Nursery Notes Nov-Dec 2011 - The Paginator

How Can We Develop Future Leaders
of Our Green Industry
Ross Williams
NCNLA Executive Director
High school students will be invited to spend a week at NC State University to
explore the Department of Horticultural Science. Students will learn about and
experience ornamental horticulture production and landscaping. They will have
the opportunity to visit area nurseries, gardens, and greenhouses. They will spend
time at the JC Raulston Aboretum where many of us first developed our interest in the
nursery and landscape industry. The HSSI hopes to attract high school age students
to horticulture while they are beginning to think about a career direction.
Bill and Libby Wilder announce their Endowment
Fund for the new Horticultural Science Student
Institute (HSSI)
If you were among the 250 green industry
folks that attended the Summer Green Road
Show networking dinner at the JC Raulston
Aboretum, you heard about some important
news that can impact the future of our industry.
In between Skip’s Ribs, the corn-hole
tournament, and bluegrass music, a ceremony
was held to begin developing the next generation
of green industry leaders.
The ceremony announced the creation of the
Bill and Libby Wilder Endowment for the new
Horticultural Science Student Institute (HSSI).
The Horticultural Science Summer Institute will
expose high school students to the many career
opportunities in horticultural science.
At the networking dinner ceremony, Bill and Libby Wilder
announced their contribution of $15,000 to start the endowment for
the HSSI program. Sponsorship opportunities are available to help
guarantee the program’s long-term fiscal stability. If you are interested
in being a sponsor, contact Caroline Richardson, 919-513-7007,
or Liz Driscoll, 919-513-7346 with NCSU.
What’s in it for you and our industry A new work force of Green Industry leaders
and advocates for the future. As a sponsor, you will receive prominent recognition
showing that you support these opportunities for young people.
Your membership in NCNLA also supports programs to develop future green
industry leaders. NCNLA dues help provide grants to FFA, 4-H, the Student
Landscape Field Day, community college horticulture programs, and scholarships to
See Executive Director’s Message – continued on page 11
November-December, 2011 • 9