Meet Our Leadership Team

Founder

Nate Jameson

National Citrus Nursery Initiative was speartheaded by Nate Jameson with a vision to promote and support citrus nursery practices. With years of experience in the field, Nate is passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise with growers and enthusiasts alike. He is actively involved in the citrus industry and holds the position of President Elect of the International Society of Citrus Nurserymen (ISCN). He is also part of the National Clean Plant Network for Citrus (NCPN-Citrus), a network of industry members, experts in plant pathology, regulators and clean plant centers that provides healthy citrus material to the citrus industry in the United States.

For more details, please visit the Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery, LLC website.

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

Volunteer Coordinator

Deborah Pagliaccia

Deborah Pagliaccia is the Executive Director of the California Citrus Nursery Society and a scientist at the University of California Riverside who oversees the day-to-day operations of National Citrus Nursery Initiative website. She is committed to providing quality resources and initiative updates to our community of growers and enthusiasts.

For more details, please visit the Lab To Farm website.

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

Volunteer Member

Aaron Dillon

Aaron Dillon is a key member of Four Winds Growers, a family-owned citrus nursery based in Watsonville, California. This company represents a long-standing family tradition in the agricultural sector, being four generations old. Four Winds Growers, under the stewardship of individuals like Aaron Dillon, continues to contribute significantly to the citrus nursery industry. The legacy of the company can be traced back to its founders, Floyd Dillon and his son Don Sr., who were pioneers in their field. Aaron Dillon upholds this legacy, contributing to the ongoing success and innovation within the company.

For more details, please visit the Four Winds Growers website.

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

Volunteer Member

Heidi Cervantes

Heidi Cervantes is the Sales Manager at TreeSource Citrus Nursery, located in Exeter, California. She plays a crucial role in managing sales operations and customer relationships. With her expertise, Heidi contributes significantly to TreeSource, a full-service commercial citrus nursery serving both the California citrus industry and greenhouse growers globally.

For more details, please visit the Tree Source Citrus Nursery website.

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

Volunteer Member

Ricky Becnel

Ricky Becnel is a key figure at Saxon Becnel & Sons, a prominent citrus tree nursery in Louisiana and Texas. The company is known for its dedication to producing premium citrus trees, starting from certified seeds. Ricky Becnel, through his leadership and expertise, has been instrumental in maintaining the high standards and quality of their citrus products, catering to both local and national markets.

For more details, please visit Saxon Becnel & Sons.

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

Volunteer Member

Clay Lamar

Clay Lamar is the founder of 1 DOG Ventures, Georgia's first citrus-only commercial tree nursery located in Sale City. With a rich family history in agriculture spanning over 70 years, Clay transitioned from traditional row cropping to citrus cultivation after the tobacco buyout in the early 2000s. His passion for citrus led him to learn from global experts, eventually meeting Dr. Wayne Hanna and embracing cold-hardy citrus varieties developed at the University of Georgia. Under his leadership, 1 DOG Ventures, established in 2015, exclusively licensed unique cold-tolerant citrus cultivars, marking a new era in commercial citrus farming.

For more details, please visit 1 DOG Ventures website

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

Volunteer Member

George Shackelford

George Shackelford is the Manager at Brazos Citrus Nursery, located in West Columbia, Texas. He plays a significant role in the company, which is part of the agriculture industry. Brazos Citrus Nursery is known for its contribution to the citrus sector.

For more information, you can visit George Shackelford's LinkedIn profile here.

For more details, please visit

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

Volunteer Member

Dave Kerr

David Kerr is the General Manager at Glen Flora Farm, which is part of Everde Growers. Glen Flora Farm, under his management, boasts 1,150 acres, including extensive greenhouse and shade space. Dave's leadership contributes to the farm's success in the agriculture industry, particularly in the cultivation of various plants and trees.

For more details, you can visit the Everde Growers' Glen Flora Farm webpage.

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

Volunteer Member

Danny Finch

Danny Finch is the President of Record Buck Farms, Inc., celebrated for producing Florida's finest container-grown citrus. Under his guidance, the farm has become a leader in the citrus industry, focusing on quality, innovation, and sustainability. Danny's commitment to excellence and strategic vision have not only advanced Record Buck Farms but also reinforced Florida's legacy in citrus cultivation, catering to both commercial and residential markets with top-tier products.

For more details, you can visit the Record Buck Farms webpage.

nationalcitrusnursery@gmail.com

List of citrus nursery associations by state - Coming next

TEXAS Nursery & Landscape Association

TNLA

CALIFORNIA Citrus Nursery Society

CCNS

The Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) is a pivotal organization dedicated to fostering the growth and success of the Green Industry within Texas. Through innovative solutions and unwavering dedication, TNLA aims to construct a cohesive community where shared connections catalyze positive change, enhancing the capabilities and opportunities for both individuals and companies involved. The association's core belief is that a united community can achieve more collectively than in isolation, making every connection a source of strength and empowerment.

TNLA's mission is centered on empowering its members by promoting collaboration, growth, and resilience through the collective power of the community. This mission is realized by offering resources, education, and advocacy to help members navigate the complexities of the industry, improve their businesses, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

For those interested in becoming part of this influential network, TNLA provides various avenues for engagement:

Membership: Joining TNLA opens doors to numerous benefits, including networking opportunities, educational resources, and industry advocacy.
Certification: TNLA offers certification programs designed to elevate professional standards and recognize individuals for their expertise and commitment to the industry.
Lobbying and Partnerships: Members can participate in lobbying efforts to influence policy and engage in partnerships that foster industry growth and sustainability.

To learn more about TNLA, how to become a member, attain certification, participate in lobbying efforts, or explore partnership opportunities, you can contact TNLA directly through their official contact channels.

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