The wholesale nursery's third-generation leadership team prepares for a bright future.

Walters Gardens announced the leadership transition plan from the current CEO, John Walters, to Karin Walters, his daughter and current vice president of product strategy. John will retain his role as CEO until Oct. 1, 2022 when the transition will take place and he will take on a new role as executive chairman of the board.

Karin Walters is a member of a third-generation leadership team at Walters Gardens, which also includes Ryan Hop, chief operations officer, and Christa Steenwyk, vice president of marketing and industry relationships. Since the executive team at Walters Gardens began succession planning in 2019, it has focused on transitioning from being a smaller company at the helm of one leader, to a larger company guided by a cohesive team of leaders in Karin, Ryan and Christa. Under John’s leadership, Walters Gardens has grown from a smaller company mainly serving the Midwest through bare root sales, mail order and packaged perennials to a respected international presence in the industry.

“It’s been a long process of planning, especially since I love this company and industry so much,” says John Walters. “I’m proud to say that I have a great deal of confidence that not only Karin will do a great job as CEO, but with Ryan Hop and Christa Steenwyk (and myself) rounding out the executive leadership team, Walters Gardens is in a strong position for the future with such a team.”

“I am excited to take on this new role in October and continue to build the dream our family has been working on for many years with the help and support of Christa and Ryan,” says Karin Walters. 

Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply raised more than $600 to support the American Red Cross’ efforts to aid refugees fleeing Ukraine.

When Marissa Byrum and the rest of the team at Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply heard about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they decided to spring into action. It’s in the business’ nature to give back, as the Tampa, Florida-based company usually chooses one or two charities to support every year, but this cause was urgent.

“Usually we find a local charity, but with everything, all of that tragedy going on in Ukraine, Mr. Shell [owner and president] was really moved and motivated to do a different kind. So, we decided to look for a charity that supported the people of Ukraine trying to flee from war — short of wanting to grab a flight and go over there ourselves and pitch in, which would be dangerous,” Byrum says.

Shell’s Feed chose to support the American Red Cross in their fundraising efforts, and for every 1-gallon plant in a 1-gallon pot sold March 17-19, the business donated $3. Once the fundraiser ended, Shell's Feed matched the donation from the plant sales.

“We ended up raising just about under $600, which doesn't seem like a lot, but that means about 80 people bought at least one plant,” she says.

Before the fundraiser, Byrum, who is the marketing manager at Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply, spread the word out on Facebook, through the customer newsletter and through local community gardens to rally their customers. During the event, customers bought petunias, pentas and daisies. Lobelia was especially popular, she says, noting it was likely a popular choice for its blue color, which is part of the Ukrainian flag.

Customers were very receptive to the fundraiser, and many thanked Shell’s Feed for giving back.

“We had a lot of people that talked about how terrible everything was in Ukraine, of course (and we agree). Many customers were excited that a family business wanted to reach out and try to help other families that maybe needed the help, but couldn't help themselves at that moment,” Byrum says.  

Byrum has two tips for garden centers that might want to get involved and give back to Ukrainian refugees or other charitable causes. Not sure where to get started? Head to charitynavigator.org, a website that independently screens charity financials.

“It tells you, basically, where their money goes, according to their tax returns and stuff like that,” she says. “We usually try to find charities in general that have a high rating on a site like that.”

Second, Byrum suggests that garden centers talk to their friends, family and neighbors, and partner with their vendors to maximize their fundraising efforts.

“I didn't get a chance to do any of that because we kind of threw it together in a hurry, but normally I reach out to my vendors and say, ‘Hey, would you like to donate something for this? If you donate it for free, then we could sell it and all of that profit can go the charity,’” she says.

Byrum notes that sometimes vendors participate and sometimes they don't, but Shell’s Feed always prefers to give them the option of participating. “And then course, if they do participate, then we talk up their business and their brands so that we can sell more of it in the future,” she says.

Previously with the California Farm Bureau Federation, Neagu-Reed takes the role of AmericanHort's Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs.

The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association represents 1,500 members across seven divisions.

The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2022.

Until 1951, the Florida State Nurserymen were part of the Florida State Florist and Nurserymen Association. Given the growing importance of its specific industry within Florida, some nurserymen believed it was time for a separate organization.

On May 25, 1952, the first official meeting of the ‘Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association’ kicked off in Miami. In 2004, ‘Landscape’ was added to the FNGA moniker – creating the ‘FNGLA’ we know and love today. Over the years, FNGLA has established itself as the largest state nursery and landscape association in the country, representing more than 1,500 members across seven divisions (Allied, Citrus Nursery, Floriculture, Foliage, Garden Center, Landscape and Woody). 

Florida's green industry has continued its impact on the state's economy. Florida’s green industry generates $31.4 billion in total output sales and provides more than 266,000 jobs statewide, according to a new economic impact study released by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) and Farm Credit of Central Florida. Read more in the April issue of Nursery Management.

See more about FNGLA’s 70-year history here.

Darwin Perennials Day is back and in-person in The Gardens at Ball, and will showcase the latest introductions and educate perennial plant producers.

Darwin Perennials, North America’s premier breeder of vegetative perennials, will once again welcome industry guests in-person for its annual Darwin Perennials Day event, Wednesday, June 22. The full schedule has been released and registration is now open — sign up and plan your visit to West Chicago, Illinois. The event promises a complete perennial experience with Zone 5 overwintered trial garden comparisons, a new variety courtyard, interaction with more than 25 top suppliers from the perennial industry, and on-site experts for continued education.

Darwin Perennials Day is a one-day event open Wednesday, June 22, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Your visit will include:

“Nothing beats a chance to see plants live and in-person, and this year’s Darwin Perennials Day won’t disappoint,” says Seth Reed, sales and marketing manager for Darwin Perennials. “You’ll have full access to perennial experts and education, all while strolling through hundreds of perennial varieties from the best breeders in the world.”

You can find more details and register your visit to this perennial event online now at www.darwinperennialsday.com.

Watch a quick video promo online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVQj_EqpXUE