President’s Message

Spring has sprung!

Across the Commonwealth, VNLA members that I have spoken with are busy with planting, shipping, spring clean ups and stocking shelves. While traveling the January trade show circuit this year, most of the responses I received about how this spring looked business-wise were cautious optimism. Early indicators so far appear favorable as we try and navigate this post Covid economy.

Speaking of trade shows, MANTS was a big success! There were over 11,000 attendees, including exhibitors this year. I visited a number of VNLA members’ booths, and all commented on how busy the show had been. I also took the opportunity to introduce Katie Hellebush of Hellebush Consulting to members who were on the show floor. With the departure of Shellie Archer as executive director of the VNLA, the executive committee as well as the board decided that a management company was more in line with the goals of the VNLA. Katie and her team came on board the first of the year and hit the ground running. Along with Katie, who will be assisting in our legislative efforts, her team also includes Jamie Maccaroni who will handle communications and events, Kelly Noon who will be focusing on membership, and Deputy Director Tamara Ridenour who will assist the team where needed.

During MANTS, we had our annual VNLA membership breakfast where we updated the membership on the progress we have made as well as future goals. At the meeting, Christopher Brown (Chair of the Research Foundation) announced that we would contribute $100,000 to an endowment to the Horticulture Research Institute. This endowment will go towards the research of a number of issues facing Virginia’s horticulture industry. I also would like to congratulate Mike Hildebrand for receiving the Distinguished Professional Award, Trista Imrich for the Environmental Steward Award, and Tony Orbrand for the Young Professional award. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who attended the meeting!

Our next event will be our annual Field Day held July 25 at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to catch up on the latest industry news, network with peers and earn CEU’s. More details to come but be sure to check out our website, www.VNLA.org, for an updated schedule of events as well to stay current on our legislative efforts, certification information and all things VNLA!

I hope you all have a prosperous spring season. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself, the board of directors or Hellebush Consulting should you have questions!

Jason Stern

2024 VNLA President