NMNLA President's Message – April 2025

By Kristin Trojanowski

Flaska Landscaping

Hello Green Team!

As the first signs of spring try hard to emerge here in Northern Michigan, and our busiest season kicks into full gear, I am excited to introduce myself as this year’s NMNLA President. I step into this role, eager to collaborate with each of you as we enter another promising season in the Green Industry. The work that we do shapes communities, enhances environments, and brings beauty and functionality to outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, your contributions make a lasting impact on our industry and the environments we cultivate.

The Board Members of the NMNLA are working hard and are committed to providing valuable resources, networking opportunities, and educational programs to help you stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry. This year, we have a fantastic lineup of events, workshops, and initiatives designed to strengthen our professional community and help you thrive. Here are just a few of the opportunities we’ve put together so far…

In case you missed it, this winter we organized events discussing Lean Manufacturing methods (Jan.), Retaining Wall Construction (Feb.), and we had another presentation from Sean Baxter (a Jeffrey Scott consultant) (Mar.) to expand our knowledge of Benchmarking and dialing in our numbers.

Looking ahead, we start this month's events with our Spring Training (April) on Planting Techniques with Brian Zimmerman — a hands-on workshop designed to sharpen your team’s skills and ensure success in the field. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this session is a great way to stay ahead of best practices and learn from experts.

Of course, no summer season would be complete without a Golf Outing! (Aug.) Last year's (1st Annual) event was so successful we decided to do it again - giving members a chance to step away from the day-to-day grind, connect with industry peers, and enjoy a little friendly competition on the course, while raising money for scholarship funds. We hope to see many of you there!

And looking ahead, we’re thrilled yet again to announce the Great Lakes Great Plants Symposium (Sept.) at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, where industry experts will share insights on top-performing plant selections, regional trends, and sustainable landscaping strategies. This is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about plants and forward-thinking gardening.

As we dig into another busy season, I encourage all of you to take full advantage of these opportunities to learn, connect, and grow - embrace new opportunities, refine your skills, and support one another in navigating both challenges and successes.

Our industry is built on strong relationships and shared knowledge, and together we can make this season one of our best yet. I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months and working together to elevate our profession.

Wishing you all a productive and prosperous season ahead!

Kristin Trojanowski, Flaska Landscaping

President, NMNLA