North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association Announces New Director of Education
The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Cyndi Lauderdale as its new Director of Education. With more than 29 years of experience in horticultural education and leadership, Lauderdale brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to this pivotal role.
Lauderdale most recently served as a Horticulture Extension Agent for NC State University in Wilson County, where she made a lasting impact through educational outreach, community engagement, and the development of practical horticultural programs. A dedicated advocate for science-based education, she has delivered dynamic workshops and resources on topics including soil science, plant propagation, and pest and disease management. Her expertise has been featured in publications such as Our State and American Nurseryman.
As Director of Education, Lauderdale will oversee the planning and execution of all NCNLA educational initiatives, including Green & Growin’ Education, the Carolina Nursery Summit (which debuted in June 2025), the NCNLA Scholarship Program, and the Certified Plant Professional and Future Plant Professional certification programs.
“We are excited to welcome Cyndi to the NCNLA team,” said Katie Bennett, Executive Vice President of NCNLA. “Her industry expertise, passion for horticultural education, and longstanding service to the industry make her the ideal person to guide our educational efforts and collaborate with our committees and members.” Lauderdale has a long history with NCNLA and is no stranger to its mission.
“Joining NCNLA feels like a natural next step,” said Cyndi Lauderdale. “I have a long history with the association, going all the way back to when it was NCAN. I was the first woman outside of the green industry to receive the Libby Wilder Award, and I’m incredibly proud of that honor. One of the highlights of my Extension career was
teaching NCNLA’s Certified Plant Professional program to professionals across the state. Education opens doors, and I’m excited to bring my experience to this organization and its members, whom I truly enjoy working with, so we can keep opening more together.”
In her new role, Lauderdale aims to serve as a trusted educational resource, fostering
innovation, professionalism, and lifelong learning throughout North Carolina’s nursery
and landscape sectors.
To learn more about NCNLA and its programs, visit https://ncnla.com.
About the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association
The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) is a 501(c)(5) non-profit
membership organization made up of firms and individuals committed to the success of
North Carolina’s nursery and landscape sectors. Members include growers, landscape
firms, retail garden centers, industry suppliers, horticulture students, and educators.