Auction highlights MTNA show

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

Leonard Clemons of Clemons Nursery arranges some ornamental grass yesterday at his booth at the MTNA Trade Show. Show hours are today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McMinnville Civic Center. (James Clark photo)

The annual Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Trade Show is geared toward wholesale customers. But this year organizers are offering a way for local residents to buy nursery stock at attractive prices.

Near the end of the show, there will be an auction where flowers, shrubs and trees of all shapes and sizes will go to the highest bidder. The nursery stock will be donated by exhibitors and proceeds will benefit the Red Cross.

“It’s a case where nursery owners don’t necessarily want to haul this stuff back if they don’t have to,” said MTNA secretary Ann Halcomb. “And they’re looking at this as a good cause. So folks can get some good plants at good prices and help the Red Cross too.”

The auction will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday. The two-day show begins at the Civic Center today at 9 a.m. and ends tomorrow at 3 p.m. Around 1,000 to 1,300 customers, many from out of state, are expected. Admission is $7.

“This trade show is one of our best shows,” said Leonard Clemons, who operates Clemons Nursery with his wife, Avie. “There are a lot of people who come from out of state so I hope we still have a good crowd even with the gas problem.”

Clemons operates a 25-acre farm that specializes in ornamental grasses in the Mt. Leo community. He says he’s able to make a living on such a small amount of land because he and his wife do all the work.

Carl Bouldin of Bouldin’s Nursery says he usually has success at this show.

“I usually pick up one or two good customers from out of town,” Bouldin said. “And if you get just one good customer it’s worth it.”