C. Raker & Sons is another new participant to the MPS-ABC sustainable certification program. Dr. Paul Karlovich, General Manager of C. Raker & Sons is looking forward to using the MPS program to better understand how Raker compares to other growers, including the European growers. “Although we have done a lot to make our business more sustainable over the years, the MPS-ABC program will validate how we compare and challenge us to continue to improve”, says Paul. “A third party certification gives us an unbiased review of our operations, and I particularly like the fact that MPS began as a program for Floriculture growers, specific for our industry.”
Paul and his team began the MPS program last fall, and found the program to be fairly simple to get started. With the help of the MPS regional coordinator, they have begun to register their use of energy, water, fertilizers and crop protection agents, and document the recycling that Raker has been participating in. The MPS-ABC program is the foundation program for growers, with other certification programs available once the ABC certification is completed.
C. Raker & Sons is a third generation family business that produces young plants for the horticultural industry. Susie Raker-Zimmerman is the newest family member affiliated with the business and is currently involved in sales and marketing. Each year Raker displays over 2,400 varieties in a three acre trial garden which is open to the industry and the public for viewing.
Grower inquiries
MPS is proud to have quality growers such as C. Raker & Sons in their program and welcomes grower inquires in North America to their west coast coordinator, Charlotte Smit at (805) 524-9685 or c.smit@usa.my-mps.com, or to the east coast coordinator, Sandy Hering at (508)758-3008, s.hering@usa.my-mps.com.
Source: MPS
