Page 4 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2024_WEB

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
LESLIE HUNTER CARIO
Chesapeake Horticultural Services
4 WINTER 2024 • Free State News
With the MNLGA there is never a dull moment! While the full membership
convenes once a year at the Annual Meeting, there are educational events,
quarterly board meetings, committee meetings, and ad hoc meetings
throughout the year. We’ve met to discuss aspects of the recent invasive
plant regulations and to revise our organization’s upcoming Economic
Survey. When possible, we have participated in interviews for the University
of Maryland/ University of Maryland Extension faculty roles to fill the
positions of those who have been most involved with our membership over
the years. We’ve also recently participated in the unveiling of MDA Secretary
of Agriculture, Kevin Atticks’, program to promote and incentivize Leaders in
Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF), and will keep members informed
as the development of this program progresses. Of course, we couldn’t do
all of this without the support of Vanessa Finney and her team, so I hope
that you’ll join me in sharing our appreciation for all of their hard work to
keep us connected and informed.
As we investigated ways to provide support to nurseries in states affected
by this fierce hurricane season, many of you found ways to offer support
by collecting supplies or using your delivery vehicles to transport supplies
to those most affected. Vanessa has been in touch with some of her
peers at the state associations in the areas affected. The MNLGA, as an
organization, will be providing some financial assistance in the shorter
term. We’re also keeping an eye out for possible opportunities to help on the
ground, which may develop as rebuilding efforts are organized.
With the unexpected loss of Stanton Gill from the University of Maryland
Extension, a longtime partner with the MNLGA and mentor or friend to
many, we found it difficult to imagine future events like field days and the
Chesapeake Green Symposium without him. For many years, Stanton
was a driving force behind these events. We are fortunate to have the
support of the Education Committee, including Stanton’s colleagues at the
UM Extension with a long history of involvement and dedicated MNLGA
members, who will help ensure that these events continue as planned. At
the Annual Meeting we’ll share information about how Stanton is being
honored and how he’ll remain a part of Chesapeake Green.
It is with much optimism that I wish all MNLGA members and supporters a
great start to the New Year and the upcoming growing season. I encourage
all to join together for MNLGA events and initiatives whenever possible! A
Leslie Hunter Cario
President Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association (MNLGA)
lesliecario@cheshort.com
www.chesapeakehort.com