FW: The Growing Edge Closes its Doors

**"* A* R* <S*@exoticgardening.com>**

I just wanted to send this to the list. It is so sad that yet another great
magazine has gone under. I have been wondering if there is anything, as
garden writers, that we can do to help keep gardening magazines in business.
Ideas? I know here locally we get a very small selection of garden magazines
on the racks. I literally have to drive two hours to a large bookstore to
see what is available. Our local bookstore has said if this economy
continues they will be closing the doors. That is sad.

Sheri

Press Release: 

January 7, 2009-- Corvallis, Oregon

Growing Edge Closes its Doors

By the editorial staff of the Growing Edge

Over the years, the magazine has been a friend of hydroponic manufacturers,
wholesalers, distributors and retailers, helping them to showcase their
products to growers and providing a critical network, connecting them to
those in need of their products. For many years, the magazine was produced
as a 'labor of love' by the publisher, who cared about the industry enough
to keep publishing the magazine even when it was financially difficult for
him. "For many of the past years I have subsidized the magazine by not
taking a salary with the hope of infusing some capital into it, it could
keep on being published," Tom disclosed recently.

            He had hoped that some advertisers - who jumped ship to join
newer magazines under the false assumption that Growing Edge's ad rates were
inflated or who complained that the Growing Edge was not "winking and
nodding" enough - would have recognized the sacrifices that he and others in
the industry had made to keep a legitimate hydroponic growing magazine
around.

            The news is a loss to the hydroponic community and commercial
hydroponic growers and hobbyists will miss the valuable resources the
magazine provided. The current issue, Jan/Feb 2009, will be the final issue.

            "It feels like I have done an assisted suicide on my child. I
feel really sad and am grieving at the death of Growing Edge, yet at the
same time, it is sort of a relief," said Tom.

Tom would like to thank the contributors and his most loyal advertisers for
helping make Growing Edge the best hydroponic magazine out there. It is
going to be difficult for the four magazines out there to ever beat the
content that Growing Edge has put out in the past 20 years. Tom says he will
continue to sell back issues of GE, books and dvds online. For info about
back issues you can email him at Tom@growingedge.com.

Tributes and well-wishes:

"I'm deeply saddened to see The Growing Edge go, it is still my very
favorite magazine about hydroponics and I've never seen one to match it so I
expect the industry is losing a great resource too." --Ray Schneider,
contributor, hydroponic gardener

"This is going to be a loss to the industry as many people have enjoyed
reading the "Growing Edge" over the years."-- Howard Resh, international
hydroponic expert, author

"For over two decades The Growing Edge magazine has been the accepted leader
in providing the latest high-tech gardening information to it's readers
world-wide.  It is very sad to see such a highly respected publication come
to an end."  

--Ron Kleinman, hydroponic gardener, videographer, reader

"'Truth is beauty and beauty is truth'- Tom has always been true to his
clients and his readers by  providing a quality publication and the
integrity to back it up. In being true to himself,  he has made a
significant contribution to the industry. I salute him for his
accomplishments and I know that he will continue to apply that same zeal and
dedication to his other passions."

 -- Boris Del Mar  Principal /Sipco Industries Ltd.

"We want to wish you all best of luck with all you do - as the opening line
of that great song goes: who knows what tomorrow brings - lets hope it is
both exciting and rewarding!" --Long-time contributor and hydroponic grower,
Rob Smith

For further inquires, please email Tom at tom@growingedge.com.

Jenie Skoy, editor

Growing Edge magazine

jenie@growingedge.com

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