Photo: (L) Dennis Niemeyer shares a laugh with NCNLA President Brad Rollins after accepting his Copeland Lifetime Achievement Award. (R) Jericho Farms owners Danny and Peggy VanDevender accept Grower of the Year Award.
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) recognized several individuals as recipients of individual awards at Green & Growin’ 16 in Greensboro, N.C. earlier this month. Honorees included:
Bill Wilder Outstanding Young Nursery Professional Award
Established in 1994, and named for the long-time Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, the Bill Wilder Award recognizes qualified young men and women for outstanding service in the field of environmental horticulture and offers inspiration for others starting out in the field. Candidates must have a very strong industry leadership record.
John Clark, of Pro Green, Inc. (Morganton, N.C.) is the recipient of the 2015 Bill Wilder Award. Starting out at a local turf grass farm during high school, He was determined to work his way up in the industry. After buying controlling interest in the farm, Clark went on pioneer new skills by implementing a process of harvesting sod, allowing bentgrass to be grown on native soils and then utilized on USGA greens. Clark went on to earn his Pesticide Dealer License and oversaw expansion and growth of his business. He continues to utilize his leadership skills by using his growing experience to help his fellow nurserymen address disease and insect problems of their own.
Libby Wilder Award
Libby Wilder presents the Libby Wilder Award to Donna Williams
Established in 1999, and named for long-time organizer extraordinaire for the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, the Libby Wilder Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the nursery industry by a female.
NCNLA honored Donna Williams of Worthington Farms (Greenville, N.C.) as the recipient of the 2015 Libby Wilder Award. Growing up on an eastern NC farm her family had owned and operated since 1852, Williams was born into the green industry. Now at her own family-owned and operated nursery, Worthington Farms, she is dedicated to supporting the production of high quality trees and shrubs as the company’s Secretary/Treasurer. Williams’s long-term service to the industry, including NCNLA, demonstrates an on-going commitment to the success of North Carolina’s green industry.
Kim Powell Outstanding Contribution to the Horticulture Industry
Established in 2004, the Kim Powell Award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution to the Association and industry; specifically involvement in program development and execution.
Dr. Barb Fair of North Carolina State University is the 2015 recipient of the Kim Powell Award. Dr. Fair is recognized for her extensive contributions and dedication to numerous industry associations and organizations, including NCNLA. She has written many industry publications, papers, and manuals; and travels the state to give talks on landscaping, arboriculture, and green infrastructure. Dr. Fair is an excellent leader and mentor to the undergraduate students at NC State and future industry professionals, and was heavily involved in the coordination and implementation of PLANETs Student Career Days at NC State during 2015.
Oakland Award
Established in 1978 by Oakland Plantation, the Oakland Award is given to individuals for outstanding service to the landscape industry.
This year’s winner, Connie Hoyes, was recognized for her enthusiasm for entrepreneurship; and devoting over 25 years of service to the green industry, working as a landscape designer, contractor, business owner & operator. Connie has displayed exemplary leadership and dedication on several industry boards, including the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Licensing Board. She is also a NC Landscape Contractor, a NC Irrigation Contractor, an ISA Certified Arborist, and a Certified Plantsman. Currently the President of Southern Garden, Inc. (Apex, N.C.), Connie directs administration, sales, and production departments.
Grower of the Year
Established in 1994, NCNLA’s Grower of the Year is an individual exhibiting a high level of professionalism in the management or ownership of a field or container nursery in North Carolina — or other states where that operation may be located. In addition, operators exhibit leadership in the nursery industry through participation in local, regional, state and national organizations.
The winner this year, Jericho Farms (Pikeville, N.C.), is owned by Danny and Peggy VanDevender. The nursery owes its success to their dedication, hard work, & perseverance through the years. Danny and Peggy are long time advocates of local, state, and federal trade associations throughout the green industry, including NCNLA. They have also played an integral leadership role in the development of statewide industry credentials and accreditations.
D.S. Copeland Award
Established in 1972, and named for the founder of Apex Nurseries, the D.S. Copeland Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the nursery industry by a candidate working directly in the nursery industry – educators and allied industry members are not eligible.
Dennis Niemeyer of Carlton Plants (Dayton, Ore.) was honored as the recipient of the D.S. Copeland Lifetime Achievement Award. Dennis was recognized for his 35 years of service and dedication to the green industry, specifically working with nurseries, greenhouses and golf courses. He has served the industry in official capacities on boards and industry associations and as an appointed industry representative to state government. Niemeyer embodies great leadership skills; and mentors many of the up and coming professionals in our industry, he is always willing to share his vast knowledge both professionally and personally.
NCNLA Honorary Member
Dee Clark accepts an Honorary NCNLA Membership Award on behalf of his father, Doug, from NCNLA President Brad Rollins.
NCNLA Honorary Members are selected by the NCNLA Board of Directors in recognition for lifetime contribution or achievement to/in the industry.
Doug Clark of C&G Nursery (Newland, N.C.) was recognized with a Honorary NCNLA Membership in 2015 for his dedication and service to the green industry since early childhood in the 1950s to today. Clark has been committed to growing quality trees and shrubs at C&G Nursery for over half a century. Through the years hehas used smart business tactics and willingness to adapt when he saw the need to diversify his nursery stock, contributing to the success of his family’s over 1800 acre nursery it is today.
NCNLA represents growers, landscapers, retail garden centers, suppliers, horticulture students and educators. NCNLA’s ultimate goal is to benefit its members’ economic, professional and personal growth. More information about NCNLA can be found at www.ncnla.com.
For more information on the NCNLA Industry Awards, please visit here.
At its 2016 annual meeting during Green & Growin’ 16 in Greensboro, N.C. on Jan. 22, the NCNLA membership elected three industry professionals to serve three-year terms on the NCNLA Board of Directors. New NCNLA Directors include:
Hugh Crump
President of Greenline Design, Inc. in Charlotte, N.C.
Crump founded Greenline Design, Inc., a full-service landscape design-build firm based in Charlotte, NC, in 1991. A NC-licensed landscape contractor and life-long resident, he has previously served as President of the American Boxwood Society.
Lynn McCleneghen
Landscape Designer, Parker Landscape Services, Inc. in Apex, N.C.
McCleneghen is the landscape designer at Parker Landscape Services, Inc. in Apex, NC. She holds a B.S. in ornamental horticulture from Virginia Tech and previously served on the Board of the North Carolina Landscape & Grounds Management Association.
Chris Mitchell
Account Manager, Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply in Garner, N.C.
Mitchell is an account manager with Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply in Garner, N.C. He holds a B.S. in horticulture/landscape design from N.C. State and previously served as president of the North Carolina Green Industry Council. Additionally, Mitchell serves as secretary-treasurer of the North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board.