Landscape Ontario - July-August 2018

July-August 2018 HortTrades.com

IT’S ALL ABOUT

YOU! Special pull-out Benefits section: Handy snapshots of membership perks

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE What price should this plant be?

By Warren Patterson LO President

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his month, I would like to take a look at how we price plants. What value does the end consumer put on this product? I once toured a nursery and saw thousands of unique plants. I asked the sales rep what the retail price was for the plants and their response was, “Whatever you want it to be.”

Their vague response made me question whether the nursery had even conducted any consumer research prior to deciding to produce thousands of these unique plants. Were they simply going to base their price on what they thought their production cost was?

They were going to be selling this product for $200, which after proper markup, would mean it would need to retail for at least $400. There was no way I could see a consumer paying over $400 for their product. At least not in the

July-August, 2018 • Volume 36, No. 7 HortTrades.com Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural profession in Ontario.

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volume this nursery thought.

Do your research

Highly-successful corporations like Apple and Samsung spend incredible amounts of money carrying out extensive consumer research to establish what value consumers place on their latest product offerings.

This year, our garden centre significantly raised prices in order to offset the large increase in minimum wage. Now a few months into the season, there has been very little (if any) negative feedback from our customers. Why is this?

I believe the typical consumer does not have a point of reference for the price of our products.

Here’s a comparison: what is the price of frozen pie shells? Most people, myself included, have absolutely no clue, unless you are someone who buys frozen pie shells on a weekly basis. Our product, like frozen pie shells, is an infrequent purchase, based on a specific need and filled with emotion. We need to better understand how consumers value plants: their size, colour and function.

To establish this value, some basic

Editor Robert Ellidge rellidge@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-5645 Multimedia designer/IT coordinator Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager Steve Moyer stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-0708 Integrated solutions representative Greg Sumsion gsumsion@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-6977 Communications coordinator Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585 Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLM lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Darryl Bond, Amy Buchanan, Kim Burton, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Denis Flanagan CLD, J. Alex Gibson, Meghan Greaves, Sally Harvey CLT CLM CAE, Heather MacRae, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, John Russell, Ian Service, Myscha Stafford, Tom Somerville, David Turnbull, Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp, Martha Walsh, Cassandra Wiesner

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consumer research is needed. Put two, two gallon pots in front of a consumer that have grown to different heights, bloom stage, etc. Then ask them what they think the retail price of each plant should be. I think you would be very surprised by their answers.

Once we have a better understanding of what value consumers place on plants, our industry can start to create a better pricing structure very similar to how other industries operate.

Plants are not the only product our industry sells. But as with our garden centre, what we sell needs to cover the increasing cost of our labour – something we all share. The more money we make on our products, the better we are able to pay our employees. The better we pay, the more attractive our industry is, resulting in more available labour to help grow our businesses.

It’s time to take a look at how consumers value plants and the many other products we offer as another means to helping to solve our labour issue.

Warren Patterson may be reached at warrenpatterson@barriegardencentre.com.

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FEATURES BP LANDSCAPING TRIAL GARDENS PREVIEW

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Jamie and Brian Perras: Two generations on the same team.

38 years and a five-year plan

By Becky Dumais

People often see retirement as either ominous or exciting. Brian Perras, owner of BP Landscaping and Snow Removal, has been anticipating the opportunity to step aside from frontline work and enjoy even more of what Mother Nature has to offer. His succession began at the age of 60. “I’m 64 and my five-year plan is working quite well,” he says. Brian has less involvement in the ‘day to day’ operations, since his son is now running the entire Caledon, Ont.-based business.“It’s quite a transition,” remarks Brian. “Life is so short; we work around the weather in the winter as in the summer,” he explains, regarding the fact that employees have always appreciated knowing that Saturday and Sunday are time to be had away from work.

Civil service to self-employment What happened even before Brian began his own company 38 years ago, was a

career path he says is “a long story, but not too long.” Brian dabbled in various careers: driving for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and as a police officer for the Region of Peel. His shortest job was working at Royal Bank of Canada.

Wearing a shirt and tie, he only lasted two days. “I’m not an indoor person. As I used to drive around in the police car I observed people doing different things.” With no previous experience in landscaping, Brian wanted to give it a try. The idea of creating beauty where none existed was very appealing.

Transitioning from working a designated job with a guaranteed pay was fun for Brian. “It was so exciting because you have no idea what’s around the corner.

You’re learning as you go.” When he compares his ideals today against what they were early on developing the business, they’re very different; TGIF means much more today than back then. Before, Brian was more interested in seeing Monday mornings so he could get back to work

4 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

and continue building his business. “I loved being self-employed.”

Besides attending police college (which Brian jokes is very much like the movie Police Academy), attending various courses like the ones offered at the University of Guelph were important. Also, learning from friends in the business provided personal insight and mentorship.

“Bill Inch of Freemont Landscaping was very inspirational. He was a bit of a mentor to me when I was young.” Perras also acknowledges Frans and Guy Peters, owners of Humber Nurseries in Brampton, Ont., as “Fabulous guys. Very helpful.”

They imparted the importance of being resourceful and learning what works and what doesn’t.

“Don’t plant something because the client wants it, it has to work in the environment. Do your homework.” His first contract was a contract to sod 70 houses in Kitchener-Waterloo. Arranging payment terms and figuring out where to buy the sod was another story. Being “genuinely honest” was – and is – a trait he adheres to in business.

Volunteering and sitting on various committees is important to both Brian and Jamie. Father and son are both active on Landscape Ontario’s Snow and Ice Management sector group, and also Chlorides in the Great Lakes. The latter, which is sponsored by the World Wildlife Foundation, is working to manage the amount of salt entering the Great Lakes. “It’s a big problem in the Greater Toronto Area.

People are over-salting because they’re afraid of being sued. Somehow, it has to be corrected and that’s what we’re working towards,” Brian says. “There’s a lot on the table now. It’s not going to happen overnight, but it’s going to make headway in the right direction. It’s promising.”

BP Landscaping is accredited by the Smart About Salt Council and uses liquids such as beet juice instead of traditional ice melting products. “We realized we could provide as good, if not better service, all the while reducing the amount of salt being used.”

Workplace dynamics

When you start a business you want to please everyone and bend over backward, it’s a juggling act while wearing many hats, according to Perras. Brian has two sons; Jamie, 28, has chosen to work in the family business. Brian, 30, has chosen to branch out on his own as a contractor; he is good with tools and is currently involved in building decks and fences. The elder Brian says Jamie is the appropriate mix of professionalism and pit bull. “Jamie doesn’t tolerate

incompetence very well and I’m so glad he doesn’t,” notes Brian, because too often a person can be taken advantage of. “He tries to stay professional and courteous to everyone – that’s what you need to run a business. Not a lot of people, especially second- or third-generation business owners have that.” Over the course of his 38 years in the business, Brian has valued relationships within his company, noting he and company president Dan Booth, a veteran of 30 years, have never argued. “He’s diplomatic and methodical,” Perras says of Booth. “Jamie is fitting in right in the middle of both of us very, very well. He’s also very resourceful.”

It was Jamie’s decision to move two of the seven landscape maintenance crews into electric equipment, which clients appreciate because it shows BP’s commitment to moving towards more sustainability. The electric equipment is also very quiet, which means neighbourhood babies everywhere can nap a little longer.

Even though Brian is retiring, he fully intends to work until into his seventies and will be popping into the office to see what’s going on and take a look at the financials.

How else will he fill his agenda? Most likely, with anything that involves solitude. At one time, he owned some classic muscle cars

Members of a BP Landscaping all-electric crew groom Orlando Corp.’s Mississauga headquarters.

he used to go cruising in. Now, Brian prefers being in the country and walking the trails. “When you’re in business and you’ve got upwards of 100 employees, you don’t have any ‘you time’ because you’re putting out fires, taking care of clients, have 10 things on the agenda with 10 more surprise things added on in the day,” he notes. “Now that I’m winding down, I like to take time in solitude.” Gage Park in Brampton is one

of his favourite places to relax. “I go there almost daily and go for a 3 km walk.”

Brian feels strongly about continuous learning and benefiting from the courses offered under Landscape Ontario. “(It’s) all there for anybody who joins LO — every course and every accreditation we’ve taken has taught us so much. That’s the kind of stuff we need to encourage people to become members.”

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The 2018 Trial Gardens at the LO home office in Milton continue despite construction both outside and within the property.

2018 Trial Garden and open house update

By Rodger Tschanz University of Guelph Trial Garden Manager

This year’s Industry Open House at the Landscape Ontario/University of Guelph Trial Gardens is scheduled for Thursday, August 23, and will pair with a tour of the Sheridan Nurseries facility in Georgetown.

Since the Landscape Ontario office in Milton is undergoing major renovations this summer, the rooms which hosted speaker programs in the past will be unavailable.

To accommodate a short speaker program and to progress smoothly from trial garden tours to Sheridan, we will begin the day in Guelph this year. The LO/Milton tour follows and the day ends at Sheridan

TOURS

Nurseries. Details of the short speaker program in Guelph will be announced through email blasts and posted on the LO and Trial Garden (trialgarden.uoguelph.ca) websites closer to the date. New this year will be a turf research tour at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute in addition to the trial garden tour. The turf-related research topics on the tour will include: Fiesta demonstration plots for alternative weed control, bio-solids fertilizer research, prairie turfgrass restoration research, “take-all patch” and winter hardiness research on USGA greens, strawberry plants and nematodes research and alternative grub control. The Guelph trial garden portion of the tour will include the All-America Selections judging trial, with new selections of calendula, nasturtium and ornamental beans in the trial. This year the trial garden in Guelph has been experiencing severe deer-eating pressure on the trial entries. The deterrent we have employed is currently working

Thursday, August 23, 2018 Get ready for a full day of festivities — start your day at Guelph Turfgrass Institute, then tour the Landscape Ontario Trial Garden in Milton after lunch. Head to Sheridan Nurseries in Georgetown for a Summerfest BBQ, hosted by LO’s Georgian Lakelands Chapter.

Everyone is welcome! (adults only)

Visit HortTrades.com/summerfest-bbq

6 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

ROSE AND SHRUB UPDATE

and hopefully will continue its efficacy into the fall.

Following the Guelph portion of the day the tour will continue on to the annual, perennial, rose and shrub beds at the Landscape Ontario office in Milton. Even though the LO office is under major renovation and the 401 widening project is ongoing, the LO Milton trial garden continues to flourish. Some of the annual beds have been arranged this year as display trial beds highlighting individual breeders and suppliers (Ball Horticulture, Syngenta and Proven Winners). The other breeders in the trial include Jelitto Seeds, Dümmen Orange, Floranova and De Vroomen Bulb Canada.

Once the tour in Milton ends, the venue will switch to Sheridan Nurseries in Georgetown for a farm tour followed by a barbecue and evening entertainment. The day’s program will be a longer than normal Industry Day, full of a greater variety of horticultural educational opportunities.

There is no cost associated with this event but be sure to register and let us know how many are coming from your organization.

The latest rose and shrub trial was planted in the spring/summer of 2016. These plants are now going into their third growing season and have experienced two winters. Last summer’s conditions were cool and wet, allowing black spot to flourish on susceptible rose plants. On the plus side, last year was a great year to evaluate black spot resistance in the rose trial. Similarly the winter of 2017/18 provided ideal conditions for testing plant hardiness under conditions of extreme temperature swings and late spring snow and ice. Since the shrubs and roses were not provided with any winter protection, this truly was a trial to evaluate hardiness in southern Ontario. Many of the tea rose and climber cultivars experienced severe winter kill as did some of the weigela cultivars. A report on winter hardiness in the trial will be created later in the season.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Photo courtesy Upper Canada District School Board

Young women rotated through various stations that dealt with hardscaping, planting and design.

Women In Trades Experiential Learning Day On May 23-24, about 300 young women from grade seven to 12 participated in the first ever Women in Trades Experiential Learning Day at Kemptville College in Kemptville, Ont. The hands-on learning experience was hosted by Landscape Ontario, the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) and Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.

Funded through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), the goal of the pilot project was to better engage and provide positive experiences for youth exploring various career pathways.

Students gathered at the Kemptville auditorium to learn about various career opportunities in the landscape and horticulture profession and to hear about workshops they would get to participate in throughout the event. Student volunteers from the Algonquin College horticultural industries program led the workshops, providing their younger participants a chance to also ask questions about their post-secondary learning programs.

At the hardscape station, students learned how to prepare the subgrade to create a level and smooth surface using a variety of tools. They then learned how

to correctly lay interlocking stone to create a paving pattern that could be used in a patio or walkway.

Another station taught students how to properly plant and identify common ornamental and edible plants. The students were given plants they then transplanted into larger containers to take back to their school to care for. A plant identification challenge was also set up to provide students with a preliminary planting pallet they could use in their own landscape designs.

The final station exposed the students to the world of landscape design. Here, students learned about site analysis, how to apply design principles, and the math required to produce scale drawings. Students worked individually or in pairs to design landscapes that met the needs of one of five mock clients of their choosing.

Lori Carlisle, Learning Partner, Student Success with UCDSB, said the students were really excited to learn.

“Some didn’t even know that these things were career options. It’s really important for students to be exposed to as many career options as possible.”

Angel Lemire, a student from South Grenville District High School commented,

8 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

“I can see a future for myself in this industry.”

For more information on pursuing education or a career in the landscape and horticulture profession, please visit GreenCareersCanada.ca.

SONIA DAY HONOURED FOR LEADERSHIP

The Monica van Maris Women of Influence Award was presented to Sonia Day at the Toronto Botanical Garden’s Blossom Party, May 29, 2018. In true Sonia fashion, Day accepted the honour with a light-hearted, witty speech reminiscent of her Toronto Star column and published works.

Set in the magical gardens of the Toronto Botanical Garden, this annual event (formerly known as Women to Women), was a delight for everyone’s eyes and taste buds. Many guests wore their most creative hats and fascinators, enjoyed specialty foods, sweet delights,

Sonia Day

popup spas and whimsical dancers.

The Monica van Maris Women of Influence Award recipient is chosen by industry peers who feel the candidate has made a significant contribution and influential impact on the green professions.

The inaugural award was presented to Monica van Maris at the 2017 event.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS NEW MEMBER STARTS THE SEASON OFF RIGHT

Pictured here (l-r) are the lucky prize winner and owner of Brickworks, Andrew Letersky, and his crew.

S UR YO R DE OR

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All new approved members of Landscape Ontario who joined the association between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2018 were entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a greening toolkit donated by Makita Canada.

Congratulations to new LO member, Brickworks Landscape and Design of Corbyville, Ont., randomly selected to win the prize package consisting of a cordless (18 volts x2) split shaft multi attachment power head, one of T-03252X Kit which consists of a dual port rapid charger (DC18RD) and two 3.0 Ah batteries (BL1830B with charge indicators) and any an attachment of their choice.

LO’s membership services team personally delivered the prizes to Brickworks Landscape Design just in time for the start of the season.

The campaign officially launched at Congress ’18.

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DESIGN CHALLENGE WILL INSPIRE STUDENTS IN NIAGARA AND PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

The Come Alive Outside Design Challenge creates the opportunity for teams of post-secondary, secondary and elementary students to work together with landscape professionals to design and build engaging outdoor learning environments at schools and childcare facilities.

Not only does the program provide the end result of a place for young people to spend time immersed in nature in an urban area, it also helps to raise awareness and inspire young students at many levels on various career paths available in designing, building and maintaining landscapes, and natural environments that play a large role in the health of our cities and communities.

Over the course of three days, students from landscape architecture, landscape design and horticulture programs from six colleges and universities will travel to two design sites in Ontario to participate in a collaborative design event with students and teachers at a local elementary school.

Teams work together to create an initial design concept for a new outdoor learning environment that meets the following criteria: 1. The design must encourage the engagement of all five senses.

2. The design must integrate the creative input of the students and teachers who will be using it.

3. The design must provide a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

4. The design must effectively manage and utilize rainwater.

5. The initial phase of the design must be built on budget of $10,000.

The initial design concepts are then presented to the school and broader community for further input and feedback, which will be used to inform the teams’ final design proposals. The design proposals for the outdoor learning environment will be voted upon by the school community, and judged by a panel of landscape professionals. The winning design will be featured at Landscape Ontario’s Congress trade show in January 2019.

This fall, the design challenges will take place in Niagara and Prince Edward County. Come Alive Outside and Landscape Ontario would like to invite Landscape Ontario members to reach out to andy@comealiveoutside.com or lissa@ landscapeontario.com if your company is interested in becoming involved in this year’s Design Challenge.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

10 years ahead about what the opportunities were, and how we could make this industry better.”

“I would like to thank Linda, Peter, Jeff and Diane for supporting Paul during all of the volunteer hours he gave to the industry and the association,” Patterson continued, “Because of him, we have a legacy here that we are thankful and grateful for, and he will always be remembered.”

Son Jeff Olsen spoke on behalf of the family about his father’s two main passions: Landscape Ontario and trees. “We grew this Autumn Blaze maple at our farms in Port Hope and I thought it would be very special that we planted a tree that my dad actually saw,” Olsen said.

After the ceremony, Paul’s wife, Linda, sent a note of thanks to LO Executive Director, Tony DiGiovanni:

Members of the Olsen family gather around a newly planted Autumn Blaze maple in memory of the late Paul Olsen. (L-R): Jeff, Diane, Linda, Jennifer and Peter Olsen.

MEMORIAL TREE PLANTED FOR PAUL OLSEN

On June 20, Landscape Ontario’s Provincial Board of Directors joined members of the Olsen family for a special memorial tree dedication ceremony for the late Paul Olsen at the LO home office in Milton, Ont.

Warren Patterson, LO President, welcomed those in attendance and spoke a few words about his personal experience with Olsen. “It was Paul who got me involved in this industry and encouraged me to start,” Patterson said. “I can’t think of another individual that I feel had the vision — he was always thinking five or

Dear Tony Would you please extend to all the members of LO how much our family appreciates the recognition given to Paul on his service to the industry. He had a keen interest in the financial, as well as educational, aspect of the organization and I am sure he would be all in favour of the future renovations of the facility. The work that you do for the industry is so important and I am pleased to see the young people stepping up to the plate to continue the legacy of the “old timers.” Thank you once again for the lovely lunch and tree dedication ceremony.

Sincerely, Linda Olsen and family

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2018: A SPRING TO REMEMBER

An April ice storm followed by an unusually cold, late spring challenged all sectors of Ontario’s landscape industry.

Landscape Ontarios’s past president, Tom Intven, called it the toughest spring of his 40-year career. He invited members to share their stories through LO’s Enews.

Blake Tubby, designer, estimator and project manager at Arbordale Landscaping in Concord, Ont., says his company lost two- to three-weeks of production in April. Arbordale is currently playing a catch-up game, which Tubby says is hard to explain to customers, whose memories shortened as the days grew longer.

“The amount of winter kill has been extreme this spring,” said Mark Burleton, manager of grounds and greenhouse, official residences division of the National Capital Commission. “Ottawa has been severely hit this year, where surprisingly, even well established yews, cedars and cypress in protected locations have died, or had severe die-back.”

“It was encouraging to hear others who have been in the field longer than me are struggling too,” said Mark Veenstra, owner of Small Jobs Landscaping in Newcastle. “I actually think that the struggles started in the fall; the winter came quick and hard. There was no warning snowfall, it just froze, leaving us stranded in the middle of a job. The first snowfall of early December didn’t melt until February. This set me up to be chasing my tail in spring, which was cold, and as we all know customers don’t call if it doesn’t feel like spring. The home shows were slower, then the calls started coming, all at once.

All this on top of the typical stresses of spring, getting the trucks ready and filling in the staffing gaps. I ended up overworking, not sleeping enough and got knocked down by a stomach virus for a week. So I am in full agreement this spring has been harder than others.”

A positive offset came from Paul Doornbos, owner of Thornbusch Landscaping in Lansdowne. “Compared to last year, it’s a dream so far. We started off messed up with another tough April with regards to cash flow and momentum, but now we’re going strong and trying diligently to manage customer expectations through strong communication. If the weather continues to cooperate, we could see a record-breaking first quarter.”

On top of weather, Greg Cameron, president of Cameron Landscaping, North York, was frustrated by Ontario’s regulatory climate: “Bill 148 is the icing

on the cake to kill off small business. In particular, the minimum wage increase upsets the entire wage structure; industries whose biggest expense is labour, such as ours, are hardest hit. The personal emergency leave provision, with no ability to verify legitimacy of an illness, is subject to total abuse — most companies are fed up with lame excuses. The automatic two days’ paid leave after one week of employment is an additional expense with a compounding effect. What’s stopping an employee who’s not satisfied with

a new job, calling in sick to be paid two days? I have no issue protecting employment for those who legitimately need personal emergency leave, but the rules have been strictly written to obtain votes on the backs of small business. If not changed, it’s guaranteed businesses will give up or move out of province to a more business-friendly environment.”

Thanks to Tom Intven for giving members an opportunity to sound off.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS TIME TO ENTER PROJECTS INTO ANNUAL AWARDS COMPETITION

For over four decades, the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence program has celebrated the most outstanding craftsmanship, design and innovation the green profession has to offer. Winning an Award of Excellence is a great marketing tool and can even boost staff morale.

The awards program truly reflects the level of professionalism — and the amount of money being spent on landscape services across the province. Over 200 awards were handed out for exceptional projects in 2018, along with numerous individual awards recognizing those who have contributed over many years to elevate the industry through their passion, dedication, leadership and vision.

Entries for the Awards of Excellence: Construction, Maintenance and Design programs are now open until Oct. 1.

Open only to LO members, all entries are submitted online at LOawards.com.

On the website you will also find detailed information about the various categories, entry guidelines, eligibility requirements and submission details.

Please note, this year, no extensions will be granted past the Oct. 1 entry deadline.

To enter, you will require a username and password to login. If you do not have a login, or cannot remember your pass-

LOOKING TO HONOUR A LEADER?

Peter Guinane, Mark Cullen and Scott Wentworth have all received special awards from LO in recent years. The awards recognize service and leadership; they are presented at the glittering Awards of Excellence ceremony, held each January during Congress.

word, the system will prompt you to either create a new account, or reset your password. From there, you will find a stepby-step guide for submissions. You can always save-as-you-go throughout the entry process so you can go back in anytime to complete your entry.

Before you login, have the following information ready to complete your entry: • Contact information of person entering on behalf of the company.

• Images of the project in hi-res .jpg format; minimum of six and maximum of 15.

• A point form project summary describing what you were trying to achieve with your project, including any quirks or conditions imposed by the property owner.

• You will be prompted to print an Authorization Signatures form during your submission. The client/property owner needs to sign this form.

• Credit card information for payment.

Please note your entry will not be officially submitted until payment is received.

Peter Guinane received the LO Past President’s award at the 2018 Awards of Excellence ceremony.

All entries are judged by a panel of experienced industry experts, with winners announced at the Awards of Excellence ceremony on Jan. 8, 2019.

If you have any questions about the awards program or the entry process, or if you need help navigating the online system, contact Myscha Stafford at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2333 or e-mail awards@LandscapeOntario.com.

Award categories include Community Leadership, Honourary Life Membership, Legacy, Education and Environment, to name a few. The Frank Ewald Jr. Award recognizes young leadership talent.

Now is the time to nominate someone you respect for a special distinction.

Please send your suggestion to LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni, tony@landscapeontario.com.

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PAY YOUR LO MEMBER DUES ONLINE

Dues invoices for Landscape Ontario members will be mailed out in midAugust. Members should pay their dues upon receipt or risk losing access to the many financial and networking benefits available to them as a current member.

Landscape Ontario’s fiscal year runs Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 the following year.

Dues can be easily paid online by credit card using LO’s secure payment portal located at HortTrades.com/dues.

Credit card information or payment by cheque can also be indicated on the bottom portion of your dues invoice and be returned by mail to the LO home office.

Please do not plan to drop off the form or make a payment in person at the LO office as it is temporarily closed for building renovation.

Payment can also be made by calling the LO office at 1-800-265-5656 or 905875-1805 with your credit card in-hand.

If you have any questions about membership benefits, or to update your contact information, please contact the LO Membership Services Department at the numbers above.

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Pottersroadnursery.com WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 15

ASSOCIATION NEWS LO WELCOMES LISSA SCHOOT UITERKAMP

Landscape Ontario and Come Alive Outside are pleased to announce the addition of Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp as Education and Youth Engagement Coordinator.

Lissa’s main focus is to promote the landscape and horticulture profession to youth through hands-on experiences, while also engaging and informing the education community on the many career paths available in the profession.

Lissa helps to run the Come Alive Outside Green Street Challenge, hosted by several communities across the province, and the Come Alive Outside Design Challenge — an event that sees students and teachers from various levels team up with landscape professionals to design and build engaging outdoor learning classrooms at schools or child care facilities.

While a student at Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, Schoot Uiterkamp and her classmates actually participated

winning design at P.L. Roberin the CAO Design Challenge. Their design for ston this summer.

P.L. Robertson Public “I’ve always gardened,” School in Milton, Ont., Schoot Uiterkamp explains. was chosen by the judg“My mom and dad are both in ing panel as the winning the horticulture industry. My submission. dad grew up in Holland as a A few months after bulb inspector and my mom the competition, Lissa grew up in Canada, working received an email with the for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.” Her parents met job posting for the position in a famous town in Holland with LO and CAO. called Lisse, which is where “I looked at it, and Schoot Uiterkamp gets her it was exactly what I Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp first name from. wanted,” Schoot Uiterkamp explains. “I got the In her spare time, Schoot job and I was thrilled. Now now I’m workUiterkamp enjoys camping, kayaking and ing with kids and amazing industry profesespecially hiking the Bruce Trail with her sionals.” parents.

Part of that work for Schoot Uiterkamp “They are definitely the ones who means continuing the work on that winning inspired me,” Schoot Uiterkamp says, and design, as she works closely with teachers now she hopes to spread that enthusiasm at P.L. Robertson and Chris Mace of Geland love of plants and nature to a new genderman Landscape Services to install the eration of landscape professionals.

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BeneďŹ ts

FIND YOUR FUTURE THROUGH YOUR CHAPTER, YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR CAREER. LO membership benefits you, your company and your employees.

Keep this section, and take advantage of what LO membership does for you throughout the year.

landscapeontario.com/JOIN

Spend less on insurance, trucks, equipment, fuel and other expenses through LO’s exclusive member savings programs.

Landscape Ontario’s

HortProtect program will cut your insurance costs Save over

$10,000 on the purchase of a new truck Savings up to

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— Nathan Helder Gelderman Landscape Services member for over 20 years

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DISCOUNTS

DISCOUNTS FOR LO MEMBERS

PRINT AND DIGITAL MEDIA: CREATING CONNECTIONS LO’s print and electronic media connect you with the community that matters. Members are promoted through over two million media impressions each year.

Subscriptions to these valuable outlets are included with membership.

Landscape Ontario magazine

Association and industry news that is brief, targeted and relevant.

LO Enews

Weekly broadcasts provide quick info on events, chapter activities and opportunities.

The key to getting value from LO is to participate.

I volunteer on committees and in leadership roles; the resulting connections have made a huge difference in my career. LO brings us together.

— Michael Van Dongen Van Dongen’s Landscaping & Nurseries Ltd member for over 20 years

horttrades.com

LO’s content-rich website for your best answers to industry-specific questions and member benefits.

Landscape Trades magazine

The business magazine serving landscape sectors across Canada.

landscapeontario.com

Our inspiring, high-traffic website connects prospects with LO members. With over 200,000 unique visitors a year, your online company profile gets noticed.

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Members are entitled to discounted rates on magazine advertising.

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EVENTS

EVENTS and EDUCATION: ENERGY, EXPERTISE AND FUN Congress LO hosts Canada’s top landscape event — homecoming for your profession.

LOcongress.com Besides the trade show, Congress features: • IPM Symposium • Congress Conference • Awards of Excellence, prime promo opportunity, member exclusive LOawards.com • Landscape Designer Conference • Garden Centre Symposium • Tailgate Party, FREE to delegates!

Professional Development Seminars LO leads the way in training for both managers and front-line workers. horttrades.com/seminars

Landscape Industry Certification Prove your commitment to excellence.

• Certified Landscape Technician landscapeindustrycertifiedtechnician.ca • Certified Landscape Manager landscapeindustrycertifiedmanager.ca • Fusion Landscape Professional horttrades.com/fusion • Water Smart Irrigation Professional horttrades.com/fusion

Canada Blooms

Showcasing horticulture’s elegance to 200,000 visitors canadablooms.com

GreenTrade Expo

Eastern Ontario’s green industry event greentrade.ca

Family is one of the greatest benefits of being a part of Landscape Ontario. The community of LO is so strong and the ability to share with other garden centres, contractors and growers is fantastic!

— Etti Mountain Barrie’s Garden Centre member for over 10 years

Industry Auction

Ontario’s finest nursery stock auctioned for research and scholarships industryauction.ca

Peer to Peer Network Online and live events promote members’ prosperity horttrades.com/P2P

Lighting Conference

Specialized sessions for the lighting sector lightingconference.ca

Landscape Lecture Series

Lectures and dinner for construction and maintenance contractors industryauction.ca

Snowposium

Programs and a trade show for snow and ice fighters horttrades.com/snowposium

Growers Short Course

Annual conference for nursery growers features top level speakers horttrades.com/growers-group

EDUCATION

CHAPTERS

CHAPTERS: GRASSROOTS SUCCESS Participate in chapter activities — to your benefit!

Chapter meetings

feature great speakers on relevant topics.

Plus, meet members in your area; business contacts and friendships result.

The networking before and after are great.

Running a business, you can feel very alone. LO is a community — people to talk to, give you answers, cheer you on, get you through the season.

Social events

connect you and your family with the landscape community. Enjoy the Golden Horseshoe Chicken Roast, Waterloo Fall Freeze-up, Georgian Lakelands Ski and Spa Day and more.

Community

improvement projects prove to your customers that your company cares.

Awards programs elevate your profile where it matters — in your community.

Trade shows

staged by the Ottawa and Golden Horseshoe chapters promote business opportunities.

Golf tournaments are fun chapter events that support great causes.

Georgian Lakelands Ottawa

Durham

Waterloo

London

Windsor

Toronto

Golden Horseshoe

Upper Canada

— Laurie-Ann Stuart LA Gardens member since 2013

9

LOCAL CHAPTERS

Contact your chapter representative to get involved Windsor Jay Terryberry, jterryberry@stclaircollege.ca London Matt Hart, matt@mphhardscapes.com Wendy Harry, Chapter Coordinator, Wharry@LandscapeOntario.com Waterloo Rob Tester, rob@tntpropertymaintenance.com Golden Horseshoe Fran MacKenzie, fmackenzie@southoakvillechrysler.com Mary Thompson, Chapter Coordinator, mthompson@landscapeontario.com Toronto Jonas Spring, jonas@ecoman.ca Georgian Lakelands Michael De Nunzio, mdinunzio@vandenbussche.com Durham Jon Agg, jon@pristineproperty.ca Upper Canada Paul Doornbos, paul@thornbuschlandscaping.com Ottawa Steve Neumann, neumans@algonquincollege.com Martha Walsh, Chapter Coordinator, mwalsh@landscapeontario.com

SECTOR GROUPS: SPECIALIZED SUPPORT Every sector in the green profession has unique challenges, and LO’s sector groups are there to help. Membership is open to any participant; simply contact any of the chairs below to join.

Landscape contractors Allan Kling akling@urbangarden.ca Grounds management Brad Paton, bradcpaton@yahoo.com Turfgrass management Steve Tschanz, steve@weedmancanada.com Growers John Mantel, john@avknursery.com Irrigation Steve Macartney, smacartney@raintree.on.ca Garden centre Michael Van Dongen, michael@vandongens.com Landscape design Jen Cuddie, jen@cuddie.ca Snow and ice management Jamie Perras, jamie.perras@bplandscaping.ca Lighting Carl Hastings, carl@moonstrucklighting.ca Interior plantscapes Stephen Schell, sschell@plantlady.com Hardscape Committee Shawn Giovanetti, shawn.giovanetti@techo-bloc.com

Are you a professional?

If you are, then you should join. If you're not a member, then you should join and strive to become a professional.

— Mark Cullen Mark’s Choice Order of Canada Highway of Heroes founder member for over 20 years

SECTORS

THE FUTURE

THE FUTURE: NURTURING OUR PROFESSION Landscape Ontario is working hard on many fronts to attract new talent to our profession, and ease the labour shortage.

Apprenticeship

Combines on-the-job and classroom training, a win-win for all. horticulturetechnician.ca

Outreach

through events and media tells our great career story. greencareerscanada.ca landscape.jobs Is a free national resource for employers and job seekers.

Foundation

I joined LO for networking, got involved with my chapter and later teaching. I was just at a landscape yard and saw four of my students; one is now a business owner.

— Matt Hart MPH Hardscapes member since 2013

Scholarship recipients

The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation manages a $1.8 million fund that invests in horticulture through scholarships and research.

Horticulture professionals serve as officers and directors, and distribute the interest generated by the fund toward building the industry’s future.

• Scholarships Last year the Foundation awarded $45,600 in scholarship to students enrolled in horticulture programs.

• Research Projects studying fertilization nutrient runoff and sustainable snow and ice control received combined funding of $30,000 last year.

The Foundation was established in 1979, and is fully funded by the horticulture profession.

Many of its component scholarship funds carry the names of prominent industry members as a lasting legacy. ohtf.ca

Certificate of Membership

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PRIDE IN PROFESSIONALISM The LO Green for Life brand distinguishes your company as a leader in professionalism.

Members are exclusively entitled to use the LO logo on electronic and print materials; artwork and guidelines are available at horttrades.com/green-for-life-logo-downloads.

Your trucks are a valuable moving billboards, so be sure they are branded with free decals.

Order LO promotional items at horttrades.com/promo Just a few of the items available are shown above.

Membership is very important because people know there are pro standards members must abide by.

They know they are getting quality work without having to read reviews.

— Adriana Partridge Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery member for over 25 years

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PROUD LO MEMBER

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PROFESSIONALS

LO STAFF

STAFF WORKING FOR YOU Contact LO staff members any time with questions, ideas or suggestions.

The LO phone number is 1-800-265-5656, and the domain for all staff email is @landscapeontario.com.

Amy Buchanan Event Coordinator, Ext. 2329 abuchanan@ “I manage the Congress Conference and trade show features as well as Sector Group conferences, symposiums and special events. I love event planning and working with our dedicated members on all of these events!”

Darryl Bond Account Manager, Ext. 2366 dbond@ “My role is to help create top notch events of interest and relevance. I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing we are all working together to accomplish goals that really matter.”

Kim Burton Art Director, Ext. 2347 kburton@ “My job is to create the visual identities and style for LO’s many events and programs, including Landscape Trades and various print pieces. I love working with members who are so passionate.”

Tony DiGiovanni Executive Director, Ext. 2304 tonydigiovanni@ “As the ‘Official Observer’ I direct staff and resources to implement the stategic plan. LO is a family for mutual benefit and mutual improvement.”

Robert Ellidge Editor, Ext. 2312 rob@ “I communicate events and activities of the association to our members and partners.

I am constantly amazed by business owners who find time to volunteer.”

Denis Flanagan Manager of Membership and Public Relations, Ext. 2303 dflanagan@ “I support members and chapters and work with media to promote fantastic community projects and professional members.”

Meghan Greaves Membership Assistant, Ext. 2301 mgreaves@ “I direct calls, greet visitors, process membership applications, answer inquires and share LO events through social media.

I love getting to meet members and seeing their work.”

Sally Harvey Director of Education and Labour Development, Ext. 2315 sharvey@ “I work closely with government and educational leaders to ensure a future generation of inspired, dedicated and skilled landscape professionals.

Lee Ann Knudsen Publisher, Ext. 2314 lak@ “LO’s communications team consists of experts with unique talents who create content in both print and electronic media. I am thankful for the advice and opinions of our Publishing Committee volunteers.”

Angela Lindsay Circulation Coordinator, Ext. 2305 alindsay@ “I manage LO’s extensive database including magazine advertiser and subscriber lists.”

Heather MacRae Director of Trade Shows, Ext. 2323 heather@ “I work towards evolving our events each year to ensure we remain a first class association. Our members motivate us to strive to be better at what we do.”

Kathy McLean Seminar Coordinator, Ext. 2306 kathy@ “I coordinate Professional Development Seminars that raise the education level of the profession.”

Steve Moyer Sales Manager, Publications Ext. 2316 stevemoyer@ “Print and online advertsing sales that reach a targeted market.”

Linda Nodello Trade Show Coordinator, Ext. 2353 lnodello@ “I orchestrate the booth space sales process, marketing campaigns and liaise with suppliers. The diversity of LO and the green professions is a fascinating environment to be a part of.”

Myscha Stafford Membership and Chapter Coordinator Ext. 2333 myscha@ “I assist in organizing chapter activities, plan the Awards of Excellence and execute strategies for member retention and recruitment. Our members form a very strong community.

Greg Sumsion Account Manager, Ext. 2377 gsumsion@ “I find the best fit for your advertising, promotional and sponsorship dollars, connecting you with the right buyers.”

Kathleen Pugliese Executive Administrative Assistant, Ext. 2309 kathleenp@ “I coordinate sector group and board meetings and assist the Executive Director and Controller.”

Mike Wasilewski Multimedia Designer, IT Coordinator, Ext. 2343 mwasilewski@ “I design and produce LO magazine, collect and create ads for publications and manufacture web content.”

John Russell Senior Developer, Ext. 2396 jrussell@ “My role is to enhance the digital tools and online software for LO and its members.”

Cassandra Wiesner Environmental Coordinator, Ext. 2397 cassandraw@ “I support environmental programs that provide solutions to climate change. I believe our members are the leaders in providing solutions that will make our communities more resilient.”

Joe Sabatino Controller, Ext. 2310 jsabatino@ “I ensure LO has accurate and consistent financial records. Member buy-in and volunteerism keep the profession strong.”

Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp Education and Youth Engagement Coordinator Ext. 2348 lissa@ “I promote the landscape profession to youth through hands-on experiences and engaging the education community. I also work with Come Alive Outside, striving to get youth passionate about natural and built landscapes.”

Ian Service IT Manager Ext. 2325 iservice@ “I keep information flowing using the most efficient technology available.

LO members are a source of inspiration.”

Regional staff

Martha Walsh Ottawa Chapter Coordinator, Ext. 2386 mwalsh@ “I coordinate chapter activities and assist membership by providing communications, event planning and admin services, in addition to managing GreenTrade Expo trade show.”

Alex Gibson Eastern Ontario Apprenticeship Program Development Coordinator, 613-809-5093 jagibson@ “My role is to promote and support employers and employees in regards to the Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship Training Program.”

Wendy Harry London Chapter Coordinator wharry@ Mary Thompson Golden Horseshoe Chapter Coordinator mthompson@ Violet Harris Windsor Chapter Coordinator violetharris@hotmail.com

LEADERSHIP

Your LO Board of Directors (back row, left to right): Jason Dietrich, Lexi Dearborn, Chris Clayton, Michael Pascoe, Tim Cruickshanks, Tony DiGiovanni, Peter Guinane, John Mantel, Jon Durzi, Lindsey Ross, Margot Byers.

Front row (left to right): Alan White, Kelly Keates, Chris Muller, Blake Tubby, Warren Patterson, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Dave Wright, Paul Brydges, Terry Childs.

LEADERSHIP: GROWING LO

A group of respected volunteers is working hard to promote your business success: the Landscape Ontario Provincial Board of Directors, pictured above. The officers, chapter representatives, sector representatives and members at large are diligent about setting their own agendas aside, and directing LO’s resources toward the best advantage of all members.

LO FACTS Founded in

Membership total

Sector groups

Chapters

Staff members

1973 3,000 10 9 27 Inspired?

Then your fellow LO members need you.

Contact one of LO’s many volunteer leaders, perhaps starting with your chapter board, to volunteer your talents.

The experience will be rewarding, guaranteed.

NEW TOOL TO HELP CHAPTERS PROMOTE MEMBER BENEFITS

A special 12-page, pull-out section included with the July-August 2018 issue of Landscape Ontario magazine is designed to explain the many benefits available to companies who are members of Landscape Ontario and to use as a sales tool by chapters to recruit new members.

An extra 1,000 copies of the benefits guide were printed and will be distributed to Provincial Board Reps of each chapter at the September Board of Directors meeting. Chapters can also request copies via the LO Membership Services Department.

MILTON GROUPS JOIN CANADA’S BIGGEST GARDEN PARTY CELEBRATION

Residents from Milton, Ont., gathered on the grounds of Milton Public Library (MPL) on June 16 to celebrate their love of gardening, plants and nature.

Organized by the Milton and District

Milton Mayor Gord Krantz (centre with shovel) is surrounded by gardening enthusiasts during a Garden Days tree planting celebration at Milton Public Library.

Horticultural Society (MDHS), with support from Landscape Ontario, Milton Public Library and Milton Quarry for the ceremonial planting of a 10-feet tall Paper Bark Maple.

The hour-long event coincided with National Gardening Day the official kick-off to 10 days of celebrations across the coun-

try known as Garden Days.

Those in attendance included Milton Mayor, Gord Krantz, and LO member, Sean James who is also the provincial spokesperson for Garden Days for the province of Ontario.

Garden Days will be celebrated next year from June 15-23, 2019.

SCOTIABANK CONVENTION CENTRE

NIAGARA FALLS OCT 3&4 2018 @CdnGreenhseConf

www.CanadianGreenhouseConference.com

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 17

NEW MEMBERS GEORGIAN LAKELANDS Brad Sheldrake O/A Landscape Industries

Brad Sheldrake 105 Knox Rd Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2A8 Tel: 289-338-2958 Membership Type: Active

Done Right Property Services Greg Millar 110 Progress Rd Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1X4 Tel: 705-687-3532 Membership Type: Active

Franciscus J Degroot

Franciscus Degroot 98 Lift Lock Rd W Kirkfield, ON K0M 2B0 Tel: 705-307-3580 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Keogh Construction

Paul Keogh PO Box 534 Alliston, ON L9R 1V7 Tel: 519-942-4573 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

ML Mini Excavation Service

Michel Lamothe 376 Mead Blvd Espanola, ON P5E 1C4 Tel: 705-862-2981 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Moore Outdoor Design & Landscape Consulting Fran Moore 276 Sunnidale St Stayner, ON L0M 1S0 Tel: 705-443-1637 Membership Type: Active

Parks Tree Farm & Lawn Maintenance Norah Parks 2145 Creemore Ave New Lowell, ON L0M 1N0 Tel: 705-790-6001 Membership Type: Active

R Legacy Landscapes Raymond Elkins 75 Marshall St Barrie, ON L4N 3S9 Tel: 705-305-9456 Membership Type: Active

S&K Interiors Ltd

Steve Bovair 5 Frances Dr Collingwood, ON L9Y 0A8 Tel: 705-441-1815 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Season 2 Season

Rodger Zylstra 1010 Mary Roberts Rd Baysville, ON P0B 1A0 Tel: 705-767-1037 Membership Type: Active

Sheppard Custom Building Rob Sheppard 93 Albert St Mindemoya, ON P0P 1S0 Tel: 705-968-0217 Membership Type: Active

W.N. Bird Financial Group (Bird Fuels) Mike Bird 387 Raglan St PO Box 218 Collingwood, ON L9Y 3Z5 Tel: 705-445-4501 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

GOLDEN HORSESHOE Jeff MacAulay J. Rock Ltd

Jeff MacAulay 1117 Old Governors Rd Dundas, ON L9H 5E3 Tel: 905-520-6290 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Kreekside Construction Group Inc Kris Riley 1417 Brant County Hwy 54 Caledonia, ON N3W 2G9 Tel: 289-659-9224 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Millstone Design

Darryl Hummel 4801 Sixteen Rd St Anns, ON L0R 1Y0 Tel: 905-981-3343 Membership Type: Interim

Walker Landscaping & Property Maintenance Brandon Walker 7334 Haldibrook Rd Caledonia, ON N3W 2G8 Tel: 905-308-5222 Membership Type: Active

LONDON OTS Contracting Inc

Justin Oliveira 706407 Township Rd 2 Woodstock, ON N4S 7V9 Tel: 519-535-0447 Membership Type: Associate

Silver Creek Landscaping Ryan Wilson 42909 Huron Rd Seaforth, ON N0R 1W0 Tel: 519-525-3373 Membership Type: Active

OTTAWA Trans Provincial Contracting Corporation Sam Hargadon 130 Borden Rd Carleton Place, ON K7C 3P1 Tel: 613-809-9002 Membership Type: Active

TORONTO Artech Landscaping & Construction Ltd Oleg Doubrovine 2 Elihof Dr Maple, ON L6A 4N4 Tel: 416-995-6632 Membership Type: Active

Canada Bolt Inc

Blake Taylor 2-27 Robb Blvd Orangeville, ON L9W 3L1 Tel: 519-217-0512 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Design Images Home & Garden Ltd Mike Havenaar 6650 Tomken Rd Mississauga, ON L9T 1N1 Tel: 905-405-8228 Membership Type: Associate

Fabricated Container Systems Rachel Brutto 3-3045 Southcreek Rd Mississauga, ON L4X 2X6 Tel: 289-270-2952 Membership Type: Associate

Fines Carpentry & Contracting Jeffrey Fines 183 Colborne St Bradford, ON L3Z 2R6 Tel: 905-967-4490 Membership Type: Associate

Green Grass Landscaping

FREE member promo items Promote your company as a professional LO member with decals, window clings and more.

www.horttrades.com/promo 18 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

Ben Scetto 1199 Meadowgrove Crt Mississauga, ON L5W 1J1 Tel: 416-891-8686 Membership Type: Active

Greensmith Landscaping Inc Dan (Robert) Smith 728 Middleton Cres Milton, ON L9T 4C3 Tel: 289-878-6133 Membership Type: Interim

Ibrahim Nassri Trading Inc. O/A Snow Wrangler Amjad Nassri 65 Maniza Rd Toronto, ON M3K 1R8 Tel: 647-360-0712 Membership Type: Active

Lawn Boyz Property Services Inc Jason Forsyth 2617 Mount Albert Rd Queensville, ON L0G 1R0 Tel: 905-716-0650 Membership Type: Active

Municipal Maintenance Inc Stephen McCasey 52 Proctor Rd Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0 Tel: 905-939-9393 Membership Type: Active

See ‘Em Roofing & Renovations and/or Jon Victor Jon Victor 977 Lake Dr N Keswick, ON L4P 3E9 Tel: 905-868-5486 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

WATERLOO Sun Construction

Don Hergott 1004 Sunset Dr St.Clements, ON N0B 2M0 Tel: 519-584-4480 Membership Type: Associate

WINDSOR Landscape Construction Solutions Jeff Peddle 2327 Louis Ave Windsor, ON N8X 4C5 Tel: 226-246-5423 Membership Type: Active

Plantscape Windsor Inc Liana Desmarais-Peters 1100 Highway 3 Oldcastle, ON N0R 1L0 Tel: 519-972-5440 Membership Type: Active

CANADA’S PREMIER GREEN INDUSTRY TRADE SHOW AND CONFERENCE

JANUARY 8,9 & 10, 2019 TORONTO CONGRESS CENTRE, TORONTO, ONTARIO

FEATURING GARDEN EXPO AND FENCECRAFT

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EVENTS

Full details and registration information for all events can be found online at HortTrades.com/events or at specific chapter or sector pages.

July 24-26

Aug. 17

Aug. 24

Lake County, Ohio Tour nursery growers in Lake County while networking with other green professionals. Includes engaging educational program and social events.

Willow Valley Golf Course, Hamilton Sign up your foursome for the chapter’s annual fundraising event in support of the MS Society of Canada.

Glen Lawrence Golf Club, Kingston Register your foursome by July 24 and receive a 10 per cent discount on golf fees. Proceeds will support the chapter’s scholarship program.

IPPS Eastern Region area meeting and tour

July 26

Ottawa Chapter Golf Tournament

The Meadows Golf and Country Club, Ottawa Proceeds from this year’s tournament will support the Do It for Daryn Foundation (DIFD), an organization committed to youth mental health.

Sponsorship and golfer registration online.

July 29

Waterloo Chapter’s Family Day

Bingeman Park, Kitchener A limited number of tickets are available online for this fun day that includes park admission, face painting, bouncy castle, prizes, water park and more.

Golden Horseshoe Chapter Golf Tournament

Upper Canada Chapter Golf Tournament

Aug. 19

Aug. 25

Richmond Green, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd., Richmond Hill Gather your staff, family and friends and enter your team for this full day of fun on the ball diamond. Sponsorship opportunities also available.

Ferris Provincial Park, Campbellford Join certified instructor, John Scott for this two-day, hands-on, dry stone wall workshop.

The weekend event includes many other activities for participants and spectators alike.

Visit drystonecanada.com.

Toronto Chapter Baseball Tournament

Aug. 23

Summerfest BBQ

Sheridan Nurseries, 1266 10th Line, Georgetown After a day touring the trial gardens in Guelph and Milton, head to Georgetown for an evening of food, drinks and merriment, hosted by LO’s Georgian Lakelands Chapter. Register online.

www.GoGPS.com 1.866.964.6477

INDUSTRY PROVEN Construction, Landscape & Site Maintenance Fleet Management Solutions • Complete visibility of workforce, assets and costs • Track fuel usage & idling trends • Monitor engine hours & PTO usage • High-performance GPS technology • Advanced dashboard reports • Open platform for easy data integration • Marketplace apps & add-ons

20 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

Friends of Ferris Dry Stone Wall Workshop

Sept. 13

Industry Auction

NVK Holdings, 1155 Hwy. 5, Dundas Landscape Ontario’s Growers Group invites you to its annual fundraising auction. Bid on the best nursery stock in Ontario and tour the production farm while helping raise funds for industry

research, scholarships, sector development and promotion.

Sept. 14

London Chapter Golf Tournament

Echo Valley Golf Course, London Treat yourself to a great day on the links! Register your foursome by July 31 and get $50 off the price of $500. Includes golf, cart, dinner and prizes.

Sept. 15

Waterloo Chapter Baseball Tournament

South End Community Park, Guelph Register your team of staff, family and friends for a full day of fun on the ball diamond. Sponsorships also available.

Sept. 19

Nursery Growers Summer Tour

Waterdown to Niagara Landscape Ontario’s Growers Group is organizing a tour of nurseries, botanical gardens and greenhouses in southern Ontario.

Sept. 20-21

Peer to Peer Summit, Muskoka

Quality Inn Bracebridge LO business owners members who belong to the Peer to Peer Network will learn ways to improve leadership skills, motivate team members and increase profit — and have fun along the way!

Sept. 22

Waterloo Chapter Golf Tournament Conestoga Golf and Conference Centre, Conestoga Enjoy golf, dinner and fabulous prizes at this event in support of KidsAbility, chapter scholarships and school greening project. Register online.

Sept. 22

Windsor Chapter Golf Tournament

Sutton Creek Golf Club, Essex Register a foursome by Aug.22 and save $60 off the regular price of $500. Dinner only tickets also available.

Keep in touch with

LANDSCAPE

ONTARIO Join our discussion forum

http://linked.in/LOLinkedIn

Sept. 25

Snowposium 2018

Lionhead Golf and Conference Centre, Brampton Register online at Snowposium.ca for this full day conference featuring the latest equipment and technologies for the snow and ice management professionals.

@LOassocMag @LOMembership @TonyDiGiovanni1 @denisflanagan @green_for_life @LOevents

Sept. 28

Hardscape Committee Golf Tournament

Granite Ridge Golf Club, Milton Save the date for the wildest golf tournament this summer.

Join us at Snowposium 2018!

A conference focused on relevant business issues and suppliers with the latest equipment and technology makes this the snow event you don’t want to miss.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

The policy defines what WSIB would and wouldn’t consider chronic mental stress. Examples of situations that could lead to chronic mental stress: • A crew member who is regularly subjected to inappropriate and harassing comments from several coworkers. Despite confronting them, the harassment increases and the worker develops a depression disorder.

• A supervisor who is subjected to demeaning comments from his or her manager on a regular basis, often in front of other workers and develops an anxiety disorder.

Whether it’s a crew member, office staff or experienced manager, excessive stress can result in anxiety, distraction and depression, and be just as harmful as a physical injury.

Stay on top of new chronic stress legislation A new Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) policy compensating employees for work-related chronic mental stress sends a clear signal that mental injuries are just as real, and compensable, as physical injuries. Chronic mental stress is defined as a diagnosed mental disorder predominantly caused by a substantial work-related stressor or series of stressors. Excluded from the definition is chronic mental stress caused by employer decisions related to the worker’s employ-

ment, such as changing the work to be performed, disciplining the worker, or terminating employment.

“Health and safety advocates have long held that employers have a responsibility to prevent mental harm,” says Andrew Harkness, Strategy Advisor, Organizational Health Initiatives and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS).

“The WSIB’s new policy is just one more in a series of legislative measures across Canada confirming this position.”

Compensable injuries of any kind impose direct and indirect costs on injured workers and their employers.

For workers, these costs may include reduced income and quality of life, temporarily or permanently. Employers may face medical costs, hiring or retraining costs, and legal fees.

Some best practices for creating a mentally healthy workplace: Inform yourself. Read the WSIB policy and learn about the workplace factors that affect mental health. Check out online tools and resources, such as ThinkMentalHealth.ca.

Assemble a business case that positions employee physical and mental well-being as a top priority. Management support of a strategic, proactive approach is the first step in making changes.

Create a physically safe environment. An unsafe workplace can cause stress and anxiety. It can also distract workers, increasing the risk of physical injury and reducing productivity.

Create a psychologically safe environment. Build trust, honesty and fairness into everyday operations and provide opportunities for employees to grow. People who feel safe are more loyal, more

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effective, and happier to work.

Promote civility and respect. Clearly defining goals, roles and responsibilities, establishing a code of behaviour, setting reasonable hours and deadlines, offering flexible working conditions, and encouraging open communications can reduce stress, boost well-being, and improve innovation.

Provide psychological and social support. Equip managers, supervisors and employees with the information and skills to maintain their own health and support others.

For more information, resources and tips visit WSPS.ca.

hundreds of plants, each with its own OPALS ranking.

Born and educated in Holland, Prakke has worked in agriculture, husbandry and horticulture in the Netherlands, England, Kuwait, and Canada. He created the Plant a Tree – Create a Park program in Smiths Falls, Ont., and most recently started the Bravery Park initiative to honour veterans in allergy-friendly park settings. The first two bravery parks are located in Orangeville, Ont., and Prince George, B.C. Peter works tirelessly to promote allergyfriendly landscapes in school yards and in both private- and government-owned properties.

For more information, visit VeteransGardeningGuide.com.

NEW BOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON ALLERGY POTENTIAL IN GARDENS

Horticulturist Peter Prakke has a new book titled, Veterans Gardening Guide.

Both experienced gardeners and budding gardeners alike will discover a new world in the Veterans Gardening Guide for those suffering from allergies, asthma and COPD. “A runny or stuffy nose, red eyes, sneezing or wheezing caused by allergies are a fact of life for millions of allergy sufferers,” writes Peter in his new book. What we plant in the garden has a direct effect on our health and the health of those near us,” said Prakke.

In the book, readers will learn how some male and female plants behave differently.

Female plants produce fruit and seeds, and male plants produce pollen. Male plants don’t produce pollen year-round.

“A pollen-producing male tree will easily expose you to ten times more pollen than a similar tree growing down the neighbourhood block,” Prakke says.

“Pollen levels in the city and urban areas are high and increasing due to global warming and the interaction with air pollution. The perfect solution is to limit the number of male plantings and focus our attention on female plants that trap pollen and clean the air of particles and shed no pollen,” continues Prakke.

The author made it his mission to promote landscapes of allergy-friendly plantings to ease the discomfort of individuals with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory challenges.

The United States Department of Agriculture and the American Lung Association use the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS) to measures the allergy potential of all garden and landscape plants. According to OPALS creator, Thomas Ogren, pollen isn’t always that easy to see, nor is it bright yellow. It can be white, grey, green, brown,

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT REVERTS TO PREVIOUS PUBLIC HOLIDAY PAY CALCULATION METHOD Author Peter Prakke.

red, and even purple.

According to Ogren, a plant need not necessarily be female to be allergy-free, and a good OPALS ranking is always an indication of low potential to cause allergy or asthma. “If you are able to purchase a plant that has an actual OPALS ranking (1 to 10) tag on it, then that is something you can trust.”

The Veterans Gardening Guide lists

As of July 1, 2018, a new regulation recently introduced by the Ontario government comes into effect that reinstates the previous formula for calculating public holiday pay prior to more recent changes under Bill 148.

For public holidays that occur after July 1, 2018, the amount of public holiday pay to which an employee is entitled is all of the regular wages earned by the employee in the four work weeks before the work week with the public holiday plus all of the vacation pay payable to the employee with respect to the four work

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INDUSTRY NEWS weeks before the work week with the public holiday, divided by 20. The Ministry of Labour offers a Public Holiday Pay Calculator online at Ontario.ca/ESAtools or find more information at Ontario.ca/ publicholidays.

The change generally applies to all employees covered by the Employment Standards Act.

ONTARIO STUDENTS WIN SILVER AT SKILLS CANADA

Congratulations to Algonquin College’s Thomas Hawley and Blaise Mombourquett, silver medal winners at the Skills Canada Competition held in Edmonton, June 4-16, 2018.

The duo represented both their school and the province of Ontario in the Landscape Gardening category after taking home gold at the Skills Ontario competition held in earlier this year in May. A total of seven teams competed for the chance to win medals, and Haw-

Algonquin College’s Blaise Mombourquett (far left) and Thomas Hawley hold the Ontario flag atop the silver podium at Skills Canada 2018 in Edmonton, Alta.

ley and Mombourquett each received $250 for their second place finish at the national level.

Nova Scotia’s Diana Davidson and Chad Merrett won gold, and $500 each; Quebec’s Sebastien Brissette and Alexandra Boivin earned bronze medals,

and $100 each.

For reaching the podium at the 2018 Skills Ontario competition held May 7-8 in Toronto, Mombourquett and Hawley as well as the other winning teams, were awarded financial prizes from the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO’S AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM 2019 SUBMIT YOUR ENTRIES JULY 1ST TO OCTOBER 1ST AT LOAWARDS.COM

DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN YOUR

Legacy 24 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

EXECUTIVE DESK Look in the mirror Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO Executive Director

E

ver since I can remember the number one issue facing our profession is workforce development. Last month’s column looked at the root causes and outlined some strategies. However, I have always believed that individually as business leaders we have the most power and influence to improve our own situation. It is easy to blame external circumstances. It is much harder to look in the mirror and ask some hard questions.

Recently, Lindsey Ross of Living Green Landscaping (also one LO’s Provincial Board members), recommended a book by Bob Chapman titled, “Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family.” The title of Chapman’s book says it all.

What would happen if we cared for each one of our employees like family? How can we make working fun? How can we create the conditions in our business where it is understood that everyone has different gifts? How can we nurture our employees’ development? How can we better express appreciation for their contributions? How can we celebrate their achievements? How can we create a safe work atmosphere where employees are trusted? How do we make sure everyone has a chance to grow in competency, responsibility and contribu! tion? are all challenging questions VE These TE SA DA toEexplore. What if we explored them all H Ttogether with our staff?

Let’s examine some of these questions: How can we make working fun? We are fortunate the work we do is inherently rewarding. We create and maintain spaces that people enjoy. We are stewards of nature. We improve the landscape and leave a legacy of benefit. However, it is also normal to work long, hard hours in all kinds of weather. How about creating friendly competitions amongst staff teams with fun rewards? How about hosting weekly staff barbecues? How about taking some time to contribute to a community

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of LO members. I am always amazed and inspired by their generosity and contribution to family, church, association and community. However, there is a tendency in most of us to separate personal, professional and business lives. We sometimes think of employees as productivity tools. It is far more enriching to think of the entire business (including all employees) as a conduit to enhancing lives.

One of the most defining memories of my career came when I heard the late Perry Molema say, “We are in the business of enhancing lives.” What a great way to look at our own businesses. However we need to make sure the lives we are enhancing include those of our family, suppliers, customers, community, employees and their families as well. A business culture focused on caring for everyone we touch will create the ideal conditions where people will want to work for us. Even though it sounds counter intuitive, if we truly care about our employees, we can be confident and brave enough to encourage them to leave if that is what’s best for them.

Hopefully, they are inspired enough to create the same conditions of care in their next job.

When Bob Tubby served as LO president, he coined the phrase “Prosperity Partner.” This concept is another way to communicate the same point. If we think of our work as being a prosperity partner to everyone we touch, we will create a culture where people will want to work for us.

A business where the focus is on enhancing the lives of others in meaningful ways cannot help but remain relevant and prosperous. It’s a business I want to work for.

project? How about being more liberal with praise and appreciation?

How can we create an atmosphere of trust and safety? Many businesses are full of rules and policies. These rules exist to ensure compliance and manage risk. However, they also come from a paradigm of control and command as well as non-trust.

Is there a way to change this? What if we asked our staff family to develop their own policies? Lindsey showed me a company policy on mobile phone use. When I asked him where the policy came from, he told me it was developed by staff. The policy was very detailed and surprisingly restrictive. However, his staff was willing to live within the policy because it was theirs.

Being in control of your own job is a huge motivator. This is what drives most of us as entrepreneurs. How can we set up conditions in our businesses where the staff are in more control of their own jobs and contribution? Last year, LO Show Manager, Heather MacRae and I asked four groups of students from Laurier University how we could make the landscape profession more attractive and appealing to young people. All four groups came up with similar answers. They felt we should focus on the entrepreneurial benefits.

How can we set up the conditions for every staff member to be an entrepreneur?

Years ago, long-time LO member, Parklane Nurseries pioneered this concept. They set up a number of crews to run independently Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at using the same Parklane brand. In a way, tony@landscapeontario.com. it mirrored a successful franchise model.

Perhaps Parklane was way ahead of their time. Perhaps it is time to experiment with this idea once again.

There are thousands of ways to improve the culture WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 and conditions within your business, but The tour will include nurseries, greenhouses, and there are only a few botanical gardens in the Hamilton-Niagara Region. values and principles that form the foundaEnjoy lunch at the Niagara College Culinary School tion of those activiRestaurant with afternoon refreshments at the ties. The perspective Royal Botanical Gardens. of family is a very Visit horttrades.com for more information. useful starting point.

Nursery Growers

Summer Tour

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 25

PUBLIC RELATIONS A window to the world

By Denis Flanagan CLD LO Manager of Membership and Public Relations

A

few years ago, I turned my front garden into a courtyard with a tri-colour beech as the focal point. Surrounded by pavers, the back of the area is planted with ninebark, flowering dogwood, Japanese maple and assorted perennials. A small bench is positioned in front of a redbud. Our home is located on a cul-de-sac, which used to have a corn field at the end.

Today, a fine crop of townhouses have grown there instead.

Early one morning, I came out my front door to find a young couple sitting on the bench. They had wandered up from the new subdivision and stopped for a rest, thinking the area was a parkette installed by the town.

We had a nice chat about gardening and the neighbourhood. Since then, I have met many people when I have been tending to my garden. Recently, I have spent more time than usual in my garden — monitoring and pruning my latest botanical experiment: the combination of ground cover

Enter at:

LOawards.com DEADLINE:

July 1 to Sept. 1, 2018

A unique plant or appealing front yard garden can be a great place for total strangers to strike up a friendly chat.

roses with Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ plants. This has proven to be as unique as the comments from people passing by.

An elderly mother and her daughter saunter by every evening and discuss which shade of rose they prefer. And a chatty, eight year-old named Susan stops by once a week with her dad who is an artist, and is keen to learn the English names of many of the plants in my garden. Some of the attempts at translation from my English to Chinese (via Susan to her dad) have resulted in lots of laughter.

Then there is Chantal: a grade eight student who checks in to see how the plants are doing on her way to her tutorial. Chantal has shared with me that her grandmother is a keen gardener in British Columbia and that perhaps she might consider horticulture as a possible career in the future.

I am thoroughly enjoying the interactions that come about as I tend to my garden and it occurred to me that over the last 50 years, Landscape Ontario members have probably created hundreds of thousands of similar front gardens across the province. These gardens not only play the typical role of beautifying neighbourhoods, but just as importantly, they also contribute to the vital role of becoming hubs in every community where people of all ages and backgrounds can have a friendly chat and share stories and dreams.

These days, headlines are often dominated with tension and violence. Perhaps the collective actions of our members should be nominated for the Nobel peace prize.

Speaking of prizes and awards, LO’s Kristen McIntyre, who has administered and produced LO annual Awards of Excellence program, has moved on from LO. Thank you Kristen, for your many years of creativity. With this change, we are taking a team approach to towards the Awards of Excellence this year. Amy Buchanan, Myscha Stafford and Meghan Greaves will all be working hard to produce the awards this year and will also have some new ideas for both the program and the ceremony. Each year, the awards ceremony really does showcase the very best projects from LO members, so this is the ideal time for you to start taking photos of projects you want to enter. We hope you will join us to celebrate the best LO members have to offer at the ceremony on Jan. 9, 2019.

Online entry for this year’s Awards of Excellence is open. For full details and to enter, visit LOawards.com.

Denis Flanagan can be reached at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com or at 905-875-1805, ext. 2303.

26 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

MEMBERSHIP The self-inflicted labour shortage ing five- and six-day work weeks, pulling 10-12 hour days. Weather has gone from cold, to pouring rain, to sweltering heat and humidity. Combine this with the physical challenges of landscaping and this makes for a very long 100 days. Your team members have made a tremendous sacrifice and it’s not even halfway through the season yet.

On the plus side, people in the landscape profession enjoy working outside and get a great amount of satisfaction producing stunning landscapes that can then be enjoyed by happy clients and their family. But when we think about the hot button topic of staffing and labour shortages, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that choosing a career in this profession is not for the faint of heart. Employees are looking for more than just the most competitive hourly wage. At the risk of sounding too much like a Millennial, employees are looking for jobs that have an appropriate work-life balance, an appropriate wage based on the nature of the work, and some additional perks that help make the “100 days of hell” seem less hellish. Companies who can offer these benefits in their company culture are the ones who are not having trouble finding and keeping talented staff.

By Myscha Stafford LO Membership and Chapter Coordinator

I

read something on Facebook from one of our long-time members claiming that “the 100 days of hell are almost over.” I would say that might be the most accurate way to describe the whirlwind of highs and lows that makes up the spring rush from April until the end of June.

Let’s be honest, the intense spring rush is a critical part of any landscaping company’s business operations. It may also be the most stressful part. In spring, new staff arrive, you have to train (or maybe re-train) employees, Mother Nature is consistently inconsistent (with an unusually bizarre sense of humour this spring), and there is a staggering amount of work to be done. All this comes in addition to the day-to-day business challenges. As you reflect on the past 100 days, it is important to pause and think for a minute on the toll this grueling time has taken on both you and your staff. Your crews have been work-

As the dust beings to settle (not really since by now it’s the ‘dry season,’ but you know what I mean), this is your chance to reflect on your employee culture and examine your role as a business owner to see what changes you can make. Are you asking your staff to work weekends?

What incentives are you providing for your staff? Are there potential year-end bonuses or profit sharing options? Are you providing your staff with education opportunities and training throughout the winter months to keep them engaged? Is there work you can provide so they don’t have to collect unemployment insurance? Has the idea of a salary wage been explored to increase job stability?

While these questions seem daunting, it is important to weigh the options of making these types of changes versus having high turnover resulting in the need for increased training of a continuous cycle of new staff.

But fear not, there are smaller scale changes you can make this season. Show your staff you appreciate their efforts and their hard work by taking them to an LO chapter golf tournament or paying for them to attend a family-friendly chapter event.

This small act will foster your team comradery, make your staff feel like a more valued member of your team, and show your employees they are more to you than simply paid labour. Full details about the many chapter summer events can be found online at HortTrades.com.

Myscha can be reached at myscha@ landscapeontario.com or 1-800-265-5656 ext. 2333.

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UNDERGROUND WORLD Utility hits going up, what’s wrong?

By Terry Murphy CLM

I

n the last column, I provided recent statistics from the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) 2017 DIRT Report. This annual publication contains all of the important statistics for the underground damage prevention industry. The more I look over the data within the report, the more questions I have about industry practices, safety training, the safety goals of individual businesses and our overall approach to reducing underground utility hits.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining, but rather, I am questioning the industry’s ability to grab hold of a serious problem and solve it. Don’t forget, a recent nationwide study across Canada, revealed the annual social-economic costs to society for underground utility hits is more than $1 billion. Every single Canadian household and business is paying the bill for excavating contractors who forge ahead and dig before getting locates – a process that simply requires a them to make a telephone call to their local One Call office. The single root cause reason for many high-cost damages is failure of the contractor to not request locates. This root cause has not changed year after year. So what’s wrong?

Below are some statistics for the Ontario damage prevention industry that appear in the 2017 DIRT Report: While the total increase in hits for the province increased about 12 per cent from 2016 to 2017, some may argue that increase doesn’t seem all that bad. But the numbers should be going down, not up. The stats also indicate the number of fencing hits had increased 18 per cent over the past two years. This sharper increase requires some immediate attention. Thankfully landscaping showed about a four per cent decrease, which is not great, but is certainly headed in the right direction. Homeowner stats also show a slight downward trend.

Where do we go from here?

We are now at the midpoint of the year and still have ample opportunity to influence the overall performance of all sectors for 2018. We need to improve our hit reduction efforts. Here are some things you may consider implementing in your own company to minimize the chances of hitting a utility this year: • Make calling ON1CALL for locates, and damage prevention, a subject for your company’s safety meetings.

• Don’t just mention damage prevention and utility hits. Spend some time discussing the subject with your staff and ask them how they can help in reducing the number of hits.

• Always call for locates, no matter what the circumstances are. It is a free service at no cost to you.

UNDERGROUND UTILITY HITS IN ONTARIO

• Post the above statistics on your company bulletin board so employees get a feel for the numbers and the magnitude of the problem.

• Make sure employees know the socialeconomic cost for all Canadians is $1 billion annually and that they are the ones paying for this on their monthly utility bills (electric, gas, telephone, sewer, water, etc.).

• If you have a utility hit in your company, discuss it with your team and see if you can learn from the experience. Ask how it could have been prevented.

• All Landscape Ontario chapters could make underground damage prevention a topic for monthly chapter meetings.

The subject needs more exposure and recognition in order to get more people on board to help with the solution.

Conclusion

Once again, I really don’t understand why our hit reduction efforts have not been resulting in better results for the overall number of underground utility hits in the province. Our efforts include advertising ON1CALL on radio and TV, a display at Canada Blooms, monthly articles in Landscape Ontario magazine and Fence Focus. The need to call for locates is covered in the Horticultural Apprenticeship Training Program and a topic at meetings of the ORCGA’s 13 Geographic Council meetings, and at the annual ORCGA Symposium. What else can we do to get excavation contractors to call for locates and Dig Safe?

Hopefully, 2018 will be a the turning point and we will see the start of a major reduction in the number of underground utility hits in the province. We are doing our part. Are you?

Terry Murphy can be reached at tvmurphy@ca.inter.net.

2015 2016 2017 Green industry 693 787 782 Landscape 318 351 338 Fencing 362 424 428 Irrigation 11 8 11 Homeowner 651 599 631 Total province 4,595 4,597 5,149

28 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

PROSPERITY PARTNERS The resilient entrepreneur

By Jacki Hart CLM Prosperity Partners Program Manager

T

he above headline may very well be THE title for a book in my future writing dreams.

I’ve worked with hundreds of business owners over the years, and as I mentioned here last month, I’ve created my own list of skills that entrepreneurs require in order to rise to the top. Every entrepreneur needs the innate ability to always pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and keep moving forward. after an unexpected business blunder.

The ones with resilience seem to steer their businesses well through both the thick and thin times.

A colleague of mine shared a pretty cool catch phrase with me many years ago, and it’s stuck with me ever since: Fail Forward Fast. In order to do this, to recognize, respond and recover quickly, business owners simply need to have a bit of steely resolve – steeped in resilience.

Business owners who climb through bumpy start-ups or sudden market changes are resilient. They typically know in advance that running a business will have its’ challenges, victories and unex-

pected events. What they don’t know, is upon which invisible skills they will need to depend on for success when a crisis arises.

In my experience, most entrepreneurs have the uncanny ability to see around corners — but there’s always something to which we cast a blind eye — and then eventually end up reeling from the jolt of difficult circumstance. How effectively and how quickly you move through and recover from these challenges speaks to resilience.

Here’s a few tips on how to assess your own level of business resilience: See around corners: Resilient entrepreneurs anticipate and notice when things are heading in the wrong direction. Resilience requires the ability to both admit that Plan A isn’t working, and to figure out a Plan B in a hurry. Admitting you’ve made a mistake in judgment or planning requires the character trait of resilience (and a bit of humility).

Don’t skip a beat: WHAM! You just fell flat on your face. Whatever brilliant plan you developed for your business just failed miserably. But with that hefty dose of resilience in your back pocket, you will be able to regroup and make the necessary real-time shift in thinking and activities to get results back on track. The resilient entrepreneur doesn’t skip a beat when disaster strikes. They’re already devising the solution and a plan to recover.

Fail forward fast. The resilient entrepreneur is a solution-creator in the face of adversity. I’ve worked with many business owners who come to me without resilience. They are mired deeply in the drama of disastrous people performance or lousy communication. They are constantly managing disappointment and stay stuck there — staring at the problem, rather than successfully, purposefully navigating it. They spin in circles, spiralling farther away from intentional effective action. They lose traction when the going gets tough.

Resilience is the key to moving through failed leadership or failed plans, or both. And it’s a teachable skill. I’ve taught many business owners to shift their thinking and learn to be effective problem solvers in the face of adversity — so I know you can also do it if you try.

A great way to start working on improving this important skill is to step back and assess your performance. How well do you measure up with the skills you need to be a strong entrepreneur?

Over the next several columns, I will share different unique entrepreneurial skills you need to consider taking stock of for your own leadership success. Last month, I discussed the skill of engagement. Next month, I will talk about the skill of maintaining focus.

Jacki Hart may be reached at info.peertopeer@landscapeontario.com.

Business owners and upper management of LO member companies can participate in LO’s Peer to Peer Network discussion groups online via LinkedIn or Facebook.

REGISTER NOW!

To join, visit HortTrades.com/p2p or email info.peertopeer@landscapeontario.com

horttrades.com/ seminars/2018-09-20/PP016

Peer to Peer Muskoka Summit Sept. 20-21, 2018

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 29

CLASSIFIEDS Rates: $50.85 (HST included) per column inch Deadline: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. Space is limited. To advertise: E-mail name, phone number and ad to classifieds@landscapeontario.com. Online advertising: Website only ads are available.

Website ads are posted for 31 days. Visit horttrades.com/classifieds. Post employment ads for free online at landscape.jobs.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES LANDSCAPING COMPANY WITH GARDEN CENTRE, NURSERY & GREENHOUSE – CENTRAL ONTARIO Well-established commercial and residential landscaping business with two experienced and professional crews. Includes a 40 acre property with 19,000 sq. ft. of greenhouses and a large garden centre with over $1.5 million in revenue. Great opportunity to grow with a motivated buyer.

For further information, please contact Dana Rennie, c/o Robbinex Inc., 905-523-7510, dana@robbinex.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

TREE FARM FOR SALE Beautiful 34.85 acre tree farm with income potential. Various tree species at different stages of growth. Tree spades, etc. on hand for custom tree business. Updated country home with 3 car garage, custom kitchen, 4 bedrooms, and in-law suite, plus outbuildings. SCA 18 647.

CULLIGAN REAL ESTATE LTD. Contact: Erwin Meyer, Sales Rep. Branch: St. Marys, Ontario Tel: 519-671-9418 Email: emeyer@start.ca www.yourfarmconnection.com

IN HOUSE WHOLESALE SALES/ INVENTORY TEAM MEMBER Established wholesale nursery is seeking an inside sales and inventory management person.

The successful candidate will: 1. Have a good working knowledge of woody plant material.

2. Be proficient in computer software programs, including Microsoft office and inventory programs.

3. Possess excellent organization and communication skills.

4. Have strong customer service skills.

5. Be self-motivated and goal orientated.

6. Have a minimum two years of industryrelated experience.

Full time, year round position. Pay and benefits commensurate with experience.

Resume and cover letter may be emailed to tji@canadale.com or mailed to Canadale Nurseries Ltd 269 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, ON, N5R 3C4

Breaking news, events and membership information available online at HortTrades.com

ADVERTISERS Baumalight by MTB MFG Beaver Valley Stone Limited Best Way Stone Braun Nursery Limited Canadian Greenhouse Conference ‘18

www.beavervalleystone.com

416-222-2424

Page 14

bestwaystone.com 1-800-BESTWAY

Page 7

www.braungroup.com

800-246-6984

Page 21

www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com

Page 17

888-775-2687

Page 11

Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc.

connonnurseries.com

905-628-0112

Page 32

www.gogps.com

866-964-6477

Page 20

www.glwp.ca

877-266-0636

Page 15

www.greenlifenursery.ca

613-692-3047

Page 15

www.gro-bark.com

905-846-1515

Page 2

haltonautolease.com

877-837-5674

Page 12

Greenlife - Ottawa Wholesale Nursery Gro-Bark (Ontario) Ltd. Halton Autolease Inc.

To purchase, visit csla-aapc.ca/standard

Page 17

connon.ca

GoGPS

The benchmark standard for industry stakeholders

866-820-7603

Connon Nurseries/CBV Holdings Inc.

Great Lakes Wood Products Inc.

Canadian Landscape Standard

www.baumalight.com

John Deere Dealers

www.johndeere.ca

Page 9

John Deere

www.johndeere.ca

Page 31

Metal Pless Inc.

www.metalpless.com

866-362-1688

Page 5

Millgrove Perennials Inc.

www.millgroveperennials.ca

888-867-1925

Page 20

Newroads National Leasing

www.newroadsleasing.com

416-587-1021

Page 16

Potters Road Nursery Inc.

www.pottersroadnursery.com

519-688-0437

Page 15

Sipkens Nurseries Ltd.

www.sipkensnurseries.com

866-843-0438

Page 16

Timm Enterprises Ltd.

www.timmenterprises.com

905-878-4244

Page 23

Uxbridge Nurseries Limited Wallace Chevrolet Zander Sod Co. Limited

30 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018

www.uxbridgenurseries.com

877-655-3379

Page 22

wallaceshev.com

905-878-2355

Page 10

www.zandersod.com

877-727-2100

Page 13

It’s our job to keep your wheels turning.

NEVERSTOP™ Services and Support NEVERSTOP represents the three areas that hold the key to eliminating downtime; Customized Financing**, with leasing and payment programs made especially for the landscape industry.

Parts NOW, which features our Next Day Parts Guarantee* and our Parts OnSite™ cabinet program. And Priority Loaners, our exclusive commercial loaner program*. And all three are combined with the unparalleled service and support you get from a John Deere commercial dealer. Come visit us today to find out how NEVERSTOP can keep you going. And keep you mowing.

Keep Mowing *See your participating dealer for details.

John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol, and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company. **Subject to John Deere Financial approval. Minimum finance amount may be required. See JohnDeere.ca or participating dealer for details.

JohnDeere.ca/NEVERSTOP 73835 WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 31

32  LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JULY-AUGUST 2018