UAC Magazine - Spring 2021

URBAN AG COUNCIL MAGAZINE GEORGIA

Keeping Georgia’s green industry informed

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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SPRING 2021

Advocate. Educate. Promote.1

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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UAC NEWS

UAC Magazine Official publication of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council

Board of Directors Matt Lowe

Swift Straw Josh Morrow

Athletic Fields, Inc. Ken Morrow

The Turfgrass Group Chris Nelson

Chattahoochee Nature Center Bob Scott

Irrigation Consultant Services Ray Wiedman

Outdoor Expressions Ron White TurfPride

Ex Officio

Ellen Bauske

UGA Extension Public Service Assistant Bodie Pennisi

UGA Extension Horticulturist Clint Waltz

UGA Extension Turf Agronomist

Staff

Mary Kay Woodworth

Executive Director Kathy Johnson

Marketing Director & Editor

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

A member of: American Hort Atlanta Botanical Garden Georgia Arborist Association Georgia Association of Water Professionals Georgia Tree Council Georgia Water Alliance National Association of Landscape Professionals National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture Nursery & Landscape Association Executives RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) Tolar Capitol Partners

Georgia Urban Ag Council PO Box 3400 Duluth GA 30096 Phone: 706.750.0350 Fax: 404.900.9194 Email: office@georgiauac.com Web: urbanagcouncil.com All contents copyright 2021

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URBAN AG COUNCIL MAGAZINE GEORGIA

SPRING 2021

UAC NEWS

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Executive Director message What did you miss? Landscape Pro University GALA GALA is back and better than ever!

REGULAR FEATURES

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Me & my mentor Intentional Growth, Charles Brian Quinn A peek inside Legacy Turf Farms Pest 411 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Save the date What the tech? 3 steps to a squeaky clean inbox Health & benefits COVID-19 vaccine facts for landscapers Safety works Safety in the workplace Safety works Workplace inspections Directory of advertisers

BUSINESS 26 28 31 32 33

Growth-based mindset How to go from prove to improve Busting three myths about battery power 5 ways the yard sells a house during the pandemic Make COVID lemonade It's the perfect time to expand your business Get spring off to a safe start Free safety documents for new employees

INDUSTRY 34 35 36 38 42 44

Blowing away leaf blower myths Guide to safe and courteous leaf blower use Capitol Connection UAC member poll results Hemp production Examining potential issues NICH 2020 annual report Promoting consumer horticulture 2021 Sod Producers Report Annual survey examines inventory and price

URBAN AG

48 50 52 54 56

Safely clean up storm debris Replace damaged trees with stronger ones Vanilla Spice Oh, so nice summer sweetness Something to buzz about Grass flowers provide food Urban agroforestry Potential integration into city planning efforts Beneficial insects in turfgrass Clay models track activity

UAC NEWS

Dear UAC Members and Supporters, Blue skies, sunshine, warm days, cool nights. Spring is here. And boy, are we ready for it!

And then there's labor...

What has not changed is that the ongoing labor shortage stood out as the greatest concern in the urban ag industry.

Residential upsurge 2020 forced many industries to adapt and modify operating practices, and it certainly included all sectors of the green industry. With stay-at-home, work-from-home, school-at-home orders, many homeowners decided to update/ upgrade their yards, leading to a surge in residential landscaping services.

Both the NALP report (84% of respondents said that they are still trying to hire) and Lawn and Landscape’s State of the Industry report (43% of participants) cite the labor shortage as what keeps them up at night and inhibits growth.

The mid-year 2020 national survey by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) reflected some of these realities with close to 60% of residential landscape professionals reporting an increase in business.

Impact on growers

In Georgia and most of the southeast, we were fortunate that our state(s) did not shut down or reopened much faster than other parts of the country. Most UAC business owners report that 2020 was a banner year for their company, well exceeding expectations.

Commercial to follow suit Commercial work is likely to pick up due to the backlog of pending projects fueling the demand, and municipal projects could also see an upswing. In Georgia, particularly, urban and suburban growth is fueling the need for these projects.

The nursery and greenhouse sector also reported a 20-30% reduced man force, which will have current and future implications.

With a shortage of workers in 2020, there could be a shortage of nursery stock of units that grow in one year in 2021. Looking forward five years, a shortage of large caliper trees may occur.

This means the average cost of supplies may go up in 2021 unless demand drops due to larger economic trends.

Industry issues UAC continues to prioritize and advocate for workforce development issues and legislation, and we hope that our leaders in Washington recognize that now is the time to unite and pass comprehensive immigration reform, reexamine and update/simplify guest worker visa programs so that they work. We continue to work with NALP, American Hort, Georgia FFA and Georgia educational institutions to promote green industry careers.

We look forward to networking and socializing with you in person – soon. Be on the lookout for UAC events early this summer, the annual Sporting Clays tournament in October and Sod Producer & Landscape Field Day in November!

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

The split between residential and city or commercial budgets was the highlight of the NALP mid-year survey. It indicated that remote workers were willing to re-allocate some of their funds into long-pending landscaping projects which contributed to the unexpected increase in business.

Mary Kay Woodworth Executive Director

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UAC NEWS

WHAT DID YOU MISS? Landscape Pro University January 27, 2021 Online

What you need to know to be your best from the best location on Earth...

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J A N U A R Y 2 7, 2 0 2 1 UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university

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UAC NEWS

GALA

GEORGIA URBAN AG COUNCIL

GEORGIA LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Get ready! UAC's Georgia Landscape

Awards (GALA) are coming for 2022. That means this is the year to photograph all of your best projects while they're at their peak.

Entering has never been easier Details, worksheets, success tips, past winners, entry form - it’s all online: urbanagcouncil. com/gala-georgia-landscape-awards.

Reap the rewards Award winners will be honored by their peers at the annual awards banquet and ceremony on March 2, 2022 at Piedmont Park’s Magnolia Hall.

PLUS:

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We’ll help you promote your winning projects by posting them on our Houzz, Instagram, and Facebook pages and tagging your company.

Grand award winners will be featured on UAC’s home page for one year.

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A photo gallery of distinction and grand projects will be added to UAC’s website.

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GALA projects are featured in UAC Magazine, on our Georgia Landscape Pro consumer blog, and in our My Home Improvement magazine ads.

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A “GALA WINNER” graphic badge will be placed on your company’s UAC web profile and you’ll get a “GALA WINNER” graphic badge to use on your website, correspondence, and business promotions.

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We’ll provide a press release template to help you spread the word about your winning projects.

GALA is back and better than ever!

It's not too early to get started

Photos: Gather up to 12 photos to tell your project’s story, focusing on "before" and "after" shots.

Important dates Early Bird deadline

Early January 2022 Final deadline for entries

End of January 2022 Judging of entries

Mid-February 2022 Worksheet: Our GALA worksheet Notification of awards walks you through Late February 2022 everything you need to do. Start it anytime Awards banquet & ceremony and save it on your March 2, 2022 computer so you can add info as you gather it, as time permits. When you’re done, use it to fill in the blanks on the online form. Download your worksheet and get started today!

Online form: Once your worksheet is complete, use the information to complete the online GALA entry form: urbanagcouncil. com/gala-georgia-landscape-awards.

You can copy and paste information from the worksheet into the appropriate places on the form.

Be sure to save the worksheet as a record of your entry. Use what you’ve written about your project to promote your company in other ways!

Picture your team in the winners' circle.

>>>>>> Enter early and save $$ on your entry fee! <<<<<<

Don't miss this chance to show off your work and reward your team!

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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Your time to shine

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ME & MY MENTOR

Intentional growth

Getting the word out in spite of COVID

by Charles Brian Quinn, Greenzie

Q. "With so many in-person events cancelled, how can I get information about my products and services out there?"

There’s an old saying:

Case study:

“Launch early, launch often, then launch again.”

In February we did a re-launch of our selfdriving commercial mowers. Here’s how we did it:

That can certainly be a challenge these days, but even with the current restraints, you can still be intentional about growing your company and reaching customers. It’s time to think outside the box. Here are some ideas: Just do it. In my opinion, a lot of people try to plan too much. My advice is to act, learn, and repeat. Dive in, call some customers to find out what they need from you, then get out there and try something. Take what you learn from that experience, refine your approach, and jump out there again. Don’t spend all your time researching and planning, take action.

1.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

it on. Attend some virtual 2. Try events and get comfortable with the online world. See how others are presenting information then use what you see and experience to adapt the virtual format to fit your needs.

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3.

Embrace the video. Start small, with just a couple of people. Do some test runs with small groups. You don’t need a professional videographer. In fact, people crave the instant “raw” content that you can create with your phone. Focus on making videos that explain how you work, what you do and then post them on social media. Instagram is a great platform for this – it’s all about telling your story.

Zoom event, filmed live 4 Virtual people to RSVP to attend 4 Required off the mower in the field, how it 4 Showed works, the features the video of the event here: 4 View www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H2GUHtC-s&t=1297s

Charles Brian Quinn, or CBQ, is the co-founder and CEO of Greenzie, creator of software for autonomous robotic lawn mowers.

Previously he was coowner, and CEO of Big Nerd Ranch. Big Nerd Ranch teaches immersive software development bootcamp courses, writes best-selling books, and builds digital products for companies of all sizes. CBQ thinks all problems can be solved with the right software and loves building elegant technical solutions to hard problems. He has co-founded, created, and exited several technology and service companies including ScoutApp and Slingshot Hosting.

He is a software developer, entrepreneur, investor, author, speaker, self-proclaimed coffee snob, and he is always up for going on a run. He serves as a mentor in the Georgia Tech Mentor Jackets Program, and is an amateur sailor and member of the Lake Lanier Association and the Atlanta Track Club.

He lives with his wife, Katie, daughter Marcie, and son Isaac, in Atlanta, Georgia.

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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A PEEK INSIDE UAC NEWS

A peek inside...

Legacy Turf Farms

Join us as we take a peek inside the history and operation of this UAC member company.

The Shaw family has been well known in the Northwest Georgia corridor for over 60 years in the flooring business. However, not many people outside of Cartersville, Georgia know the Shaw family enjoys farming as well.

“Legacy Turf Farms is proud of our history dating back over a century. We believe our land is a special part of the Cartersville community and the turfgrass industry,” said Lee Shaw, CEO of Legacy Turf Farms.

The story

“Legacy Turf Farms is proud of our history dating back over a century. We believe our land is a special part of the Cartersville community and the turfgrass industry.”

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

~ Lee Shaw, CEO of Legacy Turf Farms

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A distant relative named James Shaw owned land in Bartow County adjacent to the Etowah Indian Mounds. His property was fertile row crop farmland located in Cartersville, Georgia.

James was the patriarch of this land, which had been in his family for over 100 years. In the 1970s, J.C. “Bud” Shaw told James if he ever wanted to sell this land, Mr. Shaw would like to buy it. James Shaw was a quiet, reserved man and he was not interested at the time.

Fifteen years later, James called Mr. Shaw, saying he knew that he would do the right thing with the land: preserve it. Shortly after their conversation, Mr. Shaw bought the land from James and the sod farm’s story began.

When this land was added to the family’s various business interests, it was important for Mr. Shaw to follow through with his promise to preserve these fields adjacent to the historic Etowah Indian Mounds. He wanted to keep it for green space, preserving the archaeological significance and heritage as a farm in the community. Being next to the Etowah River, the fertile land had a sandy soil mix and access to water. Mr. Shaw also wanted to continue farming the land. He loved golfing and owned golf courses in Atlanta and throughout North Carolina at the time. Through his many contacts in the golf industry, Mr. Shaw thought growing turf would be a viable way to keep the farm business thriving. Starting in 1999, Legacy Farms began sprigging Bermuda.

A PEEK INSIDE For 12 years, the farm grew and prospered, selling primarily bermuda to the new construction market. As the turf industry evolved, Legacy added zoysia grass to its mix of products.

Providing zoysia grass to meet the demand of customers also meant having new turfgrass technology in the farm’s toolbelt. grasses have been bred to be 4 Zoysia drought-tolerant and shade-tolerant. boasts many other aesthetic features 4 Zoysia that Tifway 419 doesn’t, such as producing a lush, dense lawn.

While still a fine grass to install, the dated technology behind 419 does not compare with the newer hybrids of zoysia and bermuda.

Legacy Turf Farms sprigged Geo®, EMPIRE® and Meyer zoysia in the fields.

Adding zoysia continued the heritage that Mr. Shaw wanted, which was to be a good steward of this land.

“Where Good Land Begins”

Mr. Shaw wasn’t sure where it had been stored for 30 years, but upon retiring as chairman of Shaw Industries in 1996, he made sure to bring that sign home with him. The sign shows anyone entering the farm how proud Mr. Shaw is of this land. Upon entering Legacy Turf Farms, the little sign reads, “Where Good Land Begins.”

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

There is a small sign on the farm property. It is a green and yellow sign, similar to vintage gas station signs. That sign was owned by another distant relative, a cousin, named Levi Shaw.

His family had been farming land in Bartow County, near Ladd’s Farm Supply’s current location, since the late 1800s. Levi was so proud of his land, he created a sign telling all of Bartow County that his farm was the best in the county. Before Levi passed away, he gave the sign to Mr. Shaw, knowing there would be a good place to plant that sign one day.

Levi Shaw was so proud of his land, he created a sign telling all of Bartow County that his farm was the best in the county. The sign, now at the entrance to Legacy Turf Farms, shows anyone entering the farm how proud Lee Shaw is of this land today.

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A PEEK INSIDE UAC NEWS

Looking forward Legacy Turf Farms continues to reinvest in the land and the turfgrass business. In the next two years, Legacy will be doubling the Geo Zoysia acreage, as well as adding significant acreage in a new bermuda hybrid, Tahoma 31.

In addition to needing less than half-a-day’s sun, Tahoma 31 Bermuda is also more drought tolerant than its competitors. It has proven to green up earlier in spring than other grasses in national trials. Tahoma 31 turf grows densely, heals quickly, and is ideal for residential and commercial use.

“We continue to update our equipment, using automated harvesters that are faster and more consistent at producing high-quality sod. We strive to offer customers our best service and quality in every pallet that leaves the farm.

From our fast turnaround time, to our freshest cuts being delivered, we want to grow this business for another great 20 years.” ~ Stewart Keith, Farm Superintendent

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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Legacy Turf Farms proudly supports the Georgia Urban Ag Council and the green industry.

Taking advantage of the newest technology, Legacy Turf Farms is excited to offer an ever-growing mix of products to consumers who are looking for new grasses that are shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and require less maintenance.

“We continue to update our equipment, using automated harvesters that are faster and more consistent at producing high-quality sod. We strive to offer customers our best service and quality in every pallet that leaves the farm,"said Stewart Keith, Farm Superintendent at Legacy Turf Farms. "From our fast turnaround time, to our freshest cuts being delivered, we want to grow this business for another great 20 years.”

The farm still operates on the same spot today, in the shadow of the Etowah Indian Mounds, on the proud land of Mr. Shaw’s family.

Legacy Turf Farms is still family-owned and operated. Having served the greater Atlanta and Northwest Georgia market for over 20 years, Legacy plans to remain where the good land begins.

The easiest 5% you'll ever save. Sign up for auto-renew now!

UAC business-level members now can select the auto-recurring payment option for their annual membership investment and get an immediate 5% discount. NOTE: The auto-recurring payment option is available for credit card payments only. Your credit card automatically will be charged on your annual renewal date.

It's easy: First, go to urbanagcouncil.com > Membership > Manage and click on "Log in as a member."

Even easier: call us and we'll make the change for you! 706.750.0350

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PEST 411

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Look for this landscape pest in spring and summer

by Fawad Z. A. Khan and Shimat V. Joseph, University of Georgia The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae; Fig. 1) is a landscape and agricultural pest in the U.S. It was introduced from Asia to the U.S. in the mid-1990s. The BMSB's quickly spread to the entire U.S. because of overwintering and hitchhiking behavior in the fall. The Ken Childs, Bugguide.net early detection and Fig 1. Adult stage of brown marmorated stink distribution mapping bug (Halyomorpha halys) (Stal) system (EDDMapS) shows 95 positive reports throughout Georgia and is established in the piedmont region of the state. This pest is reported to infest more than 170 plant species, including fruits, vegetables,

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Illustration by Fawad Khan

Fig 2. Life cycle of brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (Stal)

and ornamental plants. The BMSB is also a nuisance pest as they aggregate and overwinter in man-made structures beginning late fall.

Biology and behavior The BMSB overwinter (diapause) as adults, and they do not feed during this time. In spring, they emerge from the overwintering sites and seek immediate nutritional resources from developing flower and fruits before laying eggs. The BMSB undergoes three life stages: egg, nymphs (five nymphal instars), and adult (Fig. 2). The BMSB female lays eggs in a mass with about 28 eggs.

A female can lay between 2 and 15 egg masses during the lifetime. The light yellow to light green barrel-shaped eggs are glued to the host's surface (leaf, fruit, stem) (Fig. 3). The first instars have an oval- and tick-like appearance with mottled orangish-red and black coloration and remain aggregated around the egg mass (Fig. 4). The subsequent instars disperse seeking nutritional resources. The second to fifth instar nymphs are black and white-colored and have well-defined white bands on legs and antennae (Fig. 5). In the laboratory, the nymphs take about 43 days to grow before molting into adults. The adults are grey-brownish and shieldshaped with two white bands on antennae and mottled white and black stripes along the lower

Yurika Alexander, Bugguide.net

Fig 3. Eggs of brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (Stal)

PEST 411 margins of the body (Fig. 1). BMSB adults can live up to 119 days. They after often found aggregated on host leaves (Fig. 6). The brown marmorated stink bug differs from the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus, due to the presence of white bands on antennae and legs (Fig. 7).

There are two generations of BMSB per year in Georgia. The nymphs from the overwintering adults mature into summer adults by late July or August, and the nymphs from the summer adults mature into overwintering adults in September or October. These adults seek overwintering sites in the fall. The BMSB are strong flyers and can fly long distances, approx.

3.7 miles/month. In addition, the fifth instar of BMSB can walk up to 65 feet in four hours.

Marcia Morris, bugguide.net

Fig 4. 1st instar nymphs of brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (Stal)

Host plants and damage BMSB can feed on plant hosts from multiple families. In Georgia, more than 150 ornamental plant species are potential hosts of BMSB. The invasive tree, tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a preferred host for BMSB in the landscape (Fig. 8). The invasive tree, tree-of-heaven is the early occupiers in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)black oak-white oak forests in piedmont region of Georgia. BMSB populations were observed where flowering dogwood tree (Cornus florida), yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), winged elm (Ulmus alata), sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana), maple (Acer spp.), oaks (Quercus spp.), walnut (Juglans spp.), crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.), and honey locust trees (Gleditsia triacanthos) are present.

Fig 5. Nymphs of brown marmorated stink bug with prominent black and white bands on antennae and legs

Shimat V. Joseph, University of Georgia

Fig 6. Nymphs and adults of brown marmorated stink bug aggregating on catalpa leaves

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

BMSB feeding causes discoloration, distortion, and drying of the host tissue, although the extent of damage depends on the life stage, the number of individuals, and the host plant's stage such as flowering, fruiting, etc. BMSB population causes direct and indirect feeding damage to the nursery and landscape plants.

Direct feeding causes wilting of foliage (loss of rigidity), foliage stippling (dead brownish spots), bark discoloration (loss of color), and even death of some herbaceous plants. Indirect feeding causes the transmission of diseases (like witches’ broom disease), which may hinder normal plant growth.

Shimat V. Joseph, University of Georgia

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PEST 411 overwinter inside the dead and live tree bark.

They prefer dry and tight sites for overwintering.

BMSB is regarded as a nuisance pest because of its invasion of man-made structures. They find access into these structures through crack and crevices present in the improperly sealed exterior doors and windows. Pre-maturely active adults walk and fly around inside the house, posing a nuisance during winter.

Mike Quinn, TexasEnto.net and Melinda Fawver, bugguide.net

Fig 7. Comparison of Brown stink bug (Euschistus servus) (left) and Brown marmorated stink bug (right)

The overwintering behavior of BMSB also enhances their quick dispersal through human movement and trade. They hitchhike in mobile structures such as RVs, trailers, and shipping containers that are transported during winter, which causes quick dispersal across the U.S.

Management

Shimat V. Joseph, University of Georgia

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Fig 8. Brown marmorated stink bug feeding on tree-of-heaven

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Shimat V. Joseph, University of Georgia

Fig 9. Brown marmorated stink bug adults invading office building seeking entry in fall

Dispersal and overwintering BMSB adults seek man-made structures such as barns, storage structures, vehicles (RVs and enclosed trailers), and people’s houses and office buildings as suitable sites for overwintering during the fall (Fig. 9). Several of them

BMSB adults and nymphs attack a wide range of ornamental shrubs and trees. Ornamental plants in the landscape play a critical role in the biology of BMSB because they offer breeding sites and food resources during the spring and summer. During the growing season, BMSB adults and nymphs can be monitored using commercially available traps such as clear sticky traps, black pyramid traps baited with lures containing the species-specific communication chemicals (pheromones). In ornamental nurseries, high densities of BMSB are found near the edges of the field; hence, this behavior can be utilized for managing the pest. Predators such as ground beetles, jumping spiders, earwigs, crickets, and parasitoids such as egg parasitoids, especially samurai wasps, Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) effectively reduce BMSB populations in the landscape. Insecticide applications should be considered if the population is high and apparent damage symptoms are observed. If insecticides are opted, repeated applications are warranted as the residual activity of effective insecticides (mostly pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and organophosphates) do not last long enough for adequate BMSB control. The landscape trees and plants or nursery stocks closer to overwintering structures are especially susceptible to influx of adults’ invasion in spring months. Contact your county agents for up-todate recommendations for BMSB management.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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SAVE THE DATE

Visit urbanagcouncil.com for updates and to register.

UAC Networking + Education Dinner

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Sponsored by Topiary Courtyard Networking + Education Dinner

DATE: Tuesday, September 21 TIME: 6:00 pm dinner PLACE: Topiary Courtyard

UAC Sporting Clays Tournament

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3045 Jones Mill Road | Norcross GA 30071

Blast your troubles away | Win prizes | Eat BBQ GEORGIA

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4075 New Corinth Road | Newnan GA 30263

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SOD PRODUCERS LANDSCAPE

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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WHAT THE TECH?

3 steps to a squeaky clean inbox

Spring clean your inbox in 30 minutes with these tips

by Molly Telfer, WT Digital Agency adding regulations to commercial emails such as requiring an opt-out button. If an email is spamming you and you cannot unsubscribe, forward the message to the FTC spam@uce.gov with a complaint.

The law notwithstanding, it’s still your responsibility to manage your inbox and oversee the number of emails received on a daily basis.

Unsubscribing is the primary way to mitigate those constant messages. That naughty little “unsubscribe” button should be somewhere on the email (often hidden in tiny text at the bottom, the little rascal).

Photo by Stephen Phillips - Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash

Don’t fret! Organizing your emails doesn't have to take all day - in fact, you can do it in just 30 minutes if you set aside the time.

Spring is here, which means our spring cleaning tasks are looming. For many,

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

this brings to mind vacuuming carpets, wiping counters, and sorting that abandoned, closetridden basket of stuff.

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Maybe your inbox is like that abandoned basket of stuff. You know it's dying to be cleaned out (and holds mystical secrets), but the thought of tackling such a task can be overwhelming. Who has six hours of free time to spare for something like that?

Don’t fret! Organizing your emails doesn't have to take all day - in fact, you can do it in just 30 minutes if you set aside the time. Here's how:

1. Clear out the junk.

It’s not your fault! I promise. The business world is so full of emails that the Federal Trade Commission created the CANSPAM Act. It was signed into law in 2003 as a way to give you more control of you emails by

If unwanted emails are sent from a personal address or if you don’t want to unsubscribe, you can block or spam the sender. If spammed, the emails will still come in but will be directed to your junk box folder. We recommend emptying your junk folder at least once a week - a full junk folder can slow down emails just like your inbox.

Be sure to skim through emails first to make sure none of them are actually important! (To access materials inside an email marked as spam, you must mark it as “not spam” and it will be sent to your inbox.)

What about the senders whose emails you want, but send you too many? Like all those deals from your favorite store, social media notifications, etc. Such volume can be kept from cluttering your inbox. There are often options to “update notifications” or “edit alerts” settings.

This customization affords more control over what appears in your inbox.

and delete.

2. Filter Now that you have a handle on what’s

coming in, start clearing out some of those older emails.

WHAT THE TECH? The fastest way to start trimming is to use the search bar. You’re probably familiar with certain senders based on their frequency. Facebook, for example, might send more than a dozen emails a day based on your settings. Searching and then deleting batches of these common spammers should significantly decrease your inbox numbers.

Filtering all unopened emails is another quick way to shrink your inbox, but this process might mean you accidentally delete some non-spam messages.

3.

Organize, organize, organize. The last step is sorting

the remaining, important emails. Categorizing these, based on senders such as HR department, supervisors, and family, and making new folders based on these groups will make finding certain emails easier.

If you use Outlook, there are several additional features you should be using to further organize your work schedule and task. We’ll discuss these in an upcoming blog at wtmarketing.com/ who-we-are/our-voice.

It should take only a few minutes from your day to keep your emails in check once your inbox is sorted. Just like spring cleaning, it will save you time and make you more efficient in the long run. Plus, the relief of a clean and organized inbox - a breath of fresh air!

About the author Molly Telfer is a Digital Content Strategist for WT Digital Agency.

E: molly@wtmarketing.com P: 404.348.4921 ext. 103 W: wtmarketing.com

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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SAVE THE&DATE HEALTH BENEFITS

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Distributed with permission of NALP

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HEALTH & BENEFITS

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

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SAVE THE DATE SAFETY WORKS

Safety in the workplace Never cut corners

from Snellings Walters' Business Protection bulletin Some employees are happy to take chances when it

comes to safety. They take needless risks in an effort to save time or cut their work load.

In reality, all they're doing is subjecting themselves and others to hazards that could cause a serious injury.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Workers form bad habits when they repeatedly perform their jobs in an unsafe way and don't get injured. They become Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash convinced that because Workers form bad habits when of their skills they are they repeatedly perform their jobs incapable of being in an unsafe way and don't get hurt. It's this attitude that usually ends injured. They become convinced up doing them in, that because of their skills they are because they take even incapable of being hurt. more chances until eventually a serious accident does occur. Unfortunately, that one accident can turn out to be fatal.

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> Using equipment improperly > Making safety devices inoperable > Operating or working at unsafe speeds > Taking an unsafe position or posture > Placing, mixing, or combining tools and materials unsafely > Using tools or equipment known to be unsafe > Engaging in horseplay Although OSHA does not cite employees for safety violations, each employee is obliged to comply with all applicable OSHA standards, rules, regulations, and orders. Employee responsibilities and rights in states with their own occupational safety and health programs are generally the same as for workers in states covered by Federal OSHA.

Employee guidelines: > Read OSHA notices at the jobsite > Comply with all applicable OSHA standards > Follow all lawful employer health and safety rules and regulations, and wear or use prescribed protective equipment while working

Most of a chance-taker's careless acts can be broken down into one of the following categories:

> Report hazardous conditions to a supervisor

> Failing to follow proper job procedure

> Exercise these rights in a responsible manner

> Cleaning, oiling, adjusting, or repairing equipment that is moving, electrically energized, or pressurized > Failing to use available personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and hard hats > Failing to wear safe personal attire > Failing to secure or warn about hazards

> Report any job-related injury or illness to the employer, and seek treatment promptly

If you are working with a risk-taker, ask him to stop and consider what jeopardy he is putting himself and others in. Then buddy up with him to find a safer way to perform the task.

Remember, unsafe actions don't result in saving time if a worker gets injured in the process.

SAFETY WORKS

Workplace inspections

Inspect your way to safer work areas from Snellings Walters' Employee Matters bulletin The ideal workplace inspection isn’t one that follows a safety incident, or a surprise visit from OSHA – it’s the inspection that you arrange yourself !

a great training tool and an effective way of motivating employees to work more safely.

Self-inspection audits offer the most effective way to improve safety management, prevent accidents, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Work area inspections will: > Evaluate compliance with safety and health policies and procedures > Identify hazards for correction > Determine the need for safety training > Ensure that your work areas get a high grade in the event of an OSHA inspection > Demonstrate your concern for employee safety and health The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires periodic evaluation of workplaces. The timing of self-inspection audits depends on the type of work areas involved. Very hazardous areas might require formal, weekly inspections, while office areas might need only a monthly inspection.

Although management needs to take the lead in work area inspections and is ultimately responsible for making sure action is taken to correct problems, make sure to involve employees. Work area safety inspections provide

> Ask workers to help develop inspection checklists for their work areas. > Appoint individuals — or, even better, a team — to conduct inspections. To get everyone involved, have team members serve on a rotating basis. > Meet with employee inspectors after inspections to discuss safety problems and corrective actions. > Share the results of work area inspections with all employees in weekly safety meetings.

Safety is all about awareness and knowledge.

Knowledge gives you the power to prevent accidents. One of the best ways to keep informed about ever-changing work area conditions is to perform routine safety inspections. Don’t wait for an accident to find out about a hazard that could have been corrected!

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Supplement scheduled inspections with informal daily walkarounds, targeting areas that have had more than their share of safety problems.

Follow up to make sure that previously identified problems have been fixed effectively.

Use checklists (preferably written) for every inspection.

Here are a few ideas for getting workers involved in self-inspection audits:

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BUSINESS

Growth-based mindset

How to go from prove to improve

by Erin Saunders, Leica Geosystems

A study conducted by the Neuroscience Leadership Institute found that both giving and receiving feedback lit up the part of the brain that’s our stress response, and goes back to our core fight or flight response.

Interestingly, feedback-givers were just as stressed out as askers. However, when people asked for feedback, it generated 50% less of a stress reaction in the body for both the giver and receiver of the feedback.

What do you want to achieve?

Photo by Mikel Parera on Unsplash

If having a growth-based mindset could be explained in one sentence, it would be moving from “I don’t know how to do that” to “I don’t know how to do that yet.”

Earlier this year, I did something that has been one of the most popular moves I’ve ever made as an HR professional:

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

I killed our performance appraisal.

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No more long forms. No more dreading of yearend conversations by employees and managers.

No more employees hyper-focused on why they got a 3.6573 instead of a 3.6574. But I didn’t do away with performance management. On the contrary, we’re ramping up the ways in which we’re providing feedback to our employees. And it’s based in creating a shift in the organization from a traditional fixed mindset to a more adaptive growth-based mindset.

Why hasn't it worked?

Why don’t the traditional means of performance appraisals work well? I think we all know that it’s a process dreaded by managers and employees alike. But why?

To understand how to manage performance better, we had to first understand what we were trying to achieve. The result was this: as an organization, we are ruthlessly focused on what’s important. To do that, we needed to move away from the traditional performance appraisal and instead move to ongoing coaching and feedback focused on continuously learning and being better.

What's your mindset?

First, it took some education around what it means to have a fixed mindset vs. a growthbased mindset. According to research from the Neuroscience Leadership Institute, people with a growth mindset are: > More open and able to integrate feedback, thereby increasing their intrinsic motivation to learn and perform. > Better able to learn from corrective feedback because the region of the brain used to process this type of feedback is more active - allowing individuals to interrupt their current processing and attend to novel and salient information. > Better equipped to recover from setbacks and recalibrate their thinking and behavior in line with the feedback.

BUSINESS Fixed mindset is about being better than others. A growth mindset is the belief that skills and abilities can be improved, and that developing our skills and abilities is the purpose of the work we do.

Fixed mindset is about proving - which is much of what people focus on in traditional performance appraisals. A growth mindset is about improving. It’s about constantly being open to the idea that we each have the capacity to learn and grow as individuals. It also increases our own intrinsic motivation to learn and to perform. If having a growth-based mindset could be explained in one sentence, it would be moving from “I don’t know how to do that” to “I don’t know how to do that yet.”

Instead of having once-a-year conversations that are focused on proving what we’ve done, we’re having quarterly goal setting and feedback conversations on an ongoing basis. Year-end happens all year long. This means that as projects wrap up, as sales processes close, and as we progress professionally, we take time at the end of each process to spend some time asking three questions:

1. What went well?

What would we do differently next 2. time?

3. What did we learn in the process?

are not all that effective, and in some cases are actually de-motivating. Personally, I like being part of a culture that values learning, allows for mistakes, and believes in the growth and capabilities of its employees.

About the author Erin Saunders is Regional Human Resources Business Partner with Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon.

P: 770.326.9517 E: erin.saunders@leica-geosystems.com

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Over time we believe that creating this culture of growth mindset, continuous development, and ongoing feedback will increase employees’ satisfaction, allow them a greater sense of ownership in their work, and continue to support our organization to be nimble and find new and different ways to work. It’s okay to make mistakes if we are learning from them during the process.

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BUSINESS

Busting three myths about battery power

Power, run time and how to implement in your business

by Sarah Webb, Landscape Management of gas equipment. They need an alternative that satisfies that regulation and gives them the performance they need.”

While there’s still progress to be made, several experts agree that the technology will continue to improve in the years to come.

“I believe that the turning point for this new trend to really take off is right around the corner,” says Mike Gunn, president of Gunn Landscaping in Noblesville, Ind. “With the trend of electric vehicles in the automotive industry, they have really driven the improvements in our current battery technology that can be implemented within the green industry.”

Photo courtesy of SiteOne Landscape Supply

“With the trend of electric vehicles in the automotive industry, they have really driven the improvements in our current battery technology that can be implemented within the green industry.”

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

~ Mike Gunn, President, Gunn Landscaping

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Battery power has quietly been making its way into handheld equipment for years, and many landscape professionals have reaped the benefits of using the tools.

“Landscape professionals enjoy battery (power) for the ease of use and not having to mix gas and oil; virtually no maintenance, such as fuel-related issues; reduced noise and vibration; and no exhaust emissions,” says Mike Poluka, product manager for Stihl. “Plus, (landscape pros) are often up against certain HOA or government regulations that prohibit the use

Poluka, Gunn and Bob Grover, president of Pacific Landscape Management in Hillsboro, Ore., share their experiences using batterypowered handheld equipment to bust a few myths about battery power that still pervade the green industry.

MYTH #1 Batteries don’t generate enough power to compete with gas-powered equipment.

This year, Gunn Landscaping ran two gaspowered standard professional grade trimmers as well as Echo’s 58-volt trimmer all on the same trailer setup. Gunn says the 58-volt trimmer has as much as, if not more power, than the standard two-cycle alternatives.

“This was just to see if the battery power could take over as far as employee favoritism and convenience,” Gunn says. “It was also as easy as the pull of a trigger, and boom, you’re trimming. We need to remember that battery technology really is just as boundless if not more so as any combustion alternative and will only improve.”

BUSINESS Currently in the “experimental” phase of implementing battery-powered equipment into its daily operations, Gunn Landscaping uses battery-powered equipment from Stihl, Echo, DeWalt and Makita. The company provides lawn care, maintenance and design/build services to a 70 percent residential, 30 percent commercial clientele.

Grover, on the other hand, started implementing battery power at Pacific Landscape Management about three years ago, and he says the technology has come a long way as far as power.

“The first equipment we tried three years ago, the battery didn’t last as long, and it didn’t generate as much power,” he says. “I believe that the technology will continue to improve.”

Pacific Landscape uses battery-powered blowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, edgers, chainsaws and hand tools like drills and saws.

The equipment the company uses comes from a variety of manufacturers, including Stihl, Oregon and DeWalt.

Photo courtesy of Howard Brothers

"We need to remember that battery technology really is just as boundless if not more so as any combustion alternative and will only improve.” ~ Mike Gunn, President, Gunn Landscaping

MYTH #2

“We’re wanting to stay on the forefront of technology, and we’re always curious when we see new developing technology come along,” Grover says. “The battery blowers in particular stem back to our environmental concern because small gas engines are very polluting, and if we can come up with a solution that is efficient and cost effective, we would love to lower our use of that polluting equipment in our operation.”

Myth #2: Batteries can’t provide the run time to get through a full workday.

Overall, Grover says the biggest thing is to not give up on the idea of battery equipment.

“(However), when you look to the new lithiumion technology, those batteries provide constant power throughout the whole state of charge,” he says.

Poluka says with old battery technology, certain tools would lose performance as the battery was depleting.

While the batteries will offer the amount of run time landscapers can expect on a tank of fuel, they need to be able to recharge them.

Therefore, Poluka says they should consider that they may need additional batteries in the fleet to be able to work throughout the day.

Gunn adds that while some users view battery power with great skepticism, he believes the introduction of the solid-state battery, which is

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

“If we go back to electric cars of 10 years ago, now we have Tesla,” he says. “People were skeptical of cars, and you could go 150 miles. Now you can go 400. Let’s have faith in our manufacturers developing the technology to where it’s working and affordable.”

Overcoming the perception from previous battery technology that batteries can’t provide a full day of run time is a major challenge, according to Poluka.

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BUSINESS

4

MYTH #3

Pro tip When considering battery-powered equipment, Gunn notes that landscape contractors should be aware that many of the batteries are brand specific.

“This forces you to choose a specific brand and stick with it as you grow and add various pieces of equipment within the same brand that those batteries can interchange within,” he says. “Do your homework and do the research necessary.

Like anything, make sure you’re buying the right tool for the job. It’s no different from gas-powered equipment; there are different products for different applications.”

currently undergoing development in the auto industry, will bring the equipment one step further in addressing any run time issues.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

“It is only a matter of time before that battery trickles down to other things like our handheld tools, mowers, etc.,” Gunn says. “This solidstate battery, which replaces liquid electrolytes with a solid, is really said to be the Holy Grail of battery technology. I feel that it will resolve a lot of the current issues with using lithium-ion.”

He says the solid-state technology can last up to 30 years holding on to more than 90 percent of its original performance and can take far less time charging.

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“So, if you can imagine, for example, your trimmers, when they are on the racks in the enclosed trailer and you are in between lawns, they can be essentially charging on a charging rack of some sort,” he says.

Myth #3: Implementing battery power is an all-or-none scenario.

While there are many benefits to battery equipment, Grover says that at this point, companies should be wary of adopting an “all or none” attitude when it comes to the technology.

“It works on some routes, and it doesn’t work on other routes,” he says, noting that the company may not use all battery-powered equipment when it takes care of properties that have wide expanses.

On the other hand, when crews service small properties in downtown Portland, Ore., where they may go up elevators to access a site, they use battery-powered equipment.

He also notes that there is growing potential legislation, especially in certain municipalities in Oregon, to outlaw the use of small engine gas blowers, specifically.

“We’re wanting to understand the battery equipment because it may become legislated that we would need to use it,” he says. “Banning gas-powered equipment before the technology gets there is challenging. I think with people that want to be sustainable, sustainability is a process we’re moving to. We need to be patient.”

About the author

Sarah Webb is Landscape Management's managing editor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University, where she studied journalism and Spanish. Prior to her role at LM, Sarah was an intern for Cleveland Magazine and a writing tutor

Don't miss the UAC Short Takes video series!

Interviews with industry leaders - your fellow UAC members - as they discuss how they are meeting the challenges of COVID and keeping their employees and their businesses safe.

urbanagcouncil.com/coronavirus-uac-short-takes

BUSINESS

5 ways the yard sells a house during the pandemic (and beyond)

by Kris Kiser, President & CEO, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (opei.org) In the era of the coronavirus pandemic, many buyers are looking for bigger homes with larger yards. A recent study released by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) indicated that outdoor space was one of the top features that have gained importance during the pandemic.

It’s not surprising. After all, the family yard continues to be a safe place for people to get outside, breathe in fresh air, de-stress, and reconnect with family, friends, and nature.

As this information from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) illustrates, there are many benefits of the family yard during the pandemic…and beyond.

1.

Connect to people & pets. The family yard is a safe place to connect with friends and family, including the furry, fourlegged ones. More than ever, our personal green space has become a canvas for memory-making as people mark milestones, celebrate holidays, and gather with friends and family (from a safe social distance), all from the comfort and safety of the yard.

2.

3.

Health & well-being boost. Science has proven that simply spending time outside is good for human health and well-being – important as we seek creative ways to stay well while staying closer to home. A Stanford University study found that walking in nature resulted in decreased anxiety and stress while

Science has proven that simply spending time outside is good for human health and well-being – important as we seek creative ways to stay well while staying closer to home. at the same time increasing working memory performance.

Environmental superhero. Backyards help the planet since grass, trees, shrubs and flowers are part of the living landscape, which is an environmental superhero. Yards capture and filter rainwater, produce oxygen, absorb carbon, capture dust and particulate matter, reduce soil erosion and mitigate the heat island effect.

4.

Connected ecosystem. Birds, bees, butterflies, bats, and other creatures are critical to our food supply and a healthy environment. Yards are an important part of the connected ecosystem providing much-needed food and shelter for backyard wildlife, yearround. By becoming a steward of your yard, you are helping to preserve your own corner of the overall ecosystem.

5.

For more information about the benefits of the living landscape, go to TurfMutt.com.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Nature oasis. Connecting to nature doesn’t need to entail a road trip to a national park. Nature starts right outside your backdoor. Take a break from Zoom meetings, screen time and feeling cooped up by spending some time in your yard. Listen to the birds.

Take a few refreshing deep breaths. Look up at the sky. You can even use your outdoor time as meditation time.

Photo courtesy of Unique Environmental Landscapes

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BUSINESS

Make COVID lemonade

It's the perfect time to expand your business

by Dr. Richard Ludwig, Landscape Design Workshops With everything going on in the world right now, one may believe the LAST thing people are thinking about is their landscape.

No, no, don’t believe that! In so many ways we are in a perfect storm to attract new customers and expand our business.

Now is the time to make lemonade out of this horrible Tania Pereira on Unsplash COVID virus lemon.

Folks are chomping at the bit to First, Americans are saving money at an make their home-centered lives more all time high and fulfilling. Now’s a perfect time to have lots of pent-up start serious marketing to attract new yearning to spend it. business.

Folks are chomping at the bit to use it to make their home-centered lives more fulfilling.

Now’s a perfect time to start serious marketing to attract new business.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

4

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Key point: We sell beauty. We sell things people want in their lives but don’t have to have in their lives. It’s an emotional decision to buy our products and services and customers use discretionary dollars to buy from us. Understanding that is important because we are generally not at the top of the list on how folks spend this type of income.

Dining out and travel vacations are our real competitors, not the company down the street. And now, because of COVID, folks are not spending on these items. Take advantage of this situation!

Here’s a few design/build marketing tips that can set you apart from the crowd:

1.

​ customer- vs. designer-centered A approach. Many of us (including me) are plant dweebs! We have our favorites and too often try to impose them on the site of a new client.

Try a customer-centered approach. Focus soley on the needs/wants of your client and select plants based on their function/purpose. Trust me, most clients don’t care if it’s a bread and butter Indian Hawthorne or some exotic new variety. They want the plants to make their outdoor experience more enjoyable.

Focus on specific form, color and texture decisions that evoke intended emotions and solve problems. For example, coarse-textured plants around the perimeter of a space appear closer than they actually are, creating a more cozy, intimate area. Upright plant forms can act like a punctuation mark to draw attention and arrest the eye - a great choice to draw attention to the front door or focal point. Warm colors energize and stimulate - great choices for family gathering areas. In other words, select plants based on what they do vs. picking your favorites.

Customers love this approach as it shows you’re listening and doing whatever you can to meet their needs.

2.

Teach as you sell.​One big reason folks resist purchasing our products and services is fear of failure. Surprisingly, there’s quite a bit of angst with potential customers on whether the new landscape will thrive, barely survive or die.

Help them with the establishment and care of their purchase. Give them clear directions on how to water and maintain their new landscape.

Or, install an irrigation system and provide maintenance services. Above all, offer some type of guarantee. Yes, there’s some risk but I’ve

BUSINESS never seen a customer with a new landscape installed hoping it will die. Hold their hand as they have some success and it will create long-time loyalty and amazing word-of-mouth advertising.

3.

Be persistent with your marketing.​ The owner of a very successful landscape company once told me at least half of all she spent on advertising was wasted...but she could never figure out which half ! We all agree, word of mouth is the best advertising you can get but it takes forever to build a business from it. So, here’s an interesting bit of information from the National Sales Executive Association.

Sometimes you’ve just not had enough contact with them to pull the trigger.

48% of sales people never follow up with a prospect 25% of sales people only make a 2nd contact and stop 12% of sales people only make 3 contacts and stop Only 10% of sales people make more than 3 contacts 2% of all sales are made on the first contact 3% of all sales are made on the second contact 5% of all sales are made on the third contact 10% of all sales are made on the 4th contact 80% of all sales are made on the 5th to 12th contact!

So, as strange as it might seem, GO FOR IT, take advantage of these crazy times. 2021 might end up being your best year ever.

Get spring off to a safe start

Free safety documents to train new employees

by Ellen Bauske, PhD, University of Georgia It can be a real challenge to get new

employees up to speed at the same time you’re gearing up for the busiest time of the year. Language barriers can present a further complication.

These checklists can be used to introduce new landscape workers to safe work practices.

They ensure that job training includes safety instruction.

How to use this information

4

4

Before new employees start their first assignment, supervisors should discuss the items covered in the these checklists.

Safe use of equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) should be

Pictures associated with each item reinforce 4 the safety message for employees and provide clarity for non-English speaking employees.

After each topic is discussed, the supervisor, 4 and employee or employees sign the sheet and it can be filed, documenting the training.

OSHA approved

These checklists are based on the book Safety for Hispanic Landscape Workers (Bauske et. al. UGA CAES Ext. Bul. 1334) which has been approved by OSHA for use in safety training.

FREE downloads Both the checklist document and the book are available as free downloads, designed to help companies reduce incidents, stay in compliance and create a culture of safety.

Go to extension.uga.edu/publications.html and search for Bulletin 1415.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Safety Checklists for New Landscape Employees was developed with these challenges in mind, and it’s available for you to download at no cost. Checklists included: > General Safety Precautions > Equipment Safety > Lawnmower Safety > Pesticide Safety

demonstrated as the supervisor reviews the checklists.

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INDUSTRY

Blowing away leaf blower myths

by Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (opei.org)

The use of leaf blowers is increasingly under attack in

Photo courtesy of SiteOne Landscape Supply

communities across the country. Some are calling for a blanket ban on this equipment, regardless of its power source.

Many of the arguments for a leaf blower ban are based on emotions, not facts.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, in conjunction with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, is providing this fact sheet as one tool to assist landscapers in educating their local community leaders, residents, and other stakeholders on the vital role this equipment plays in their communities, misconceptions about its design, and the importance of the people using the equipment.

The use of leaf blowers is increasingly under attack in communities across the country. Some are calling for a blanket ban on this equipment, regardless of its power source.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

MYTH: We don’t need leaf blowers.

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FACT: Leaf blowers do more than just blow leaves. They are used by landscapers as well as homeowners and other business owners to clean parking lots and sports stadiums, remove snow, clean gutters, and clear flammable debris from around buildings during fire season.

Business owners want clean parking lots and landscapes, communities want neat and clean parks free of debris that can harbor insects and pests, and homeowners want attractive front yards. Leaf blowers are often the best equipment to achieve those goals.

•

•

•

•

According to the California Landscape Contractors Association, it takes about five times longer to clean up a landscape site with a rake or broom than a leaf blower.

Manually cleaning a site takes longer, which results in higher manpower costs.

Those costs are ultimately passed on to the customer – whether that is a homeowner, HOA, or municipal government.

Using a leaf blower instead of a hose to clean city sidewalks, driveways, and other areas saves potable water.

Many large-scale projects, like parking lots, stadiums, or playgrounds, simply can’t be done by hand in a reasonable amount of time.

MYTH:

Leaf blowers produce excessive noise.

FACT: Manufacturers have invested millions of dollars and more than 15 years of research into the development of quieter leaf blowers.

Many modern leaf blowers are as much as 75 percent quieter than blowers manufactured just a decade ago. Today, landscapers have access to blowers, both gas and electric, that are quieter than considered acceptable in many cities and municipalities.

And when we use this equipment in a safe and courteous manner, we further reduce the impact on our community and our neighbors.

Safe and courteous use means: • Being aware and sensitive to our surroundings and time of day and planning our work accordingly.

• Making sure bystanders, including other operators, are at least 50 feet away, and ceasing blowing if we are approached.

• Using reduced-noise blowers in noisesensitive areas.

• Using the blower at the lowest possible power needed to accomplish the task.

• Avoiding using more than one blower at a time – especially in neighborhoods

INDUSTRY MYTH:

Leaf blowers produce excessive emissions

FACT: Equipment manufacturers have been working with the U.S. EPA and California Air Resources Board for nearly two decades to reduce small engine emissions – the same small engines in leaf blowers. And they have accomplished a lot: Gas-powered small engine emissions have been reduced by as much as 90 percent. That’s a number we are proud of. And as landscapers we now have access to battery-powered blowers that have zero exhaust emissions to meet many of our needs.

MYTH:

Leaf blowers produce excessive dust and debris.

MYTH:

A ban or restriction is the only way to address the issue.

REALITY: A leaf blower ban is not only a severe and unnecessary remedy, but is also one that is expensive and difficult to enforce. A more reasonable course of action is for landscapers to use the most modern, efficient, and to follow

When you are using your leaf blower, it’s important to act responsibly, remember all safety guidelines, and be courteous.

Remember to read your owner’s manual, and familiarize yourself with your equipment’s operation.

Here are some reminders: > Dress for safety. Long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, boots, and a good pair of gloves will help protect your body from debris. Ear and eye protection (safety goggles or glasses) should be worn, and long hair secured to shoulder length. > Check your leaf blower. Inspect the blower before and during use to make sure controls, parts, and safety devices are not damaged and are working properly. Review your safety manual if needed. Never modify a blower in a way not authorized by the manufacturer. > Keep it outside. Never use a blower indoors or in poorly ventilated areas. > Blow with care. Do not use your blower on gravel driveways, mulch, or bare dirt, which can stir up dust. > Pay attention. Focus your attention on the task at hand. > Keep it to yourself. Never point an operating leaf blower in the direction of people or pets. > Maintain space around you. Make sure bystanders, including other people using leaf blowers, are at least 50 feet away before you turn on your leaf blower. Stop blowing if you are approached by someone. > Be polite to others. Be aware of local restrictions on equipment operation, and don’t use your blower during neighborhood quiet hours. Limit the number of blowers used on small residential sites to reduce noise. industry best practices for safe and courteous use. As residents, business owners, and employers in our communities, we want to work together with community leaders, homeowners, equipment dealers, and other stakeholders to find common ground and compromise, and to develop ordinances that focus on permissible hours of operation, as well as safe and courteous use of equipment, while allowing us the freedom to choose the best equipment to complete our work.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

FACT: Studies have shown that a leaf blower, when used properly, generates no more suspended dust and debris than a broom.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in California commissioned a study that concluded daily driving of automobiles generates 100 times more dust than leaf blowers.

Again, we practice safe and courteous use of our equipment. This means: • Using the lowest possible throttle speed to get the job done and reduce dust and suspended particles.

• Wetting very dusty areas prior to blowing.

• Checking wind direction and intensity so dust and debris aren’t moving toward open windows or doors.

• Starting with the nozzle close to the ground at first – then raise it to a height where it generates the least amount of dust.

• And if the debris is excessively dusty – like construction debris, dry topsoil, or large amounts of gravel – considering using a different tool for that particular job

Guide to safe and courteous leaf blower use

35

INDUSTRY

UAC works closely with Tolar Capitol Partners, monitoring and reporting weekly during each legislative session through Capitol Connection updates. These e-newsletters also include short surveys to "take the pulse" of

our UAC members on important issues. If you work for a UAC member company and would like to be added to this email list, please contact us at office@georgiauac.com.

Week 1 results

Q

As Georgia continues to deliver COVID-19 vaccines across the state as quickly as possible, what are your feelings about taking the vaccine? (NOTE: 591,438 doses of the vaccine have been given as of Jan. 21) I would take it today if I could.......................................................................................48% I'm watching, but not ready to commit to the vaccine just yet.....................................13% Forget it...I'm not interested..........................................................................................25% Been there, done that - already received the vaccine..................................................... 8%

Week 2 results

Q

Lawmakers will consider a variety of changes to Georgia's voting laws. Which of the following do you believe is the most appropriate?

Voting by mail should require identification, not just a signature match...................54% Eliminate the use of ballot drop boxes for absentee voters.........................................23% Voting isn't perfect, but we don't need added security or restrictions........................14% Require an excuse to cast an absentee ballot................................................................. 9%

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Week 3 results

Q

Last year, the legislature granted businesses limited immunity from COVID lawsuits. How important is this protection to you?

Liability protection is great for businesses. Thankful the law is in place!...................59% Glad they created the law, but it doesn't really impact my business...........................33% don't like it. Folks should sue if they could get COVID from a business...................... 8% Week 4 results

Q

The pandemic increased the focus on broadband availability and the many gaps in coverage that exist. What is your perspective on broadband expansion?

All options listed............................................................................................................37% Private companies should build partnerships to deliver broadband...........................36% Georgia's budget should direct more funding to broadband investments...................17%

36

New service fees should be collected to pay for broadband expansion.......................10%

INDUSTRY A popular conversation among many in politics and at the State Capitol is regarding term limits for Members of the Georgia General Assembly. What is your preference?

Week 5 results

Q

Stop to electing the same people time and again - we need term limits......................71% It's not necessary...there are many new faces elected after each election...................29%

Q

Do you support requiring an ID number by those submitting a vote by mail?

Week 6 results

Yes, all voters should provide identification regardless of voting method..................88% No, the current signature check is good enough for me................................................12% Week 7 results

The House is expected to vote soon on a tax cut for all Georgians filing tax returns by increasing the standard deduction. The annual tax cut is estimated to be nearly $100 for a married couple filing jointly. Doing so will reduce state tax revenues by up to $150 million per year. Do you think now is the time for such a tax cut?

Q

Yes, economic growth has benefitted the state, so send me my money!......................67% No, the funds are better utilized in the budget for state services.................................33% (UPDATE: The Tax Relief Act of 2021 bill, HB 593, passed the House with unanimous support and at press time was headed to the Senate)

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37

INDUSTRY

Hemp production

Examining potential issues

by Allison Fortner for CAES News

if there would there be a negative perception or externalities associated with these hemp processors coming [into communities].”

With the passage of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, hemp was legalized as a crop in all states. Though hemp is not a novel crop, the legislation opened opportunities for markets in new areas and resulted in a fast push to produce and process the plant.

A survey conducted by UGA researchers examined whether respondents had any concern about the growing of hemp and the creation of hemp products in their area.

Hemp is a promising new industry for profitability, but growers of this newly

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

legal crop will face a mix of public opinions according to University of Georgia research into challenges those in the hemp business may face in the southeastern United States.

38

A recently published article in the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics identified the concerns nearby residents may have with local hemp production and processing. The study was led by UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty Benjamin Campbell and Julie Campbell in collaboration with Adam Rabinowitz at Auburn University.

“We got involved in doing hemp economics two years ago when it was passed with the legislature,” said Benjamin Campbell, associate professor and UGA Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. “We started asking

The research team initially examined budgeting and markets surrounding hemp but found there was a lack of research in hemp production perception. They sought to identify potential problems that could arise in communities where the crop is grown and processed into various goods.

“We kept seeing people concerned about light pollution and the smell in popular press-type reports,” said Julie Campbell, an assistant research scientist in the Department of Horticulture.

The group put together a list of questions that was distributed via an online survey to southeastern U.S. residents. The responses were representative of the population, with consideration to household income, race, education level, age and gender.

Demographic considerations The survey examined whether respondents had any concern about the growing of hemp and the creation of hemp products in their area.

Researchers found that Republicans are 4.8% more concerned about hemp production and 4.9% more concerned about processing than Democrats. Therefore, the political landscape should be considered when hemp firms are garnering local community support.

INDUSTRY The research also revealed that education level does not necessarily dictate the amount of concern. Respondents with a high school education or less and those with graduate degrees expressed more concern about local hemp production and processing than those with a bachelor’s degree.

“There’s not one consumer. There’s a whole various subset of consumers that believe different things,” Ben Campbell said. “Surveys allow us to understand these different groups and assess what their perceptions are. This helps us inform these groups so they can understand what’s going on with the new technologies.”

Differences between hemp and marijuana Though hemp and marijuana are identical in appearance, the determining difference between the two is the level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in the cannabis plant.

THC is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects, but its levels are strictly regulated in commercial hemp crops. Ben Campbell said a resulting concern is consumer belief that hemp is the same as marijuana, though smoking a hemp plant does not result in a high.

“For years there have been entire drug campaigns saying, ‘Marijuana is horrible.’

People associate hemp and marijuana as being the same thing. Now all of the sudden we’re saying, ‘Hemp is good.’ It’s kind of hard to have people turn on a dime,” Julie Campbell said.

While the plants have different chemical compositions, their matching appearance leads to concerns of illegal activity.

The survey examined the perceived concerns of respondents and found that the potential for illegal activity and overall safety were the highest-rated concerns for both local growth and processing.

Therefore, engagement with communities to dispel myths about hemp and to educate about its benefits is crucial. These efforts should also address issues of local concern to help neighborhoods feel more comfortable with the hemp firms in their areas.

“I think it brings up a point that you need to have producers and processors interacting with their neighbors to show them what they’re doing and alleviate any concerns so that they are informed. If not, you’re going to have people believing that you’re hurting them or harming them when that may not be the case. That’s the biggest overall takeaway,” Ben Campbell said.

Future research Julie Campbell said this research provides a perspective on what hemp firms will need to consider before investing money and establishing themselves in a community, especially considering the government hearings businesses must go through for community input. However, she said communication and education on this matter will be up to both industry and academia.

“People growing hemp, people growing medicinal marijuana – it’s coming,” she said.

“We have to be able to do research on this so that we’re not left behind. People are looking to the university for guidance on this.”

The questions and results from this study will inform future consumer surveys. Recently, Ben Campbell received a Federal State Market Improvement Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

The survey collected information about consumer knowledge level and found that 44% of respondents thought that hemp and marijuana were the same, while 44% knew hemp and marijuana were different. The remaining 12% had never heard of hemp.

“You have people breaking into fields in other states and stealing hemp plants because they think it’s marijuana. That’s one of the externalities I was looking at — illegal activity,” Ben Campbell said.

39

INDUSTRY Auburn University, the University of Delaware, and the University of Kentucky, to conduct monthly consumer surveys over the next three years, allowing for further hemp research, among other public perception and marketing surveys.

Julie Campbell’s recent research focuses on a number of issues facing the green industry, including consumer perceptions, marketing, disease mitigation and best management practices. Her research helps link consumers, retailers and producers, often intertwining multiple disciplines.

About the researchers

Allison Fortner is a master's degree student and a graduate research assistant in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication.

Ben Campbell’s research and Extension efforts are devoted to better understanding the consumer marketplace for horticultural products, notably green industry products. He has more than 15 years of experience in conducting market and production economics research throughout the U.S. and Canada.

His work has focused on market intelligence, market identification and the economics of production for varying horticultural commodities.

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41

INDUSTRY

NICH 2020 annual report

Promoting consumer horticulture and your business

by Ellen M. Bauske, Chair, National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture has increased. We sent 21 newsletters in 2020 covering topics within the NICH Mission that ranged from the release of infographics promoting consumer horticulture to holiday promotion of goods and services. Topics were carefully chosen to encourage community engagement. Today we have 1,321 recipients and the newsletter statistics are strong. The open rate is an eye-catching 36.9 % and the click rate is 16.4%. The unsubscribe rate is a negligible 0.3%.

As of December 2020, NICH had 2,620 Facebook followers and our Instagram has experienced similar growth. All posts are suitable for sharing on business, extension, or research social media.

It is hard to believe 2020 has ended.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

We had an incredible year filled with lasting partnerships, new members and hope for the future. NICH has grown by leaps and bounds as we aggressively and successfully pursued the goals and tactics outlined in our two-year organizational plan.

42

To communicate the NICH mission and vision to our stakeholders we launched NICH social media in February 2020. Our Facebook (facebook.com/consumerhort) and Instagram (instagram.com/consumerhort) are populated with graphics, articles, and video encouraging use of plants, consumer horticulture services, and science that support consumer horticulture. As of December 2020, NICH had 2,620 Facebook followers and our Instagram has experienced similar growth.

All posts are suitable for sharing on business, extension, or research social media. Future efforts will focus on NICH's Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram presence.

The quality and quantity of our e-newsletters (consumerhort.org/category/press-release)

In an effort to build awareness and membership, we have begun to reach out to allied groups and associations via email, phone and at trade shows and conferences. COVID-19 pushed most tradeshows and conferences online, but our virtual efforts continued to yield results, fueling growth of the newsletter and social media.

Our website (consumerhort.org) received a much-needed facelift this year. We believe the new site effectively highlights NICH outputs and is easier to navigate.

We have built support for the NICH Mission and Vision by creating science-based graphics, infographics and publications that promote consumer horticulture. We began the year with the release of five infographics (consumerhort. org/plantsdothat-3) highlighting what plants do for pollinators, fire, water, soil, and cities and suburbs.

The year also saw the launch of the NICH Webinar Series. The series focuses on adding value to current and future NICH members.

Two webinars (consumerhort.org/nichhosted-webinars) were hosted this year, "Doing Business Under Difficult Circumstances" and "The Consumer Horticulture Puzzle."

Webinars were attended by 85 and 123 people, respectively. The Webinar Committee intends to host four webinars in calendar year 2021, one during each quarter.

INDUSTRY Additional efforts included the creation of a series of five Extension publications outlining ways in which people and plants are connected (consumerhort.org/benefits-of-consumerhorticulture) and consumer horticulture benefits to individuals and families; housing and residential areas; businesses, workplaces, and employees and the environment. We are actively creating tools to increase consumer successes with horticulture and achieve maximum environmental benefits from landscapes.

NICH continues to support scientific exploration of Consumer Horticulture by writing letters of support for grant proposals that support our Research and Education goals and objectives (consumerhort.org/ national-strategic-plan-for-consumerhorticulture-education-and-research-2).

The NICH Academic Council submitted a research proposal to the Horticulture Research Institute Grant Program and many NICH members have been active on other federally funded projects. We continue to seek relevancy reviewers from consumer horticulture industries for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and to provide stakeholder input on relevant matters.

Our long-time objective of supporting scientific exploration of all aspects of consumer horticulture includes federal recognition of consumer horticulture as different and equally important to production horticulture. We have convened a Farm Bill Committee to develop and articulate a specific ask for the 2023 Farm Bill.

The Committee will seek collaborators internal and external to NICH to assist in this effort.

Interested in being a part of this important work? Join us (signup.e2ma.net/ signup/1854783/1400854). NICH offers a unique opportunity to cross-pollinate with industry, academia and non-profits that share common interests and goals. Together, we have built a community of practice. To meet the challenges our committee structure has grown from three committees to eight committees and our committees have learned to work effectively with each other.

Our efforts will create a consumer horticulture commodity group, economic growth and national recognition for our diverse and widespread industry. Please grow with us TODAY.

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INDUSTRY

2021 Sod Producers Report

Annual survey examines inventory and price

by Clint Waltz, The University of Georgia The Georgia Urban Ag. Council conducted

their twenty-sixth survey of sod producers. The purpose of the survey was to determine the status of inventory levels and projected price changes for spring 2021.

Survey details Due to an insufficient sampling size of the industry, there was not a 2020 sod survey.

This year’s results will be compared to 2019 responses. In 2021, 20 producers participated in the survey, representing farm sizes which were:

4 300 to 600 acres (7 participants) 4 601 to 900 acres (2 participants) 4 more than 900 acres (4 participants) 4 less than 300 acres (7 participants)

Figure 1.

Percentage of bermudagrass producers projecting adequate to excellent supply for the past five years.*

The survey obtained estimates of the inventory for bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and tall fescue based on estimated sales for the first five months of 2021 as excellent (more than 10% of demand), adequate (equal to demand), and poor (more than 10% shortage). Pricing information included farm price and price for truckload orders to the Atlanta area or within 100 miles of the farm, all costs were reported as price per square foot of sod.

Inventory levels Bermudagrass is being grown by all the surveyed producers. Fifty-five percent of the producers rated their inventory as adequate to excellent this year (Figure 1). Two-thirds of the growers with greater than 600 acres expect an adequate to excellent bermudagrass supply, while half of the producers with 600 acres or less project having sufficient inventories.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

For early 2021, bermudagrass may be in shorter supply than previous years.

44

Figure 2.

Percentage of zoysiagrass producers projecting adequate to excellent supply for the past five years.*

* Projected supply for the first 5 months of the calendar year.

The number of producers growing zoysiagrass (80%) was like previous years. Zoysiagrass is a popular species with many commercially available cultivars. There are at least fifteen zoysiagrass cultivars being grown in Georgia.

Of the producers responding, 44% estimate an adequate to excellent inventory, which is lower than 2019 (Figure 2). Of the larger producers, half have a poor supply moving into 2021.

Insufficient zoysiagrass inventory is greater (60%) for producers with less than 600 acres in production.

Of the 20 producers surveyed 11 (55%) were growers of centipedegrass. Fifty-five percent of the growers had adequate to excellent inventory compared to 80% in 2019, and 75% in 2018. The larger growers, half with

INDUSTRY greater than 600 acres, expect an adequate centipedegrass supply.

Table 1.

St. Augustinegrass is being grown by 5 of the 20 producers surveyed. Eighty percent reported a sufficient supply.

Similar to previous years, tall fescue was grown by 45% of producers. Sixty-seven percent of tall fescue producers reported excellent to adequate inventory. This is a slight decrease relative to the previous 15 years tall fescue has been surveyed.

While it appears tall fescue inventory will likely meet demand, there is a greater potential for limited supply relative to the past.

Sod prices The on-the-farm and delivered prices of all species are expected to increase in 2021 compared to 2019.

Price increases could range from 2% to 8% over 2019 prices (Table 1).

While greater than the 2019 price, bermudagrass will have the lowest increase in price relative to the other four species. Figure 3 provides a five-year perspective of delivered sod prices.

The average price per square foot for a truckload of bermudagrass delivered to the Atlanta area, or within 100 miles of the farm, was higher relative to 2019 (Table 1). The 2021 survey indicated prices varied from 23.0 cents to 36.0 cents, with an average price of 28.6 cents (Table 2). The average price in 2019 was 28.1 cents per square foot and ranged from 21.0 cents to 39.0 cents.

Change in prices from Spring 2019 to 2021 On-the-farm Delivered*

Turfgrasses 2019 2021 % change --- cents / ft2 ---

Bermudagrass 22.9 23.5 Zoysiagrass 42.6 45.9 Centipedegrass 25.2 27.2 Tall Fescue 27.9 28.6 St. Augustinegrass 42.5 44.0

2.6 7.7 7.9 2.5 3.5

2019 2021 % change --- cents / ft2 ---

28.1 28.6 49.1 52.4 31.1 32.5 32.4 34.7 47.3 50.7

* Delivered price includes freight and pallets. The delivered price included the Atlanta area or within 100 miles of the farm.

Table 2.

Comparison: Farm to delivered prices, 2021

On-the-farm Delivered*

Turfgrasses Price (avg.) Range Price (avg.)

Range -------------------------------------- cents / ft2 -------------------------------------------

Bermudagrass Zoysiagrass Centipedegrass Tall Fescue St. Augustinegrass

23.5 45.9 27.2 28.6 44.0

15.0 - 30.0 30.0 - 58.0 22.0 - 39.0 20.0 - 37.0 40.0 - 50.0

28.6 52.4 32.5 34.7 50.7

23.0 - 36.0 39.0 - 67.0 26.0 - 40.0 29.0 - 52.0 45.0 - 60.0

* Delivered price includes freight and pallets. The delivered price included the Atlanta area or within 100 miles of the farm.

Figure 3.

Historical perspective of sod prices in Georgia, 2016 to 2021.

The 2021 average delivered price for tall fescue (34.7 cents) was 7% higher than 2019 (32.4 cents). This year, prices ranged from 29.0 cents to 52.0 cents.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

The 2021 average price for a delivered truckload of zoysiagrass was greater than 2019 levels. The average price of delivered zoysiagrass in 2021 was 52.4 cents and ranged from 39.0 to 67.0 cents. In 2019 zoysiagrass prices ranged from 38.0 to 68.0 cents and averaged 49.1 cents.

Centipedegrass prices in 2021 ranged from 26.0 cents to 40.0 cents and averaged 32.5 cents, compared to 2019 when the average delivered price was 31.1 cents and ranged from 25.0 to 38.0 cents.

1.8 6.7 4.5 7.1 7.2

45

INDUSTRY Table 3.

Percentage of survey respondents that grow certified grass and the additional charge for certified grass

Growers with certified grass Growers that charge a premium

Year

%

n*

2021 85 17 2019 65 11 2018 69 9 2017 71 15 2016 88 15

%

n*

53 82 55 85 87

9 9 6 11 13

Average Range -------------- cents ---------------

3.0 2.3 2.0 4.0 4.0

1.0 - 10.0 2.0 - 4.0 2.0 - 3.0 2.0 - 10.0 1.0 - 7.0

* Total number of respondents 20, 17, 13, 21, and 17 for 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016 respectively.

Table 4.

centipedegrass and tall fescue, 4 For greater than 63% of all producers expect prices to remain constant in 2021.

Augustinegrass producers expect 4 St. unchanging prices throughout 2021.

Certification 2021 had 17 producers representing 85% of the respondents with some certified grass on their farm (Table 3). Fifty-three percent of these growers charge a premium for certified grass, down from 82% in 2019. The remaining growers either do not place an added value on certified sod or do not participate in the certification program.

Historical freight rate for sod deliveries Year

Range

Average

% Change

--------------------- $ / mile --------------------

2021 2019 2018 2017 2016

3.76 – 6.00 3.83 - 5.00 3.00 - 4.50 1.25 – 5.00 3.00 - 4.50

4.24 3.88 3.58 3.50 3.70

9.3 8.4 2.3 -5.4 -1.1

* Delivered price includes freight and pallets. The delivered price included the Atlanta area or within 100 miles of the farm.

The average price of delivered St. Augustinegrass in 2021 was 50.7 cents and ranged from 45.0 to 60.0 cents. In 2019, St. Augustinegrass prices ranged from 42.0 to 55.0 cents and averaged 47.3 cents.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Projected increases

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Regarding grower price expectations, growers are not forecasting a significant price increase early 2021.

4 4

Seventy percent of bermudagrass producers expect steady prices while 25% foresee a price increase during the first five months. This is dissimilar to 2019 where growers forecast a decrease for the first five months.

For zoysiagrass, 59% of producers anticipate stable prices during the first five months of 2021; 41% of producers forecast higher prices, one with greater than 900 acres in total production.

In 2021, the typical extra cost ranged from 1.0 to 10.0 cents per square foot and averaged 3.0 cents. This translates to between $10.00 and $50.00 on a 500 square foot pallet.

The price point where consumers (i.e. industry practitioners and homeowners) value varietal purity is unknown. Anecdotal estimates – informal survey of a several hundred participants – of homeowners and endconsumers suggests the value of a certified grass is likely greater than reported in this survey.

When told of the benefits of certified sod, endusers indicated they are willing to pay more (e.g. $20 to $25 / 500 square foot pallet) to ensure varietal purity.

Freight, unloading fees, and fuel surcharge Freight rates per mile shipped to Atlanta, or within 100 miles of the farm, rose in 2021 (Table 4). Costs ranged from $3.76 to $6.00 and averaged $4.24. A separate freight rate is charged by 47% of the respondents, this is greater than what was reported for 2019.

Three respondents (21%) reported charging an unloading fee in 2021, about the same as 2019.

The minimum unloading fee ($75) was up from 2019 with producers now charging between $75 and $125. All producers will make additional drops on a load. In 2021, the low- and high-end charge was the same as 2019 at $25 and $150,

INDUSTRY respectively. The average cost for additional drops in 2021 was $74.44; an increase from the 2019 cost of $67.86. No respondents reported adding a fuel surcharge to a load in 2021.

Markets The 20 producers that participated in this survey estimated that nearly half the grass sold was to landscape contractors (Table 5). This industry segment continues to be the perennial leader and is consistent with national trends where landscape contractors are the largest marketing channel for horticulture and specialty crops (www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/ Highlights/2020/census-horticulture.pdf).

Previously ranked 6th of 8, existing developers took the second position, accounting for 15% of sales in 2021.

Sod sales to brokers reversed a previous trend of increasing in rank. This may substantiate the strong sod sales of spring 2020 as Georgians sheltered in-place for the coronavirus pandemic, and producers being less reliant on a third party to sell their product.

Acreage in production Like 2019, seven producers indicated they planned to add acres into production during 2021. The cumulative total for this year’s increase is approximately 600 acres.

Summary 2021 will be a year of higher sod prices. With a potential of thin inventories for bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and centipedegrass it can be

Table 5.

Ranking of industry segments for sale of turfgrass

Industry segments

2021 2019 Rank

Average*

Rank

Average*

Landscape contractors 1 45.6 1 50.9 Existing developers 2 15.2 6 11.0 Golf courses 3 14.7 2 23.0 Garden centers 4 13.3 7 6.6 Homeowners 5 12.8 4 13.7 Brokers 6 10.6 3 14.4 Sports/athletic fields 7 10.0 5 12.6 Landscape designers 8 4.2 8 0.3 * Average percentage of total sales.

Bullet points from the 2021 Sod Producers Report • 2021 will be a year of higher sod prices.

• Supply of most warm-season turfgrasses may be limited in early 2021.

• Growers of bermudagrass, centipedegrass, tall fescue, and St. Augustinegrass expect consistent prices through early 2021.

• The average price for certified grass increased to 3.0 cents per square foot.

• On par with previous years, producers are considering adding acreage into production during 2021.

About the author

Clint Waltz is Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist at the University of Georgia campus in Griffin, GA.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Comparing the responses from this survey with the UGA Agribusiness and Economic Development 2018 Farm Gate Value Report (https://caed.uga.edu/publications/georgiaagricultural-statistics.html#farm-gate) and the past two years Georgia Crop Improvement Association’s “Georgia Certified Turfgrass Buyers Guide” (www.georgiacrop.com/turfgrass) there has been a 3% to 4% annual increase in production over the past three years.

Similarly, the USDA Census of Agriculture had a 4% increase in sod production acres from 2014 to 2019 (www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/ Highlights/2020/census-horticulture.pdf).

speculated that prices will be greater than the increases forecast in this survey. It is hard to predict consumer demand for grass in early spring. But if spring 2021 has strong sod sales, similar to how the coronavirus pandemic affected spring 2020 sales, already low inventories could be pressured further resulting in producers adjusting prices accordingly.

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URBAN AG

Safely clean up storm debris

Replace weather-damaged trees with stronger ones

by Sharon Dowdy, News Editor, UGA CAES News Don’t attempt to handle trees that overhang or touch power lines, he said. Call local utility company professionals for assistance.

“Many people are injured while trying to clean up debris after tornadoes and hurricanes,” Dickens said. “Ideally, it’s best to hire a reputable professional.”

Tree loss Uprooted trees will often die.

Tornadoes and heavy winds whipped across Georgia on April 13, 2020 killing eight Georgians, destroying property, and taking down small and large trees.

Tornadoes and heavy winds blew across Georgia in the early morning hours on April

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13 last year, killing eight Georgians, destroying homes, and leaving landscapes littered with downed trees and limbs.

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“Medium to large trees that have been uprooted with severe lean (greater than 60 degrees from vertical) have little chance of surviving because the broken roots that used to structurally support the top weight and nourishment of the tree are damaged.” ~ David Dickens Professor of Forest Productivity UGA Cooperative Extension

Strong weather is common in Georgia during the spring, and so is cleaning up after it. But there’s a way to do it safely and wisely, said David Dickens, professor of forest productivity with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

Tackle unsightly, damaged trees next. For example, Bradford pear trees are prone to split.

“This type of injury is difficult to reshape and the lopsided weight can cause the tree to blow over with soft wet ground and a gusty wind,” he said. He recommends removing severely misshapen trees and replanting a tree with better structure.

Step by step

Remove and replace

“Prioritize your chores by starting to work on trees that endanger buildings, other valuable structures and fences first with proper care, safety equipment and knowledge,” he said.

“If you are hesitant or think you may be hurt removing downed trees, then contact a reputable tree company."

“You may have to crank up the chainsaw for the removal of an old favorite tree, but take this opportunity to consider carefully the next tree and select one that has a stronger design,” he said. “Live oak is an example of a sturdy tree that can withstand more severe winds."

URBAN AG Broken limbs that are still attached to tree crowns should be properly trimmed. Leave a pruning cut that is flush to the next larger limb or main trunk. There is no need to apply wound tar to the prune cut.

“It has been shown through research that wound treatments like this can actually slow down the healing process of the tree.”

For tips on using a chainsaw safely, see UGA Extension Circular 1148, Chainsaw Safety: Always Use Your Personal Protective Equipment, and the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture's saw safety website at ugaurbanag.com/safety.

About the author

Sharon Dowdy is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

~ David Dickens

Brace or remove Small trees that are bent over and have not straightened back up can be propped and then braced or cabled.

“A spindly pine tree that is bent over to the ground most likely will not stand straight again,” he said. “If the damage is severe, and over onethird of the bark is lost, this is damage few trees can survive.”

Ma ke p la n s n o w to yo u r ad into th e s u m me r is s u e!

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De ad lin e: May 10

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Vanilla Spice

Oh, so nice summer sweetness

by Norman Winter, Horticulturist, Author and Speaker

If you aren’t familiar with Clethra alnifolia it may just delight you to know it is native from East Texas to Maine and even coastal Canada. This means it is terrifically cold hardy. The striking deep green foliage turned bright yellow at my house which created quite the fall display with the flaming red leaves of the Japanese maple. The message on the region equates to this: if you can grow azaleas, rhododendrons or blueberries you can grow the Vanilla Spice clethra.

Sugartina Crystalina gets about three feet tall and as wide with a bloom period of around 6-weeks.

Last summer as my wife Jan and I were

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

relaxing on the patio a little breeze suddenly placed us under the spell of a smell, a most tantalizing fragrance. If you have ever heard that old phrase, "does your nose know what my nose knows?", I can tell you her nose knows a lot more than most and she was ecstatic.

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This botanical treat was coming courtesy of three Vanilla Spice clethra I had planted. I went and snipped a blooming spike so she could get to know it on a more personal level - kind of like what we do with a gardenia blossom. This is exactly why I created the planting and her excitement had me doing the Happy Dance.

It is a small slightly curved bed where I partnered it with four dwarf camellias and a braided lace leaf Japanese maple my son grew from seed. Vanilla Spice will eventually get about 5 feet tall with a 3 to 4-feet spread, perhaps a little larger. If you follow The Garden Guy you are probably guessing I have an even greater motive than fragrance. I do!

You may be thinking you don’t have room for that large of shrub but fret not as Proven Winners also offers Sugartina Crystalina. You have to love the name with the connotation of little sugar or little sweetness. This name is perfection as this fragrant botanical package only gets 3-feet tall and as wide.

Clethra is known commonly as sweet pepperbush which I am not so fond of and also summersweet which I think is perfect.

The flowering period last about six weeks. One site I saw says these fragrant spikes of blooms are similar to catnip for pollinators. This was my other motive. I love that description and it is absolutely true as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all partake of the buffet. Seeds are formed and give reference to the name pepper bush. The seeds are eaten by birds which pretty much makes this plant on the must-have list.

The blooms have a bottlebrush-like texture, offering an exotic beauty. They look as though the plants were created to be partnered with Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica). Their growth habits seem similar as they spread a little underground. They would form an idyllic combination with purple-leafed plants like Jazz Hands loropetalums.

As mentioned, it can spread or form additional clumps via underground stems. It is not hard to

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Two bumble bees have found the summersweet to be irresistible.

Several species of butterflies feed on summersweet.

keep in bounds or maintained. Pruning will help you develop the desired bushy or mounding shrub look versus a thicket or briar appearance.

Blooms are formed on new wood so losing flowers to late frost is typically not an issue.

The ideal location would be in a naturalistic area where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade or high shifting filtered light.

The clethra is a light feeder, the best time to fertilize is in the bring with the resumption of growth using controlled release granules and perhaps a shot of liquid fertilizer in midsummer.

About the author Norman Winter is an author and speaker on horticultural topics.

Follow Norman on Facebook: Norman Winter, The Garden Guy

Vanilla Spice seen here and Suagartina Crystalina produce bottlebrush-like spikes of white fragrant blooms.

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This is a plant that is still sold generically but you will love Sugartina Crystalina and Vanilla Spice so don’t be afraid to beat the drums. The Proven Winners website can give you direction.

Once you start growing these summersweet varieties, you’ll never want to be without some in the landscape.

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Something to buzz about

Grass flowers provide food for insect pollinators provided by USDA Agricultural Research Service

"This is vital research as we aim to protect the natural environment of pollinators that are the foundation of our food supply," said Karen Harris-Shultz, a research geneticist at the ARS Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Laboratory in Tifton, Georgia. "This new knowledge sets the baseline for future research to show that turfgrasses can serve as a food source for pollinators."

The power of observation

Shimat Joseph, University of Georgia

Spike-like inflorescences (flowers) of centipedegrass emerged 12 days after mowing in a residential lawn in Pike County, GA. The purple anthers, shown here, contain the pollen that is collected by bees.

Turfgrasses sometimes get a "bad rap" for not giving our bees and other insect

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

pollinators a helping hand on the food front.

But Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Georgia (UGA) studies suggest this reputation is unfair—and at least five different genera of bees would agree!

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In the world, 70 percent of the main crops used for human consumption at least in part depend on bees and other pollinators. Yet, worldwide, pollinators have been in decline for the last several decades. Turfgrasses are often blamed for the decline and it is often stated that turfgrasses are wind-pollinated, and thus useless for pollinators.

The team's findings, published in the November issue of Insects, provided evidence to the contrary.

Centipedegrass is a popular turfgrass found mainly in the southeastern part of the United States and is known for its heat tolerance and low maintenance, making it a favorite among homeowners and landscapers but prior research had suggested that it is of little use to pollinators.

However, for many years Harris-Shultz had noticed bumblebees and honeybees collecting pollen from the flowers of centipedegrass lawns.

She mentioned this to UGA entomologist Shimat Joseph and UGA physiologist David Jespersen. They decided to start research projects to identify pollinators that pass through centipedegrass lawns and differentiate them from insects that directly collect pollen from centipedegrass flowers.

To identify the types of pollinators foraging on the grass flowers, the researchers collected specimens from 11 centipedegrass lawns starting mid-August to the end of September. Using sweep nets, they homed in on insects that were foraging pollen from centipedegrass and were later identified in the lab by Joseph. Their specimens included bumble bees, honeybees, sweat bees and hoverflies.

"Our collaboration with the University of Georgia has been exceedingly fruitful," said Harris-Shultz.

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"We have challenged commonly held scientific beliefs and found that a turfgrass serves as a food source for five genera of bees. We suspect other turfgrasses may serve as a food source for pollinators as well."

at 14-day intervals. The assumption was that this time interval would be sufficient for the centipedegrass to put out fresh inflorescences instead of setting seed.

or change their selection of 4 Reduce insecticides to limit the pollinators' exposure to chemicals.

~ Karen Harris-Shultz

How homeowners can help Now that it is known that pollinators are transiting in centipede lawns, homeowners can play an important role in helping out the insects.

new lawn-management practices, 4 Adopt such as changing how often they mow.

About the ARS The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $17 of economic impact.

In this study, selected lawns were mowed

Foraging activity of (A and B) a halictid (Lasioglossum spp.), (C and D) a bumblee bee (Bombus spp.), (E and F) a honey bee (Apis spp.), and (G and H) a syrphid fly on the spike-like inflorescences of centipedegrass in a residential lawn during September 2020.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

A - F: Shimat Joseph, University of Georgia; G: Karen Harris-Shultz; and H: Michael Purvis, USDA, ARS, Tifton GA, USA

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Urban agroforestry

Potential integration into city planning efforts

by Sarah Lovell, University of Missouri-Columbia

Sarah Lovell

Urban agroforestry makes efficient, double use of space. Trees that produce food can line city streets, parks, and other spaces. Right, from top: Kousa dogwood, Jujube, American persimmon, pawpaw.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Should we reimagine a “garden city” that

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could help adapt our urban areas for a variable and uncertain future? One that provides several benefits, like cooling the city, providing green areas for city-dwellers, and even a fresh food supply?

That type of question is studied by scientists in the field of urban agroforestry. As you can imagine, plant science, horticulture, agriculture, forestry, and other sciences contribute to the development of urban agroforestry. These scientists work with landscape designers and urban planners to purposefully integrate food production into the fabric of the city. But there are some hurdles that need to be overcome to get to our garden city of the future.

One barrier is that the value of land in cities is high. There is usually limited space, and the space available is expensive. In addition, zoning and tax policies may prohibit or restrict food production. Land in cities can also be contaminated. This could be from former industrial plants, lead paints from residential structures, or other contaminants.

Defining urban agroforestry It is possible to provide tree or shrub canopies that also produce food but getting to that goal could be complicated. Fruits, nuts, and berries are just a few examples that could be provided by the right plant material. This type of system is not meant to replace the current food system, but to complement it.

URBAN AG Woody species of trees and shrubs are perennial, not needing to be replanted each year. They can be described as “permaculture” – or permanent agriculture. You may have a patch of your own gooseberries or plums you enjoy from your garden. The concept is the same, but on a bigger scale.

Urban agroforestry can advance urban food production Urban agroforestry could serve as a progressive form of urban agriculture. The woody species would need to be integrated into an overall plan, to consider multifunctional uses for the community. People tend to prefer the aesthetics of landscapes that include trees, and fruiting trees that could be incorporated into city parks or other public spaces.

Trees and shrubs are also less affected by certain soil contaminants. The fruits and nuts usually don’t touch the ground – assuming they are harvested before they fall! Research has shown that root crops and leafy vegetables are more at risk of being contaminated with lead or arsenic than above-ground crops like tomatoes.

Urban agroforestry can contribute to human health, because some of the most nutrient-dense foods can be grown in these systems. Berries like blueberry, aronia, and elderberry contain very high levels of antioxidants, and they grow on shrubs that are native and adapted to many parts of the US. Trees can provide healthy black walnuts, pecans, or nuts and fruits to diversify and improve the human diet.

Perennial trees and shrubs grown as part of an urban agroforestry program also provide other benefits. Besides offering shade in the space beneath the trees, they can also shade buildings. Their roots can help stabilize the soil, preventing erosion. They contribute to the water cycle, absorbing water from extreme weather events and return it to the air through their transpiration. Another benefit is that these types of food sources don’t need the regular fertilization and maintenance that typical agricultural crops need.

Juneberries can be grown in cities. Their flavor is similar to a blueberry but with a hint of almond, and they can grow in a wider range of soil types.

Using and repurposing urban sites Cities often have abandoned or underused sites.

Abandoned lots, sidewalk medians and other spaces could have perennial, food-producing trees and shrubs. Other spaces, like pre-existing parks and even cemeteries, could be included in planning for urban food systems.

Garden cities are urban agroforestry Planting more trees is considered to be on one of the most effective strategies for adapting to and reducing the effects of climate change. Why not have those trees (and shrubs) also provide the benefit of producing food for residents?

These multi-purpose garden cities are the goal of urban agroforestry!

Originally posted on the Sustainable, Secure Food Blog, sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America.

This article is adapted from an editorial by Dr. Lovell in Urban Agriculture and Regional Food Production Systems. https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ uar2.20000

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

Other benefits of urban agroforestry

Sarah Lovell

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Beneficial insects in turfgrass Clay models track activity

by Allison Fortner for CAES News Though the clay model approach has been used in other disciplines to observe predator activity, Joseph and Khan found no previous use of the method in turfgrass research. This study developed clay models as a tool to aid in future research.

“It’s kind of brain hack of the predator. We want to see how much the real predator interacts with the model based only on the visual cues,” said Khan, a Fulbright scholar who came to UGA to study eco-friendly pest management options, specifically beneficial insects.

Entomology researchers can study predator activity in turfgrass by the markings predators leave in clay models.

Modeling clay isn’t limited to art classrooms

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

and sculpting studios. University of Georgia researchers developed a tool to track beneficial insects in turfgrass systems using clay models.

Tracking these good predators can help develop eco-friendly pest management techniques for both home lawns and commercial sod growers.

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In a recently published article in Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, UGA scientists determined that beneficial predator insects will interact with and leave distinct markings on clay models that resemble their prey, in this case the larvae of turfgrass pests. This study was led by entomology doctoral candidate Fawad Khan under the guidance of Assistant Professor Shimat Joseph in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences on the UGA Griffin campus.

“We want to know who the predators are and what kind of impressions these predators will create on these clay models. Before we do anything in the field, we need to have a sense of what that looks like,” said Joseph, a turfgrass entomologist.

The need for research The turfgrass industry contributes $9 billion to Georgia’s economy each year, but one of the high costs is pest management. Joseph said that the use of insecticides not only cuts into grower profits but requires valuable time, labor and equipment. The use of biological controls, such as natural predator insects, could mean only using chemical management when pest numbers rise beyond a certain threshold.

Harmful pests such as fall armyworms cause problems for turf growers and homeowners alike. Though there are natural predators that attack pests in their larval stage, it's difficult to study the activity since they leave little evidence.

The goal of Khan and Joseph’s research was to identify predator interactions and use that knowledge in commercial and residential turf.

But before they could do so, they needed a method to measure how predators interacted with their prey.

In this study, researchers created two sizes of simulated larvae from modeling clay. Then they collected natural predators from turf lawns at UGA-Griffin. Each collected arthropod spent 48 hours in a petri dish with two sizes of clay larvae models. This was enough time for them to make their marks. Because the clay stays soft at room

URBAN AG temperature, any markings left by the predators were preserved.

Researchers used video equipment to observe how the predators would first interact with models in the field. Outside of the petri dish controlled environment, they also placed the clay models near a fire ant mound in turfgrass.

The study found different types of predators left behind distinct markings.

The researchers characterized and named the impressions left by each type of arthropod and used the knowledge of the specific markings as a tool to study the activities of these insects in the field. “(The clay method) is good and it’s also cost-effective because it does not use a lot of expenditures like cameras or heavy equipment.

You just have to put the clay models on the trees and near the turfgrass. After one or two days you see there are different markings and some activity there,” Khan said.

Fueling research Because this study used a new method for measuring predator activity in turf, it created a baseline tool for further research as part of Khan’s dissertation work. The next step in the research is to compare predator activity between different systems.

“For that research, we need to identify the marks in the real field conditions of the sod farms and the residential lawns. If we did not have the baseline research on the turfgrass system, we couldn’t do that,” Khan said.

“In IPM, we tend to use multiple tactics.

Pesticide is an important tactic, but there are others, like biological control,” Joseph said.

“My viewpoint is more conservation. Here we are looking at biological control so we can … develop a population of predators and beneficial insects. When the fall armyworm attacks, (predators) can provide the first layer of control.

If the population is overwhelming, we have to come up with a remedy. Chemical management comes into play if the numbers go beyond a certain threshold.”

Khan said the ecosystem-based approach of IPM considers beneficial insects including predators, parasites and pollinators, the environment, costs, economic loss and other factors surrounding any crop. However, this approach is not just important for those in the commercial agricultural sector. One of Khan’s ultimate research goals is to help homeowners know more about what is happening in their lawns.

“We have to appreciate the natural enemies and biological control that is happening around us in our residential lawns. My research will be giving an estimation technique to see what good insects are active,” Khan said.

For more information on the UGA Department of Entomology, visit ent.uga.edu.

About the author Allison Fortner is a master's degree student and a graduate research assistant in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021

The goal in tracking predator activity between the systems is to create integrated pest management (IPM) methods against harmful insects such as fall armyworms. The clay model system will allow researchers to know which predators are present in commercial and residential situations. With that knowledge, Joseph said that they hope to manipulate existing predator insects to serve as a control method for the pests.

Entomologists captured predator insects to study their interaction with clay models that resemble their prey. This is the first time this approach has been used in turfgrass research.

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