The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) has announced its 2026 Board of Trustees leadership and trustee appointments, including new board officers and recognition of two outgoing trustees for their years of service. The Board of Trustees provide strategic direction and oversight for the organization’s national efforts to advance horticultural research, strengthen the connection between research outcomes and industry use, and invest in the future of the green industry through education, scholarships and leadership development.

 

2026 Board Leadership Transitions

• Mark Yelanich, PhD (Metrolina Greenhouse) will serve as 2026 President

• Ed Tankard (Tankard Nurseries) will serve as President-Elect

• Jonathan Berry (J Berry Nursery) will assume the role of Immediate Past President

 

Ryan Overdevest (Overdevest Nurseries, LP) has joined the Executive Committee to serve with Treasurer Dan Batson (GreenForest Nursery, Inc.), Jim Eason (Eason Horticultural Resources), Development Committee Chair Harvey Cotten (Horticultural Consultant & Author), and John Rausch (Star Roses & Plants).

 

HRI also welcomes Matt Foertmeyer (Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse), who will begin a three-year term representing Region II. 

 

Shane Brockshus (Bailey Nurseries), Mike Hiller (KCK Farms), Matt Sawyer (Bennett’s Creek Nursery), Simon Traskey (Star Roses & Plants) and Lloyd Traven (Peace Tree Farm) have been appointed to second three-year terms. Jonathan Jasinski (Microplant Nurseries), Peter Mezitt (Weston Nurseries), Amy Morris (N.G. Heimos Greenhouses), Denise Mullins (Smith Gardens), Ben Rough (J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.), Bennett Saunders (Saunders Brothers), Steve Taber (Southwest Wholesale Nursery) and Maria Zampini (UpShoot LLC) all remain on the board in 2026. 

 

Recognition of Outgoing Trustees

HRI extends sincere appreciation to Leigh Geschwill (F & B Farms & Nursery) and Ed Bemis (Bemis Farms Nursery) as they conclude their service on the Board of Trustees effective January 2026. Ed has completed two six-year terms on the board and Leigh has completed multiple terms of service, including her leadership as HRI President.

 

“Leigh has been a remarkable leader for HRI and a steadfast champion for research that strengthens the horticulture industry,” said Jennifer Gray, HRI Administrator. “Her leadership helped reinforce a culture of stewardship and accountability, and her influence is reflected in HRI’s continued focus on connecting research investment to practical, actionable outcomes for growers and businesses. We are deeply grateful for her service.”

 

Jennifer also recognized outgoing trustee Ed Bemis for his dedicated service to HRI.

 

“During Ed’s service on the Board of Trustees, he brought thoughtful guidance and a steady industry perspective—especially elevating the needs and viewpoints of garden retailers,” she said. “His commitment to HRI’s mission and to ensuring our work stays grounded in real-world industry priorities has made a lasting difference.”

 

Jennifer added that HRI is equally grateful to Jonathan Berry for his leadership as 2025 President and his continued service as Immediate Past President in 2026, ensuring strong continuity within the organization’s Board of Trustees.

 

Since its inception in 1962, HRI has provided more than $12 million in funds to support research projects covering broad range of industry issues. HRI remains committed to supporting the horticultural industry’s ability to innovate, sustain essential functions and respond effectively to challenges with research that can be practically applied in nurseries, greenhouses, retail garden centers, landscapes and other green industry businesses.

 

For more information, you can visit HRI's website. 

Students, you have just a of couple days left to apply for the American Floral Endowment Scholarships. February 1 is the deadline to submit applications for the Altman Family Scholarship and the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship. 

 

These merit-based scholarships are prestigious awards presented to graduate students who've demonstrated exemplary skills and interest in floriculture and ornamental production. Even if you aren't in graduate school yet, but planning to attend graduate school, these opportunities are for you. 

 

 

The Altman Family Scholarship was established by Ken and Deena Altman to help inspire and enable students to pursue their dreams. This scholarship offers students $5,000 to assist with living expenses as they pursue careers in horticulture. 

 

The Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr. who made significant contributions to the floriculture industry. Paul believed strongly in research and education and this award helps ensure that students will be able to focus on their research and education. This award provides $5,000 for two consecutive years—a total of $10,000 for the winner. 

 

You can apply for these scholarships HERE. Make sure you finish the applications this weekend!

It's no secret that the green industry workforce is increasingly Spanish speaking. While education and support for Spanish speakers doesn't always grow at the same rate, that's a changing trend. Recent years have seen a rise in Spanish content and next month we get a free opportunity to learn about major horticultural topics—all in Spanish. The University of Connecticut is hosting a month-long webinar series to support our Spanish-speaking workforce. 

 

Every Friday in February, UConn will host a webinar in Spanish and these aren't just dubbed, but actual Spanish presentations. No English content here!

 

Topics include:

• Teaching Your Staff to Water

• Pest Monitoring

• Pest and Disease Management

• Health and Safety for Workers

 

Use this LINK to register, or should I say, utilice este ENLACE para registrarse.

This past week, we watched extreme weather take hold of the country. With thousands of canceled flights hitting the news, I started to think about my upcoming travels. I'm heading to Louisville, Kentucky, for the Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science annual conference where I get to experience a chilling low temperature of 2F!

 

What's even crazier is that back home in Gainesville, it's expected to get down to 23F. Funny enough, I’m heading to Denver, Colorado, after that for the Pro Green conference and it looks like there will be milder temperatures in the Rocky Mountains than the southeastern U.S.

 

Now these temperatures might not mean that much to everyone—especially those up north—but these extreme cold conditions in Florida should be eye-opening. There's a chance that we could even see freezing temperatures in south Florida, something that, according to my reading, hasn’t happened in more than 15 years. When it's that cold in Florida, I know that the rest of the country is bracing for weather. While the news talks about road conditions and people’s safety, and rightfully so, I tend to think about our industry. 

 

I’ll be the first to say I love the cold weather. Sitting by the fire in a nice warm jacket and nice drink to warm you up (maybe a hot coco, a nice bourbon or possibly even a hot toddy) is about as great of an evening as I can imagine. However, as a nursery extension specialist, these are the times that I get concerned. It's difficult to talk with growers facing major weather-related damage. Not because I don’t like to help, but because sometimes there just isn't anything that can be done.

 

This weather has also got me thinking back to last year about this same time when we had another major winter storm move across the country.  Does anyone remember the major snowfall that the Florida panhandle experienced last January? Well, this year we've already had more snow in Florida with the chance for even more. Seriously, there's a small, yet legitimate, chance of snow as far down as Tampa. 

 

A satellite image from January 22, 2025 showing snow across the Gulf South.

 

I'm no meteorologist, but it sure seems like the weather is getting more extreme—this is two years in a row with snow in Florida. Not only cold, but weather is becoming more extreme in both directions. Colder colds and hotter hots, as they say.

 

With crazy weather becoming more prevalent, I wonder how the nursery and landscape industry will fare. I'm cautiously optimistic to witness the industry adjust to fit these new weather patterns. I think growers down my way are starting to realize that we need to have more readily available cold weather management strategies, while growers in much of the rest of the country might have to explore more high temperature management strategies than previously expected.

 

With potential damage to landscapes, we may see a spike in demand for nursery plants. However, this weather has an equal potential to hurt nursery stock, as well. With possible rising demand and limited stock, prices could increase. Just something to consider as I ponder the impending cold.

 

I hope everyone stays warm, safe and secure this weekend and can enjoy a nice warm drink on a very cold night!