UAC Magazine - Summer 2022

AUGUST

31, 2022 LANDSCAPE PRO

UNIVERSITY

Attendee brochure inside!

URBAN AG COUNCIL MAGAZINE GEORGIA

Keeping Georgia’s green industry informed

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56 SUMMER 2022

Advocate. Educate.

Promote.

SUMMER 2022 | 1

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UAC Magazine Official publication of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council

Board of Directors Pam Dooley Plants Creative Landscapes Jennifer Jorge King Green Matt Lowe Swift Straw Josh Morrow Athletic Fields, Inc. Ken Morrow The Turfgrass Group Bob Scott Irrigation Consultant Services Steve Ware Centennial Olympic Park/GWCC Ray Wiedman Outdoor Expressions Ron White TurfPride

Ex Officio

Bodie Pennisi UGA Extension Horticulturist Clint Waltz UGA Extension Turf Agronomist

Staff Mary Kay Woodworth Executive Director Kathy Johnson Marketing Director & Editor

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 2022

4 | UAC MAGAZINE

URBAN AG COUNCIL MAGAZINE GEORGIA

SUMMER 2022 UAC NEWS 5

Executive Director message

6

What did you miss? Spring in the Courtyard

7

Leaf blower restrictions Update for 2022 and beyond

7

Women in the Green Industry Award Woodworth recognized

8

Landscape Pro University Attendee brochure

REGULAR FEATURES 14

Me & My Mentor Renee Wright, SHRM-CP, Bloom-n Gardens

18

Pro Project Unique Environmental Landscapes

20

Pest 411 Japanese maple scale infestations

23

Save the date

24

What the tech? Why HTTPS matters for your website

26

Safety Works How safety & health misconceptions are slowing your growth

58

Directory of advertisers

BUSINESS 28

Managing stress Simple steps to gain control

30

Burnout causes and preventions Prevent burnout in the peak season

32

Achieving financial health Benefits of hiring a fractional CFO

34

Combatting inflation Let customer experience, not price, differentiate you

36

The Bermuda Triangle Navigating the ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Comp

INDUSTRY 40

2022 legislative session Full of twists and turns

42

Capitol Connection UAC member survey results

44

UGA showcases irrigation technologies Ground broken on Griffin site

46

Responsible outdoor lighting Getting a handle on light pollution

50

Reducing water needs Turfgrass research yields new varieties

URBAN AG 54

It’s that time of year... Scouting for turfgrass diseases

56

Sparkling perennials Add dazzle to your cool-season containers

UAC NEWS

Dear UAC Members and Supporters,

How do your organization’s benefits compare? Snellings Walters has partnered with Milliman to offer you a Benefits Benchmarking Survey, where you will receive practical advice to improve your business as you compare your organization’s benefits to those offered by other companies. Contact Tara Byrd at tbyrd@snellingswalters. com for information.

I hope this summer issue of UAC Magazine finds you well despite the booming fuel prices and other inflation pressures. As frustrating and impactful as rising costs are, we must trust that better days are ahead...they can’t come soon enough! costs 4Fuel Our June member survey gives us a snapshot of the

impact inflation and rising costs are having with just one component – fuel costs:

> >

41% currently imposing fuel surcharge

> >

56% adjusting surcharge as prices increase

>

71% considering adding or increasing fuel surcharge

smart 4Water UGA’s Dr. Brian Schwartz continues to be rightfully

recognized for his role in developing the drought-tolerant bermudagrass cultivar called TifTuf.

77% reviewing adjustment to surcharge amount monthly 54% will remove surcharge when gas is below $3 per gallon

A quick look at the comments from those who completed the survey will give you a glimpse of some of the strategies employed to communicate the rising costs to customers. You can view the complete survey results on our website: urbanagcouncil.com benefit 4Member With rising costs and budget season approaching,

I wanted to remind you of a particularly important member benefit we are pleased to offer through our partnership with Snellings Walters Insurance Agency: a broad range of insurance products.

With over 65 years in business, Snellings Walters’ professionals are thoroughly acquainted with the green industry and understand your needs. I’d urge you to contact Snellings Walters regarding the UAC Workers Compensation program and their P&C programs. Their advisers can help you analyze your existing policies/ products and make sure you have:

1) 2)

adequate and appropriate coverage and you are not over-paying!

Snellings Walters can also help you with health care benefits, with a variety of options for companies of all sizes. Our health benefits “captive” program for companies with 40+ employees has provided incredible savings to the companies who use it and is worth a look.

In July, the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, will recognize Dr. Schwartz with the Phil Karr Water Wise Award, which is presented to an individual who has made a great contribution to water conservation in Georgia.

With July being National Irrigation Month, look at the article on page 50 of this issue about drought-tolerant turfgrasses that can save billions of gallons of irrigation water each year.

Congratulations, Dr. Schwartz!

the date 4Save Make sure to mark your calendar for future events:

> > >

UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day & UAC Tradeshow (August 3) Landscape Pro University (August 31) Annual UAC Sporting Clays Tournament (October 27)

...and more events to be announced soon!

Contact me today for information about sponsoring and exhibiting at these UAC events!

Have a safe, healthy, and profitable summer, and hope to see you soon!

Mary Kay Woodworth | Executive Director SUMMER 2022 |

5

UAC NEWS

WHAT DID YOU MISS? “Spring in the Courtyard” | Topiary Courtyard | April 19 | Peachtree Corners GA

Sponsored by

6 | UAC MAGAZINE

UAC NEWS

Leaf blower restrictions Update for 2022 and beyond

Lawmakers continued to voice their support for protecting the use of gasoline powered leaf blowers, but even as we pushed into the late hours of Day 40 of the 2022 legislative session, this policy issue fell short.

We will continue to engage with colleagues from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), local governments and others throughout 2022 on this issue.

We remain grateful for the contacts made by UAC member companies during the legislative session. Our efforts did not go unnoticed as legislators are now keenly aware of this otherwise unknown issue in other states.

Plus, Georgia cities looking at banning such equipment are now on high alert that state elected officials are not in support of such actions. Your continued engagement IS very important to this process.

This bill would have put in law the protected use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers during hours allowed for all power equipment. That didn’t happen, but lawmaker sentiment is on our side.

We view this like any other agricultural issue where statewide uniformity is needed. Agriculture has statewide preemption for outdoor water use, fertilizer, pesticides, and genetically modified crops.

Atlanta’s WSB Channel 2 News had a story on the issue recently, featuring UAC’s Mary Kay Woodworth and UAC Board Member Pam Dooley of Plants Creative Landscape: wsbtv.com/video/local-video/proposal-would-stopgas-powered-leaf-blower-bans-by-georgia-citiescounties/0b1d41b8-102a-4650-ba21-567e200ee115

POWER UP YOUR SOIL

MAXIMIZE YOUR FERTILIZER EFFICIENCY

Our bio-based fertilizers & specialty fertility products are blended to feed plants, improve soil fertility and build topsoil.

UAC Executive Director Mary Kay Woodworth was recently recognized as a 2022 Women in the Green Industry Award recipient. The award by Green Industry Pros honors female professionals whose accomplishments and mentorship influence others in the landscaping community and offer a roadmap for other leaders looking to leverage the industry for competitive advantage. Mary Kay has proven herself as an industry leader and a strong ally with other agriculture organizations to help move the industry forward. Congratulations, Mary Kay!

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SUMMER 2022 |

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THREE WAYS to get the information and training you need!

1. Landscape Design Seminar Designing the Environmentally Responsive Landscape

2. Georgia Pesticide License Review Full day of preparation to take the Category 24 exam

3. Green Industry Conference Mix or match topic areas hourly

CEUs | PESTICIDE CREDITS

LANDSCAPE PRO

UNIVERSITY

A U G U S T 3 1, 2 0 2 2

Looking to make a greener world?

This is where you start.

J A N U A R COBB Y 2 6GALLERIA , 2022

| ATLANTA GA

COBB GALLERIA | ATLANTA GA

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URBAN AG COUNCIL GEORGIA

THREEurbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university WAYS to get the information and training you need!

Select the track that works for you: 1. Landscape Design Seminar

8:00 am - 3:25 pm Designing the Environmentally Responsive Landscape...a Nature-Inspired Approach This full-day, hands-on workshop is for green industry professionals wishing to create designs that are stunning and earth-friendly.

This profit-centered course focuses on marketing and selling your ecologically sound concepts to all types of clients. All drafting supplies, paper and materials are included. > Selling it...tips to move your customer to buy > Top 10...best practices for an eco-friendly landscape > The foundation...Environmentally sensitive site and client analysis > Bold yet efficient...quick and easy design graphics for massing annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees > Incurves and outcurves...creating a consistent visual theme using a curvilinear technique > Drift design - a nature inspired paradigm that creates a unity and movement > Putting it all together...a final project that ties it all together Instructor: Dr. Richard Ludwig

2. Georgia Pesticide License Review for Exam

8:00 am - 3:25 pm

3. Green Industry Conference - Mix or match topic areas hourly!

8:00 am - 3:25 pm

This training is intended for turfgrass and ornamental landscape employees interested in attaining the Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Category 24 License in Georgia. This license is required for anyone who does contract spraying of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides in Georgia for residential, industrial, or business applications. This session also is open to licensed applicators who would like a refresher course. The entire review training consists of five sessions, beginning at 8:00 am and ending at 3:25 pm.

• Optional: Participants are encouraged to purchase both study guide manuals (National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core and Category 24 Ornamental and Turf Pest Control) and follow along during the training. Order these manuals at www. gapestexam.com/examInfo.cfm. Please allow 7-14 days for delivery. Upon completion of the review, participants may register to take the exam through a local technical college testing center in Georgia: www.gapestexam.com.

Instructor: Tim Daly, ANR County Extension Agent, Gwinnett County, GA CREDITS: AL: 10, OTPC, OTPS; GA: 5 Cat 23/24; ISA Certified Arborist: 5; ISA SCMA Mgmt: 5; SC: Core: 2 Cat 3:3; TN: C03-5, C10-5, C12-5

8 | UAC MAGAZINE

Green Industry Conference Schedule The following credits have been approved for the Green Industry Conference: Alabama................................TOTAL 10 , OTPC, OTPS over Agronomics & Hort topics GCSAA:.................................50 Education Points for the conference Georgia.................................See individual topic descriptions ISA ........................................See individual topic descriptions Mississippi............................5 hours total across the Agronomics and Hort topics NCLCLB...............................See individual topic descriptions South Carolina.....................See individual topic descriptions Tennessee..............................See individual topic descriptions

7:00 am - 8:00 am

Registration

8:00 am - 9:00 am AGRONOMICS: Turfgrass Water Conservation for the 21st Century

We’ll look at old policies and new ways - research that leads to new grasses and technologies for improved performance and technologies. Water use efficiency and pest management will be discussed. Instructor: Dr. Clint Waltz, UGA CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; SC: Core: 1; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1

HORTICULTURE/PLANT HEALTH: Selection, Installation and Establishment of Young Trees

When properly selected, placed, planted and cared for, trees can be the focal point of your client’s yard; however, if improperly placed, planted or cared for, trees can also be the costliest mistake you can make in the landscape. This presentation will explain how to choose and care for a landscape tree given site and functional limitations so it will become the landscape centerpiece.

Instructor: Dr. Jason Gordon, UGA CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; ISA Certified Arborist: 1, ISA BCMA Practice: 1; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12–1

BUSINESS: From Pandemic to Brown Bottle Flu - Personnel Management

Your biggest and most import asset is your people. Learn how to better manage situations that will lead to improved morale and productivity. Every company has issues with people, every day, every week. The key is having a set of policies and procedures and adhering to them consistently. We will discuss the ways to build a better work force through effective personnel management. Do not let your people down. Learn how to build them up. Instructor: Rex Bishop, Tea Olive Productions

IRRIGATION/LIGHTING: Irrigation from the Ground Up: Train Wreck to High Tech

Although smart controllers are great products and definitely a way to save water, if your irrigation out in the field (heads, valves, nozzles, etc.) is in bad shape, it’s like the old saying - “putting lipstick on a pig.” In this session we’ll discuss basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and product upgrades that will bring a system from water waster to water saver, and smart controllers.

Instructors: Reid Garner, Hunter Industries & Rolando Orellana, UGA

HARDSCAPES: Introduction to Limestone Hardscape Materials Instructor: Kevin Brannon, Polycorp

BELGARD U: Paver Overlays

In this course Belgard will cover several techniques for overlaying existing and new concrete slabs with full thickness and thin pavers, including Sand Set techniques, mortar overlays and the newest product Dribond setting bed overlay. Overlaying existing concrete is a quick and effective way to bring new life to an old concrete slab without the mess and time to demo the old slab.

Driveways, patios and pool decks are all great applications for paver overlays. This course will cover all you need to know to successfully complete all three types of projects. Instructor: Andrew Harris, Belgard

SPANISH LANGUAGE: Basic Irrigation Basic irrigation installation, maintenance, and repair/Irrigacion concepts basicos, intalacion, mantenimiento y reparacion.

Instructors: Rolando Orellana, Laura Ney and Deborah Xavier-Mis, UGA

9:10 am - 10:10 am AGRONOMICS: Adjuvants 101: Understanding the “Extras” in Your Tank

This presentation will cover the types of adjuvants used with herbicides and the effects on spray retention and absorption by plants.

We will also discuss amendments that can be used to help alleviate herbicide antagonism from high pH and hardness levels. Other topics will include the interaction of adjuvants with spray volumes, drift retarding agents, and herbicide formulations.

Instructor: Dr. Patrick McCullough, UGA CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; ISA Certified Arborist: 1; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; SC: Cat 3: 1; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1 SUMMER 2022 |

For updates and to register online: urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university

9

HORTICULTURE/PLANT HEALTH: Troubleshooting Problems in the Landscape

Focusing on planting depth and drainage problems, excessive pruning and crowding, pH, nutrient imbalances, PGR toxicities, herbicide drift, abiotic stresses, etc. Instructors: Dr. Bodie Pennisi & Greg Huber, UGA CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; ISA Certified Arborist: 1; ISA BCMA Practice: 1; ISA Aerial Lift:; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1

BUSINESS: How to Analyze and Improve your Profitability

Do you know your key indicators to measure for profitability? Do you use them on each job? We will discuss those key numbers, how to measure and how to improve. Without constant analysis and review you can quickly become unaware of your finances.

Each job, task and endeavor your team does should be measured. Otherwise, you are just running an expensive hobby with no future for growth and improvement. Be ready to share your experiences. Instructor: Rex Bishop, Tea Olive Productions

IRRIGATION/LIGHTING: Pumps…When, Where and How Instructor: Mike Yarussi, Munro Companies

HARDSCAPES: Hands-On Install of Natural Stone Veneers Instructor: Kevin Brannon, Polycorp

BELGARD U: Paver Install 101

In this course Belgard will cover everything you need to know about the basic paver installation process starting with excavation, base installation, bedding sand, paver laying/cutting/compaction, edge restraints and joint sand installation. This is a fantastic starting course for those new to paver installation as well as a refresher overview for the experienced installer.

Instructor: Andrew Harris, Belgard

SPANISH LANGUAGE: Hands-On Small Irrigation System Design

Basic concepts of irrigation systems layout/Conceptos y practices basicos de diseno de sistremas de irrigation Instructors: Rolando Orellana, Laura Ney and Deborah Xavier-Mis, UGA

10:10 am - 11:10 am

SiteOne Supplier Expo & Break

11:10 am - 12:10 pm AGRONOMICS: Turfgrass Today An overview of the 2022 sod survey; 2021 insect survey, update on glysophate, robotics and pest management year in review.

Instructor: Dr. Clint Waltz, UGA CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; SC: Cat 3: 1 ; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1

HORTICULTURE/PLANT HEALTH: Fine-Tuning Your Pruning Program

Organizing your tree and ornamental pruning program for maximum efficiency will help you better serve customers, plants and the bottom line. Fertilizer, plant health troubleshooting and growth regulators will be discussed. Hands-on instruction!

Instructor: Rick Smith, The Pruning Guru CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; ISA Certified Arborist: 1; ISA BCMA Mgmt: 1; SC: Cat 3: 1; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1

BUSINESS: Recruitment and Retention in Today's World

People are the keys to success of any organization. Every company in today’s work environment needs more employees. Not just bodies, but motivated well-trained people who are willing to go the extra mile for themselves and for the company. We will look at ways to find and keep good people so your organization can grow and prosper. Remember you must find them, hire them, and keep them. Do you pay enough, train enough, take care of them enough? Instructor: Rex Bishop, Tea Olive Productions CREDITS: NCLCLB: Business-1

IRRIGATION/LIGHTING: Troubleshooting a Two-Wire Irrigation System Instructor: Dirk Hessman, SiteOne

HARDSCAPES: Intro to Iso-Kern Fireplace and Outdoor Kitchens

This presentation gives the in-and-outs of choosing a fireplaces, the environmental effects on the fireplace specified and how to design into projects. We will cover the types of fireplaces Isokern offers, why we are the superior brand of modular masonry fireplaces and how to choose the appropriate Isokern for your project. Instructor: Shirley White, Earthcore Industries

BELGARD U: Permeable Pavers

In this course you will be exposed to the fastest growing segment of the paver industry, Permeable Pavements. The course will cover the base line installation of Permeable paver systems, their components and the necessary steps installers need to take to successfully install structural and beautiful Permeable Pavements. Instructor: Andrew Harris, Belgard

SPANISH LANGUAGE: Plant Identification

Learn about the most common plants in the industry in Georgia/Aprende sobre identificacion de plantas ornamentrales comunes en Georgia. Instructors: Rolando Orellana, Laura Ney and Deborah Xavier-Mis, UGA

10 | UAC MAGAZINE

For updates and to register online: urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm SiteOne Supplier Expo & Lunch 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm AGRONOMICS: Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Science, Clients and Compliance

Meeting client expectations while following the science of best practices in horticulture and keeping up with a multitude of regulations can be daunting for the landscape practitioner. This session will highlight some of the most common regulatory requirements for the landscape professional and provide examples of how client expectations, regulations, and best practices in horticulture may collide. Requirements for pesticide application (including pest and disease ID and management) will be covered.

Instructor: Greg Huber, UGA CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; ISA Certified Arborist: 1; ISA BCMA Mgmt: 1; SC: Core: 1; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1

HORTICULTURE/PLANT HEALTH: Environmental Impact and Management of Non-Native Invasive Plants

Non-native invasive plants have detrimental impacts upon natural areas. Learn what the impacts are, the importance of managing them, and how to do so. The presentation will address non-native landscape ornamentals that have “escaped” into natural areas and out compete the native vegetation. Treatment options (herbicide use) will also be discussed.

Instructor: Brian Arnold, Songbird Landcare, LLC CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; ISA Certified Arborist: 1; ISA BCMA Mgmt: 1; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; SC: Core: 1; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1

BUSINESS: Safety Culture is Vital to Success

Every organization must provide a safe work environment for their employees. It is not only the law but is necessary for the health and safety of your staff and customers. OSHA fines for non-compliance can be quite large and build up quickly. We will take a quick look at how safety encourages a more productive workforce, eliminates and lost time and saves you money. Employees much prefer a safe work environment, sometimes we must remind them what that looks like.

Instructor: Rex Bishop, Tea Olive Productions CREDITS: NCLCLB: Business-1

IRRIGATION/LIGHTING: Landscape Lighting 101 Instructor: Jason Radake, Hunter Industries

HARDSCAPES: Natural Stone Patio Installation Instructor: Brian Bishop, Universal Stone Imports

BELGARD U: Paver Cleaning and Sealing

This course will explore the revenue generating market for all hardscape companies to add cleaning and sealing of hardscapes to your business offering. Cleaning and sealer for new and existing hardscapes brings new life and renewed beauty to your client’s patios, driveways and pool decks. This course will cover all the needed steps to successfully clean and seal all types of hardscapes (Stone, pavers, concrete slab) using the Techni-seal line of Professional Grade Cleaner and Sealers.

Instructor: Andrew Harris, Belgard

SPANISH LANGUAGE: Pruning

Tree and ornamental pruning in the industry/Aprende sobre la poda de arboles y ornamentales en la industria .

Instructors: Rolando Orellana, Laura Ney and Deborah Xavier-Mis, UGA

2:25 pm - 3:25 pm AGRONOMICS: Army Worms and Other Emerging Pests…How to Deal with Them

Dr. Joseph will talk about the lifecycle, ecology, and seasonal occurrence of fall armyworm and other emerging pests, such as rhodesgrass mealybug or other scales. Particularly, Joseph will discuss the management options for these pests in the turfgrass.

Instructor: Dr. Shimat Joseph, UGA CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; SC: Cat 3:1; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1

HORTICULTURE/PLANT HEALTH: Water Management in the Landscape for Better Plant Health

In many instances, outdoor water use can be controlled and minimized with proper landscape design and plant selection. Learn how appropriate plant choices, healthy soils with appropriate grading, use of mulches, and limiting the use of high water-using plants can significantly reduce the need for supplemental irrigation. Dr. Ruter will discuss the best plants from the Trial Gardens at UGA during the 2021 growing season and present information on selecting drought-tolerant species and other methods to help save water in the garden.

Instructor: Dr. John Ruter, UGA CREDITS: GA: 1 Cat 23/24; ISA Certified Arborist: 1; NCLCLB: Landscape-1; SC: Core: 0.5; TN: C03-1, C10-1, C12-1

SUMMER 2022 |

For updates and to register online: urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university

11

BUSINESS: The Ultimate Customer Experience

WOW! That is what customers want, to walk away feeling wowed and overwhelmed by their experience. They want to look at the services you provided and see excellence beyond their expectations. They want good surprises! Do you give that kind of service?

Have you empowered your people to go the extra mile to provide services that wow their customer? Will your customers call on you every time they need something? And do not forget your employees are your internal customers - what have you done lately to wow them? What companies that you deal with wow you? Hopefully when you leave you will have new tools to wow everybody.

Instructor: Rex Bishop, Tea Olive Productions

IRRIGATION/LIGHTING: Landscape Lighting...Blending Techniques with Technology to Boost Profits Instructor: Ross Butler, SiteOne

HARDSCAPES: Combatting Silica Hazards and OSHA regulations on a job site Instructor: Vince Hollis, iQPower Tools

BELGARD U: Belgard Modularity Product Line

In this session come learn about the newest innovation coming to the hardscapes market as Belgard presents the Modularity product line. Belgard is bringing simplicity back to the market place with the Modularity line of products that are all designed to work seamlessly together to allow the installer to create beautiful and creative hardscape installations with ease and function.

Come see what new products and innovations are being brought to the marketplace in 2022 by Belgard Hardscapes.

Instructor: Andrew Harris, Belgard

SPANISH LANGUAGE: Pesticide Safety

Learn about handling, transporting, storage, and applying pesticides safely/Aprenda sobre manejo, trasporte, almacenamineto y apliaccion seguras de pesticides. Instructors: Rolando Orellana, Laura Ney and Deborah Xavier-Mis, UGA

4COVID protocols

Your safety is important.

Landscape Pro University and the Cobb Galleria Centre are working together to create a safe meeting environment for conference attendees. The responsibility of this safe meeting environment is shared amongst us all.

Landscape Pro University actions to support the conference: • • • • • • •

We will follow required CDC. state, local, and venue requirements at the time of the event to reduce the risk of contracting/ spreading COVID-19.

Masks are currently not required at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Updates will be provided as new information is obtained at urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university-covid.

We will have some disposable masks available onsite, for anyone who needs one, or you are welcome to bring your own.

Hand sanitizers will be made available in common areas.

The Cobb Galleria Centre will be continually cleaning meeting spaces and common area during the day. Please visit cobbgalleria.com/reopening for Cobb Galleria Covid-19 protocols.

Post-Event: If there is any known exposure at the conference, we will inform conference attendees as soon as possible.

Each attendee must sign and return the Covid-19 waiver.

4Travel

Map, driving directions, and parking instructions can be found here: urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university NOTE: $10.00 per vehicle parking fee IS NOT included in registration.

4Cancellations and additional expenses

Cancellations must be received 14 days prior to the event date for a full refund. No-shows will not be refunded.

Transportation, lodging, parking and activities other than those listed on the agenda will be at your own expense.

4Registration

> The morning break, lunch and entry to the SiteOne Supplier Expo are included in registration fee. > Registration and check-in will begin at 7:00 am; sessions begin at 8:00 am.

To register, complete the form on the following page then:

Scan/Email: office@georgiauac.com FAX: 404-900-9194 Mail: Georgia Urban Ag Council | PO Box 3400 | Duluth GA 30096 (must be received by August 19, 2022) Or register online here: urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university

4Location: Cobb Galleria Centre | Two Galleria Parkway | Atlanta GA 30339

Not a UAC member? Join today and register all your employees at the member rate! urbanagcouncil.com

12 | UAC MAGAZINE

For updates and to register online: urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university

Registration form

To register online: urbanagcouncil.com/landscape-pro-university

Attendee info LANDSCAPE PRO

First__________________________________________ Last ________________________________________________________________

UNIVERSITY

Company___________________________________________ Job Title________________________________________________________

AUGUST 31, 2022

Address___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City______________________________________________________________ State_______________ Zip__________________________ Phone__________________________________________ Email ___________________________________________________________ Pesticide License State & Number (if those credits are wanted) _______________________________________________________________

What is your primary business?

c Landscape design

c Turf care

c Athletic/parks/rec mgmt.

c Nursery/grower

c Irrigation

c Landscape construction

c Sod production

c Sports turf management

c Lighting

c Other:

c Landscape management

c Tree care

c Golf course management

c Educator

_________________________ _

Select your track and payment category: Landscape Design Seminar:

c UAC members.............................. $249 c Non-members.............................. $299 c 21,500 SiteOne Partner Points

GA Pesticide License Review:

c UAC members.............................. $109 c Non-members.............................. $149 c 10,000 SiteOne Partner Points

Green Industry Conference:

c UAC members.............................. $109 c Non-members.............................. $149 c 10,000 SiteOne Partner Points

To use SiteOne Partner Points, select SiteOne Landscape Supply Partners Program member at online registration, or contact your SiteOne branch.

If you selected “Green Industry Conference” please choose one session in each time slot: 8:00 am - 9:00 am c Turfgrass Water Conservation for the 21st Century c Selection, Installation and Establishment of Young Trees c From Pandemic to Brown Bottle Flu - Personnel Management c Irrigation from the Ground Up: Train Wreck to High Tech c Introduction to Limestone Hardscape Materials c Paver Overlays c Spanish Language: Basic Irrigation 9:10 am - 10:10 am c Adjuvants 101: Understanding the “Extras” in Your Tank c Troubleshooting Problems in the Landscape c How to Analyze and Improve your Profitability c Pumps...When, Where and How c Hands-On Install of Natural Stone Veneers c Paver Install 101 c Spanish Language: Hands-On Small Irrigation System Design 11:10 am - 12:10 pm c Turfgrass Today c Fine-Tuning Your Pruning Program c Recruitment and Retention in Today's World c Troubleshooting a Two-Wire Irrigation System c Intro to Iso-Kern Fireplace and Outdoor Kitchens c Permeable Pavers c Spanish Language: Plant ID

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm c Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Science, Clients and Compliance c Environmental Impact & Mgmt of Non-Native Invasive Plants c Safety Culture is Vital to Success c Landscape Lighting 101 c Natural Stone Patio Installation c Paver Cleaning and Sealing c Spanish Language: Pruning 2:25 pm - 3:25 pm c Army Worms and Other Emerging Pests c Water Management in the Landscape for Better Plant Health c The Ultimate Customer Experience c Landscape Lighting...Blending Techniques with Technology c Combatting Silica Hazards & OSHA Regulations on Job Site c Belgard Modularity Product Line c Spanish Language: Pesticide Safety

Questions?

Call 706.750.0350 or email office@georgiauac.com Please complete separate registration forms for each attendee. If registering more than one person per company and paying as a group, just complete payment info on one registration.

Payment method c A check payable to Georgia UAC is enclosed.

Please charge my

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Name on card_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Billing address for card________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City___________________________________________________________________ State_________________ Zip____________________________________ Card #_____________________________________________________________________________ Exp Date:_____________ _Security code:_______________

Mail: Georgia Urban Ag Council, PO Box 3400, Duluth GA 30096 | Email: office@georgiauac.com | FAX: 404-900-9194 SUMMER 2022 | 13 Must be received by August 19.

ME & MY MENTOR

Engagement and retention

What is your company’s job value proposition?

by Renee Wright, SHRM-CP, Bloom’n Gardens Landscape Q. What has the landscape industry realized over the years about employee engagement and retention that can help us today?

A. The answer is not wages, a signing bonus, or company vehicles. What is needed to attract, engage and retain employees is a purpose and mission for a company that is supported by values that the employee can truly get behind personally - otherwise you’re just offering employment.

These days, if you talk to anyone in the service industry they will say there is an labor shortage. This has seemed to be the case ever since the bounce-back of the economy after the 2008 housing crash, and recently made worse by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

The employee shortage has to do with low unemployment rates, rising wages and, honestly, just a much smaller pool of qualified candidates coming through the door. That makes it a very large challenge for companies.

If it wasn’t already hard to find a single candidate, finding a qualified and experienced candidate is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Since unemployment is so low and there are so many open positions for the small pool of candidates, we have to look at our companies and evaluate how well we engage and retain our current workforce. It’s not the early 2000s where we have a line out the door of potential new workers.

Job value proposition

When talking about hiring, employee engagement, and retention, we must look at our job value proposition.

Employees are assets, not just workers.

Every position on a payroll creates value for the business.

Does the person who holds that position optimize that value?

When creating our job value proposition, it must connect to something in the company, and that’s not money. To engage, retain and get the value out of an employee we must connect them to more than just wages; we must have a purpose and mission they can personally get behind.

As we transition into a new generation of workers we must look at other industries and adapt the tactics as they did five-to-ten years ago to engage and retain our workforce. Money is not the primary motivating factor anymore. Below are four categories you can look at to address employee engagement and retention.

Renee Wright, SHRM-CP Like many secondand third- generation industry members, Renee Wright seems to have been destined to find her way back to the family business.

Renee serves as the Human Resources and Safety Manager at Bloom’n Gardens Landscape LLC. Her route to the business included obtaining a degree in horticulture and business from Mississippi State University in 2011. During her time at MSU, Renee’s

14 | UAC MAGAZINE

floral design team took home overall baccalaureate school awards from American Institute of Floral Design National Competition. Renee is also a member of the Young Professional Council (YPC) American Floral Endowment program that gives networking opportunities to young industry members and students.

Since graduation, Renee has been learning the landscape trade and pursing continued education in Human Resources, by earning her Society of Human Resources Certified Professional Certification.

Renee has a real passion for the labor industry and desire to make the landscape industry a viable career option for upcoming generations.

ME & MY MENTOR

Culture

You would think that hiring and recruiting would be the first step in building a team, but in reality employee engagement and retention comes first. What is your internal brand? You need to create a positive culture within the company by creating bonds between employee and peers, bonds between employee and leaders, and bonds between employee and self, as championed

by Jeffrey Scott of Jeffrey Scott Consulting. Listen to each employee, ask questions, stay engaged, strive for improvement daily, communicate and care about the employee. Your company strategy for success needs to line up with the company culture.

Money

When talking about retention and employee engagement, you have to talk about wages. When an employee considers leaving, your first idea might be to counter their new offer but that doesn’t always work. Larger companies might be able to just offer more money but that’s not always the case for smaller companies.

You can use stay bonuses, or added benefits to retain your employees, but there needs to be a clearly defined support system for them that goes beyond the standard benefits.

More money is not always the reason someone is leaving.

The company culture might not be right. That’s why establishing your company culture comes before hiring.

Advancement

Keeping employees engaged and enjoying their job means not only showing them they are valued but also showing them their path upward. Workers in the corporate world want upward mobility and if you ask any green industry business owner they will tell you that employees worth keeping are those who are motivated for advancement and increased responsibility. That’s why it’s imperative to create career ladders within the company.

Communication

Communication from multiple people like managers, safety officers, human resources, and the business owner are essential. Regular communication will keep new and existing employees feeling engaged, part of the team and eager to stay with the company. When communicating with the employee it should go past the work the employee is doing. Consider the employee’s interests, find out if the employee has ideas to improve the company or is willing to provide feedback on the company.

There are several key things you can do for effective communication: daily or weekly huddles, recognition activities, company events, and even one-on-ones.

Communication is vital in employee engagement and retention and helps the employee buy into the company’s mission.

Employee retention - and in turn employee engagement - starts well before hiring. If we can maintain superior internal customer service, hiring will be easier because we will have created a culture people want to be in.

The University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has developed, in collaboration with the Center for Urban Agriculture, an online, live, interactive training program that allows pest management and Green Industry professionals to obtain continuing education credits (CEUs) virtually anywhere.

July 14 • •

Understanding insecticides and miticides for turfgrass and ornamental plants: Dr. Juang Horng "JC" Chong Chemical and biological approaches to Botrytis management: Dr. James Faust

September 15 • •

Industry update: Turfgrass: Dr. Shimat Joseph, Dr. Patrick McCullough, Dr. Alfredo Martinez, Dr. Clint Waltz Industry update: Ornamentals: Dr. Bodie Pennisi, Dr. Jean Williams-Woodward, Dr. Shimat Joseph, Dr Mark Czarnota

Visit the Center for Urban Agriculture's website for additional information about the Center and all of our activities: ugaurbanag.com SUMMER 2022 |

15

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16 | UAC MAGAZINE

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www.SiteOne.com SUMMER 2022 |

17

SAVE THE DATE PRO PROJECT

Wide appeal in narrow space

Project by Unique Environmental Landscapes

GALA AWARD WINNER: Grand

This small in-town yard (a little over 2000 ft.) did nothing for the homeowner as far as usability and entertainment.

The backyard and side yard are both very narrow, with about 14 feet from the foundation of the house to the property line.

Before

Maximizing the space and creating an entertainment area was the overall objective of this project, which meant incorporating a small fireplace and grill area as requested by the homeowner.

Before

Before A very small concrete back patio beneath the deck with the rest of the yard sloping away or uphill made it unusable space. There was a 2 ½ foot drop from the existing upper patio to the lower backyard.

18 | UAC MAGAZINE

The water feature was reincorporated and radius steps now flow off the back patio onto the lower space. A small fire pit was added in the back corner. We adjusted for the grade changes and pulled the spaces together.

GEORGIA URBAN AG COUNCIL

GEORGIA LANDSCAPE AWARDS

SAVE THE DATE PRO PROJECT

Before

Planting areas were minimal and screening was a very big concern, so we used Green Giant arborvitae, Emerald Green arborvitae, and pure middle European hornbeams to screen the adjacent home.

Radius steps from the upper patio underneath the deck created a dining area that flowed out onto the lower patio.

A small sitting area up at the top looked down at the small fireplace, creating multiple areas to sit and enjoy this now-usable backyard area. We incorporated their existing water fountain into the patio space to create a focal point when looking down from the area beneath the deck, where a dining table is positioned.

Lighting was also an important element to make the space usable at night. The radius steps have lights incorporated into the step treads, along with accent lighting to further increase visibility at night. Drip irrigation NP rotors were used to maximize irrigation coverage and minimize the waste of water when operating the system.

The pathway leading to the lower yard where the homeowner has positioned multiple birdfeeders was also an important element. The side yard backs up to a green space, so they wanted to invite the birds into the area throughout the year. The lower yard stays somewhat damp, so edgeworthia, alongside other natural plants, were used to create the transition between the two spaces.

The homeowner also wanted to incorporate a ginkgo biloba ‘Magyar’ that was positioned in an area where it can grow and not interfere long-term with the maturing landscape.

At the end of the project, the homeowner commented that we “exceeded his expectations of the usability of space.”

Pathway leads to birdfeeders in lower yard.

SUMMER 2022 |

19

PEST 411

Examine the bark

Japanese maple scale infestations

by Shimat V. Joseph and Will Hudson, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia The Japanese maple scale (JMS), Lopholeucaspis japonica Cockerell (Fig. 1) is an insect pest of Japanese maple and several other ornamental tree species.

JMS-infested trees in the landscape reduce the value of the property. In the nursery, JMS infestation affects the marketability of the trees.

This insect sucks the plant juices using its piercing and sucking mouthparts. JMS, similar to other armored scales, does not directly feed on the phloem vessels of the host tree and thus, it does not ingest an excessive amount of sugars and excrete excess sugars as honeydew. JMS secretes a detached waxy shell that covers the body.

Fig. 1. Japanese maple scale.

Lorraine Graney, Bartlett Tree Experts

Identification

The adult males of JMS are winged, leave their waxy shell, and are not common. The wingless females are 2 mm long and remain under their waxy shell or cover (Fig. 1).

The JMS females and nymphs are lavender-colored and found beneath their off-white oyster-shell shaped covers.

Females are found primarily aggregate on the tree bark, at the base of branches and in the cracks and crevices on the bark (Fig. 2), although they are occasionally found on the leaves. Often, they blend in with the color and pattern of tree bark (Fig. 3) and are challenging to detect.

Branch dieback symptoms appear when the trees are heavily infested.

Biology

A JMS female lays about 25 lavender eggs found underneath the female cover (Fig. 4). The eggs hatch into tiny pale purple-colored nymphs referred to as “crawlers” (Fig. 5). Crawlers are the only mobile stage with legs and antennae. They move around the tree bark and settle on suitable sites by inserting their piercing mouthparts.

Once they settle and start feeding, they molt into the immobile nymphal stage and lose their legs and antennae.

They develop into adults after molting through two more nymphal stages (3rd and 4th instars).

20 | UAC MAGAZINE

Although males are present, females produce eggs without mating. Within a few months, the population size increases with large numbers of scales on the tree bark.

JMS completes two generations in North Georgia, with the first generation from April or May to August and the second generation from August into the following year.

The JMS overwinter as nymphs on the bark. The late instar nymphs blend in with tree bark during the winter and easily go undetected. The overwintering JMS nymphs molt into females in early spring and become visible with a white waxy covering.

Host range

In addition to Japanese maple, JMS has been found on at least 17 other hosts such as Camellia, Carpinus, Cercis, Cladrastis, Cornus, Cotoneaster, Fraxinus, Gleditsia, Ilex, Itea, Magnolia, Malus, Prunus, Pyracantha, Pyrus, Salix, Stewartia, Styrax, Syringa, Tilia, Ulmus, Zelkova and others.

PEST 411

Monitoring

Because the nymphs and females of JMS infest the bark, bark ridge and collars, scouting these areas of the tree will help determine the JMS infestation. Often, the trunk of certain trees is hidden from view. The waxy coatings are clearly visible during the growing seasons, indicating infestation; however, it can be difficult to see them on light-colored barks.

The waxy shield covering the insect protects from external elements, including insecticide sprays.

However, the crawler stage of JMS does not have this protective waxy cover. Thus, the crawler stage is more susceptible to insecticide sprays than other nymphal or adult stages and so it is critical to determine the peak emergence periods of crawlers.

Lorraine Graney, Bartlett Tree Experts (left), and Brian Kunkel, University of Delaware (right)

Fig. 2. Japanese maple scale infestation on truck and branches.

Typically, the peak emergence of crawlers occurs in early spring for the first generation and mid-summer for the second. To this end, systematic monitoring of crawlers is necessary.

Wrapping sticky cards or double-sided tape around the trunk can help determine crawler emergence activity (Fig. 6). The tiny, pale purple-colored crawlers get stuck to the edge of the sticky surface when they walk over, and they can be viewed using a 10× hand lens.

Both generations will probably need control actions for effective management of this pest.

Management

Management of JMS will depend on the type of insecticide material being used.

Contact insecticides, such as horticultural oil and insect growth regulators are useful tools if adequate insecticide coverage on the JMS-infested bark is achieved.

Effective treatment can be challenging for some hosts as the bark is hidden by the tree canopy. Penetration can be improved by pruning out select branches.

Systemic insecticides such as neonicotinoids can be used for JMS infestations in less accessible situations.

In the fall, the application of horticultural oil can cause substantial JMS mortality by dissolving the waxy covering and exposing them to cold winter conditions.

In the growing period, the use of 2-3% ultrafine oil can reduce the survival of the scales. The ultrafine oil is effective when applied above 40 °F. These sprays should target crawlers, and some IGRs will affect adult female egg viability.

4

John .A. Davidson, University of Maryland, College Park

Fig. 3. Japanese maple scales blend-in with the bark color and pattern.

4 4 4

Lorraine Graney, Bartlett Tree Experts

Fig. 4. Female Japanese maple with purple eggs.

SUMMER 2022 |

21

PEST 411 neonicotinoid insecticides, such as 4 Some dinotefuran, are effective against JMS as they move systemically within the tree. Both fall (root zone drench) and spring applications can be effective.

Brian Kunkel, University of Delaware.

Fig. 5. Purple-colored crawlers of Japanese maple.

Robert Leckel, University of Florida

Fig. 6. Sticky tape wrapped around the stem.

SEED sponsorship opportunities support | energize | enable | develop

Thank you to all of our SEED sponsors!

SEED sponsorships offer our members an opportunity to promote their businesses and support UAC at a level beyond the membership dues.

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22 | UAC MAGAZINE

Visit urbanagcouncil.com for updates and to register.

SAVE THE DATE

UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day

AUG

DATE: Wednesday, August 3 PLACE: UGA Griffin Campus

3

1134 Experiment Street, Griffin GA 30223 It only happens once every two years so don’t miss it!

Come and get the latest information on how to care for your lawn or your golf course from UGA researchers and extension specialists. Lunch will be provided, followed by displays and demonstrations of the latest turfgrass industry equipment.

Landscape Pro University

AUG

31

UNIVERSITY

TIME:

2 Galleria Pkwy SE, Atlanta GA 30339 8:00 am - 3:25 pm

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approv ic

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2. Georgia Pesticide Licence Review 3. Green Industry Conference

Pes

1. Landscape Design Seminar

Designing the Environmentally Responsive Landscape... a Nature-Inspired Approach

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OCT

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Blast your troubles away | Win prizes | Eat BBQ Thursday, October 27 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm | Blalock Lakes, 4075 New Corinth Road , Newnan GA 30263

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23

WHAT THE TECH?

Safe and secure

Why HTTPS matters for your website

by Tle for manta.com These kinds of secure data transfers matter much more for connections like e-commerce with credit card transactions, banking websites, healthcare, and more. You want to make sure that your data is secure when visiting these websites, and having HTTPS adds that extra level of security. Essentially, it protects intruders, hackers, or others from being able to listen to communications between your website and those visiting the site. That means it’s secure for credit card transactions and other similar types of data transfers.

Photo by Franck on Unsplash

There are so many things that go into helping your website rank higher on search engines. A high ranking is how more customers find your business and works as a great tool for lead generation.

But beyond just the tasks that go into building up your website to optimize it for search, you also need to consider website security.

At a time when online privacy matters more and more to people, not having a safe website can actually cost you search engine rankings, which can cost you customers.

A key part of this is securing your website with HTTPS. That S at the end can make a huge difference between ranking on page 1 and dropping far down.

We want to help you understand why all this matters and how to implement it in as simple terms as possible. Check it out.

What is HTTPS?

You see these on the front of just about every URL. The long answer is it stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol.

You add in the S for Secure at the end. Essentially, it’s the main protocol used to send and receive data between web browser and a website. You add the secure piece to it to make that data safe during the transfer.

24 | UAC MAGAZINE

In addition the need for protecting data, Google penalizes sites that aren’t secure by putting them lower in the rankings.

But browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari mark or flag non-HTTPS websites to differentiate them.

If you see a little lock next to the URL on the left side of the window, that means the site is secure.

How it works

Without getting too technical, HTTPS is HTTP with Transport Layer Security (TLS, and formerly known as SSL) encryption. TLS uses both a private and public key to encrypt communications between parties.

The private key is owned and controlled by the person who has the website. It generally lives on a web server.

A public key is used by anyone who visits the site.

Only the private key can decrypt the public key so that information can actually be shared across the internet.

How to get HTTPS

Because users and Google have placed a big emphasis on protecting data, they’ve also made it easier to secure things over the internet.

Most web developers or teams have the ability to set up an HTTPS certificate for you. When building a website, most developers should automatically include the encryption. If they don’t, you might want to consider using someone else because it’s an industry standard practice now. But if you don’t have a developer or work with an agency, there’s other options.

WHAT THE TECH? DIY website building platforms like Wix, WordPress, Squarespace, and Weebly either automatically give you a TLS or SSL certificate, or allow you to add one as one of the prompts. So if you’ve built your own website on one of these platforms, there’s a good chance your website is already secure.

In addition, there are platforms and services that can get you an HTTPS certificate. Sites like Let’s Encrypt or Cloudflare can help you get started and get your website secure. Here at Manta, we also can build you a secure website and host it!

Does having a secure website really matter?

In a single word, YES! Today, more and more people are putting emphasis and value on their privacy. Even if Google didn’t penalize unsecure websites, users will.

taking care of their information, they will go to someone who will.

Ultimately, HTTPS helps to authenticate your website. It gives it credibility with Google and with those who want to visit your site.

If you don’t have HTTPS in your website URL and haven’t taken those extra steps to protect your customer information, you will ultimately start losing customers, if you haven’t already. And while having HTTPS doesn’t stop hackers or vulnerabilities entirely, it definitely helps.

Take the time, money, and energy to make sure your site is secure and protected.

About Manta

Manta is one of the largest online resources dedicated to small business. We deliver products, services and educational opportunities that are effective, easy to understand and geared to help business owners become more competitive in their respective industries. Learn more at manta.com

Users are hyper aware of sites and services that do not keep their data secure. And if they don’t see that you’re

Customized Insurance for UAC Members Attack your top insurance related issues to achieve better outcomes and drive down costs Frustrations around high renewal increases Lack of plan understanding ICHRA and Self Funding expertise Employee Benefits and Property & Casualty Services

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We know the green industry. Schedule a meeting with us today!

SUMMER 2022 |

25

SAVE THE DATE SAFETY WORKS

Myth vs. reality

How these safety & health misconceptions are slowing your growth from oshaeducationcenter.com expenses and the list goes on. Undoubtedly, completing thorough safety training and implementing safety programs in your business will save you money, time and valuable resources. OSHA Training Online is a highly-effective tool to ensure all your employees receive in-depth training with individualized attention.

2.

Photo by Gary Bendig on Unsplash

Misconceptions or preconceived notions about workplace safety can significantly impact nearly every aspect of your business.

From employee retention and public perception to financial gains and losses — you’ll want to beware of the most common myths about workplace safety that can slow your business growth to a crawl.

1.

MYTH: Investing in workplace health and safety training is too expensive.

LET’S FACE IT: While workplace safety and health training requires some upfront costs, it pales in comparison to the costs your business will have to pay after a serious accident or injury occurs. A notable study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company revealed that over 60% of CFOs reported that each $1 invested in injury prevention returned $2 or more. Not only do these necessary programs give you a return on your investment, they also save you thousands of dollars in indirect costs that must be paid after an accident happens. These include out-of-pocket expenses such as replacing damaged products, training and compensating replacement workers, OSHA fines, administrative

26 | UAC MAGAZINE

MYTH: Accidents will happen no matter what precautions we take.

LET’S FACE IT: This dangerous mindset takes workers out of the driver’s seat and relinquishes the power of our own accountability. Safety is not something that happens all by itself without any planning, effort or action. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Creating a safe environment requires constant mindfulness, attention to detail, and proactive thinking. Safety isn’t something we observe but rather something we practice every single day of our lives. Accidents oftentimes occur when we are in a hurry or just simply not paying attention. This article from Mindful.org tells us how to be mindful at work so that we pay attention to the decisions we make throughout the workday. While we are all human, being mindful allows us to focus on the task at hand and work safer.

3.

MYTH: My employees know how to protect themselves and work safely without formal training.

LET’S FACE IT: We should never assume what someone knows or doesn’t know. What may seem obvious to one person could be completely overlooked by another.

Assuming your employees already know-it-all is a recipe for disaster that could endanger lives and cost you financially. For more information about OSHA training online available to employees in the construction and general industries, click here.

4.

MYTH: We work in an office and don’t have to worry about any workplace hazards.

LET’S FACE IT: Although every work environment has varying degrees of danger and exposure to potential hazards, every workplace, even offices, are subject to accidents, injuries and illnesses. In fact, one might

SAFETY WORKS SAVE THE DATE SAFETY WORKS argue that sedentary work environments face especially dangerous health and safety challenges, as inactivity can result in a number of serious health problems. For example, according to Mayo Clinic, people who sit for prolonged periods of time are at greater risk of obesity, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, heart disease and even cancer. Having a clear understanding of the safety hazards in your workplace allows you to promote a healthier and safer workday for employees. Healthier employees mean fewer health insurance claims, missed workdays, and ultimately, reduces the likelihood of preventable accidents.

5.

MYTH: Workplace safety only affects one aspect of our business.

LET’S FACE IT: This misconception can be especially damaging because it fails to see the bigger, long-term picture for your business. It’s important to keep things in perspective and remember that employees are people too, with lives and loved ones outside of work. But even beyond that, it’s vital to keep in mind that your customers, partners, investors, affiliates and the public are also paying close attention to your business. Investing in your employees and their safety sends a strong message

that you care about their wellbeing, and positively impacts the way you are perceived by the key players you rely on to do business. When you invest in your team, people surely take notice and your reputation benefits as a direct result.

Consider if your business succumbs to any of these misconceptions and foster a team that is safer, healthier and happier to come to work every day. Your business will see improvements in customer service, morale, production, retention, reputation and your bottom line over time — all essential to the growth and longevity of your business.

About the author

OSHA Education Center is an educational program offering OSHA training to construction and general industry workers nationwide. All courses are authored and provided by American Safety Council, a market leader in delivering online education related to workplace safety. Our courses assist U.S. employers in meeting the training obligations outlined in OSHA Standards 29 C.F.R. 1926.21(B)(2). Upon successful completion of the 10-hour or 30-hour OSHA Outreach courses, you will receive an official OSHA card from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). In addition, all graduates receive an official certificate of completion. oshaeducationcenter.com

2022 UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day August 3, 2022 It only happens once every two years, so don’t miss it!

Whether you’re a golf course superintendent or a landscape contractor who wants to provide their client with the perfect lawn, there’ll be something for you at this University of Georgia Turfgrass Field Day. Field day includes such topics as controlling turf insects like mole crickets and white grubs and turf pests like crabgrass and other turf weeds.

And there’s more...

Lunch will be provided, followed by displays and demonstrations of the latest turfgrass industry equipment. Spend some quality time with the industry’s leading vendors - get your questions answered and make connections that will help your business grow.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW: URBANAGCOUNCIL.COM SUMMER 2022 |

27

BUSINESS

Managing stress

Simple steps to gain control

by Erin Saunders, Leica Geosystems

When we aren’t able to resolve the cause of the stress, or if the problem continues unresolved for too long, it can become prohibitive to getting things done, and can even negatively impact our health and wellbeing. This is chronic stress.

Combatting chronic stress

So what should you do to prevent it from becoming chronic stress? First, when you notice stress, it’s important to understand what it is and where it’s coming from. of gratitude.

4Attitude In general, we stress about things we care about

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

Our world is constantly changing, which can cause challenges and stress. But stress doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. Stress is information and energy that can be used to fuel some sort of change in our work or personal lives. By understanding what stress is and how it impacts us, we can harness some of the energy caused by stress for good.

or that are important to us such as our work, our families, or our co-workers. This is a good reminder to appreciate the stress of the moment. It’s our bodies trying to tell us there’s something that is meaningful to us that is stressing us out. Being grateful and appreciative shifts our brain chemistry to be able to think more clearly, logically, and even creatively so we can problem solve more effectively. Then think about adjustments that can be made to either reduce demand or increase your capacity to handle stress.

Just breathe.

4 One of the easiest ways to help calm our nervous What is stress? Stress occurs when there is a gap between demand and capacity. When we don’t have enough time, stress can help us get hyper-focused to get more done with fewer resources.

Stress is not good or bad—it’s simply a triggering of hormones in response to a perceived threat in our environment. It’s easier to try not to categorize stress but to remember that stress is what happens when there is a gap between what we are trying to get done and the resources available to do them.

When we feel stress, it’s information that our brain is signaling to tell us that something needs to be adjusted.

If we can make those adjustments, it’s not a big deal. This type of stress is tolerable and can actually be helpful in spurring us into action.

28 | UAC MAGAZINE

system and take a step back from feelings of stress is by breathing. It’s amazing how quickly our breath can shift us towards a more calm state. When we breathe slowly and fully, we calm our heartrate and signal to our brains that we are safe. The next time you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, start by breathing in for a count of five and out for a count of five. You can do this anywhere. As you breathe, try to bring awareness to your breath. Notice how it feels. The more you practice this, the easier it will be to slow your breathing in times of stress.

on the positive.

4FocusAnother way to combat stress is to shift your

attention to something positive. Research suggests that when we feel a positive emotion like joy, love or gratitude, we dramatically change the chemistry

BUSINESS in our brains and bodies, which reduces stress hormones. One of the quickest ways we can make this emotional shift is to think about something or someone we feel grateful for. This is not to minimize the reality of life’s challenges, but to shift the way in which we think about them, which in turn gives us greater capacity to cope. moving.

4Get There are also things we can do in our day-to-day

lives that can help us combat stress and making time for exercise is one of the best things we can do.

Any kind of physical activity, including low-impact options like yoga or walking, can have a positive impact on stress. Exercise gives us endorphins, helps reduce the negative effects of stress that build up throughout the day, and has been shown to be as effective as medication for people suffering from mild anxiety or depression. Exercise routines sustained over time spur physiological changes that cause our nerve cells to make new connections, which help us feel better.

Making peace with stress

Stress is never going away. Our bodies will always have a reaction to stress that is tied into the survival instincts of our brains. But by learning to identify the stress, by increasing our capacity to handle stress, and by trying some simple stress-reducing techniques, we can use that stress to help us accomplish our goals and to create better balance in our lives.

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

SUMMER 2022 |

29

BUSINESS

Burnout causes and prevention

Prevent employee burnout through the peak season

by Jeffrey Scott

6.

Overwork: Long hours, needs no further definition...

Losing key people due to stress

A case in point: Last week a coaching client from California reached out to me because one of his key leaders (let’s call him Tom) was quitting.

Tom accepted a job elsewhere for fewer hours and less executive responsibility.

It was a shock at my client’s company, because Tom had become such a key member to their success.

After reaching out for advice, talking to peers (in the peer group I run) and internal discussions, my client was able to change Tom’s role to fit his personal needs. Giving him fewer hours to keep him on board.

Luckily, Tom was flexible and open to talking it through.

Photo by Tangerine Newt on Unsplash

You can prevent employee burnout, but only if you are aware of the causes.

Given our current go-go economy, I see an early trend of burnout already happening. When teams get super busy, unresolved issues become major disruptors. With no solution in sight, workers, and even key leaders, may leave for more stable and less stressful work.

Long hours is a natural cause, but there are others!

My six causes of employee burnout: 1.

Intense work: The combination of high pressure (critical work) and high stress (urgent work).

2.

Failure work: Being told your work is “not good enough.” Winning is inspiring and losing causes fatigue.

3.

No breaks: Lack of breaks at work, or between work and home-life means no time to refuel.

4.

Personal chaos: An unstable home life can cause overall burnout.

5.

Repetitive work: Doing the same tasks over and over.

30 | UAC MAGAZINE

How about you? Might you have employees thinking about leaving?

Another example comes from Chase Mullin, Mullin Landscape, NOLA (who I interviewed for an upcoming podcast, stay tuned!)

He shared that some of his best employees were at one time on his leadership team, but then found better-fit specialty roles deeper within the company.

The lesson here: Your leadership team of today won’t look the same 5+ years from now, and if you are compassionate in the process you can keep your best people on board.

Your challenge:

Stay aware of the best fit for your employees Owners can prevent their own burnout more easily, when they have direct control of:

> > > >

Midday runs or workouts Turning the phone off when they get home; dedicated family time Hobbies outside of work Getting out in nature, because it heals everything

BUSINESS The challenge is to help your team prevent and manage burnout, so they don’t leave or lose steam.

My seven burnout prevention strategies: 1. Modulating the “pressure, stress and intensity” of employee’s work.

2.

Strategically setting up three and four day weekends for your teams.

3.

Setting boundaries around emails, texts, and calls after hours.

4.

Offering ample PTO and vacation time so they can balance their home life and work life.

5.

Manage based on results, not on clocking hours.

(Micromanagement causes burnout).

6.

Put your people in a role they want, with the hours they can handle. (So that more people can become superstars in their own right!).

7.

Check in regularly, e.g. monthly, to have a chat on how things are going from the employee’s perspective.

Big picture: Understand what kind work brings your employees JOY, and make sure they are able to do that kind of work every day (or “at least 3 days a week,” as my friend and client Seth Kehne likes to say).

Crush it this year...just don’t crush your people!

Regards, Jeffrey Scott P.S. To see a fast-growing healthy company in action, join us for our Summer Growth Summit.

jeffreyscott.biz/2022-summer-growth-summit

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31

BUSINESS

Achieving financial health

The top six benefits of hiring a fractional CFO for your business

by Peter Thelen Sr., CPA, FMC, President of Thelen Financial If you’re like me, this time of year you are just getting through the first busy season and looking toward the next. You might be heading out on vacation and plan to do some strategic planning.

For me the top-of-mind things have always been return on invested capital (ROIC) and operating efficiency.

But I don’t own a landscape company. I never have.

Instead, I am a CFO who has spent the last 10 years in the landscape industry.

From ROIC and liquidity to solvency and operating efficiency, there are so many considerations a business owner must take into account when making decisions about their company’s finances. If you’re like most business owners who I work with, you probably wear a variety of hats. You’re responsible for marketing, sales, product development, and operations - but finances are one aspect that will ultimately determine the success or failure of your business.

The bottom line is that profitability (or lack thereof) is the deciding factor on whether your business will be able to sustain itself in the long run.

Your profit margins are, in the most basic terms, determined by your revenues and expenses. But there’s much more to it than that. Achieving financial health requires strategic decisions about how you allocate your resources, your operating structure, and your pricing model. It’s a complex puzzle that can be difficult to navigate without the help of a financial expert. This is where a fractional CFO can be an invaluable asset to your company.

A fractional CFO is an expert in financial management who, if experienced enough, will take a holistic approach to your company’s finances, providing you with the invaluable insights and specialist advice you need to make informed decisions about your business.

32 | UAC MAGAZINE

In this article, I will discuss the top six benefits of hiring a fractional CFO for your business.

1. Clear picture of your financial wellness.

Perhaps the most important benefit of hiring a fractional CFO is that they can help you obtain a clear picture of your financial wellness. This is essential for making informed decisions about the future of your business.

A fractional CFO will take into account all aspects of your finances, from revenue and expenses to cash flow and solvency. They will also look at your financial history to identify trends and areas of improvement.

They’ll assess your risks and opportunities in order to develop a comprehensive roadmap for your business.

This information will be presented to you in a clear and concise manner with actionable steps, allowing you to think about the future with reliable data in your hands.

ROIC. 2. Improved One of the most valuable things a fractional

CFO can do for your business is improve your return on invested capital. By working with you to create and implement strategies that increase profits and decrease costs, a fractional CFO can help you achieve a higher ROIC. This, in turn, will make your company more attractive to investors and help you secure the funding you need to grow your business.

BUSINESS

3. Increased liquidity.

Another benefit of hiring a fractional CFO is increased liquidity. A fractional CFO can help you improve your cash flow by working with you to optimize your receivables and payables cycles. This will give you the flexibility you need to invest in new growth opportunities and weather unexpected challenges which, given the unexpected events of the last two years, is more important than ever before.

4. Improved solvency.

A fractional CFO can also help you improve your company’s solvency. By working with you to reduce debt and increase equity, a fractional CFO can help you strengthen your balance sheet and improve your ability to withstand tough economic times. When it comes to overcoming an economic downturn, having a strong balance sheet is essential so you can continue to invest in your business even if revenue decreases.

efficiency.

5. Operating In addition to improving your financial health,

a fractional CFO can also help you improve your company’s operating efficiency, especially if they have in-depth operating experience in your industry. The two go hand-in-hand as a healthy business is typically a well-oiled machine. By working with you to streamline processes and reduce waste, a fractional CFO can help you increase profits and free up cash flow that can be reinvested in growth. This will not only improve your bottom line but also make your business more efficient and enjoyable to work in!

6. Decision-making capabilities.

Finally, a fractional CFO can help you make better decisions about your company’s finances. By providing you with insights and advice, a fractional CFO

can help you make informed decisions about where to allocate your resources, how to price your products, and which growth opportunities to pursue. An exceptional CFO will help guide you to develop your own business acumen as they provide you with the tools and guidance you need to make sound financial decisions for your business.

Our final thoughts.

Outsourcing CFO services might seem daunting; as a business owner, you understandably want to have full control over your company’s finances.

However, hiring a fractional CFO to advise you on financial decisions is, in fact, an essential part of the growth journey that all businesses - from start-up to thriving growth - must consider.

When profitability is on the line, you simply can’t afford to go it alone.

About the author Peter Thelen is Founder of Thelen Financial, A Georgia Urban Ag Council member..

Thelen Financial provides advice and solutions in areas of administration, risk, strategy, and financial capital to owner operators of landscape companies who want to grow profitably and avoid costly mistakes.

Thelen Financial, Inc. 107 W. Courthouse Sq. Ste 111 Cumming GA 30040 770-527-6574 pthelen@thelenfinancial.com

Planning to renew your membership online?

Did you know that only your company's primary contact can make this transaction?

As a business-level member, your employees also are members of UAC. If you have employees who would like to be added to our system as additional contacts, just let us know. Those additional contacts will be able to log in as a member, edit their contact details, view member-only content and register for events at the member rate.

However, they will not be able to edit or renew the company membership unless they use the email and password of the primary contact.

Need help with login? Call 706.750.0350 or email office@georgiauac.com.

SUMMER 2022 |

33

BUSINESS

Combatting inflation

Let your customer experience, not price, differentiate you

by Trip Jobe, CEO, Rand Inc.

The customer experience is the quickest and easiest way to help set yourself apart in any market, but especially one with commodity tendencies.

We all know that you can get coffee at a donut shop, gas station, or Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) for far less than your $4-6 Starbucks cup. While some will claim the coffee itself is far better, what really sets Starbucks apart is its customer experience. Everything about the brand, the location, and your beginning-to-end experience make you feel a part of a community. This creates loyal advocates who will find other ways to save $25 a week when budgets get tight.

Price inflation has been one of the most commonly discussed topics in 2022. We routinely get questions about trying to manage pricing in commodity markets in this environment.

Too often we see business owners who feel they must hold pricing even as costs rise because someone else has the same service or product. This has become increasingly true in the green industry. This fallacy can cause serious harm to your business and takes your focus away from more important issues at hand.

If not pricing, then what?

The restaurant industry has a lot of parallels to the green industry and has also dealt with this challenge, some far better than others. Similar to lawn maintenance, lawn chemicals, landscape design, and contracting services, the restaurant market is segmented from narrow products (beverages, breakfast) to narrow service experience (quick serve or take out only) to restaurants with a broad range of products and services. Over the last three years, we have seen some restaurants excel while others languish, often in the same product or service category.

What creates that difference, and how can you learn from it?

34 | UAC MAGAZINE

The Chick-fil-A difference

Throughout the pandemic, CFA widened the gap with its competitors. While many fast food and QSRs struggled with service and keeping employees, CFA’s model kept stores well-staffed and went to great lengths to upgrade their technology quickly to provide more and faster ordering options to handle the increased demand. Over the past six months, they’ve had a few price increases as poultry prices have risen and surely wages have gone up. It has not seemed to slow down the demand or the positive attitude their employees exude – “My pleasure!”

You might be wondering how this will relate to your lawn maintenance customers or your tree/lawn fertilization clients. Surely customers may have options with businesses that don’t raise prices or cut some corners. You may also think your market is different from coffee and chicken sandwiches. That’s where I’ll disagree and could point to hundreds of brands that have created loyalty and brand advocates across many markets.

When you develop a subscription plan with clients and provide a service, their biggest concerns are the quality and how you treat them. When they agreed to your service, they accepted your price and value. We business owners often forget that there is another cost out there besides our competitors – switching costs.

BUSINESS BUSINESS

Creating a better customer experience

In service industries like ours, so much of this revolves around the interaction of our employees with our customers. Do they look presentable and interact when appropriate? We’ve found many clients want to know a little bit about the people who take care of their properties. I have one client who throughout the course of the year uses social media and newsletters to highlight some of their employees and help make them part of the customer experience. Others will encourage leaving a personalized note on a service summary or invoice to show that little extra touch.

Similarly, we often think about marketing only as it relates to new clients, but it can also be used to create some great ideas that improve your customer experience and create more loyalty. For instance, on July 4th, lawn maintenance companies could invest in those small wooden US flags and leave one with a sticker or invoice in each client’s yard the week before the holiday. Similarly, if you offer plant services throughout the year, consider leaving a small plant or flower for the homeowner at Easter or Mother’s Day. These tokens of appreciation

show how much you value your client. They also make it far less likely for them to object when you need to raise prices.

We all understand inflation; we tend to fight back when we don’t have loyalty to that product or service and figure we can find someone else who might do it better.

About the author Trip is the CEO of Rand Inc., a strategic marketing and analytics firm. Having sat in both sales and marketing leadership roles for 20+ years, Trip is an ambassador for driving sales and marketing alignment to fuel growth.

Email: tjobe@randinc.cc Web: randinc.cc LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tripjobe

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BUSINESS

The Bermuda Triangle

Navigating the ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Comp

by Christine Green and Elijah Davis, Stanton Law requires employers to provide reasonable workplace accommodations, which can include unpaid leave. >

Eligibility: The ADA broadly defines “disability” as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Absent glaring evidence that an employee is lying about their condition, the employee is probably disabled.

>

Application: Applies to employers with 15 or more employees.

>

What are your obligations? An employer is required to provide a “reasonable accommodation” to a qualified individual that will allow the employee to perform the essential functions of their position, absent an undue hardship (i.e., too much difficulty or expense) on the employer. Unpaid leave may be a reasonable accommodation, as well as onsite accommodations such as ergonomic equipment, anti-glare screen filters, materials in accessible formats, etc. If no reasonable accommodation exists that would enable the employee to perform the essential functions of the position, then the employee is not a qualified individual, and the employer is not required to provide an accommodation.

>

Job protection while on leave? An employer is obligated to reinstate the employee returning from ADA leave to the original position, barring an undue hardship. This is stricter than the FMLA (addressed below). If an employer cannot hold the position without undue hardship, the employer must assess if there is an open position for which the employee is qualified and reinstate the employee at the same level of pay and benefits as the original position.

>

Common examples: Depression/anxiety, ADHD, diabetes, migraine headaches, sciatica, cancer

Photo by Ryoji Iwata on Unsplash

Among the many challenges facing employers, understanding employee leave laws is one of the bigger pains in the neck, especially without a dedicated HR professional or in-house counsel.

When an employee has a workplace injury and needs time off for surgery and then possible workplace accommodations, calling your employment lawyer is usually your best move. However, having a general understanding of the applicable leave laws will help you spot issues and know how quickly you should pick up the phone.

This article addresses the three most prominent leave laws applicable to employee health conditions that we call The Bermuda Triangle.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA is a 4The federal leave law that provides an absolute right to unpaid

General 0verview

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The 4The ADA is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with a disability and

36 | UAC MAGAZINE

leave for employees with serious health conditions or those caring for certain family members with serious health conditions. The FMLA defines serious health condition as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility or continuing treatment by a health care provider.

BUSINESS BUSINESS >

Eligibility: For an employee to be eligible for FMLA leave, they must have worked for an employer for at least 12 months and must have worked at least 1,250 hours within those 12 months. The employee must also work at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles.

>

Application: Employers with 50 or more employees (across all locations) are covered employers and must post notices.

>

What are your obligations? The employer must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually to eligible employees who are unable to work due to (1) a serious health condition, (2) caring for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition, (3) the birth and care of a newborn child of an employee, or (4) the placement with the employee of an adopted or foster child. Group health benefits must be maintained during the leave in the same manner provided to employees not on leave.

• Note: The FMLA also has additional requirements for unpaid leave related to family members and military service.

>

Job protection? Employers are required to restore the employee to the same or equivalent position and benefits that the employee would have had before taking FMLA leave. Where the employee cannot be returned to the same exact job, they must be given a nearly identical job that has identical pay and benefits.

>

Common examples: Pregnancy, leave for a family member, back injury/surgery, cancer

Compensation. Workers’ compensation 4Workers’ provides medical treatment and wage benefits for an

injured employee. It is generally governed by state law, so companies with employees in multiple states will be subject to different requirements in each state. >

Eligibility: Covers employees, whether full or part time, immediately upon hire, for an injury that arises “out of and in the course of the employment.”

>

Application: In Georgia, the Workers’ Compensation Act applies to any employer with three or more employees. An employer can also voluntarily subject

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BUSINESS itself to the Act with less than three employees by obtaining a workers’ compensation insurance policy.

The case involved an employee who injured her knee at work. Although the employer provided benefits under workers’ compensation, and although the employee had been released to full duty, she did not pass a physical ability “essential functions” test required by the employer before returning to work. The employee asked for time off to complete additional recovery, but the employer refused and terminated the employee. The Eleventh Circuit faulted the employer for not providing the employee notice of her rights under the FMLA because the employer had sufficient notice that the employee had an injury which qualified as a “serious health condition.”

>

What are your obligations? For accepted claims, the employer must provide assistance in seeking medical treatment and must provide “reasonable and necessary” medical treatment “to effect a cure, give relief, or restore the employee to suitable employment.” Depending on the accident, an employee can generally receive medical and wage benefits for up to 350 or 400 weeks. The employee may be entitled to medical benefits for longer periods if the injury is considered catastrophic.

>

Job protection? There is no obligation to reinstate the employee to their original position or any other available position. However, any change in compensation while the claim is active might result in partial wage benefits to the employee to account for the difference. This is a complex calculation, and penalties may be imposed for failing to compensate the employee properly.

Regardless of the situation, a knowledgeable employment attorney can be invaluable when navigating complicated employee health and leave issues. Stanton Law is here to help.

>

Common examples: Carpal tunnel, back or knee injury, partial amputation

About the authors

Common examples of overlap and interaction

Overlap between the ADA and workers’ comp can happen in many ways.

For example, an employee in a manufacturing plant who has a partial amputation because of an accident using an assembly line machine would almost certainly be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Even after reaching “maximum medical improvement” under workers’ compensation, the employee may require ongoing workplace accommodations related to a prosthetic device or intermittent leave for future treatment for the amputation. These additional protections may be required under the ADA and not workers’ compensation, even though the injury resulted from a workplace accident.

Additionally, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (which covers Alabama, Florida, and Georgia) recently held that “providing workers’ compensation benefits cannot absolve an employer of all obligations under the FMLA.” Ramji v. Hosp. Housekeeping Sys., LLC, 992 F.3d 1233 (11th Cir. 2021)

38 | UAC MAGAZINE

Christine Green is Senior Employment Counsel and ADA Accessibility Consultant with Stanton Law LLC. With 12+ years of employment law experience, Christine is adept at guiding businesses through the catalog of laws governing employees. Her practice involves counseling and training on employment issues with the goal of litigation avoidance, policy and contract development, investigating and defending businesses against charges, demand letters and lawsuits, and negotiating smart settlements to cut off expensive legal blackholes.

P: 404-704-0637 E: christine.green@stantonlawllc.com Elijah Davis is Lead Workers’ Compensation Counsel with Stanton Law LLC. He has dedicated his practice to defending employers, insurers, and third-party administrators in workers’ compensation claims. He has considerable experience in insurance litigation defense, including Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Act, as well as the Federal Tax Code, wage garnishments, mechanic’s liens, and issues concerning the FMLA, ADA, and FLSA. P: 678-528-3656 E: elijah.davis@stantonlawllc.com

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INDUSTRY

2022 legislative session Full of twists and turns

by Bryan Tolar, Tolar Capitol Partners Lawmakers finished the 2022 legislative session on April 4, wrapping up a productive three months

ahead of a very important campaign and election season.

UAC is pleased to serve your member interests through this annual policy process and proud to provide this abbreviated recap on legislation impacting our industry.

Governor Kemp wasted little time putting pen to paper and signing into law many of the bills that made it to his desk. Without question, the winners of 2022 are teachers and state employees that saw much needed pay raises sent their way. The expected growth in tax revenues during FY 2022 and FY 2023 budgets also directed benefits to taxpayers. A personal state tax refund and a gradual reduction in state income taxes will benefit all Georgians – there’s much to like about that!

After years of struggling with trying to help farms stave off lawsuits from activists, the Freedom to Farm Act cleared all hurdles and has been signed into law by Governor Kemp. With this new law, nuisance protections for new and expanding farms, forestry, food processing and other such operations and associated facilities have now been updated for the first time in over thirty years. UAC supported the bill even though there are parts that we would have liked to have seen changed. It is unfortunate that all new and expanding farm operations will now be subject to a two-year period to receive nuisance protections. The two-year language was added to address poultry and livestock production nuisance concerns regarding offensive odor lawsuits in Georgia and other states. We believe other areas of

40 | UAC MAGAZINE

the law were improved. Time will tell if the new law can indeed provide the protections needed for all farm operations in the state.

Efforts to secure a state preemption law for the use of gasoline powered leaf blowers fell short, but our efforts did not go unnoticed as legislators are now keenly aware of this otherwise unknown issue. Agriculture has statewide preemption for outdoor water use, fertilizer, pesticides, and genetically modified crops. Our bill would have added protecting the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers during hours allowed for all outdoor power equipment.

That didn’t happen, but lawmaker sentiment is on our side. Georgia cities looking at banning such equipment are now on high alert as state lawmakers have largely stood with us to protect the use of such equipment. Your continued engagement will be very important to this process. We remain grateful for the contacts made by UAC member companies during the legislative session.

This remains an important issue for our members.

UAC played a lead role in a resolution passed by House Natural Resources Committee Chair Lynn Smith. HR 1050 featured past statewide policies and future efforts for Georgia to continue leading on water conservation.

Chairwoman Smith has been a critical ally on water policy since first elected in 1996. She has also attended UAC events and engaged with our members, so she made sure our interests were included. The role of drought tolerant turfgrass cultivars was part of the resolution and demonstrates the state’s commitment to

INDUSTRY outdoor water use reductions by advancing opportunities for resource stewardship in landscapes and landscape design. UAC testified in committee about the importance of water policy initiatives and the role of the landscape industry to help advance outdoor water conservation initiatives. This includes the benefits of agricultural irrigation technologies that have made the industry more efficient in landscape and farm production practices. The good news of our advancements in water conservation needed to be highlighted; HB 1050 was key to this effort.

Also of note, it was great to see action taken to expand agricultural education in elementary schools.

Governor Kemp has already signed HB 1303 into law.

The initial effort to bring ag education into elementary schools started a few years ago with former Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Wilkinson. The success of that pilot project led to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Robert Dickey and Senator Max Burns advancing this program to all schools on a voluntary basis. This bill authorizes the Department of Education to administer this program across the state.

Many schools are interested in getting started in the upcoming school year. These programs help enhance STEM content as well as the concepts of agriculture. This is a big win for students and educators.

We were very pleased to support Senator Brian Strickland’s bill to establish a High-Demand Career Initiatives Program to help develop a workforce that is work ready upon graduation. It incentivizes apprenticeship sponsors to create new, or expand upon, existing registered apprenticeship programs in Georgia.

Upon successful completion of the requirements of a contract, a completion award will be provided to the employer sponsor. This initiative has been signed into law

by Governor Kemp, but it is set to end July 1, 2027, unless it is renewed by the legislature.

UAC has heard from many members about the many challenges with metal theft. A decade ago a broad group of business interests, including UAC, crafted the current metal theft law that includes many safeguards and security measures for the sale of scrap metal to secondary recyclers - it excludes cash payment for recycled metal. We need to enhance penalties for the sale of catalytic convertors and SB 591 would have helped achieve that goal, but it would have also allowed for cash payments by the secondary recyclers. Ultimately this bill failed to pass - and that’s fine with us. UAC did manage to insert cash payout language that would have limited such transactions to two per day. We remain concerned that any cash payments would influence the sale of stolen metal goods, including those from UAC member farms, nurseries, and businesses. The UAC amendment and other safeguards would have been helpful to deterring such theft. Senator Bo Hatchett led this effort and worked with us to address our concerns. This issue is likely to return in 2023. Please continue to let UAC know about your experience with the theft of metal and other items from your business.

Looking ahead to the 2023 legislative session, we know the House and Senate Chambers will look very different. We also know we will have new faces serving as Commissioner of Agriculture and Commissioner of Labor…perhaps others. A long list of elected leaders will not be back next year. These include House Appropriations Committee Chairman Terry England, Senate Rules Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, as well as many longtime legislator friends including, Rep. Tommy Benton, Rep. Jan Tankersley, Rep. Don Hogan, Rep. Randy Nix, and Rep. Dominic Lariccia, among others. The shift in the dynamics of the House, Senate and Constitutional Officer positions will be significant as the 2023 Georgia General Assembly will see numerous shifts in chairmanships and committee makeup. This will certainly change the way we approach UAC member interests.

Thank you for your support of UAC. Your annual investment, engagement, participation, and encouragement help build the strength of our organization. With your continued help, we will further grow our reputation in the public policy arena and among the many new elected officials headed our way next year. We can only achieve success with you on the team– thank you!

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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 or 706-750-0350.

Here are the responses from the last weeks of this session:

Q

Now that we are over halfway through the 40 day legislative session, which of the follow issues is of the most interest to you?

Protecting the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers............................................................................................................. 34% Expanding farm protection from nuisance lawsuits.............................................................................................................. 28% Advancing apprenticeships and ag education......................................................................................................................... 23% Stopping metal theft.....................................................................................................................................................................15%

Q

With soaring fuel prices, how are you planning to best protect your bottom line??

Increase delivery charges........................................................................................................................................................... 32% Boost cost of services.................................................................................................................................................................. 26% Adjust fees in contracts.............................................................................................................................................................. 22% Going to try and ride it out without adjusting fees/prices.................................................................................................... 20%

Q

Governor Kemp has directed money into the pocketbooks of many Georgians this week. Which one resonates the most with you?

$5000 pay raises for state employees........................................................................................................................................ 38% $250 in tax refunds ($500 for joint filers) for all Georgians.................................................................................................. 28% Temporary relief of state sales tax on fuel to help lower prices............................................................................................ 25% $2000 bonus for K-12 teachers and staff.................................................................................................................................... 9% Hiring and retaining employees is increasingly difficult. Which of the benefits listed below would you recommend to help attract or retain workers?

Higher wages ............................................................................................................................................................................... 28% Additional paid time off (PTO)................................................................................................................................................. 26% Four-day work week.................................................................................................................................................................... 23% Health care benefits.....................................................................................................................................................................16% 401-K, 529 plan, IRA..................................................................................................................................................................... 7%

Q

Q

Based on the legislation that passed and impacts our industry, tell us what grade you give the 2022 Georgia General Assembly.

I give them an A: They seem interested in our industry initiatives .....................................................................................16% I will go with a B: I see some progress, but not enough......................................................................................................... 44% They get a C: They did not do near as much as they could/should have............................................................................. 12% It’s a D for me: They missed the ball...even when it was teed up for them.......................................................................... 28%

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INDUSTRY

UGA showcases new irrigation technologies Ground broken on Griffin campus site

by Ashley N. Biles

UGA-Griffin is working with industry to build irrigation demonstration plots that will display ways to handle water-related issues in landscapes, hardscapes and irrigation. Breaking ground on the site are, from left, Dan Suiter, faculty advisory chairman for the Center for Urban Agriculture; Greg Huber, training coordinator for the Center for Urban Agriculture; Rolando Orellana, urban wastewater management agent for the Center for Urban Agriculture; David Buntin, interim assistant provost and campus director for UGA-Griffin; and Reid Garner, sales manager at Hunter Industries.

Industry professionals, homeowners and researchers will soon be able to get a firsthand look at new irrigation technologies in action at a demonstration irrigation site being constructed on the University of Georgia’s Griffin campus.

On March 28, workers broke ground on the project, a collaboration between the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture, UGA Cooperative Extension’s Urban Water Management program and irrigation companies Hunter Industries, Rain Bird and Toro/Irritol.

Rolando Orellana, an urban water management agent in the Center for Urban Agriculture, has been working on the project for more than two years and is excited to see progress.

“This site is being developed to be used for training, research and education. It will give us the opportunity to

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develop Extension educational programs,” said Orellana.

“It also gives industries the chance to showcase their new products and show ways to deal with water-related issues in landscapes, hardscapes and irrigation.”

The demonstration site will consist of four 30-by-30foot plots. Three of the plots will be designated for the investing companies to showcase their latest products and technology. The fourth plot will be used for research by faculty and graduate students at UGA-Griffin.

Orellana said the demonstration site is the first of its kind to involve researchers and students as well as the public.

“We are planning to host landscapers, agriculture agents, homeowners and Master Gardeners who have an interest in water efficiency programs,” he said. “It will allow us to show how to troubleshoot issues that may arise and how to achieve water efficiency.”

INDUSTRY With 90% of the funding for the site coming from the industries involved — through both monetary and inkind donations — Orellana said the project is a testament to the relationships UGA has built over the years. The remaining funding is provided by UGA Extension.

“This program highlights the strong partnerships UGA has with the industry,” said Orellana. “We know urban ag and Extension need to have facilities or training tools to better show off options available to homeowners and irrigation companies. This site will do that.”

Orellana gave credit to those who stewarded the project, including Dan Suiter, chair of the Urban Agriculture Commission, UGA-Griffin Field Research Services and UGA-Griffin Facilities Management Division, as well as industry partners including the Georgia Arborist Association, Georgia Green Industry Association, Hunter Industries, Moreno Landscape, North Georgia Turf, Rain Bird, Rainmaker Irrigation, Toro/Irritrol, Georgia Urban Ag Council, Unique Environmental, SiteOne, Super-Sod, Ruppert Landscape, Monrovia, and the GCLP Program of Urban Ag.

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Responsible outdoor lighting Getting a handle on light pollution provided by International Dark-Sky Association

Outdoor lighting basics

of light 4Types Most people are familiar with incandescent or compact

fluorescent bulbs for indoor lighting, but outdoor lighting usually makes use of different, more industrial sources of light. Common light sources include low-pressure sodium (“LPS”), high-pressure sodium (“HPS”), metal halide, and, most recently, light emitting diodes (“LEDs”).

> LPS is an old technology that is no longer being

manufactured. It was favored for use around observatories and some environmentally sensitive areas. Narrow-band amber LEDs emulate the color.

> HPS is commonly used for street lighting in many

cities. Although it still emits an orange-colored light, its coloring is more “true to life” than that of LPS.

> In areas where it’s necessary to use white light, two

common choices are metal halide and LEDs. One of the advantages of LED lighting is that it can be dimmed. Thus, instead of always lighting an empty street or parking lot at full brightness, LEDs can be turned down or off when they aren’t needed and then brought back to full brightness as necessary.

This feature both saves on energy and reduces light pollution during the night.

Photo by Greg Jeanneau on Unsplash

Too often, outdoor electric lighting installations at night are over lit, left on when not needed, and are harmful to the environment. As a

result, light pollution is a growing global issue that can negatively affect our environment and impact our quality of life. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and the Illuminating Engineering Society have published the joint Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. By joining forces, our shared goal is to prevent and reduce light pollution through the proper application of quality outdoor electric lighting.

Because of their reported long life and energy efficiency, LEDs are rapidly coming into widespread use, replacing the existing lighting in many cities.

However, there are important issues to consider when making such a conversion. See our LED Practical Guide for more information: darksky.org/our-work/lighting/lighting-forcitizens/led-guide

matters 4Color It is crucial to control upward-directed light, but we now

By applying these principles, properly designed electric lighting at night can be beautiful, healthy, and functional.

Projects that incorporate these principles will save energy and money, reduce light pollution, and minimize wildlife disruption.

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know that the color of light is also very important. Both LED, and metal halide fixtures contain large amounts of blue light in their spectrum. Because blue light brightens the night sky more than any other color of light, it’s important to minimize the amount emitted. Exposure to blue light at night has also been shown to harm human health and endanger wildlife. IDA recommends using lighting that has a color temperature of no more than 3000 Kelvins.

INDUSTRY

Lighting with lower color temperatures has less blue in its spectrum and is referred to as being “warm.” Higher color temperature sources of light are rich in blue light.

IDA recommends that only warm light sources be used for outdoor lighting. This includes HPS and low-colortemperature LEDs. In some areas, the white light of even a low-color-temperature LED can be a threat to the local nighttime environment. In those cases, narrow-spectrum amber LEDs are the preferred choice.

The effects of light pollution

and ecosystems 4Wildlife For billions of years, all life has relied on Earth’s

what you need 4Finding IDA doesn’t sell dark sky-friendly lighting, but our

Fixture Seal of Approval (FSA) program makes it easy for you to find the right products. The FSA program certifies dark sky-friendly outdoor lighting – these are fixtures that restrict upward-directed light and have low color temperature, meaning that they minimize glare while reducing light trespass and skyglow. Learn more: darksky.org/our-work/lighting/lighting-for-industry/ fsa/fsa-products/

predictable rhythm of day and night. It’s encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. Humans have radically disrupted this cycle by lighting up the night.

Plants and animals depend on Earth’s daily cycle of light and dark rhythm to govern life-sustaining behaviors such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep and protection from predators.

Scientific evidence suggests that artificial light at night has negative and deadly effects on many creatures including amphibians, birds, mammals, insects and plants.

Artificial lights disrupt the world’s ecosystems.

Nocturnal animals sleep during the day and are active at night. Light pollution radically alters their nighttime environment by turning night into day.

According to research scientist Christopher Kyba, for nocturnal animals, “the introduction of artificial light SUMMER 2022 |

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INDUSTRY probably represents the most drastic change human beings have made to their environment.”

> Outdoor lighting should be fully shielded and direct

“Predators use light to hunt, and prey species use darkness as cover,” Kyba explains “Near cities, cloudy skies are now hundreds, or even thousands of times brighter than they were 200 years ago. We are only beginning to learn what a drastic effect this has had on nocturnal ecology.”

> Fully shielded fixtures can provide the same level of

Glare from artificial lights can also impact wetland habitats that are home to amphibians such as frogs and toads, whose nighttime croaking is part of the breeding ritual. Artificial lights disrupt this nocturnal activity, interfering with reproduction and reducing populations.

New lighting technologies can help conserve energy.

light down where it is needed, not into the sky.

illumination on the ground as unshielded ones, but with less energy and cost.

> Unnecessary indoor lighting – particularly in empty office buildings at night – should be turned off.

> LEDs and compact fluorescents (CFLs) can help

Artificial lights have devastating effects on many bird species. Birds that migrate or hunt at night navigate by moonlight and starlight. Artificial light can cause them to wander off course and toward the dangerous nighttime landscapes of cities. Every year millions of birds die colliding with needlessly illuminated buildings and towers. Migratory birds depend on cues from properly timed seasonal schedules. Artificial lights can cause them to migrate too early or too late and miss ideal climate conditions for nesting, foraging and other behaviors.

Many insects are drawn to light, but artificial lights can create a fatal attraction. Declining insect populations negatively impact all species that rely on insects for food or pollination. Some predators exploit this attraction to their advantage, affecting food webs in unanticipated ways.

where it’s not needed is wasteful. Wasting energy has huge economic and environmental consequences.

In an average year in the U.S. alone, outdoor lighting uses about 120 terawatt-hours of energy, mostly to illuminate streets and parking lots. That’s enough energy to meet New York City’s total electricity needs for two years!

IDA estimates that least 30 percent of all outdoor lighting in the U.S. alone is wasted, mostly by lights that aren’t shielded. That adds up to $3.3 billion and the release of 21 million tons of carbon dioxide per year! To offset all that carbon dioxide, we’d have to plant 875 million trees annually.

> Installing quality outdoor lighting could cut energy

use by 60–70 percent, save billions of dollars and cut carbon emissions.

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> Dimmers, motion sensors and timers can help to reduce average illumination levels and save even more energy.

Quality lighting design reduces energy use and therefore energy dependence. It also reduces carbon emissions, saves money and allows us to enjoy the night sky.

crime and safety 4Lighting, There is no clear scientific evidence that increased

and money 4Energy Lighting that emits too much light or shines when and

Environmental responsibility requires energy efficiency and conservation.

reduce energy use and protect the environment, but only warm-white bulbs should be used. Learn more about LEDs and color temperature from our LED Practical Guide (see link earlier in this article).

outdoor lighting deters crimes. It may make us feel safer, but has not been shown to make us safer.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that streetlights don’t prevent accidents or crime, but do cost a lot of money.

The researchers looked at data on road traffic collisions and crime in 62 local authorities in England and Wales and found that lighting had no effect, whether authorities had turned them off completely, dimmed them, turned them off at certain hours, or substituted low-power LED lamps.

According to the study, “[W]hen risks are carefully considered, local authorities can safely reduce street lighting saving both costs and energy … without necessarily impacting negatively upon road traffic collisions and crime.”

According to a 2011 study of London street lighting and crime, there is no good evidence that increased lighting reduces total crime.” A 1997 National Institute of Justice study concluded, “We can have very little confidence that improved lighting prevents crime.”

The truth is bad outdoor lighting can decrease safety by making victims and property easier to see. A Chicago Alley Lighting Project showed a correlation between brightly lit alleyways and increased crime.

INDUSTRY In fact, most property crime occurs in the light of the day. And some crimes like vandalism and graffiti actually thrive on night lighting.

much more energy-efficient than the old-fashioned incandescent lightbulbs we grew up with. But they also tend to produce more blue light.”

A dark sky does not necessarily mean a dark ground.

Smart lighting that directs light where it is needed creates a balance between safety and starlight.

A 2016 American Medical Association report expressed concern about exposure to blue light from outdoor lighting and recommends shielding all light fixtures and only using lighting with 3000K color temp and below.

Brighter does not mean safer. According to a 2012 report of the American Medical Association, “Glare from nighttime lighting can create hazards ranging from discomfort to frank visual disability.”

Outdoor lighting is intended to enhance safety and security at night, but too much lighting can actually have the opposite effect. Visibility should always be the goal.

Glare from bright, unshielded lights actually decreases safety because it shines into our eyes and constricts our pupils. This can not only be blinding, it also makes it more difficult for our eyes to adjust to low-light conditions. evolved to the rhythms of the natural light-dark 4Humans cycle of day and night. The spread of artificial lighting

Human health

means most of us no longer experience truly dark nights.

Research suggests that artificial light at night can negatively affect human health, increasing risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more.

Circadian rhythm and melatonin. Like most life on Earth, humans adhere to a circadian rhythm — our biological clock — a sleep-wake pattern governed by the day-night cycle. Artificial light at night can disrupt that cycle.

Our bodies produce the hormone melatonin in response to circadian rhythm. Melatonin helps keep us healthy.

It has antioxidant properties, induces sleep, boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol, and helps the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. Nighttime exposure to artificial light suppresses melatonin production.

Not all artificial light Is created equally. Exposure to blue light at night is particularly harmful.

Unfortunately,most LEDs used for outdoor lighting — as well as computer screens, TVs, and other electronic displays — create abundant blue light.

According to experts at Harvard Medical School, “If blue light does have adverse health effects, then environmental concerns, and the quest for energy-efficient lighting, could be at odds with personal health. Those curlicue compact fluorescent lightbulbs and LED lights are

To minimize harm from blue light in your home, choose the right light bulb and download a color temperature app that adapts your electronic screen to the time of day – cool light during the day and warm light at night:

> F.lux is available for Mac OS/X, Windows, Linx and (jailbroken) iPhones and iPads.

> For those with Apple devices using the iOS 9.3

operating system and above, the Night Shift app is pre-installed.

> Lux is available for Android devices free or for pay. > Twilight is available for smartphones or tablets.

Choosing the right bulb. Be sure to look at the packaging. All packaging for new CFL and LED light bulbs provide color temperature information. Use low color temperature light sources for interior and exterior light. Their light is less harsh and less harmful to human health and the environment. Look for warm white sources with a color temperature of 3000K or lower.

The Kelvin temperature chart below shows you what the numbers mean.

Kelvin Temperature Scale.Higher color temperatures mean bluer light, the kind that should be avoided after dusk.

Glare from bad lighting is a safety hazard. Glare from poorly shielded outdoor lighting is also harmful to your health, because it decreases vision by reducing contrast.

This limits our ability to see potential dangers at night.

Aging eyes are especially affected.

“Glare from nighttime lighting can create hazards ranging from discomfort to frank disability.” — American Medical Association Council on Science and Public Health (2012) Content and graphics courtesy of the International Dark Sky Association. Learn more at darksky.org.

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Reducing water needs

Turfgrass research yields new varieties

by Mary Kay Woodworth, Executive Director, Georgia Urban Ag Council

Waltz UGA SCRI Trials

Turfgrass trials at UGA Griffin campus. Clint Waltz, University of Georgia (left) and Kevin Morris, Executive Director of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP).

“It’s not easy being green,” goes the saying.

As far back as 1975, the legendary country and blues singer Ray Charles of Georgia, USA, with the 1960’s hit “Georgia On My Mind” recorded the song “Bein’ Green.”

Charles sang: “It’s not easy being green. It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things, and people tend to pass you over ...”

It’s not easy, either, for turfgrass growers and associated businesses, for whom “green” is crucial to the industries they have built and the jobs they have created for so many. Their customers and the communities they serve strive to be green.

For well over a decade, in Georgia and in communities across the globe, outdoor water use – especially on turfgrass - has often been vilified and labeled as

50 | UAC MAGAZINE

wasted water. The numerous benefits of turfgrass have conveniently been ignored by the anti-turfgrass community, whose viewpoints are narrowly focused.

Turfgrasses occupy over thirty million acres in the U.S. It’s tempting to assume that eliminating our outdoor grass carpeting could solve the water demand problem. But it’s not so simple. Turfgrass provides substantial environmental and economic benefits in our landscape. It mitigates heat around our homes, stabilizes soil against erosion, provides safe play space, and reduces noise, glare, and pollution. Eliminating turf would create a whole new set of environmental challenges.

INDUSTRY The implementation of sustainable landscapes should be a goal in all regions of the country; however, severe droughts and limited water in the southern and western U.S. are dictating changes to the use and placement of plant material and irrigation in landscapes. Therefore, there is a critical need for turfgrasses that can provide functional surfaces tolerant to drought, reduced irrigation, and irrigation with reclaimed (saline) water.

Failure to address these challenges will result in losses of areas planted in turfgrasses, along with their economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Working toward a solution

A network of turfgrass researchers from six major universities was formed in 2010 to address the above problems. The researchers from the University of Georgia, NC State, Oklahoma State, Texas A & M, University of California-Riverside, University of Florida, and USDA are solving this dilemma by developing turfgrasses that are attractive and healthy with minimal water.

In 2020, The National Institute of Food and Agriculture approved a specialty crops grant to continue the multiuniversity group’s work producing drought-tolerant warm-season turfgrasses. The team (32 scientists strong) has collaborated for nine years with a rotating leadership structure. Currently, NC State’s Susana Milla-Lewis is at the helm in their new phase of study.

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“Our 2010 and 2015 projects were crucial in the development of drought-tolerant turfgrass cultivars. The levels of improvement of these grasses are promising and validate the need to promote adoption, continue cultivar research, and develop tools that facilitate the breeding process.”

Susana Milla-Lewis, NC State

‘TifTuf’ bermudagrass tests demonstrated a 40% water savings over the leading bermudagrass, without loss of turf quality.

“The collaboration among breeders across such different environments is priceless,” Milla-Lewis said. “It helps us select better lines with more performance stability because they have been tested against a wide range of weather conditions like drought and cold as well as an array of pests and diseases.”

The team has already released six new drought-tolerant varieties from previous project phases including two bermudagrasses (‘TifTuf ’ and ‘Tahoma 31’), two St. Augustine grasses (‘TamStar’ and ‘CitraBlue’), and two forthcoming zoysiagrass varieties.

‘TifTuf,’ a University of Georgia release, alone has achieved massive success. The team’s research demonstrated a 40% water savings over the leading bermudagrass, without loss of turf quality. This convincing research data has led to the rapid acceptance of TifTuf within the sod industry – representing a sixfold return in gross earnings compared to the grant investment.

Gearing up with technology The team of turf researchers’ work has focused on selecting and testing drought-tolerant cultivars of four of the most economically important warm-season turfgrass species in the southern US. By exchanging plant materials and data among university breeders, turf varieties are tested under many climatic conditions, and the results accumulate quickly.

With tangible success already, what will the next research phase include? More trials with new avenues to share and test them.

Plant breeding is a long-range game, 10-15 years in most cases. The group has already evaluated over 2,500 potential varieties in their nine years together. Now the team is intent on warping this speed with innovative technology.

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INDUSTRY Greater testing volume into the research pipeline means better outcomes with the most resilient samples.

Outreach and education

Despite the team’s field research success, Milla-Lewis’s group recognized that improved varieties can’t deliver their inherent benefits if end users don’t adapt their lawn care. For that reason, the project’s phase III incorporates a significant extension and consumer outreach plan spearheaded by Jason Peake at the University of Georgia.

Photo courtesy of Planters, Inc.

Appropriate turf selection yields water saving in the landscape.

The group’s next phase of research will integrate tech specialists using drones and remote sensing devices to provide real-time feedback on plant stress – a plant breeder’s dream. But how does a robot sense plant stress?

Drones equipped with specialized sensors will be programmed to fly missions over the test plots to detect changes in turf color, ideally even before visible to the human eye. By measuring color change over time resulting from turf stress, researchers can rank the highest performers and concentrate on those showing the greatest genetic potential.

Technology also brings objectivity to plant breeding.

Instead of researchers assigning a visual grade of 1-9 on turfgrass color, the drone sensors capture a binary “stress/ no stress” assessment. It’s black or white – or brown or green in this case. Removing human bias will result in standardized scoring – important when measurements are taken across hundreds of plots at each of the six universities. Because who’s to say someone’s turf score of “6” in Raleigh is the same “6” as someone’s in Texas?

Using autonomous data collection, breeders can measure more traits, evaluate more trials – and even more varieties at a time. Increasing the volume of data generated in a short timeframe speeds the plant breeding process by weeding out low-performing options.

Researchers call it ‘high throughput phenotyping” and it promises to deliver fast feedback for a streamlined selection funnel.

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As new cultivars are released into the market, a shift in outreach efforts is needed to reach a broader sector of society with an interest in application rather than basic knowledge behind drought tolerant turfgrasses. Among urban consumers, water purveyors, and other decision makers, the objective is to increase awareness of new cultivars and research-based management strategies that reduce water inputs.

The nationwide campaign will include broadcast media, a consumer decision tool website and printed marketing pieces all aimed at educating consumers on why they should choose a drought-tolerant grass and, importantly, how to effectively manage it to reap all the benefits. After all, a new lawn doesn’t come with a care tag.

This new wave of consumer outreach will complement traditional extension activities such as field days and demonstration turf plots at public locations like municipal complexes, campuses, parks, and athletic fields. These opportunities will reach industry professionals like landscapers, contractors, and sodproducers who are often the decision-makers in turfgrass variety selection.

NC State turfgrass extension specialist Grady Miller says it’s not enough just to put new varieties out. “Like the old saying goes ‘Those near the cutting edge may get cut’.” Our efforts can convince the industry to adopt and produce, but the consumer needs to be able to properly manage the turfgrasses if we want these new varieties to be successful.”

“We’ve learned in our investigations that the average consumer is concerned about their grass’s environmental tolerance – to shade, drought, and winter-kill. They are looking for low-maintenance landscapes,” Milla-Lewis noted.

Convincing homeowners to adopt these drought-tolerant grasses would deliver on both accounts. “We have a young consumer audience with vastly different landscape needs. For some, lawn maintenance is at best a hobby, and at worst a nuisance. They are looking for lawns

INDUSTRY requiring fewer inputs, even if it is more expensive,” concluded Miller.

As additional drought-tolerant turfgrasses are developed and brought to market, local governments should encourage and incentivize homeowners and property owners to utilize these water saving varieties. An example of this is the recent measure taken by the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District (Metro Water District).

Oversight for water conservation and planning for the communities in the metro-Atlanta area is the responsibility of the Metro Water District. After months of engagement by landscape industry advocates, along with supporting testimony from Dr. Brian Schwartz (a member of the University of Georgia’s turfgrass research team), the planning district’s board voted to support and promote education to the public that “encourages the installation of drought tolerant sod such as TifTuf.”

This includes updating the district’s printed and digital education materials on landscape and irrigation resources to include drought-tolerant turfgrasses.

Impacting the future

TifTuf, Tahoma 31, and the tireless efforts of Dr. Schwartz and others like him, along with many turf and landscape leaders, will continue to make being green even more positively impactful in the future. Proper soil preparation and utilization of these new varieties, in conjunction with professional irrigation design incorporating new, efficient technologies will yield reduction in water use. Adding WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers can contribute to significantly reduce overwatering by applying water only when plants need it – another valuable tool to efficient outdoor water use.

No, “it’s not easy being green,” but with additional research and new water-saving turf cultivars available to consumers, being green is getting easier each day. Let’s all do our part to educate and encourage consumers to adopt these new opportunities.

Contributing to this article: Tolar Capitol Partners, NCSU Turfgrass Science and UGA Turfgrass Innovations

ugaurbanag.com/certification

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URBAN AG

It’s that time of the year...

Scouting for turfgrass diseases

by Alfredo Martinez, Professor of Plant Pathology, UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Disease management

Gray leaf spot on St. Augustinegrass

Alfredo Martinez

Gray leaf spot

Gray leaf spot is a fungus disease that affects St. Augustinegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue in Georgia. Hot humid summer weather and high nitrogen levels can make turf susceptible to this disease.

The fungus causing the disease is Pyricularia oryzae (Magnaporthe oryzae).

Symptoms: The symptoms of gray leaf spot vary depending on the grass cultivar. On St. Augustinegrass, gray leaf spot first appears as small, brown spots on the leaves and stems. The spots quickly enlarge to approximately ¼ inch in length and become bluish-gray and oval or elongated in shape. The mature lesions are tan to gray and have depressed centers with irregular margins that are purple to brown. A yellow border on the lesions can also occur.

Conditions favoring disease: Gray leaf spot is favored by daytime temperatures between 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures above 65 degrees F. High nitrogen levels, high moisture, and conditions that stress the turf, such as intermittent drought and soil compaction, also favor the disease. Gray leaf spot is most severe during extended hot, rainy, and humid periods.

Shady areas with limited airflow tend to have more severe outbreaks of gray leaf spot.

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Cultural: Management practices that minimize stress and avoid rapid flushes of lush growth during the rainy season lessen the likelihood that severe gray leaf spot symptoms will develop. If irrigation is used to supplement inadequate rainfall, water infrequently but deeply. Proper irrigation regimens should protect against symptoms of drought stress without increasing disease pressure by extending periods of leaf wetness.

Excessive soil moisture and leaf wetness promotes gray leaf spot. Proper mowing practices are most important for gray leaf spot management in St. Augustinegrass.

This grass must be mowed frequently during the summer months to remove excess leaf tissue and keep the canopy open and dry. Mow the turf at the correct height for the designated turfgrass species and remove only one-third of the leaf blade per mowing. Collecting clippings reduces the spread of the disease when gray leaf spot symptoms are evident. Thatch layers should be removed if they are greater than 1 inch in depth. Vertical mowing is best to remove thatch. Topdressing with sand or soil is less effective than vertical mowing, but it helps with thatch removal. Controlling thatch can improve drainage, reduce drought and nutrient stress, and remove sources of gray leaf spot inoculum. St. Augustinegrass is especially sensitive to some herbicides.

Chemical: Fungicides are more efficacious when applied as preventative treatments rather than after symptoms are evident. Fungicides in the chemical families of strobilurins, benzimidazoles, demethylation inhibitors (DMI), carboxamides, and nitriles are labeled to control gray leaf spot. These materials should be applied with at least 2 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. for a complete coverage of the turfgrass canopy. For a complete and updated list of available fungicides, refer to the commercial edition of the 2022 Georgia Pest Management Handbook at https://extension.uga. edu/programs-services/integrated-pest-management/ publications/handbooks.html or the 2022 UGA Turfgrass Pest Control Recommendations for Professionals at https://turf.caes.uga.edu/publications/pest-controlrecomendations.html For more information or photos of gray leaf spot: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/ pdf/C%201116_2.PDF

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Pythium blight on tall fescue

Lee Burpee

Brown patch on tall fescue

Alfredo Martinez

Pythium blight (caused by Pythium spp) and Brown patch (caused by Rhizoctonia

Brown patch can cause a foliar blight, which results in

These diseases are often the most serious diseases on cool season grasses, especially on tall fescue, ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass.

Conditions favoring disease: High soil and leaf canopy humidity, and high temperatures increase disease severity. Higher than recommended rates of nitrogen in the spring promotes disease.

solani)

Pythium blight has the potential to quickly cause

significant damage to turfgrass. The disease starts as small spots, which initially appear dark and water-soaked.

Affected turfgrass dies rapidly, collapses, and appears oily and matted. White, cottony mycelia may be evident early in the morning.

Conditions favoring disease: The disease is driven by hot-wet weather, which correlates with an increased stress on the turf.

Similar environmental and cultural factors that encourage brown patch also promote Pythium.

Therefore, cultural practices for control of brown patch will also help to minimize Pythium blight development. A correct diagnosis is important because Pythium control requires specific fungicides.

Disease management: Several fungicides are available for Pythium management including fungicides used contain strobilurins, phosphonates, cyazofamid, propamocarb, fluopicolide + propamocarb, mefenoxam among others. Consult the 2022 Georgia Pest Management Handbook or the 2022 Turfgrass Pest Control Recommendations for Professionals for proper fungicide selection and usage.

Read the label and follow proper guidelines.

necrotic leaves and circular brown patches up to 4-5 ft in diameter.

Disease management: Management options includes avoid nitrogen application when the disease is active, avoid infrequent irrigation and allow the foliage to dry, mow when grass is dry, ensure proper soil pH, thatch reduction, and improve soil drainage. An array of fungicides are available for brown patch. Including fungicides in the chemical families of strobilurins, benzimidazoles, demethylation inhibitors (DMI), Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors, carboxamides, phenylpyrrole, nitriles among others. Consult the 2022 Georgia Pest Management Handbook or the 2022 Turfgrass Pest Control Recommendations for Professionals for proper fungicide selection and usage.

Read the label and follow proper guidelines.

For more information on Brown patch and Pythium visit https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/ pdf/B%201233_8.PDF

Centipede green-up problems?

Check this publication out for more information: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/ pdf/C%201003_3.PDF

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Sparkling perennials

Add dazzle to your cool-season containers

by Norman Winter, Horticulturist, Author and Speaker Perennials for cool season containers may seem like the proverbial horticultural oxymoron but that is exactly what I have been planting in my zone 8a landscape. My favorite pansy pals are Goldilocks lysimachia, Lemon Coral sedum, Ogon Japanese sweet flag and Burgundy Glow ajuga.

The kicker to all of that is I’m not planting pansies yet but fresh crops of Supertunia petunias and Superbells calibrachoas. Last year the fall-planted petunias and calibrachoas lasted until mid-summer. You have to admit nine plus months of blooms is incredible. Believe me though, I’ll add pansies and violas this fall.

Goldilocks creeping jenny

Goldilocks lysimachia, or creeping jenny, is simply amazing with its tenacity of performance and dazzling color in the garden. I love how it plumets over the rims of containers stopping only when it hits the ground then still keeps growing. What I may treasure most about it in the West Georgia area, though, is the colorful transformation from summer into winter. That kiss of cold is like magic.

In the summer it provides chartreuse or lime green wherever you want it. But in winter it gives the closest color to a 24K gold bar that you can find in a plant.

Put that in boxes or basket with blue violet-colored pansies and it will remind of you of sapphires and gold.

This award-winning plant gets taken for granted but it shouldn’t as it is perennial in zones 3-10.

Lemon Coral sedum

Lemon Coral sedum is a succulent that is perennial from zones 7-10, giving a soft needle-like texture. There will be at least once or twice each year that I look at its beauty and simply can’t believe it is a perennial, thrilling not only with its foliage but later with a billowy cloud of bright yellow blooms.

It, too, spreads but is more like a slow lava flow of lime gently tolling over the rims of containers and baskets. In the landscape it forms a groundcover carpet of succulent lime. In my groundcover application, I have it partnered with Surefire Red begonias. Oddly, I am also in year three with these begonias.

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Ogon Japanese sweet flag

Ogon means gold in Japanese and this variety of Japanese sweet flag gives an unbeatable fine grassy element or texture to the garden and mixed containers. This is the plant that acts as the finishing touch (or icing on the cake if you will) to mixed containers. As beautiful as your mixed container design may be, it is this little filler plant that says “TA DA.” The Japanese sweet flag spreads from the tip of rhizomes similar to that of an iris. They can reach about 10 to14inches tall which gives you the opportunity to use it as a groundcover. It is perennial from zones 5-11. Never underestimate the power of just one small grass to a mixed container.

Burgundy Glow ajuga

Lastly, I find most gardeners simply don’t think of ajuga as a container filler or soft spiller. It’s funny we call it bugleweed and we plant it in tough places in the landscape where nothing else grows. We love it when it blooms but we just don’t think about it in the cool-season mixed container.

Burgundy Glow is an award-winning cold-hardy variety recommended for zones 4-11 and offering multicolored foliage, usually showing a healthy dose of pink. The foliage is the perfect foil or contrast for the fine-textured Ogon sweet flag and even Goldilocks lysimachia or creeping jenny.

All of these perennials offer among the easiest opportunities to propagate and use elsewhere in the landscape. I urge you to incorporate these four perennials into your designs.

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

Follow him on Facebook: Norman Winter The Garden Guy

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Goldilocks creeping jenny partners in this box with yellow and white pansies for the long cool season ahead.

This cool-season container offers a variety of textures and colors with pansies, Ogon Japanese sweet flag, Goldilocks creeping jenny and Burgundy Glow ajuga.

Goldilocks creeping jenny hangs down like 24-K gold in this planter box with violet-colored pansies.

Lemon Coral sedum gently tumbles over the edge of this mixed container with pansies, tall dianthus and Evergold carex grass.

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Your New Go-To Grass

Developed by the turfgrass experts at Oklahoma State University, Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass pushes the geographic boundaries of bermudagrass into the northernmost reaches of the Transition Zone. Highly cold tolerant, the name “Tahoma” comes from the Native American word that means “frozen water.”

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Plant Tahoma 31 further north for a strong base in the winter that fights wilt in the sumner.

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