Welcome to Verterra Nursery
At Verterra Nursery, we are deeply committed to the restoration and preservation of watersheds through native tree propagation. We recognize the vital role that native trees play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, cultivating a diverse array of native tree and shrub species selected to enhance water quality, stabilize soil, and support local wildlife habitats.
Every aspect of our operations is guided by principles of ecological stewardship. From sourcing seeds responsibly to employing sustainable cultivation practices, we strive to minimize our environmental footprint while maximizing the positive impact of our efforts.
Our Team
Nick Kierstead
Nick has over a decade in farming experience that ranges from large scale vegetable production to biointensive grazing practices that build soil and sequester carbon. In addition to a background in farming, Nick has extensive experience in tree care and vegetation management. The combination of both backgrounds give Nick a unique perspective on the initial growth and long term care of native species.
Fostering healthy soils and promoting biodiversity are two tenets that Nick holds close at the nursery and are guiding principles for the manner in which we produce our plants.
Nick Kierstead is a proud co-owner of Verterra nursery and has a background in natural resource management and diversified agriculture. When he isn’t in the greenhouse or planting in the field he can be found aloft in the trees.
David Berg
David’s Vermont experience began when he attended UVM’s Rubenstein School of Natural Resources to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a focus on biogeography. His time there cultivated a boundless curiosity in ecology and natural systems. After graduating, he took a job at Horsford Gardens & Nursery and unwittingly began his career in horticulture. He spent sixteen years there gaining extensive plant experience and was awarded the Young Nursery Professional of the Year in 2021 by the Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association. Combining his passion for ecology with his experience in horticulture became his mission and his niche. In 2023, he decided to take a leap and pursue a vision of establishing a native plant nursery that can serve both the human and natural communities more equitably.
Sam
Sam brings an abundance of agriculture and land management skills to Verterra Nursery. He previously owned and managed a pasture based beef farm in Ferrisburgh and has run a successful landscaping business for the past 30 years.
Sam takes pride in growing and creating natural landscapes that are enjoyed by people and wildlife alike. He sees Verterra as a unique opportunity to provide native Vermont trees and shrubs to the surrounding area and fill the gap in production felt across the state.
Our Partners
We are proud to provide native trees and shrubs for these local organizations as part of their conservation and restoration programs. By partnering with conservation organizations, watershed management authorities, and local communities, we actively contribute to the restoration and protection of critical riparian zones and wetland habitats. Through collaborative initiatives, we aim to not only plant trees but also to nurture thriving ecosystems that are resilient to environmental challenges.
Our Story
Verterra Nursery traces its roots back to the convergence of three passionate individuals: Nick, David, and Sam. Each brought a unique background and expertise to the table, united by a shared vision of ecological stewardship and conservation.
Nick, with a background in vegetable agriculture and recent years spent in forestry, sought a venture that would combine his love for the land with a sustainable livelihood. Recognizing the unmet demand for native tree stock within the state and the lack of emphasis on ecological principles in traditional nursery practices, Nick saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. David, with sixteen years of commercial nursery production under his belt, felt disillusioned by the ornamental side of horticulture. Driven by a strong ecological passion, he envisioned a nursery dedicated to conservation, where native species would take precedence over purely decorative plants. His conversation with Sam sparked the initial idea, igniting a shared enthusiasm for creating a nursery that prioritized environmental sustainability. Sam, drawing from three decades in the landscape business, was eager to shift toward a venture that aligned with his ecological values. Together, the trio quickly realized the potential of their shared vision and wasted no time in bringing it to fruition.
Within weeks of their initial discussions, Verterra Nursery was born. Fueled by a grant opportunity and a collective passion for plants and ecological restoration, they embarked on their journey to fill the gap in the market for native tree stock produced sustainably and with a focus on environmental stewardship.
Their nursery, firmly grounded in principles of ecological integrity, seeks to satisfy conservation goals while also diversifying to meet the needs of various markets. With a commitment to producing high-quality plants without synthetic fertilizers and in harmony with the land, Verterra Nursery represents a beacon of hope for a future where ecological sustainability is paramount.
