 For much of my professional life as a nurseryman being a member of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) as well as attending the annual meetings became very important to me. It is the one organization in the United States where nurserymen from all walks of life come together to seek and share information. As a new member in the early 1980’s I would sit and listen to all of the speakers and other professionals as they gave freely their ideas, suggestions and opinions. Bruce Briggs, Sid Waxman and Ralph Shugert to name just a few were always there and always willing to answer any questions. Where else could you possibly go and have that much experience to draw from.
It is why this society has always been special to me. And always will be. The IPPS recognizes these individuals who have given so much back. It is called the IPPS Eastern Region Award of Merit. When you look at who has received this award it is the who’s who of Nurserymen and Propagators who stand out as individuals that nearly anyone who has been in this business long enough will recognize as outstanding individuals. Through the years I have been asked to serve on various committees and even was a site chairman when the IPPS annual meeting was held in Hartford. After all, with everything this society has given to me it was the least I could do to give something back. Over the years you don’t realize that in time the people whom you’ve respected so much have gradually come and gone and a new generation of nurserymen emerge to pass the torch. Than one day you realize that you are no longer looking up to these individuals but there are many individuals who are now looking up to you. This is how I felt when this past October during the annual IPPS meeting in Cleveland Ohio this society saw fit to present yours truly with the Award of Merit. It was a truly humbling experience as this presentation took me completely off guard. Not known as a man who speaks eloquently when put into a position to have to be spontaneous, trying to find the right words to describe my feelings and to thank all who was there were difficult at best. Yet, now I can tell all of you what an honor this was to have been chosen to receive this award. In some sense it is the culmination of my life’s work in the field of horticulture. I am grateful that there were my compatriots from Prides Corner who were there to see this happen for me. Thanks J.C., Sebby and Larry who along with Mark Sellew apparently knew that this was going to happen but never let on. Receiving this award was very special. Having all of you there to be a part of this honor made it even more special. There are few words to describe how I felt that day but grateful to be able to share it with all of you.
Mike Emmons
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