Recipient of the 2018
HAROLD YOUNG LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award goes to a WSNLA member who has provided outstanding ‘above and beyond’ service to the nursery industry over many years.
Jerry Rosso, CPH, now retired, has been affiliated with his family nursery, Julius Rosso Wholesale nursery (currently known as Rosso Gardens) throughout his career that has spanned six-decades. Along the way he has given back to the industry through his service within WSNLA. He has served on numerous WSNLA committees, volunteered in support and leadership roles for the Seattle Chapter, held chapter and caucus positions on the WSNLA Board of Directors, and moved up the chairs of the Executive Committee to serve as WSNLA President in 1968.
After his Presidential service, his involvement has not waned. He has continued to serve on planning committees and on the state Board of Directors where his work has advocated and promoted the Washington nursery and landscape industry. Jerry has been honored with every WSNLA award, including being the first ever recipient of this award in 1978 (then known as the Pacific Coast Nurseryman’s Magazine Outstanding Service award.) currently, Jerry serves on the WSNLA Scholarship & Research charitable fund board of Directors and Pioneer Award Nominating Committee where he continues to be a driving force for new ideas to serve the WSNLA membership and our industry.
Jerry is a long time advocate for professional development and certification, and actively volunteers to promote CPH and our industry at events. In fact, he mentioned he has only missed three WSNLA conventions ever. He is well known for his handwritten thank you notes, birthday cards and thoughtful notes to members, friends and WSNLA Staff . With a long view of the industry and the association, he openly shares with fellow members in a persistently positive way and has worked to document it for historical purposes.
Jerry has a gift for bringing people together to support each other and the industry as a whole. When asked about what he has enjoyed most along the way, Jerry said, ‘It’s the people. All the numerous people that have been gracious, nice and helpful.”
A strong believer and supporter of community, for the past 4o years Jerry has also served on the advisory committees for South Seattle Community College Horticulture Program, their Arboretum, as well as the Seattle Parks Department of Specialized Programs supporting the special needs community.
