Faith American Brewing Company, LLC founder Kelsey Grammer was graciously hosted by the NJLCA. Mr. Grammer, who was the star of the show, greeted hundreds of his Faith American enthusiasts and shared samples of his company’s Faith American Ale, courtesy of the NJLCA, on the trade show floor. The tasting was held in the combined Bobcat of North Jersey and Storr Tractor Company show booths.
Kelsey Grammer and his Faith American Brewing Company received an Honorary Membership to the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA), during the show.
The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association is managed by a volunteer board made up of an Executive Board, Board of Directors and an Advisory Board, which is comprised of horticulturists, landscape contractors, educators and vendors.
The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, the largest association of its kind in the Garden State, represents the entire Green Industry in New Jersey, including landscape contractors, landscape architects, sod growers, nurseries, greenhouse growers, garden centers, horticulturists, floriculturists and the industries that supply them.
Attendees included business owners, employees, high school students, trade school students and members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). They networked with peers and discussed the state of the industry. All were provided the opportunity to see the latest in landscape and land equipment, the newest plant material available, emerging technologies in the industry and much more.
The New Jersey State Police were on hand to educate attendees on commercial motor carrier regulations, while New Jersey One Call discussed the importance of “Call Before You Dig.” Rutgers’ Office of Continuing Professional Education and Bergen Community college each had booths featuring their year-round educational opportunities.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service disseminated information about their surveys. OSHA was also on hand to educate attendees on the safety requirement concerning the industry. Some of the trade show exhibitors included Cambridge Paving Stones, Condurso’s Garden Center, Hionis Greenhouses and Garden Center, and New Jersey Deer Control.
New Jersey State Senator Christopher “Kip” Batman and New Jersey Assemblyman Kevin Rooney were also on-hand to answer legislative questions that show attendees had concerning the Green Industry.
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher and the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture members toured the show to see the different facets of the horticulture, landscape, greenhouse, nursery and sod industries that were represented.
The nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod industry continues to be New Jersey’s leading agricultural sector, with sales at almost $500 million. New Jersey ranks fifth in the nation in nursery stock sales.
Following their tour, the State Board held their monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. This is the first time in the history of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture that the Board assembled at a show like this. The New Jersey State Board of Agriculture is charged with setting policies which direct the Secretary and the Department of Agriculture in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.
