An AmericanHort Member Benefit
2021:September
A KNOWLEDGE RESOURCE FOR OUR INDUSTRY
IN THIS ISSUE
Ready for Fall? Fall is one of the best times of the year. For AmericanHort, Fall means it’s time to bring the green industry together at our in-person events like the Finished Plant Conference & Impact Washington— The Summit, as well as virtually through our many online webinars and mastery series. Join us! FEATURES Member Spotlight: Walters Gardens
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COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs from Employers
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Welcome to Our New AmericanHort & HRI Staff Members!
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HRI & ADVOCACY UPDATES
UPCOMING EVENTS & EDUCATION
Speaker Spotlights at the 2021 Impact Washington Summit
Finished Plant Conference 11 6
The Green Industry Rallies Around HRI at Cultivate’21 8
Grower Insider Webinar Series
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E-Commerce Mastery Series
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Walters Gardens Zeeland, MI
The Walters Gardens story began in 1942 when Dennis Walters and his new bride, Harriet, took over the family perennial business.
Today, the company is run by the second and third generations of Walters aided by numerous other family members and dedicated employees including plant health experts, skilled horticulturists, capable customer care and marketing staff, and a pool of sales representatives and brokers nationwide. Walters Gardens is well-known in the horticulture industry for their innovation, high-quality plants, and their perennial expertise. They currently sit at over 250 employees, 1,500 acres of land, and 500,000 square feet of greenhouse space. Over 19 million perennial liners are shipped annually to independent garden centers, wholesale growers, landscapers, and municipalities across the US and Canada. Each year, approximately 100 new items are added to their catalog of over 1,000 bare root and plug perennial liners.
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To help their customers be successful, Walters Gardens has partnered with Proven Winners® to bring you their top perennial genetics in the Proven Package. Using the best perennial genetics and the powerful consumer marketing machine that is Proven Winners, they are very proud of their ability to help their customers get top notch plants into the hands of today’s consumers. Walters Gardens currently has over 80 active hybridization projects and, in addition to their internal hybridizing efforts, their New Plant Development crew also evaluates cultivars and species submitted by outside sources for consideration. From these projects, Walters Gardens will make and evaluate more than 35,000 unique crosses each year and, while many seedlings are quickly eliminated at the onset, thousands make their way to Walters’ impressive landscape trials.
Plants in selection first undergo landscape trials where they are evaluated against similar new plant selections and industry standards. Varieties that excel in this category are then moved to container trials for further evaluation and then on to production trials. At each stage Walters Gardens is looking for plants that distinguish themselves and will benefit their customers and end consumers. Walters Gardens, Inc. has also made great progress in modernizing growing technologies, testing for viruses to ensure clean product, hybridizing new varieties, and expanding their marketing program. In addition, over the past decade, Walters Gardens has made great strides towards sustainable perennial production. Their facilities use energy saving curtains in the greenhouse, their liners are grown in biodegradable Elle Plugs, and they recycle a quarter million pounds of paper, plastic, and metal annually.
Want to see Walters Gardens for yourself? Well, you’re in luck. Walters Gardens will be one of four world-class stops on the Finished Plant Conference Greenhouse Tour on October 11, 2021. Attendees will get a first-hand look at their growing facilities and be able to ask questions on Walters Garden’s best practices. Seats on the bus are limited, so be sure to register today. On October 11, Walters Gardens will also be hosting the Perennial Plant Workshop at their facility. Workshop presenters include: Hans Hansen, Director of New Plant Development at Walters Gardens; Laura Robles, Regional Product Manager at Walters Gardens; Broch Martindale, Greenhouse & Nursery Tech Specialist at Corteva Agriscience; and Paul Pilon, Technical Manager at OHP.
Finished Plant OCTOBER 11–13, 2021 | GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Learn more and register today at AmericanHort.org/Finished Plant.
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COVID VACCINE FAQ
COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs from Employers By Shawn Packer, Principal Member, JPH Law, Washington DC
Employer driven requirements and/or incentives for vaccination against COVID-19 are a current hot topic. This coincides with an increased public campaign by the federal government and health officials to support vaccination of all eligible individuals against COVID-19. Before imposing workplace policies in this area, it is advisable that employers wishing to require or incentivize employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 consider the myriad federal and individual state laws that could govern any such policies. The federal laws employers should be aware of are the Equal Employment Opportunity laws, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). In addition, as of August, 2021, 20 states have enacted laws and policies governing COVID-19 protocols in the workplace and private establishments and more are under consideration.
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To help the green industry navigate these waters, AmericanHort and JHP Law have prepared a document that focuses on the federal laws surrounding vaccination incentives and requirements in the workplace. Employers are encouraged to review any and all state policies on vaccination incentives or requirements in the workplace as well.
Access this document to answer questions like: • May an employer require all employees physically entering their workplace be vaccinated for COVID-19? • If there is a vaccination requirement, what can an employer do if an employee refuses to get vaccinated? • If I make it a requirement that all employees get vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering my workplace, what must I do under the ADA if an employee tells me they cannot get vaccinated because of a medical condition? • And more…
Access this FAQ document at AmericanHort.org/CovidVacFAQ
HR PEERSHARING
Sharing HR Best Practices By Mary Beth Cowardin, VP of Marketing and Member Engagement, AmericanHort, MaryBethC@AmericanHort.org AmericanHort created the HR Peer-Sharing Group as a way to bring human resource professionals from AmericanHort member companies together to connect. This group is a place to share ideas and best practices, ask questions and network in order to help do your job better, which leads to a stronger industry overall.
We strongly encourage all HR professionals and any person dealing with HR responsibilities in their job to join the group. You can join for FREE by emailing MaryBethC@AmericanHort.org.
The group meets virtually by conference call on a monthly basis, and in person meetings occur throughout the year as group members desire—the most recent in-person meeting taking place at Cultivate’21 during the Building a Better Workforce workshop. Topics of discussion for the calls are determined by group members based on what most needed at that and who you know who is willing to share expertise. Take a look at some of our upcoming meeting topics: SEPTEM B ER OSHA Compliance Assistance
N OVE M BER HR Management Systems
OCTOB ER Social Media & HR: Using social media in your recruitment, retention, recognition of employees
D E C E MBER Staff Engagement & Managing Turnover
Finished Plant OCTOBER 11–13, 2021 | GRAND RAPIDS, MI
BEST PRACTICES IN FINISHED PLANT GROWING STARTS HERE. EDUCATION | TRADE SHOW | GREENHOUSE TOUR | WORKSHOP
REGISTER TODAY!
AmericanHort.org/FinishedPlant 2021:September| 5
FROM THE HILL
A D V O C A C Y U P DAT E S
Speaker Spotlights at the 2021 Impact Washington Summit By Tal Coley, Director of Government Affairs, AmericanHort, TalC@AmericanHort.org
TAKE ACTION. BE HEARD. IMPACT WASHINGTON AmericanHort members and industry friends descended upon Washington DC on September 20–22 to help make a difference for the future of horticulture at the Impact Washington Summit. Over the course of two days, participants heard from elected leaders, their staff, and other policy experts on issues of great impact on green industry business success. Our attendees also got the chance to share their experiences directly with policy makers, developing personal relationships and providing real-world context and influence to decisions being made.
Take a look at some of our spotlighted event speakers. BOB WORSLEY Republican Former State Senator (AZ), Entrepreneur, Innovator, & Author Bob Worsley, retired Republican State Senator (AZ), entrepreneur, innovator, and author, will deliver keynote remarks on the challenges of the current political divide and how it affects efforts for comprehensive immigration reform. Worsley served in the Arizona Senate from 2012 until 2019, where he advocated on issues such as immigration, technology, and energy, while gaining notoriety for beating former Senate President Russell Pearce. Bob’s entrepreneurial enterprises span three decades, beginning in 1989 with the founding of SkyMall—which he later sold to Rupert Murdoch 13 years later—to his new startup, ZenniHomes, which builds state-of-the-art micro homes of the future that include net-zero energy from the use of solar, Lithium batteries, super-insulated and smart technology. He is the author of the newly released book The Horseshoe Virus which along with telling his story of being elected to fight for immigrants in Arizona, painstakingly connects some on the far right and far left of working together to kill 6 | AmericanHort.org
any comprehensive immigration reform in Washington DC. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY HINSON Represents Iowa’s 67th Congressional District Representative Hinson is the first woman to represent Iowa’s 67th district, which includes Hiawatha, Robins, Cedar Rapids, and Marion. During her tenure, she was a fierce advocate for taxpayers, helping to cut taxes and reign in irresponsible spending. She also championed workforce development and rural broadband initiatives and helped make childcare more accessible for working parents across Iowa. Representative Hinson is deeply involved in her community. She belongs to Antioch Christian Church, and is a member of March of Dimes, Young Parents Network and the National Council on Youth Leadership. Representative Hinson now represents Iowa’s First District in Congress and fights each day for Iowa families, businesses, and farmers.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ABIGAIL SPANBERGER Represents Virginia’s 7th Congressional District Representative Spanberger began her career in public service, first serving as a federal agent with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigating money laundering and narcotics cases, and then serving as a case officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). As a CIA officer, she worked at home and abroad to collect vital intelligence, keep our country safe, and work in furtherance of our national security priorities. In the private sector, Representative Spanberger worked with colleges and universities to help them diversify their student bodies and increase graduation rates. Representative Spanberger serves on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture and the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. On the House Agriculture Committee, she serves as Chair of the Conservation & Forestry Subcommittee and as a member of the Commodity Exchanges, Energy, & Credit Subcommittee.
DAVID T. CROW President—D.C. Legislative & Regulatory Services David Crow founded DCLRS in 1991 with the goal of developing a full-service government relations practice with expertise in legislative and regulatory affairs. He has built a small and talented team specializing in a number of policy areas including agriculture, climate policy, energy, international, labor and immigration, pesticides and fertilizers, small business, transportation and infrastructure, and water policy. In a career that began in 1975, David has developed a wide range of contacts and knowledge working for Rep. Tom Coleman (R-MO), Secretary of Agriculture Jack Block, the Fertilizer Institute, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and the Jefferson Group. David also speaks to a wide range of industry audiences. He continues to be deeply engaged in the political process, raising money for candidates who represent issue areas and geographical regions that impact our clients. David also worked on several presidential and congressional campaigns in order to connect our clients to the political process.
Also speaking at the Impact Washington Summit were U.S. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, Florida's 27th Congressional District; Lynn Jacquez, Managing partner and principal at JPH Law; Brian Kuehl, Principal at K·COE ISOM; and Laurie Flanagan, Executive VP at DC Legislative and Regulatory Services, Inc. Providing a united front, this Summit is an opportunity for the landscaper, grower, garden retailer, and entire green industry communities to personally and collectively advocate for decisions that help us continue the growth of our $348 billion industry.
Learn more about each of our speakers at AmericanHort.org/Impact. September 20–22 Washington DC
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HRI U P DAT E
The Green Industry Rallies Around HRI at Cultivate’21 By Jennifer Gray, Research Programs Administrator, Horticultural Research Institute, JenniferG@AmericanHort.org
HRI’s return to a face-to-face donor celebration event was truly that— a celebration. It was a “million dollar night” for HRI, but what was truly priceless was being together again to celebrate milestones, successes, families, businesses, research, scholarships, and our industry.
We kicked off the evening with a special announcement that HRI was establishing a new level of giving, the Redwood Circle, to recognize donors who have endowments funds over $1,000,000. We announced that the Spring Meadow-Proven Winners Fund had surpassed that level and shared a video featuring previous recipients of the fund’s scholarship. We presented Dale Deppe and his team with the Redwood Circle crystal award. We spent time recognizing those who established funds in the last year that were previously announced during our virtual events, including: • Dennis Walters Scholarship Fund • Wright Family of Alabama Scholarship Fund • Pleasant View Gardens Scholarship Fund
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We recognized the impact and legacies of our state partner funds: • The Southern Nursery Association Legacy Fund entering the Diamond Circle (funds over $250,000) • The Western Nursery & Landscape Association Fund at the Silver Circle level (over $25,000) • The New England Nursery & Landscape Association Fund at the Platinum Circle level (over $100,000) • The Oregon Nursery Industry Endowment Fund at the Platinum Circle level, plus a new donation of $15,000
We recognized additional funds reaching new levels, including: • The Merten E Natorp Fund entering the Gold Circle (funds over $50,000) • The Paul and Tatum Saunders Fund entering the Gold Circle • The Overdevest Nurseries Fund entering the Diamond Circle (funds over $250,000) We recognized a gift through HRI’s Heritage Circle program from the Carol Crabbe Trust, which contributed over $150,000 to the John J. Pinney Research Fund.
In total, we celebrated $220,000 in previous donations, raised an additional $425,000, announced seven new funds, and celebrated Spring Meadow’s $1,000,000 milestone. Of course, the work continues. HRI is in the midst of reviewing grant proposals for 2022 and will launch a new quarterly research publication in August. The fundraising continues as well-our text to give system allows for one-time or monthly donations (text HORT to 44321) or contact Jennifer at 614-884-1155 for help or to discuss your giving goals.
Finally, we celebrated the establishment of new funds, including:
• Bennett Saunders announced NewGen Boxwood was contributing $15,000 to create a fund to target boxtree moth. Gerry Docksteader (Advanced Horticultural Solutions), Tom Demaline (Willoway Nurseries), and Brian Decker (Decker’s Nursery) quickly added to this fund, bringing the total to $26,000.
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• The K.C. and Sandra Browne Scholarship Fund, established by K.C. Browne, Peter Orum, and Gabriel Lambert, in memory of Sandra
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• The Cultivate the Future Scholarship Fund, made up of contributions from over 300 Cultivate exhibitors
In each issue of Connect, we’ll be “hiding” a new small graphic. When you find it, email us at ConnectSeekAndFind@AmericanHort.org, and tell us where you found it. For this September issue, respond by October 1.
• The Master Nursery Garden Centers Research Fund • The LuxFlora Scholarship Fund • The Home Nursery / Tosovsky Family Scholarship Fund • The Margie deWit Research Fund • The Pierson Scholarship Fund
TO O U R LAT E S T W IN N E R
Cindy Steffensmeier Bluebird Nursery, Inc Nebraska —————
2021:September| 9
NEW STAFF
Welcome
New AmericanHort & HRI Staff Members! AmericanHort is excited to welcome three new staff members to our team. Be sure to welcome them as you meet them out and about at green industry events.
MICHAEL MARTIN, PH.D. Science, Research & Regulatory Programs Director MichaelM@AmericanHort.org Michael has joined the AmericanHort Advocacy & Research Team. He will be working to advance the goals and initiatives of the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) as well as provide his expertise and support to the advocacy team as they tackle regulatory issues. Michael received his Doctorate in Horticulture from the University of Georgia. He has owned a native plant nursery, worked as a horticultural laboratory technician, and most recently worked in horticultural lighting sales and consulting. He has led numerous seminars and workshops on topics related to native plants in the landscape, native plant production, and plant propagation. Michael is a native plant enthusiast, with a deep-seated love for all things Amsonia. He and his wife Renee live in Athens, GA.
AmericanHort Connect 2021:September Hello@AmericanHort.org 2130 Stella Court Columbus, Ohio 43215-1033 USA (614) 487-1117 Main 10 | AmericanHort.org
CINDY LEE
BILL BEHRENS
Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales Manager
Trade Show & Event Manager
CindyL@AmericanHort.org Cindy joined AmericanHort in June 2021 as the Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales Manager. In her role, Cindy is responsible for trade show exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities at AmericanHort events. She works with other team members on planning, event logistics, project execution and post show activities. Prior to joining AmericanHort, Cindy had extensive experience working with other associations in membership, trade shows, event planning, and sponsorship development. Cindy grew up on Long Island, NY but always loved visiting her grandparents in Ohio, which led her to attend Ohio University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. Cindy enjoys all things outdoor including walking her dog, Willow, along the Scioto River and spending time with her daughter, Lula.
BillB@AmericanHort.org The most recent addition to the AmericanHort Team, Bill is responsible for event management and logistics. He spent his early career working for Hyatt Hotels Corporation managing key hotel functions such as housekeeping and front desk operations. Bill joins AmericanHort having worked for more than twenty years for Experience Columbus, the Columbus Visitor and Convention Bureau, where he led the convention services team. Bill knows Cultivate well having served as our key contact for Cultivate where he managed the Cultivate custom welcome programs for years. He looks forward to working with exhibitors and sponsors in ensuring a successful Cultivate event. A native of northern Illinois, Bill received his degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Houston. Bill enjoys cooking, traveling, and gardening.
©2021 AmericanHort. All rights reserved. This material may contain confidential information and it is for the sole use of AmericanHort members. The information contained herein is for general guidance and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. It cannot be distributed, reprinted, retransmitted, or otherwise made public without prior written permission by AmericanHort. Please contact the editor at (614) 487-1117 for permission with acknowledgment.
COMING T H I S FA L L
Mastery Series Biophilic Design Mastery Series Presented by Sonja Bochart, Sonja Bochart Wellbeing+Design
September 20–22, 2021 | Washington, DC
Three-part Mastery Series taking place September 1, 14 & 28, 2021
Visual Merchandising Mastery Series Presented by Joe Baer, ZenGenius Inc
Finished Plant October 11–13, 2021 | Grand Rapids, MI
Three-part Mastery Series taking place September 8, 15 & 30, 2021
E-Commerce Mastery Series Presented by Katie Elzer-Peters, The Garden of Words
Three-part Mastery Series taking place October 28, November 3 & 10, 2021
Grower Insider Series: Top Performing Perennials, Annuals, & All-America Selections Presented by Paul Westervelt, Saunders Brothers; Mark Yelanich, Metrolina Greenhouses; and Diane Blazek, All-America Selections
Three-part grower series taking place November 4, 9 & 18, 2021
Available through September 17, 2021
Webinar Vaccines, Plants & Dollars: The Year in Review Presented by Dr. Charlie Hall, AmericanHort Chief Economist
December 2, 2021
Register for all Events and Webinars by going to AmericanHort.org About AmericanHort AmericanHort is the national association of horticulture businesses and professionals across the spectrum of the industry. Perform better, grow stronger, and prepare for the future as a member of AmericanHort, the green industry’s leading association. AmericanHort.org 2021:September| 11
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