New Orleans, Louisiana
January 23, 2008
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and
W. Atlee Burpee & Co. lent a
helping hand to the New Orleans community which continues to
work so hard to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane
Katrina. The volunteer project, entitled “ASTA Gives Back,”
brought together a team of ASTA members to the
New Orleans
Botanical Gardens, within the New Orleans City Park, for an
afternoon of replanting a severely damaged section of this once
pristine area.
The project, sponsored by W.
Atlee Burpee & Co., with additional donations provided by
American Takii, Inc.,
Ball Horticultural Company,
Gardener’s Supply/Dutch
Gardens, Goldsmith
Seeds, Inc., Johnny’s
Selected Seeds,
Kieft Seed Co.,
Renee’s Garden Seed,
Seeds by Design and
Seeds of Change, is
being held in conjunction with
ASTA’s 47th Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference. The
contributions of time, planting materials and equipment, and
funds will be directed to the reconstruction of the Ornamental
Woody Garden within the New Orleans Botanical Gardens. Unique to
this project is the direct donation of seed to the recovery
effort, including poppies and larkspur from Seeds of Change,
which will provide yearly beauty to the garden for the citizens
of New Orleans to enjoy.
 “Our
responsibility in helping to rebuild the New Orleans communities
that fell victim to hurricane Katrina extends well beyond the
physical construction of new homes, schools and community
centers,” says Tracy Lee, W. Atlee Burpee & Co.
Horticulturalist. “It is also our duty to restore the city’s
heart and soul by reestablishing historic grounds such as the
much-loved New Orleans Botanical Gardens.”
The New Orleans City Park, the largest urban park in the
country, not only received $43 million dollars in damage by
Hurricane Katrina, it also suffered tremendous losses in its
work force as well. After the hurricane, the park’s staff of 260
was drastically reduced, which today totals only 47 employees.
This has left the park in desperate need of volunteer help.\
President and CEO of ASTA,
remarked, “This is truly an ideal opportunity for the members of
the American Seed Trade Association to give back to a community
in need. The Botanical Gardens and the City Park have been the
crown jewels of this great city and what better industry than
the American seed industry to assist in their revitalization.”
Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA),
located in Alexandria, Va., is one of the oldest trade
organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of
about 850 companies involved in seed production and
distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North
America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates
science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is
to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed
worldwide. |
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