Edward D. Johnson Award 2008  . Rhonda Little mmfd

    Rhonda has served in many capacities of design shows sponsored by MSF&GA acting as registration chairman, trade fair chairman, show treasurer, and as well as a panel designer. 

Currently serving as the Executive Secretary/Treasurer of MSF&GA, she also edits the newsletter and maintains the MSF&GA website and member listings.

Rhonda and her husband Tom have two daughters who grew up in the flower shop and now are helping to raise three granddaughters - two of them already having "shop days with Nanny".

Congratulations to our Ed Johnson Award winner for 2008, Rhonda Little.
 

   In 1939, when the Maine State Florists’ Association was organized, Ed was employed as Assistant State Horticulturist by the Maine Department of Agriculture. His work kept him in touch with Maine florists and greenhouse managers and from its conception, Ed showed a great interest in MSFA. This concern was reflected in THE MAINE LEAF, a newsletter to plantsmen which he first published in 1944. Much of the material in the LEAF was directed to florists and greenhouse operators.

   As a result of his increased involvement, Ed was selected Secretary-Treasurer of the MSFA in 1946, a position he held until his unexpected death, due to a heart attack, on July 14, 1967. During his 21 years of service to MSFA, Ed was much more than a Secretary-Treasurer. He organized meetings, minded the store and was involved in just about every phase of the Association’s ventures. While performing these duties, his unique style of commitment endeared him to those with whom he came in contact. Always a gentleman, he added dignity and graciousness to every MSFA occasion.

   Ed’s sudden passing proved to be a great loss to Maine agriculture and to the Maine State Florists’ Association. At a subsequent MSFA Executive Board meeting, it was voted to preserve the memory of a devoted, long-time friend of the Association by implementing an award in his name.

   To date, thirty-three MSFGA members have received this plaque because of their willingness to share skills, time and labor as did Ed Johnson. This volunteerism enhances the MSFGA and Maine’s floriculture and ornamental horticulture industries. Fortunately, there are many other candidates whose abilities and contributions meet the guidelines to receive this special award, which was established in 1967.

Past Recipients: