Over the past seven years, it has always been Laura Waterfield’s priority to provide her customers with high-quality locally grown product, and her hard work and dedication to the craft has been recognized by her peers.
Waterfield’s hard work was recognized by her peers in September 2021 when her name was initially put forth to the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Associaton (AGGA) for the Grower of the Year by Christie Pollock owner of Christie’s Gardens and Greenhouse Ltd in High Prairie. Additionally, Waterfield was nominated by Nadine Stielow owner of Theil’s Greenhouse in Bruderheim, Debbie Foisy owner of Deb’s Greenhouse outside Morinville, Michiel Verheul owner of High Q Greenhouses Inc by Morinville. Dr. Mirza who acts as a consultant and educator for AGGA also nominated her for the award.
According to Waterfield, the awards are traditionally presented at a banquet during AGGA’s annual Green Industry Show and Conference, but this year the conference was virtual due to COVID.
Regardless she is honoured to have been chosen as the Grower of the Year.
“Over the past seven years, I have gotten to know many people in the industry whom I admire and respect as a direct result of my involvement with the AGGA. I feel very honoured to have been chosen from among them to receive the AGGA Grower of the Year award for 2021,” stated Waterfield.
Waterfield explained that it has always been her intention to provide her customers with the best locally grown product and that doing so requires a lot of time and energy behind the scenes.
“I would not have been able to accomplish what I have if it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication of my staff and the help of my family. Thank you to the AGGA for recognizing our efforts, and for the work you do to strengthen our industry. I would also like to say thank you to our customers for your continued support,” said Waterfield. She added that winning the award confirms that her business is heading in the right direction and that it shows their work is valued.
Waterfield has not yet been physically presented with the award due to the conference being held virtually but says that the board intends to present the award in person during the 2022 conference.
Waterfield commented that the AGGA is an association of growers, educators, and allied tradeperson who promote and strengthen the horticulture industry in Alberta. The organization delivers educational workshops and seminars for its members and supports greenhouse research by providing direction and funding to research groups.
“The AGGA also assists with the formation of agricultural policy as it relates to horticulture, and it represents the industry of the Alberta Agricultural Food Council (AFFC) and the Council of Alberta Horticultural Industries (CAHI), The Association was formed in 1980 and currently has approximately 170 members. I have been a member of the AGGA since 2014,” explained Waterfield.