New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association announces annual awards

The New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association recognized two individuals at its Annual Awards Dinner, held at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, with the Hall of Fame Award and the Horticultural Professional of the Year Award.

All photos courtesy of NJNLA

The Hall of Fame Award, NJNLA’s most prestigious honor, was presented to Daniel “Danny” Sepers, who served as owner and managing partner of Sepers Nursery, LLC, where he played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the family business.

Working alongside his family, Sepers combined industry knowledge with leadership and vision, helping to expand operations and strengthen relationships with growers, suppliers and clients throughout the region.

A longtime member of the NJNLA, Sepers received the Young Nurseryman of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the industry. Respected for his integrity and work ethic, he was committed to ensuring Sepers Nursery remained a trusted name in the nursery and landscaping community. He valued teamwork, quality and long-term partnerships, earning a reputation for reliability and excellence.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sepers believed strongly in giving back to his community. His leadership extended into youth sports, where he dedicated countless hours to mentoring and developing players through the Cohansey Soccer Club — most proudly, his two sons.

Sepers' unexpected passing in August 2025 was a profound loss to his family, colleagues and community.

"His legacy of leadership, commitment and passion continues to guide Sepers Nursery, where his values remain at the heart of the company’s mission," NJNLA said.

The Horticultural Professional of the Year award recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence, innovation and leadership in advancing horticulture in New Jersey. This year’s recipient, Carrie Stanker of Sunset Farmstead, has worked in a variety of roles within the nursery and landscaping industry for almost 30 years.

She spent her early years in a retail garden center and then worked as a landscape foreman and designer at a large design-build firm. She became a licensed landscape architect and opened her first business providing landscape designs for residential customers. 

Being her own boss opened up the opportunity to teach Landscape Planning and Design I and II for Mercer County Community College while running her design business. 

A decade later, she felt the pull to be back in the nursery business. After spending a few years at a wholesale nursery, she left and contemplated her next step. 

That's when Carrie, her husband Darren, and their friends Daryl and Julie Kobesky became business partners and opened Sunset Farmstead, a wholesale nursery that specializes in sustainably growing landscape-ready plants that provide ecological benefits to pollinators without the use of insecticides and fungicides. 

They are passionate about getting people excited and comfortable with pollinators in their outdoor spaces and eager to educate them on the benefits.