NJ Plants boasts record attendance

Bordentown, N.J. - The New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association (NJNLA) boasted record attendance for its educational seminars during the 8th Annual NJ Plants Trade Show at the New Jersey Convention Center on Jan. 30 and 31 in Edison, N.J.

It was “standing room only” at the educational sessions, which included attendees from New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Landscape professionals, garden center owners, nursery growers, suppliers and commercial groundskeepers attend NJ Plants seeking to obtain eleven different types of continuing education credits. Speakers came from as far away as Texas and Ohio to present topics that included snow and ice liability, labor issues, licensed tree expert and licensed tree care operator licensing, spotted lanternfly updates, a live drone demonstration and talks on pests and diseases that are of concern to landscapers and other green industry professionals.

The NJNLA is responsible for providing attendees with educational opportunities in a variety of topics.  This year’s line-up included customized tracks for pesticide recertification, business development tools, hot topics in the industry and “Simply Spanish” – a series of classes that were designed to provide business development tools, in Spanish. The “Simply Spanish” track included the first-ever class on “How to Obtain a Pesticide License and Why you Need One”, presented by Stephen Bross, environmental specialist from the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, and translated into Spanish by Dr. Raul Cabrera, associate professor and extension specialist, Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center. In total, there were twenty-four classes offered during the two day show.

This year’s event was honored with visits from New Jersey Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, New Jersey Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, Thomas Beaver, director of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s division of marketing and development, and Gardener News executive editor and publisher Tom Castronovo.  

The NJNLA has other educational opportunities scheduled throughout the year, including the Summer Plant Symposium on Aug. 15 and The Landscape/Greenhouse Conference on Oct. 23.  Details on this, and other programs, can be found on their website.