NCNLA Award Winners!

Member Awards

A huge congratulations to all of our award-winning members! Members received awards at the annual NCNLA annual meeting held at Green & Growin'. Learn more and see past winners HERE.

Grower of the Year

Gary Whitehurst

Worthington Farms

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.

Libby Wilder Award

Danielle Stephenson

Stephenson's Nursery

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.

D.S. Copeland Award

Doug Wright

Pender Nursery, Inc.

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.