Member Spotlight: Greenscape Tools and Cline Church Nursery

Fleetwood, NC

Amber Scott

Greenscape Tools since 2008, Cline Church Nursery since 1977

25-50, depending on the season

Green & Growin’ Trade Show, Nursery & Landscape Notes

My brother, Alex, and I grew up in the Christmas tree and nursery stock business. My parents began farming in the late ’70s, and we learned the industry and business from them. We both went to college but since have found our way back to our family farm. Greenscape Tools was founded much later, in 2008, when our great friend and industry legend Mitch Perkins brought the idea and opportunity to us. The tool business was a natural addition to our operations, as we already use many of the tools we sell. I started out in 2008 with a small booth at every NCNLA semiannual trade show, and today we have a small storefront in Fleetwood, a growing online presence and — my favorite — a 30-foot booth at Green & Growin’ every year!

The field work starts at daylight! Our office is open by 7:30 AM (and even earlier during our harvest and shipping seasons), and we open our Garden Center at 9 AM. It’s a lot of fun most days, with a lot going on. We have a fantastic team made up of extended family and friends who are like family to us.

Definitely the people I’ve met. This industry is made up of “salt of the earth” people. We value a lot of the same things, like family, faith, personal relationships and trust. I also love to learn new things, and Lord knows I have had a lot to learn! I learned so much from my mentor, Mitch; my parents; and friends in the industry, whom I have called on for advice many times.

People stop by our booth in Greensboro for the professional quality of the tools we offer — and I’d like to think for the friendly faces, too! We extend that mission of high quality to our wholesale and retail nursery and Christmas tree operation as well. In fact, many of the customers my parents began selling to almost 40 years ago are still customers today — a testament to the quality of products and services they began with, and that we continue to strive for today.

I feel many of the longterm issues we face, like labor challenges, regulatory demands and land availability/ affordability, will continue to strain our industry. I would currently label consumer education, though, as one of our greatest challenges. Even in this age, when information is more accessible than ever, there is still a major barrier to getting correct information to the consumer. So many misconceptions portray our industry as bad for the environment or not supportive of our native workforce, but both of those notions are far from the truth. I am an optimist, however, and one thing I love about this industry is our innovative and determined spirit. So we will keep on educating consumers, elected officials and each other to the best of our abilities.

NCNLA has given us the benefit of networking and forging many longterm relationships with growers and other allied businesses, as well as ongoing opportunities to meet new folks.

Work hard, be flexible and definitely get involved. Participate in your local trade organizations and get to know other growers and industry-supporting businesses, as well as your county and area extension agents and specialists. It’s always good to have someone to call for advice. Always look for ways to improve, because there will always be room for improvement!