Greenhorizons has known for many years that if an industry is to grow, then the people within it must participate in its professional associations.  Owners and managers alike from Greenhorizons have belonged to, and held executive positions, in the turfgrass industry’s many beneficial organizations.

In the mid-1990’s, Greenhorizons founder Richard Schiedel took on the role of President of The American Sod Producers Association (ASPA), which changed its name during his term to Turf Producers international to reflect its significant membership percentage from outside of North America.  The Schiedel family has always been rigorous supporters of TPI as a group of professionals working together to create a higher standard of nursery sod.  In 2001, Hamilton Sod had the great distinction of hosting the TPI Summer Convention.

The Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario is our provincial organization in which both brothers, Ron and Steve Schiedel, have held the position of President.  Peter Rauwerda, Farm Manager of Hamilton Sod, now has the honour of being current President of this Association.

Greenhorizons plays an active part in Landscape Ontario, the horticultural trades association in this province.  In addition to donating supplies to charitable landscaping projects performed by the organization, they also host annually a golf event for the Golden Horseshoe Chapter at their own Willow Valley Golf Course.

Many of the employees overseeing the day-to-day operations on the various farm locations have been with the company for many years.  Part of the reason for such long tenures is the company’s encouragement to attend educational and social opportunities with the different professional organizations to expand their knowledge base and network of colleagues.  Greenhorizons turf managers are continually on top of new technology and innovations by attending many conferences yearly, TPI, OGSA, CGSA, Turfgrass Symposium, GTI field days to name a few.  To give back for the education received, Greenhorizons is a frequent sponsor of these events.