Big Grower September 2020 - 4

COVER STORY
Founders David and Wyona Babikow in 1992
Emerald Coast Growers ships product throughout the
entire U.S. as well as Canada.
EARLY BEGINNINGS AND EXPANSION
After living and working in Baltimore, the Babikow
family eventually found its way to Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, where David gained experience working
at Green Leaf Enterprises. At the time, he was growing
ornamental grasses in his backyard, according to son
and current president Paul Babikow. " Work was always
available to us, right in our backyard, " he shares.
Cheri Markowitz, David's daughter and current
sales manager, adds, " That's when we learned how
to stick cuttings. "
After 16 years with Green Leaf, the Babikows decided
it was time to create something of their own.
" The ornamental grasses were really the catalyst
In recent years, the company has expanded its trial garden (above) and R&D facility (below).
that brought us down to Pensacola, Florida, " says
Paul. " Mark and I were interested in doing something
together and wanted a location that was suitable for
ornamental grass production. "
The product that drove the company back in 1991
still drives it today. Paul says, " My father [David] loved
grasses, but he had no idea of the impact they would
have on the market. "
" Later, additional family members joined the business
and helped support this much-needed product niche, "
says Albert (Al) Mueller, CFO.
As the company expanded, it made sense for
Emerald Coast Growers to add a northern location to its
production and distribution. So, the company expanded
into Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2003.
" Having a northern location puts the company in a
position to be closer to distribution points, different
customer markets and different weather, " shares Al. " It
gives us flexibility to be able to distribute product for
customers who are in the Mid-Atlantic region, and they
can also pick up product. "
THE VALUE OF GRASSES
Ask anyone in the industry about Emerald Coast
Growers, and the first thing that comes to mind is grasses.
According to Paul, ornamental grasses started the
business and remain the backbone to Emerald Coast
4 SEPTEMBER 2020

Big Grower September 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Big Grower September 2020

Big Grower September 2020 - 1
Big Grower September 2020 - 2
Big Grower September 2020 - 3
Big Grower September 2020 - 4
Big Grower September 2020 - 5
Big Grower September 2020 - 6
Big Grower September 2020 - 7
Big Grower September 2020 - 8
Big Grower September 2020 - 9
Big Grower September 2020 - 10
Big Grower September 2020 - 11
Big Grower September 2020 - 12
Big Grower September 2020 - 13
Big Grower September 2020 - 14
Big Grower September 2020 - 15
Big Grower September 2020 - 16
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-april-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/2023-guide-to-cannabis-production
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/november-december-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/gpn-new-varieties-digital-guide-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/september-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/cannabisguide-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/hempguide-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/newvarieties-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-november-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/cannabisguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/hempguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/newvarieties-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/californiaspringtrials-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-march-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/cannabisguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/hempguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2020
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2019
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