Greenhouse Grower’s Evening Of Excellence 2012 Wrapup

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It was an evening of excitement on July 16, 2012 as the winners of Greenhouse Grower’s Medal of Excellence and Grower of the Year Awards were announced. Nearly 400 members of the industry came together to recognize and celebrate achievement in breeding, growing and marketing.

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Begonia boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset’ from Benary was the Industry’s Choice winner, while the Cool Wave pansy series from PanAmerican Seed won the Editors’ Choice award. Greenhouse Grower’s readers chose Leucanthemum ×superbum ‘Freak!’ from Blooms of Bressingham as the Readers’ Choice award winner.

Operation of the Year winners Ken and Leah James of James Greenhouses received their award to much applause, as did Lucas Greenhouses’ Joe Moore, recipient of the Head Grower of the Year award. Proven Winners was presented with their Industry Achievement Award and Conard-Pyle (now Star Roses and Plants) was recognized for Excellence in Marketing for Knock Out Roses. A special surprise was the first-ever Editor’s Award for Special Contributions to Floriculture, presented to long-time Greenhouse Grower editor Delilah Onofrey for her dedicated work in promoting and growing the industry.

It was a not-to-be-missed evening, but in case you did miss it, we took plenty of photos.

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Operation of the Year: James Greenhouses

Ken and Leah James (center), owners of James Greenhouses, are winners of the 2012 Operation of the Year. They are pictured with Steve Larson, of BASF, which sponsored the Grower of the Year awards, and Greenhouse Grower Editor Robin Siktberg.

Ken and Leah James (center), owners of James Greenhouses, are winners of the 2012 Operation of the Year. They are pictured with Steve Larson, of BASF, which sponsored the Grower of the Year awards, and Greenhouse Grower Editor Robin Siktberg.

Head Grower Of The Year: Joe Moore

2012 Head Grower of the Year Joe Moore with BASF’s Steve Larson and Greenhouse Grower’s Robin Siktberg

2012 Head Grower of the Year Joe Moore with BASF’s Steve Larson and Greenhouse Grower’s Robin Siktberg

Industry’s Choice Award Winner: ‘Santa Cruz Sunset’

Matthias Redlefsen and the Industry’s Choice Award Benary received for B. boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset.’

Matthias Redlefsen and the Industry’s Choice Award Benary received for B. boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset.’

Industry’s Choice Award Winner: ‘Santa Cruz Sunset’

Begonia boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset’ from Benary

Industry’s Choice Winner  Begonia boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset’ from Benary

Editor’s Choice Award Winner: Pansy Cool Wave

Cool Wave pansies

Editors’ Choice Winner  Pansy Cool Wave series from PanAmerican Seed

Editor’s Choice Award Winner: Pansy Cool Wave

Mark Short, Anne Leventry and Claire Watson of PanAmerican Seed with the Editors’ Choice Award.

(L-R) Mark Short, Anne Leventry and Claire Watson of PanAmerican Seed with the Editors’ Choice Award.

Reader’s Choice Award Winner: Leucanthemum xsuperbum ‘Freak!’ from Blooms of Bressingham

Leucanthemum ×superbum ‘Freak!’

Reader’s Choice Winner Leucanthemum xsuperbum ‘Freak!’ from Blooms of Bressingham

Reader’s Choice Award Winner: Leucanthemum xsuperbum ‘Freak!’ from Blooms of Bressingham

Gary Doerr of Blooms of Bressingham with the Reader’s Choice award

Gary Doerr of Blooms of Bressingham with the Reader’s Choice award

Industry Achievement Award winner: Proven Winners.

Industry Achievement Award winner Proven Winners. (L-R) Henry Huntington, Jerry Church, Tom Smith, Sharon Smith, John Rader and Jeff Huntington.

Industry Achievement Award winner Proven Winners. (L-R) Henry Huntington, Jerry Church, Tom Smith, Sharon Smith, John Rader and Jeff Huntington.

Excellence In Marketing Award Winner: Star Roses And Plants

The Star Roses and Plants Team (Conard-Pyle) with the Excellence in Marketing Award. (L-R) Kyle McKean, Jacques Ferare, Steve Hutton, with Greenhouse Grower’s Robin Siktberg

The Star Roses and Plants Team (Conard-Pyle) with the Excellence in Marketing Award. (L-R) Kyle McKean, Jacques Ferare, Steve Hutton, with Greenhouse Grower’s Robin Siktberg

Editor’s Award for Special Contributions to Floriculture Winner: Delilah Onofrey

Delilah Onofrey (right), former editor of Greenhouse Grower, with Robin Siktberg, the current editor. Delilah was presented with the first-ever Editor’s Award for Special Contributions to Floriculture

Delilah Onofrey (right), former editor of Greenhouse Grower, with Robin Siktberg, the current editor. Delilah was presented with the first-ever Editor’s Award for Special Contributions to Floriculture

Head Grower of the Year finalist: Sam Rambo

Sam Rambo, center, Operation of the Year finalist, with Greenhouse Grower’s Robin Siktberg and BASF’s Steve Larson

Sam Rambo, center, Operation of the Year finalist, with Greenhouse Grower’s Robin Siktberg and BASF’s Steve Larson

Operation of the Year finalist: Plant Marketing

Larry Reit, owner of Plant Marketing, was a finalist for Operation of the Year.

Larry Reit, owner of Plant Marketing, was a finalist for Operation of the Year.

Head Grower of the Year finalist: Rob O’Hara

Rainbow Greenhouses’ head grower Rob O’Hara, finalist for Head Grower of the Year.

Rainbow Greenhouses’ head grower Rob O’Hara, finalist for Head Grower of the Year.

Head Grower of the Year finalist: John McLaren

Sheridan Nurseries’ John McLaren and his award for being a finalist for Head Grower of the Year

Sheridan Nurseries’ John McLaren and his award for being a finalist for Head Grower of the Year

Head Grower of the Year finalist: Victor Vasquez

Head Grower of the Year finalist Victor Vasquez of Park Hill Plants

Head Grower of the Year finalist Victor Vasquez of Park Hill Plants

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