All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau announce organizational merger

National Garden Bureau (NGB) and All-America Selections (AAS) have merged the two nonprofit organizations into one, with NGB the parent organization and AAS the plant trialing program under NGB.

The sister organizations have already worked closely to vet and promote great growing material, support the green industry and connect with the gardening public.

All committees that were part of the two organizations are now programs run by vice president board members. The following organizational chart explains this in graphic form:

The new board of directors for NGB are:

• President​: Alicain Carlson, Syngenta Flowers
• Past Presidents: Jeannine Bogard, Syngenta Vegetables & Scott Rusch, Express Seed
• Treasurer​: Marissa Verdi, Harris Seeds​
• Secretary​: Pat Racey, National Garden Bureau
• ​AAS Trials​ Program VP: Chelsey Lenczyk, Bejo Seeds​
• AAS Display Gardens Program VP: Penny Merritt-Price, Youngs Plant Farm​
• AAS Combined Judges​ Program VP: Denise Mullins, Smith Gardens​
• Non-Plant Promotions Program VP: Paula Douer, Crescent Garden​
• Special Projects Program VP: Josh Kirschenbaum​, PanAmerican Seed
• Surveys and Membership Program VP: Lisa Heredia, Danziger​
• Year of the Program VP: Alec Charais, Bailey Nurseries​
• AAS Winners and New Plant Promotions Program VPs: Joe Cimino, Sakata & Alisha Burns, Johnny’s Seeds​

Externally, the general public will not see much of a change after the merger as the two separate websites (aaswinners.com and ngb.org) will remain, with NGB doing even more promotion of the AAS Winners.

The organizations said that there are three key benefits of the merger:

• Operational efficiencies and overhead cost savings​.
• ​Minimize duplicate efforts in similar activities and more easily identify synergies​.
• ​Create more opportunities for leadership by professionals in the industry.

Questions, comments and inquiries on becoming more engaged in this new organization are welcomed and can be sent to Diane Blazek at dblazek@ngb.org.

As part of the merger, the organization released details for the 2024 Summer Summit in Auburn and Opelika, Alabama, June 4-5, 2024, which coincides with the Southern Garden Tour dates for 2024.

“Having this year’s AAS Summer Summit at the expertly executed variety trials at Young’s is a brilliant pairing of two organizations that know the crucial role trialing plays in the success of our industry," says AAS President Alicain Carlson from Syngenta Flowers. "Please join us for this opportunity not only to visit Young’s trials but to connect with AAS and NGB to see how they support you and your business.”

Click here to register.

The event begins with a welcome reception June 4.June 5 will be a tour day visiting several sites on the Auburn University Campus, Young’s Plant Farm, Bonnie Plants and ending with a tour then and at Botanic garden center.

Extending your stay is encouraged to visit other AAS Trials participating in the Southern Garden Tour, including UGA in Athens, Georgia, and Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville, North Carolina.