Nomination Ballot for the VNLA Awards

This award is given to individuals connected to the horticultural industry in Vermont, who are over 40 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 Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association/Green Works.

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

This annual award was established by the New England Nursery Association and is now being awarded by the VNLA. 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 nurserymen’s association, has contributed to the growth and success of their company of employment and has portrayed an image to the public of what our products and services can do for them.

This award 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.

This award will be presented annually and is 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 year-long 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.