The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association has named its 2018 Industry Award winners in recognition of their selfless contributions to Florida’s environmental horticulture industry. The recipients will be honored at the FNGLA Convention June 15-16 at the Hyatt Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, FL.

According to a news release, the winners for 2018 are as follows:

Hall of Fame inductee —Buck Wurster, owner at B & L Landscaping Co. in Jacksonville, FL. Wurster has been serving the industry going back roughly four decades. He and his wife, Louise, are well regarded for their countless volunteer hours with FNGLA’s Northeast Chapter. Their stewardship over the years has helped the NEFNGLA’s annual Jacksonville Landscape Show achieve incredible successes. Wurster was one of the trade show’s founding members nearly 30 years ago. A past FNGLA president who served from 2003-2004, Wurster was a leading voice during his term to change the name of the association to include Landscape. He is also known as a pillar of common sense-commitment, loyalty, and can always be counted on for a kind word of support.

Wendell Butler Award —Billy Butterfield, manager at Ameriscapes in Orlando, FL.

A past FNGLA president, Butterfield has had a long and respected history of service to both the FNGLA and Florida’s horticulture industry. A very active volunteer in many of FNGLA’s programs including FNGLA’s Action Chapter, Butterfield has helped in a wide range of capacities, most recently with erecting training classes to help professionals train for an FNGLA certification. Butterfield has also earned a reputation for being a steady and trustworthy confidant and mentor, helping many industry newcomers obtain success within the industry.

Outstanding Educator —Hannah Carter, Ph.D, director at the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida-Gainesville. A long-time friend of Florida’s horticulture industry, Carter has been instrumental in helping FNGLA members and staff build their leadership skills. A passionate advocate of “learning by doing,” Carter brings agriculture professionals up close and personal to industry issues, at the same time, providing leadership development tools to people across the industry to help solve the challenges and take advantage of opportunities.

Outstanding Chapter Leader — Sandy Benton, president and chief executive officer at Landscape Service Professionals in Tamarac, FL. A tireless advocate of FNGLA’s Broward Chapter, Benton is known among her peers as an active volunteer leader. Benton, who has served two terms as the Chapter’s president, is also relied upon for her incredible resourcefulness — a talent which has been tested many times in the past during chapter events — in which she always emerges victorious to source whatever material is needed to get the job done.

Outstanding Volunteer — Lloyd Singleton, director at University of Florida/IFAS Lake County Extension in Tavares, FL. A familiar face around the industry, Singleton has lent his time and leadership skills to many FNGLA endeavors through the years including his service as chairman of FNGLA’s TPIE Committee and many years of help as a member of the Knowledge College Committee. Singleton has also tirelessly worked to both develop and advocate for FCHP certification education training at Coleman Correctional, a federal penitentiary based in Sumter County. The program — which has experienced overwhelmingly positive results since its inception several years ago -- trains inmates for success in earning FNGLA’s Certified Horticulture Professional designation.

Farm Credit/FNGLA Young Nursery Professional — Joe Shook, president at Joe’s Nursery in Eustis, FL. Known for his willingness to pitch in and help with both chapter events and virtually anything related to furthering the horticulture industry, Shook is an instrumental steward for FNGLA’s Action Chapter. His volunteer efforts with the chapter’s annual plant sale are instrumental to the event’s continued success. Shook is also known among his colleagues as being highly trustworthy and possessing outstanding business ethics.