Page 44 - MNLGA Free State Summer 2021

INDUSTRY EVENT (Continued)

at various operations. Kirk showed
attendees how these drones can be
used for monitoring plant products
as well as spraying.

The time had now come for our
attendee’s most anticipated part
of the day, the small group tours
of the Catoctin Mountain Growers
operation. Attendees were split
up between Bob Van Wingerden
(Owner), Tyler Van Wingerden The finest Taxus and Boxwood in the industry
(Owner), Julie Iferd (Head Grower)
and Henry Thorpe (General and so much more.
Manager). To say that these tours Thank you all again – and we look
were engaging wouldn’t be doing forward to seeing you all at our
them justice. Tours lasted well over Field Day coming up on September
the ninety-minutes because the 16th at Fieldstone Nursery in
conversations and participation with Parkton, Maryland. We hope you
tour guides and attendees was just have a fantastic remaining few
too good to stop. Attendees were months of summer. A
able to be fully immersed in the
operation and learn from each other
as well as their tour guides on how
Catoctin manages certain things Magic Carpet Spirea
such as drainage, or irrigation and Pieris Mountain Fire
much more.

After the tours concluded attendees
continued to network with each
other and took off to enjoy a scenic
drive back through Carroll County.

The MNLGA would like to extend
special thanks to Catoctin
Mountain Growers and the Van PJM Elite Rhododendron
Wingerden family for opening
their operation to all of us. Special Green Gem Boxwood
thanks also go out to all of our
speakers as well as the University FROM TOP Annabelle Hydrangea
of Maryland and Extension for John Murphy, Andrew Ristvey, John Lea-Cox
putting together the educational and Neith Little all catch up in between stations. See
components of this program. Heather Zindash talks with our next generation Chelsea Bailey Availability
We wouldn’t be able to host of the horticulture industry. MNLGA List on our
great events without our industry Karen Rane and Dave Clement address one of
partners, members, fantastic hosts, their station groups on common greenhouse website!
diseases.
and outstanding sponsors. FairviewEvergreen.com

44 SUMMER 2021 • Free State News 7463 West Ridge Rd. P.O. Box 189 Fairview PA 16415 800.458.2234 e-mail: info@FairviewEvergreen.com