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www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation March 2015 49 INDUSTRY NEWS AmericanHort celebrates first birthday AmericanHort was formally launched January 1, 2014 through the con- solidation of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFA — The Association of Horticulture Professionals. It took a few years to make this happen, but it was the culmination of the vision the respective members shared: to bring together the two national organiza- tions and replace them with one comprehensive horticulture industry association to serve the industry in North America. The members voted in September 2013 to approve the consolidation of ANLA and OFA. The mission of AmericanHort is to connect the vast diversity of the industry. The horticulture community now has a strong and unifying voice and the infrastructure to support and expand horticultural busi- nesses, and to promote the value of flowers, plants, trees, and turf. With that influence and member participation, the association is celebrating numerous successes of the first year. Here are some highlights: Launched the first-ever comprehensive research project to sup- port the future of garden retailing and related horticulture services. Organized the industry's Bee and Pollinator Stewardship Initia- tive. Influenced efforts to provide a reliable immigrant workforce for our industry. Collaborated with the Horticultural Research Institute to leverage more than $10 million in research to support all industry sectors. Published nearly 400 articles, videos, and webinars on the Ameri- canHort Knowledge Center website. Persuaded the U.S. House of Representatives to retain industry- friendly accounting rules. Produced an expanded Cultivate '14, the largest all-industry event in North America. Expanded its Interior Plantscape Community through a partner- ship with Plantscape Institute of America. Hosted several business development conferences for all business sectors. Supported important consumer-focused organizations, includ- ing AmericanHort's community service affiliate, America in Bloom. Published a revised ANSI American Standard for Nursery Stock, which is used by retailers, growers, landscapers, and municipalities. "AmericanHort was founded on the vision that we can be better together," said Mark Foertmeyer, the association's inaugural chairman of the board of directors, and owner of Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse Co. "I think we are growing a remarkable association for an important and global industry. I am proud of our accomplishments and there's more to come!" While AmericanHort is a new non-profit corporation, it represents 220 years of service to the industry through the combined history of the two previous associations. "On our first birthday, we continue to recognize the legacy of the founding organizations, and we are celebrating the commitment, loy- alty, and dedication of our volunteers, members, and staff," said Mi- chael V. Geary, CAE, the president and chief executive officer of the organization. Toro announces winner of GIE+EXPO giveaway To celebrate its 100th anniversary, The Toro Company held a drawing to give away a Toro Z Master Professional 6000 Series zero turn mower during GIE+EXPO 2014 in Louisville, Ky. Attendees entered their names in the drawing throughout the show. At the conclusion of the event, Toro drew the winner's name — Mark Pfeifer, who has been grounds foreman for Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Ind., for the past 34 years. "When the folks at Toro contacted me to let me know that I had been selected as the recipient of the Z Master 6000 Series, I was speechless," said Pfeifer. "We have about 100 acres on our campus, which includes over 1,000 oak trees, and the zero-turn configuration of the mower will certainly come in handy. We're also excited to add an- other Toro to our fleet — all of our Toro units have been great machines for us over the years." The Z Master Professional 6000 Series unit Toro gave away is equipped with a 60" Turbo Force cutting deck, a 34-hp. electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine, and new Horizon Technology, an onboard intelligence platform that improves fuel efficiency and productivity. Horizon Technology not only monitors engine temperature and oil pressure, but also helps increase fuel efficiency by al- lowing the operator to choose their performance mode depending on mowing conditions. "We really wanted to do something big to celebrate our 100th birthday," said Rob Little, director of mar- keting for Toro's Residential and Landscape Contractor Businesses. "We're excited to present this Z Master to Mr. Pfeifer, and we also want to thank everyone who came to visit us at GIE+EXPO to see our latest innovations." Mike Curless from Toro dealership Ruim Equipment in Lowell, Ind, pre- sented the Z Master zero-turn mower to Mark Pfeifer, grounds foreman for Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Ind. Continued from page 10