Grow Maine Green Expo . . . .


Record Shattering! By Don Sproul, MELNA Executive Director


Let’s get right to the point: the Inaugural Grow


Maine Green Expo held this past January 20 at the Augusta Civic Center set records --- most exhibitors, most attendees, and YES! – largest net profit to help underwrite MELNA programs. Te keynote address, “Te Essential Layers of Living Landscapes” was given by Rick Darke. Rick Darke heads RICK DARKE LLC, a Pennsylvania- based consulting firm focused on landscape ethics, photography, and contextual design. Te keynote address by Rick Darke touched on how the richness of life in any landscape is linked to the richness of its layers, and this is true for both people and wildlife. Rick Darke discussed how an understanding of living layers and relational biodiversity can be put to practical use in the making and maintenance of residential gardens and community landscapes. At the MELNA membership meeting, the membership voted unanimously to own and and produce a consumer flower show. Te Inaugural Maine Flower Show will be held at Tompson’s Point in Portland, Maine March 29 through April 2, 2017. Walt Whitcomb, Commissioner of the Maine


Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry spoke at the luncheon. Award winners were also announced at the Awards Luncheon. Jon Olson, retired executive director of Maine Farm Bureau was presented the Al Black Award for his tireless efforts of advocacy at the state legislature on behalf of the Maine horticulture industry over the past 30 years; Zach and Katey Campbell were presented as co-winners of the Young Nursery Professionals of the Year; and 3 $500 scholarships were presented. Tank you notes from the scholarship recipients can be found in this newsletter. Also introduced and


presented with her Certificate was Olivia Atherton, MCN, MCSL, of Lynch Landscaping in Skowhegan; MELNA’s newest certified professional. 6 seminars, a roll-out of the Plant Something


program, and a climbing demonstration on the exhibition floor all added to the energy of the day. If you haven’t been to an EXPO in recent years, Mark January 25, 2017 on your calendars now. Te networking alone is more than worth the price of registration!


Caption: Jake Pierson, Katey Campbell, Zach Campbell, Tom Estabrook


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Caption: Olivia Aherton, MCN, MCSL with Tom Estabrook


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