The Armsby Honor Society honors alumni and friends who have demonstrated a profound commitment to the College of Agricultural Sciences through their service, scholarship, teaching, and philanthropy. In addition to Dan, PLNA members Calvin Ernst and PLNA’s government relations consultant Gregg Robertson are members of the Society.

Dan is president and co-founder of Eichenlaub, Inc., a full-service, design-build landscape construction and maintenance firm that has provided award winning service to residences and businesses for 40 years. It’s a business he founded alongside his brothers, which allowed them to fund their college educations.

In the presentation of the award, Wayne Martenas, a past present of the College’s Ag Council, said the following:

Dan is the exemplar of an entrepreneur. In addition to Eichenlaub, Inc., Dan co-founded and is currently Vice President of AgRecyle, a composting company creating an environmentally friendly market for past waste products. He was also a founding principal for LandOpt, which provides managed business processes to landscape contracting companies. He leveraged this experience and served as a volunteer consultant to the College of Ag Sciences to modernize the Penn State Extension business infrastructure and expand digital educational delivery.

Dan is an advocate for the college and the land-grant university system and has spoken before Congress and state legislators. He co-leads the college’s Volunteer Development Council, and he and his wife, Barbara, have established the Dan Stearns Landscape Contracting Program Endowment, the Eichenlaub Inc. Landscape Management Apprenticeship Program, and the Barbara U. and Daniel J. Eichenlaub Trustee Scholarship.

His enthusiasm for education and entrepreneurship also led to an invitation for him to join the college’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Advisory Board. He regularly mentors undergraduate students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Minor and other programs, and serves as a judge in the annual Ag Springboard Competition.

Most recently, Dan has been active with the college’s efforts against the invasive spotted lanternfly, and truly understands the role companies like his play in raising awareness, mitigating the impact, and controlling the spread of the pest.

In addition to his service to Penn State, Dan has served on the board of PLNA and the PLNA Foundation, having taken on leadership roles in both organizations. Dan is currently the chair of the PLNA Foundation and chairs PLNA’s Government Relations Committee. In 2017, Dan received the PLNA Hall of Fame award for his service to PLNA and the industry.

PLNA Board Chair Katie Dubow talked with Art and Design by Eva Monheim for her podcast, Plant a Trillion Trees. That's something we can all get behind, isn't it?

Katie and Eva talked about the history, mission, and value of PLNA and the importance of belonging to state associations, as well as hot topics such as succession planning, tree shortages, and how associations can help with all three, and more. Tune in and let us know what you think!

Listen to Episode 60 of Plant a Trillion Trees Podcast

While this is an incredible honor, it is even more impressive when you see the yard. Kevin is a “zone pusher,” someone who grows species of plants that are native to, or do not thrive, in the climate in which they are planted. Kevin’s yard is a tropical paradise. And it’s in New Kensington! From palms that grow up to 16’ to crepe myrtle, camellia shrubs, Tasmanian tree ferns, southern magnolias, and Japanese needle palms to a Lily of the Nile, his yard is a lush respite.

Creating this masterpiece is a labor of love, but it’s not work when it’s one’s passion. There is feeding and occasional watering during the summer, more watering and organizing and inventorying the plants in fall, preparing them for winter (which for the palms, means wrapping them in heat tape and building a box around them that gets filled with straw for insulation against the cold weather), and getting everything going again in the spring. To keep things festive, Kevin wraps some of the tree boxes to look like presents at Christmas.

Kevin and his husband, architectural designer Layne Bennett, have lived in the house for nine years. What was once a 1912 American foursquare that blended in with other homes in the area, their home now pops out due to its foliage and color. With Kevin’s redoing of the landscape and Layne’s rehab of the exterior and interior, it is now a showpiece that attracts people who drive by just to look. While Kevin is from Colorado and Layne from Utah, their years in Florida made them love the plant varieties available.

According to Kevin, “I don’t like to do anything ordinary. Living in Florida, I developed an affinity for palms. Just because a book says something like palms are for warm-weather areas, it doesn’t mean it’s true. I decided to turn my passion for plants into a living project.”

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-plans/americas-best-front-yard-winner/

For more information, contact Ryan Johnson (RJohnson@eichenlaub.com) or Kevin Prall (KPrall@eichenlaub.com). Both may be reached at 412-767-4769.

Dave Bramson is the newly appointed Director for the Horticulture Technology Program at Bidwell Training Center, located in the Manchester area of Pittsburgh, PA.  Dave comes to Bidwell from Plumline Nursery in Murrysville, PA where he most recently spent the last 8 years nurturing his love of plants and working his way up from garden center sales, through the ranks, to Director of Marketing prior to his departure.  During his tenure in the garden center, Dave also created an adult lecture series on topics such as landscaping basics, plant selection and pest management which he delivered through local municipal parks and recreation programs, as well as a few garden clubs.

Preceding his return to Plumline, having started there as a summer landscaper while acquiring his B.S. in Management at the University of Pittsburgh, he spent the remainder of his post-graduate years working in management rolls within various industries, from big-box retail home improvement stores to retail and corporate banking.  Along with his undergraduate degree, Dave also holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and a few professional certifications, including as att PA Commercial Pesticide Applicator.

Dave and his wife, Kristen, live in an Eastern suburb of Pittsburgh with their children, Emily (13) and Lucas (10).  In addition to his affinity for ornamental plants, Dave enjoys spending time with his family at their campsite in the Laurel Highlands, swimming, hiking and visiting local state parks.  He also likes to go golfing whenever he finds the time. 

Bidwell Training Center offers Culinary Arts, Horticulture Technology, Medical Assistant, Medical Coder/Biller, Chemical Laboratory Technician, and Pharmacy Technician career training programs at no cost to qualifying students. Several of these majors include externships with area companies enabling students to gain practical on-the-job experience plus valuable professional contacts and references. BTC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges

The exhibit, which was competing in the education category, featured a wall with two halves, the first, with a junkyard appearance representing contaminated soil, and the other, representing a beautiful garden that had been cleansed.

Chuck Feld, horticulture instructor, who was participating in his 51st Philadelphia Flower Show, said “We knew we had a put together a great exhibit, but we were surprised to receive four outstanding awards. All of the awards are prestigious, especially the Chicago Award, and except for the Gold Medal, are from competition with the entire show. This says a lot.”

Feld said the exhibit was successful because it is not a typical design and it informed the public of a fairly new science, phytoremediation. “We did not put out an exhibit that is the same old, same old. We came up with a new idea and we combined a junkyard with a nice garden. The judges liked it a lot. Our seniors worked very hard on this exhibit and they came together assembling it.

“A big endorsement of our exhibit came from a professor from the University of Oxford in England who is studying phytoremediation. He said we nailed it.”

The horticulture seniors who put the exhibit together began planning it last March and worked on it throughout the year. They received help from Williamson’s painters, under the direction of Lori Thoman, decorative trades instructor, carpenters, and machinists.

Unplug and Play! Use your outside voice!  Climb higher!  Explore farther!  Build better!  Outdoor play is influential during childhood development; creating neurological connections in the brain, enhancing social skills, and strengthening the physical body.  Connecting with nature establishes an understanding of how critically dependent we are on plants for food, water, air, and shelter.  Unprogrammed play in nature has the power to enhance creativity, provide learning opportunities, and increase confidence.  Unplug from the world wide web and connect with the great wide world!

The professional landscape industry, a $93 billion market, continues to experience steady growth. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the industry to grow 11 percent between 2016 and 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, offering abundant and ample career opportunities and advancement.

For more information on the NALP Landscape Management Technician Apprenticeship program visit: https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org/apprenticeship

These two progressive nurseries have committed to continually and proactively address plant health issues before they arise and embrace the teamwork needed to grow quality nursery stock and have earned the Systems Approach to Nursery Certification (SANC). With their SANC certification, these growers will now be able to include the SANC logo with their plant shipments. The logo evidences their meeting stringent growing, training, self-inspection and audit requirements to make their businesses stronger and more resilient against plant pests and diseases, changes in regulations, quarantines and the threat of stop-sales or recalls.

SANC is an initiative under the guidance of the National Plant Board, AmericanHort, other industry members and the USDA.

“A unique partnership involving plant regulators and the horticulture industry, SANC is poised to benefit plant growers, retailers, installers, consumers, and the environment,” said Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort senior vice president. “We and our Horticultural Research Institute foundation are deeply committed to the effort as the pilot continues.”

Dana Rhodes, SANC Program Chair – National Plant Board and PDA State Plant Regulatory Official, added, “It is exciting to see nurseries, greenhouses and states partnering in SANC. I believe this program allows states and green industry members to strengthen their relationships and provide healthy plants throughout the U.S.”

For more information on SANC visit https://sanc.nationalplantboard.org/.

50 Year Members

Bucks Country Gardens, Doylestown

Hively Landscapes, Dover

 PCH Emeritus Class (40 years)

 Donald G. Becker, Stony Bridge Landscaping

Richard P. Wojcik, Wojcik Landscaping, Inc.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Will customers of lawn-mowing services accept robotic, autonomous lawnmowers cutting the lawns at their homes with no human operator nearby? Eichenlaub Inc., an upscale landscape firm in Pittsburgh, is counting on agribusiness management students in Penn State's 

Click here for more ....

Click here for more ....

Metzler Forest Products Unveils New Brand Identity To Reflect Business Growth

Company Adds New Timber Transport Division

(REEDSVILLE, PA) August 29, 2018 - Metzler Forest Products, a timber harvesting, land clearing and landscape supply company based in Reedsville, Pennsylvania, recently introduced a new brand identity and positioning for the 32-year-old company.

“We’re excited about the change,” said Alan Metzler, president, Metzler Forest Products. “Over the past three decades, we’ve grown and diversified our service offering substantially. The new positioning reflects the evolution of our company and encompasses the breadth of our business and dedication to growth and innovation.”

As a complement to its core services of timber harvesting, land clearing, bulk mulch products and landscape supply, the company is launching Metzler Timber Transport to further address the forest products transportation needs of its customers.

“With the addition of the timber transport division, we recognized that the company’s brand identity needed to better communicate our business,” said Metzler. “With the new brand identity, our team can build on a strong foundation as Metzler Forest Products continues to grow and expand.”

In addition to the logo, the company also introduced a new brand positioning statement – Your Project. Our Reputation.

“This truly reflects who we are and how we operate as a company,” said Nathan Metzler, general manager, Metzler Forest Products. “Since 1986, we’ve built our reputation one quality job at a time and this positioning captures that focus. It’s a promise to our customers and a mindset for our employees.”

The brand identity will be incorporated into letterhead, business cards, collateral materials, the company’s fleet of trucks and equipment, as well as on-site signage and employee gear and uniforms. A new website will be launched later this year.

The new branding was developed in partnership with Loaded Creative of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. “From our very first meeting, the Metzler team recognized the value of what a strategic and comprehensive identity can mean for the future of this growing company,” said Mark Dello Stritto, President and Creative Director, Loaded Creative.

Company Information:

Metzler Forest Products is a privately-owned, sustainable timber harvesting, land clearing, bulk mulch products and landscape supply company in Reedsville, Pennsylvania, working with forest products, consumers and heavy construction, land development, energy and environmental businesses on projects throughout the central Pennsylvania region. The company employs more than 70 people.

Metzler Forest Products is a member of the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association.

Contact Information:

Contact: Nathan Metzler

Phone: 717-667-2924

Email: nathanm@mfp.bz

Metzler Forest Products, LLC

26 Timber Lane

Reedsville, PA 17084

Learn more at http://www.mfp.bz

Herbert "Bert" Gumpf - 1928-2018

Herbert George Gumpf (“Bert”), 89, of Chippewa Township in Beaver County, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. Bert was a prominent businessman owning and operating Gumpf Gardens’ Landscape Company and, with his wife, Gumpf’s Garden Center. Bert served on the PLNA Board of Directors for over 10 years and proudly served as President in 1988. Bert's dedication to the industry was awarded in 1995 when he was named Nurseryman of the Year and later received the honor of Lifetime Membership.

Katie Dubow of Garden Media Group -  Katie joined the PLNA Board of Directors in January 2018 and we are looking forward to her insights in moving the association forward.

Amy Hoeschal of North Creek Nurseries  - Amy serves on the PLNA Careers in Horticulture Task Force helping us mold a program to attract students to the green industry.

Maddie Maynor of North Creek Nurseries – Maddie was awarded the PLNA Green Achiever Award at the 2018 Green Industry Forum.  See the write-up on Maddie in the Green Industry Forum Wrap-Up.

Kyle McKean of Star Roses and Plants – Kyle is the Director of Marketing at Star Roses and Plants keeping one of our founding member companies (Conard-Pyle) in the limelight with their popular brands.

Visit digital.gpnmag.com for the full list of honorees.

Alden Zove of Cedar Run Landscapes and Sharee Solow of Solow Horticultural Designs are both long-time members of PLNA and Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturists.  We applaud them for their commitment to the green industry and their achievements being recognized by a popular gardening magazine in southeast PA and beyond.

Click on the photos below for the entire articles

Joanne Kostecky Petito - 1946 - 2017

Joanne Kostecky Petito, 71, of Bethlehem, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2017. She started her business, Joanne Kostecky Garden Design in 1983, where she was the creative force for over 30 years of award-winning landscapes. Her company joined PLNA in 1987 and she supported the association in a multitude of positions. Joanne was honored with Life Membership earlier this year.

A Celebration of Joanne's Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in Bethlehem.

Our condolences to Joanne's family and friends. She will be missed by the PLNA community and entire industry.

Click here for the full obituary.

Uhland is the first member of the green industry to chair the DEP Ag Advisory Committee. In the past, the chairmanship has rotated among more traditional agricultural organizations, such as the Farm Bureau and Penn Ag Industries.

Uhland has been a member of the Advisory Board for four years. He succeeded Bill D. Wells, Jr. as the ornamental horticulture representative on the panel.

Send your congratulations to Christopher by clicking here.

Riverview Nursery and Garden Center was identified as a Shop that POPs! by Pamela Danziger in the November/December issue of Lawn & Garden Retailer. The new ideas, innovative concepts and strategies they have implemented have helped their business grow and make it thrive. Click here to read the full article and learn what you can do to make your garden center a Shop that POPS!

Leslie Allebach, vice-president of The Greenskeeper, shared her insight in Lawn and Landscape’s October issue on Back Office Blues; providing a few simple steps you can take to organize your administrative world. Having an organized office can save you money by diminishing the frustration that comes with disorganization. Check out Leslie's article and get organized.

Have a newsworthy item you would like to share with your fellow members?  We will gladly share submissions in PLNA e-News and in The PLNA Quarterly.  We do our best to follow all the industry news outlets to find articles on our members accomplishments, but the best resource is YOU! 

Contact Cathy or Tina at PLNA to share your success or a fellow member's success.

In addition to his partnership at the Wyndmoor firm, Mr. Burke ran Nightfall Landscape Lighting and was a partner at the Pennsylvania Turf Company.

Burke Brothers have been members of PLNA since 2012. He and his company have been major exhibitors at the Philadelphia Flower Show for nearly 20 years and have twice won Best in Show. Over the years, Burke Brothers has also won almost every award that the show presents.

Mr. Burke grew up in Glenside and was the youngest of five children. He began Burke Brothers with his brother Kevin shortly after graduating from Cheltenham High School in 1986. His love for horticulture propelled the business from its beginnings in general maintenance to the design and installation of some of the most creative projects in the Philadelphia area.

“Sean was great at working on things with his hands,” said his brother Kevin. He was a natural mechanic at heart,” Mr. Burke’s hobbies included restoring muscle cars and building hot rods. He also enjoyed his vacation home in Delray, Fla., and the group of friends there that he referred to as his “Delray Family.”

In addition to his brother Kevin, Mr. Burke is survived by sisters, Dawn Burke Sena and April Burke; and his parents, Robert and Sandra Burke. A brother Robert died in 1983.

A funeral Mass was held Jan. 30 at St. Luke’s Church in Glenside. Memorial donations in memory of Sean Burke may be made to Sara’s Smiles Foundation at 1349 Lindsay Lane, Meadowbrook, PA 19046.

Our condolences go out to Sean's family, staff and friends.  

Salvatore Antonucci 1926 - 2016 

Salvatore F. Antonucci, 89, of North Wales, PA, formerly of Ambler, PA died on May 18, 2016 at Abington Hospice at Warminster. He was the beloved husband of Mary (DeMario) Antonucci. Salvatore was born in Abington, PA on October 26, 1926 to the late Frank and Marion (Pellegrino) Antonucci. He was a stone mason for many years, and founder of Sal's Nursery in North Wales in 1956.

Our condolences to Sal's family, friends and staff.

Click here for the entire obituary.

Working with plants in the outdoors was Clyde's delight. He was the owner of Root's Nurseries, Inc. Manheim, until his partial retirement. He represented the 3rd generation in the business which was founded in 1895 by his Grandfather, a charter member of PLNA. In 1992 he turned that responsibility over to his sons, Dave and Dwight. He never worked anywhere else, spending his entire career at Roots Nurseries, Inc.