Von Isaman of Salem was the recipient of the Distinguished Contribution Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to him by the Utah Nursery and Landscape Association and the International Society of Arboriculture-Utah Community Forest Council. The award ceremony was held during the 2025 Utah Green Conference and Trade Show at the Mountain America Expo Center in January.
The awards recognize accomplishments, celebrate, honor and highlight outstanding and significant contributions to the nursery and landscape industry at large. The awards also recognize those who have dedicated their life and/or career to the proper care of trees. Recipients of the award have shown dedication to the industry through the proper care of trees, education of citizens, and many other related endeavors.
Isaman is most known in the industry as the ‘go to person’ when it comes to topsoil testing, and is the knowledgeable enthusiast regarding topsoils and organic amendments for landscaping purposes. He, in cooperation with the Utah State University Soil Extension Specialist published the “Topsoil Quality Guidelines for Landscaping” a USU Extension Bulletin.
Isaman was adjunct general soils instructor for USU’s off-campus horticulture program from 1996 to 2010. He was adjunct arboriculture, turfgrass and annual/perennial plant materials instructor for Salt Lake Community College: Division of Apprenticeship- Landscape Technology from 2004-2006. He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist and holds several other certifications related to the green industry. He is also a member of several forums, councils, chapters and foundations. Additionally, he served as a USU Advanced Master Gardener at Thanksgiving Point Gardens from 1988 to 2010.
He has spoken several times at the Utah Green Conference and Trade Show on a variety of soil/plant related topics. Isaman continues to provide topsoil testing services to the landscape industry and has written thousands of soil test reports, and holds a BS degree and a master of professional studies degree from USU.
Submitted by Holly Meagher
