1 00:00:05,580 --> 00:00:06,480 Ping Yu: Hello everyone, 2 00:00:06,740 --> 00:00:08,500 Ping Yu: welcome to the Blooms and Beyond podcast, 3 00:00:08,860 --> 00:00:10,940 Ping Yu: a podcast that uncovers plant 4 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:11,360 Ping Yu: history, 5 00:00:11,540 --> 00:00:11,780 Ping Yu: culture, 6 00:00:12,040 --> 00:00:13,800 Ping Yu: and management through the lens of science. 7 00:00:14,100 --> 00:00:14,900 Ping Yu: I'm your host, 8 00:00:15,100 --> 00:00:15,260 Ping Yu: Ping. 9 00:00:15,420 --> 00:00:16,120 Ping Yu: How's everyone doing 10 00:00:16,379 --> 00:00:16,500 Ping Yu: today? 11 00:00:16,700 --> 00:00:23,080 Ping Yu: I'm doing great because I have my dear, dear friend, Lanie Riner joining me today to talk about 12 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:25,580 Ping Yu: one of my favorite organizations. 13 00:00:26,240 --> 00:00:29,380 Ping Yu: And I know she has so many good stories to share today. 14 00:00:29,610 --> 00:00:32,320 Ping Yu: So I don't want to steal any more thunder from our speaker today. 15 00:00:32,580 --> 00:00:34,260 Ping Yu: Let's just jump right into it. 16 00:00:34,770 --> 00:00:35,480 Ping Yu: Without further ado, 17 00:00:35,820 --> 00:00:39,180 Ping Yu: here is my conversation with Lanie. I hope you enjoy it. 18 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:43,559 Ping Yu: So hey, Lanie, 19 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:44,540 Ping Yu: welcome to the podcast. 20 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:45,640 Ping Yu: But first, 21 00:00:46,020 --> 00:00:47,580 Ping Yu: let's start off with the introduction. 22 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:51,540 Ping Yu: Can you tell our audience a little bit about who you are and what you do? 23 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:58,640 Lanie Riner: I'm the Executive Director of the Georgia Green Industry Association and owner of Thunderwood Farms. 24 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:02,540 Lanie Riner: Thunderwood Farms, we are greenhouse growers, 25 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,160 Lanie Riner: so very much ornamental horticulture. 26 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:07,940 Lanie Riner: But my main job is GGIA, 27 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:10,100 Lanie Riner: and there we work. 28 00:01:10,119 --> 00:01:16,119 Lanie Riner: work on advocacy and education and networking and communication for Georgia's green industry. 29 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:17,960 Lanie Riner: And my main area of focus, 30 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:19,159 Lanie Riner: of course, is advocacy. 31 00:01:20,140 --> 00:01:20,560 Ping Yu: Yeah. So, 32 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:27,619 Ping Yu: well, I still remember the first time we met. It was during my interview for my current job. 33 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:35,220 Ping Yu: And I remember there was one moment it just clicked because we were talking about plants and you start to share information. 34 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:38,140 Ping Yu: the Ginkgo biloba tree that you had in your backyard. 35 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:46,880 Ping Yu: And this year, I still got a picture from you showing the beauty, the full color of that. So I still remember that. 36 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:49,280 Ping Yu: But do you, 37 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:55,260 Ping Yu: what first sparked your interest in horticulture in general? Do you grow up as a, 38 00:01:55,840 --> 00:02:02,180 Ping Yu: plant kid, can you share us a little bit of your horticulture background and your horticulture journey? 39 00:02:02,759 --> 00:02:03,320 Lanie Riner: Absolutely. 40 00:02:03,899 --> 00:02:04,280 Lanie Riner: So yes, 41 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:07,340 Lanie Riner: I was a little farm kid. 42 00:02:08,450 --> 00:02:09,380 Lanie Riner: And my grandmother, 43 00:02:10,090 --> 00:02:10,800 Lanie Riner: my grandfather, 44 00:02:11,019 --> 00:02:14,780 Lanie Riner: they didn't know the difference between their vegetable garden and their flower garden. 45 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,500 Lanie Riner: They planted all the things together everywhere. 46 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:19,599 Lanie Riner: The center of 47 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:22,520 Lanie Riner: And even at my house as a little kid with my parents, 48 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,280 Lanie Riner: there were flowers and vegetables and all the things. 49 00:02:26,700 --> 00:02:29,120 Lanie Riner: But there were just no limits. Playing in the dirt, 50 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:30,140 Lanie Riner: planting things. 51 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:32,540 Lanie Riner: We wanted to mix things together that were fine. 52 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:33,860 Lanie Riner: Food and flowers, 53 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:36,100 Lanie Riner: they all went together and just... 54 00:02:36,100 --> 00:02:37,860 Lanie Riner: So from a very early age, 55 00:02:38,670 --> 00:02:40,200 Lanie Riner: I had the planting bug. 56 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:45,740 Lanie Riner: And then when I grew up and going off to college, I was like, well, I probably won't do this. 57 00:02:45,980 --> 00:02:48,280 Lanie Riner: And I was in landscape architect program. 58 00:02:48,640 --> 00:02:52,000 Lanie Riner: First, I was in pharmacy and I found out I was kind of scared of sick people. 59 00:02:53,820 --> 00:03:00,360 Lanie Riner: But then I went to Landscape Architects at the north end of UGA campus. 60 00:03:00,940 --> 00:03:03,160 Lanie Riner: And it didn't feel quite right. 61 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:12,060 Lanie Riner: And ended up back in horticulture down in Miller Plant Sciences and earned my degree there and knew this was the industry for me. 62 00:03:05,970 --> 00:03:06,080 Lanie Riner: Um, 63 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:12,840 Lanie Riner: Well, 64 00:03:13,020 --> 00:03:14,820 Ping Yu: that's very neat because, 65 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,900 Ping Yu: well, I laughed when you said you were... 66 00:03:18,920 --> 00:03:22,579 Ping Yu: You don't like sick people from the pharmacy perspective. 67 00:03:24,099 --> 00:03:25,220 Ping Yu: That's fair. 68 00:03:26,340 --> 00:03:27,480 Ping Yu: Who does? 69 00:03:27,959 --> 00:03:31,459 Ping Yu: But what is your favorite plant growing up? 70 00:03:32,519 --> 00:03:32,920 Ping Yu: Well, 71 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:40,120 Lanie Riner: I've had a lot of favorite plants over the years from being little all the way to opening a greenhouse and even now. 72 00:03:40,319 --> 00:03:40,519 Lanie Riner: But 73 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:42,240 Lanie Riner: This is a hard question, 74 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:43,300 Lanie Riner: but I will tell you, 75 00:03:43,500 --> 00:03:47,420 Lanie Riner: there are two plants that impress me a lot. 76 00:03:48,980 --> 00:03:54,900 Lanie Riner: Asclepias is always just so impressive to me. The flower structure is just so complex. 77 00:03:55,260 --> 00:04:00,640 Lanie Riner: And when you start looking at all the different species and then just from the environmental standpoint, 78 00:04:00,980 --> 00:04:05,800 Lanie Riner: the insects that rely on that as breeding ground and food source. 79 00:04:06,700 --> 00:04:09,420 Lanie Riner: But the other one that I just love is, 80 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:10,760 Lanie Riner: is Baptisia. 81 00:04:11,060 --> 00:04:11,319 Lanie Riner: And again, 82 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:13,120 Lanie Riner: it's another feeder plant, 83 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:20,959 Lanie Riner: but the flowers are just unique and the thing is so showy and it just grows up out of the ground so aggressively and so beautiful. 84 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,860 Lanie Riner: And I just have a really great appreciation for both of those plants. 85 00:04:25,100 --> 00:04:25,340 Ping Yu: Yeah. 86 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:28,700 Ping Yu: And if you walk around any of those plants, you will say, 87 00:04:28,860 --> 00:04:29,080 Ping Yu: well, 88 00:04:29,260 --> 00:04:32,740 Ping Yu: especially when they bloom, you're going to say all those pollinators. 89 00:04:35,740 --> 00:04:45,720 Ping Yu: It's just a different thing with other plants that may not have that much showy plants and are attracting that many pollinators. 90 00:04:39,070 --> 00:04:39,180 Ping Yu: Yeah. 91 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:55,000 Ping Yu: Can you give us a little bit of the overview of GGIA? 92 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:59,060 Ping Yu: What is the mission and who do you serve? 93 00:04:59,300 --> 00:05:00,520 Ping Yu: And if possible, 94 00:05:00,940 --> 00:05:03,740 Ping Yu: can you tell us the history of GGIA? 95 00:05:04,180 --> 00:05:06,560 Lanie Riner: GGIA is the state, 96 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:09,720 Lanie Riner: we're a 501c6 trade association. 97 00:05:10,419 --> 00:05:14,780 Lanie Riner: And we represent ornamental and environmental horticulture here in the state. 98 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,400 Lanie Riner: The organization has been around since 1990. 99 00:05:18,650 --> 00:05:19,480 Lanie Riner: It's GGIA. 100 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:27,020 Lanie Riner: It was formed from two other existing organizations. 101 00:05:27,260 --> 00:05:28,760 Lanie Riner: Georgia Nursery Men's Association, 102 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,180 Lanie Riner: which dates back to the 1930s, 103 00:05:31,790 --> 00:05:38,440 Lanie Riner: and then the Georgia Association of Landscape Professionals, which was coming on in the 70s and 80s. 104 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:42,940 Lanie Riner: The two industries realized how much they relied on each other. 105 00:05:43,199 --> 00:05:44,460 Lanie Riner: And in 1990, 106 00:05:44,820 --> 00:05:48,960 Lanie Riner: they pulled the trigger and merged the two organizations into GGIA. 107 00:05:49,220 --> 00:05:54,060 Lanie Riner: So we serve the industry and that is wholesale growers, 108 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:57,840 Lanie Riner: Retail, greenhouse growers, 109 00:05:58,540 --> 00:05:59,620 Lanie Riner: landscape contractors, 110 00:06:00,020 --> 00:06:00,480 Lanie Riner: irrigation, 111 00:06:01,820 --> 00:06:01,940 Lanie Riner: allied 112 00:06:02,220 --> 00:06:02,940 Lanie Riner: products and sales, 113 00:06:03,260 --> 00:06:04,480 Lanie Riner: and all of floriculture. 114 00:06:04,730 --> 00:06:05,820 Lanie Riner: So we have six divisions. 115 00:06:06,380 --> 00:06:08,580 Lanie Riner: That's not the order that they all came together, 116 00:06:08,900 --> 00:06:11,060 Lanie Riner: but that's our industry. 117 00:06:11,290 --> 00:06:11,860 Lanie Riner: And of course, 118 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:13,760 Lanie Riner: anything that comes with that. 119 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:19,340 Lanie Riner: So if you think about public gardens or golf courses or any of those industries that, 120 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:23,500 Lanie Riner: you know, they're not just adjacent, but they actually rely on and are part of the 121 00:06:23,500 --> 00:06:24,400 Lanie Riner: our industry, 122 00:06:24,570 --> 00:06:26,160 Lanie Riner: they are also part of our group. 123 00:06:26,380 --> 00:06:27,080 Ping Yu: Yeah. 124 00:06:27,630 --> 00:06:34,120 Ping Yu: Can you also tell us a little bit of backstory or background with how you started working with GGIA? 125 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:43,540 Ping Yu: Were you familiar with this organization or were you a part of that organization before you take on your current role? 126 00:06:43,940 --> 00:06:44,740 Ping Yu: Yeah, absolutely. 127 00:06:45,030 --> 00:06:45,200 Ping Yu: So, 128 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:45,800 Ping Yu: yeah. 129 00:06:45,879 --> 00:06:50,819 Lanie Riner: My first time I learned about GGIA, 130 00:06:51,060 --> 00:06:53,759 Lanie Riner: I was a college kid at UGA, 131 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:54,440 Lanie Riner: and Dr. 132 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:55,780 Lanie Riner: Smalley was like, 133 00:06:55,940 --> 00:06:57,599 Lanie Riner: there's this trade show, 134 00:06:58,039 --> 00:07:01,099 Lanie Riner: and y'all are going to go help load in, and if you don't show up, 135 00:07:01,419 --> 00:07:02,759 Lanie Riner: You're gonna get a bad grade. 136 00:07:05,580 --> 00:07:08,300 Ping Yu: That's something that's definitely something I would say. 137 00:07:09,280 --> 00:07:09,759 Lanie Riner: Yes. 138 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:13,120 Lanie Riner: So my very first interactions, 139 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:13,759 Lanie Riner: I was, 140 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:16,320 Lanie Riner: we were unloading for our big trade show. 141 00:07:16,479 --> 00:07:17,600 Lanie Riner: And back then it was in January, 142 00:07:17,900 --> 00:07:18,800 Lanie Riner: it was winter green. 143 00:07:20,100 --> 00:07:22,160 Lanie Riner: And it was just a wonderful experience. 144 00:07:22,580 --> 00:07:22,940 Lanie Riner: It was, 145 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:23,820 Lanie Riner: it was, 146 00:07:23,980 --> 00:07:31,060 Lanie Riner: it confirmed what I already knew, that there was a thriving industry and that there was a place for me there. 147 00:07:31,420 --> 00:07:31,880 Lanie Riner: And then, 148 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:32,460 Lanie Riner: you know, 149 00:07:32,740 --> 00:07:34,120 Lanie Riner: after graduating from college, 150 00:07:34,340 --> 00:07:35,860 Lanie Riner: I went to work and, 151 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:40,400 Lanie Riner: you know, I didn't have as much interaction with GGIA. But when we opened our farm, 152 00:07:40,700 --> 00:07:47,140 Lanie Riner: we ran into an issue before we ever got the doors open here in our county, 153 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:48,160 Lanie Riner: Meriwether County. 154 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:50,139 Lanie Riner: We had farmland. 155 00:07:50,539 --> 00:07:51,940 Lanie Riner: Like I said, as I mentioned, I grew up. 156 00:07:52,199 --> 00:07:57,000 Lanie Riner: We farmed all sorts of things. When I was a very little girl, we were peach farmers and then cattle. 157 00:07:58,199 --> 00:08:00,199 Lanie Riner: And so when I wanted to put greenhouses, 158 00:08:00,599 --> 00:08:02,940 Lanie Riner: I went to planting and zoning to get everything done. 159 00:08:03,500 --> 00:08:05,879 Lanie Riner: And they were like, that's not agriculture. 160 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:08,460 Lanie Riner: You can't do that. That land's zoned agriculture. 161 00:08:08,639 --> 00:08:10,919 Lanie Riner: Y'all just need to put that farm back into peaches. 162 00:08:11,180 --> 00:08:11,840 Lanie Riner: And I was like, no, 163 00:08:12,020 --> 00:08:13,120 Lanie Riner: it is agriculture. 164 00:08:13,539 --> 00:08:14,979 Lanie Riner: And so, yeah, 165 00:08:14,500 --> 00:08:20,780 Lanie Riner: I called the GGIA offices for help because I knew our industry was agriculture. 166 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:22,420 Lanie Riner: And honestly, 167 00:08:23,060 --> 00:08:26,100 Lanie Riner: GGIA was able to help me right then before we were even members. 168 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:30,020 Lanie Riner: And we knew exactly what we needed to do to communicate with our county, 169 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:33,620 Lanie Riner: and help them understand that our sector, 170 00:08:33,770 --> 00:08:34,539 Lanie Riner: the green industry, 171 00:08:34,940 --> 00:08:36,700 Lanie Riner: is also agriculture as well. 172 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:49,500 Lanie Riner: And after that, I knew, I was like, okay, well, I have to be part of this to give back because we literally would have never been able to even get our greenhouse permits to get built had GGIA not been there to assist. 173 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:50,040 Lanie Riner: So. 174 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:56,160 Ping Yu: Oh, that's very neat connection over there because I was going to ask you a follow-up question. 175 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:57,120 Ping Yu: How did you do what? 176 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:04,240 Ping Yu: What opportunity actually brought you on board for GGIA for your current role? 177 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:06,320 Lanie Riner: Well, 178 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:07,480 Lanie Riner: that would be, 179 00:09:07,640 --> 00:09:10,520 Lanie Riner: we can blame another UGA professor for this. 180 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:14,420 Lanie Riner: Dr. Paul Thomas drug me in and was like, we need some help on our education committee. 181 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:17,640 Lanie Riner: Laney, would you please come and help? 182 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:20,240 Lanie Riner: And so I came in as just a committee member. 183 00:09:20,420 --> 00:09:22,120 Lanie Riner: We joined GGIA, 184 00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:24,640 Lanie Riner: of course, after they helped me. 185 00:09:24,300 --> 00:09:32,240 Lanie Riner: But I came in as a committee member, and then a committee member to a board member to division president, 186 00:09:32,580 --> 00:09:41,480 Lanie Riner: and then I was working through executive leadership when our former executive director moved to a new position. 187 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:43,800 Lanie Riner: And just at that time, I was, 188 00:09:44,339 --> 00:09:50,060 Lanie Riner: you know, I've been working on the advocacy side for GGIA and for our industry, 189 00:09:50,399 --> 00:09:54,279 Lanie Riner: and I've been working on the advocacy side for GGIA. 190 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:53,080 Lanie Riner: for a lot of years. 191 00:09:53,660 --> 00:09:55,000 Lanie Riner: And I was like, you know, 192 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:57,060 Lanie Riner: they may find somebody better, 193 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,140 Lanie Riner: but I really feel like I could help in that area. 194 00:10:00,380 --> 00:10:04,160 Lanie Riner: So I applied for the job and I'm really glad that they hired me. 195 00:10:04,580 --> 00:10:05,000 Ping Yu: Yeah, 196 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:08,320 Ping Yu: I think the industry is very happy to have you, 197 00:10:08,540 --> 00:10:12,820 Ping Yu: considering how much you have accomplished over the years. 198 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:13,600 Ping Yu: I mean, 199 00:10:14,780 --> 00:10:16,960 Ping Yu: I've been here only three and a half years, 200 00:10:17,310 --> 00:10:20,840 Ping Yu: and I know how much you have contributed and achieved. 201 00:10:21,460 --> 00:10:29,920 Ping Yu: But what are some of the key programs or services that GGIA currently provides to our stakeholders? 202 00:10:30,740 --> 00:10:30,960 Ping Yu: Yes. 203 00:10:31,020 --> 00:10:38,520 Lanie Riner: So the main thing that most of our members are members for is the advocacy piece. 204 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:41,180 Lanie Riner: And that's at state, local and federal levels. 205 00:10:41,660 --> 00:10:44,340 Lanie Riner: And we have just recently, 206 00:10:45,380 --> 00:10:48,580 Lanie Riner: and I think this will probably come out a little bit later. 207 00:10:48,780 --> 00:10:57,940 Lanie Riner: It won't be new news by the time it comes. 208 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:55,060 Lanie Riner: by the time that the podcast is presented. 209 00:10:55,340 --> 00:11:01,120 Lanie Riner: But we just recently partnered with the Georgia Agribusiness Council to do our lobbying at state. 210 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:11,200 Lanie Riner: And that is so I can be freed up to focus on some of the federal issues that we've been dealing with, like emerging pests and heat rule and other regulation that just... 211 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,900 Lanie Riner: can be overwhelming for all of us. 212 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:16,900 Lanie Riner: But aside from the advocacy, 213 00:11:17,260 --> 00:11:21,280 Lanie Riner: we do our huge Southeast Green Conference, 214 00:11:21,540 --> 00:11:26,360 Lanie Riner: which is a great opportunity for networking for all of our members. 215 00:11:26,740 --> 00:11:27,680 Lanie Riner: It is in June. 216 00:11:28,220 --> 00:11:30,980 Lanie Riner: And then we, of course, we have three days of education there. 217 00:11:31,100 --> 00:11:32,180 Lanie Riner: We're really excited. 218 00:11:32,260 --> 00:11:33,960 Lanie Riner: We're going back to Athens this year. 219 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:44,820 Lanie Riner: So there's going to be some great opportunities that we have not had in Duluth with tours and that kind of stuff. So I'm really excited about everything that's coming there. 220 00:11:45,660 --> 00:11:47,780 Lanie Riner: We've done some other education, 221 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:54,580 Lanie Riner: Wintergreen on the Road, and we're currently working on reformatting that to see if we can get that where it's available to a broader audience. 222 00:11:55,450 --> 00:11:57,200 Lanie Riner: And then there's an awards program, 223 00:11:57,640 --> 00:12:03,840 Lanie Riner: scholarship programs for our next generation of horticulturists and horticulturists. 224 00:12:04,380 --> 00:12:05,480 Lanie Riner: We are also, 225 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:07,779 Lanie Riner: we've got some other news. 226 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:09,300 Lanie Riner: I'm just not ready to share yet, 227 00:12:09,399 --> 00:12:09,819 Lanie Riner: but we're, 228 00:12:10,180 --> 00:12:11,079 Lanie Riner: we're working on it, 229 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:15,980 Lanie Riner: hoping that we can help fund some research and some of the other things that really help our industry thrive. 230 00:12:16,399 --> 00:12:16,560 Ping Yu: Yeah. 231 00:12:16,699 --> 00:12:17,139 Ping Yu: Cause I, 232 00:12:17,279 --> 00:12:18,160 Ping Yu: I know that, 233 00:12:18,420 --> 00:12:18,740 Ping Yu: um, 234 00:12:19,050 --> 00:12:19,180 Ping Yu: um, 235 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:21,019 Ping Yu: the trade show, 236 00:12:21,500 --> 00:12:28,440 Ping Yu: It kind of changed over the years and our Southeast Green used to be in the winter. 237 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:36,280 Ping Yu: So we are glad that it's been moved to June because more growers, 238 00:12:32,810 --> 00:12:32,920 Ping Yu: um, 239 00:12:36,860 --> 00:12:47,900 Ping Yu: more of our stakeholders are able to come. And also I'm very happy that we're moving to Athens because Duluth is not a perfect spot for 240 00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:49,440 Ping Yu: a tree city like this. 241 00:12:52,140 --> 00:12:56,060 Lanie Riner: Yes, it is. It is fabulous with all the trees and the plants and everything. 242 00:12:56,460 --> 00:12:56,540 Lanie Riner: And, 243 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:57,160 Lanie Riner: you know, 244 00:12:57,400 --> 00:12:59,340 Lanie Riner: Duluth is a wonderful city. 245 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:00,200 Lanie Riner: It's beautiful, 246 00:13:00,580 --> 00:13:11,860 Lanie Riner: but it doesn't have that horticultural connection that Athens really has and has developed over a lot of years. And I think a big part of that is the university being there. 247 00:13:12,180 --> 00:13:14,200 Lanie Riner: So we're really excited. 248 00:13:14,630 --> 00:13:15,640 Lanie Riner: And it's. 249 00:13:15,380 --> 00:13:18,320 Lanie Riner: It really kind of feels like a little bit of a homecoming. 250 00:13:18,680 --> 00:13:21,300 Lanie Riner: So this show used to be in Athens a long time ago. 251 00:13:21,730 --> 00:13:23,640 Lanie Riner: So we're really excited to be going back. 252 00:13:23,860 --> 00:13:24,240 Lanie Riner: Yes. 253 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:27,279 Lanie Riner: We'll go where the exhibitors want to go. 254 00:13:27,779 --> 00:13:29,880 Ping Yu: That's a great answer. 255 00:13:36,639 --> 00:13:46,800 Ping Yu: I know that you have done a lot of good programs and initiatives and trying to spread the impact. 256 00:13:47,100 --> 00:13:48,500 Ping Yu: to our industry. 257 00:13:49,029 --> 00:13:58,680 Ping Yu: And can you highlight any specific programs or initiatives that have had some impact in the last few years, 258 00:13:58,839 --> 00:14:00,500 Ping Yu: especially after you started? 259 00:14:00,660 --> 00:14:02,180 Ping Yu: Because you started five years ago, 260 00:14:02,380 --> 00:14:02,540 Ping Yu: right? 261 00:14:03,139 --> 00:14:04,399 Ping Yu: It's a rough time. 262 00:14:04,579 --> 00:14:04,740 Ping Yu: Yes. 263 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:06,160 Lanie Riner: Yes. 264 00:14:06,550 --> 00:14:10,340 Lanie Riner: So I officially started in June of 2020. 265 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:24,200 Lanie Riner: But being the vice chairwoman of the organization on July 1st of 2020, I should have been starting as chairwoman of the organization rather than executive director. 266 00:14:24,700 --> 00:14:28,440 Lanie Riner: But I was vice chair in February of 2020, 267 00:14:28,770 --> 00:14:31,840 Lanie Riner: just before the shutdown. 268 00:14:32,380 --> 00:14:33,140 Lanie Riner: And of course, 269 00:14:33,330 --> 00:14:35,460 Lanie Riner: with our former executive director moving, 270 00:14:35,620 --> 00:14:38,100 Lanie Riner: none of us knew anything that was coming was coming. 271 00:14:39,660 --> 00:14:43,340 Lanie Riner: And so myself and our current chairman at that time, 272 00:14:43,580 --> 00:14:44,280 Lanie Riner: Jeremy Oxford, 273 00:14:44,700 --> 00:14:50,920 Lanie Riner: We were just very blessed that we were in a position to step up and advocate for the industry. 274 00:14:51,140 --> 00:14:56,560 Lanie Riner: He and I both put in a lot of hours working to make sure that our industry was deemed essential, 275 00:14:56,820 --> 00:15:08,020 Lanie Riner: that we could stay on the road, stay working. And it ended up being so many sectors of agriculture struggled through that first year. 276 00:15:09,420 --> 00:15:10,940 Lanie Riner: Our industry did not. 277 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:13,480 Lanie Riner: In all the years that I've been in our industry, 278 00:15:13,740 --> 00:15:18,280 Lanie Riner: I'd never had a spring where every weekend was pretty. 279 00:15:18,820 --> 00:15:22,020 Lanie Riner: But that year that we were all shut down, 280 00:15:22,620 --> 00:15:24,460 Lanie Riner: it's like it rained every Tuesday or Wednesday, 281 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:26,040 Lanie Riner: and we had beautiful weekends, 282 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:27,580 Lanie Riner: and the weather cooperated, 283 00:15:27,740 --> 00:15:29,520 Lanie Riner: and no late frosts, and 284 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:30,500 Lanie Riner: So it was just, 285 00:15:30,740 --> 00:15:34,519 Lanie Riner: it ended up actually being a really good year for our industry. And it was, 286 00:15:34,959 --> 00:15:38,160 Lanie Riner: I think it was good because with so many people being shut down, 287 00:15:39,079 --> 00:15:41,680 Lanie Riner: not being able to participate in their normal things, 288 00:15:41,940 --> 00:15:45,220 Lanie Riner: being able to get out in their yard and reconnect with nature and, 289 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:48,380 Lanie Riner: maybe reconnect with their interest in our industry. 290 00:15:48,860 --> 00:15:51,800 Lanie Riner: I know it's a good outlet for a lot of people. 291 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:55,740 Lanie Riner: So that was one big piece like right out of the gate. 292 00:15:56,120 --> 00:16:01,540 Lanie Riner: But I think probably the one that one of the ones that I'm most proud of. 293 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:07,019 Lanie Riner: was the freedom to farm. And it wasn't our legislation. 294 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:09,980 Lanie Riner: It wasn't something solely for our industry. 295 00:16:10,140 --> 00:16:16,140 Lanie Riner: It is something that impacts the entire agricultural industry all across the state. 296 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:22,580 Lanie Riner: Every single sector is impacted by that. And we've had that, 297 00:16:22,820 --> 00:16:26,040 Lanie Riner: you know, we've had some rules on the books that, 298 00:16:25,700 --> 00:16:27,360 Lanie Riner: since the 1980s, 299 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,300 Lanie Riner: but there was a changing conditions clause in there, 300 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:32,340 Lanie Riner: which put all of our farms at threat. 301 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:41,680 Lanie Riner: And I was able to write a letter to get in front of the legislators during session at critical times. 302 00:16:42,100 --> 00:16:53,720 Lanie Riner: And we had some help with it from the Agribusiness Council and Georgia Farm Bureau in getting that letter to the right people at the right time. But just specifically outlining how this would impact our industry. 303 00:16:54,079 --> 00:16:57,480 Lanie Riner: So many of our growers are located near urban areas. 304 00:16:57,740 --> 00:17:01,240 Lanie Riner: They've been there for 30 or 40 or 50 or more years. 305 00:17:01,959 --> 00:17:03,940 Lanie Riner: And town has grown to them. 306 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:05,299 Lanie Riner: And, um, 307 00:17:05,300 --> 00:17:17,120 Lanie Riner: You know, a changing conditions clause. You can't just pick up a nursery and all the infrastructure and everything that is there and relocate just because town grew to you. 308 00:17:18,060 --> 00:17:28,820 Lanie Riner: So getting that additional protection in there so that our folks who have been there for decades and decades could continue to farm and grow the plants and all the benefits that they bring. 309 00:17:30,300 --> 00:17:42,200 Lanie Riner: That was just a really wonderful moment to get to have a part in that and be able to explain clearly to maybe to a lot of legislators that maybe did not understand. 310 00:17:42,730 --> 00:17:43,120 Lanie Riner: You know, 311 00:17:43,460 --> 00:17:44,080 Lanie Riner: so. Yeah, 312 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:51,160 Ping Yu: I think that's very important to our industry in general specifically because I have seen, 313 00:17:51,380 --> 00:17:55,480 Ping Yu: I have visited many growers and have heard complaining from them. 314 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:59,440 Ping Yu: Because when they were there 40 years ago, 315 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:00,580 Ping Yu: 30 years ago, 316 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:02,240 Ping Yu: there's nothing there, 317 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:06,460 Ping Yu: just their farm. And they were doing that for years and years. And all of a sudden, 318 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:08,700 Ping Yu: because the population has skyrocketed, 319 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:13,080 Ping Yu: and they are looking for places to do their residential. 320 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:14,299 Lanie Riner: Well, 321 00:18:14,580 --> 00:18:17,320 Lanie Riner: and I think a lot of it's just misunderstanding as well. 322 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:17,880 Lanie Riner: You know, 323 00:18:18,340 --> 00:18:23,279 Lanie Riner: people who work in this industry realize the impact that their work has. 324 00:18:23,539 --> 00:18:27,559 Lanie Riner: They know that the trees that they plant help with heat, 325 00:18:27,779 --> 00:18:34,940 Lanie Riner: and they know that it keeps city streets cooler, and they know that it helps with water runoff, and they know all of the environmental benefits. 326 00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:40,399 Lanie Riner: But I don't think that it's something that, you know, your average person 327 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:42,320 Lanie Riner: who's not working in that area, 328 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:52,900 Lanie Riner: they're not going to realize everything that that landscape and that plant is actually doing to make the city as a whole livable and wonderful for everyone. 329 00:18:53,420 --> 00:18:53,540 Lanie Riner: So, 330 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:56,640 Lanie Riner: yeah, it's a tremendous impact and 331 00:18:56,900 --> 00:18:59,360 Lanie Riner: You know, the role that our industry serves, 332 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:00,680 Lanie Riner: I always say, 333 00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:03,420 Lanie Riner: you know, and I borrowed it from our predecessors. 334 00:19:03,970 --> 00:19:07,500 Lanie Riner: So it's a little GGIA saying, we put nature back in place. 335 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:10,840 Lanie Riner: But it's exactly what we do after, 336 00:19:11,390 --> 00:19:13,280 Lanie Riner: you know, our industry is where, 337 00:19:13,620 --> 00:19:16,140 Lanie Riner: people and nature intersect. 338 00:19:14,410 --> 00:19:26,880 Lanie Riner: you know, 339 00:19:16,860 --> 00:19:23,960 Lanie Riner: And the work that we do makes that a fun experience for kids playing soccer or adults playing golf. 340 00:19:24,799 --> 00:19:26,860 Lanie Riner: And it makes it a healthy experience. 341 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:32,700 Lanie Riner: Just having good landscape that protects and, you know, 342 00:19:33,300 --> 00:19:40,720 Lanie Riner: offsets the heat or the cold or rain or all the other environmental factors that could come at you. 343 00:19:40,940 --> 00:19:41,580 Lanie Riner: So yeah, 344 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:46,440 Lanie Riner: yeah, it's a it's a wonderful sector of agriculture to be part of. 345 00:19:46,820 --> 00:19:46,920 Ping Yu: Yeah, 346 00:19:47,390 --> 00:19:53,700 Ping Yu: I know there are many programs that we are doing that you guys are doing. 347 00:19:54,240 --> 00:20:00,860 Ping Yu: But how do you measure the success of program because we normally would come back and take a reflection and say, 348 00:20:01,070 --> 00:20:01,220 Ping Yu: oh, 349 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:03,260 Ping Yu: What did we do right? 350 00:20:03,419 --> 00:20:08,360 Ping Yu: How can we improve so that we can constantly get better and better, right? 351 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:09,000 Lanie Riner: Yeah, 352 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:09,700 Lanie Riner: absolutely. 353 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:11,980 Lanie Riner: So we want our education, 354 00:20:12,659 --> 00:20:12,779 Lanie Riner: you know, 355 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:13,460 Lanie Riner: GGIA, 356 00:20:13,799 --> 00:20:18,519 Lanie Riner: we've done so many things with any organization being this old, 357 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:19,559 Lanie Riner: but one, 358 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:23,779 Lanie Riner: you know, the programming that we put forward from an educational standpoint, 359 00:20:23,970 --> 00:20:28,679 Lanie Riner: we really do want it to be relevant to this moment and, 360 00:20:28,300 --> 00:20:33,540 Lanie Riner: You know, we all have to have pesticide credits for our licensing. 361 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:31,179 Lanie Riner: you know, we want to be relevant to this moment. 362 00:20:34,590 --> 00:20:38,900 Lanie Riner: Whether that's, and it's a different license for landscape than it is for the growers, 363 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:44,260 Lanie Riner: but it's all managed through the Department of Ag and the University of Georgia. 364 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:49,820 Lanie Riner: And so we want to provide great opportunities for that licensure, 365 00:20:50,060 --> 00:20:51,880 Lanie Riner: for our arborist, 366 00:20:52,660 --> 00:20:54,900 Lanie Riner: you know, because that's a big part of our industry as well. 367 00:20:55,100 --> 00:20:58,020 Lanie Riner: I give opportunities for credits there where possible, 368 00:20:58,300 --> 00:20:58,860 Lanie Riner: irrigation, 369 00:20:59,340 --> 00:21:02,120 Lanie Riner: all of those things. We want to be professional. 370 00:21:02,300 --> 00:21:05,640 Lanie Riner: And I mean, we were talking about this earlier, 371 00:21:05,940 --> 00:21:14,780 Lanie Riner: but, you know, 372 00:21:07,300 --> 00:21:13,300 Lanie Riner: emerging pests seem to be just a never-ending cycle. 373 00:21:13,990 --> 00:21:17,260 Lanie Riner: So this past summer, 374 00:21:17,580 --> 00:21:19,980 Lanie Riner: the two-spot cotton leaf hopper, and of course, 375 00:21:20,220 --> 00:21:22,620 Lanie Riner: people are like, oh, well, that's cotton. 376 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:23,660 Lanie Riner: That's not us. But 377 00:21:24,120 --> 00:21:26,179 Lanie Riner: Cotton is in the Malvaceae family. 378 00:21:26,900 --> 00:21:30,580 Lanie Riner: There's an awful lot of hibiscus that gets moved around. 379 00:21:30,860 --> 00:21:34,000 Lanie Riner: And we are part of that. 380 00:21:34,340 --> 00:21:36,480 Lanie Riner: It has an impact on that. 381 00:21:37,429 --> 00:21:43,580 Lanie Riner: And we've also found out that pest — it's on tomatoes and peppers and other solanaceous crops. 382 00:21:44,580 --> 00:21:46,780 Lanie Riner: It was originally in Georgia found on okra, 383 00:21:46,940 --> 00:21:49,460 Lanie Riner: which is another malvaceous crop. Not exactly. 384 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:52,100 Lanie Riner: It wasn't found on cotton. It was found on okra to begin with. 385 00:21:52,820 --> 00:21:55,020 Lanie Riner: And, you know, ornamental, 386 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:59,980 Lanie Riner: we want to be good stewards to all of our industry in part. 387 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:00,900 Lanie Riner: And, 388 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:02,280 Lanie Riner: You know, 389 00:22:01,940 --> 00:22:13,980 Lanie Riner: you know, 390 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:10,280 Lanie Riner: it's making sure that our growers have what they need to move plants safely from an education standpoint. 391 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:21,780 Lanie Riner: I know right now we're working through compliance agreements to make sure that our plants can keep moving responsibly, because we do want to be good stewards and make sure that we're not 392 00:22:22,220 --> 00:22:26,639 Lanie Riner: Creating issues for others and spreading pests or any of those things. 393 00:22:27,019 --> 00:22:27,200 Lanie Riner: But, 394 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:29,279 Lanie Riner: you know, our growers need that education. 395 00:22:29,620 --> 00:22:33,799 Lanie Riner: So even if it didn't break even on or make a profit, 396 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:34,380 Lanie Riner: sometimes, 397 00:22:35,299 --> 00:22:37,880 Lanie Riner: you know, it's timely and it's needed at that moment. 398 00:22:38,059 --> 00:22:38,260 Lanie Riner: So, 399 00:22:38,559 --> 00:22:38,700 Ping Yu: yeah, 400 00:22:38,860 --> 00:22:46,179 Ping Yu: because sometimes you would just do if it's something right, you no matter what, you have to do it. 401 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:47,980 Ping Yu: Absolutely. 402 00:22:48,550 --> 00:22:48,780 Ping Yu: Absolutely. 403 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:51,340 Ping Yu: So what type of support, 404 00:22:52,470 --> 00:22:53,820 Ping Yu: if it's financial, 405 00:22:54,340 --> 00:22:55,260 Ping Yu: educational, 406 00:22:55,410 --> 00:22:56,200 Ping Yu: or technical, 407 00:22:56,720 --> 00:23:03,940 Ping Yu: what kind of support are growers in Georgia most frequently seeking from GGIA? 408 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:07,720 Lanie Riner: A lot of it is the advocacy stuff. 409 00:23:08,090 --> 00:23:10,800 Lanie Riner: The regulations over the last few, 410 00:23:11,780 --> 00:23:12,560 Lanie Riner: and it's, 411 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:17,460 Lanie Riner: just exponential since I've entered the industry to now. 412 00:23:17,830 --> 00:23:23,560 Lanie Riner: The amount of regulation that our growers are under and our landscape contractors are under, 413 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:26,200 Lanie Riner: like it's, it comes from every side. 414 00:23:26,940 --> 00:23:28,740 Lanie Riner: So most recently, 415 00:23:29,260 --> 00:23:32,460 Lanie Riner: I have been working on OSHA heat rule since 2021. 416 00:23:33,430 --> 00:23:33,640 Lanie Riner: The 417 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:39,860 Lanie Riner: and it started in 2021 and 418 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:44,540 Lanie Riner: we just gotten through the post hearing comments so 419 00:23:44,860 --> 00:23:48,920 Lanie Riner: we worked through we've been giving feedback the entire time 420 00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:53,180 Lanie Riner: When they proposed the rule, we gave comments at that time. 421 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:57,560 Lanie Riner: Everything got put on hold with the change in administrations federally, 422 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:02,580 Lanie Riner: and then they picked it back up. I personally testified on behalf of the industry. 423 00:24:03,020 --> 00:24:08,420 Lanie Riner: I wouldn't have been able to testify well without the help of the University of Georgia Extension and Dr. 424 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:08,940 Lanie Riner: Campbell. 425 00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:18,740 Lanie Riner: working to get some of the real impact numbers from heat and to translate that into dollars. 426 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:21,220 Lanie Riner: Not just the temperatures, 427 00:24:21,420 --> 00:24:25,920 Lanie Riner: but translating that into dollars in a scientific and sound way. 428 00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:31,400 Lanie Riner: And then the post-hearing comments that were just due at the end of October. 429 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:34,400 Lanie Riner: So we're still working through that process. 430 00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:35,740 Lanie Riner: A lot of these regulations, 431 00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:37,380 Lanie Riner: they take a very long time. 432 00:24:38,900 --> 00:25:01,020 Lanie Riner: I will tell you if that heat rule had were to go through the way it was originally proposed it would be catastrophic for our industry none of our people would be able to truly follow that regulation and that opens them up to fines and everything else from OSHA and it's just it's not a fair assessment you know. 433 00:25:01,620 --> 00:25:03,919 Lanie Riner: If they can't follow the rule. 434 00:25:05,780 --> 00:25:07,679 Ping Yu: Exactly. I know what you're talking about. 435 00:25:11,679 --> 00:25:13,880 Ping Yu: But speaking of the advocacy, 436 00:25:15,120 --> 00:25:17,100 Ping Yu: because last year I went to Washington, 437 00:25:17,340 --> 00:25:19,740 Ping Yu: D.C., did my first time advocacy. 438 00:25:20,500 --> 00:25:23,660 Ping Yu: And I was nerve-wracking because it's my first time. 439 00:25:24,260 --> 00:25:29,640 Ping Yu: But since you have done so many times and with so many successful accomplishments, 440 00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:35,360 Ping Yu: what do you think will make it a good advocacy, 441 00:25:31,429 --> 00:25:31,580 Ping Yu: Yeah. 442 00:25:35,740 --> 00:25:36,840 Ping Yu: elevator pitch? 443 00:25:37,240 --> 00:25:39,980 Ping Yu: Like, how do you prepare to do that? Because a lot of times, 444 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:46,960 Ping Yu: even for me, first time doing it, I was like, oh, what should I say? What message do I need to deliver? 445 00:25:47,300 --> 00:25:48,180 Ping Yu: And things like that. 446 00:25:48,500 --> 00:25:54,180 Ping Yu: Do you have any thoughts or opinion or suggestion on that? 447 00:25:54,580 --> 00:25:55,020 Lanie Riner: I do. 448 00:25:55,190 --> 00:25:57,440 Lanie Riner: I know the answer. 449 00:25:59,420 --> 00:26:03,420 Lanie Riner: In our society, 450 00:26:03,660 --> 00:26:05,220 Lanie Riner: throughout every society, 451 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:07,060 Lanie Riner: we learn through storytelling. 452 00:26:07,700 --> 00:26:10,500 Lanie Riner: And it doesn't matter. 453 00:26:10,740 --> 00:26:19,500 Lanie Riner: It doesn't see any nationality. It doesn't matter what it is. We all learn through storytelling. 454 00:26:19,690 --> 00:26:26,380 Lanie Riner: So when you go to talk to a legislator or a regulator, 455 00:26:26,659 --> 00:26:27,039 Lanie Riner: you're, 456 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:30,880 Lanie Riner: Whatever the point is that you are trying to make, 457 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:32,860 Lanie Riner: it needs to be a true story. 458 00:26:33,440 --> 00:26:34,340 Lanie Riner: That's the first thing. 459 00:26:34,730 --> 00:26:37,540 Lanie Riner: And it needs to, it's even better if it's your story. 460 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:51,620 Lanie Riner: So being able to connect that real impact to you personally and how it impacts you as their constituent or you as a part of this industry. 461 00:26:52,100 --> 00:26:59,700 Lanie Riner: That message is going to come through a thousand times louder than, you know, here are some facts and figures. 462 00:26:59,860 --> 00:27:00,020 Lanie Riner: Now, 463 00:27:00,380 --> 00:27:01,919 Lanie Riner: they need those facts and figures, 464 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:05,160 Lanie Riner: and there needs to be a piece of paper that you leave behind with them, 465 00:27:05,320 --> 00:27:07,580 Lanie Riner: but that story is what they're going to remember. 466 00:27:08,260 --> 00:27:22,080 Lanie Riner: When that comes up for that vote, they're going to remember. 467 00:27:09,900 --> 00:27:13,220 Lanie Riner: That story and you telling them that real impact. 468 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:15,540 Lanie Riner: That's what's going to be on play in their head, 469 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:17,240 Lanie Riner: not that piece of paper with those numbers. 470 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:20,820 Lanie Riner: So anytime you're going to talk to someone, 471 00:27:21,700 --> 00:27:22,760 Lanie Riner: really thinking through, one, 472 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:24,740 Lanie Riner: what message you're trying to get across, 473 00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:27,860 Lanie Riner: and two, how that connects to you in real life, and three, 474 00:27:28,020 --> 00:27:30,740 Lanie Riner: what story you can help them remember that by, 475 00:27:31,100 --> 00:27:33,920 Lanie Riner: that is the way to do it. And 476 00:27:34,120 --> 00:27:35,440 Lanie Riner: It gets easier. 477 00:27:36,179 --> 00:27:36,260 Lanie Riner: Like, 478 00:27:36,559 --> 00:27:40,720 Lanie Riner: once you've got some practice and you have a few successes, it gets easier. 479 00:27:41,039 --> 00:27:41,620 Lanie Riner: But that is, 480 00:27:41,799 --> 00:27:43,260 Lanie Riner: it is nerve-wracking. 481 00:27:43,539 --> 00:27:43,900 Lanie Riner: You're right. 482 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:46,539 Lanie Riner: And I'm so proud that you went and did it anyway, 483 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:49,840 Lanie Riner: because we need people to show up and tell their stories. 484 00:27:53,020 --> 00:27:54,700 Ping Yu: Yeah, speaking of that... 485 00:27:54,700 --> 00:28:11,679 Ping Yu: What do you do as organization and chair of the organization to maintain the relationship or establish the relationship between our industry and legislator? 486 00:28:12,019 --> 00:28:13,700 Lanie Riner: So glad you asked me this. 487 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:16,440 Lanie Riner: I know. We lean into who we are. 488 00:28:17,800 --> 00:28:39,300 Lanie Riner: So I inherited a great program. It is the GGIA Capital Day. And we go in February and we don't have talking points unless we do have talking points. But we don't go for that. We go to give away plants and help people know who they're. 489 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:24,679 Ping Yu: Yeah. 490 00:28:39,300 --> 00:28:40,140 Lanie Riner: We are. 491 00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:45,680 Lanie Riner: And it is a wonderful time at the Capitol. 492 00:28:45,860 --> 00:28:49,820 Lanie Riner: It is during session. And a lot of the agricultural commodities do this. 493 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:54,020 Lanie Riner: There's peanut butter and jelly day from the Peanut Commission. 494 00:28:54,260 --> 00:28:56,180 Lanie Riner: The Cattlemen have state biscuit day. 495 00:28:56,880 --> 00:29:00,540 Lanie Riner: And GGIA has their Capitol day where we give away plants. 496 00:29:00,800 --> 00:29:04,680 Lanie Riner: And one of the favorite things that I've been told about this, 497 00:29:04,860 --> 00:29:12,420 Lanie Riner: Chairman Robert Dickey called me and I'd asked for his help in making sure that we were all organized a few years back. And he said, 498 00:29:12,870 --> 00:29:15,440 Lanie Riner: he said, Laney, don't y'all ever stop doing this. 499 00:29:15,760 --> 00:29:16,460 Lanie Riner: It's important. 500 00:29:16,900 --> 00:29:17,400 Lanie Riner: And, 501 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:19,040 Lanie Riner: you know, for those of you that know, 502 00:29:19,220 --> 00:29:21,300 Lanie Riner: Chairman Dickey is a peach farmer. 503 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:26,280 Lanie Riner: And he said, all of us come up there and we represent our different commodities. 504 00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:31,640 Lanie Riner: But yours is the only industry that it is not eaten up at the end of the day. 505 00:29:32,380 --> 00:29:32,640 Lanie Riner: Literally. 506 00:29:33,500 --> 00:29:34,000 Lanie Riner: So, 507 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:35,620 Lanie Riner: and I was thinking about, I'm like, 508 00:29:35,780 --> 00:29:36,260 Lanie Riner: he's right. 509 00:29:36,490 --> 00:29:41,280 Lanie Riner: Every other sector of ag, they bring food, which is wonderful because people need to eat. 510 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:45,780 Lanie Riner: But ours is still sitting there at the end of the day and next week. 511 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:48,940 Lanie Riner: And if you ever get to go on a capital day, 512 00:29:49,180 --> 00:29:51,680 Lanie Riner: sometimes you'll go into offices and there's plants. 513 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:58,560 Lanie Riner: a lot of plants from years past where these plants are still there and they're excited to see us. 514 00:29:59,280 --> 00:30:04,100 Lanie Riner: And building off of that, we have begun to do a holiday plant drop, 515 00:30:03,370 --> 00:30:03,480 Ping Yu: Yeah. 516 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:10,460 Lanie Riner: which is really for the legislative assistance when everything is a little bit more quiet around. 517 00:30:10,900 --> 00:30:14,040 Lanie Riner: And we are also doing some tours, 518 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:18,480 Lanie Riner: some legislative tours at the county level. 519 00:30:19,300 --> 00:30:22,320 Lanie Riner: And that way we can help some of our county folks. 520 00:30:22,760 --> 00:30:27,400 Lanie Riner: And we invite the state and the federal folks to those tours. 521 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:27,400 Lanie Riner: You know, 522 00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:28,600 Lanie Riner: tours as well. 523 00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:33,500 Lanie Riner: It's really a great opportunity for us to show firsthand what our industry does. 524 00:30:34,580 --> 00:30:44,660 Ping Yu: Do you foster communication among growers across the state? Because I have been to some of the nursery visits with you. But besides that, 525 00:30:45,100 --> 00:30:48,160 Ping Yu: how do you communicate with our stakeholders? 526 00:30:48,840 --> 00:30:49,059 Lanie Riner: So, 527 00:30:49,820 --> 00:30:50,139 Lanie Riner: well, 528 00:30:50,450 --> 00:30:52,799 Lanie Riner: the trade show is one big way that we communicate, 529 00:30:53,130 --> 00:30:53,779 Lanie Riner: but of course, 530 00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:54,480 Lanie Riner: you know, 531 00:30:55,179 --> 00:30:55,960 Lanie Riner: there are things. I mean, 532 00:30:56,380 --> 00:30:56,860 Lanie Riner: last night, 533 00:30:56,700 --> 00:30:56,880 Lanie Riner: Yes. 534 00:30:57,029 --> 00:30:59,760 Lanie Riner: I was getting ready to go to the basketball, 535 00:30:59,940 --> 00:31:01,080 Lanie Riner: my child's basketball game, 536 00:31:01,340 --> 00:31:05,200 Lanie Riner: when the message about a new emerging pest came in, 537 00:31:05,539 --> 00:31:06,500 Lanie Riner: and so... 538 00:31:06,500 --> 00:31:08,780 Lanie Riner: We use social media, 539 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:12,240 Lanie Riner: but really for direct contact with our growers, 540 00:31:12,520 --> 00:31:16,220 Lanie Riner: email is the quickest and most efficient way. 541 00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:19,560 Lanie Riner: So we have an e-blast system that we use. 542 00:31:20,990 --> 00:31:33,980 Lanie Riner: And if I know they need it, as soon as it comes through, I forward them to them because they will answer the email from me, even if they don't read that e-blast, especially when we're talking about emerging pests or some of the other things that are just... 543 00:31:33,500 --> 00:31:35,580 Lanie Riner: high impact in that moment. 544 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:44,320 Lanie Riner: The two-spot cotton leaf hopper in particular with quarantines beginning to pop up, 545 00:31:44,980 --> 00:31:47,740 Lanie Riner: that could create some real issues for our folks. 546 00:31:47,900 --> 00:31:48,140 Lanie Riner: And, 547 00:31:48,500 --> 00:31:48,840 Lanie Riner: you know, 548 00:31:49,020 --> 00:31:50,900 Lanie Riner: I'm so grateful for our partnership. 549 00:31:51,400 --> 00:32:09,140 Lanie Riner: with the University of Georgia and helping us know what we need to do to treat for those pests. But I'm also grateful for our partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture in helping us make sure that we're following the guidelines and doing what we need to do to keep our plants moving, 550 00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:13,160 Lanie Riner: especially when you start talking about a quarantine pest or something like that. 551 00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:14,040 Lanie Riner: So, 552 00:32:14,500 --> 00:32:18,380 Lanie Riner: Anything that we can do to get that message out quickly and efficiently, 553 00:32:19,100 --> 00:32:19,480 Lanie Riner: that's, 554 00:32:19,940 --> 00:32:22,820 Lanie Riner: you know, when it needs to go, it's going to go. 555 00:32:23,080 --> 00:32:23,340 Lanie Riner: So, 556 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:25,300 Lanie Riner: but the email, 557 00:32:26,090 --> 00:32:30,700 Lanie Riner: the e-blast is really probably the quickest and easiest. 558 00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:34,500 Lanie Riner: most efficient way for us to get information to a large number of people. 559 00:32:34,750 --> 00:32:46,340 Ping Yu: Yeah, and I want to mention that during emergency circumstances such as Hurricane Helene or other type of events like that, 560 00:32:46,500 --> 00:32:53,500 Ping Yu: you guys did a great job by calling them if they still have the information. 561 00:32:53,520 --> 00:32:54,900 Ping Yu: the power, 562 00:32:55,200 --> 00:32:56,040 Ping Yu: if not email. 563 00:32:56,420 --> 00:33:06,280 Ping Yu: But we'll find a way to check on you to make sure you are good and make sure if you need anything, 564 00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:12,420 Ping Yu: we'll try to help you out. And that's what I got from you guys because I think that's very important, 565 00:33:12,660 --> 00:33:15,360 Ping Yu: especially during those devastating times. 566 00:33:16,120 --> 00:33:21,800 Lanie Riner: But I was so, I'm always so humbled by 567 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:25,640 Lanie Riner: how generous our industry members are with each other. 568 00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:28,900 Lanie Riner: And I myself, 569 00:33:29,380 --> 00:33:34,940 Lanie Riner: our farm suffered a devastating tornado that took down everything in 2020. 570 00:33:35,500 --> 00:33:38,920 Lanie Riner: And I cannot tell you how many people came to help us get back on our, 571 00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:39,800 Lanie Riner: not 2020, 572 00:33:40,040 --> 00:33:40,900 Lanie Riner: 2017. 573 00:33:42,840 --> 00:33:50,080 Lanie Riner: And I can't tell you how many of our folks came to help us get back on our feet and stuck with us until we were. 574 00:33:50,260 --> 00:34:00,660 Lanie Riner: And it was the same thing during Hurricane Helene. Our GGIA chairman at that time went and got a generator from someone else and took it to another farm. 575 00:34:01,340 --> 00:34:04,960 Lanie Riner: Their power was restored and he went and got it, drove through all of that. 576 00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:06,880 Lanie Riner: to get it to them. 577 00:34:07,220 --> 00:34:12,000 Lanie Riner: And our rising treasurer was calling everywhere, 578 00:34:12,220 --> 00:34:15,440 Lanie Riner: sourcing generators to try to get to our folks. 579 00:34:16,139 --> 00:34:17,200 Lanie Riner: And it was just, 580 00:34:17,399 --> 00:34:19,639 Lanie Riner: I'm just always so humbled. 581 00:34:19,960 --> 00:34:21,960 Lanie Riner: Another one of our growers who had generators, 582 00:34:22,520 --> 00:34:36,760 Lanie Riner: They had them shipped on. They had them strapped tractor trailers and ready to go to other farms that needed them. And I'm just always so humbled by how this industry sticks up for each other and takes care of each other. 583 00:34:37,080 --> 00:34:37,899 Lanie Riner: And, you know, 584 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:38,600 Lanie Riner: GGIA, 585 00:34:38,879 --> 00:34:40,600 Lanie Riner: we serve as a connector. 586 00:34:41,000 --> 00:34:42,280 Lanie Riner: in that capacity, 587 00:34:42,780 --> 00:34:47,820 Lanie Riner: but it is not us that is doing it. It is our members helping each other. 588 00:34:48,340 --> 00:34:54,440 Lanie Riner: And that's one of the things that is so special about this industry and this trade association is this, 589 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:58,400 Lanie Riner: they really do work together to take care of everyone. 590 00:34:59,040 --> 00:34:59,140 Lanie Riner: So, 591 00:34:59,600 --> 00:35:02,100 Lanie Riner: yeah, it's a wonderful thing to be a part of. 592 00:35:02,260 --> 00:35:04,740 Ping Yu: It is. And it is a people, 593 00:35:05,020 --> 00:35:05,860 Ping Yu: right? 594 00:35:05,420 --> 00:35:10,559 Ping Yu: We work together and make this thriving industry. 595 00:35:15,180 --> 00:35:23,180 Ping Yu: But what are the biggest challenges that our growers facing today and how GGIA is addressing them? 596 00:35:23,500 --> 00:35:23,859 Lanie Riner: Well, 597 00:35:24,299 --> 00:35:25,660 Lanie Riner: succession planning is one. 598 00:35:26,079 --> 00:35:27,359 Lanie Riner: That's a hard one. 599 00:35:27,359 --> 00:35:30,240 Lanie Riner: And I think we're seeing that in a lot of sectors of agriculture. 600 00:35:31,260 --> 00:35:33,220 Lanie Riner: It is harder and harder. 601 00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:37,700 Lanie Riner: for people who are wanting to enter the industry, 602 00:35:38,140 --> 00:35:39,740 Lanie Riner: especially on the production side, 603 00:35:40,650 --> 00:35:41,680 Lanie Riner: to get a foothold. 604 00:35:41,730 --> 00:35:44,820 Lanie Riner: And it's cost prohibitive in a lot of ways. 605 00:35:45,600 --> 00:35:46,040 Lanie Riner: And, 606 00:35:46,290 --> 00:35:46,780 Lanie Riner: you know, 607 00:35:47,010 --> 00:35:49,300 Lanie Riner: the succession planning part is... 608 00:35:49,300 --> 00:35:54,240 Lanie Riner: You know, you've got growers who maybe their children did not pick up the industry. 609 00:35:54,560 --> 00:36:04,040 Lanie Riner: And so how to transition that farm to move forward into the next generation if it's not a pass, 610 00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:06,960 Lanie Riner: a transfer from family member to family member. 611 00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:09,500 Lanie Riner: So that is one challenge. 612 00:36:09,960 --> 00:36:14,860 Lanie Riner: And I think we're all still struggling with that, but it's something that we're certainly struggling. 613 00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:16,380 Lanie Riner: trying to figure out. 614 00:36:17,099 --> 00:36:23,059 Lanie Riner: We've seen some very creative solutions that have come through for some of our growers, 615 00:36:23,460 --> 00:36:24,779 Lanie Riner: and I'm so proud for them. 616 00:36:25,099 --> 00:36:28,339 Lanie Riner: And then we've had others who have ended up selling, 617 00:36:28,819 --> 00:36:32,020 Lanie Riner: and that's a little bit sadder outcome, 618 00:36:32,339 --> 00:36:35,819 Lanie Riner: but it ended up for their family. I mean, they're okay, 619 00:36:36,170 --> 00:36:38,000 Lanie Riner: you know, but I'm 620 00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:38,820 Lanie Riner: But it's just, 621 00:36:38,980 --> 00:36:46,040 Lanie Riner: it's hard for me as the executive director to see acreage go out of production. It just, it makes me sad. 622 00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:48,360 Ping Yu: I totally get it. 623 00:36:48,890 --> 00:36:49,500 Ping Yu: Because you, 624 00:36:50,120 --> 00:36:53,900 Ping Yu: and a lot of those family-owned nurseries, 625 00:36:54,220 --> 00:36:55,200 Ping Yu: it's for generations. 626 00:36:55,700 --> 00:36:59,440 Ping Yu: And some of them, if it's for more than two generations, 627 00:36:59,700 --> 00:37:01,780 Ping Yu: they got a legacy to it already. 628 00:37:02,060 --> 00:37:04,000 Ping Yu: And then it's hard to say them disappear. 629 00:37:04,700 --> 00:37:05,339 Ping Yu: For good, 630 00:37:05,740 --> 00:37:06,040 Ping Yu: you know. 631 00:37:06,260 --> 00:37:08,240 Ping Yu: So I totally get it. 632 00:37:10,540 --> 00:37:11,540 Lanie Riner: Go ahead. 633 00:37:11,700 --> 00:37:13,119 Lanie Riner: Other than that, 634 00:37:14,030 --> 00:37:17,300 Lanie Riner: I think regulation and labor. 635 00:37:17,800 --> 00:37:20,060 Lanie Riner: I'll go ahead and say the big ones. 636 00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:21,240 Lanie Riner: Regulation, 637 00:37:21,540 --> 00:37:22,079 Lanie Riner: labor, 638 00:37:22,540 --> 00:37:23,020 Lanie Riner: and water. 639 00:37:23,260 --> 00:37:26,520 Lanie Riner: Those are always going to be three huge challenges. 640 00:37:27,960 --> 00:37:32,420 Lanie Riner: Labor is a federal issue in a lot of ways. 641 00:37:32,720 --> 00:37:38,460 Lanie Riner: We rely on the H-2A and H-2B programs, 642 00:37:34,490 --> 00:37:34,680 Ping Yu: That's a big one. 643 00:37:38,660 --> 00:37:40,040 Lanie Riner: which are federal programs. 644 00:37:41,260 --> 00:37:46,680 Lanie Riner: And GGIA spends a lot of time working on H-2A and H-2B labor. 645 00:37:47,300 --> 00:37:55,520 Lanie Riner: The other regulatory issues that really we struggle with have been federal and just, 646 00:37:55,920 --> 00:37:56,540 Lanie Riner: you know, 647 00:37:57,020 --> 00:37:58,420 Lanie Riner: waters of the U.S. 648 00:37:58,660 --> 00:37:59,160 Lanie Riner: WOTUS. 649 00:37:59,470 --> 00:38:03,520 Lanie Riner: It has been back and forth since 2008, 650 00:38:03,900 --> 00:38:05,720 Lanie Riner: and the Supreme Court has ruled in between, 651 00:38:06,200 --> 00:38:07,360 Lanie Riner: and they have ruled again, 652 00:38:07,660 --> 00:38:10,720 Lanie Riner: and the definition keeps changing, and it's been picked up again. 653 00:38:11,220 --> 00:38:12,520 Lanie Riner: Just most recently, 654 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:14,420 Lanie Riner: like less than two weeks ago, 655 00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:15,859 Lanie Riner: by the Trump administration. 656 00:38:16,150 --> 00:38:18,380 Lanie Riner: And so water remains one of those things. 657 00:38:18,720 --> 00:38:18,859 Lanie Riner: Like, 658 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:21,520 Lanie Riner: it's just a hard thing. 659 00:38:22,329 --> 00:38:24,040 Lanie Riner: Because especially interstate waters, 660 00:38:24,339 --> 00:38:26,520 Lanie Riner: it's not a state issue. 661 00:38:26,710 --> 00:38:28,400 Lanie Riner: It is a federal issue. 662 00:38:29,000 --> 00:38:31,480 Lanie Riner: But water can also be a state issue. 663 00:38:31,740 --> 00:38:34,760 Lanie Riner: In times of drought, our growers are, 664 00:38:34,400 --> 00:38:37,079 Lanie Riner: are protected and are able to grow. 665 00:38:37,480 --> 00:38:42,900 Lanie Riner: But if water is cut off in Atlanta, as it was in 2007, 666 00:38:43,640 --> 00:38:48,619 Lanie Riner: you'll have a lot of growers go out of business because people can't water. 667 00:38:48,900 --> 00:38:53,599 Lanie Riner: And so just good stewardship and making sure that, you know, 668 00:38:53,839 --> 00:38:56,740 Lanie Riner: our industry's voice is represented properly. 669 00:38:56,320 --> 00:38:58,140 Lanie Riner: Plants are incredibly resilient. 670 00:38:58,860 --> 00:38:59,880 Lanie Riner: And once they're established, 671 00:39:00,300 --> 00:39:05,760 Lanie Riner: they don't need the level of water that sometimes people give them. We live in Georgia, 672 00:39:06,140 --> 00:39:09,180 Lanie Riner: and it's right at 50 inches of rain a year, 673 00:39:09,560 --> 00:39:12,700 Lanie Riner: and that's an incredible amount. But then when it gets dry, it gets really dry. 674 00:39:13,080 --> 00:39:14,980 Lanie Riner: So labor, 675 00:39:15,280 --> 00:39:16,120 Lanie Riner: water, 676 00:39:16,360 --> 00:39:18,300 Lanie Riner: those things are always... 677 00:39:18,300 --> 00:39:19,920 Lanie Riner: is going to cause us challenges. 678 00:39:21,160 --> 00:39:23,000 Lanie Riner: And it's something that we're constantly working on. 679 00:39:23,200 --> 00:39:23,460 Ping Yu: Yeah, 680 00:39:23,840 --> 00:39:24,000 Ping Yu: yeah. 681 00:39:24,340 --> 00:39:26,920 Ping Yu: How do you collaborate with universities, 682 00:39:27,200 --> 00:39:30,880 Ping Yu: extension agents or industry partners? 683 00:39:31,280 --> 00:39:34,040 Ping Yu: We briefly touched base on some of those, 684 00:39:34,300 --> 00:39:36,040 Ping Yu: but can you elaborate a little bit? 685 00:39:36,780 --> 00:39:38,620 Ping Yu: Sending texts at 5:30 in the afternoon. 686 00:39:40,720 --> 00:39:42,540 Lanie Riner: That's what happened yesterday. 687 00:39:44,260 --> 00:39:44,820 Lanie Riner: No, 688 00:39:45,020 --> 00:39:52,320 Lanie Riner: we could not advocate for our industry at all without our university partners and extension. 689 00:39:48,140 --> 00:39:48,280 Lanie Riner: Yeah. 690 00:39:52,800 --> 00:39:56,880 Lanie Riner: Extension provides that unbiased scientific support. 691 00:39:57,380 --> 00:39:58,400 Lanie Riner: It's not an opinion. 692 00:39:58,920 --> 00:40:04,680 Lanie Riner: It is unbiased scientific reasoning and support for our position. 693 00:40:04,940 --> 00:40:08,740 Lanie Riner: And if the science does not back it up, well, we're on our own with our position. 694 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:12,200 Lanie Riner: But the partnership really is critical. 695 00:40:12,460 --> 00:40:14,440 Lanie Riner: I don't see anyone in our industry. 696 00:40:14,840 --> 00:40:21,860 Lanie Riner: We all lean into the science that exists to make sure that our plants are grown healthy and quickly and efficiently, 697 00:40:22,380 --> 00:40:24,340 Lanie Riner: that we can ship them from place to place. 698 00:40:24,540 --> 00:40:26,240 Lanie Riner: We could not do it without, 699 00:40:26,800 --> 00:40:31,220 Lanie Riner: like, you as our state specialist for nursery and greenhouse, 700 00:40:31,680 --> 00:40:32,260 Lanie Riner: Dr. 701 00:40:32,480 --> 00:40:35,300 Lanie Riner: Joseph with our state entomologist, 702 00:40:35,480 --> 00:40:36,040 Lanie Riner: Dr. 703 00:40:36,220 --> 00:40:36,540 Lanie Riner: Campbell, 704 00:40:36,940 --> 00:40:38,100 Lanie Riner: our state economist, 705 00:40:38,700 --> 00:40:40,119 Lanie Riner: The other Dr. 706 00:40:38,880 --> 00:40:39,080 Lanie Riner: our state's 707 00:40:40,300 --> 00:40:40,560 Lanie Riner: Campbell, 708 00:40:41,220 --> 00:40:45,500 Lanie Riner: with her extension appointment in consumer horticulture and market trends, 709 00:40:45,800 --> 00:40:48,180 Lanie Riner: our new pathologist, 710 00:40:48,660 --> 00:40:49,700 Lanie Riner: his name has escaped me. 711 00:40:49,780 --> 00:40:49,960 Lanie Riner: Because... 712 00:40:51,070 --> 00:40:51,200 Lanie Riner: Yes. 713 00:40:51,339 --> 00:40:51,660 Lanie Riner: Yes. 714 00:40:51,890 --> 00:40:52,020 Lanie Riner: He, 715 00:40:52,359 --> 00:40:54,079 Lanie Riner: it was Dr. 716 00:40:54,240 --> 00:40:56,220 Lanie Riner: Williams-Woodward for many, many years. 717 00:40:56,640 --> 00:40:56,780 Lanie Riner: Yeah. 718 00:40:57,160 --> 00:40:57,260 Ping Yu: Yeah. 719 00:40:57,520 --> 00:40:59,599 Lanie Riner: But he is new in that role, 720 00:40:59,800 --> 00:41:03,859 Lanie Riner: but we could not do it without those partnerships and to help us problem solve. 721 00:41:04,349 --> 00:41:05,339 Lanie Riner: A lot of times, 722 00:41:05,540 --> 00:41:05,800 Lanie Riner: we're. 723 00:41:05,800 --> 00:41:08,440 Lanie Riner: We don't know what we're dealing with, or we don't know. 724 00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:10,060 Lanie Riner: We may be able to treat something, 725 00:41:10,240 --> 00:41:12,340 Lanie Riner: but maybe it's not really scalable, 726 00:41:12,860 --> 00:41:16,500 Lanie Riner: or maybe something that we're doing is causing the problem. 727 00:41:16,820 --> 00:41:19,680 Lanie Riner: And just without those partnerships from the university, 728 00:41:20,360 --> 00:41:23,140 Lanie Riner: our industry would not be where it is. 729 00:41:23,720 --> 00:41:27,119 Ping Yu: Here is the fun part, 730 00:41:27,280 --> 00:41:28,880 Ping Yu: because I know you have big vision. 731 00:41:30,400 --> 00:41:35,460 Ping Yu: That's why I say you're an inspiring women leader in horticulture. 732 00:41:35,900 --> 00:41:38,960 Ping Yu: You got big vision for GGIA. 733 00:41:39,420 --> 00:41:44,619 Ping Yu: Can you tell us what is your vision for GGIA in the next three to five years? 734 00:41:44,900 --> 00:41:46,320 Ping Yu: Oh, I do know. 735 00:41:46,560 --> 00:41:48,500 Lanie Riner: Can I tell you? I don't know. 736 00:41:49,600 --> 00:41:53,740 Lanie Riner: I would say for our industry, 737 00:41:53,520 --> 00:41:53,680 Lanie Riner: I don't know. 738 00:41:55,170 --> 00:41:59,240 Lanie Riner: I would love to see our industry better united. 739 00:41:59,560 --> 00:42:04,320 Lanie Riner: It's something we've always leaned into partnerships and we value that, 740 00:42:04,500 --> 00:42:15,040 Lanie Riner: but really bringing that full circle and just a really united industry with one voice that represents from an advocacy standpoint that is a tremendous strength. 741 00:42:15,320 --> 00:42:17,580 Lanie Riner: From a size and scale, 742 00:42:17,760 --> 00:42:23,380 Lanie Riner: I don't think that people really realize the size of the industry, 743 00:42:23,540 --> 00:42:25,320 Lanie Riner: the scope, the economic impact. 744 00:42:26,040 --> 00:42:26,520 Lanie Riner: And, 745 00:42:27,260 --> 00:42:27,560 Lanie Riner: you know, 746 00:42:28,120 --> 00:42:30,940 Lanie Riner: when things come up, 747 00:42:31,460 --> 00:42:39,100 Lanie Riner: they don't always realize the impact to different sectors of the industry as well. So that united voice is really... 748 00:42:39,100 --> 00:42:42,280 Lanie Riner: something that we will continue to work towards. 749 00:42:42,620 --> 00:42:53,680 Lanie Riner: Other things that I would love to see for our industry and for our trade association is to be able to make some headway on some of these really big issues. 750 00:42:55,200 --> 00:42:57,980 Lanie Riner: And that is going to take work. 751 00:42:58,220 --> 00:42:59,220 Lanie Riner: It's going to take advocacy. 752 00:42:59,440 --> 00:43:00,180 Lanie Riner: It's going to take member 753 00:43:00,440 --> 00:43:00,760 Lanie Riner: engagement. 754 00:43:01,560 --> 00:43:05,060 Lanie Riner: And it's going to take working together and partnering in a lot of different 755 00:43:05,300 --> 00:43:08,020 Lanie Riner: arenas to get everyone rowing together in the same direction. 756 00:43:08,380 --> 00:43:11,339 Lanie Riner: But it is not something that I'm scared of. 757 00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:12,680 Lanie Riner: It is something that 758 00:43:13,500 --> 00:43:16,020 Lanie Riner: I lean into partnerships. 759 00:43:16,680 --> 00:43:17,840 Lanie Riner: You know, we are stronger together. 760 00:43:18,500 --> 00:43:26,580 Lanie Riner: It feels like a cliché after so much that we've gone through, but it was true before COVID. It was true during COVID, and it's true now. 761 00:43:27,100 --> 00:43:29,140 Lanie Riner: We are stronger when we work together. 762 00:43:29,500 --> 00:43:30,200 Lanie Riner: But, um, 763 00:43:55,300 --> 00:43:56,520 Lanie Riner: Fort Valley, 764 00:43:56,840 --> 00:43:57,060 Lanie Riner: Georgia. 765 00:43:57,500 --> 00:44:02,300 Lanie Riner: And it is a program that we have had since 1991. 766 00:44:02,980 --> 00:44:07,020 Lanie Riner: And it's the GGIA Junior Certified Plant Professional. 767 00:44:07,880 --> 00:44:15,180 Lanie Riner: The Georgia Certified Plant Professional was GGIA's program until we transitioned it to UGA so it could be state recognized. 768 00:44:15,980 --> 00:44:18,200 Lanie Riner: So that program is managed by 769 00:44:18,200 --> 00:44:21,920 Lanie Riner: UGA now. So it does have that state recognition. 770 00:44:22,450 --> 00:44:33,380 Lanie Riner: But we still maintain the junior certification and we installed a plant ID trail for students from all over the state to be able to come, learn their plants, 771 00:44:33,980 --> 00:44:34,720 Lanie Riner: take the test, 772 00:44:35,420 --> 00:44:35,839 Lanie Riner: and 773 00:44:36,320 --> 00:44:40,700 Lanie Riner: Gain Interest and Skills that are relevant in our industry. 774 00:44:41,080 --> 00:44:45,780 Lanie Riner: And those are the type of things that I hope to see for our industry. 775 00:44:46,180 --> 00:44:49,600 Lanie Riner: Young people, and we know we have to get them in middle school or high school. 776 00:44:50,220 --> 00:44:51,440 Lanie Riner: Like, if it's college, 777 00:44:51,600 --> 00:44:57,240 Lanie Riner: a lot of times it's too late. They're on a path that they can't transition over to if they find it late. 778 00:44:57,560 --> 00:45:03,660 Lanie Riner: So being able to cultivate that interest early and gain interest. 779 00:45:03,100 --> 00:45:05,720 Lanie Riner: them being able to see that there is a viable pathway. 780 00:45:06,760 --> 00:45:15,540 Lanie Riner: There is an extremely wonderful young lady that I have met through FFA, and she is a senior in high school this year. 781 00:45:16,160 --> 00:45:18,700 Lanie Riner: And I met her as a freshman, 782 00:45:19,140 --> 00:45:21,980 Lanie Riner: and she was competing in the state floriculture competition. 783 00:45:22,740 --> 00:45:25,860 Lanie Riner: And I got the opportunity to ask her what she wanted to be, 784 00:45:26,200 --> 00:45:27,760 Lanie Riner: you know, was she going to enter this industry? 785 00:45:28,400 --> 00:45:31,799 Lanie Riner: after she graduated and she said, I'm going to be an agricultural attorney. 786 00:45:32,470 --> 00:45:40,400 Lanie Riner: She said, but I hope that I'm able to help horticulture and all of these other sectors of agriculture that I've learned about through that work. 787 00:45:32,940 --> 00:45:33,080 Lanie Riner: Yeah. 788 00:45:40,490 --> 00:45:44,500 Lanie Riner: And so even though she will not be... 789 00:45:44,500 --> 00:45:50,300 Lanie Riner: working directly in this industry, I have no doubt that her work is going to impact us. 790 00:45:50,520 --> 00:45:51,220 Lanie Riner: And as a senior, 791 00:45:51,500 --> 00:46:02,960 Lanie Riner: I have no doubt that she is going to get to where she is going because I saw her a couple of weeks ago at our ribbon cutting and she is still planning to be an agricultural attorney. 792 00:46:03,200 --> 00:46:03,780 Ping Yu: That's great. 793 00:46:04,640 --> 00:46:06,820 Ping Yu: We want those kids. 794 00:46:07,080 --> 00:46:07,240 Ping Yu: Yeah. 795 00:46:07,800 --> 00:46:08,620 Lanie Riner: We do. 796 00:46:09,040 --> 00:46:18,320 Lanie Riner: The vision for our industry is help growing the next generation of horticulturists and help growing our industry where we are right now in all stages. 797 00:46:18,700 --> 00:46:24,860 Lanie Riner: So I know that was a long answer to that because it's a big industry and that's a big answer. 798 00:46:25,160 --> 00:46:26,140 Ping Yu: It's a good answer. 799 00:46:27,560 --> 00:46:30,120 Ping Yu: We always would want. 800 00:46:30,300 --> 00:46:34,300 Ping Yu: to have the next generation to get involved. 801 00:46:34,360 --> 00:46:34,580 Ping Yu: Yes. 802 00:46:34,820 --> 00:46:39,640 Ping Yu: Because we're cultivating our future by engaging them. 803 00:46:39,660 --> 00:46:40,000 Ping Yu: That's right. 804 00:46:40,160 --> 00:46:40,300 Ping Yu: Yeah. 805 00:46:43,920 --> 00:46:53,100 Ping Yu: So if any of the volunteers or growers or even students or extension agents 806 00:46:53,500 --> 00:46:57,120 Ping Yu: wants to be get involved in GGIA. 807 00:46:57,500 --> 00:46:58,800 Ping Yu: Where should they get started? 808 00:46:59,300 --> 00:47:01,520 Lanie Riner: We'll find a spot wherever they want to be. 809 00:47:02,410 --> 00:47:04,860 Lanie Riner: This is what I love about this organization. 810 00:47:05,720 --> 00:47:09,540 Lanie Riner: You can, if you're not into the advocacy piece, 811 00:47:09,800 --> 00:47:10,180 Lanie Riner: that's okay. 812 00:47:10,330 --> 00:47:11,780 Lanie Riner: We need help with education. 813 00:47:12,200 --> 00:47:19,000 Lanie Riner: We need help with these little events that we are doing. We need help with all of these things. 814 00:47:19,579 --> 00:47:23,560 Lanie Riner: If you are interested in helping with student development, 815 00:47:23,859 --> 00:47:27,220 Lanie Riner: we'll connect you with our partners with FFA, 816 00:47:27,540 --> 00:47:31,500 Lanie Riner: and there's opportunities to judge students. I know our 817 00:47:31,500 --> 00:47:38,100 Lanie Riner: Our central region and north region and south region FFA region teachers, 818 00:47:38,320 --> 00:47:45,800 Lanie Riner: they are horticulture teachers who teach all of the ag teachers in their region and run those contests. 819 00:47:46,440 --> 00:47:48,080 Lanie Riner: They are always looking for help. 820 00:47:48,860 --> 00:47:54,840 Lanie Riner: I got a great opportunity in October to go and judge at nationals in Indiana. 821 00:47:55,040 --> 00:47:58,940 Lanie Riner: And I'm just going to tell you, it blew me away to see. 822 00:47:59,180 --> 00:47:59,400 Lanie Riner: So, 823 00:47:59,600 --> 00:48:02,340 Lanie Riner: If someone wanted to get involved in that area, 824 00:48:02,540 --> 00:48:03,320 Lanie Riner: there's an opportunity. 825 00:48:03,540 --> 00:48:11,060 Lanie Riner: If they're really interested in trade show or education or advocacy or helping with these events, 826 00:48:11,300 --> 00:48:13,580 Lanie Riner: there is something for everyone. 827 00:48:14,300 --> 00:48:21,600 Lanie Riner: And just reach out. We'll be so glad to help connect and get you plugged in where you're. 828 00:48:21,100 --> 00:48:27,440 Lanie Riner: you feel comfortable in another area in a few years and we'll move you over there. 829 00:48:27,980 --> 00:48:28,140 Ping Yu: Yeah. 830 00:48:28,960 --> 00:48:29,020 Ping Yu: Yeah. 831 00:48:29,180 --> 00:48:33,720 Ping Yu: And now GGIA has a website and you can find more information there. 832 00:48:33,940 --> 00:48:40,720 Ping Yu: And I'll definitely put the link in the show notes so people can go and check after they pull it up, 833 00:48:40,920 --> 00:48:41,160 Ping Yu: you know. 834 00:48:42,360 --> 00:48:42,520 Lanie Riner: Yes. 835 00:48:43,060 --> 00:48:43,140 Lanie Riner: Oh, 836 00:48:43,600 --> 00:48:45,700 Lanie Riner: and one last plug for Southeast Green. 837 00:48:45,920 --> 00:48:48,540 Lanie Riner: Can we put both of the websites? Of course. 838 00:48:48,720 --> 00:48:49,160 Lanie Riner: Of course. 839 00:48:49,340 --> 00:48:51,380 Ping Yu: I can do that. I can do that. Thank you. 840 00:48:51,540 --> 00:48:51,980 Ping Yu: Of course. 841 00:48:52,420 --> 00:48:52,980 Ping Yu: Well, 842 00:48:53,140 --> 00:48:57,740 Ping Yu: I thank you, Lanie, for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me. 843 00:48:58,220 --> 00:49:09,360 Ping Yu: And like I said, I think we will make good, we'll do good things and make the whole industry better all together. 844 00:49:09,800 --> 00:49:11,000 Ping Yu: So thank you. 845 00:49:11,520 --> 00:49:13,000 Ping Yu: Thank you. 846 00:49:39,720 --> 00:49:40,880 Ping Yu: And as always, 847 00:49:41,140 --> 00:49:49,760 Ping Yu: go check out the show notes to learn more about this topic and other topics we featured on the show at bandbpod.com. 848 00:49:50,119 --> 00:49:51,000 Ping Yu: Thank you for listening. 849 00:49:51,280 --> 00:49:52,300 Ping Yu: Till the next time, 850 00:49:52,480 --> 00:49:54,180 Ping Yu: stay healthy and go plants!