MESA, Ariz. – Dec. 7, 2018 -- Professor Peter Conden, director of the Mesa Community College Sustainable Agriculture program, is the 2018 Arizona Nursery Association (ANA) Person of the Year. He was honored during the ANA annual meeting and awards dinner Nov. 29 at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler.
The Person of the Year award recognizes ANA members who make significant contributions to the association and the Arizona green industry.
"I’ve spent over 25 years serving the green industry as a certified nursery professional and landscape contractor. During that time I became aware of the widening gap between proper horticultural education and the skills of people working in the field. Rather than ignore the obvious mistakes being made by some of my coworkers, I decided to do what I could to make a lasting change. In 1999 I sold my business and enrolled in grad school. I feel very fortunate to be employed as a horticulture professor, following the footsteps of my mentors. Teaching the next generation of horticulture workers is my passion and it is truly an honor to be recognized by the ANA for doing what I love,” Conden said.
Conden was recognized for his longtime support of the Arizona Certified Nursery Professional Program (ACNP), the Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education (SHADE) Conference, and his commitment to evolve the ACNP into an online training course.
“Peter has given selflessly to enrich and strengthen the horticulture industry. Not only in the classroom and in his daily pursuits, but by devoting countless hours to improve the Arizona Certified Nursery Professional course and exam,” said ANA Board Member Jay Harper from Hickman’s Family Farms fertilizer division, The Farms Choice. “When the Arizona Nursery Association was awarded a grant to put the curriculum and testing online, it was Peter who stepped up, rolled up his sleeves and got the process underway. Our association is grateful for his effort and commitment and because of that we are pleased and honored to give Peter this well-deserved award.”
ANA is a professional trade organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the nursery industry for its members and the public they serve. The business of the association is conducted by a Board of Directors, which is elected by the membership. The work of the association is carried out by the staff, which is based in Tempe, Arizona and has statewide membership.
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Contacts:
Dawn Zimmer, Mesa Community College, 480-461-7892, Dawn.Zimmer@mesacc.edu
Shayla Hyde, Arizona Nursery Association, 480-966-1610, shyde@azna.org
The Arizona Nursery Association is a professional trade organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the nursery industry for its members and the public they serve. The business of the Association is conducted by a Board of Directors who are elected by the membership. The work of the association is carried out by the staff which is based in Tempe, Arizona and have statewide coverage. More at azna.org.
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for service-learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to 30,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body that enriches the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC, located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.
The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.