NGB presents Tom Johns with Medallion of Honor
National Garden Bureau (NGB), along with All-America Selections and the Home Garden Seed Association, have presented the Medallion of Honor to Tom Johns, previous president and owner of Territorial Seed Co.
While the award recognizes a lifetime of horticultural advancement, the ceremony’s most poignant moments focused on Johns’ role as a teacher and mentor to the industry’s rising leaders.
The presentation featured a career-spanning video and personal tributes from two of Tom’s closest mentees: Farren Johns, Tom’s daughter and current vice president of Territorial, and Josh Kirschenbaum, seed supply manager at Ball Seed. Both speakers shared moving accounts of the in-depth “horticultural education” Tom bestowed upon them throughout their careers.
Johns and Kirschenbaum highlighted Johns’ unique ability to translate complex plant science into actionable wisdom, noting that his mentorship went far beyond business operations. They credited his guidance with shaping their professional philosophies, emphasizing his commitment to quality and his passion for home gardeners’ success.
Photo courtesy of NGB.
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