Our History

 

No association is greater than the sum of its parts. Although this statement was not originally directed to Landscape Ontario or the horticulture industry, it bears a ring of truth for all organizations, which depend on the strength, ideas, and ingenuity of its volunteer membership. This ingenuity and dedication to an industry is no more apparent than in the individual history of the companies, which strive to keep the industry viable, competitive and unique in this ever-expanding global marketplace.

In the links listed below, you will hear how individuals, armed with knowledge and the realization that they could no longer provide properly for their family or their business, left their home country to start over in a yet uncharted Canadian horticulture industry. You will learn about companies which had to continually change and evolve as markets expanded and closed, due to marketplace demand and economic change. And, among these changes you will also experience their success and their joy in creating new varieties, equipment and techniques to perform faster, better and more efficiently.

It is this same membership on which Landscape Ontario relies for inspiration, dedication and expertise in every activity they undertake, whether it be to promote the industry to the consumer or to develop industry standards for growing, planting or bidding. No one needs a crystal ball to predict Landscape Ontario's place in the industry's future. A look at these impressive histories tells us that we have quite the journey ahead.

Some of our associations founding members:

• Parklane Nurseries: The van Maris Family
• Brookdale Treeland Nurseries: The Olsen Family
• Sheridan Nurseries: The Stensson Family
• Horst Dickert
• Don & Marjorie Hancock
• Jan Gelderman Landscaping Ltd
• Solty & Sons Ltd
• Burke McNeil
• Frans & Sybella Peters
• Bill Schrieber
• Marc Thiebaud
• Cor Vanderkruk
• James Wickware

History of our Awards of Excellence Program.

History of Congress trade show.
 

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