The Florida Nursery , Growers and Landscape Association ( FNGLA ) host its 72nd yearly normal , where eight FNGLA members and four legislators were honored for their dedication and impact on Florida ’s glasshouse and landscape painting industry .
" FNGLA leads the state ’s efforts to bear on the vitality and time to come of Florida ’s gardening industry by suffice as a recognized leader and trust resource . FNGLA assist as the large country landscape association in the nation , represent an diligence that generates $ 31.4 billion in entire outturn sales annually and directly employs more than 266,000 people . While operate within a small patronage industry , FNGLA attest a heavy business impingement . "
Several legislator were honour at this year ’s convention for their meaningful efforts and inscription to preserving the state ’s glasshouse and landscape painting industry .
The follow awards were presented at this class ’s yearly convention :
Wendell E. Butler Award : Shawn Thomas , Sabal Landscape Solutions"Known as a everlasting professional with a bosom for leadership and military service , Shawn Thomas has for over two tenner kick in much time and talent in countless ways to both Florida ’s nursery and landscape painting diligence , and FNGLA . Among the many key FNGLA Northeast Chapter community of interests service of process projects Shawn has been instrumental in over the old age is the effort to embellish the landscape painting of the National POW / MIA Memorial & Museum in Jacksonville . Shawn , along with fellow FNGLA Past President Ed Bravo lead up this endeavor on behalf of both the Frontrunners and Northeast chapter . Ever eager to give back to the manufacture , Shawn has also given much as part of Association ’s Executive Leadership team , taking on the leadership caterpillar track in 2017 serving as secretary / treasurer , vice - United States President , and chair in 2019 - 2020 . "
FNGLA Hall of Fame Award : John Conroy , Fish Branch Tree Farm"John Conroy ’s decades - long service and dedication to Florida ’s baby’s room and landscape industry upholds a five - contemporaries category legacy root in ranching and agriculture . The founder of Fish Branch Tree Farm in Zolfo Springs , John , alongside his married woman , Linda , grow several coinage of palm trees and hardwood shade tree on the couple ' 325 - acre tree diagram farm . "
Outstanding Chapter Leader Award : John and Janyel Taylor , FNGLA ’s Manasota Chapter , Ralph Taylor Nurseries"John and Janyel Taylor of Ralph Taylor Nurseries have been a force for innovation this yr for FNGLA ’s Manasota Chapter . Both have played an subservient theatrical role this twelvemonth in the overpowering success of Chapter events such as its annual fishing and golf tournaments , various community service of process projects , and county middling affaire . The pair even helped complain off a new horticulture enlistment for high school student . "
Outstanding Educator Award : Elizabeth ( Leah ) Diehl , Ph.D. , University of FloridaLeah Diehl , Ph.D. , is not your distinctive horticulture pedagog . As Director of Therapeutic Horticulture at UF ’s Wilmot Gardens for the retiring 12 years , Leah and her team have build up innovative programing to surrender the benefit of plants to many .
Outstanding Volunteer Award : Debbie Mola Mickler , Walt Disney World"Recognized as a hand - on and industrious endowment , Debbie ’s zeal to share horticultural knowledge and resource with the industry dish up to elevate the entire diligence . Debbie was significant in prepare FNGLA Floriculture Field Day at Walt Disney World ’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival in the past tense . She is also a frequent speaker at FNGLA ’s popular Knowledge College , as she has a unanimous reputation for identifying top subject and trends in the industry . "
FNGLA / Farm Credit Young Professional Award : Libbie Clark , CEPRA LandscapeIt was during her first year attend the University of Florida that Libbie Clark find horticulture . This Middleburg indigen was gifted a Gator Glory coleus , kicking off what would become a great love for horticulture . Libbie ’s service is evident in many areas of the connection . In 2018 , she answer the call to serve on FNGLA ’s Membership and Marketing Committee , contributing many novel and innovative idea for increase the Association ’s profile . Libbie also serve on the FNGLA Convention provision committee in 2022 . She has facilitate on numerous affair with FNGLA / FFA programs , as she loves to encourage young the great unwashed to conceive gardening as a vocation . "
FNGLA Friend of the Industry Award : Alexandra Revynthi , Ph.D. , UF / IFAS TRECA"lexandra Revynthi has performed critical research on address thrips parvispinus , and has provided growers , entomologists and landscape painting companies with promising products that can be used to combat this pest . This honoree ’s past exploit on combat the hibiscus bud weevil should also be commended . "
FNGLA 2024 Legislator of the Year Awards :
Senator Jay Collins , R - Tampa , and Representative Kaylee Tuck , R - Lake Placid"For their leading and courage in introducing and fighting for SB 1082 / HB 1051 , Housing for de jure Verified Agricultural Workers , which addressed a key concern for our rank that has been an issue for old age . The legislating preempts local government from forbid the building of housing for legally verified agricultural workers on lands classified as Department of Agriculture . "
Senator Jay Trumbull , R - Panama City , and Representative Tiffany Esposito , R - Ft . Myers"For their leadership and courage in introducing and oppose for SB 1492 / HB 433 , Employment Regulations , which address an intense business concern for our membership that would have add a pregnant , unneeded regulatory burden on occupation , which would exchange Union and state jurisprudence . The bill install statewide preemption overemployment regulations and workplace heat exposure requirements . It was signal into police force by the regulator in April . "
seed : fngla.org
