Loma Vista Nursery celebrates 35 years in business in 2026. Lyndsi Oestmann, second generation owner and president, reflects on the company’s evolution from a small family operation founded by her father, Mark Clear, to a premiere container production facility.
What does this milestone mean to you as the leader of the legacy business?
It is my honor and privilege to lead Loma Vista Nursery into its 35th year with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride. This milestone represents more than three decades of perseverance, belief and the hard work of a team that includes six members who have been here longer than I have. One of the best things about leading this business is getting to experience the talents of so many people, past and present.
In 1996, Loma Vista Nursery and the early days at Olathe, Kan.
What is your first memory of working with your dad during the early days?
The nursery’s first location in Olathe, Kan. was adjacent to my childhood home. My brother and I would walk over after school, around the pond that was used for irrigation and across about 40 acres of farm ground. Dad would pay us a piece-rate of five cents to pick up trash that blew in from neighboring properties. On a good day we could find enough to earn about $2, payable from a coffee can Dad hid in a cabinet. We promptly spent our earnings on snacks in the lobby.
I also remember, when I was in the fourth grade, a night where our family and neighborhood friends worked in full snow gear to finish a bareroot planting before a storm hit. I drove the Kubota tractor with the lights on, trying my best to keep the rows as straight as possible. It was pitch dark when we finished, but we got the trees in the ground.
The “grand view” of our former tree farm site, located in Grandview, Mo.
Along the journey of the nursery’s business, what are you most proud of?
I am deeply humbled knowing the hardest work was done long before I started working full-time in the business. My dad took an extraordinary risk, poured everything he had into this business and built a model rooted in integrity, resilience and long-term thinking. That positioned Loma Vista Nursery to endure and, eventually, gave me the opportunity to refine our niche and strengthen our systems. I am especially thankful for the family members who helped build this company–my dad, my late uncle and my aunt, who recently retired after 25 years of dedicated service.
Loma Vista Nursery’s founder, Mark Clear, with his daughter and current company president, Lyndsi Oestmann.
What is the most profound business philosophy you received from your father that shapes your leadership?
My dad always understood that you cannot do the nursery business alone. It takes a team, with every member contributing in a meaningful way. What is most important on any team is taking care of your teammates and making decisions that support their best interests. We strive to be profitable, specifically so we can reinvest in the company and take the best possible care of the people who work here.
“Experience the View!”— Every day at Loma Vista Nursery brings a new, beautiful perspective.
What strategic decision made back in the day that was critical to defining the company’s current success?
In 2003, Dad leveraged pretty much everything to purchase a 330-acre former rock quarry in Ottawa, Kan. and spent the next 10 years developing it into a sustainable container production nursery. There were a lot of ups, downs and hardships in initially developing our current site. To be on the flip-side of that now—with a beautiful, efficiently functioning nursery production site that has an abundant water resource and a central location—is nothing short of extraordinary.
Lyndsi with Duke, our late nursery dog. Duke was a special member of the Loma Vista Nursery team for many years.
Since taking on the company’s leadership, what have you learned about managing change that coincides with growth?
Managing change in a transparent way that is respectful of others involved is one of the most important lessons a leader can master. Forced change is painful and rarely gets results, so obtaining buy-in through clear and concise communication is crucial. While leading with patience and respect can take longer than issuing a directive, it is always best for the company in the long-run.
Crafting a culture of caring for one another begins with listening and communication. Seasonal awards luncheons focus on team recognition.
How do you maintain a family-oriented culture while meeting the demands of a successful company?
Crafting our company culture is not an accident. It requires intentional space at the top of my priority list. This means investing in safety programs, professional development and living our core value of building a legacy of caring for plants and people. Loma Vista Nursery has built a reputation that employees and customers can rely on, because we do what we say we are going to do.
We grow healthy plants we are proud of. Loma Vista Nursery-grown plants pass daily inspections and quality controls.
How is the company investing in plant selection and production to prepare for the next decade in the horticulture business?
The plant world is evolving rapidly, with an overwhelming number of new varieties entering the market. We are approaching our inventory methodically, planning for the next one, five and 10 years to adapt to shifting preferences, climate changes and limited water resources.
A vital lesson we’ve learned is that we cannot be everything to everyone. Instead, we focus on varieties that thrive at our specific facility. While we continue to push limits and test new plants, we remain mindful of our infrastructure constraints. Ultimately, maintaining a well-controlled inventory with high sell-through is our proven recipe for success.
Family mindsets matter at our nursery and everyone who works here is a part of ours. From left, Mark Clear, Leanne Follet (recently retired), Lyndsi Oestmann and Tyler Clear (nursery sales).
Looking toward the future, what excites you most about Loma Vista Nursery’s next chapter?
I am most excited for my two teen daughters to start working part-time so they can learn the value of an honest day’s work and eventually decide if they want to join the family business. My hope is that we continue building on this foundation for another 35 years, allowing our team members to reach their goals and live fulfilling lives.
Inside the propagation house, where life begins and Loma Vista Nursery’s journey continues.
What are your thoughts about the people and legacy that define Loma Vista Nursery?
I think about those who are here today and those who have left a lasting mark on the company along the way. I have learned something from every one of them.
At Loma Vista Nursery, we grow plants we are proud of. But I’m most proud of the people who show up every day to represent our company, our industry and my family with care and professionalism. Our company looks very different in its 35th year than it did in its 25th. I enter this anniversary year ready to honor our past while celebrating the evolution still to come.
Celebrating Loma Vista Nursery’s 35th anniversary with a beautiful outlook for the season ahead!
About Loma Vista Nursery ‒ Midwest Wholesale Plant Grower
Loma Vista Nursery grows a variety of healthy perennial plants, trees and shrubs for independent garden centers, landscape contractors and wholesale distributors. Review our plant catalog for detailed information and to pre-order.
Visit our website to learn more about our nursery, including our processes, varieties and values.
For assistance with orders or plant-related questions, please call (785) 229-7200 or send an email to sales@lomavistanursery.com. Our team of plant experts is happy to answer questions and provide information about the reliable varieties we grow.
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