Hoffman Nursery receives Gold Star Grower Housing Award

Hoffman Nursery was among the four growers in North Carolina recognized during the 30th Annual Gold Star Growers Meeting held Feb. 1, 2024, at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. 

The North Carolina Department of Labor’s Gold Star Grower Housing Program identifies growers who provide housing that meets and exceeds all requirements of the Migrant Housing Act of North Carolina. The housing standards are required by law and used during annual inspections performed by the Department of Labor’s Agricultural Safety and Health Bureau. Over 1,800 houses are inspected yearly, and four awards are given statewide: two for “best maintained housing” and two for “best new housing."

Hoffman Nursery received one of the Best New Housing Awards and a Double Gold Star Award for perfect H-2A program compliance two years in a row. The H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers Program, often referred to as H-2A, helps American farms and nurseries fill seasonal employment gaps by hiring workers from other countries. Craig Reynolds, Hoffman Nursery’s senior director of operations, presented during the meeting, highlighting the nursery’s H-2A program and the amenities the nursery housing has to offer. 

Founded in 1986, Hoffman Nursery specializes in ornamental and native grass liners for the wholesale trade. With a core purpose of promoting better living through plants, they grow over 140 species and cultivars of grasses, sedges and grasslike plants and ship to wholesale customers across North America.

Since its founding, the nursery has expanded to include a state-of-the-art greenhouse and production facility, an 83-acre stock farm and over 60 cold frames and hot houses. Hoffman Nursery has 43 full-time employees and 28 H-2A workers. Hoffman Nursery contracts its H-2A program through Legacy Labor in Cadillac, Michigan.  

Click here for more information about the Gold Star Program and award requirements.