Recent Events

VAC Legislative Appreciation Banquet

One of the highlights of the General Assembly for VNLA Board Members and Virginia Legislators alike is the Virginia Agribusiness Council Legislative Appreciation Banquet. Attendees get to sample delicious food and beverages from the Virginia’s Finest Reception as well as a delicious banquet of food produced in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Photo courtesy of Virginia Agribusiness Council (left-right) David Phillips, Governor Ralph Northam, Doug Phillips (Phillips & Turman Tree Farms)

This year, we were honored to dine with Virginia 37th District Senator Dave Marsden and his lovely wife JulieAnna. In addition, we had the honor of being addressed not only by Governor Ralph Northam but also by Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, Virginia’s first female Speaker of the House.

Left to right: Vice-President/ Legislative Policy Chair, Seana Ankers (Meadows Farms); Certification Chair, Neal Beasley (Timmons Group); Senator Dave Marsden; Past President, Brent Hunsinger (Friends of the Rappahannock); Justin Ankers (Meadows Farms). (Not pictured, Julie-Anna Marsden, Paulette Beasley, Beth Hunsinger)

We were proud to have one of our member companies, Phillips and Turman Tree Farm, honored as the 2020 Special Recognition as an Agribusiness for service and support to the Council and Virginia agribusinesses. While surrounded by beautiful flowers from Strange’s, we enjoyed the evening with Council updates and inspiring speeches. Another highlight of the evening was hearing the unique and inspiring perspective of 2020 Distinguished Friend of Agribusiness, Delegate Mark Keam, who shared his appreciation for agriculture from an urban perspective and the influence agriculture has had on his life.

Virginia Agribusiness Council’s Annual State Policy Meeting

The Market at Grelen was a stunning backdrop for the event

Jim Saunders (Saunders Brothers) took part in a Labor panel discussion at the Virginia Agribusiness Council Annual/State Policy Meeting which was hosted by VNLA members Leslie and Dan Gregg at the picturesque Grelen Nursery and The Market at Grelen.

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS)

Those of you who missed the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) 50th Anniversary sure did miss something special. With 956 exhibitors and 1,534 booths, the show was at full capacity with a waiting list for exhibitors. There was definitely something for each of the over 12,000 attendees to see and to win, and no one left empty-handed! In addition to valuable networking, business opportunities and booth swag, MANTS gave out free gifts to everyone who entered. There were also prizes every 15 minutes!

Thank you to all who attended, volunteered or stopped by our booth, and to the MANTS Board. Here are a few highlights from the show and our Annual Breakfast Meeting

VNLA Board Members were joined by 2019 Carville A. Akehurst Memorial Scholarahip Recipient, Nicholas Dzurenda, during MANTS. Nicholas is studying Environmental Horticulture with a minor in Civic Agriculture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Board members speak with potential new members at our MANTS booth.

Wes Bray, of Lawns & Gardens Plus, the 2019 VNLA Professional of the Year (left) and then President, now Past-President, Brent Hunsinger.

John Magee (left) being presented the VNLA 2019 Environmental Steward Award by then President (now Past-President), Brent Hunsinger.