The proceeds from CHS plant auctions in the spring and fall help support annual scholarships for horticulture students at the University of Connecticut and Naugatuck Valley Community College.

The 2011 Fall Auction: Dark and Stormy (and Successful)
by Leslie Shields

It was a dark and stormy night, but it was no mystery that those who braved the weather had a good time at the 2011 fall plant auction and bought some fabulous plants.

The Sept. 23 auction at the Tolland County Agricultural Center in Vernon netted $3203.06 from 53 bidders and the sale of table plants. The money helps fund CHS scholarships for students at the University of Connecticut and Naugatuck Valley Community College.

The event turned into a fun and informative evening, thanks to the wit and knowledge of talented auctioneers Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, John O’Brien of O’Brien Nurserymen in Granby, and Kevin Wilcox, owner of Farmington Valley Nursery in Avon. Bill Turell of Garden Sales in Manchester rejoined the group after too long an absence. These generous plantsmen donated not only their time but also many great and unusual plants.

Other businesses that donated  plants included Zen Teks, Kurt Weiss, Tower Farm and Cheshire Nursery, Gotta’s Farm Stand and Draghi’s Farm Stand. Garden Barn provided a gift certificate.

As thoughts now turn to the spring auction on May 11, 2012, at the Tolland County Agricultural Center in Vernon, please

-- support the businesses that contribute so generously to our auctions each year, especially in the current economy; and

-- consider volunteering at and attending the spring auction.

For more information about the plant auctions, e-mail Auction Committee co-chairs Fran Schoell or Leslie Shields at connhort@aol.com.