President’s Message
What a difference a year can make. We have traded severe drought for an abundance of rain and severe storms in the Eastern part of the state. Even though wet weather brings headaches and scheduling delays consistent moisture is a welcome change from the past several years. I had almost forgotten what to do with myself on a rain day. Hopefully business was strong during the spring and continues to stay steady as the summer heat settles in.
The board is working to put the finishing touches on our summer field day event and we hope to announce the location soon. We are also busy planning our upcoming winter conference which will be a centennial event as we mark the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association (formerly the Nebraska Association of Nurserymen). I recently had the chance to peruse the minutes from some of the earliest years of the association and reflect on the history and people that were an integral foundation to our modern association. A great deal has changed in the last century but the hard-working members of today share several of the same concerns as those founding members, modernization, mechanization, and a limited supply of water. I continue to believe that the people of this industry are what make it so very special and unique. As we continue to evolve as an industry, pursue new ways to overcome our labor shortages through increased efficiency, mechanization, and recruiting new generations, we must remember how special this industry is. We must continue to promote the rewarding benefits of a career spent working with plants. There are obstacles in every profession, but the rewards far outweigh them. Looking to the past and the innovators and craftsmen that overcame so many obstacles to tackle the problems of their day might just inspire us to solve some of our modern-day challenges.
We hope you will join us for an exciting summer field day and take advantage of several unique and exciting educational and networking opportunities. Then in early 2025 we hope you help us make this winter conference extra special as we begin to celebrate our milestone achievement and the long history of a nursery and landscape association in a prairie state. I wish everyone a prosperous summer and look forward to seeing you in the early fall. Please reach out to any board member if you would like to volunteer your time to help on any of our open committees.
Brett Schroer, NNLA President