LINLA's 2019 Man of the Year Celebration Honoring 

LOU CARACCIOLO

On the evening of Friday, October 25th, the Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association (LINLA) will proudly honor Lou Caracciolo as our
 LINLA Man of the Year.

Our Honoree

Lou Caracciolo grew up in the nursery business. His father, a landscape contractor, founded Shade Trees Nursery almost 50 years ago to grow his own plant materials for his projects. As a youngster, Lou was put to work in the nursery, first wielding a hoe, then learning to plow fields and dig, stake and prune trees. When he reached college age, he resisted the idea of going into the family business and began his education in finance. After further consideration – and a little pressure – he switched to horticulture, attending the University of Georgia and SUNY Farmingdale, where he met his future wife, Lisa.

After graduating, Lou began managing the nursery’s wholesale growing operation, then took over the business when his father retired. 

Lou and Lisa have shepherded Shade Trees Nursery through a series of expansions. They now have 130 acres where they grow a variety of plants for the wholesale and retail trades. In addition to plants and garden supplies, Shade Trees’ Retail Garden Shop and Farm Market sells honey, eggs, jams and other goods harvested from the plants, chickens and bees on the property, under the North Breeze Farms label. It is also home to Lisa’s equine supply store, North Fork Saddlery.

The Caracciolos’ son, Myles, joined the business in 2015 and manages the wholesale division, doing sales and marketing. Their daughter, Rebecca, works in pharmaceutical marketing in Manhattan.

Lou is a past president of LINLA and has also served on the executive board of the Long Island Farm Bureau. He has also been a member of the Riverhead and Southold Agriculture Advisory Committees, Peconic Land Trust Agriculture Advisory Committee, and Farm Credit East customer advisory committee. 

Join us as we thank Lou Caracciolo for his leadership and contributions to the industry throughout his career!

About the Award

The “Man of the Year” celebration is a longstanding tradition held each fall by the Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association.  Since 1965, we have had the honor of recognizing outstanding individuals who have influenced, shaped and advanced our industry at this prestigious event. Over the years, the Man of the Year

Program has also raised much needed funds to support the LINLA Grants & Scholarships Program. This program directly impacts our industry by providing funding for scientific research and supporting the education of the next generation. Please consider supporting this important LINLA event honoring the history and legacy of our industry.