July 20, 2009

America in Bloom
Planting Pride in Your Community 

 
Photo Credit
Stuart, Florida
2008 Participating Community
In This Issue
The View From "The Hill"
AIB Fun Events at the OFA Short Course
Plant Therapy for Diabetes
Community Events Generate Zero Waste
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The View From "The Hill"

By AIB President Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Company

In the earliest days of America in Bloom, then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert, took to the floor of the House to report his belief that America in Bloom was a great program which was perfect for America. 
 
As Speaker Hastert said, "It is my hope that more communities will take part in this program as it brings together citizens of all ages, municipal governments, and local organizations to work collectively for the visual improvement of America's parks, neighborhoods, open spaces, and streets. This can only encourage the preservation of our collective heritage and culture while creating a sense of unity and pride among citizens." 
 
In the Speaker's home district, the city of Batavia, Illinois participated in the AIB contest in 2002, our first "full-blown" contest year. Speaker Hastert's district office was in Batavia, which won in its population category during 2003.  
 
AIB Fun Events at the OFA Short Course


Three key fundraisers held during the recent OFA Short Course to benefit America in Bloom raised over $42,000.
 
Congratulations to Terrill Nell of the University of Florida for winning the $5,000 raffle and to Rej Picard and Evelyn Alemanni for winning the $1,000 and $500 prizes respectively.
 
Special thanks to D.S. Cole Growers for sponsoring the D.S. Cole Growers Hockey in Columbus game and Dramm for sponsoring the Dramm 5k Relay for Floriculture.
Plant Therapy for Diabetes
Two scientists have different ideas on how to attack diabetes, which affects almost 24 million Americans. But one thing they have in common is that they have used fruits and veggies to develop medications and food additives to combat it.

University of Central Florida professor Henry Daniell has discovered a way to use genetically engineered lettuce to make the body produce its own insulin.

ATM Metabolics researchers Joe Ahrens and Daryl Thompson created a compound derived from fruits, Emulin. They are hoping food companies will add Emulin to their products.

Learn what fruits and veggies they are using.
Community Events Generate Zero Waste
 By AIB Judge Evelyn Alemanni
 
Incline Village, Nevada won the 2008 America in Bloom community involvement criterion award, but their environmental efforts are noteworthy as well.
 
One particularly interesting initiative is their zero waste program for community events. A mobile trailer is available to event organizers, at no  cost, to reduce, or eliminate entirely, solid waste from events and to make recycling easy and convenient.
 
A hotline has been established to answer questions, and information is available on the town web site
 
Learn more about the Zero Waste trailer.

Photo: Incline Village residents get support from the town for hosting zero waste events. Photo credit Evelyn Alemanni.

Got A Garden Question?
 
You have garden questions, Ask A Garden Question has garden answers! Just fill out the form on their web site and receive an answer from a garden professional.

Have a Story or Photos to Share?
We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your community, or let us know about a community you have visited that should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, [email protected].
 
Find America in Bloom on the web at www.americainbloom.org.