Blum makes stop in Cresco

Cresco - U.S. Representative Rod Blum had the opportunity to stop in Cresco on one of his trips around the district and visited at Plantpeddler with owners Mike and Rachel Gooder.

Mike gave a short background on how the company has grown since the couple purchased it in 1980, right out of college.

Today, Plantpeddler produces 10 million starter plants and receive cuttings every week. He said employees can plant 1,000 cuttings an hour, which adds up to a lot of manhours to run the business. Rachel added some employees can even get as high as 1,200-1,400 per hour!

Mike told Blum, “Tell your boss (President Donald Trump) thanks. After some of his policies, we were able to give every employee an immediate bonus.” In addition, due to tax cuts the company is now starting major expansion.

Due to a shortage in the workforce in northeast Iowa, Plantpeddler integrating state-of-the-art robotic and automation equipment to allow staff to work more efficiently and effectively.

Blum was amazed at the process of growing plants and the strides the industry has made. Mike told him “We test everything we sell, so we know it grows at least in Cresco.” Many of the cuttings come from various countries around the world. “What works in Israel, doesn’t work the same in the U.S.”

Mike stated, “Whether you love Trump or hate Trump, small businesses have benefited from his policies.”

After the tour, Blum continued on his northeast Iowa tour.