U.S. growers evaluate European process

Doug Cole, owner of D.S. Cole Growers in Loudon, N.H., hosted a sustainability meeting in late September with MPS, which certifies European growers for environmental processes.

Theo de Groot, director of MPS, said the certification system assures the public and buyers that certified growers are using best practices, which include sustainable issues.

“MPS has been in use for many years in Europe and far greater than 50 percent of the growers are participating in the program,” Cole said.

MPS is a nonprofit organization made up of grower groups.

“Growers created MPS to take charge of their environmental responsibilities before the government dictated more regulation,” Cole said.

The goals of MPS are reducing the environmental impact on participating companies;

improving or maintaining the image of the floriculture industry; and creating one window for registration and certification, de Groot said.

One of the benefits of MPS certification is a competitive sales advantage over growers who aren’t certified, Cole said.

“Some buyers are already asking for growers to be certified with VeriFlora or other companies. This meeting was designed to learn what we, as growers, have for options before buyers dictate what we need to do,” Cole said.

VeriFlora is a certification program managed by Scientific Certification Systems in Emeryville, Calif.

Representatives from Pleasant View Gardens, Matterhorn Nursery and New Hampshire State University attended.

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For more: Doug Cole, D.S. Cole Growers, (603) 783-9561. Theo de Groot, MPS, t.de.groot@my-mps.com.