Jun 24, 2009
GCA to Present Awards at Portland Summer Tour KickoffSource: GCA

Garden Centers of America, a nonprofit national association of independent garden centers, recently announced the winners of its two annual awards: Garden Center of the Year and Supplier of the Year.

The garden center award, selected by the GCA board of directors, recognizes a retailer that is devoted to the industry, exhibits strong community involvement, has a superior staff and provides excellent customer service. The supplier award, selected by garden center owners from across the United States, recognizes suppliers that have made significant and ongoing contributions to the industry. Hillerman Nursery and Florist in Washington, Mo., is the recipient of Garden Center of the Year, and Conrad Fafard, Inc., will receive the Supplier of the Year nod.

The awards will be presented at an official ceremony on Sunday, June 28, during the kickoff to the 2009 Summer Tour in Portland, Ore.

Garden Center of the Year: Hillermann Nursery and Florist

“Hillermann Nursery and Florist is the obvious recipient for the 2009 Garden Center of the Year award,” GCA President Jim Feeney said. “They embody the true spirit of this honor by exhibiting a devotion to both the organization and the industry that is unsurpassed. We could not be more pleased.”

The retailer has been involved with GCA since the early 1970s. Bernie Hillerman served several terms on the GCA board and was president of the association in 1996. His daughter Sandi Hillermann McDonald, current CEO of the company, also has served on the GCA board and was the organization’s first female president in 2006. McDonald currently chairs the Community Involvement Task Force and serves on several other GCA committees.

Supplier of the Year: Conrad Fafard, Inc.

Established in 1921, Fafard is committed to providing premium products and exceptional customer service. The company’s soils undergo extensive testing to ensure a consistent formulation and exceptional quality. Fafard is also committed to sustainable peat harvesting and bog restoration. An active member in good standing with the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association, Fafard has been recognized for its efforts in returning harvested bogs to wetlands to preserve an area’s ecological balance.

“Fafard…continually strives to support Garden Centers of America while remaining a leader in the horticulture industry,” Feeney said. “We appreciate all of their efforts on our behalf and are pleased to present them with this honor.”

For more information on GCA, visit www.gardencentersofamerica.org. And if you’re on the tour next week in Portland, be sure to say hello to Lawn & Garden Retailer Managing Editor Paige Worthy!