President’s Message

Growing Stronger

As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and express my gratitude to each of you for your dedication to the nursery and landscape industry. Our community continues to grow stronger, and your commitment ensures that we remain a thriving and resilient association.

The recent MANTS Trade Show was a tremendous success! It was inspiring to see so many of you there, reconnecting with old friends, forging new partnerships, and exploring innovative trends and products that will shape the future of our industry. Your enthusiasm and participation are what make events like MANTS a valuable experience year after year.

One of the highlights of the event was our Annual Breakfast Meeting. Gathering together to discuss industry developments, share insights, and celebrate our collective achievements is always a rewarding experience. The exchange of ideas and camaraderie in that room reinforced the importance of coming together as a professional community.

This year, we also take a moment to honor the passing of Jeff Miller, a cherished member of our VNLA family for over three decades. Jeff’s contributions to our industry and his unwavering dedication to our association will be deeply missed. His legacy will continue to inspire us all, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

I am also pleased to share that VNLA remains financially sound, with a larger-than-anticipated MANTS dividend the past several years. This financial strength enables us to continue providing valuable resources, support, and opportunities for our members, ensuring that we can further our mission and sustain the growth of our industry.

It has also been a busy legislative year, and I want to extend a special thank you to Hellebush Consulting for their invaluable guidance and support. Their expertise has been instrumental in helping us navigate key policy issues affecting our industry.

Looking ahead, VNLA remains committed to supporting our members through education, advocacy, and networking opportunities. We are also excited for our upcoming Field Day at Cross Creek Nursery in Rockville, Virginia. Our Field Day Committee has been working hard to ensure a fantastic event filled with valuable learning and networking opportunities. We encourage you to stay engaged, participate in upcoming events, and continue to share your experiences and expertise with one another. Your involvement is what makes our association strong.

Thank you for being an essential part of VNLA. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to all our board members for generously donating their time and expertise to support our mission. I look forward to another year of growth and success together. If you have any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions on how we can better serve you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you a prosperous and fulfilling 2025!

Sincerely,

Warner Winthrop

President, Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association