The NCNLA Board of Directors recognizes top individuals and businesses throughout North Carolina's green industry with annual industry awards. Each year we honor and celebrate their contributions to the industry during our education conference and trade show, Green & Growin'.

Nominations for 2024 are open now. Click below to fill out the online form. Submissions are due by November 1, 2024. Recipients will be announced at Green & Growin' 25.

 Congratulations to the following 2023 NCNLA Industry Award Recipients!

For a listing of past winners, click HERE.

Jerry Ragland Young Landscape Professional Award
Established in 1999, the Jerry Ragland Young Landscape Professional Award recognizes an outstanding young person in the landscape business.
2023 Winner: Joseph Reynolds, Marble Botanics


Oakland Award
Established in 1978 by Oakland Plantation, the Oakland Award is given to individuals for outstanding service to the nursery and/or landscape industry.
2023 Winner: Warren McCrimmon, McCrimmon Landscaping & Grading Inc.


Kim Powell Outstanding Contribution to the Horticulture Industry
Established in 2004, the Kim Powell Award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution to the Association and industry, and specifically involvement in program development and execution.

2023 Winner: Jason Davis, University of Mount Olive


Bill Wilder Outstanding Young Nursery Professional Award
Established in 1994, and named for the long-time Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, the Bill Wilder Award recognizes qualified young men and women for outstanding service in the field of environmental horticulture and offers inspiration for others starting out in the field. Candidates must have a very strong industry leadership record.
2023 Recipient: Caleb Gragg, North 40 Nursery


Libby Wilder Award
Established in 1999, and named for long-time organizer extraordinaire for the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, the Libby Wilder Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the nursery industry by a female.
2023 Recipient: Judy Mitchell, Mitchell's Nursery & Greenhouse 

 

D.S. Copeland Award
Established in 1972, and named for the founder of Apex Nurseries, the D.S. Copeland Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the nursery industry by a candidate working directly in the nursery industry – educators and allied industry members are not eligible.
2023 Recipient: Vaughn Willoughby, Pritchett Farms Nurseries

Grower of the Year
Established in 1994, NCNLA’s Grower of the Year is an individual exhibiting a high level of professionalism in the management or ownership of a field or container nursery in North Carolina — or other states where that operation may be located. In addition, he or she exhibits leadership in the nursery industry through participation in local, regional, state and national organizations.
2023: Recipient: Brent Langston, Jericho Farms


Lifetime Honorary Member
The award recognizes lifetime contribution or achievement in the nursery and landscape industry. 

For 2023, the NCNLA Board of Directors bestowed the title of NCNLA Honorary Member to two individuals tragically lost their lives far too soon.

2023 Recipients:

Josh Sorrells, Cold Mountain Nursery	Josh Sorrells's Family

Steve McAllister, McAllister Greenhouses	Steve McAllister's Family