When Marissa Byrum and the rest of the team at Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply heard about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they decided to spring into action. It’s in the business’ nature to give back, as the Tampa, Florida-based company usually chooses one or two charities to support every year, but this cause was urgent.

“Usually we find a local charity, but with everything, all of that tragedy going on in Ukraine, Mr. Shell [owner and president] was really moved and motivated to do a different kind. So, we decided to look for a charity that supported the people of Ukraine trying to flee from war — short of wanting to grab a flight and go over there ourselves and pitch in, which would be dangerous,” Byrum says.

Shell’s Feed chose to support the American Red Cross in their fundraising efforts, and for every 1-gallon plant in a 1-gallon pot sold March 17-19, the business donated $3. Once the fundraiser ended, Shell's Feed matched the donation from the plant sales.

“We ended up raising just about under $600, which doesn't seem like a lot, but that means about 80 people bought at least one plant,” she says.

© Marissa Byrum | Shell's Feed & Garden Supply

Before the fundraiser, Byrum, who is the marketing manager at Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply, spread the word out on Facebook, through the customer newsletter and through local community gardens to rally their customers. During the event, customers bought petunias, pentas and daisies. Lobelia was especially popular, she says, noting it was likely a popular choice for its blue color, which is part of the Ukrainian flag.

Customers were very receptive to the fundraiser, and many thanked Shell’s Feed for giving back.

“We had a lot of people that talked about how terrible everything was in Ukraine, of course (and we agree). Many customers were excited that a family business wanted to reach out and try to help other families that maybe needed the help, but couldn't help themselves at that moment,” Byrum says.  

How to get involved

Byrum has two tips for garden centers that might want to get involved and give back to Ukrainian refugees or other charitable causes. Not sure where to get started? Head to charitynavigator.org, a website that independently screens charity financials.

“It tells you, basically, where their money goes, according to their tax returns and stuff like that,” she says. “We usually try to find charities in general that have a high rating on a site like that.”

Second, Byrum suggests that garden centers talk to their friends, family and neighbors, and partner with their vendors to maximize their fundraising efforts.

“I didn't get a chance to do any of that because we kind of threw it together in a hurry, but normally I reach out to my vendors and say, ‘Hey, would you like to donate something for this? If you donate it for free, then we could sell it and all of that profit can go the charity,’” she says.

Byrum notes that sometimes vendors participate and sometimes they don't, but Shell’s Feed always prefers to give them the option of participating. “And then course, if they do participate, then we talk up their business and their brands so that we can sell more of it in the future,” she says.

AmericanHort has announced the arrival of Sara Neagu-Reed, effective April 11, as Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs. She joins the Washington, DC-based advocacy team working alongside Craig Regelbrugge, Executive Vice President-Advocacy, Research, and Industry Relations; and Evan Lee, Director of Policy, and Government Relations.

Neagu-Reed joins AmericanHort after a decade of working in various government affairs and legislative roles. Prior to joining AmericanHort, she served as Associate Director of Federal Policy for the California Farm Bureau Federation, where she advocated for the interests of California farmers and ranchers before Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Prior to that, Neagu-Reed served as Senior Legislative Analyst for the USDA, and as a legislative assistant for the National Corn Growers Association. Her career began as a District Representative for a California member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served as principal liaison to local businesses, organizations, and constituents, managing local policy issues.

A California native and first generation Romanian American, Neagu-Reed is a graduate of the University of San Francisco holding a bachelor’s degree in Politics. She will receive her master’s degree in Public Administration and Service from Texas A&M University in December 2023. Neagu-Reed is also a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program and WeLead, American University’s program for professional women looking to gain leadership skills needed to run for public office.

"Sara’s strong and relevant work experience advocating on federal issues, most recently with the California Farm Bureau Federation, will be a strong asset to AmericanHort as we continue to build out our advocacy portfolio," said Craig Regelbrugge. "We look forward to her contributions toward influencing the issues most important to our industry."

Neagu-Reed fills an advocacy staff vacancy created with the recent departure of Tal Coley who was named last month as the new CEO for the Florida Nursery, Growers, & Landscape Association. To learn more about the AmericanHort team, visit AmericanHort.org/Team.

The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2022.

Until 1951, the Florida State Nurserymen were part of the Florida State Florist and Nurserymen Association. Given the growing importance of its specific industry within Florida, some nurserymen believed it was time for a separate organization.

See more about FNGLA’s 70-year history here.

Darwin Perennials, North America’s premier breeder of vegetative perennials, will once again welcome industry guests in-person for its annual Darwin Perennials Day event, Wednesday, June 22. The full schedule has been released and registration is now open — sign up and plan your visit to West Chicago, Illinois. The event promises a complete perennial experience with Zone 5 overwintered trial garden comparisons, a new variety courtyard, interaction with more than 25 top suppliers from the perennial industry, and on-site experts for continued education.

Darwin Perennials Day is a one-day event open Wednesday, June 22, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Your visit will include:

• A grab ’n go breakfast as well as mid-day lunch
• Visits with +25 perennial suppliers in our tented showcase
• Seeing exciting plants in the New Variety Courtyard
• Browsing extensive perennial garden beds from leading perennial breeders
• Visiting education stations: “When to grow seed or vegetative Echinacea”; “How callused cuttings are changing propagation”; and “Tips and tricks from experienced perennial growers”.
• Taking guided tours of The Gardens and the Ball Helix Central Research & Development center
• Listening to keynote presentation “Implementing Bio-Control Agents” with speaker Suzanne Wainwright-Evans of Buglady Consulting

“Nothing beats a chance to see plants live and in-person, and this year’s Darwin Perennials Day won’t disappoint,” says Seth Reed, sales and marketing manager for Darwin Perennials. “You’ll have full access to perennial experts and education, all while strolling through hundreds of perennial varieties from the best breeders in the world.”

You can find more details and register your visit to this perennial event online now at www.darwinperennialsday.com.

Watch a quick video promo online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVQj_EqpXUE