May 1, 2009

State Association Holds Elections, Presents AwardsSource: Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association

The Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association recently elected officers and directors at the group’s annual meeting and presented its service awards. CGGA represents more than165 commercial greenhouse operations in Connecticut, grossing an estimated $110 million annually in sales of potted green and flowering plants, cut flowers and vegetables. The greenhouse-nursery-floral segment is the biggest part of Connecticut agriculture.

Elected growers to its board of directors for two-year terms (ending January 2011):

• President: Joe Arisco, T&D Growers, Cheshire www.tanddgrowers.com
• Vice president: Diane Karabin, Karabin Farms, Southington www.karabinfarms.com
• Secretary: Sara Blersch, Daffodil Hill, Southbury www.daffodilhillgrowers.com
• Treasurer: Joe Vaiuso, Vaiuso Farms, Branford www.vaiusofarms.com

Board of directors:

• Phil Banning, Geremia Farms, Wallingford
• Tom Curtiss, GLB Enterprises, Bridgewater
• Dennis Fowler, Kurt Weiss Greenhouses, Cheshire www.kurtweiss.com
• Mike Wrobel, Winterberry Gardens, Southington www.winterberrygarden.com
• Luke Zapadka, Woodland Gardens, Manchester www.woodlandgardensct.com

CGGA presented its highest award award to Joseph Vaiuso of Vaiuso Farms in Branford.

A highly competent greenhouse grower who is always willing to share information with his colleagues, Vaiuso has served on CGGA’s board since inception in the early 1990s and is widely respected throughout the industry.

For more information on the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association, visit www.FlowersPlantsInCT.com.