Page 4 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2025

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
LESLIE HUNTER CARIO
Chesapeake Horticultural Services
4 WINTER 2025 • Free State News
Reflecting on the past year, it has been a busy one for the MNLGA in fulfilling
various aspects of the Mission! This wouldn’t be possible without the support of
Vanessa, Kelly, Lauren, and Michelle at the MNLGA office who are industriously
working on things behind the scenes.
Opportunities for professional development were abundant with educational
events including the Chesapeake Green Symposium, the Stanton A. Gill
Symposium, and Field Days at both North Creek Nurseries and Raemelton
Farm. It was wonderful to see so many of you taking part! Discussions about
facilitating connections between MNLGA members and new hires among
MNLGA’s industry partner entities (including University of Maryland, UM
Extension, and Maryland Department of Agriculture) resulted in a series of
Virtual Meet-n-Greet events held throughout early spring and late fall of this
year. Planning is underway for a new collaborative webinar series to be offered
this winter.
Service to others was put into action through volunteer days at the MacBride-
Gill Falcon Ridge Farm, donations of plant material pledged for the new State
Fair Building, and roles filled with the Board, Committees, and Advisors to
other organizations. Where possible, we’ve shared our resources in ways such
as providing funding for scholarships, grant requests, and in support of the
Maryland Farm and Harvest series.
MNLGA staff and survey committee members helped to shape and later secure
responses to the Economic Survey. Working with MaGIC, Vanessa and MNLGA
staff have done a phenomenal job following and disseminating information
about the state's legislative session. And as to the Mission mentioned earlier,
a group was convened to review the MNLGA’s Mission Statement and Values.
Efforts facilitated by Mary Ellen Waltmire resulted in a revised Mission Statement
that honors our traditions but is more closely aligned with Maryland’s green
industry at the present. Values were reworked as well to accompany the revised
Mission. Preliminary plans are underway to update the MNLGA’s Strategic
Plan in early 2026, the next logical step in making sure that our organization
continues to serve the needs of our members and carry out its Mission.
As the two-year term of Board President draws to a close, I find it bittersweet
to be passing the baton. Fellow board members, advisors to the board,
and MNLGA staff are incredibly committed and collaborative. Serving the
organization in this capacity is an honor and a privilege that I will certainly miss,
however I am enthusiastic about the leadership moving forward. In the spirit of
carrying forward the MNLGA’s Mission, let’s all continue to support one another,
to mentor those seeking a career in the green industry, to donate our time or
our products, to serve on advisory boards and committees, and to keep on
learning and growing! A