FPMA Article on the Importance of Association Membership Featured in PCT Pestworld 2009 Special Edition

An article highlighting the benefits of associations and the importance of Membership was featured in the PCT Magazine Special Edition for Pestworld 2009. Authored by FPMA EVP Allen Fugler and delivered to the rooms of Pestworld attendees during the convention, the article detailed how associations provided a return on dues investment through discounted services offered by Allied Members (like in the case of FPMA , returning up to a 400% return in savings on services for dues paid by smaller companies).

Also highlighted was the role associations played in protecting the very survival of the profession against activists and media agendas, and legislation and regulation that could cripple company operations and reduce profitability. The article is posted on the FPMA website at www.flpma.com. Please share it with fellow members and, most importantly, with companies that are not yet members.

As mentioned in the PCT article, especially in these economic times, FPMA Membership is Smart Business. See the Article here>

FPMA will now host the live termite and ant sites for the University of Florida! In insect habitats maintained by Drs. Phil Koehler and Roberto Pereira, web cams live stream the tunneling of subterranean termites at http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/
sepmc/uftermcam.htm and the foraging behavior of imported fire ants at http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/
sepmc/ufantcam.htm.

New IFAS Publication on Fertilizer Ordinances

A new publication from plant scientist at IFAS reveals the real impacts on plant health as a result of “blackout periods” featured in some local fertilizer ordinances. In “Unintended Consequences Associated With Certain Urban Fertilizer Ordinances” Dr. George J. Hochmuth, IFAS Professor of Soil & Water Science and his fellow authors describe the effects of withholding essential plant nutrients during the height of the summer growing season-the same timing prohibited by ordinance “blackout periods”. The paper shows that a lack of summer turf fertilization slows root growth and weakens the turf, making it more susceptible to insect and disease attack. Turf with less root development makes it a less effective filter of pollutants that now make it to surface water, harming water quality-the opposite result of the intended consequence of some fertilizer ordinances. The newly released research is excellent education for municipalities considering fertilizer regulation; download it from the IFAS web site and share with your local county and city environmental officials.

The FPMA Merchant Services Program just got even better!

Allied Partner, Merchant Bankcard introduces direct settlement of all card types, including American Express. Members who have taken advantage of the merchant services benefit agree that the solutions offered through Merchant Bankcard accelerate cash flow, reduce processing expense and cement customer loyalty. If your firm has not yet taken the time to examine this member benefit, we highly recommend to view this brief presentation by following this link
http://www.mbcmerchant.net
/fpma/onepoint.

Be a “Bug Teacher” in the Classroom!

Share your knowledge of entomology and the importance of pest management in protecting health, food and property! A new PowerPoint Presentation “Bugs: Helpful or Harmful?” developed by Dr. Rebecca Baldwin of IFAS and the FPMA Public Affairs Committee, will entertain and inform children in grades 1-8 as part of a classroom life science curriculum. Simply download the presentation and schedule a time and date with a local teacher; Dr. Baldwin will supply collateral materials for students and teachers through the IFAS web site: http://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu/florida
/bugs_program.htm or you can contact your regional director with your request. Get involved and get in the classroom soon!

Consumer Fertilizer Task Force Findings

Available at:
http://consensus.fsu.edu/Fertilizer
-Task-Force/index.html

GreenFlag Accounts Receivables Management-FPMA Preferred Provider

GreenFlag Accounts Receivable Management services can help collect debts, improve AR agings and retain customers in a professional, courteous manner… FPMA members enjoy special member rates to help retain even more from the accounts referred to GreenFlag. To learn more about the company and its special FPMA offer, go to http://www.web
.transworldsystems.com/tampa/ and download the informational PowerPoint presentation here. Direct all inquiries to Gene Rodriguez at 727-432-5690 or email him at: gene.rodriguez@transworldsystems.com

Florida Pest Management Association now has a Facebook “fan” page!

The page on the social networking site features association events, website addresses, photographs and videos of almost two dozen Members urging fellow Pest Management Professionals, in the words of President Jim Williamson, to “join the FPMA family.” The Facebook page will be used to transmit association news and drive traffic to the FPMA web site (www.flpma.org); social network sites are the latest in new technology marketing, are free to set up and use, and will be a featured topic at the upcoming Pest and Lawn Care Expo, January 13-15, 2010 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. We are announcing the Facebook page in upcoming eFlash and PCO magazine issues.

To view the page, simply log on to www.facebook.com and type in “Florida Pest Management Association” in the search feature; click on the association’s page, and then on the “become a fan” button; postings on the FPMA Facebook page can be sent to your email address if you select that option.

Facebook is a great way to share information and create a “virtual community” of FPMA family members-please join your fellow “FPMA family” Members as a “fan” of the Florida Pest Management Association’s Facebook page!

NEW Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices (FGIBMPs)

The industry standards for safe, effective, ecologically sound application practices
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