By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator
Are you curious about new ways to control weeds this upcoming season?
WeedGuardPlus is a biodegradable and water permeable mulch made from cellulose fibers that suppresses weeds, sparing countless hours spent on weed management. We spoke with VP of Sales & Marketing Mike Gallagher to learn about paper innovations in the management of unwanted plants.
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Certified Naturally Grown (CNG): How did WeedGuardPlus get started?
Mike Gallagher (MG): A grower who was using plastic mulch asked if our parent company, SunShine Paper Company, could develop a mulch made from cellulose, which is a renewable resource that is 100% biodegradable. Just like that, WeedGuardPlus was born!
CNG: What are Weed Guard Plus’ core values?
MG: We try to satisfy our customers’ needs to the best of our ability, deliver innovative solutions, and maintain integrity in our dealings with customers and suppliers. Above all, we aim to learn and grow professionally and personally every day.
CNG: What makes WeedGuardPlus different?
MG: We feel our product addresses a vital need to help offset the persistent use of plastics in agriculture. Being the only product that is 100% bio-based and 100% biodegradable, WeedGuard is the sound choice for protecting our environment from further micro and macro plastic particle contamination of our soil and water.
CNG: How did you make the decision to support CNG as a Business Ally?
MG: Whenever we have the opportunity to support groups and organizations who subscribe to good environmental practices, we do! CNG is one of those organizations.
CNG: What are some exciting developments at WeedGuardPlus our CNG community can look forward to in 2019 and beyond?
MG: We are developing some new products utilizing hemp fiber, and we are also introducing some great new items that will save time for tree nursery growers.
CNG: It’s a tough question, but what is your favorite item in the WeedGuardPlus store?
MG: It is difficult, but one of my favorites is the Pre-Punched line with great spacing pattern options. These products save growers time, and provide best utilization of field space. The idea came from Zach Randle of Randle Farms in Alabama. I just acted on his idea!
CNG: If you had a magic agricultural wand, how would you use it to improve farm systems in America?
MG: This is a great question. I’d like to see less plastics and more renewable resource products used. We can and we must do better.
Also, I’d like my children to have greater access to and more options of organically grown produce. I’d like to see elimination of toxic chemicals used in agriculture in favor of natural preventives.
…are you interested in featuring your like-minded company on our blog?