April May 2018

3 colorad o nga.org LooseLeaf  April/May 2018 MESSAGE FROMTHE BOARD By Dan Wise, CCNP CNGA Board President Lists—I love them! No matter what part of the green industry you are in, lists are the key to keeping things organized and moving forward. Some days, it seems like everyone’s job revolves around either making a to-do list for a crew, or scratching tasks off of a list. (In our company, we use the lovingly named “Never-Ending List.”) In this industry, we often are doing tasks that only come up once a month, once a quarter, or even only once per year... without a good system of lists, important details can fall through the cracks. This magazine issue is filled with another type of list we love in this business—new ideas! Plants in short supply and ideas on alternatives, customer service tips, design ideas, and labor solutions are just a few of the lists that can help you solve issues in your organization. One thing I hear over and over again about the green industry is how open people are to sharing ideas (and their lists) and successes with each other – whether they are competitors, customers, or from a different part of the industry all together. Borrowing and adapting creative solutions has helped all of us become better in some way. Another list you’ll find in this issue introduces you to CNGA’s annual award winners. We are very fortunate each year that we have these worthy individuals who promote professionalism and give back to the green industry. We honor Horizon award winners, who are relative newcomers to horticulture, yet are up and coming professionals; Person of the Year, awarded to those who have made extraordinary contributions in the past year; and the Hall of Fame Award to those who have given back over the course of their distinguished careers for the betterment of our industry (though all the winners I have known are far from ready to hang it up!). We recognize these outstanding people every year at our CNGA Industry Celebration. If you haven’t attended the Industry Celebration, or if you haven’t been for a while, I would encourage you to add it to your “MUST-DO” list for next year. It’s a lively time to socialize with your peers and honor outstanding members of CNGA. It’s also a great time to support the Colorado Horticulture Research and Education Foundation (CHREF). There are lots of great silent auction items to bid on (and win!), and an always entertaining live auction of the now famous “Gus the Gnome.” So, my fellow CNGA members, get out your pad of paper, and sharpen your pencil—spring is here and it’s time to make a fresh, wait for it... list! Welcome to the Annual Lists Issue “In this industry, we often are doing tasks that only come up once a month, once a quarter, or even only once per year... without a good system of lists, important details can fall through the cracks.” Member BBQs: Thursday, July 26, CPS Distributors, Westminster, Colo. Thursday, August 16, Eaton Grove Nursery, Fort Collins, Colo. Thursday, August 30, Harding Nursery, Colorado Springs, Colo. Thursday, September 7, Payne’s Nursery, Santa Fe, N.M. Thursday, September 21, Durango Nursery & Supply, Durango, Colo. Colorado Certified Nursery Professional Seminars Colorado Springs, Colo. Tuesday, July 24 – Perennial Seminar – Britton Nursery Tuesday, July 31 – Shrubs Seminar – Heidrich’s Colorado Tree Farm Tuesday, August 7 – Trees Seminar – Harding Nursery Tuesday, August 14 – Design Seminar – Location TBD Tuesday, August 28 – Exam Plant Walk Thursday, August 23, High Plains Environmental Center, Loveland, Colo. CHREF Golf Tournament Monday, September 17, The Pinery Country Club, Parker, Colo. Women in Horticulture Luncheon Thursday, October 11, Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood, Colo. Fall Workshop Thursday, October 25, Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, Wheat Ridge, Colo. O&M Leadership Retreat Friday & Saturday, November 2 & 3 Colorado Certified Nursery Professional Seminars November/December, CNGA Offices, Lakewood, Colo. CNGA calendar To get more information about CNGA programs and events, visit the Events page at coloradonga.org , or contact the office by phone: 303.758.6672, fax: 303.758.6805, or email: info@coloradonga.org .