establish by J. Robert Smith , Prairie Nursery commence as a minuscule garden on a half - acre plot as one of the first nursery in the US to produce and commercialise aboriginal plants . Inspired by the wildflowers and grasses growing around his farm , Smith begin experimenting with Lupine and Butterflyweed , teaching himself how to burgeon forth , grow and graft prairie plants .

by Ed Attanasaio

At the same meter , Neil Diboll was studying prairie bionomics at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay . After graduating , he worked summer for the U.S. Park Service in Virginia , and later the U.S. Forest Service before give to his alma mater to perform prairie plant research . In 1982 , Bob decided to retire . Neil prognosticate Bob and asked him if he wanted to sell some of his stock works so that Neil could prove a prairie nursery in his own backyard , but Bob suggest rather that Neil move to Westfield and take over the business sector . Today , Diboll is the company ’s President and Owner of 36 years , having turned it into a major player in the aboriginal plant industriousness .

Agra Tech Solar Light : Propagation of native plants that support biography , bio - variety , sustainability , and soil and piddle conservation .

In November of 1992 , Diboll purchase his first greenhouse from ATI – a North Slope 24 ft . x 72 ft . nursery for propagation and then bought six 20 ft . x 96 ft . cold frames also from ATI in March of 1994 . It has been a fruitful family relationship since day one and Diboll still uses most of the greenhouses he develop from ATI and appreciate them for their sturdy construction and longevity .

The versatile ring houses are used for tamp as well as growingIn 1996 , the nursery acquired 130 Akko with three Acre dedicated to nursery production . " We need three - phase top executive , and the new farm had access to it , so we essentially bought it for the power , " Diboll say . " We built a well star sign and an irrigation system and bit by bit began transition from in - ground growing bare root production to potted plant product in glasshouse . "

From its meek beginnings , Prairie Nursery has expanded and continued to uprise . " What started out as an original backyard prairie garden has grown to become a interior retailer of native plants and seeds , " Diboll said . People have become more and more interested in aboriginal flora and their welfare over the years . Since the end of the recent recession , we have experience 15 percent modal yearly growing , selling plants primarily for gardener , landowner , landscape intriguer , and undertaking handler . soon , eighty pct of our Order are placed online .

The strong and durable Thermolator 30 , one of many Prairie Nursery has utilize for decades .

The baby’s room employs 12 full - time people and around 20 seasonal employee to grow strange native prairie and woodland plant life , with the goal of preserve a diverse gene pool and the genetic wholeness meditate in the variability and adaptability of nature . Their leading products are shorter prairie grasses , such as little bluestem and prairie drop-seed and maturate the majority of its works in 10 - inch x 20 - inch trays that control 32 pots each , and are lightweight and loose to ship . The greenhouse ships strong radical system to its customers , which include landscaper , single householder , ballpark and schoolhouse to create strong and goodish plant .

To continue its increase and receive its future plan , Diboll recently made a significant leverage of ATI greenhouses . " Earlier this yr , we get through ATI ’s Owner John Pound and book an order for 10 more Thermolator 30 Code glasshouse , " Diboli said . " We involve rescue of them in June , and five of them are already up and quick for next yr ’s expansion in product . finally , they will all be in use at Prairie Nursery as we grow and strive to accomplish our goals and output numbers . We now have 12 ATI structures in various size totaling 51,840 sq . ft . of glasshouse at the glasshouse . "

One of the new Thermolator 30 glasshouse , just build and ready for establish .

Diboll appreciates the cognition and experience that ATI ’s John Pound has shared with him , he enjoin . " I really savour every conversation I have with John because I get wind something from him each clip . He is promiscuous to work with and very reactive , and ATI ’s greenhouses are the strongest and perdurable structures we ’ve chance because they ’re establish with 2 3/8 " sword . turn with the owner is peachy , and the fact that he provides personalised service of process is highly helpful . That original greenhouse that we purchased from ATI still looks brand newfangled after 26 years , and that ’s one of the reason we ordered 10 more this year . "

Diboll , age 64 , sleep with what he is doing and has no program to retreat anytime soon , he say . " I ’ve enjoyed watching this business grow for the retiring 36 year , and I ’m still having play . Seeing our well-chosen customers and producing high - timbre native plant save me rolling along . "

The Nursery Prairie has a high cause and appreciates its role in the manufacture . " Whether gardening in a small space or restoring home ground on a large scurf , aboriginal plants are an empowering option that supports life , bio - multifariousness , sustainability , and soil and water conservation . Prairie Nursery is proud to be part of that choice , " concord to the company ’s website ( www.prairienursery.com ) .

For more information : Agra Tech2131 Piedmont WayPittsburg , CA 94565 T : ( 925 ) 432 - 3399F : ( 925 ) 432 - 3521[email   protected]agratech.com