Jun 30, 2021

Join in on the Celebration By Tim Hodson

This year, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of GPN’s Forty Under 40 program where we recognize the horticulture industry’s rising superstars.

On July 7, GPN will spotlight the Class of 2021 in a virtual ceremony and I’d like to invite you to join in on the celebration.

GPN’s Forty Under 40 Live! reception will be an interactive webcast that will highlight all 40 members of this year’s class during a one-hour online ceremony.

The Class of 2021 as well as the previous nine classes have been, are and will continue to drive our industry forward for many years to come and this is your chance to learn a little more about them.

We introduced this year’s class of up-and-comers in the May issue of GPN — if you’d like to reacquaint yourself with them, check out our Forty Under 40 page on www.gpnmag.com.

As I mentioned, GPN’s Forty Under 40 Live! reception will take place July 7, at 5 p.m. EDT. Anyone can attend the virtual presentation, but you must register to participate.

Click here for more information or to register to participate.

I hope to “see” you next Wednesday as we celebrate the industry’s bright future.

— Tim

Walmart Creates Website to Help Veterans and Military Families

On June 29, Walmart launched a website to help veterans and military spouses “Find-a-Future” and achieve their education and career goals. Walmart associates and non-associates can register for free on the platform, use tools to audit their current skills and experience and connect to the right partners to help future seekers build a roadmap across three paths, including: Finding an employment opportunity at Walmart; gaining the education veterans need to help achieve future goals; and growing veteran businesses and bringing their product or service to market as an entrepreneur. Visit “Find-a-Future” to learn more.

Home Depot Helps Fight Veteran Homelessness

The Home Depot Foundation has invested an additional $6.4 million to combat veteran homelessness and support veteran housing initiatives. Since 2011, the Foundation has contributed more than $100 million to organizations supporting veterans facing homelessness as part of its commitment to invest $500 million in veteran causes by 2025. These recent grants will impact nearly 4,000 veterans at risk of homelessness and provide more than 600 units of housing. “Supporting veteran causes is core to our mission at The Home Depot Foundation,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director, The Home Depot Foundation. “We’re focused on supporting and working with partners nationwide to bring an end to veteran homelessness.”

Blain’s Farm & Fleet to Add Stores in Wisconsin

Blain’s Farm & Fleet plans to expand in Wisconsin with the addition of new stores in Grafton and Rhinelander. With these new stores, Blain’s will now have 45 locations in Wisconsin. With a projected completion set for fall of 2022, the new locations will be at the corner of East Timber Lane and Hwy 17 in Rhinelander and in the former Shopko building on Wisconsin Avenue in Grafton. “We are very selective about the locations where we choose to grow because we are in it for the long haul,” said Jane Blain Gilbertson, Blain’s Farm & Fleet president, owner/CEO “These are two communities where we have wanted to be a part of for a long time because the quality of products we serve complements the quality of life these communities represent.”