Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Elect Directors, Present Top Award

Jennifer Duffiled White

The Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association (CGGA) recently elected officers and directors at the group’s annual meeting. Those elected for two-year terms include: Joe Arisco, T&D Growers, Cheshire (president); Diane Karabin, Karabin Farms, Southington (vice president); Sara Blersch, Daffodil Hill, Southbury (secretary); Joe Vaiuso, Vaiuso Farms, Branford (treasurer). The board of directors includes Phil Banning (Geremia Farms), Tom Curtiss (GLB Enterprises), Dennis Fowler (Kurt Weiss Greenhouses), Mike Wrobel (Winterberry Gardens) and Luke Zapadka (Woodland Gardens).

Joe Vaiuso also received the Bill Milikowski Founders Award, CGGA’s highest award. Joe has been on CGGA’s Board since the Association was founded in the early 1990s and is widely respected around the state as a highly competent greenhouse grower who graciously shares his knowledge with his colleagues.

CGGA represents over 165 commercial greenhouse operations in Connecticut, grossing an estimated $110 million annually in sales of potted green and flowering plants, cut flowers and vegetables. The greenhouse-nursery-floral segment is the biggest part of Connecticut agriculture.