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California State Senator Alex Padilla Guest of Honor at Nursery-Industry Luncheon

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081121/DC48147)

Dale and Nancy Bergquist, owners of Green Thumb Nursery inCanoga Park hosted the luncheon for Senator Padilla. The event provided nursery growers the opportunity to get to meet Senator Padilla. The senator gained valuable insights into keyCalifornia nursery issues.

"Our goal with these luncheons is to put a face on our community and connect personally with our representatives so that, when an issue arises, we have an established relationship to foster better communications," stated Lon Records, Chairman of CANGC's Political Action Committee and president of Target Specialty Products (Santa Fe Springs, California).

Nursery community representatives attending included John Schoustra, owner of Greenwood Garden and President of Nursery Growers Association (NGA); Robert Crudup, president of Valley Crest Tree Company; and Carl Pongs, owner of Greenbelt Growers.

Issues addressed by industry included pest exclusion and eradication programs. "Nurseries are on the front line in the fight against invasive pests and face significant financial impacts whenever quarantines or eradication efforts are imposed," stated Louie Brown, CANGC legislative advocate of Kahn, Soares & Conway (Sacramento, California). "We need to help protect these vital programs."

Padilla also learned about nurseries need for comprehensive plans to address the state's water infrastructure and reverse the loss of nursery production land.

CANGC and NGA plan more legislator lunches throughoutCalifornia.

SOURCE California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers