Orum Elected 2004-2005 ANLA President

WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to a release from the American Landscape & Nursery Association (ANLA) Peter Orum, owner of Midwest Groundcovers (Ill.), was recently elected as the 2004-2005 ANLA president during an ANLA Senate meeting held at the Annual Convention & Learning Retreat in Hawaii.  Based in St. Charles and founded in 1969 by Orum and wife, Irma, Midwest Groundcovers is the largest ground cover producer in Illinois, with 250 acres and an annual production of about 10 million plants.

Orum’s involvement in the green industry began at an early age.  Born and raised in Denmark, Orum grew up on his father’s nursery.  He received hands-on and formal horticultural training in Denmark and America, and graduated with a B.S. in finance from Northern Illinois University.  Within ANLA, Orum has served as president of the Horticultural Research Institute, governor for the state of Illinois, and vice president.  He is perhaps most known for providing leadership and vision to the organization’s political and legislative advocacy programs.  He has also served as board member and president of Illinois Nurserymen’s Association and International Plant Propagators’ Society - Eastern Region.

In addition to horticultural activities, Orum is an active member in his community. He is a founding member of the Scandinavian American Cultural Society and served on the Chancellors Commission on University of Illinois Extension System.  Currently, he is active in such organizations as the Royal Danish Guard Society and University of Illinois' Horticultural Research Center Advisory Committee.

Orum’s wife Irma and daughter Christa, a landscape architect, are both heavily involved in the company.  A private garden at Midwest Groundcovers honors the memory of Orum’s son, Stig.