Certified Plant Professional Update

The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association would like to recognize the following professionals who recently renewed their Certified Plant Professional (CPP) certifications (as of April 26, 2023):

Hilarie Barber Blevins, Sandhills Community College

Thaddeus J. Cole, Highland Heritage Landscapes Inc.

Attention, All CPPs

There are currently 166 active North Carolina Certified Plant Professionals, each of whom is highlighted on our website at www.ncnla.com/ cpp. If you would like your email address added to your CPP listing so potential clients can reach you, please email education@ncnla. com, permitting NCNLA to share your contact information.

Upcoming CPP Exams

• June 30, 2023: Mills River, NC

• Oct. 6, 2023: Wilson, NC

• Jan. 15, 2024: Green & Growin’ 24 in Greensboro, NC

Christine Dzielak, Landmark WNC LLC

Edwin Henderson, Town of Rolesville

Mark A. Morgan Jr., The Morgan Landscape Group Inc.

CPP and Got to Be NC Partnership

In 2022, NCNLA teamed up with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) to co-brand a trailer that will travel across North Carolina as part of the North Carolina Food Distribution Division’s six food programs:

• Schools

• Emergency feeding assistance

• Commodity supplemental food

• Summer feeding

• Summer camps

• Disaster relief

Partnering with NCDA&CS and its Got to Be NC initiative is the beginning of the North Carolina CPP consumer awareness campaign. The primary goal of this campaign is to educate consumers that individuals within our state have proven they are green industry experts and are available for hire.

Be on the lookout for the Got to Be NC and CPP trailer the next time you are on the highway —it may be on its way to an NCNLA event or a food delivery near you!

For more information about the CPP program, to renew your CPP certification or to register for an upcoming exam, visit www.NCNLA.com or email education@ncnla.com.

Eugene “Gene” Russell Brogdon, 74, of Dawsonville, GA, passed away Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at his residence following an extended illness.

Born June 17, 1948, Gene had been a resident of Dawson County for 10 years, previously residing in Loganville, GA. He was of Christian faith and had been active in numerous Methodist churches over the years. Gene was raised in Lyons, GA, where, as a 1966 graduate of Lyons High School, he earned the “wittiest” superlative.

From 1967-1971, Gene served in the United States Navy during the war in Vietnam, where he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Korea.

A lifelong Georgia Bulldog fan, following his military service he attended the University of Georgia (UGA), where he earned a degree in agricultural journalism and was a “Damn Good DAWG.” He also attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA, and Brewton Parker College in Vidalia, GA.

Gene spent his 34-year career working with numerous horticulture-related companies, including Zarn, IEM, Lerio and Nursery Supplies. He also served on the board of directors for the Center for Applied Nursery Research at UGA and was president of sales and marketing for the Georgia Green Industry Association. A very talented and a handy builder, he helped his wife with many projects and built dog houses, his daughter’s lofted bed at college, and stages for high school plays. He also cared for the Loganville High School baseball fields from 1993-1997. Gene received many awards for his hard work and achievements, including the 2012 Nursery Supplies Lifetime Achievement

Award in recognition of outstanding performance, the 2013 Georgia Green Industry Association Staff Award of Excellence, and the 2015 Southern Nursery Association Pinnacle Award for outstanding service and advancement of the industry by an allied member.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Diane Brogdon of Dawsonville; his children, Melanie Brogdon Charles of Dahlonega, Russell Brogdon (Dagny) of Dawsonville and Stephanie Brogdon (Amanda) of Durham, NC; his grandchildren, Hannah, Rebekah, Grayson, Matthew, and Nathaniel; his sister, Linda Lewis (Keith); and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Sara Lou Brogdon, and his brother, Fred Brogdon.

Daniel Rodney Finch, 76, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Dan received his bachelor’s degree at East Carolina University and his master’s degree at Duke University. A master potter who trained at the Penland School of Crafts, Dan taught pottery classes for adults at Dan Finch Pottery. He was a past president and board member of the North Carolina Pottery Center and a 2010 inductee of the Twin County Hall of Fame for Nash and Edgecombe counties, and was appointed for two terms (1993-2005) on the North Carolina Board of Agriculture. In addition, Dan served as a member of the North Carolina State Fair Advisory Board and as president for the Village of Yesteryear from 1993-1998. He was also a past director and president of the North Carolina Nursery Association, as well as a recipient of the organization’s D.H. Copeland Award.

The owner of Finch Blueberry Nursery, Dan’s reach was known worldwide due to his work as a consultant for the government of Chile for the introduction, propagation and farming of the blueberry plant. He was also a consultant for private firms in Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and Spain in the 1980s.

As owner and president of Homes for Bluebirds, a nonprofit organization founded by his father, Jack Finch, Dan worked tirelessly to leave this world a better place for future generations. Homes for Bluebirds builds nesting boxes for the preservation of bluebirds and other cavity nesters.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Amy Farabow Finch; his son, Rodney Justin Finch, and daughter-in-law Kathryn of Bailey, NC; his granddaughter, Addyson Carraway Finch of Bailey; his grandson, Owen Thomas Finch of Bailey; his brother, Gerald E. Finch, and sisterin-law Dot of Mt. Airy, NC; his brother, Kelly W. Finch, and sister-in-law Debra of Ayden, NC; his sister, Jane Finch Shaner, and brother-in-law Mark of Lake Mary, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Rodney Finch and Ruby O’Dell White Finch, both of Bailey, NC.