Mentor Moment

Dec 1, 2020
The training train
Sandy Roberton, retired from operating Earthcraft Landscape in Bedford, N.S., has spent his career pushing for educational and certification opportunities in the profession he loves, landscape horticulture.

Oct 3, 2020
Passion for plants
Peggy Walsh Craig is well known in the industry — especially within the nursery sector for her many contributions to the ornamental sector as the Managing Director of the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation (COPF), a position she held for 21 years from 1990 to her retirement in 2011.

Sep 1, 2020
Okay to get dirty
Rita Horan, Woodstock, Ont.’s, parks and forestry supervisor, directs boundless energy toward getting kids and families active outdoors.

Aug 1, 2020
This is a great business
Kelvin Vanderveen, owner of Vanderveen’s Greenhouses in Carman, Man., is known for his humility, integrity and his devout beliefs.

Apr 1, 2020
Partnership of respect
Youbin Zheng is a professor at the University of Guelph School of Environmental Sciences, and a researcher for the nursery sector.

Mar 2, 2020
Aspiring mentor
Fred Post would like to share his knowledge and help out newcomers to the landscape industry.

Feb 5, 2020
Blessed with fun
Steve Snider is the proud recipient of this year's Don Salivan Grounds Management Award.

Dec 3, 2019
Talent magnet
Jeff Foley, of Para Space Landscaping is being noticed for his success with recruitment and retention.

Nov 1, 2019
Give me a shovel
I see plants as the solution to heat and air problems, and they tie in with my economic responsibility to make the world better.

Oct 1, 2019
The value of being different
John Schroeder was also known as an innovator and someone who embraced cutting edge technology.

Sep 1, 2019
Doing it his way
Drew regards each property as his own and ensures that everything is in good order.

Apr 1, 2019
Gerry Brouwer: "It's all about people"
I always enjoyed helping people accomplish something. Business is all about people.

Mar 1, 2019
An advocate for growers
Rita Weerdenburg has spent her career promoting the green profession.

Feb 1, 2019
Making the stars align
Anthony O’Neill’s passion for horticulture came from his father, Joe, who was an avid gardener and small business operator in Spaniard’s Bay, Nfld. In the 1990’s.

Jan 1, 2019
Building on passion
Michael Pascoe is dedicated to nurturing budding talent at Fanshawe College in London, Ont.

Nov 1, 2018
Catalyst for trust
Jacki Hart administers Landscape Ontario's Peer to Peer Network and coaches landscaping pros and other clients.

Oct 1, 2018
The power of questions
Gerry Aubin is a fourth-generation nurseryman supplying wholesale trees, shrubs, fruit plants and perennials to retailers and landscapers in cold climates.

Jun 14, 2018
Supporting one another
Rogers calls himself the type of leader that gently guides the ship from the bow, rather than manning the rudder, and every other detail, from the stern.

Apr 1, 2018
A mentor remembered
Paul Olsen of Brookdale Treeland Nurseries in Schomberg, Ont., passed away suddenly in March. This column interviews his associates across Canada; everyone contacted
appreciated Paul’s leadership, and had a story to tell.

Mar 1, 2018
Price for prosperity
Jim Mosher of Landscape Plus in Toronto, Ont., is an enthusiastic community supporter, involved in several charities, including the Fight to End Cancer.

Jan 8, 2018
Nature is always in style
Randy Tumber shares his ideas and expertise in native habitat restoration; overall project and site planning; working with natural stone and creating natural-looking water features.

Oct 1, 2017
Let's educate the trade
A lot of new varieties and breeders who have developed new plants are going to the branding companies because of the exposure and the sales opportunities.

Sep 28, 2017
Business plan: More and better
High volume at reasonable prices was Wade's motto, and his savings were often passed on to his customers

Sep 28, 2017
Work, learn, grow and inspire
Be upfront during the sales process for services and commit only to what you can perform

Jun 1, 2017
Here because I love it
Bob Osborne of Corn Hill Nursery mentors anyone who comes within a 20-foot radius.

Mar 29, 2017
Environmental opportunity adds value
Christine Stenhouse LeVatte offers her views on environmental stewardship.

Nov 10, 2016
Community commitment
Bob Allen shares advice from over 40 years of experience working in the green profession.

Aug 1, 2016
Build a reputation
Bob Wilton, founder of Clintar Landscape Management in Markham, Ont., offers advice to young snow and ice operators.

Jun 1, 2016
Construction supports maintenance
Heike Stippler, president of Heike Designs in Whistler, B.C., is the mentor for the June 2016 issue of Landscape Trades. Heike Designs provides design, installation and maintenance services.

Apr 1, 2016
Trust your instincts, go all in
John Eckhardt of LawnPro Landscapes in Chilliwack, B.C. shares a lesson on controlling expenses to match your company's size.

Apr 1, 2016
Positive work culture empowers employees - Mentor moment August LT 2015
Kevin Nauss CLP of Price Landscaping Services in Moncton, N.B. gives Landscape Trades readers his take on mentorship. His leadership roles include a board position with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, advisory service with the Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal program and governance for the New Brunswick Landscape Horticulture Training Institute.