缅因州景观和苗圃协会（Maine Landscape and Nursery Association，简称MELNA）是一家非营利性行业协会，成立于1970年，总部位于缅因州。协会致力于促进观赏植物、产品和服务的应用，代表并服务于园艺产业链各环节，包括景观设计、花园中心、室内植物、场地维护、苗圃、温室、树木栽培、硬景工程、灌溉公司、植物园及相关企业。
使命与目标
MELNA自1970年成立以来，始终以促进园艺产业在提升公众生活质量中的作用为使命。协会支持园艺产业链各组成群体，为业界提供统一的声音，向公众传达绿色产业在改善生活品质方面的重要价值。MELNA的目标包括：促进园艺行业在提升人们生活质量中的作用；通过教育项目推动专业发展，鼓励相关教育机构招生；监督州和地方园艺相关法律；积极参与立法和监管流程；推广环境友好型园艺实践；关注并向会员通报农业技术等关联产业的最新动态。
年度活动与社区服务
协会每年一月在奥古斯塔市民中心举办Grow Maine Green Expo年度会议暨贸易展，活动涵盖教育研讨会、颁奖午宴、近75家供应商参与的贸易展以及由知名演讲者/作家担纲的主题演讲。此外，MELNA还组织年度高尔夫锦标赛等社交活动，并通过社区服务项目捐赠景观设计、植物和材料，会员以协作方式在短时间内完成场地改造。协会每年向缅因社区学院（SMCC）和缅因大学奥罗诺分校（UM at Orono）的园艺与树木栽培专业学生颁发总额近5,000美元的奖学金。
Plant Something Maine运动
MELNA发起了”Plant Something Maine”（种植缅因）运动，是一项近50万美元的营销推广活动，已推动成员销售额在不到十年内增长超过40%。该运动旨在鼓励缅因州居民参与园艺种植，从单株植物、草药、蔬菜到灌木和树木，涵盖各类园艺活动。协会通过plantsomethingmaine.org平台推广该运动，覆盖范围从Buckfield到Bridgewater，从Whitefield到Winterville。
会员与联系
协会为会员提供行业交流平台，通过教育会议帮助会员跟进最新动态，通过认证项目提供行业认可，并代表业界参与立法和监管流程。会员还可享受协会营销活动带来的商业增长机会。非专业园艺人士可访问协会网站查找附近的苗圃、景观公司和园艺服务商。协会执行董事为Don Sproul。
The Maine Landscape and Nursery Association (MELNA) is a non-profit, professional trade association established in 1970 and headquartered in Maine. The association is dedicated to promoting the use of ornamental plants, products, and services, representing and serving all segments of the horticulture industry including landscape design, garden centers, interiorscape, grounds maintenance, nursery, greenhouse, arboriculture, hardscaping, irrigation companies, botanical gardens, and allied businesses.
Mission and Goals
Since 1970, MELNA has been committed to promoting the role of the horticulture industry in improving people’s quality of life. The association supports all constituent groups of the horticulture industry and provides a unified voice communicating the vital role of the green industry. MELNA’s goals include: promoting the role of horticulture in enhancing quality of life; advancing professionalism through education programs; monitoring state and local horticulture-related laws; actively participating in legislative and regulatory processes; promoting environmentally sound practices; and keeping members informed about developments in allied industries including agri-technology.
Annual Events and Community Service
MELNA hosts the annual Grow Maine Green Expo every January at the Augusta Civic Center, featuring education seminars, an Awards Luncheon, a Trade Show with nearly 75 suppliers, a Keynote Address by nationally known speakers, and networking opportunities. The association also organizes an annual Golf Tournament and contributes community service by donating landscape designs, plants, and materials, with members completing site transformations through coordinated collaborative efforts. MELNA awards annual scholarships approaching $5,000 for horticulture and arboriculture students at Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) and the University of Maine at Orono (UM at Orono).
Plant Something Maine Campaign
MELNA initiated the Plant Something Maine campaign, a nearly half-million-dollar marketing effort that has increased members’ sales by over 40% in less than a decade. The campaign encourages Maine residents to engage in gardening and horticulture, from single plants, herbs, and vegetables to shrubs and trees. The association promotes this initiative through plantsomethingmaine.org, covering communities across Maine from Buckfield to Bridgewater and Whitefield to Winterville.
Membership and Contact
MELNA provides members with opportunities to exchange information with industry leaders, stay current through education sessions, receive recognition through certification programs, and advocate for their businesses through legislative and regulatory processes. Members also benefit from the association’s marketing campaigns that drive business growth. Non-professionals can use the association’s website to find nurseries, landscaping companies, and horticultural services nearby. The association’s Executive Director is Don Sproul.
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