Hall Of Fame Inductees

 

The individuals nominated should have made a significant impact or positive influence that assures the future of our industry in the lives of generations to come.

 

Once nominated, an individual’s biography and photo are updated on the site, and he or she is placed in the polls for voting. At the end of the year the committee takes into consideration the votes and decides which candidates are inducted.

 

Those with a star (*) next to their name below were either inducted posthumously or have passed away since being inducted.

 

Nomination Qualifications

  • Person with integrity and passion
  • Minimum 20 years in industry
  • Someone who has developed  or invented  new technology
  • Has made contributions that resulted in change
  • Contributed to mankind’s needs in his field
  • Provided education and encouragement  with self-sacrifice
  • Changed the industry

Kurt Dramm *


Kurt attended St Olaf College and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in business and horticulture. These two majors influenced his entire career.  His first job was a traveling salesman for Vaughan Seed.  But is was in 1968 when he and his brother John formed the Dramm Company to produce garden and greenhouse watering products. The business had formally been maintained by their mother Perdita who operated out of her basement (when not working as a librarian).  

 

Following his brother’s early death, Kurt developed the Dramm Corporation over the next 45 years with four divisions existing today: Dramm Commercial, Retail, Organic Fish Fertilizer, and Dramm Water treatment.  He never actually retired always saying “maybe next year.” 

 

In his early years Kurt was laughingly called “Warts”. In College he was known as “Flower Pot”. In recent years it was “Aga”, a name the grandchildren lovingly called him.   His zest for life was contagious as he always talked about stories of the characters he met at trade shows, with growers in the New Orleans area, always looked for familiar faces and was happy to meet new ones as well many others.   He really liked talking to any and all gardeners!

 

Kurt was born on November 25, 1938, to Perdita (Perham) Dramm and John G. Dramm.  He grew up with his brother, John G. Dramm (Jr.) and neighborhood friends, later in life often regaling in sharing tales of their childhood shenanigans.  In 1964 he married Marlene (Toebe) Dramm. Kurt and Marlene went on to have two children, Heidi and Hans.  Throughout the years his hobbies included gardening, biking, cooking, and working in his greenhouse.  Kurt was a son, brother, husband, a wonderful father, the greatest grandfather, businessman, horticulturalist, friend, rebel, traditionalist, environmentalist, explorer, gourmet, and a gift. 

 

The Lord called Kurt William Dramm home on  May 16, 2023.  The entire Dramm family is humbled and honored for the distinction of being inducted into the Green Industry Hall of Fame.  Kurt would have been ecstatic as his family is!