By the bale or by the pallet Pine Straw
Has Become Big Business!
By Pauline Fletcher Cogdill
In 1986, little did Iris Townsend realize how much her pine straw business would grow.
Back then with a mere beginning of a couple 
of trucks, a tractor-trailer, a few hundred acres of pine straw, and grueling working
hours, progress seemed a long way in sight.However , Iris knew if she persisted, her dream
would be a reality in time. And all of her hard work is paying off.
On June 28th, 1997 Iris married Calvin Stubbs, and while the working hours are still long,
she and Calvin have a very capable staff who always assist them in getting the job done.
Today Iris's pine straw operation has grown to leasing 7,500 acres of land, in the eight
surrounding counties, 13 crews in the field, a fleet of 20 trucks and 250 van trailers
with a garage and mechanics to service the equipment as well as several full-time and
part-time
employees to supervise field operations. The Florida Pine Straw Supply Company drivers
deliver their pine straw as far south as Miami, as far north as New York, and as far
southwest as Texas.
There's very little slack time in the Stubbs' business since one season usually overlaps
another with the need for pine straw in different areas.Florida Pine Straw Supply
Company's customer base includes, theme parks, golf courses, zoos, county facilities,
landscaping contractors, and garden centers, as well as their neighbors down the street.The
Stubbs know their customers are their most important asset, and they concentrate on
meeting each customer's need. They understand that without your customers, you will not
have business.
Iris and Calvin Stubbs' personal guarantee is, "We guarantee the quality of our pine
straw and personally stand behind our product." And this is not just rhetoric but
rather good sound business practices.
Why should you choose pine straw over mulches? There are at least eight
good reasons why you should choose pine straw over other mulches:
1. Pine straw is an excellent ground cover and inhibits weed growth
better than mulches.
2. Pine straw holds the moisture in the soil and around the plants
longer than other mulches.
3. Pine Straw prevents erosion and will not wash away during heavy
rainfall.
4. Pine straw displays its beautiful color longer, therefore cutting the
cost necessary for refurbishing.
5. Pine straw is nature's resource, is organic in composition and does
not contain dangerous chemicals. Pine straw production requires no tree cutting, therefore
does not interrupt nature or the environment.
6. Pine straw is more cost efficient than other mulches, because of its
convenient bale packaging, making it easier to disperse and handle.
7. Pine straw has a ph 3.9 to 4.4. It doesn't alter the ph of the soil,
thus allowing new plants to develop and grow deeper and healthier root systems.
8. Pine straw or pine needles as referred to by some people looks
attractive in all types of landscaping.
Iris and Calvin also know how important it is to keep up with the pine straw industry,
which means they will attend approximately 25 pine straw related trade shows a year
throughout he Southeast to gain valuable knowledge for their customers.
The Stubbs are also members of 15 professional nursery associations such as Southern
Nurserymen's Association, Association of Florida Native Nurseries, Alabama Nursery
Association, North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, South Carolina Nursery Association,
Tennessee Nursery Association, and Florida Nursery Growers Association.
Iris and Calvin are continually expanding their operation so if you have
some land you want to lease, just give them a call. If you are looking for machine
compressed wire tied bales or hand compressed string tied bales, by the bale or by the
pallet, Florida Pine Straw Supply Company will be glad to assist you with your order as
well as see that you obtain information tailored to suit your needs. One other thing, just
be prepared for some good Southern Hospitality when you visit them. |
