Farewell to a Legend in Our Time
Our hearts are heavy, yet our minds and memories are filled with fond recollections of the life, career, and innumerable achievements and contributions of Peter Orum, 82, who passed October 17, 2024, in the company of family and close friends. Peter’s remarkable life journey began in Denmark in 1941, under the long shadow of a global conflict. His roots and ties there remained strong throughout his life, and you may read more of the sweep of his life experience in his obituary. We focus here on his profound contributions to the American horticulture community.
Peter and his wife Irma, and over time their daughter Christa, extended family and loyal employees took Midwest Groundcovers from its most humble beginnings to a world-class family of plant growing and service companies based near Chicago, IL. Peter fervently believed in the power of individuals working together to realize meaningful change and progress. Over the years he became an outsize presence in our industry’s association community and a catalyst for good. He was a seasoned industry leader in high demand locally, regionally, and nationally, eventually serving as President of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) in 2005, and later as President of the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI). He was inducted into the ANLA Hall of Fame, the organization’s highest honor, in 2010.
Peter was deeply committed to civic and political engagement on behalf of family farms and small businesses. He led by example, investing time and treasure to build relationships and influence policy. He rarely missed a “day at the capital,” legislative conference or fly-in, and was a passionate advocate on a range of business issues. He often brought employees along to mentor them on how our system of government works.
No cause over the years animated Peter more than of agricultural labor and immigration reform and the multi-year push to advance the AgJOBS bill. “If we are not growing, making, and selling things, where will we be as a country…who will we rely on to feed us?” he asked on more than a few lobbying visits. Understanding the adage that politics makes strange bedfellows, in August of 2004 Peter was the first grower ever to be invited to address the biennial convention of the United Farm Workers union. In his historic address, he emphasized that “while we do not agree on many things, there are some things we can agree on, and must work together to achieve.”
He made no secret of the fact that he cast his first presidential ballot for Ronald Reagan in 1984, and clearly embraced Reagan’s farewell address reflections on America as a “shining city on a hill…a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity…and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.” As an immigrant himself, he saw the potential of others who came to America with little more than a dream and the resolve to achieve it.
As the years passed, Peter turned considerable intention to investing in future solutions and talent. Peter was a loyal and generous supporter of the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI). Over the years, he established numerous named endowment funds that celebrated his business, his family, his mentors, and his friends. These funds will advance horticultural research and scholarship in perpetuity. Peter never sought the spotlight for his contributions, preferring instead to lead by example. Yet, Peter never hesitated to share why he believed so strongly in HRI’s mission and encouraged others to take notice of HRI’s impact and join in supporting this work.
Peter was one of a kind and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him. His belief in AmericanHort and HRI and the impacts we make when the industry works together was inspiring. Peter’s unwavering belief in our cause was contagious. If you worked for him, or with him, you always wanted to do better—for Peter. His high standards and genuine passion challenged us all to rise to the occasion. Though we will miss him dearly, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence and generosity that will continue to inspire for years to come.
Generously, Peter requested that donations be made to HRI, among other charities, in his memory. To honor his wishes, we’ve added a special donation option on our website’s donation page.
We’ve always thought of Peter as a cornerstone of our industry, someone whose influence and dedication helped shape so much of what we do. We will miss Peter dearly, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
Peter Orum with dear friend and colleague Ken Doty on a visit to Greenland in 2023.
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