THE BOOK
Fred G. Lebed, inspired by his grandparents' love for gardening, recounts his journey from childhood fascination with plants to adulthood, where he and his wife Deb nurture their passion for gardening in their own yard. Through experiences like planting a rose bush for his daughter and participating in a Master Gardener program, Fred's enthusiasm for horticulture grows. Encouraged by a friend and author Ron Faiola, Fred embarks on a project to document unique greenhouses and nurseries in Wisconsin. His upcoming book will feature 50 off-the-beaten-path establishments, highlighting the dedication and stories of their owners, who often inherit their love of plants from previous generations. These nurseries, steeped in history and tradition, represent a vanishing Americana, offering not just plants but a connection to the past and hope for the future. Fred's narrative promises an adventurous journey through Wisconsin's countryside, complete with expert tips and local recommendations, celebrating the resilience and passion of greenhouse owners and the beauty of nature itself.
A PRODUCT OF
CHILDHOOD DREAMS
A RARE BREED OF ENTREPRENEURS
LINKING THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
GROWING BEAUTIFUL THINGS
THE AUTHOR:
FRED LEBED
Over the past quarter-century, Lebed has been the proprietor and manager of The Prairie Group, Inc., adeptly advocating for clients across various sectors such as healthcare, technology, transportation, business solutions, energy and utilities, and financial services. Now embarking on a new venture, Fred—a passionate gardener—is crafting a distinctive book spotlighting Wisconsin's Greenhouses and Nurseries along with the dedicated gardeners behind them.
"Those Grandparents of mine were certainly an influence on me that would last a lifetime. My current yard is the home of strategically scattered plant sites of all kinds. You name it, I have them! I often gather freshly cut flowers as Sunday morning gifts for my neighbors. Nestled in the back is a wonderful greenhouse where I can exercise my passion to grow all year long. Little did I know back then, that I am now teaching, influencing my three young grandchildren how to grow."
THE BEAUTIFUL FASCINATING CIRCLE OF LIFE
"Seeing beauty in a flower could awaken humans, however briefly, to the beauty that is an essential part of their own innermost being, their true nature.”
Eckhart Tolle
“A New Earth”
Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
GREENHOUSES & NURSERIES
FLOWERS
PLANTS
LIVING A LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR
PETAL N’ ROOTS
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Located in Central Badger Region, Porterfield, Wisconsin
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Owner Kathy harvesting rhubarb
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Gardening since Kathy was 5
“I will do this ‘till I can’t”
JJ’s ACRES
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Located in The Northwoods Region, Woodruff, Wisconsin
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Owner Judy with her A-Team!
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A gathering place of families, friends and flowers since 1971
“Appreciate every plant, every tree, every flower and every blade of grass because the are gifts from God”
MAJESTIC FARMS
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Located in Central Badger Region,
Hatley, Wisconsin -
Majestic Farms help residents of greater Wausau area establish eco-friendly gardens, restore native woodlands and prairies
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Owners Cori and Eric in their words, “living the dream.”
“Gardening is a green way of expressing yourself”
I first met Fred in my office in Prairie du Sac in 2023 as he was traveling Wisconsin preparing to write his book. He told me his love for Wisconsin and stories about he and his buddy hitch-hiking up here from Chicago when he was 17. We had something else in common … in his 30’s he and that same buddy owned a fast-food restaurant in Chicago flipping burgers! An Illinoisan writing about greenhouses in Wisconsin? We will see...I cannot wait to read his book.
Craig Culver
Founder, Culver’s
Fred and I have known each other for a long time, we met through a great mutual friend who unfortunately is no longer with us. One time Fred invited myself and a whole bunch of other folks to his Wisconsin fishing cabin. Everybody had a blast and I got to meet some great new friends. Thats how Fred is, he brings people together. He’ll do that with this book; bringing together people who have a great love of gardening, books and the great state of Wisconsin.
Mike Ragen
Chief Deputy of the Illinois State Library, retired
In addition to being a professional academic, I have a diverse background as a Vietnam Combat Veteran and the Author of “Gates of the Artic National Park,” a New York Times and Amazon #1 Best Seller. This unique perspective enables me to have an especially deep appreciation of the extraordinary qualities and abilities of my friend, Fred Lebed. He pours everything he has in everything he does. His book, “Wisconsin Greenhouses” will be a composite of his love of people, his passion for everything that grows and his incredible talent to convey interesting and fun stories of greenhouses and nurseries throughout Wisconsin. I cannot wait to read it.
Joe Wilkins,
Professor Emeritus University of Illinois
Award-Winning Author, “Gates of the Artic National Park”
My love for the Dairy State
I first flirted with Wisconsin - - or maybe, Wisconsin first flirted with me - - when I was seven old. My dad, Grandpa Fritz and their buddy Sam just started to include me in their weekend fishing trips to Friendship, Wisconsin. I was so excited to head Up North, I could not sleep the night before! Seeing the beautiful lakes and streams was a stark contrast to my Southwest side neighborhood of Chicago with neighboring homes a few yards between each other, crowded streets and narrow cinder alleys.
When did I fall in love with Wisconsin? At 17, my buddy, Dave, and I hitchhiked to
Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin from Chicago. We spent a week of incredible fishing and
hiking. We camped at the VFW Boat Landing, along the Wisconsin River.
That is when I fell madly in love with Wisconsin!
That boat landing is still there. Today, looking directly down at the boat landing Craig
Culver’s corporate office. Yes … that Craig Culver … the self-made successful
businessman who opened his first Culver’s down the street in Sauk City in 1984.
There are now nearly 1,000 Culver’s Restaurants across the country!
Thanks for cheering me on with my book, Craig!
