The Green Legacy Story & Team
At Green Legacy, we’re a family-owned greenhouse driven by a passion for horticulture and a commitment to strengthening landscapes and communities across the Midwest.
Growing With Purpose & Vision
At Green Legacy, our work is driven by more than growing plants. It is guided by a belief in innovation, environmental responsibility, and supporting the people and communities who depend on strong, reliable plant performance.
Our Mission is to inspire, educate, and lead the transformation of outdoor spaces through excellence in horticultural performance and sustainable design practices.
Our Vision is to transform outdoor spaces and enrich lives by providing landscapers and independent garden centers with beautiful, high quality annuals and tropicals.
The Story Behind Green Legacy
Every great garden starts with care, dedication, and a belief in what it can become. Green Legacy’s story began as a family dream and has grown into a commitment to innovation, performance, and partnership with the people we serve.
After years in his family’s greenhouse business, Dan Van Wingerden reached a crossroads when the operation changed direction. While the circumstances were unexpected, his commitment to the greenhouse industry remained clear. The desire to build a business and raise a family within the culture of greenhouse growing continued to guide his decisions.
Through established industry relationships, an opportunity emerged in Orient, Ohio- a greenhouse operation that would soon become Green Legacy. Though the location was new and the timing uncertain, Dan and his wife decided to move forward with confidence, trusting they were being guided in the right direction.
In January 2021, they relocated to Orient and officially launched Green Legacy. The early years required focus and sacrifice as the business was established from the ground up.
From the beginning, Green Legacy was built with intention. The company focused on balancing 3 top priorities: investing in infrastructure, building the right team, and earning customer trust. Over time, this approach strengthened operations, expanded staff thoughtfully, and grew a loyal customer base—particularly among landscape professionals and independent garden centers who value consistency and long-term partnerships.
In January 2026, Green Legacy marked its five-year milestone. Today, the company is a growing, established operation focused on steady improvement, responsible growth, and doing simple things well. Looking ahead, Green Legacy remains committed to stewardship, integrity, and building something that endures .
The Experts Behind Our Work
Led by industry professionals with deep horticultural knowledge, our team combines research, field experience, and innovation to deliver meaningful results.
Dan VanWingerden
Owner / Sales
Mason Finley
Head Grower
Cora Wyers
Administrator
Audrey Brill
Trial Garden Coordinator
Michele Donovan
Operational Support
Brenda Vazquez Flores
Production Manager
Samuel Ratliff
Maintenance Manager / Logistics
Omar Vazquez
Assistant Grower / Deliveries
Michelle Wyers
CPA / Controller / Accounting
Dan VanWingerden
Owner / Sales
Dan is the founder of Green Legacy, which launched in January 2021. Before starting the business, he worked in his family’s greenhouse operation in Lexington, Kentucky.
When he’s not working, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, connecting with other growers, serving in his church, and traveling.
Mason Finley
Head Grower
Mason joined Green Legacy in 2022 with five years of prior growing experience. As Head Grower, he enjoys working for a young, family-owned business that is constantly trialing new varieties and techniques to deliver high-quality products to customers.
Outside of work, Mason enjoys spending time with his family and raising his two young boys.
Cora Wyers
Administrator
Cora has been part of Green Legacy since the fall of 2022. While she works remotely from a few states away, she plays an integral role in the day-to-day operations at Green Legacy.
Outside of work, Cora enjoys gardening, baking, walking her dog, and spending time with her family.
Michelle Wyers
CPA / Controller / Accounting
Michelle joined Green Legacy in 2022 and has 15 years of experience in the horticulture industry along with nine years in agricultural lending. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, home renovation projects, and spending time with her family and dogs.