Wednesday, 1st August, 2007
IPPS rewards innovative growers
Across Britain and Ireland, both nursery staff and college students are running small-scale projects testing innovative ideas in plant propagation and production - the kind of innovative ideas that are essential in the continual drive for improved efficiency and quality in horticulture.
The IPPS Richard Martyr Award is seeking out the most interesting and innovative of these projects, to reward individuals who can demonstrate the value of their ideas and who are willing to share them with colleagues in the true spirit of the IPPS Seek and Share motto.
The prizes are £800 cash to the winner, £500 for the runner up, and £200 for the third prize winner. Each of the three finalists receives a free place at the IPPS 2007 Conference at Bransford, Worcestershire (see the conference page), and a year's free IPPS membership. The Award is sponsored by specialist horticultural supplier Avoncrop and nursery consultancy Dove Associates.
Eligible projects could include anything from a trial to study the effect of varying CRF rates or watering regimes; an evaluation of different growing media ingredients; or a look at propagation timings to the evaluation of a new propagation set up or irrigation system for a nursery. It could be something that improves production efficiency, product quality or aids marketing. Entrants do not have to be IPPS members and entries are welcome from students working on a practical project as part of a college course, as well as from employees working on a nursery and undertaking a project aimed at introducing a new production practice or product line. Entrants must be resident in the UK or Ireland, however.
Any project started after September 1, 2005 and completed or scheduled for completion by July 31, 2007 is eligible. The closing date for all entries is August 31, 2007. Entry forms are available by contacting the IPPS Office on 01747 861265 or email ipps@paston.co.uk.