A new chapter for FloraCulture International
This edition of FloraCulture International is the beginning of a new chapter for this long-standing, respected publication. FCI was founded in 1990 by Debbie Hamrick from Chicago-based Ball Publishing Group. It was developed further by Jaap Kras in the Netherlands until 2016 when Royal FloraHolland became the owners. From this month ownership has transferred to AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers).
FCI has long been a valuable source of news and information for growers around the world. AIPH is committed to supporting the ornamental horticulture industry across the globe and we are therefore delighted to bring this publication under our umbrella to continue this valuable role. We will build on the current success of the magazine to develop it further with even more detailed industry analysis and comment. We will ensure it retains its independent perspective and increases its reach to even more industry stakeholders and countries.
We plan to develop all aspects of FCI, including its online presence and circulation, while keeping the print magazine as a core component. We hope to build more events and initiatives to benefit growers worldwide and hope to continue to work with the partners that have enabled FCI to be the success it is.
AIPH is an International Non-Profit Association registered in Belgium but with Headquarters in the UK. This year we celebrate our 70th anniversary and what better way to do it than by ensuring that the global horticulture industry can continue to access high quality information, analysis and comment through FCI. AIPH has more than fifty members across the globe, representing thousands of growers, all committed to supporting our purpose, to be ‘the world’s champion for the power of plants’. We believe passionately in the ornamentals production industry and we are committed to helping it reach its potential. We focus our activities under the following goals:
- Stimulate increased demand for ornamental trees, plants and flowers worldwide.
- Protect and promote the interests of the industry.
- Be an international hub for industry information and knowledge exchange.
- Lead best practice in ornamentals production
We have committees that focus on Green City, Exhibitions and Ornamentals Production; we publish statistics in our annual Statistical Yearbook, in partnership with Union Fleurs, and we organize the increasingly popular International Grower of the Year Awards. There is too much to tell in this column but visit www.aiph.org for more information.
Fundamentally, we believe that FCI should maintain its independent perspective and be a vital resource for growers worldwide. As we move forwards you will start to see changes very quickly. We will keep to the bi-monthly format but you will see more technical content, more detailed analysis and many opinions. We will develop the website, the e-newsletter and we want to develop events around the world. We have many great plans and ideas for developing FCI but crucially this magazine is for you, the readers. We would love to hear what you think about FCI and how you would like to see it grow. We want to reach even more readers so if you know how then let us know.
Thank you to all our readers and advertisers for supporting FCI over the years and we look forward to an exciting future supporting the global ornamentals industry.
Bernard Oosterom, AIPH President
Tim Briercliffe, AIPH Secretary General
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