NHPGA Featured Member

Ann Hilton
Executive Director NHPGA

Graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1983 with a degree in Plant Science, Ann Hilton is no stranger to NHPGA. Ann was an active NHPGA board member from 1995 to 2001 during which she worked on the wholesale and retail side of things at several garden centers around the state.

e-mail: executivedirector@nhpga.org

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1. Why Executive Director?
The horticultural industry in New Hampshire has been a great place for me to spend my working years. Through those years I have had the pleasure of getting to know many great people who share my interest in the industry and it's future. Being Executive Director is a wonderful opportunity to continue to be involved and to serve these people by assisting the NHPGA Board of Directors as it looks for opportunities to make a positive impact on the industries future.

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2. What is your history in horticulture?
I graduated with my BS in Plant Science from UNH in 83 with the thought of eventually working for cooperative extension. Needing a job quickly after college to pay the bills, I found myself working in a greenhouse and loving it. Eventually I spent several years growing for Pleasant View Gardens and Gateway Gardens with a few others in between. I have also spend five years as an NHPGA Board of Director.

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3. Coming back into the organization, what is the best part of NHPGA?

They are forward thinkers. They are embracing technology by looking for ways to make it beneficial to the industry. As the web page continues to be developed, members will see more and more value in it for their businesses. Another area is the cooperative buying program which is only in it's infancy but will have an impact on members bottom line as it continues to grow.

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4. What is your favorite plant?

I have to pick just one? I love anything with big showy blooms but one of my favorites would have to be the daffodil: the harbinger of spring. As soon as the snow starts melting, I am out patrolling the gardens looking for them. The shape of them, the color of them and the smell of them in my opinion makes it one of natures most unique offerings. Plus, they just make you feel good after the dreariness of the winter.

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5. What keeps you up at night?

Two things: 1. Trying to figure out how to make the computer do what I want it to do as I tackle the administrative tasks that go with this position. 2. The NHPGA web guys. I'm still trying to learn how to speak their language but I think I am slowly starting to understand it.

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6. What is your favorite horticulture book or article?
For Greenhouse growing the Ball Red book was my go to for my many years as a grower . For Nursery it has been the Manual of Woody Plants by Michael Dirr. The homeowner in me loves People, Places and Plants magazine.

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7. Where would you like to see the NH Horticultural Industry in the next 10 years?
Working more closely together. Finding strength in numbers to offset the rising costs that are eroding the bottom lines. And, I hate to say it, getting on average older. There are not a lot of young faces around. For the industry to sustain itself it needs to start attracting more young people to it.

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8. In your opinion, what is the number one key to succeed in the horticultural industry and why?
That education is the key to success. Take every opportunity available to learn about your product and how to run your business.

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9. What are some of your ideas that will make NHPGA more attractive to members?
As much as members would all love to get to the trade shows and other industry events, it is not always possible for them to leave their businesses and it is often cost prohibitive to take along the employees especially for smaller companies. Being an advocate of education, I would love to see NHPGA implement short on-line training courses in areas of interest to members that would culminate in an on-line question and answer period with a specialist. The courses would be archived via the web page to build up a resource library for members. Another area I would like to see pursued is informal get togethers a few times a year of the women of the green industry in New Hampshire. More and more women are in ownership or lead roles within their companies and have much to share with each other.

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