Page 25 - MNLGA Free State Spring 2024_WEB SPREADS

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