EMERYVILLE, Calif., Dec. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SCS Global Services (www.scsglobalservices.com) will provide expert insights about sustainable growing practices at the National Green Centre Conference in St. Louis this January. 

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SCS has provided leadership in third-party certification in the food and agriculture sector for nearly three decades.  The company established the first sustainable agriculture certification for plants and flowers focused on the North American market, Veriflora, in 2004.  Certification to date includes well over a billion flower stems and a billion plants, as well as 30,000 acres of sustainably managed peatlands, a host of approved input materials and products, and training of preferred retailers. In addition, SCS now certifies sustainably grown fruits and vegetables.

SCS will be publicly supporting the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) at the conference (www.sustainablesites.org).  SITES is an initiative of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin, and the United States Botanic Garden.  The initiative aims to be recognized for US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits for building sites that integrate the use of sustainably grown products and sustainable grounds maintenance practices. 

"We're excited to be part of an educational process that is long overdue.  So far, the market for sustainably grown plants has largely been limited to consumers, said Dr. Keyes, "If contractors began asking for certified plants in bulk, it could alter the growing industry by creating a new demand for sustainably grown plants."

WHO: Dr. Michael Keyes, SCS' Senior Agriculture and Natural Resource Specialist, and resident sustainable agriculture expert,  

WHAT:  Dr. Keyes will present, "What Does The Future of SITES Look Like For Growers," and in addition, lead sessions on reducing waste and recycling organic matter on construction sites.

WHERE:  The National Green Centre conference, sponsored by the Western Nursery and Landscape Association, in St. Louis, Missouri at the America's Center.  The conference is billed as a "next generation" green industry event where local, regional and national companies will showcase their latest and greatest products and plants.

WHEN: January 6 and 7^th, 2013.

CONTACT:  To set up an interview with Dr. Keyes, contact Chip Wood, SCS Food and Agriculture Marketing Specialist, at cwood@scsglobalservices.com, or call 1-501-452-8020.  To find out more about SCS' certification programs, join us at the Green Centre conference (www.nationalgreencentre.org), or go to www.Veriflora.com and www.SCSglobalServices.com/food-and-agriculture.

SCS Global Services (SCS) (formerly Scientific Certification Systems) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for nearly 30 years. Its programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, retail, and more.  SCS provides accredited services under a wide range of internationally recognized certification programs.  SCS is a chartered benefit corporation and Certified B Corp™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

SOURCE SCS Global Services