A great American innovator and leader passed away at the age of 63 in his greenhouse on Saturday morning. Tom VanWingerden is responsible for driving innovation in our industry that produced better quality plants at lower prices for more enjoyment of the American gardener. Tom helped set the standards for bedding and potted flower production in North America. He contributed to a higher standard of living for many Americans who garden and enjoy plants at affordable prices.

When I was a 19 year old working for a retailer in Atlanta, I was amazed by the plants Tom produced and delivered to our store on his racks loaded on flatbed semi trailers. The quality and value opened my eyes to the world of high tech horticulture and inspired me to seek my place in the business of growing beautiful and useful plants that people want to buy for their enjoyment around their homes.

Tom and his family are founders and supporters of charities that are far better than handout organizations. If you teach people how to farm or how to fish you instill pride and a continuation of life for those people.

Double Harvest – Haiti
Tom VanWingerden Memorial Fund
55 South Main Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
www.DoubleHarvest.org
440-714-1694

Read more on this tragic accident and his life in The Charlotte Observer

On a recent trip to Guatemala I toured with a group of growers to another facility where VanWingerden family members Ed and Ron built a greenhouse range at Oro Farms. They teach the local Guatemalans how to produce cluster tomatoes to fulfill contracts for Delmonte.

They are building the hospital, school, church and the greenhouse to support the people in a sustainable community. Royal Heins of Oro Farms explains the details in this video.

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