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[GWL]: Information from trades

This discussion has been interesting because the general feel of the
comments is that you all want more information about new products and more
opportunities to try new plants.  What many of you may not appreciate is the
fairly long-standing tension within GWAA around these issues.  Back in the
mid-80's there was some concern among some vocal members that the industry
members were going to take over the organization; it never even came close
but the feelings were there. There are still GWAA writers who feel that it
is unethical to accept a free product or plant to test and then write about.
Then in several meetings there was some strong testimony against companies
sending information unrequested to GWAA members; they considered it junk
mail.  There was even opposition to companies sending plants unrequested.  I
think many of the corporate members of GWAA became wary.  Many of the
companies now sending plants will send out a post card offering the plants
and you must send the card back to get the test plants; an effort to avoid
making our more "sensitive" members mad.
With the advent of the Internet, perhaps that issue should be raised again
in GWAA to find a way for people who want unrequested information and plants
to get same.
Nancy and I work with Spring Meadow Nursery from time to time and they are
really interested in getting their new plant selections into the hands of
garden writers, two even three years ahead of the plant's release to market.
They raise ornamental shrubs and have a dozen really interesting plants that
they will give for testing.  Their problem was getting the word out to the
right garden writers. I suspect there are many other nurseries also
interested in having plants tested, but not knowing how to go about making
contact with those garden writers who might be interested.
On the hard goods side of things, the problem is similar.  Nancy and I talk
with small companies almost every week who have come out with a new product
and want to get the word out to the marketplace.  In most cases, they are
delighted to give us one or more samples of their product to test.  The UPS
guy knows us by our first names.  Again, we usually track down the company.
They don't have a clue about how to get to garden writers and most of them
don't know about GWAA.
Maybe there should be a column in the GWAA newsletter on new plants and new
products with e-mail addresses to contact if any GWAA member is interested
in testing.  That would avoid getting anyone upset and maybe solve the
problem.  What does anyone think?
Toward that end, here is a web site with some very interesting new hand tool
designs.  Nancy and I have tested these tools and they are very well built
and the design is wonderful; and the price is terrific.  They are not for
disabled people only.  They work for all of us.  Go to www.earthbudeze.com.
If you want to test, just contact the company with your phone number and
they will call you.  They have some neat new designs coming out in the next
few months.
Jeff Ball

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