2025 NNLA Winter Conference Recap
On January 30th and 31st, NNLA hosted its annual Winter Conference at UNL’s Innovation Campus in Lincoln, NE. The vendor hall was full and energized with 26 vendors in attendance. Nearly 210 people enjoyed the day-and-a-half conference full of networking and educational opportunities.
Thursday began with a welcome by NNLA board president, Brett Schroer. Keynote speaker, UNL’s former head volleyball coach John Cook spoke about leadership and finding your “why”. He shared how the philosophies, beliefs and values found in successful coaches parallel those also found in successful business leaders. He was followed by Lisa Nunamaker, landscape architect and owner of Paper Garden Workshop in Iowa, who shared her unique insights about front yard landscape design. Lunch was held in the exhibit hall where members were able to catch up with vendors.
The annual meeting took place just after lunch. Lee Olson took on his role as the new NNLA Board President. Sheila Schrader was elected Vice President. Ashly Paladino and Cindy Christensen were each reelected to the Board as well. Dale Riekenberg of Campbell's Nursery was awarded the Distinguished Landscape Professional Award. Joel Kayser, owner of Well Rooted Gardens, was awarded the Distinguished Nebraska Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional Award. Bob Henrickson was awarded the Hall of Fame Award. The Gold Leaf Nursery Award was given to Bluebird Nursery for their decades of outstanding support to NNLA and the landscape industry in Nebraska. In 2024, we celebrated three new NCNLPs: Teddy Dirksen, Jarrod Lane, and Jason Mathis.
Dr. Todd West, professor at North Dakota State University and director of the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program, kicked off the afternoon session with his presentation on what’s new at NDSU and other cool plants. Next, Ken Walker, of Custom Diesel Drivers Training, educated members on DOT regulations and driver training. Ending the presentations for the day was a panel featuring Jason Kuehl with Mirage Enterprises, Robert Clark with Bailey Nurseries, Heather Byers with Great Plains Nursery, and Miles Imel with Sester Farms. They had a roundtable discussion on growbags, containers, and B&B trees.
That evening, a reception was held at the Scarlet Hotel. The 210 attendees enjoyed drinks and food and took the opportunity to socialize and relax after a day full of learning and networking.
Friday began with Corby White, product manager for the central region of the U.S. for Helena Agri-Enterprises . He shared about plant nutrition and water quality basics, emphasizing the importance of testing water and plant tissue to determine the cause of issues. After another break to visit vendors, the raffle drawing was held. All proceeds raised in the raffle go to the NNLA scholarship fund. Through the raffle, helped by the volleyball signed by John Cook, attendees raised over $2,229.93. Then, the winners of the NCNLP plant ID quiz were announced. Next, Sheila Schrader, owner and landscape designer with Schrader Landscape Design, shared her horticultural insights and unique perspective on the importance of the landscapes we design and manage while showing photos of her trip through NYC, London, the Netherlands, and Paris. Wrapping up the education sessions for the day was Bob Henrickson, horticulture program coordinator at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Bob shared a wide variety of grasses and sedges for members to consider using in the landscapes they design and manage. Finally, President Lee Olson concluded the conference with a quick thank you to vendors and to all attendees for making the conference a success.
We would like to acknowledge the support of the Winter Conference sponsors:
Platinum Sponsor – Mulhall’s Nursery
Gold Sponsors – Helena Agri Enterprises, Kaspar Nursery, Papio Valley Nursery, Plains Tree Farm/Oak Prairie Nursery and DPM, Urban Roots, and Walters Gardens
Silver Sponsors – Commercial Solutions Insurance, Great Plains Nursery, and Greenleaf Nursery and Garden Debut