Awards

The 2024/2025 Award Winners

Horticultural Achievement Award

This award is given to individuals connected to the horticulture industry in Vermont who are over 35 years of age and whose accomplishments have advanced our industry educationally, by plant development or growing, through literature, or through outstanding personal effort.  This award is the most prestigious and distinguished that can be received from the VNLA/Green Works.

Peter Hausermann
Shelburne, VT
2024 Winner

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Peter Hausermann served as a dedicated and inspired steward of the grounds at the Wake Robin Life Care Community for over 30 years, retiring in December 2024. It is clear that Peter is not only a skilled gardener but also a passionate steward of the land. His expertise in plant care, artful pruning, and his deep connection to both the residents and the grounds stood out immediately. Peter’s work was a balance of managing wild spaces—through invasive species removal and allowing stretches of lawn to grow wild—and cultivating thriving gardens with an increasing focus on native plants and successful ornamentals. He approached his work with fearlessness and a deep understanding that the residents had a strong emotional connection to the landscape. Instead of the cookie-cutter landscapes that could have dominated Wake Robin, Peter fostered a campus full of personality and diversity, preserving the natural beauty of Vermont’s woods and meadows.

Environmental Awareness Award

This award is given in recognition of an individual that has implemented an environmentally sound practice that contributes to the protection of our environment.

Marijke Niles
Marijke Niles Perennial Gardens Plus
Starksboro, VT
2024 Winner

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I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the board with Marijke over the past several years. She brings passion, commitment, dedication and an impressively strong spirit to everything she does. Always eager to participate, Marijke helps us all come together stronger. She’s been instrumental in the VNLA Flower Shows for what seems like decades, as she manages the Plant Sale at the end of the show. This is particularly challenging as it falls on the final hours of the show. Exhaustion has set in for most, the clean-up crew is scrambling, volunteers run around collecting plants and there she is, orchestrating the chaos that surrounds any big sale- lots of people! How she finds the energy is beyond me! She has been featured in publications including the Garden Tourist’s New England: A guide to 140 Outstanding Gardens & Nurseries. Beyond all that she is a fantastic cook & host. She loves to entertain and share her gift of giving to everyone.

Retailer of the Year Award

This award was established in 2012 and will be presented annually to a retail garden center or greenhouse operation that stands apart for their excellence in any or all of the following categories:  customer service, quality of plant material, knowledge of staff, creativity and innovations in marketing and presentation of retail space, and overall customer experience and satisfaction.

Golden Russet Farm
2024 Winner

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I had the pleasure of working with Judy and Will during our VPOC project last October in Shoreham. Thanks to Melita who brought the project forward, we were involved in designing and installing gardens on the grounds of the Shoreham Town Green. Judy, a member of the Shoreham town committee involved in spearheading the project, also volunteered with our VPOC committee to help install the gardens. Thanks to everyone’s contribution, the project was a big success, and we look forward to being involved with further expansion of that area in the Future. Golden Russet Farm was started by Will and Judy Stevens in Shoreham in 1984 though they had been growing organic vegetables commercially in Monkton since 1981, long before growing organically was widely popular. They are extremely sensitive to their footprint and management practices making sure they use crop rotation, cover crops, biological & naturally-derived pest controls & fertilizers, compost and animal manure as standard practice. Additionally, they installed 5 free-standing solar panels which provide all their farm & personal electrical energy needs.

Beyond organic vegetable starts, Golden Russet grows and sells flowers for cutting in their fields creating habitat to attract beneficial insects. Not only are they focused on cultivating with care, but they also offer up a beautiful, welcoming shopping experience! This is a family farm that opens their doors and makes you feel right at home. Will, Judy and their family have served the community for over 40 years. Thanks to the tremendous, dedicated and loyal local support they have been successful in their pursuit and will surely continue far into the future. They also participate in the Tour De Farms cycle event in the fall hosted by ACORN to promote local food and agriculture. I can speak from experience; it’s loads of fun and even better when you know and get to meet the growers behind it all! If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to visit the farm.

VNLA Young Nursery Professional of the Year Award

The Young Nursery Professional of the Year award is an annual award established by the New England Nursery Association and has been adopted by the Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association in 2019.  Its purpose is to reward, to honor, and to encourage participation, achievement and growth by an individual who is involved in a related horticultural industry and has not reached the age of 40 years, who has shown involvement in his or her state and/or regional nursery association, who has contributed to the growth and success of their company, and who has portrayed an image to the public of what our products and services can do for them.

** NOTE:  This award recipient is selected in December of each year for next year's award.  All other VNLA/Green Works award nominees are selected by December of each year for the previous year.  All recipients are honored at the VNLA/Green Works annual meeting held in February of each year.

Danielle Norris
Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery
New Haven, VT
2025 Winner

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This year’s awardee, Danielle Norris, exemplifies all these qualities. Raised working at her family's garden center and landscaping business, Danielle’s roots in horticulture run deep. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 2018 and has since made a remarkable impact in the industry. Danielle served as the Garden Center Manager at Greenhaven Gardens and Nursery from 2020 to 2023, before stepping into the role of owner in 2024. She is a Vermont Certified Horticulturist (2023) and has further honed her expertise through the IPM Certificate Program at Cornell’s Greenhouse Scout School (2022) and the Vermont Tech Certification Course (2020).
Danielle’s leadership, dedication to sustainable horticulture, and commitment to advancing the industry make her a deserving recipient of this award.

Allen B. Crane Horticultural Employee Acknowledgement Award

Allen B. Crane

This award will be presented annually and is being sponsored by Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse in honor of Allen B. Crane, head grower there for over 42 years.   Allen was “a great friend, wonderful colleague and an incredible grower”.  Allen passed away in 2013 after a yearlong battle with cancer.   This award is being established in Allen’s honor to recognize the employees that make a difference in the horticultural industry. A cash prize will be awarded to the recipient in the amount of $275.  Nominees must meet the following criteria:  they should be an employee of a member business with a minimum of 5 years employment with that business; nominees must be employed in the horticultural industry, which could also include the field of education; and nominees should be exemplary leaders and display an ability to grow and excel in the workplace and beyond.

Todd Bailey
Cobble Creek Nursery
Monkton, VT
2024 Winner

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Todd Bailey has been a dedicated and invaluable member of the Cobble Creek Nursery team for over 15 years. Throughout his career, he has also worked with three other companies in Vermont's nursery and landscape industry, bringing a wealth of experience to his role. Todd holds a Landscape and Nursery degree from the University of Massachusetts and is a highly skilled horticulturist and nursery grower at Cobble Creek.

His expertise spans across a variety of tasks, including pruning and training trees and shrubs, fertilizing, weed control, irrigation, and planting and harvesting. Todd is also an exceptional equipment operator, proficient in operating tractors, loaders, and tree spades. His comprehensive skill set enables him to handle all aspects of growing and selling top-quality trees and shrubs.

Todd's strong work ethic, reliability, and commitment to Cobble Creek Nursery are evident in everything he does. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that both our nursery operations and customer service are of the highest standard. Customers trust Todd for his knowledgeable horticultural advice and appreciate his meticulous approach to loading and tarping their orders. Above all, Todd’s passion for nursery work shines through in his dedication to his craft. We are incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our team.

Student Merit Awards

This award is presented to college nominees for students who are pursuing education/careers in the horticulture related fields and have shown academic excellence.  This is a $500 award.

Vermont State University - 2025

Kaleb Swett

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Kaleb is a senior in the Landscape Contracting program at Vermont State University. The faculty are proud that he has shown tremendous improvement in his studies over the past year. Kaleb has been part of several community landscaping projects, working with the town library to redesign their entrance and helping with an ASLA Parking Day project both in downtown Randolph. He is extremely active in the sports programs on campus, playing soccer and basketball, as well as running track. Upon graduation he is hoping to turn his passion for sports and love of the landscape industry into a fulfilling career of sports field design, installation and maintenance.

University of Vermont  - 2025

Stella Shaw

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Stella Shaw grew up in rural southwestern Maine, forming a love of nature from a young age. Walks outside in her backyard are what peaked her interest in ecology and the natural world. At UVM, Stella has been able to learn more about her interests and greatly expand her horticultural knowledge. On campus, Stella has been a work-study student and assisted Dr. Starrett in the maintenance of the educational and pollinator gardens. Stella has also been very involved with the UVM Horticulture Club for her entire time at UVM. Last fall, Stella was a teaching assistant for the course, Woody Landscape Plants. This position enhanced both her knowledge of the subject matter as well as her organizational and leadership skills. Stella’s employment off campus has included working for Church Hill Landscapes where she has spent the last three seasons. At Church Hill, Stella has obtained great practical and hands-on experience. After graduation with a degree in agroecology and a concentration in landscape design, Stella hopes to further her design and planning skills.

Past Award Winners:

    Horticultural Achievement Award

 

2023 Kristina MacKulin
2022 Leslie and Peter Van Berkum, Van Berkum Nursery
2021 Carol and Mike MacLeod, Evergreen Gardens of VT
2020 Vincent J. Comai, Burlington City Arborist
2019 Ralph Fitz-Gerald, Horsford Gardens & Nursery
2018 Ed Burke, Rocky Dale Gardens
2017 Joan Lynch, The Inner Garden
2016 Lori King, Claussen's Florist, Greenhouse & Perennial Farm
2015 Paul Wieczoreck, Champlain Valley Landscaping/Lincoln Hill Nursery
2014 David Loysen, Shaw Hill Nursery
2013 Leo Roberts, Horsfords Garden & Nursery
2012 Don and Lela Avery, Cady's Falls Nursery
2011 Charles Siegchrist - Barber Farm, Inc.
2010 Christopher Conant - Claussen's Florist & Greenhouse
2009 Amy Rose-White, Rocky Dale Gardens
2008 Paul Sokal and Louise Giovanella, Addison Gardens
2007 John and Patti Padua, Cobble Creek Nursery
2006 Thomas F. Wright, Homestead Landscaping
2005 Dan G. Nash, Nash’s Treescape
2004 Leonard Perry, UVM
2003 Bill Countryman, Countryman Peony Farm
2002 Charlie Proutt, Horsford’s Nursery
2001 Holly Weir & Bill Pollard, Rocky Dale Gardens
2000 Greg Williams
1998 Joan Hulbert, Smallwood Nursery
1997 William Horsford
1996 Dennis Bruckel, Grand Isle Nursery
1995 Richard Salter
1994 Elmer Brown, The E.C. Brown Nursery
1993 Norman & Dorothy Pellett
1992 Lewis & Nancy Hill
1991 Richard Stevens, Sr.

    Environmental Awareness Award

2023 Holly Greenleaf
2022 Red Wagon Plants
2021 Prides Corner Farms
2020 Nan Jenks-Jay and Carl Phelps, Miller Hill Farm, Nursery & Gardens
2019 David Fried, Elmore Roots Fruit Tree Nursery
2018 Dan Goossen & Jen Baer, Green Mountain Compost District
2017 Nate Carr, Churchill Landscapes, Inc.
2016  Dan Redondo, Vermont Wetland Plant Supply, Inc.
2015  Liz and Jake Guest, Killdeer Farm
2014  Rebecca Lindenmeyr, Linden L.A.N.D. Group
2013  Sarah Salatino, Full Circle Gardens
2012  Chris Conant, Claussen's Florist & Greenhouse
2011  Sarah Holland - River's Bend Garden Design
2009  Charlie Proutt and Eileen Schilling, Horsford Gardens & Nursery
2008  Tom Stearns, High Mowing Organic Seeds
2007  Karl Hammer, Vermont Compost Company
2006  Anne Mueller, Arcana Gardens and Greenhouses
2004  Common Ground Student Run Educational Farm
2002  Paul Sachs, North Country Organics
2001  Paul Sokal, Addison Gardens
2000  Adam Sherman
1997  Will & Judy Stevens
1996  Don Avery, Cady’s Falls Nursery
1995  SVCEC Horticulture Program
1994  Jim & Mary Musty, J. M. Landscaping
1993  Nancy Volatile Wood
1991  Andrea Morgante

Retailer of the Year Award

2023 Peet Farm Greenhouse
2022 Full Circle Gardens
2021 J.M. Landscaping, Nursery & Garden Center
2020 Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery
2019 Claussen's Florist, Greenhouse & Perennial Farm
2018 Gardener's Supply Company Garden Centers
2017  Eileen Schilling and Charlie Proutt, Horsford Gardens & Nursery
2016  Carol and Mike MacLeod, Evergreen Gardens
2015  Ed Burke, Rocky Dale Gardens
2014  Karen and Jack Manix, Walker Farm
2013  Tobi and Sally von Trapp, von Trapp Greenhouse
2012  Julie Rubaud, Red Wagon Plants

Young Nursery Professional of the Year Award*

2024 Linzy Vos, Rocky Dale Gardens
2023 Aaron Smith, S & D Landscapes LLC
2022 Pat Toporowski, Vermont Stone & Horticulture
2021 Dave Berg, Horsford Gardens & Nursery
2020 Michelle Blow, UVM Greenhouse Facilities
2019 Kristin Sprenkle, Horsford Gardens & Nursery
2018  Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
2017  David Burton, diStefano Landscaping, Inc.
2016  Hannah Decker, Fairfax Perennial Farm, Inc.
2015  Gabe Bushey, Crafted Landscapes, LLC
2014  Jason Koicuba, Cobble Creek Nursery
2013  Brian Vaughan, Vaughan Landscaping
2012  Nathaniel Carr, Church Hill Landscapes, LLC
2011  Claybrook Griffith, Long Leaf Landscaping, LLC
2010  Shannon Lee, Cobble Creek Nursery
2009  Rebecca Lindenmeyr, Linden Landscaping & Design, Inc.
2008  R. Andrew Burtt, Old Nash Farm & Landscaping
2006  Chris Thompson, White River Valley Gardens & Landscaping
2005  Mark Starrett, UVM
2002  Tim Parsons, Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery
2001  Charlie Plonski, Horsfords Gardens & Nursery/New England Nursery Sales
2000  Peter Norris, Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery
1998  Scott Pfister, Vermont Department of Agriculture
1997  Stephen Tworig, North Branch Landscape Co., Inc.
1996  Bill Pedi, Northern Nurseries
1995  Thamasin Sullivan
1994  VJ Comai, South Forty Nursery
1993  Chris Schlegel
1992  Ralph Fitzgerald, Horsford Gardens & Nursery
1991  Pat Seibel

* Formerly a New England Nursery Association Award

Past Recipients of the Allen B. Crane Employee Acknowledgement Award

2023 Anika Adams,Elmore Roots Fruit Tree Nursery

2022 Ranee “Nee” Russell, Fairfax Perennial Farm
2021 Tori Hellwig, Horsford Gardens & Nursery
2020 Daisy Unsicker, Walker Farms
2019 Lily Belisle, Red Wagon Plants
2018  Geoffrey Swanson, diStefano Landscaping, Inc.
2017  Amy Olmsted, Rocky Dale Gardens
2016  Matthew deWolf. Gardener's Supply Company
2015  Sally Dunkleman, Cobble Creek Nursery
2014  Besty Gritman, Glebe Mountain Gardens & Landscaping

Past Recipients of Student Merit Awards

University of Vermont

2024 Erin Camire

2023Abigail Chastaine
2022 Alyssa Pasini
2021 Eli Wilson
2020 Josiah Gilbert
2019 Paul Saaman
2018 - Kaly Gonski
2017 - Rowan Payne-Meyer
2016 - Michael Murphy
2015 - Donald Keith, III
2014 - John Davis
2013 - John R. Bruce
2012 - Graham Glauber
2011 - Graham Glauber
2010 – Jesse Ackemann
2009 - Kaitlin May Harris and John F. Holcomb II
2007 - Cole Downing
2006 - Mark Finch
2005 - Kent Martin
2004 - Andrew Burtt

Vermont Technical College

2024 Ryan Winegar

2023 Brandon Schnopps
2022 Aiden Cudhea
2021 Maria Potvin
2020 Kimberly Myers
2019  Hannah Kilburn
2018 - Ben Zaccarra
2017 - David Howes
2016- Lucas Buckley-Jamison
2015 - Oliver Zeichner
2014 - Kim Cayer
2013 - Kelly Pellegrino
2012 - Jackie Fontaine
2011 - Brittny Tyler
2010 - Lisa Hoare
2009 - Jonathan J. Becker
2008 - Lucy Thayer
2006 - Justin Filskov
2005 - Megan Hefner and Rob Moore
2004 - Mark Dumont
2002 - Jeremy Tinker