CNLA growers joined the National Awards of Excellence program in 2010 with the launch of its Grower of the Year Award.  This awards program, open to all growers across Canada, is modeled after the international grower of the year award announced one year earlier by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).  The winner of the national award is automatically entered into the international program, with the top five entrants receiving airfare and hotel expenses to travel to the awards ceremony.  The 2012 program was held in The Netherlands.

The Grower of the Year Award has been designed to encourage participation from companies of all sizes. CNLA follows the criteria as established by AIPH to ensure the winning Canadian nursery is eligible to participate in their international awards program.

Companies are judged on the following criteria:

            1. Economic Performance and Marketplace Position

            2. Innovation in Production and Growing Techniques

            3. Market Orientation and Company Image

            4. Environmental Standards

            5. Human Resource Policies

More detailed information on each of these criteria can be found in the Entry Form (2014 entry form coming soon!).

2013

Sheridan Nurseries Ltd. wins 2013 Grower of the Year

The 2013 Grower of the Year award went to Sheridan Nurseries Ltd., in Ontario for demonstrating sound economic performance, innovation in production and technique, strong market orientation and professional company image, high environmental standards, and sound human resource policy.

We are excited that Canada has won the coveted Golden Rose award from AIPH for the last two years!  First by Byland Nurseries of British Columbia in 2011, and then by Sheridan Nurseries of Ontario in 2012.  Congratulations to these two companies for representing our country so well on the international stage!  And good luck to Sheridan as they are compete in the 2013 AIPH International Grower of the Year competition.

Click here to read the press release from Sheridan Nurseries on winning two national awards in 2013.

2012

Sheridan Nurseries Ltd. is announced as the 2012 Grower of the Year

We have another winner!  Sheridan Nurseries Ltd. (Georgetown, ON) was announced as the winner of the 2012 RBC Grower of the Year Award at the CNLA’s National Awards gala held February 8, 2012 in Halifax, NS.  In making the presentation, Growers’ Canada chair Owen Vanstone noted that Sheridan Nurseries exemplified the many qualities that more and more are garnering international recognition for Canada’s wholesale nursery sector.  As well as the production of top quality nursery stock, Sheridan’s entry highlighted their commitment to all facets of sound business and production management.  Sheridan’s continues to be marketplace leaders in innovation and production techniques as well as environmental stewardship, all backed up with a strong human resource policy. 

Sheridan Nurseries will automatically be entered in the AIPH International Grower of the Year program.  Runners up will be invited to participate in an awards gala, held each year in a different country.   This year’s event will be held in The Netherlands, in conjunction with the ever-popular Floriade.  “We’re expecting to bring home one of the prestigious rose awards again this year,” predicted Owen.

Update: Sheridan has won the prestigious Golden Rose at the annual AIPH election of the International Grower of the Year! Continue reading...

See how they did it! 

Click here to view Sheridan Nurseries’ entry package

2011

Bylands Nurseries brings home the Gold Rose Award

Owen Vanstone, chair of Growers’ Canada, is pleased to announce the presentation of the prestigious Gold Rose award to Bylands Nurseries at the third annual International Grower of the Year Award. The announcement was made at the Annual Congress 
of the International Association of 
Horticultural Producers (AIPH), held 
September 27, 2011 in Xi’an, China.

A total of six nominees were received for this year’s program. As in Canada, these growers were winners of their national awards of excellence competition. The silver rose was awarded to Majestic Trees of the United Kingdom, and The Green Innovator of The Netherlands was the recipient of the bronze rose.

“It was a great honour to receive this award, especially as this is the first year for Canada’s participation,” said John Byland.  “I wish to acknowledge the foresight of Owen Vanstone in bringing this program to Canada, and the support of the CNLA in making the national Grower of the Year Award possible.”

“On behalf of all the members of CNLA, 
I extend sincere congratulations to Bylands Nurseries,” said CNLA president Bill 
Stensson. “This is great news for our 
industry and will help to support our efforts both in Ottawa and at the international level as well.”

This prestigious international competition 
is financially supported by AIPH and FloraCulture International (magazine).

Bylands Nurseries wins first ever RBC Grower of the Year Award

See how they did it! 

Click here to view Bylands Nurseries’ entry package

Thank-you to our sponsor!

Growers Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of their sponsor, RBC.