value of green industry products and members of the legislature. services; and represents the green In 2010, the GIC began industry as an advocate and leader of hosting the Water Symposium, GIC Presidents environmental stewardship.” a day of education with speakers The council is comprised of seven from across the country explor2021 Matt Hunter member agriculture associations: ing shared water responsibili2020 Chris Hunt • Carolinas Irrigation Association ties within the green industry. 2019 Dennis Niemeyer • North Carolina Composting Although the 2020 event was canCouncil celed due to pandemic-related 2017/2018 Jonathan Richardson • North Carolina Nursery & limitations on in-person meet2016 Chris Mitchell Landscape Association ings, the 2021 conference went • North Carolina Pine Needles forward, shifting its focus from 2015 Cyndy Allison Producers Association water use to emerging technol2014 Chris Mitchell • North Carolina Sod Producers ogies, to help members keep up 2013 Clark O’Neill • North Carolina Urban with current issues and trends. Forest Council Current GIC President Matt 2012 Doug Chapman • Turfgrass Council of Hunter adds, “We hope the GIC 2011 Buddy Murrow North Carolina will continue to build strong 2010 Dennis Niemeyer Providing an estimated 150,000 relationships with lawmakers on jobs and an economic impact of more both sides of the political aisle, 2009 Daniel Currin than $8 billion, according to a 2015 reto help protect and promote 2008 Doug Berlin port, the green industry is one of the the interests of its member fastest-growing segments of agriculture organizations.” 2007 Louise Hodges in the state. The boom in business Hunter also wants to educate 2005/2006 Doug Torn in 2020, due to the pandemic, likely green industry leaders on the 2003/2004 Mark Peters boosted those statistics. benefits of supporting the GIC.
Advocating for the Green Industry
16 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021
