President’s Message
Another view from the Ridge When I was in high school, I can remember walking into my dad’s office and listening to him talk about being on the state nursery association board and how rewarding it was. He talked about meeting people from all over the state with similar businesses as ours. But most of all he talked about how friendly everyone was, and how open they were with ideas and how they did business. He was always surprised and humbled that they asked him to be president, but he will tell you to this day it was Brian Julius one of the most rewarding experiences he’s ever had. So, as I sit here writing my first “President’s Message” I now completely understand everything he told me all those years ago. He always used the title “A view from the Ridge” for his president’s letter, so I thought I would bring it back to thank him for showing me how valuable and rewarding being part of this organization is. Since our last newsletter we have had our IGE trade show. Thank you for attending and helping us have another successful year. It helps when the weather cooperates and we’re not plowing snow! In this issue you will read an IGE review, including the award winners. Look it over and let us know if you have any suggestions for next year, I know I have heard a lot of positive feedback about this year’s education and trade show. We also had our annual committee meeting on February 18th, where our committees got together to discuss action plans for the next year. If you are looking for a way to get involved, consider joining one of our committees. Not only will you be helping the INLA with your ideas, but you will be getting new ones by talking to others from around the state. Get in touch with executive director Donna Sheets or one of our board members, and we’ll get you involved. We are always in need of new and fresh ideas! Also in this issue are articles about aquaponics and beekeeping. These are obviously growing trends for our industry, with the idea of sustainability. I was fortunate enough to tour Designscape’s new sustainable aquaponics greenhouse in Bloomington Indiana just last week. If you’re not familiar with this concept you can read all about it in this issue. We have a lot of innovative members in our organization. Thank you to Robert Johnstone for his term as president and all of his hard work. I look forward to my term and thank you all for being part of it and the INLA! Brian Julius Walnut Ridge Nursery and Garden Center 812-288-6691 • bjulius@walnutridge.com
2015 INLA Officers Brian Julius, President Walnut Ridge Nursery & Garden Center 2108 Hamburg Pike Jeffersonville, IN 47130 Ph: 812-288-6691 Brian Franco President-Elect Franco Landscaping, Inc. PO Box 34156 Indianapolis, IN 46234 Ph: 317-858-3858 Dave LaFara, Vice-President Tiffany Lawn & Garden Supply 4931 Robison Road Indianapolis, IN 46268 Ph: 317-228-4900 Robert Johnstone, Past-President Fireboulder 226 E. Staat Street Fortville, IN 46040 Ph: 317-750-7384 Donna Sheets INLA Executive Director and Publisher Mailing address for INLA office: 7915 S. Emerson Avenue, Suite 247 Indianapolis, IN 46237 Ph: 317-889-2382 or 800-443-7336 Fax: 317-889-3935 • www.inla1.org Email: dsheets@inla1.org
INLA Board of Directors Jim Calvin (2015), Calvin Landscape Ph: 317-247-6316 Kyle Daniel (2015), Purdue University, Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture • Ph: 765-494-7621 Kim Glass (2017), M.J. Schuetz Agency Ph: 317-639-5679
Stay connected to INLA between issues.
Gabriel Gluesenkamp (2016), Designscape Horticultural Services • Ph: 812-988-8900
Sign up for the INLA monthly eNewsletter at www.inla1.org.
Kate Jones (2017), Blue Moon Farm Ph: 765-675-2413
You will receive: Latest notices, the digital version of the magazine, reminders for events, and much more. 2
Indiana nursery & Landscape association • www.inla1.org
Mark O’Brien (2016), Cardno JFNew Ph: 574-586-2412 Dean Ricci (2015), Ricci’s Landscape Management, Inc. • Ph: 219-996-2682