ABOUT

Austin Spivey, owner or Roots 1st, is a Horticulture, Arboriculture, and Irrigation expert who works with Growers, Landscapers, Tree Care Professionals, and Private Clients to overcome challenges, maximize efficiencies, and help their businesses become more profitable.

 

Austin is passionate about holistic Plant and Tree Health Care that focuses on the root causes of issues to develop comprehensive Best Management Practices which maximize client investments by helping their plants, trees, and landscapes meet their ultimate potential. 

 

For nearly a decade Austin has overseen all production aspects of the largest ornamental tree farm in the Southeastern United States.  It is during this time he has been able to conduct research, trial new solutions and technologies, and help grow the company into one of the most successful ornamental nurseries in the United States. For over 20 years he has been involved in numerous areas of the green industry from commercial landscape installation and maintenance, commercial Arbor care, and agricultural and commercial irrigation design and installation.

 

Austin is a Florida Certified Horticulture Professional, an ISA Certified Arborist, a Florida Water Star Accredited Irrigation Professional,is BMP Certified in the state of Florida, and has a Yellow belt in Lean Six Sigma Project Leadership. Austin is a former Board of Director for the FNGLA Action Chapter.  Currently he sits on the Board of Directors for the Lake County Farm Bureau, is on the  Advisory Board for the Lake County IFAS Extension, and is heavily involved in community outreach and education in the Agricultural and Horticultural community of Central Florida. Austin has won numerous awards for his work including the Agriculture Environmental Leadership Award, presented by the Commissioner of Agriculture, in 2016.

 

Austin holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida. Austin is also a graduate of the University of Florida Wedgworth Leadership Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.