Todd is a big loser, and HRI will benefit

Todd Davis

Dirty little secret: I’ve been in better shape than I am right now.

Notice in the photo above how I deftly try to hide my extra bulk behind a 1-gallon Japanese boxwood. It ain’t working.

So my quest for 2012 is to get back in shape and shed all those extra pounds.

But here’s another thing: I’m very passionate about the nursery business, and right now is one of the most challenging times the industry has ever experienced.

Unfortunately, there has never been a greater time of need for nursery research. With government and university budgets being slashed, it’s up to the horticulture business to fix its own problems.
 

Let’s get physical
That’s why I think the Horticultural Research Institute is so important. For 50 years, this organization has raised money for critical research projects that have had direct positive impact on nursery growers’ livelihoods. Through HRI we can coordinate researchers to attack national problems, such as boxwood blight, that rear their ugly heads on an all-too-often frequency.

Let’s face it. We can’t rely on government funds or universities to support us in times of crisis.

If we don’t raise money to fight these issues ourselves, then nothing less than the interstate commerce of nursery products is at stake.

Is that over the top? No. Should a problem pop up—let’s propose something more hazardous to native forests than Phytophthora ramorum—it’s plausible for foolish regulators to shut down interstate movement of nursery products altogether if we can’t react quickly and effectively.

Jump on board
That is why I am participating, in my own way, in HRI’s Trek de Hort in 2012, a major fundraising push by the organization.

Since I’m trying to lose weight, why can’t I help HRI at the same time? Through the Todd Davis is a Big Loser Trek, I’m seeking pledges for every pound I can lose in 2012. So while I’m sweating on a treadmill, I’ll be generating cash that will help the nursery business thrive for generations to come.

The industry needs your support, and I need your motivation. To pledge to my fund, please contact me at tdavis@gie.net, or simply call me at (972) 235-0115.

Thanks, and I’ll see you at the gym.
 

Stay Connected

I’m happy to announce big news from GIE Media, and it’s going to greatly improve with how you keep up with the green industry. We have launched the new GIE Media Horticulture News App for iPhones and iPads. It channels breaking news, industry updates, feature stories, the latest products and videos updates from across all the horticultural markets we serve into one place. If you have an iPhone or iPad and you want to stay connected, download it now. Look for the Droid version soon. In the meantime, go to www.nurserymanagementonline.com for details or visit the iTunes store to download the app today.
 

tdavis@gie.net