Page 12 - MNLGA Free State Spring 2025_WEB

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Continued)

Highlights of the exhibition, visiting
MANTS vendors, and enjoying a meal
with our travel companions.

produce those plants through ultimate
sale be it b-to-b or through a retailer.

I’d be remiss if I did not mention
our traveling companions, William
Verbrugge, Lisa Fulton, and Norman
and Missy Cole. Many of you (if not
all!) know William, recently retired (sort
of) from his decades-long career as a
nursery broker through his firm Nursery
Sales Associates. Lisa is William’s
lovely better half. Norman and Missy
own and operate Cole Nurseries/Little
Plants, LLC in Pipestem, WV. William is
a former MANTS board member and
Norman is a current member.

If you have never had the opportunity
and treat to visit IPM, I highly
encourage you to go. The chance
to immerse yourself in the culture of
another event and country is pretty
spectacular and offers prospect on
what others in the industry are doing,
how they do it, and how what’s going
on in other parts of the world impact
you/your business now, or in the near
future. Plus, traveling is fun, particularly
when you have the opportunity to do
it with good friends and colleagues.
Mark your calendars now – IPM 2026 is
January 27 – 30, 2026. A

Vanessa A. Finney

12 SPRING 2025 • Free State News