Information…

Keeping you ahead of issues & regulations

Education…

To Improve efficiency, safety and profits

Bulk & Bagged…

Promoting fair competition on a
level playing field

Serving the Mulch & Soil Industry for Over 50 Years


- - - - SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS - - - -

Watch our video on Certified Mulch & Soil Products: >>VIEW VIDEO<< .


Who We Are

Learn about MSC, our goals, and our members.

How To Join

Find out the member levels and benefits.

Annual Meeting

Our yearly meeting is not to be missed!

Government Liaison

Explore our legislative and regulatory reporting program.

User Education

Info designed for consumers

How To Advertise

Find out how your message can reach our members.

Product Standards

View the accepted industry standards for mulch and soil products across the country.

Certification

Developed to help consumers and retailers identify products that conform to the industry-accepted guidelines.

Let Us Help You

Consumer Information

Resources developed by MSC to assist consumers in selecting the proper product for their intended use.

Industry Issues

The business environment for the mulch and soil industry has changed dramatically in the last few years. The key to remaining ahead of the game is having access to information.

Members Area

Members-only access to special services.

What we do

  • Meetings
  • Government Liaison
  • Education & Training
  • Product Standards
  • Certification
  • Elite Bulk Membership

Meetings

The Council sponsors an annual meeting offering owners and key company managers education on important regulatory and business issues for the mulch and soil industry. Council meetings are also a forum for new business relationships that can lead to new business opportunities and better vendor relations.

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Government Liaison

Tracks legislation and new regulations in the 50 states and provide members with ADVANCED WARNING of bills that can help or hurt your business.

MSC works to create or change laws in order to assure our industry’s right to do business without unfair regulatory burden. MSC’s history of effective industry representation has made it the leading advisor to federal and state governments on mulch and soil products.

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Education & Training

Educational videos for consumers and training resources for industry partners.

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Product Standards

MSC’s Uniform Voluntary Product Guidelines for Horticultural Mulches, Growing Media and Landscape Soils (UVPG) are the accepted industry standards for mulch and soil products across the country.

These guidelines were developed over a five-year period of industry debate among Council members and non-members to define product nomenclature, uniform product characteristics, minimal performance objectives and proper labeling requirements to inform and protect end users.

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Certification

The MSC Product Certification Program was developed to help consumers, retailers, regulators and others identify products that conform to the Voluntary Uniform Product Guidelines for Horticultural Mulches, Growing Media and Landscape Soils (VUPG). In 2003, the MSC launched its Product Certification Program. Products that pass the review and testing requirements and comply with ongoing audit testing of products in retail markets earn the badge of the MSC certification logo for their packaging.

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MSC ELITE BULK MEMBERSHIP

A special recognition program for mulch & soil producing companies demonstrating good industry business, production and control practices.

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Make your voice heard on
important industry issues.

News & Events

MSC Annual Meeting

Join us in Savannah, GA, for MSC’s

52nd Annual Meeting.

Our host facility is the DeSoto Hotel.

Join us for the only meeting dedicated to just the owners and top managers of North America's best mulch and soil producing companies.

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MSC NNQ

The latest issue of the MSC News, Notes & Quotes newsletter contains:
Board & Committee Meeting Announcement, Final Call for Honors Nominations, Call for Elections Nominations, Report on WOTUS, FL Suspends Changes to Seasonal Fertilizer Bans, APHIS Import/Export & Quarantine News, Labor Law Alert: Pregnant Worker Fairness Act, SCOTUS Upholds CA Regulation, State’s Rights & ESG, RR Ties for Biochar?, CSPMA Announces Partnership, $4M to Modernize Wood Heating, Electric Vehicle Consumer Poll, World’s First Biomass Pipeline?, March Wood Pellet Exports, New Member Welcome, Wood Fiber Machine for Substrate Production, Premiere Tech Opens Montgomery Tech Hub, Certified Product News, MARK YOUR CALENDAR, Classifieds (Equipment For Sale).

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Carbon Black
Advisory
Bulletin



Recent questions from producers in the field indicated that a new look at Carbon Black was warranted. After months of review, MSC's Carbon Black Committee has issued their report in a Special Advisory Notice.

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UC Extension Recommends Mulch to Fight Drought


In an analysis of homeowner water use in California, The Univ. of CA Cooperative Extension Service recommends mulch as a tool to reduce water use in home landscapes that represent 9% of total water use in the state.

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About us

The MSC truly is your resource for answers to problems facing today’s mulch and soil industry.

Founded in 1972, the Mulch & Soil Council (MSC) is the national non-profit trade association for all producers of horticultural mulches, consumer potting soils and commercial growing media.

The mission of the MSC is to define quality products and promote a fair and open marketplace.

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245
Members
316
Certified Mulches
1602
Certified Soils
38
Elite Bulk Members
Volume of Mulch Market Served
Volume of Soil Market Served
Members Who Attend Annual Meeting
State Legislatures Monitored

Mission Statement

The mission of the MSC is to define quality products and promote an open marketplace for producers of horticultural mulches, consumer soils and commercial growing media.

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Publications

Bi-Monthly Newsletters

The Council Newsletter conveys information on statistical trends, weights & measures regulations, product standards and nomenclature, Council committee activities, safety information, and a variety of other topics.

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Voluntary Guidelines

Our Uniform Voluntary Product Guidelines (UVPG) are voluntary product standards and definitions. MSC members are expected to subscribe to these guidelines in principle. However, companies enrolled in the MSC Product Certification Program must adopt these guidelines as mandatory standards as part of the program registration and licensing requirements.

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Position Papers & Reports

Periodically, industry issues arise that require special attention by, or pose an immediate threat to, the MSC membership. In response, the Mulch & Soil Council provides a Special Advisory Reports defining the issue, its impact on members and how the industry should respond. Electronic copies of the reports are sent to all members as quickly as possible.

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Expert advice on complex industry issues.