About the MNLA
MNLA in Brief
The Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, established in 1922, is Michigan’s statewide nursery and landscape industry trade association. The Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture is the nursery and greenhouse industry. This industry employs over 600,000 workers during the peak seasons. The MNLA represents over 15 different segments of the green industry including garden center, greenhouse production, grower, golf course design and maintenance, interiorscape, irrigation, landscape contractor, landscape design, landscape management, nursery production, supplier, turf management, and arborist. The MNLA serves all of these industry segments by creating relationships between and among them while strengthening the industry as a whole.
For many decades, the MNLA has established itself as a strong unified voice and the source for information and input about Michigan’s green industry to government agencies, legislature, universities, and the public. The MNLA as a proven track record on state, regional, and national levels as evident by its affiliations. On a state level, MNLA partners with:
Michigan Retailers Association and Michigan Farm Bureau (MNLA’s lobbying firms)
Michigan Dept. of Agriculture
Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources
Michigan State University
Michigan Turfgrass Foundation
Arboriculture Society of Michigan
Michigan Invasive Plant Council
Michigan Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects
Greening of Detroit
Western Michigan Greenhouse Association
Metro Detroit Flower Grower’s Association
Michigan Christmas Tree Association
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
Michigan Sod Growers Association
MNLA also has close working relationships with all other agricultural commodity groups in the state. Through the Plant Michigan Allied Membership, MNLA has made more of an impact on new and pending legislative issues by bringing forth a united industry and a larger number of represented parties. MNLA’s Allied members now include the Michigan Seedling Growers Association and the Michigan Native Plant Producers Association. MNLA and its leadership have always believed in the importance of regional representation. Through the Regional Chapter membership, there are eight regional Chapters of the Association. Each Chapter works closely with the State Association to offer members of the nursery and landscape industry a regional perspective on local issues.
On a national level, MNLA partners with:
United States Dept. of Agriculture
Environmental Protection Agency
Irrigation Association
Association of Professional Landscape Designers
Professional Landcare Network
American Nursery and Landscape Association
American Farm Bureau
MNLA also has a close working relationship with green industry leaders and all other nursery and landscape associations in the United States and Canada. On both the state and national levels, the partnerships that MNLA has formed continue to flourish through constant interaction on your behalf. MNLA is also the green industry’s resource for information, education, and member benefits/services designed to save you money. Through its award-winning magazine, The Michigan Landscape™, the Association keeps you informed and up-to-date on industry events and news. Many educational opportunities are offered that serve all industry segments including the annual Great Lakes Trade Exposition, Summer Field Day, as well as stand-alone workshops and seminars. MNLA also administers the Michigan Certified Nurseryman (MCN) Program, Michigan’s industry standard of excellence. Founded in 1980 by Michigan green industry leaders, the MCN program is well established and trusted.
The MNLA Board of Directors, staff, and all committees take their fiduciary responsibility to you very seriously. The MNLA is continually evaluating new and different programs for the industry. Each proposal is thoroughly reviewed to ensure that your membership dues are spent on programs that will bring you the best return on your investment. Only services that are administered by reputable and honest firms with a proven track record of their abilities to save you money are offered.
For 85 years, MNLA has been committed to the well-being and integrity of Michigan’s green industry. It’s a tradition that we proudly continue.