Green industry professionals gathered on Aug. 11, 2026, for Northern Green Outdoors, an interactive outdoor education and demonstration event presented by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) and the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF).
Designed to take education beyond the traditional classroom, Northern Green Outdoors gave attendees the opportunity to see industry practices and equipment in action, learn directly from experts and gain practical knowledge they could take back to their businesses and crews.
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Throughout the day, attendees participated in hands-on educational sessions and live demonstrations covering topics relevant to landscape, nursery and other green industry professionals. Equipment demonstrations and test-drive opportunities provided an additional chance to experience tools and technology firsthand and talk directly with industry experts.
“Northern Green Outdoors is about creating the kind of learning that is difficult to replicate in a classroom,” said Cassie Larson, MNLA executive director. “When professionals can see a technique demonstrated, ask questions in the moment and actually get behind the controls of equipment, they leave with knowledge they can put to work right away.”
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The outdoor format also created opportunities for attendees, exhibitors and industry experts to connect throughout the day, exchange ideas and discuss the challenges and opportunities they are seeing in their businesses.
Northern Green Outdoors is part of MNLA's ongoing commitment to providing practical, relevant education and connections that help green industry businesses and professionals succeed.
The next event — Northern Green — takes place Jan. 19-21, 2027, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre for even more opportunities to learn, connect and grow.
