Announcing Greenhouse Grower’s 2024 Medal of Excellence Award Winners
July 16, 2024 
Greenhouse Grower’s Evening of Excellence stage at Cultivate’24
Greenhouse Grower was back in Columbus, OH, this week, holding its annual Evening of Excellence event on Monday, July 15, during Cultivate’24. The awards reception celebrates those greenhouse operations, plant breeders, technology companies, and other organizations that strive for excellence.
As expected, there was much of that to be found during the event, which was supported by sponsors AdeptAg, Nufarm, and Profile Products. Keep reading to learn more about this year’s award winners, and check out the slideshow above for a closer look at all the winners, and highlights from this year’s festivities.
Readers’ Choice Award: First Editions Eclipse Bigleaf Hydrangea (Bailey Innovations)
Bailey Innovations, winner of the Readers’ Choice Award | Greenhouse Grower
Eclipse Bigleaf Hydrangea, the first true dark-leaf mophead hydrangea, offers season-long beauty with intense, dark purple leaves that hold their color, even in warm climates. The striking foliage, paired with gorgeous amethyst or cranberry-colored blooms, pairs perfectly with anything in the garden.
Operation of the Year: Little Prince of Oregon Nursery, Aurora, OR
Little Prince of Oregon, winner of the Operation of the Year | Greenhouse Grower
Little Prince is one of the most recognizable brands in horticulture today due to its marketing efforts. The company believes in offering the highest quality, and every plant is grown in a manner consistent with the optimal soil blend, nutrition, and integrated pest management for that particular species. Little Prince has made major investments in management software designed to streamline marketing and sales delivery, and in solar generation, high-efficiency heating and cooling, and modernized logistics systems to lessen energy inputs. It has also implemented an aggressive and successful biocontrol, biorational, and low-impact pest and disease control program across the entire nursery.
Industry’s Choice Award: Canna ‘Cannova Gold Leopard’ (American Takii)
American Takii, winner of the Industry’s Choice Award | Greenhouse Grower
Cannas have come a long way and are well established as mainstream plants. Takii has always been a leader in seed-propagated cannas. The beautiful golden petals of ‘Cannova Gold Leopard’ are covered with orange speckles. The plant is midsize in height, and fits in well with the rest of the Cannova family.
Industry Achievement Award: Rick Grazzini, GardenGenetics
Rick Grazzini, winner of the Industry Achievement Award | Greenhouse Grower
Rick Grazzini bred plants as a hobby for many years, until he founded GardenGenetics in 2007 and his passion also became his profession. Many noteworthy varieties can be attributed to Rick, including the Lantana Havana Series, Salvia ‘Unplugged So Blue’, Pelargonium ‘Mint Julep’, Angelonia ‘Statuesque’, and Rudbeckia ‘Rising Sun Chestnut Gold’.
Technology of the Year: Growmentum
Growmentum, winner of the Technology of the Year | Greenhouse Grower
Growmentum is a first-of-its-kind software solution that allows growers to track down to the second all of the tasks and activities performed on their crops. The platform helps growers streamline operations and optimize labor use. Growmentum offers critical insights into labor patterns and identifies bottlenecks, empowering growers to make informed decisions on capital expenditures or process improvements. This comprehensive approach also drives significant advancements in agricultural productivity and profitability.
Editor’s Choice Award: Coleus ‘Skeletal’ (Kientzler)
Kientzler, winner of the Editor’s Choice Award | Greenhouse Grower
‘Skeletal’ has leaves that look like little fingers and boasts bright colors. The rose colors on the limb-like leaves look like a drying skeleton. It is compact, late flowering, and grows well in full sun.
Head Grower of the Year: Tom Costamagna, Young’s Plant Farm
Tom Costamagna of Young’s Plant Farm, winner of the Head Grower of the Year | Greenhouse Grower
Tom has been Director of Horticulture at Young’s Plant Farm in Auburn, AL, since 2020, but he has previous experience with Mid-American Growers, Dümmen Orange, and American Color. He has the ability to communicate clearly and confidently with the growing staff working under him as well as with other high-level individuals, be they individuals at other businesses at his level or with Ph.D. scientists.
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