New England Grows ends operations

After 25 years, horticultural tradeshow New England Grows is discontinuing operations. The Grows board of directors, representing the four founding partner organizations, made the unanimous decision to dissolve and disband both the Grows event and the organization.

“The decision to dissolve New England Grows was difficult, but we all believe it is the right decision at the right time," said Grows president Michelle Harvey of Lakeview Nurseries in Lunenburg, Mass. “Changes both within and outside of the industry contributed to the decision to close Grows, but this does not diminish the significant and positive contributions Grows has made to the local green industry over the past 25 years.”

Founded by New England Nursery Association, Massachusetts Arborists Association, Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association, and Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals in 1993, New England Grows' mission was to educate, elevate and support the region's commercial horticulture industry. Over the course of more than two decades, the not-for-profit organization contributed millions of dollars in educational grants to the industry through its partners, as well as to horticultural and community groups like Cooperative Extension, the Horticultural Research Institute, FFA organization, local vocational schools, and the Boston Schoolyard Initiative.

“We want to thank each and every one of the countless volunteers who worked tirelessly to produce Grows over the past 25 years, as well as the loyal exhibitors who supported the show from day one," said Virginia Wood, executive director of Grows. “Grows was known for its world-class educational programming that brought innovative thought leaders from around the world to Boston, and we are proud to have helped bring this level of excellence to New England's green industry.”