NNLA Welcomes Four New Nebraska Certified Nurserymen
The Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association’s newest Nebraska Certified Nurseryman are Rebekah McGil, Jason Orth, Sheila Schrader, and Eldora Weller. They took the NCN Certification test in February and passed all three components. The NCN program was established to promote the professionalism of individuals within the industry. A rigorous three-part test, which covers plan identification, landscape, and the NCN manual, must be successfully completed. To learn more about becoming a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman, visit nnla. org/certification.
Rebekah McGill, Siffring Landscape and Garden Center What factors motivated you to become certified?
I attended my first NNLA conference during my first year of Horticulture school, I decided then and there that someday, I would be a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman. I’m not sure why I decided that, but it became a dream. Being a young member of the horticulture world can sometimes pose a challenge, one I’ve never been afraid to overcome. For me completing my certification gave me another way for the customer to “trust” me and the advice I give!
Educational and Work Background
I studied Horticulture Science and Golf Course Management at Northeast Community College, graduating in 2018. There I was able to apply what I was learning in various labs - in the greenhouse, at the golf course and around the world! Studying the plants of Costa Rica was certainly a highlight of my college career! Upon graduation. I’m in my third season of work at Stiffring Landscape and Garden Center and could not ask for better people to work with and to look up to for advice and knowledge. I primarily work in sales, and help many customers with DIY landscape plans, troubleshooting, and garden planning!
Jason Orth, Campbells Nursery, 56th Street Store
What factors motivated you to become certified?
My main motivation to become certified is it is important for someone without a formal horticultural education to show the public and peers I can be trusted to give competent advice. Educational and Work Background My educational background is mostly self-taught. I have been a gardener for seventeen years and have worked as a landscaper for the last five years. Sheila Schrader, Lincoln Landscaping What factors motivated you to become certified? I wanted to improve my credibility with my clients and to continue to build my professional resume. I had also recently joined the NNLA Board of Directors and I thought it would be good to have a good understanding of what the test covered and how it was being presented. After being in this career for 11 years, I thought it would be a good test of my overall skills in my chosen field.
Educational/Work Background
My educational background is mostly self-taught. I have been a gardener for seventeen years and have worked as a landscaper for the last five years.
Sheila Schrader, Lincoln Landscaping
What factors motivated you to become certified?
I wanted to improve my credibility with my clients and to continue to build my professional resume. I had also recently joined the NNLA Board of Directors and I thought it would be good to have a good understanding of what the test covered and how it was being presented. After being in this career for 11 years, I thought it would be a good test of my overall skills in my chosen field. Educational/Work Background I graduated from UNL with a degree in horticulture with an emphasis in landscape design and then have been professionally designing primarily for residential clients in the Lincoln area for the past 11 years
Eudora Weller, Tilley Sprinklers & Landscaping
What factors motivated you to become certified?
Make myself more credible, increase knowledge, be a leader in the industry
Educational/Work Background
Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska-Kearney; Associates Degree in Horticulture, Central Community College; Nursery Management, Landscape Design, Integrated Pest Management Certificates, Central Community College, Landscape Designer, Tilley Sprinklers & Landscaping – 6 years