Page 24 - MNLGA Free State Spring 2024_WEB SPREADS
P. 24

MEMBER EVENT (Continued)                                                                                                                                                                             Schuster and Heather Zindash for
        The second day of Chessie focused                                                                                                                                                                    emceeing and keeping us all on track
        on technical recertification. The day                                                                                                                                                                for two great days! It takes a village,
        started in the auditorium with several                                                                                                                                                               and I am thankful you all are in this
        speakers discussing topics ranging                                                                                                                                                                   village with us.
        from “Your Fertilizer Toolbox” to                                                                                                                                                                    Our sponsors are also an integral
        “Gall’s Gone Crazy.” The afternoon                                                                                                                                                                   part of this event, and we thank all
        was broken into 5 sessions: Nursery                                                                                                                                                                  those who support Chesapeake
        Grower and Landscape Contractor,                                                                                                                                                                     Green and the MNLGA, annually.
        Greenhouse Growers, Turf Nutrient                                                                                                                                                                    Thank you to our Wye Oak Annual
        Management, Weeds, and Aquatics.                                                                                                                                                                     Sponsors, Black Eyed Susan Annual
        These sessions provided in-depth                                                                                                                                                                     Sponsors and Chesapeake Green
        knowledge and practical insights into                                                                                                                                                                Sponsors.
        the latest trends and challenges in
        the horticulture industry.                                                                                                                                                                           Thank you for another outstanding
                                                                                                                                                                                                             year and we hope to see you all
        Recertification credits were available                                                                                                                                                               again at the Maritime Institute for
        each day of the symposium, and we                                                                                                                                                                    Chesapeake Green 2025 on February
        pride ourselves on being your “one-                                                                                                                                                                  13 and 14. A
        stop-shop” for offering the credits
        you need. Chessie is much more than
        an educational conference, it’s a
        welcome gathering space for those
        across the industry. It’s so nice to sit
        back and watch all of you interact
        with one another, catch up on where
        life has taken you during the past
        year, discuss what’s going on at your                                                                                                                                                                  Lauren J. Bottcher
        various operations and swap tips                                                                                                                                                                       Communications and Events Coordinator
        and tricks. It certainly makes months’                                                                                                                                                                 office@mnlga.org
                                                                                                                                                                                                               410-823-1789
        worth of planning worth it when you
        walk out on Friday afternoon, having
        signed your credit sheets, and been
                                                                                                                                                                                               TOP ROW:
        empowered by what you’ve learned                                                                                                                                                       Michigan State University, Professor Emeritus, Dr. Bridget K. Behe shares
        from those in our community.                                                                                                                                                           with attendees.
                                                                                                                                                                                               Symposium attendees listen intently.
        A huge thank you goes out to
                                                                                                                                                                                               Michiel van der Waal and a colleague review their afternoon
        the members of the Education
                                                                                                                                                                                               presentation.
        Committee. They are the heart
        and soul of this event. Thank you,                                                                                                                                                     CENTER ROW:
        Angela Burke, Dave Clement (UME),                                                                                                                                                      Keynote Speaker, Dan Benarcik sharing with attendees..
        Hank Doong, Stanton Gill (UME),                                                                                                                                                        Symposium attendees taking part in afternoon sessions.
        Brett Karp, John Murphy, Karen Rane
        (UME), Andrew Ristvey (UME), Ginny                                                                                                                                                     CENTER ROW:
                                                                                                                                                                                               Cortland Smith from Walnut Springs Nursey presents on “Using
        Rosenkranz (UME), Chuck Schuster
                                                                                                                                                                                               Annuals for Extra ‘Pop’ in your Landscape.
        (UME), Heather Zindash, Steve Dubik,
                                                                                                                                                                                               Attendees place their final bids before the auction closes.
        Laura Hangmann and Cindy King.

        Please also join me in thanking Chuck



        24  SPRING 2024• Free State News                                                                                                                                                                                Membership Matters • SPRING 2024   25
   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29