Page 4 - Free State Summer 2023

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
JOHN MURPHY
Murphy John's, Inc.
4 SUMMER 2023 • Free State News
Every season poses a new challenge. The clouds filled with rain this spring
passed by each weekend followed by a moderate drought. This doesn’t sound
unusual in Maryland until we throw a little smoke in the mix. I sit with my curious
hat on wondering how this weather pattern has affected our consumers'
interest in gardening. Somehow an optimist will find good in all this. Maybe an
increase in house plant sales, watering hoses, and air filters.
While the smoke cleared the aisles of Annapolis, the Maryland Green Industry
Council (MaGIC) attended a few fundraisers by our elected legislators. As many
interested members know, we have a new look on the legislative committees
and even a new committee in the Senate. These committees make regulatory
decisions each year that effect our businesses and work environments. Your
representatives at MaGIC attended these fundraisers to introduce the new
committee members to our industry and educate them on our needs and
concerns that you at MNLGA have voiced. Thanks to all of you for putting in
your thoughts. Without your input, these new these new committee members
cannot make the necessary decisions that govern the way we garden.
Our education committee at the MNLGA has been hard at work to craft next
year’s programs. As I sit on the MNLGA Education Committee I watch as some
of the most creative minds rationalize each lecture to develop a program that
keeps our members up to date with the tools you need to supply, install, and
maintain your gardening interests. When you see these Education Committee
members (listed on page 73) give them some feedback on these educational
events. Your thoughts and ideas are how we find the subjects for these events.
Thank you to all the donors and volunteers who participated in this year’s
volunteer project (read more about this event on page 31). Our members
were asked by the Maryland Department of Agriculture to clean up and install
a colorful display of annual flowers at the MDA entrance for the Governor’s
Cookout in July. Just like last year's project we received generous donations of
time and material from our members (even some of our prominent retired
members assisted). We never fully retire in this business!!!
Enjoy, encourage, and be well. A
John Murphy
President Murphy John’s Inc.
President Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association (MNLGA)
Agricultural Commissioner (Nursery 11) Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Chairman Maryland Green Industry Council (MaGIC)
MDA Representative State Soil Conservation Committee