Rising Stars focus on sustainability and regeneration
From bats to worms right through to weed control and tree planting, the 11 GCA and Westland Rising Stars for 2024 are already making headway into their retail projects. All have a focus on sustainability and regeneration and, for the first time, they unveiled their ideas to the group at a meeting held at NIAB, in Cambridgeshire.
After an update on Westland Horticulture’s range from Stuart Staples, the company’s Head of Technical, it was time for each candidate to stand in front of the group to present their ideas so far. The Rising Stars programme not only gives opportunities for candidates to carry out projects in their own garden centres and monitor success, but also builds on valuable public speaking experience.
Coordinated by mentor Gordon Emslie, the event was the second time the group has got together. He suggested the group trust their projects but be prepared to be flexible. “The more you do, the more you will know and your journey may change, so go with it,” he said.
A behind-the-scenes visit to NIABs research and growing facilities gave the Rising Stars a better understanding of plant and product trialling plus a peep into the world of testing grass seed.
The Rising Stars are now back in their garden centres working on their projects which mostly run from May to August. Next time they meet will be in June at Ellesmere Port to see Westland’s growing media manufacturing plant, followed by visits to Allensmore Nurseries and Glee. In the autumn the ‘Dragon’s Den’ will whittle the 11 down to five who will go on to pitch their ideas at the GCA conference in 2025.
