NewsLeaf

For the first time ever, your CNGA Board of Directors has approved a negative income budget for the year. 2021 will push the nonprofit income negatively into the six figures mark. Why, you might ask?  First and foremost, our income from ProGreen was projected to be approximately one third of what it typically is. ProGreen, along with membership dues, is a major source...

CHREF Donates to Three CSU Hort Research Projects Steve Echter (left) honored with an award for his service. The Board of Directors of the Colorado Horticulture Research and Education Foundation (CHREF) would again like to express its sincere gratitude to Steve Echter for his dedicated service to CHREF board over the years and commend him for the profound impact he has...

By Barton Eller, Executive Director, Paonia Soil Co. Bart Eller “Become a student of change. It is the only thing that will remain constant.” I’m a big fan of this quote by Anthony D’Angelo and it has served me well over the years. In this article, I propose – what I believe to be – a needed change in the way CNGA...

By Lyn Dean Susan Stauber Susan Stauber, sales representative at Ball Seed Company, came to Colorado with her parents at age 11. After high school she continued her education at University of Denver, where she received a degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and began a career in department store retail before eventually joining Ball. Journey to Horticulture and...

By Lyn Dean Josh Craver The stars seem to have aligned in 2018 when Josh Craver, assistant professor at Colorado State University (CSU), was offered a position in Controlled Environment Horticulture (CEH) in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Just a few months earlier, he received his Ph.D. at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where his research focused on...

Glenda Mostek CNGA Executive Director Recently, I talked to a former CNGA member who didn’t see the point of our continued presence at the State Capitol. “Why bother?” they said, “when there is such a strong super majority?” We can’t just roll over and give up. GreenCO must maintain its presence and reputation: Because there won’t always be a super majority. Someday,...

Rivendell Distribution, Inc.3961 County Road 114Glenwood Springs, CO 81601(970) 945-2568www.rivendelldistribution.com Interview with John Rischmiller, Owner What attracted you to this business and to Colorado? I’m originally from Minnesota and my family had a trucking business that hauled freight to Colorado weekly. When I was a kid, I went on these trips and spent a lot of time in Colorado and I really...

By Lyn Dean Julie Echter Julie Echter, Vice President at Echter’s Nursery & Garden Center, Arvada, reiterates what many green industry businesses have been experiencing for several years – the challenge of finding people to work hands-on, full-time, jobs. The difficulty finding and hiring employees – made worse during the COVID pandemic – has not improved. “Worker expectations have changed,” says Echter....

Each year, CNGA recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to CNGA and the industry. Awards are presented during the Industry Celebration which takes place during the week of ProGreen EXPO. Award winners are nominated by CNGA members in the following categories: Hall of Fame - This prestigious award is presented to an individual who, throughout their career, has...

CNGA Board President Matt Edmundson, CGG As we roll into yet another spring here in Colorado, we face a new set of challenges. If you’ve been in this industry long, you have come to understand that no two years are ever the same. Last spring we endured the wettest spring in recorded history along the Front Range which presented us...

Mike Schleining, CCNP, Arbor Valley Nursery An Enduring Legacy: Honoring Steve Echter for his Service on CHREF Board of Directors Steve Echter is retiring from the Board of Directors of the Colorado Horticulture Research and Education Foundation (CHREF). Steve most recently served as Treasurer and Secretary, managing foundation funds and investments, and growing the impact CHREF has on the industry. Steve’s...