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Contacts:
Pamela G. Marrone, President and Founder, 530-750-0150, ext. 115
Julie Versman, Director of Marketing, 530-730-0150, ext. 116
AgraQuest Founder Addressed UN World Environment Day Audience on the Topic of Organics in Sustainable Floral Industry
Rhapsody®, Serenade® Garden Biofungicides Meet Needs of Growing Organic Floral Market
DAVIS, Calif. (June 7, 2005) – AgraQuest, Inc. founder and president Dr. Pam Marrone addressed an enthusiastic audience at Eco-Flower Power: Sustainability Trends for the Floral Industry as part of the United Nations World Environment Day in San Francisco. Joining an international panel of experts including growers, environmental scientists and trade association leaders speaking on the growing sustainable floral industry, Dr. Marrone discussed the role of organic inputs in developing markets for sustainable floral products.
As part of the program at the World Environment Day, the UN’s annual conference on the environment, the Eco-Flower Power symposium highlighted issues and showcased progress in the sustainable floral industry. According to the Organic Trade Association, in 2003 U.S. sales of organic flowers alone grew to an estimated 52 percent from the previous year, with sales expected to grow 13 percent annually through 2008.
“The UN’s World Environment Day events and festivities bring the attention of the world to renewable practices. It was a pleasure to participate in a forum that raises awareness and builds momentum for sustainable agriculture,” said Dr. Pam Marrone, Founder and President of AgraQuest. “The market for organic floriculture represents one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture, and sustainable floral production methods offer real market opportunity for an industry that is increasingly responsive to consumer demands for environmentally sound options.”
Rhapsody, AgraQuest’s organic product for commercial growers of ornamentals, addresses the need for effective bacterial and fungal disease control without compromising environmental or human health. The company also sells organic Serenade Garden Disease Control to consumers for safe and effective control of mildews and leaf spots of flowers, fruits and vegetables.
About AgraQuest
AgraQuest is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing effective, safe and environmentally friendly natural pest management products for agricultural, institutional and home markets The company sells Serenade® and Rhapsody® Biofungicides and recently launched Sonata® and Ballad® for mildews and rusts on fruit, vegetables and soybeans. Pending at the EPA are Arabesque™ Biofumigant and Virtuoso™ Bioinsecticide. In 2003, AgraQuest won the prestigious Presidential Green Chemistry Award for the discovery and commercialization of Serenade Biofungicide. In 2004, AgraQuest received a Red Herring Top 100 Private Company Award and the World Technology Award for the Environment.