Awards since 1949...
Pacific Coast Nurseryman Award
Presented to an individual whose life and career achievements in the field of horticulture have led to an improved nursery industry.
1949 Walter B. Clarke
1950 Hugh Evans
1951 John S. Armstrong
1952 E.O. Orpet
1953 Louis Vistica
1954 Theodore Payne
1955 Ray D. Hartman
1956 William Hertrich
1957 Herbert C. Swim
1958 Roy F. Wilcox
1959 Harry Marks
1960 Mansell Van Renssalaer
1961 Bert Kallman
1962 T.B. Stribling, Jr.
1963 Dr. Walter E. Lammerts
1964 Eugene F. Fowler
1965 J. Awdry Armstrong
1966 James Perry
1967 Dr. Mildred Mathias
1968 Otto Martens
1969 William E. Schmidt
1970 Toichi Domoto
1971 Frank J. Serpa
1972 Martin W. Usrey
1973 Dr. Vernon T. Stoutemyer
1974 Albert Wilson
1975 George Budgen
1976 Bob Lindquist
1977 Carl Zangger
1978 Horace Anderson
1979 George S. Oki
1980 Ollie L. Weeks
1981 Robert Weidner
1982 Charles and Eugene Armstrong
1983 Charles Samms
1984 Itsuo Uenaka
1985 David S. Stump
1986 Jack F. Schneider
1987 Don Dillon, Sr.
1988 Don Kleim
1989 Herbert & Mary Fischer
1990 Charles Crum
1991 Robert L. Ludekens
1992 John Chiapelone
1993 Jack Christensen
1994 Ralph P. Klages
1995 Edward S. Carman
1996 Jan Groot
1997 Harold Young
1998 Bill Burchell
1999 Gary Hayakawa
2000 Ralph Moore
2001 Floyd Zaiger
2002 Buzz Bertolero
2003 Don Knipp
2004 Tom Courtright
Jacquie Courtright
2005 Stuart Sperber
2007 Harry Yonemura
California Certified Nursery Professional™ Jack Wick Award
Presented to individuals who have dedicated special service to the CCN Pro™ program and promoted the goals of the program in garden centers, retail nurseries and in the industry.
1988 Jack A. Wick
1989 John Bauman
1990 Paul Uenaka
1991 Bert Bertolero
1992 Preston Oka
1993 Larry Engman
1994 Robert Muraoka
1995 Sonny Jones
1996 Itsuo Uenaka
1997 Chris Rowe
1998 Ron Nishinaka
1999 Ron Vanderhoff
2000 Gary Matsuoka
2001 Larry Amling
2002 Alex Flores
2003 Darlene Pickell
2004 Don Knipp
2005 Mark Wegman
2011 Elaine Thompson
California Certified Nursery Professional™ Hall of Fame
Presented to an individual for their outstanding contribution to the certification program. The Hall of Fame presentations are not annual awards, but by special nomination instead.
1994 Moto Asakawa, O.A. 'Jolly' Batcheller, Norman Springer, Nori Sumi, Yo Terada, Ruth Yoshiki
1996 George Kikuchi, Bob Muraoka, Ron Nishinaka, Preston Oka
1999 Steve Hollister
2000 Melba Davis
2002 Mike Kunce
2004 Tom and Jacquie Courtright
2005 Dale Bergquist, Bud Bergquist, Nancy Bergquist, Steve Bergquist, Max Bergquist,
Pete Bergquist, Robert Bergquist
CANERS Foundation Hall of Fame Group Award
Selected for exceptional and consistent support of CANERS Foundation...Endowment for Research and Scholarship.
1986 Hillsborough Garden Crafters
1987 Northern Chapter
1988 San Fernando Chapter
1989 Channel Islands Chapter
1990 Centinela Chapter
1991 Peninsula Chapter
1992 Yosemite Chapter
1993 Central Chapter
1994 Inland Chapter
1995 L.E. Cooke Company
1996 Linwood Nurseries
1997 Superior Chapter
1998 Arne and Soren Knudsen
1999 Harry Yonemura/ABC Nursery Inc.
2000 Kellogg Supply Inc.
2001 San Fernando Chapter
2002 Channel Islands Chapter
2003 Farrand Enterprises
2004 Redwood Empire Chapter
2005 Orange County Chapter
CANERS Hall of Fame Individual Award
Selected for exceptional and consistent support of CANERS Foundation...Endowment for Research and Scholarship.
1986 George S. Oki
1988 Paul Uenaka
1989 Gary Hayakawa
1990 Its Uenaka
1991 Harold Sumida
1992 Mike Connell
1993 Preston Oka
1994 Ron Akiyama
1995 Jim Wilson
1996 Tom and Jacquie Courtright
1997 Larry Engman
1998 Bob Armstrong
1999 Russ Satake
2000 Herb Fischer
2001 Jack Christensen
2002 Nick and Peggy Milfeld
2003 No Recipient
2004 Tom Givvin
2005 Bea and Don Davis
Education Award
This award is now merged with the Bert Kallman Educator Award. The names listed below are past recipients.
1966 Dr. Howard Brown, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
1967 O.A. ‘Jolly’ Batcheller, Cal Poly Pomona
1968 Harry Nelson, San Francisco City College
1969 Dr. Harry Kohl, Jr., UC Davis
1970 Dr. Richard Harris, UC Davis
1971 George C. Dobbins, American River College
1972 No Award Presented
1973 Robert Sanford, San Joaquin Delta College
1974 No Award Presented
1975 No Award Presented
1976 William Reinstra, Fallbrook High School
1977 Dr. Gordon J. Van Laan, Chico State
1978 Dwight Wait, Modesto College
1979 No Award Presented
1980 Dr. Andrew Leiser, UC Davis
1981 James Watson, Kings River College
1982 Robert D. Adams, Jr., Victor Valley College
1983 Alexander Graham, College of San Mateo
1984 Ron Nishinaka, Kings River College
1985 Ronald Regan, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
1986 Dr. Charles Hess, UC Davis
1987 Brad Monroe, Cuyamaca College
1988 Charles Purcell, American River College
1989 Quentin Nakagawara, Butte College
1991 Emile L. Labadie, Merritt College
1992 Terry Kershaw, Kings River College
1993 Dave Lannom, Mt. San Antonio College
1994 PJ LoCoco, Santa Rosa Jr. College
1995 Merged with Bert Kallman Award
Bert Kallman Educator Award
Named for deceased Santa Barbara retail nurseryman, Bert Kallman, who helped start the nurserymen’s refresher course at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo and felt strongly about the need for horticultural education. Candidates for this award should be community oriented and encourage participation by students in civic projects and school programs for the benefit of everyone. Teaching techniques and enthusiasm are of paramount importance for this award.
1964 James Watson
1965 Richard Dodson
1966 Dudley Summerford
1967 George Dobbins
1968 John Dallas
1969 Karl Bakken
1970 David Smith
1971 Marshall Ploof
1972 Dwight Wait
1973 Thomas Cunningham
1974 Ron Nishinaka
1975 Deming Williams
1976 Emile Labadie
1977 Matt Zemny
1978 Quentin Nakagawara
1979 Dr. Bill Noble
1980 Glenn Arthur
1981 Terry Kershaw
1982 Charles Hewitt
1983 Dr. Howard Brown
1984 Ted Hirayama
1985 David Smoljan
1986 PJ Kutlik
1987 Bob Adams
1988 Dave Lannom
1989 No Recipient
1990 Bill Homyak
1991 Norman Allen Isbell, Jr.
1992 Daniel Lassanske
1993 Ron King
1994 Michael Toscano
1995 Steve Pietrolungo
1996 Steve Mullany
1997 John Lenanton
1998 Dr. Mark Bender
1999 Gary Nelson
2000 Ken Godfrey
2001 Tom Eltzroth
2002 Jerry Sortomme
2003 Dr. Arthur Olney
2004 Art Hanson
2005 Dale Pollard
2007 Dave Frattalone
Elmer J. Merz Memorial Award
Given for outstanding contributions to the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers and to the nursery industry.
1978 Elmer Merz
1979 Charles J. Burr
1980 Norm Springer
1981 Harold Young
1982 Elsa Upman Knoll
1983 James Wilson
1984 Ruth Yoshiki
1985 Joseph Littlefield
1986 Howard Farrand
1987 Larry Engman
1988 Louis Schenone
1989 Hugh Atkinson
1990 Ray Sidey
1991 Edwin S. Kubo
1993 John McShane
1992 Irma and Eugene Cripe
1994 Mal Baeta
1995 Joseph Solomone
1996 Sam Fujimoto
1997 William Jory
1998 Bob and Louise Armstrong
1999 Martina Haleamau
2000 Don Knipp
2001 Margo Cheuvront
2002 Parry Hamada
2003 The Burchell Nursery
2004 Sam Aberbom
2005 Jan Kellogg
2007 Bill Callison
2011 Elaine Thompson
President’s/Chairman’s Award
Presented by the outgoing president in recognition of an individual’s support, cooperation and achievement, which helped make the president’s term in office a success.
1978 Melba Davis
1979 Bruce Stone
1980 Ron Marciel
1981 Florence Voorhees
1982 Bert and Rose Bertolero
1983 Ruben, Gloria, Greg & Nina Camacho
1984 Marion Wick
1985 Paul T. Uenaka
1986 Irma and Eugene Cripe
1987 Jack A. Wick
1988 Paul Doty
1989 Ken Oda
1990 Albert Sotelo
1991 Jan Groot
1992 Miles Rosedale
1993 Ray Sidey
1994 Gary Hayakawa
1995 Tom Courtright
1996 Gary Hayakawa & Ralph Klages
1997 Elaine Thompson
1998 Ralph Klages and Gary Hayakawa
1999 Buzz Bertolero
2000 Gary Hayakawa and Christopher Ono
2001 Stuart Sperber
2002 Don Dillon, Jr.
2003 Steve Atwood
2004 Robert Falconer/Karen Suslow
Ron Regan Education and Career Award
Awarded to the person or group who/which best assists in developing and implementing means to educate students about the importance of plants and attract individuals into the field of horticulture as a career. The award is presented to someone of good moral standing and is well thought of within his/her industry and community. The recipient may be a business, individual, agency, school or CANGC chapter.
1995 Ron Regan
1996 Art Hanson
1997 Redwood Empire Chapter
1998 Dan Lassanske
1999 Deanna van Klaveren
2000 Los Angeles Chapter
2001 Carol Winn
2002 Yosemite Chapter
2003 San Fernando Valley Chapter
2004 Peggy S. Perry, PhD, Cal Poly Pomona
2005 Mike Toscano, Delta
2007 Ron Nishinaka, Reedley College
Research Award
Presented to an individual for research work of specific benefit to the nursery industry.
1966 Dr. Kenneth Baker, UC Berkeley
1967 Dr. George Nyland, UC Davis
1968 Dr. Clyde Elmore, UC Davis
1969 Fred Anderson, Merced
1970 Dr. Tok Furuta, UC Riverside
1971 Dr. Andrew Leiser, UC Davis
1972 Dr. John Weinberger, USDA, Fresno
1973 Dr. Tosh Murashige, UC Riverside
1974 Oris A. Matkin, Santa Ana
1975 Jack Allen Traylor, CDFA
1976 Frank S. Morishita, UC Riverside
1977 Herbert C. Swim, Claremont
1978 Dr. Hudson Hartmann, UC Davis
1979 C. Floyd Zaiger, Modesto
1980 Glenn Goldsmith, Gilroy
1981 Paul Ecke, Sr., Encinitas
1982 Dr. Wesley Hackett, UC Davis
1983 Dr. Richard Harris, UC Davis
1984 Ralph Moore, Visalia
1985 W. Douglas Hamilton, Alameda – UCCE
1986 Dr. Michael Parrella, UC Davis
1987 Dr. Art McCain, UC Berkeley
1988 Leslie Woodriff, McKinleyville
1989 Dr. James MacDonald, UC Davis
1990 David Lemon, Bodger Seeds
1991 Conrad A. Skimina, Monrovia Nursery
1992 Dr. Timothy Paine, UC Riverside
1993 No Award Presented
1994 John Kabashima, Orange – UCCE
1995 Dr. Karen L. Robb, San Diego – UCCE
1996 Dr. Howard D. Ohr, UC Riverside
1997 Dr. Ray Collett, UC Santa Cruz
1998 Dr. Tom Bellows, UC Riverside
1999 Dr. J. Heinrich Lieth, UC Davis
2000 Ed Perry, Stanislaus – UCCE
2001 Dr. David Gumpf, UC Riverside
2002 Dr. Richard Redak, UC Riverside
2003 Dr. Dale Kester, UC Davis
2004 Anton Kofranek, UC Davis
2005 Darren Haver, UC Extension
2007 Anne Chase, Chase Horticultural Research
Supplier of the Year Award
Presented to a salesperson who maintains professional standards and renders service to nursery customers which is extraordinary and beneficial.
1971 Emmett Ball, Inland Empire
1972 Edgar N. Pope, Superior
1973 Hugh Dunning, San Diego
1974 Paul Fredrick Little, San Fernando
1975 Hideo Dale Sugiyama, San Diego
1976 Verne McIntyre, North San Diego
1977 James A. Tringham, Orange County
1978 Fred Herbert, Los Angeles
1979 Richard Normington, Inland
1980 Bill Cooter, Channel Islands
1981 Castle Allred, Superior and Northern
1982 William S. Talley, Inland
1983 Mac McOmie, Redwood Empire
1984 John ‘Ole’ Ohlson, Channel Islands
1985 Lowell E. Sherman, Superior
1986 Bert Kronnick, Orange County
1987 Bill Conners, Inland
1988 Manual Morales, Monterey Bay
1989 Graham Bowen, Centinela
1990 Paul Jones, Yosemite
1991 Robert Budelli, Peninsula
1992 Paul Rioux, Superior
1993 Walter Hagen, Peninsula
1994 Ann LaZansky Joseph, Central
1995 Terry Weatherford, Inland
1996 Jim McAllister, Centinela
1997 Ed Laivo, Yosemite
1998 Stewart Miller, Orange County and Central
1999 James Culley, San Fernando Valley
2000 Eugene Richau, Los Angeles
2001 Larry McMath, Inland Empire
2002 Debbie Polzkill, San Joaquin
2003 Jack Reid, Los Angeles
2004 Rex Lamb, Kellogg, Yosemite
2005 Jelle De Jong, Los Angeles
2007 Gary Hata, Orange County
Young Nursery Professional of the Year Award
Presented to an individual 39 years of age or younger (by January 31 of the presentation year), for outstanding involvement in the nursery industry and community affairs.
1966 Mike Vukelich Sr.
1967 Richard Greer
1968 Barrie Coate
1969 Brian Gage
1970 Robert Frahm
1971 Lewis F. Van Buskirk
1972 Norman R. Kaul
1973 Paul T. Uenaka
1974 Darrell D. Waldron
1975 Bruce and Glenn Asakawa
1976 Larry Engman
1977 Tom Courtright
1978 Ron Caird
1979 Albert “Buzz” Bertolero
1980 Bob Adams
1981 Ben Heller
1982 Preston Oka
1983 Jacquie Williams
1984 Janet Kabashima
1985 Margo Yerxa
1986 Loren Oki
1987 Mike Leathers
1988 Robert Mazalewski
1989 Don Dillon, Jr.
1990 Ron Akiyama
1991 Don D. Schenone
1992 Robert C. Muraoka
1993 Christine Rowe
1994 R. Scott Klittich
1995 Dana J. Groot
1996 Jim Kitano
1997 Mark Wegman
1998 Martin Senn
1999 Eric Wilder
2000 Roger van Klaveren
2001 Ron Kinney
2002 Christopher Ono
2003 Jesse Hernandez
2004 Mike Wronkowski
2005 Deanna van Klaveren
2007 Tom Burchell