The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is hosting “Plants and Pints: Sponsored by the Dorothy and Joseph Young Family,” an evening of conversation and connection 7-9 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Barred Owl in the Scarlet Hotel, 2101 Transformation Dr.
The event will include hors d’oeuvres and a paid bar and will feature keynote presentations by local business owners and entrepreneurs Heather and Brian Byers of Great Plains Nursery in Lincoln and Amy and Jeff Grewe of Arbor Aesthetics in Omaha.
Heather Byers first sparked the idea of Great Plains Nursery 16 years ago during a horticulture class at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She pitched the idea to her soon-to-be husband, Brian, as they both had a passion for working outdoors and with native plants and the desire to provide a product and service that could make a difference in the environment and in local communities.
Heather graduated from Nebraska with a degree in horticulture production. Brian graduated from Southeast Community College with a degree in construction. The Byers purchased a farm near Weston, built their first greenhouse in 2008, and Great Plains Nursery was born.
Jeff Grewe founded Arbor Aesthetics in 2005 with a hand saw and a ladder. He soon realized he had a passion for making trees beautiful and a natural talent for climbing. Amy joined Arbor Aesthetics in 2014, bringing her genius for systems and processes and a passion for the customer experience.
Jeff and Amy are both Certified Arborists. Jeff is president of the Nebraska Arborists Association and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified by the International Society of Arboriculture. Arbor Aesthetics became Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association 2020, becoming one of only two companies in the state of Nebraska to achieve this recognition.
Tickets for Plants and Pints are $20 for NSA members and $25 for non-members. Register for the event here. Individuals 21 and older are only allowed to register.