Since 2001, when John Kinchla began growing nursery stock in addition to providing landscape construction and maintenance services, Amherst Nurseries has focused on sustainable production systems. The nursery now grows thousands of trees and shrubs on over 100 acres of farmland in western MA. The business strives to provide exemplary service while minimizing use of resources and environmental impacts. Sustainable measures include reducing water use; moving away from ball and burlap to grow bags, a process that reduces soil removal, fuel use, and labor costs; utilizing compost made from local resources of leaf litter and manure; and using electric equipment fueled by solar panels.
Join John on August 15 from 10 – 12 for a guided walk through the growing areas, following the early life of a tree at the nursery. You’ll see equipment and practices in use now and learn about sustainable options the nursery is exploring for the future.
Bring a bag lunch to enjoy following the tour. The nursery is located at 200 Bay Road in Hadley, Massachusetts, and the event is $23 for Ecological Landscape Alliance members, $33 for nonmembers. Register at www.ecolandscaping.org
John Kinchla, owner of Amherst Nurseries, began working in the landscape as a teenager. He opened the nursery in 2001 after earning a BS in Horticulture and an MS in Resource Economics from UMass Amherst. Using fewer resources to increase company profitability has been an overriding principle of his business. Amherst Nurseries grows trees, shrubs, and perennials on over 100 acres in and around Amherst, MA and offers both retail and wholesale sales. The company also offers complete landscaping services from design through construction and maintenance.
