Landscape Ontario - June 2015

June 2015 www.horttrades.com

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Volunteer VISION nurtures industry

Sale of excess property at Milton home office brightens LO’s future Page 7

INCREASED

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

PRODUCTIVITY.

ALL

Reality TV worth watching

By Dave Braun LO president

D

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on’t worry, this is not going to be an article about the ups and downs of the Kardashian clan. I, and a number of people in our company, have discovered an outstanding reality TV show about turning around struggling businesses.

It’s Marcus Lemonis’ show, The Profit.

This reality show was recommended to me by a colleague.

After one episode, I was hooked. You can go to countless business seminars and not necessarily get as much insight as you would watching one episode of this show.

Only a few years ago, you wouldn’t have imagined that you could see “America’s number one turn-around artist” from the comfort of your family room. Once you watch, just like the people in our company, you will make it a priority to hear more of what Marcus Lemonis has to say.

At the age of 12, Marcus owned a lawn cutting business that made $1,000 a week.

Dave Braun may be reached at dbraun@landscapeontario.com.

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June, 2015 • Volume 33, No. 6 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 industry in Ontario.

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At 22, without any prior political experience, he ran for a state seat in Florida and nearly beat a three-term incumbent. Lemonis shortly thereafter joined AutoNation, the largest car retailer in the U.S. and made his mark, consistently being promoted to the top.

When family friend Lee Iacocca spotted the talent in Marcus, he suggested he leave the car business and become invested in RV businesses. Only five years later, Marcus was running the largest RV firm in the country. Today, Lemonis is the CEO of Camping World, and host of The Profit, where he shares with struggling business owners what he sees to be the three keys to any business’s success: People, Process and Product.

On every episode of The Profit, Lemonis reviews his three critical ingredients for a successful company, and how they relate to the business he is attempting to resurrect. Lemonis believes that his first principle for success, People, is the most important. He believes that no business can survive without the right people and likewise, the wrong people are destructive. His principle of Process, examines how organizations create, deliver and sell their product. Finally, when looking at the

Product, Lemonis is focused on excellent quality and ensuring that the product is relevant. According to The Profit, a business must have two of the three principles solidly in place to succeed.

We’re all so focused on managing our own businesses, that we rarely get a window into the business of others. As you watch the show, you will see that a business that seems outwardly dissimilar to your own is stills, at the heart of it, dependent on people, process and product. You begin to question what you’re doing at your organization to either help or hurt yourself.

The Profit puts the reality in reality TV. He writes a real cheque with his own money in exchange for equity. This isn’t the tribal council of Survivor — these are real people with real businesses and real turnaround results.

I find the stories inspiring. It provides a chance to see yourself in the problem or the solution. The Profit shows that business is business — you may not need to worry about inventory issues at a hair salon, but it shows that struggles with inventory are a universal issue. Similarly, the core of building any successful and lasting business depends on a few key principles.

The benefits of The Profit are multiplied if you share the show with your staff.

Suddenly, you have a team that is sharing ideas and all invested in the excitement of making your business better.

Tune in to The Profit on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on CNBC.

Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 Editorial director Sarah Willis sarahw@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5424 Editor Allan Dennis adennis@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5345 Graphic designer 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 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Darryl Bond, Kim Burton, Myscha Burton, Rachel Cerelli, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Rob Ellidge, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP CAE, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Kristen McIntyre CHT CEM, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh

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FEATURES MICHAEL PASCOE SKILLS ONTARIO

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Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2015, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 11x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included).

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with graduates working throughout the industry. A website dedicated to rating professors, reflects that many of Pascoe’s students understand and accept that passion.

His overall rating is 4.5 out of 5.

“You want to learn about plants from this man,” reads one review. “Tough guy, but cares. You learn a heck of a lot, but you got to go to class.” Another review reads, “High expectations, but has our interests at heart.” Another student succinctly suggests, “Awesome...just shut up when he speaks!”

Landscape Ontario’s Manager of Education and Labour Development Sally Harvey states, “When I think of a professional, respected and passionate industry leader and educator who inspires, connects and advances the horticulture industry, Michael Pascoe’s name immediately comes to mind.” She continues, “Michael’s unique insight into education and industry, have contributed to the success of not only the horticulture students at Fanshawe College, but also to the industry at the chapter, provincial and national levels.”

New degree program

Pascoe’s next strategy on his education path is to create a degree program in Horticulture Landscape Management. He sees the program incorporating the Landscape Industry Certified CLP program. “The degree program will meet all the requirements, and include practical and theory with horticulture and management. “There is a lack of candidates in the mid- to highlevel management positions with horticulture skills,” says Pascoe.

Creating this new program is all part of the ongoing push by Pascoe to create a positive public opinion towards the horti-

The horticulture program at Fanshawe receives great support from business. In photo, this impressive piece of equipment came from Kevin Forestell of Forestell Designed Landscapes in Guelph.

Michael Pascoe inspires many in industry While the vast majority of Landscape Ontario members form and shape landscapes, Michael Pascoe CLT does the same with young people wanting to enter the industry.

The Fanshawe College professor is well-known throughout the industry for more than just his teaching efforts. His list of accomplishments, inside the association and out, is long and impressive.

Within the association, Pascoe has served on the London Chapter Board, the Landscape Ontario Provincial Board, is a strong advocate of certification, a speaker at Congress, chair of Cultivate and Connect, a volunteer at Canada Blooms, London’s Veterans Memorial Parkway project, an Awards of Excellence judge and much more.

Outside the association, the list of accomplishments is even more impressive. He developed and maintains The A. M. (Mac) Cuddy Garden in Strathroy, and the Fanshawe College Distinguished Teaching Award, the Landscape Ontario Past Presidents Award and the Leader-

4 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JUNE 2015

ship in Faculty Teaching Award from the Province of Ontario. He was also the first Canadian to win a Perennial Plant Association Award for his work on the Cuddy Gardens and the London Urban Regional Design Award for his work on the London Life corporate offices.

Over the years, Pascoe has created a database and website, canadaplants. ca. The site contains a database of plants and plant-related information that Pascoe gained through his experience in the garden and landscape and his travels throughout the world. “All of the plants on this website have been viewed ‘up close and personal’ — this is not a collection of images from the Internet, but a resource of real experience,” says Pascoe.

Pascoe plans to include most plants that can be grown in Ontario gardens, including cultivated plants, as well as weeds, annuals, perennials and all woody plants. A unique aspect of the database is Pascoe’s opinion on plants that he has grown and observed from his own garden.

LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni

culture industry. “Many parents I deal with are reluctant to see their offspring enter the horticulture industry,” says Pascoe. He notes that when they see the opportunities available to graduates, most change their opinion about the industry that their children have chosen.

Pascoe shares an anecdote about the time he brought the dean of Fanshawe College to tour Congress. “The dean didn’t have a real high opinion of our industry, until he saw at Congress the vastness and all the varied aspects that our industry includes.”

Hired in 1991

Another of Pascoe’s passions is Cuddy Gardens. His first involvement with the garden began in 1991 after graduating from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture.

Mac Cuddy, who made his fortune as the world’s largest producer of turkey eggs and poults, hired Pascoe to lead a maintenance crew of five. Cuddy wanted the property to reflect a high quality of horticulture and landscape management.

Pascoe also attended the University of Guelph, University of Sussex and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He holds an MSc with distinction in Plant Conservation.

Pascoe remembers being responsible for 100 acres of lawn at Cuddy’s. It wasn’t long until Pascoe and his crew began developing what today is considered one of the top gardens in Canada. It is now a botanical garden designated by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

Following A. M. Cuddy’s death in 2006, his wife Patricia donated the gardens and house to Fanshawe College. Today it is managed by the Horticulture Technician Program.

A walk through the gardens with Pascoe, results in a history lesson for the visitor of how one area was once a parking lot, or a former tennis court, along with the host pointing out one of the many rare, exotic and endangered plants in the garden.

There are also many new additions such as the dry stone wall and pot-in-pot tree growing area.

An area that Pascoe points out with pride is the Louise Weekes hosta collection, which features over 150 types of hosta. The collection was bequeathed to Cuddy gardens following Mrs. Weekes’ death. “Because we are a botanic garden, we can’t accept a donation without documentation,” explains Pascoe. It turns out the home gardener had every plant well documented with meticulous notes over the years.

Another area of pride is the rock garden, which was built at a cost of $50,000.

This display contains some very unique alpine plants from around the world with a very creative use of stone.

Lucas Michielsen, one of the first students to graduate from Michael Pascoe’s class at Fanshawe, now manages Cuddy Gardens. “He is as avid a plant enthusiast as I am,” says Pascoe. Michielsen works with crews of students during the year accomplishing both work to complete projects and maintenance, as well as teaching students about horticulture.

When asked if they had the perfect job, both Pascoe and Michielsen answered the question with big smiles. “We are indeed fortunate,” said Michielsen.

Many in the industry feel they are fortunate to have the likes of Michael Pascoe working to encourage young people to make horticulture their future.

Michael Pascoe

writes in his column this month about graduates of Niagara Parks School of Horticulture who have inspired him. Of Pascoe, DiGiovanni writes, “Through his enthusiasm and energy, he has built Fanshawe into a very important school for horticulture. He instills the same enthusiasm and professionalism in his students that was instilled in him by Niagara. Michael inspires me, too.”

Pascoe’s number one passion is teaching his students about horticulture and the industry that awaits them. “We produce a product,” says Pascoe when discussing his view of a professor’s role. He works hard to transfer his passion for the industry on to his students.

His record shows a good success rate

Michael Pascoe looks at the work students have completed to install a pot-in-pot system at Cuddy Gardens.

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The competition is tough at Skills Ontario, as two-student teams compete against the clock, while still sneaking a peek at other teams’ progress.

Horticulture students compete at Skills Ontario Students from both college and secondary school horticulture programs were among the 2,000 competitors testing their skills in the annual Skills Ontario competition from May 4 to 6 at RIM Park in Waterloo.

Over 30,000 spectators attended the event. Competitions included horticulture – landscape and design. Skills Ontario features 67 skilled trades and technology contests, ranging from plumbing to culinary to automotive service.

Landscape Ontario staff once again supported the Skills Ontario competition, including workshops for grade 8 students to try their hand at the trade. Students learned about plants, horticulture and Landscape Ontario.

LO supported the technical committees of post-secondary and secondary horticulture and landscape competitions, along with a career booth at the competition.

At Skills, there are three categories related to the green industry, Landscape Gardening – Secondary, Landscape Gardening – Post Secondary and Landscape Design – Secondary.

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In the horticulture-landscape competition, teams of two were tested by building gardens based on a common set of criteria and drawings. Skills under evaluation included creating walls from precast paving units, laying paving stones, plant selection and placement of landscape rocks.

The post secondary gold-winning team members were Shaquan Lamar Brown and Derick Mederios of Humber College. Silver went to the St. Clair College team of Shaun St. Pierre and Zac Hertel. Third went to Matthew Curiale and Jacob Hambleton of Fanshawe College, fourth to Brad Rodgers and Trevor Straatman of St. Clair College and fifth to Shane Cardinal and Jasdeep Heer of Humber College.

In the secondary school category, gold went Jake Gerber and Tait Goos of Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School, while silver went to Joshua Moreira and Aj Nelson of Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School in Waterloo, and bronze to Garrett Reed and Carmen Weathrall of Grey Highlands Secondary School, Flesherton.

In order of finish, the remaining secondary school teams included Tim Theocharidis and Tylar Verbancic of Dunbarton High School in Pickering, Thomas Bennett and Jake Forbes of Notre Dame Roman Catholic Secondary School in Burlington, Caleb Gryfe and Sujeththan Ravichandran of Parkdale Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Hannes Oberholzer and Tommy Reader of White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville, Fernando Ferreira and Johnathan Gomes of Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School in Toronto, Matthew Bedell and Cameron McCue of Judith Nyman Secondary School in Brampton, and Chad Aulbrook and Matthew Giangnolini of St. Michael High School in Niagara Falls.

The Landscape Design competition saw gold go to Rabia Muhammad of White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville, silver to Ismail Edun of Louise Arbour Secondary School in Brampton, and bronze to Noah Mothersell of Grey Highlands Secondary School in Mount Forest, followed by Gregoire Salvador of Blessed Mother Teresa in Toronto and Hope Turnbull of Glenview Park Secondary School in Cambridge.

The Landscape Design competition was started four years ago as a presentation event to evaluate interest through participation. Due to record participation, it was elevated to a competition in 2012.

The horticulture competitions are sponsored heavily by Permacon, Connon/NVK, Gelderlands, TNT Property Maintenance and the City of Waterloo.

Several provincial suppliers provide power tools, etc., specific to the contest scope each year.

Gold medal winners are eligible to compete in the national competition that took place from May 27-30, 2015 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. From there gold medal winners may qualify for the World Skills competition this August in Brazil.

The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation supplied $4,150 this year in financial awards to gold, silver and bronze medal winners. At last year’s closing ceremony, the Foundation was recognized for its contributions to the Skills event.

Shaun Scott, president of Skills Ontario board of directors, said, “Skills Ontario is very pleased that industry partners such as the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation has stepped forward to provide an incentive for Ontario’s talented youth to pursue the skilled trades as their career choice.”

ASSOCIATION NEWS

It became official on May 28, when Landscape Ontario sold 24.16 acres of excess property to Broccolini, a development and construction company.

Property sale, major step in LO history Back in 1994, the $1.24 million purchase of a 46-acre new home for Landscape Ontario was termed, “the deal of the century.”

Over 20 years later, on May 28, 2015, the sale of 24.16 excess acres of the Milton property, at $9,263,446.80, can be described as the deal of this century.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our members,” says LO president Dave Braun.

“It’s also important that people know there is no rush to spend the funds.” Speaking at Congress 2015, Braun said, “Once the property sale goes through, it will be about listening to all members, even those with softer voices.”

Chair of the Building Management Committee, Karl Stensson, says, “The Building Committee looks forward to getting on with the next phase of this exciting adventure.”

The shortcomings at LO’s current home office building have been apparent for some time. Stensson says that planners conducted a study on whether it would be more beneficial to renovate

the existing building or build a new one.

Consensus of the consultants was that renovating would be more affordable and in line with LO’s budget. Once a more detailed and accurate costing for renovations can be compared to the cost of new buildings, a completed report will go in front of the board of directors.

The buyer paid to connect LO’s home office to water and sewer as part of the purchase agreement.

“I would like to thank everyone on the Building Committee for their input and hard work and patience in getting to this point. It has been a long road, but a very rewarding one,” says Stensson.

Members of the Building Management Committee are Hank Gelderman CLT, Tom Intven, Paul Olsen, John Putzer, Haig Seferian CLD, Marc Thiebaud, Rene Thiebaud CLP, Bob Tubby CLP, Monica van Maris and Neil Vanderkruk, with staff members Tony DiGiovanni, Kathleen Pugliese, Joe Sabatino and Robert Ellidge.

Watch for special member issue The next issue of Landscape Ontario magazine is a special edition dedicated to members. The July/August edition will feature special pages highlighting highlighting the value in your association membership, encompassing chapters, sector groups, board of directors, endorsed suppliers, marketing materials and more.

There will also be special articles focusing on membership, along with the regular monthly features and columns. Plan to keep this special issue as a year-long reference guide to your association.

INDUSTRY AUCTION FEATURES GROWER AWARDS

Each year at Landscape Ontario’s Industry Auction, growers have an opportunity to showcase their best plant material and enter the Awards of Excellence Program.

This year the annual event will see changes, as it joins Thrive ’15 on Sept. 16 and 17 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds.

As always, entries are judged onsite and then auctioned off at the event. The skids of material massed together create a glorious vision for plant geeks. All material entered is to be delivered by Sept. 15. It is a donation to the auction for bidding, with proceeds benefiting industry research and scholarships through the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation.

Awards of Excellence categories of entry include Evergreens - Field Grown, Upright and Spreading; Evergreens - Container Grown, Upright and Spreading; Broadleaf Evergreens; Deciduous Shrubs; Deciduous Trees - 300 cm or less; Deciduous Trees - Top Grafted/Worked; Caliper Trees (minimum of two specimens); Vines and Groundcovers; Perennials; Unusual and Rare Plants (worthy of attention; minimum of four specimens) and Design on a Skid - be creative, anything goes, as long as it fits on a skid. Judges will choose the best overall entry to receive this special recognition.

Note, This year Buxus and Pachysandra will not be accepted for entry.

Winners will be announced during the auction at Thrive’15 on Sept. 17. Entry forms are available at http://lothrive.com/ industry-auction-2015.

GARDEN CENTRE AWARDS ENTRIES OPEN JULY 1

Garden Centres come in all shapes and sizes — family run, second or third generation, recently purchased, staff of five, or staff of 50; each with its own distinctive appeal. All are welcome to enter Landscape Ontario’s Garden Centre Awards of Excellence program. The retail program is open for entry from July 1 to 31.

What you need to enter: photographs of your store! Choose a category of entry and determine what your photographs should reflect. Also required is a project summary; explain what the photographs are showing and what you were trying to achieve (i.e.

“This display of hardgoods was placed at the front of the store beside the bulb stock because …”). The fee is $75 per entry and is open to members only. Non-member entries will not be considered.

Winners will be announced at the Garden Centre keynote breakfast event at Thrive’15 on Sept. 16. Each entering comWWW.HORTTRADES.COM 7

ASSOCIATION NEWS pany will receive a complimentary admission to the breakfast. Additional tickets are available at LOthrive.com.

Garden Centre Awards of Excellence includes four categories, Outstanding Display of Plant Material, Outstanding Display of Goods, Other Merchandising Techniques and Permanent Display Gardens.

The Outstanding Display of Plant Material, includes deciduous shrubs and/or trees, annuals and/or perennials, evergreens and/or broadleaf, your specialty plant material your business is noted for, new varieties of annuals and/or perennials.

In the category of Outstanding Display of Goods, awards will be handed out for outstanding display of giftware, outstanding display of hardgoods, and outstanding display of seasonal goods.

Other Merchandising Techniques is divided into creative p.o.p. area, outstanding promotional event, outstanding print advertising, and outstanding website development.

Permanent Display Gardens category is divided into under 500 sq. ft. and over 500 sq. ft.

If want to learn more about how you can participate, please contact kristen@landscapeontario.com.

WORK UNDERWAY TO LAUNCH FLORA CANADA 2017

Landscape Ontario and CNLA are gathering support for Flora Canada 2017.

The event will celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday through a National Horticultural Exhibition in Ottawa, which will also showcase the ornamental horticulture industry.

Flora Canada is envisioned as a fourmonth long event, showcasing the value of urban gardens and landscapes. It will also help promote the movement to create a national botanical garden in Ottawa.

The Flora Canada Advisory Council, made up of community leaders in various fields, is working to gain community and government support and resources for the

development of the 2017 event.

Former Landscape Ontario board of directors’ member Tim Kearney CLP, of Ottawa, is joined on the advisory committee by Sundaura Alford, Ottawa Chapter of Landscape Ontario; John Westeinde, Canadensis; Gérald Lajeunesse, Canadensis; Jeff Turner, chair of the Flora Community Advisory Council; Bruce Hillary, Canadensis; and Michel Gauthier, facilitator, MGB Tourfest.

Gauthier, a former executive director of the Ottawa Tulip Festival, said he believes the event could draw up to three million visitors, create nearly 5,000 jobs and generate more than $500 million in economic activity in the capital. The last Canadian city to host an International Horticultural Exhibition was Montreal, which attracted 1.7 million visitors in 1980.

The committee is asking anyone who supports the idea of Flora Canada, to send a letter to your local MP with a CC to the Minister of Agriculture, Minister Ritz.

To find out how to contact your MP, go to http://gfl.me/x2xf.

Visit floracanada.org for more detailed information and to see the level of support garnered to date at national, provincial and local level.

GARDEN EXPO CONTINUES RELEVANCE TO INDUSTRY

Stay up-to-date with new and emerging trends in the retail industry this September at Landscape Ontario’s 16th edition of Garden Expo.

The trade show anchors LO’s newest event, Thrive, on Sept. 16 and 17 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds.

Garden Expo will feature hundreds of new and green products to excite customers for the 2016 spring season, brand-name vendors who have served the industry since the show’s inception, and new ones showcasing products for the first time.

Garden Expo is an ideal place for faceto-face conversation with suppliers and colleagues; people from all sectors of the industry come together to reconnect, establish new business contacts, share expertise, and then browse and buy the products that will be featured in garden centres across Canada the following spring.

The show is known for its stunning displays and timely merchandising ideas you can recreate in your own store or garden centre. It is the place to discover new ideas, tools, products and services that will help your business grow.

With the move from the Toronto

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Congress Centre to the Ancaster Fairgrounds comes new opportunities for dynamic networking and professional development. Delegates will learn new enhanced sales and marketing skills, better understand the latest retail trends in order to implement the new ideas into their own professional setting.

Thrive will open Sept. 16 in the Buds n’Suds Tent with a keynote breakfast featuring the dynamic retail guru Judy Sharpton. This will be an excellent opportunity for the Ontario retail community to come together and learn new marketing tips and tricks.

Also included with the breakfast will be the Garden Centre Awards of Excellence ceremony. It will return to old school! The last few years there has been a large presentation stage with loads of audio visual… that’s all about to change. Change comes bearing gifts; both Judy’s presentation and the awards ceremony will focus on what matters most to the audience, facts and face time. We look forward to bringing our retail community back to basics.

Also new for 2015: • FREE trade show admission if registered by the early-bird deadline! Yes, you read that correctly.

• Each registrant will be given FREE lunch!

Yes, you are still reading just fine.

• The Golden Horseshoe Chicken Roast will co-locate on Sept. 16.

• Industry Auction will be co-located on Sept. 17.

• LO’s Snowposium trade show will also be co-located Sept. 16 and 17, with the conference on the 16th.

Early-bird pricing will be held until Aug. 28. Register today to ensure you have the hottest ticket in town! Program details and registration are at LOthrive.com.

NEW PROJECT WILL MENTOR WOMEN IN HORTICULTURE

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MicroSkills and Landscape Ontario are working together on a new project entitled, Advancing Women in Horticulture through Mentorship.

The project will take place in the Greater Toronto Area, Durham, Golden Horseshoe and Wellington/Waterloo regions.

Targeting women working in various horticulture sectors, the goal of the project is to achieve a formal, sustainable mentorship model that, in the long term, results in greater numbers of women in a broad range of green industry career paths.

Landscape Ontario’s Education and Labour Development Manager, Sally Harvey, says, “The model will assist women who are technically qualified, to access

management and leadership roles within their places of work, and/or the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship.”

LO members are invited to participate and support the project in a number of ways. One opportunity is as a subject matter expert, available for interviews and to provide advice to support the project from time to time. Another way to help is participating in a focus group, involving about four meetings per year. Then there is simply being a mentor to one of the women.

“Make an impact by motivating, inspiring and empowering other women to be the best they can be in their careers and personal lives,” says Harvey.

For more information about the two-year project, contact Sally Harvey, at sharvey@ landscapeontario.com, or Rodica Lefter at rlefter@microskills.ca.

FIRST LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFIED EXAMS IN JULY

Those taking part in this year’s Landscape Industry Certified exams will only require one day instead of the traditional two for practical and written tests.

With the the first test scheduled on July 23, at Landscape Ontario’s home office, the exterior hands-on test will take place in the morning, with the written portion taking place in the afternoon.

“We received a number of concerns about having two days to complete the tests, so we worked out a method to compress it into one day,” said CNLA Certification and Commodities Coordinator Claudia Santos.

She added, “A company that has certified employees on staff, means they have made significant commitment to education, safety, craftsmanship and customer service. All individuals must first prove their knowledge and skills through a serious of written and hands-on tests.”

Although the tests have been shortened to one day, it still requires all those who pass each section of the exam to reach a high level of excellence to achieve the designation of Landscape Industry Certified.

It is recommended that individual thinking of testing themselves should have a minimum of 2,000 hours (one year) of experience before taking the exam.

At each station, those taking the test are required to perform specific tasks within a specified period of time in the presence of a qualified industry judge. Depending on the industry sector, up to 11 stations must be completed successfully. Skills testing include chainsaw, leaf blower operation, pruning, tree planting, plant and pest identification, and sod and paver installation. A minimum grade of 70 per cent is required

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on each of the written and hands-on exam problems before certification status can be obtained.

Following the July tests, the next opportunity to take the exam is on Sept. 25 at Kemptville College, followed by tests at Ridgetown College on Oct. 1, and Landscape Ontario home office on Oct. 29.

Written tests only will take place at Thrive on Sept. 17, St. Clair College on Nov. 12, Fanshawe College on Dec. 3 and at Congress on Jan. 14.

Although attendance for the orientation is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to any new candidates. The orientation will answer questions regarding the testing process. Scheduled orientation days are July 9 at LO home office, Sept. 11 at Kemptville and Sept. 17 at Ridgetown, and Oct. 15 at Landscape Ontario home office.

Judges are also needed for test days. Anyone interested in becoming involved, may contact Claudia Santos at claudia@cnla-acpp.ca.

To register for Landscape Industry Certified exam, go to http://gfl.me/h1sA. Study manual order forms are available at http://gfl.me/h1sO.

OTIUM WINNER MANAGES 777 SIT-UPS

Specimen Japanese Maples

Shawn Gallaugher, who designed the Otium Garden for Landscape Ontario at Canada Blooms is March, has announced the winners of the Outdoor Exercise Garden Challenge that took place at the garden during the festival.

The winners are sit-ups, Jeffery Zhong, 777; push-ups, Ryan Resmer, 65; and plank, Ryan Resmer, 5:36 min.

Outdoor hardscape showcase

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST

Those who have achieved Landscape Industry Certification, such as CLT, CLP, or CLD, are eligible for a $500 cash prize.

CNLA is offering certified individuals the opportunity to create a one to three minute video explaining why they decided to take part in certification, and the value it has provided them in the industry.

Upload your videos to Twitter with the hashtag #whyigotcertified, or email your videos to certification@cnla-acpp.ca.

The contest started on Apr. 13, and wraps up on July 13. Twitter followers will vote on their favourite video, and the winner will receive a $500 cash prize from CNLA. Enter as a company, a group or on your own, and feel free to get as creative as you like. Just remember, we want to know why certification has been important to you.

SCOTT WENTWORTH LANDSCAPE GROUP WINS CSLA AWARD

The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) announced Scott Wentworth Landscape Group of Picton received a Regional Citation for the Lake Ontario Park Revitalization Project in Kingston.

The company was the feature builder of the Landscape Ontario garden at Canada Blooms in 2014, highlighting the program Come Alive Outside.

Winners were selected by a national jury of landscape architects. National and regional awards are presented in three categories: Honour, Merit, and Citations.

The principal criteria applied by the jurors were demonstration of a deep understanding of the craft of landscape architecture including attention to composition and detail; demonstration of excellence in leadership, project management, breadth of work, new directions or new technology; innovation in concept, process, or implementation; promotion of the discipline amongst related professions, clients and the general public demonstration of exemplary environmental and/or social awareness.

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Unilock recently hosted an event celebrating completion of its Outdoor Idea Centre. Displays show Unilock’s hardscape products installed in real-life settings, designed to wrap around the company’s Georgetown headquarters. Contractors, industry members and OIC contributors enjoyed the event, highlighted by comments from Ontario sales manager Bruce Burns. The centre hosted more than 1,500 consumers last year.

Otto Müller died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of May 14, 2015.

Born on the August 1, 1934, Müller began his life in Hungary, reeling from the events of the Second World War. His first job in the horticultural industry was on the rose production farm owned by his father, Ferenc, and continued his employment until immigrating to Canada following the Hungarian Revolution in 1956.

A gifted plantsman, Müller soon found work in the blossoming horticultural industry in Ottawa and was soon humbled by the beautiful and charming Gabrielle Laderoute in a marriage that lasted 54 years. It was not long before their love bore their eldest daughter Elizabeth, followed by Katherine and their only son, John.

The family moved to Pickering, where Otto found work with Leslie L. Solty & Sons as a landscape construction supervisor.

Müller’s pioneering spirit soon led to the opening of O.J. Müller Landscape Contractor in 1980, a business that continues in operation under the ownership of John with the assistance of his two sons in Claremont.

Colleagues remembered him as an honest and creative businessman, who demanded the very best of people by offering only his best in return. Müller reminded us that it is not we who take care of the plants, but the plants that take care of us.

The Otto Müller Memorial Landscape Scholarship Fund has been established, courtesy of the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation.

A visitation and memorial service was held on May 22.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR The plight of horticulture education about taxes, health care or general government spending. With affluence comes a culture of entitlement.

My parents were part of the post-war boom in which you didn’t need to have a university education to succeed. It was a time when factory workers not only made a living wage, but a really good one. Despite this, my parents also grew up in a time when thrift and hard work were also valued. They were able to impart these values to me.

But this was an artificial economy, which could not be sustained, as demand for consumer goods rose, and unions demanded higher and higher wages. Resources became more expensive, manufacturing jobs went overseas and service industry jobs were farmed out to the least skilled or most eager to work. In some cases migrant

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A Growing Tradition

I am a horticulturist and I feel privileged to be one.

When I first got the opportunity to teach horticulture, I felt honoured. I also felt it was my duty to impart the love of plants, environment and the planet that I have been so privileged to enjoy. I soon realized this was harder to do than I might ever imagine.

Initially, I thought it best to attract students by enticing them with the lure of equipment. What 15-year-old wouldn’t want to strap 20 lbs. of screaming metal on his back and blow leaves, or drive a tractor? I soon realized that it is far more than that, and the industry needs to do more to attract the right people.

So what is the problem with getting the right people into horticulture? In a word, affluence. We live in a country which is very affluent, despite what people might say

workers, who had ample motivation to work for wages lower than Canadian workers, took up the slack. It was in this economy that I emerged as a fully fledged horticulturist from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. Contrary to the rhetoric at the school at the time, I could not name my price and there were scant municipal or government jobs that paid what I expected.

I opted to start my own business. That was something I was ill prepared for, and ended the way one might expect of someone who was not prepared for the business world. I learned a lot though, and these are lessons I teach my students every day.

I did not, because of my parents, grow up to feel I was entitled. Yet I still feel that the industry that I love does not do enough to pay a living wage. Not everyone needs to make a $100,000 salary, but at the same time everyone deserves to make enough to be happy.

My point is that there is a disconnect between what the industry pays and what the labour is worth. Perhaps that is because the old adage, “Everyone is a gardener,” applies. Perhaps it is because the industry does not sell itself as a skilled trade.

When I think back to my years as a renovator, I realize that I had no difficulty

in charging rates that far exceeded what I made as a landscaper, despite the fact that I had far lower overhead. Maybe that was because things like electrical wiring and plumbing had a greater mystique for homeowners than grass cutting and retaining walls, or maybe it was because we, as an industry, had not done a good enough job of selling the mystique.

Landscaping is hard work and it should be paid for.

Hard work, low pay and seasonal employment are hardly things I would use to persuade my kid to do for a living, and yet I know there is so much satisfaction from seeing a yard transformed, a well pruned hedge, or a retaining wall built. That is enough for most people, if they have the money in pocket. I know that there are viable jobs for all the kids I teach, but if you really want them to choose landscaping over a BA., then you have to deliver on several fronts. These include: • Cultivate a culture of education in your company for your employees and your customers. When your customers see how much actually goes into maintaining or building their garden, they will probably want to pay you more; maybe as much as arborists. Swinging from a tree with

a chainsaw in hand looks like stuff most homeowners would be glad to have someone else do, whatever the cost.

• Embrace the apprenticeship program.

I know I had enough paperwork to with employees, let alone dealing with the apprenticeship board and the College of Trades, but you receive a tax credit. It’s up to $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice who completes in-class training and you get and retain skilled workers by doing so. Check out the website at http://gfl.me/x2xk.

• Understand that you are dealing with parents who still view this industry as low rent and dirty work, seasonal and not viable or simply blue collar.

• Work ethic is not something that can be taught in schools. You have to do it, because school is not real life, but your workplace is. As a teacher, 75 minutes a day is not enough to teach work ethic.

• Pay and promote workers in your company. People you have trained will stick around, because they know there is a chance for upward mobility.

• Find ways to keep the money flowing during seasonal lulls by keeping skilled workers on the payroll through snowplowing, taking on seasonal work,

profit sharing, or moving into related trades.

• Sell the trade as a trade. You do not just cut grass or lay pavers, you are a professional and deserve to be treated as such. Remember, if your customers could do it, then they wouldn’t hire you.

• Ask your local school board where horticulture classes are run and send kids who work for you to those schools, so that we can do some of the training for you. You’re already paying for it, so take advantage. Check here for Specialist High Skills Major – Horticulture and Landscape programs, http://gfl.me/h18r.

• Demand horticulture education in schools.

Construction classes exist in almost every high school, but horticulture runs in only a handful.

Many of you reading this already do many of these things, but ask yourself which of the things on this list you could do a better job of, and if you could, how would it change your business, your life, your everything.

Jake Kurtz NPD Horticulture and landscaping teacher Saltfleet District High School, Hamilton

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SCHOLARSHIP PROFILE Elizabeth MacInerney: Scholarship helped with more than finances

Elizabeth MacInerney is kept busy as a City of Toronto green space management crew leader.

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When Elizabeth MacInerney received a $1,000 scholarship from the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation in 2005, it did more than provide financial assistance.

“The award of this scholarship certainly relieved my mind about costs and expenses, but it also bolstered my enthusiasm for the career path I had chosen. Being recognized amongst my peers to receive this award gave me a shot of confidence and validation that I’ve made a good choice in my new

career in horticulture,” says MacInerney.

She reflects on how the scholarship funding was helpful in offsetting some of her college expenses, while she studied full time and not earning an income.

MacInerney graduated from the twoyear co-op program at Seneca College.

She says, “I felt prepared to enter the industry with knowledge, skill and some practical experience, as it was a co-op program.”

She currently works in the City of Toronto’s green space management as a crew leader. “I oversee the horticultural activities in many public parks, civic centres and other projects.”

The Foundation believes in helping future horticultural workers get a strong start. Each year the Foundation makes a number of scholarships, bursaries and awards available to high school and postsecondary students.

Students may find more information at horttrades.com/scholarship; application deadline is June 30.

If you have contact information for a past scholarship recipient, please write adennis@landscapeontario.com.

EVENTS Bookmark horttrades.com/ comingevents for up-to-date event information.

June 20

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838369 4th Line East, Mulmur This public education event takes place on a Saturday, so all family members can take part and learn about native pollinators, why they are so important and what individuals can do to protect them. Educational talks, interactive demonstrations, food tastings and film screening will be held throughout the day. Find more details and registration information at notsohollowfarm.ca.

July 19

Waterloo Chapter’s Family Day

425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener Join the Waterloo Chapter for its first Family Day. It will be a great way to spend time with family and thank your staff. It begins at 9 a.m., with lunch from 12 to 1:30 p.m., followed by face painting, prize giveaways, and a beach volleyball tournament. For more information, or to register, go to horttrades.com/waterloo-2015-family-day.

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July 22 - 24

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Sno-motion 2015

Dover, Ohio Sno-Motion is an event for snow and ice management industry professionals, held every other year. Sno-motion is held in Amish Country in east-central Ohio, and provides an opportunity to learn from your peers, network and sharpen your knowledge in several key areas of a snow and ice management business. Sno-motion is hosted by Pro-Motion Consulting. For more information, go to horttrades.com/sno-motion-2015.

July 23

Toronto Chapter Golf Tournament

Nobleton Lakes Golf Club The annual Toronto Chapter Golf Tournament is always a great social outing for members, along with an opportunity for some networking. For more information, go to horttrades.com/toronto-chapter-2015-golf-tournament.

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Willow Valley Golf Course The annual golf tournament is back. Be sure to register before June 20, for the chance to win an early-bird prize. For more information, or to register, go to horttrades.com/golden-horseshoechapter-golf-tournament-2015.

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Dutch Style Landscaping Ltd Jon Bouwmeister 16241 9th Line Stouffville, ON L4A 7X4 Tel: 905-640-3016 Membership Type: Active

Markham Landscaping Nurseries Ltd Mike Eeuwes 4285 Stouffville Rd Stouffville , ON L4A 7X5 Tel: 905-640-3113 Membership Type: Active

Oldham Brothers Contracting Ltd Tom Oldham 5710 Main St PO Box 90582 Stouffville, ON L4A 1S1 Tel: 905-642-1098 Membership Type: Interim

Pineridge Landscaping

Silas Allen 36 Bond St Fenelon Falls, ON K0M 1N0 Tel: 705-887-2083 Membership Type: Active

Rob Albero Contracting Inc Rob Albero 39 Howden Rd W Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4 Tel: 905-620-1191 Membership Type: Active

GEORGIAN LAKELANDS Muskoka Split Rock

Matthew Hutcheson 1083 East Walker Lake Dr Huntsville, ON P1H 2J6 Tel: 705-787-5999 Membership Type: Active

Smart Green Technologies Inc Janet Baker 200 Main St Thessalon, ON P0R 1L0 Tel: 705-789-7851 x429 Membership Type: Associate

GOLDEN HORSESHOE Brantford Shoots Auto Inc Don Burleigh 463 Powerline Rd Brantford, ON N3T 5L8 Tel: 519-751-2171 Membership Type: Associate

MFG Precast Supply Inc

Stewart Chaisson 19 Kenmore Ave Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5N1 Tel: 905-643-1114 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

LONDON Kamarah Tree Farms

Anton Van Maar 196312 19th Line, RR 1 Lakeside, ON N0M 2G0 Tel: 519-349-2617 Membership Type: Active

Springbank Landscapes Alexander Osborne 1 - 562 Piccadilly St London, ON N5Y 3G8 Tel: 519-319-8288 Membership Type: Active

OTTAWA Roger Willis Contracting Ltd Roger Willis 1723 Carsonby Rd E Kars, ON K0A 2E0 Tel: 613-489-2882 Membership Type: Active

G & D Giordano Co Ltd

Timpson Paving & Concrete Inc

Greenville Planters

Waterdon Construction Ltd

Marshs Landscaping & Topsoil

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Paul Rodier 107 Lloydalex Cres Carp, ON K0A 1L0 Tel: 613-271-8814 Membership Type: Active John Timpson 19 Parkside Cres Ottawa , ON K2G 3B6 Tel: 616-223-2825 Membership Type: Interim

Nicholas Norton 201 - 29 Cleopatra Dr Ottawa, ON K2G 0B6 Tel: 613-723-9686 Membership Type: Associate

Benchmark Landscape and Design Brandon Bugeja 333 Maplewood Cres Milton, ON L9T 2G1 Tel: 416-885-5355 Membership Type: Active

Boss Interlocking

Michael Fleischer 811 - 4936 Yonge St Toronto, ON M2N 6S3 Tel: 416-816-0064 Membership Type: Active

Contour Landscape & Design Inc Jonathan Baena 12409 Steeles Ave Hornby, ON L0P 1E0 Tel: 905-854-0640 Membership Type: Active

DT Property Solutions Ltd Donato Trinchi 10 Oakland Ave Toronto, ON M9M 2H8 Tel: 647-831-5550 Membership Type: Active

Frank Giordano 7 Sunset Trail Toronto, ON M9M 1J4 Tel: 416-745-7032 Membership Type: Active

Gary Kielo 5576 Ambler Dr Mississauga, ON L4W 2K9 Tel: 905-361-1368 Membership Type: Associate Darrell Marsh 93 Armstrong Ave Georgetown, ON L7G 4S1 Tel: 416-418-2428 Membership Type: Active

Rick Van den berg 6373 Trafalgar Rd Hornby, ON L0P 1E0 Tel: 905-875-2088 Membership Type: Associate

Pine Valley Enterprises Inc Rocky Bova 73 Corstate Ave Concord, ON L4K 4Y2 Tel: 905-760-2215 Membership Type: Active

Plantpros Inc

Carol Simpson 248037 5 Sideroad Mono, ON L9W 6K9 Tel: 289-643-1616 Membership Type: Active

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Bob Wallace 801 Main St E Milton, ON L9T 3Z3 Tel: 905-878-2355 Membership Type: Associate

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INDUSTRY NEWS National Garden Days from June 19 to 21 The second annual National Garden Days will take place from June 19 to 21.

A Private Member’s Bill through the House of Commons created a special time to draw attention to our garden culture, history and innovations and to underscore the importance of the horticultural industry, public and private gardens, and the values of home gardening.

Each year, National Garden Day will take place the Friday before Father’s Day. It is managed by the Canadian Garden Council, and is Canada’s annual celebration of gardens and gardening.

This three-day program of activities and events is for gardening enthusiasts, families, schools and tourists alike. It is an opportunity for Canadians to enjoy their own garden, visit or take part in their favourite garden experience, get inspired at their local garden centre or travel to a nearby destination to enjoy their favourite garden.

Last year, LO members held sales, festivals, barbecues and fundraisers.

This year LO’s director of public relations Denis Flanagan will attend events in London. He is one of the spokespeople for National Garden Days. Make sure you

notify Denis at dflanagan@landscapeontario. com on what your company is doing for Garden Days For more information on National Garden Days, go to gardendays.ca.

FLOWERS CANADA NAMES NEW DIRECTOR

The Board of Directors of Flowers Canada has announced the appointment of Andrew Morse as executive director, effective June 28, 2015.

Morse joined Flowers Canada in September, 2011, as the Plant Health Coordinator progressing to Plant Health and International Trade Manager. At the beginning of the year, he was appointed to the position of Managing Director.

A graduate of the University of Guelph Masters of Science program in Environmental Biology, Morse worked as a researcher and university teaching assistant, prior to joining Flowers Canada.

For the past three years Morse assisted growers in navigating the regulatory frameworks associated with plant health and international trade. He recently appeared before the Canadian Senate Committee on Agriculture and

Forestry. He has helped develop programs with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, such as the Bulb Remediation Program and the new Greenhouse Certification Program.

“We are very excited about the passion, energy and organizational ability that Andrew will bring to this position.

Over the next two months Andrew will be working very closely with our departing Executive Director, Dean Shoemaker, to ensure a smooth transition in the leadership of the association,” says board chair Gerard Schouwenaar.

CONSTRUCTION SITE EMERGENCY PREPARATION IS REQUIRED

Every construction project must have emergency response procedures in place.

The Construction Projects Regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that the constructor must establish written emergency response procedures for every project.

“Emergency preparedness helps to ensure workplace parties react appropriately in an emergency to minimize the human suffering and economic losses that can result from emergencies,” says the Ministry of Labour.

Constructors should review and revise their emergency response procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure they continue to meet the changing conditions of projects.

The ministry recommends that being unprepared, slow response, lack of resources or the absence of trained workers can lead to chaos in an emergency.

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Also remember that circumstances may change during the course of an emergency. To ensure workers react appropriately and to minimize human suffering and financial losses, all workers on a project must know their responsibilities under the emergency response plan.

To prepare for an emergency, the following procedures should take place: • Prepare written emergency plans and review those procedures with the joint health and safety committee or the health and safety representative for the project.

• Ensure that the emergency plan procedures are followed at the project site.

• Ensure appropriate access and egress points are available in case of emergency.

• Ensure emergency procedures are posted in a visible place at the project site.

Workers should also know the procedures in the emergency response plan, report emergencies to their supervisor and to know they have the right to refuse unsafe work.

Learn more about Emergency Response Planning for Construction Projects at http://gfl.me/x2vU.

WEEDING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF CRIMINALS

Peel Regional Police have developed programs to encourage homeowners and gardening, such as Weed Your Neighbourhood of Criminals. The promotion recognizes that gardening and yard maintenance can play a critical role when it comes to the safety of home, and neighbourhoods.

Residents are encouraged to always make sure their lawn is adequately maintained to help establish a “lived-in” look. Peel Police suggest that residents can further discourage unwanted attention from would-be burglars by checking to see if landscaping blocks critical views of accessible doors and windows from neighbours and passers-by, then taking some action to open up blocked sightlines.

Peel Regional Police Cst. Tom McKay led a drive this spring to encourage gardeners to deter criminal activity and promote neighbourhood safety. He worked with a number of media outlets to promote the program.

McKay writes, “On a neighbourhood scale, a recent U.S. study established a positive correlation between the density of a neighbourhood’s tree canopy and the area’s crime rate. That study, by Austin Troy and Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne of the Uni-

versity of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and J. Morgan Grove of the USDA Forest Service’s Research Division, found that ‘a 10 per cent increase in tree canopy was associated with a roughly 12 per cent decrease in crime.’ This was backed up by a couple of earlier studies that found the greener a building’s surroundings were, the fewer crimes reported.”

He suggests that trees get people outside and encourage people to sit or stroll. “People become more neighbourly or simply watch out for their community.

It is further believed that troublemakers pick up on this as they see a block lined with healthy trees as a tight-knit area where people look out for each other. So my advice to you is to plant a tree,” says McKay. He recommends that home owners should take fresh look at their property.

He asks, “What opportunities would a burglar see around your property?” Are critical views of your windows or doors from neighbouring properties obscured by overgrown landscaping? Are there adultsized hiding spots between your landscaping and accessible windows?”

He suggests home owners consider

re-establishing critical sightlines by having aggressive growing plant species pruned or selectively culled in favour of more modest ones. “Nothing more than three feet in these circumstances fully grown. By doing this, you can go a long way towards keeping your grounds free of one of nature’s most invasive species — the residential burglar,” says McKay. “Remember, the next time you admire the fruits of the garden, you might just be preventing a crime,” says McKay.

SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARING FOR ENFORCEMENT BLITZ

Ministry of Labour inspectors are conducting a four-month enforcement blitz focusing on young workers aged 14 to 24 years, and new or reassigned workers on the job for less than six months.

These workers are three times more likely to be injured during their first month on the job than at any other time, so convert this annual enforcement rite of spring into a customized injury prevention strategy.

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) is offering six suggestions on how to develop a prevention program

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INDUSTRY NEWS for new and young workers. While based on best practices, they’re also mindful of past enforcement blitz results.

• Before hiring, assess hazards related to the jobs you’re hiring for. Can you implement better controls? Is your joband hazard-specific training up to the mark?

• Review and update orientation training to ensure new workers know how to work safely and productively. But delivering the training is just the start. Have they grasped it? Are they able to apply it? Try this: tell them how to do it, show them how to do it, and then watch them do it.

Also, keep records. An inspector will want to know what the training covers, who’s taken it, and if they have understood the training and are applying it.

• Conduct your own blitz inspection. Ask new and young employees questions that an inspector might ask, such as where is the MSDS binder? What would they do if a customer becomes angry

or aggressive? How would they get that product down from the rack? If employees can’t answer the question correctly, you’ve got your topic for the next safety talk.

• Take generational and cultural differences into account. The best way to communicate with and train workers differs from one group to another.

For instance, young workers may be more comfortable with technology than older workers, and workers new to Canada may prefer training material in a language other than English.

Understanding which methods and languages will be most effective with each group will help you communicate effectively, increasing comprehension and results.

• Create a buddy system so that new hires have an experienced worker who can coach them and answer questions. This is particularly helpful for people entering the workforce for the first time or new to

Canada. Adjusting to a new job may just be one step in adjusting to a new life.

• Observe workers as they perform tasks. Coach, retrain, and offer positive reinforcement, especially when workers ask about safety. Always reinforce a corrective action as a positive result for everyone involved.

If you require further information or assistance you may call WSPS at 1-8779777, or email customercare@wsps.ca.

GROWERS’ RESEARCH PRIORITY REPORT RELEASED

The Ontario Horticulture Research Priority Report 2015 has been released

by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

In January of this year, Landscape Ontario, Flowers Canada Growers and Vineland hosted a research strategy workshop that included growers and other members of the value chain such as input suppliers, consultants, researchers, wholesale and retail.

Following a general discussion of market trends and a discussion that explored potential research areas, the group developed a set of criteria for prioritiz-

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ing research topics. These included will the research answer a need relevant to the industry, how fast will the research be done, what is the size, economic value and/or breadth of the potential impact of the research and that it needs to be specific, clear and well communicated.

Dr. Tania Humphrey PhD, Director of Strategic Planning and Research Management at Vineland, prepared the document. “The development of a research strategy or priority list is the first step that helps to provide focus and direction,” wrote Dr. Humphrey. “Implementing these priorities requires leadership from both industry groups and researchers. Both need to work together to come up with specific project ideas and matching funds and develop proposals for applying to research funding programs.”

The list contains nine priorities.

Areas include water, nutrients, labour, pests, consumer research, energy, lighting, improved production, improved root growth and new varieties.

For optimizing water use, the report states, “Utilize water more efficiently in ornamental plant production and improve water quality in storage and recirculation systems by optimizing growth media, irri-

gation systems and/or recirculation systems.”

To optimize nutrient use, the report recommends, “Develop strategies to optimize the use of nutrients in plant production in order to reduce input costs, promote plant health and manage contamination of water runoff.”

On reducing labour costs, the report concludes, “There is a need for earlystage research to characterize labour use and to identify issues and opportunities for driving down labour costs in the sector.”

The report’s recommendation on pest control, states, “Research to improve control of insects, weeds and disease in ornamental plant production. In greenhouse floriculture the primary focus should be on biocontrol strategies.”

Consumer research requires understanding market trends, quantify environmental benefits, identify what plants to grow, when to supply them, and how to present and market them.

On the issue of new varieties, the report states, “Identify low maintenance, high performing, environmentally beneficial and/or consumer preferred plant cultivars through trials and/or breeding.”

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The report recommends research to understand and improve root growth and /or prevent root circling in container nursery production and compacted soils.

Improving energy efficiency in greenhouse production requires strategies to reduce heat, electrical, energy and fuel use that are economically viable and commercially practical.

The report’s final research recommendation was on supplemental lighting.

“Strategies to improve the production potential of supplemental lighting in greenhouse floriculture,” states the report.

Dr. Humphrey writes, “The development of a research strategy or priority list is the first step that helps to provide focus and direction. Then, actually implementing these priorities requires leadership from both industry groups and researchers. Both need to work together to come up with specific project ideas and matching funds and develop proposals for applying to research funding programs.”

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EXECUTIVE DESK Message speaks to graduates and beyond Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

T

his month’s column is from the speech given by me at the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture graduation ceremony on Mar. 28, 2015. I feel it’s appropriate for members of our association. It follows.

Being invited to speak at the graduation ceremony for Niagara Parks School of Horticulture is a career highlight for me. The Niagara educational model is one of the best ways to teach horticulture. The residence, practical training and amazing outdoor classroom make it unique. It has one of the best reputations in the world.

The school has inspired generations of industry leaders, who have a contagious passion and enthusiasm for plants and nature. The long line of influential graduates has influenced the growth of an entire industry.

They certainly influenced me.

I was fortunate to learn some life lessons from people who were Niagara Parks graduates.

I started my career at the Humber

Proudly growing fine perennials

College Landscape Technology program in 1975. At the time the coordinator was Niagara Parks graduate Richard Hook.

(He went on to become the Vice President of the college.) Richard was intimidating. He had a huge vocabulary, and was very articulate.

As I walked into his office to find out if a career in landscaping was right for me, he did something I remember to this day.

He got up from behind his large spotless desk, and sat beside me as he enthusiastically described the industry and the program. You could sense how much he cared. He made me feel important and wanted. It was an easy decision to enroll.

Richard does not know how a small gesture made such a huge impact on me. I learned how important it was to have empathy and to care about others.

The director of Humber Arboretum was Art Coles, another Niagara Parks graduate. Art had unlimited energy and approached his job with great passion.

I watched how Art was able to mobilize students and sponsors to build the Arboretum and demonstration gardens.

I learned the importance of leadership, vision and goal setting by observing Art. He was a wonderful mentor.

One of the instructors at Humber was Ron Dubyk. Ron took me to my first meeting of the Niagara Parks School Alumni. I did not know what Alumni

25

for over

meant. The meeting was run in a very structured manner using Robert’s Rules.

They were discussing the building of a garden at the CNE. I learned the importance of community and collective contribution from that experience. I also saw firsthand the importance of continuity of vision through generations. The Alumni continue the work of those they don’t even know. A continuous thread of purpose, legacy and collective benefit connects them.

Throughout my career I have been influenced by hundreds of Niagara Parks graduates. I could write a very long article on how each one taught me something of value on my life journey. Since I don’t have the space, I will recognize one more wonderful graduate, Michael Pascoe.

I first met Michael when he called, very upset, because I had written an article about horticulture schools and made a grave error of not including Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. Michael and I have since become friends and fellow advocates for the industry.

He is the coordinator of the Horticulture Technician Program at Fanshawe College and an amazing supporter of Landscape Ontario. Through his enthusiasm and energy, he has built Fanshawe into a very important school for horticulture. He instills the same enthusiasm and professionalism in his students that was instilled in him by Niagara. Michael inspires me, too.

Here is another life lesson I learned at Humber College. After my first semester at Humber, I was having serious doubts.

I vividly remember sitting on the floor outside the library anxiously thinking about my future. At that moment I had an epiphany. I decided it did not matter if I had doubts. I could still choose to do

well. I learned that no matter what challenging situations you are in, you still have the freedom to choose your response. That life lesson stays with me to this day. It is liberating. I did well as a student and in every job I had since because of a conscious choice to do as well as I could.

There is another life-lesson I want to share. It is very personal.

In her last days, my mother was confined to a palliative care unit suffering from terminal and painful bone cancer. She had a steady stream of visitors who genuinely cared about her. Even though those were difficult days, they were also special.

Relationships seemed so real. Day-to-day details of life did not seem so important. One day she noticed I had a headache.

She insisted on saying a prayer for me. To her, life was all about treating others with care and love. What an important life lesson for all of us.

I now want to say a few words about the industry that you are entering. It is one of the few industries that offer so many profound benefits. Everyone knows about the aesthetic and beautification benefits. However, our industry also offers huge environmental, economic, therapeutic, recreational, lifestyle, tourism, health and spiritual benefits. In fact, I can’t think of any other industry (except perhaps the medical profession) that offers so many diverse benefits to society.

Very few industries touch people in so many ways. Here is how some Landscape Ontario members have described our important industry. James Thompson owns J. Garfield Thompson Landscape Limited. They build wonderful landscapes. After completing a job one day, his client said to him, “You are part of a green force for beauty.” At a growers’ auction at Somerville Nurseries, I heard one of the speakers say, “We are stewards of God’s creation.”

One day at a Windsor Chapter meeting, I heard the Canadian President of Aquascapes, Perry Molema (since deceased) describe a project he has undertaken.

He was asked by a widow to move an entire garden from one location to another because her late husband spent a lifetime developing and caring for this wonderful space. She was emotionally attached to the garden, because it was her husband’s passion. At the end of the story he said, “We are really in the business of enhancing lives.” What a great way to describe our industry. It’s more about the people than the plants.

Graduates, you come from a tradition of leadership. The brand of Niagara Parks is well established and will benefit you.

It is your turn to put your signature on the world and enhance

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lives through what you do and who you are. I hope the brief stories that inspired me will also inspire you. You have the freedom to choose.

Choose to care, assume leadership roles, set goals, contribute to your community and expand your network. Strive to master whatever you do and work to make the world a better place. Do your work with purpose. Your legacy matters.

Congratulations!

Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at tony@landscapeontario.com.

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WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 25

MEMBERSHIP

PUBLIC RELATIONS Signs of spring

Things are heating up

By Denis Flanagan CLD Director of Public Relations and Membership Services

A

lthough the weather has thrown some curveballs at our industry this spring, the hard working, family-owned businesses across the province were certainly up for the challenge. Here are three companies that are fine examples of a vibrant horticultural industry in Ontario with strong family values, running their businesses with hard work, smart practices, strong ethics and staying ahead of the trends. Congratulations to them and all the other 2,500 Landscape Ontario members.

Let’s hope 2015 is your best year ever.

LO held its first Member Appreciation Day at Connon Nurseries/NVK on May 20, with an excellent turnout to enjoy a barbecue and some networking opportunities.

Bradford Greenhouses also celebrating over 60 years Canadale Nurseries celebrates 60 years in business

While Pauline Intven was busy running the retail garden centre and organizing special events, her brother Tom took a well deserved break from the wholesale division and entertained the crowd by playing a few tunes with his ukulele band. Although the temperature was a bit chilly, the music and early spring colours produced lots of warm smiles on customers’ faces.

Francis Ferragine purchased property in 1961, and opened a wholesale operation. Since then, the company has blossomed, adding two retail operations with over 60 acres of growing and retail space. This makes Bradford one of the largest greenhouse growers in Central Ontario.

An important part of their business has been their relationship with Loblaw. Frankie Ferragine (aka Frankie Flowers) is seen here describing some new varieties to a group of garden writers under the watchful eye of Peter Cantley.

Kobes Nurseries close to 60 years in business

Again, with a fabulous family history, the company has run a successful wholesale nursery in the heart of the Durham region for nearly 60 years.

The family has met the challenge of a late spring through hard work and maintaining a solid customer base. The photo shows another large load of quality nursery stock being loaded for delivery. It seems that the Kobes organization really believes in its mission statement, “Our mission is to make a positive contribution to our environment, employees, customers and suppliers using plant material as our medium.”

26 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JUNE 2015

By Myscha Burton Membership and Chapter Coordinator

T

o celebrate Mother’s Day last month, my mom and I took a shopping trip for our first round of purchasing perennials. I admit I was like a kid in a candy store, selecting anything fitting into my sunlight quota and colour scheme for this year’s garden (if you’ve stopped by the office, you likely won’t be surprised that the theme is pink).

It was fantastic to see the names of so many LO member companies on the various plant materials. When I saw a familiar logo on the pots, I had many moments of thinking, “Hey, I know them!” I must say, it made me very proud. Thank you for your hard work and continued excellence; you make the industry look beautiful!

As things heat up for your company for the summer (literally), I wanted

to remind you of some of the safety resources available to you and your staff. Not to sound like a public service announcement, but safety is the responsibility of both staff and management; this cannot be reiterated enough.

A safe company is going to be more productive and efficient, have less paperwork in the long-run (an accident report is a minimum of eight pages for you and your employee), and looks better to potential clients. It is also the law to be compliant with provincial and federal safety regulations. You are in a unique industry and thus have unique and specific regulations that must be adhered to, for the safety of yourself and your team.

These safety rules and requirements do sound daunting at first, but we are here to help.

Your LO information hub, horttrades. com, has an extensive list of safety resources, including WSIB and occupational health and safety requirements and legislation, safety templates and checklists, as well as a wide variety of training resources for you and your staff.

These resources cover everything from vehicle inspections, safe equipment

handling, working in potentially hazardous environments, and a hot topic on everyone’s mind these days, working in the sun. The latter becomes increasingly important as you spend more time outdoors with temperatures and humidity on the rise. You and your staff spend long hours outside and while your tans are incredible, keeping cool, hydrated and protected from the sun are extremely important to reduce the risk of long-lasting damage to your bodies.

For additional resources, you can always consult Landscape Ontario’s HR Toolkit. You will find all of these fantastic and free resources at horttrades.com/ HRtoolkit. If you have specific safety questions, you may contact LO’s own safety and labour expert, Sally Harvey at sharvey@landscapeontario.com.

On May 20, we had our first Member Appreciation Day hosted at Connon Nurseries/ NVK in Waterdown. The event was a success and a great learning experience for our first Member Appreciation Day. Thank you to everyone who came out to visit. Photographs from the event may be viewed on Landscape Ontario’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ landscapeontario.

We will host our next Member Appreciation Day in June at Beaver Valley Stone in Thornhill. Be sure to check your e-news for the details, so you can come and get your LO resources, swag, and of course some refreshments.

While things slow down for us in May and June (during one of your busiest times), we have a full calendar starting in July with a number of chapter events.

Waterloo Chapter’s inaugural Family Day at Bingemans in Kitchener takes place on July 19. Toronto Chapter hosts the first golf tournament of the season on July 23 at Nobleton Lakes Golf Club. Golden Horseshoe Chapter’s golf tournament is on August 14 at Willow Valley Golf Course. We’re heading to Eastern Ontario in late August for the Upper Canada Chapter’s golf tournament on August 21, and Ottawa Chapter’s golf tournament on August 27. August will also include Georgian Lakelands Chapter’s annual barbecue and sector group update.

There will be more golf events in September with tournaments hosted by the London and Windsor Chapters, as well as the 2nd annual Georgian Lakelands Putting Challenge.

For details and online registration for these events please visit your chapter’s webpage at horttrades.com or contact me directly at myscha@landscapeontario.com or 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 27

UNDERGROUND WORLD Plan your locate requests

By Terry Murphy CLP

N

ormally the industry starts landscape construction projects on Apr. 1.

Everything, of course, depends on the weather.

I have seen some winters when contractors start in early March. Some winters are so severe, with such cold temperatures, that the ground is still frozen on Apr. 1.

This year was a bad one and many contractors started the second week of April. Regardless of the start date, your advanced planning of locate requests plays an important role in having locates delivered in a timely fashion. Have you ever

thought about this?

The question that I ask contractors is, “Did you send a schedule to Ontario One Call for the projects that you are going to be working on, including an estimated start date so that locates can be scheduled, in order to not hold up the project?” By scheduling your jobs into a plan, it keeps Ontario One Call advised so it can serve you better.

Yes, I know that the Ontario One Call Infrastructure Act (Bill 8) mandates that by law the process requires that the locate marking must be on the ground in five days or fines and penalties are levied against companies that hold up the process. But let’s be realistic. If every contractor requiring locates called Ontario One Call on Mar. 25, do you really think that all the locate markings would be on the ground on Apr. 1 for the start of the season? Contractors can help themselves by planning ahead and

advising Ontario One Call of their requirements. Working together is the only way this system will work for all parties.

The request demands on locate firms is totally out-of-wack in early April. They just do not have the staff to handle the volume of locate requests. It takes a lot of training to develop a professional and competent locator. You can’t just call a temp agency to get through this emergency period bringing in a locate professional for assignment during three to four weeks in April. It doesn’t work that way.

Statistics show that more and more firms are calling into Ontario One Call for locates. Landscape contractor locate requests are growing at an annual rate of 12.5 per cent. Fencing is growing at a rate of 9.5 per cent. There are over one-million locates requests entered into the Ontario One Call system each year. This is great, but you can see the great strain on the system and why there must be more advanced planning if we are to continue to achieve five-day locate markings from the time the request is made.

Comments, suggestions and questions can be directed to Terry Murphy at tvmurphy@ca.inter.net.

NE W

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PROSPERITY PARTNERS Smile, you’re on stage

By Jacki Hart CLP Prosperity Partners Program Manager

T

his is such a great time of year for us all in this industry. It’s when we really shine, and have our game on. This is the time of year when you’re going full steam ahead, multitasking at breakneck speed, and juggling more things than you could have imagined sometime last December.

This is also the time of year when you can be proud: you’ve completed projects for delighted customers, sold some of your best looking plants ever, welcomed new customers to your business, dusted off your memory of customer and plant names, and watched your staff working hard as a team — all in order to deliver on your company’s vision.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is YOUR stage.

June has always been insanely busy in our industry, and it’s also the time when staff members are back into the groove.

New employees are up to speed and gaining confidence, plants are filling out, lawns are greening up, and our customers are noticing and appreciating our professionalism, talent and the benefits they gain from our work. This is the time when WE get noticed.

This is the time when a driver in traffic notices your trucks, and hits your website on their phone while at a red light.

This is indeed the time of year that all of your staff training, marketing and advertising, sleepless nights, long hours, drive-thru diet, endless voice and emails, seminars attended at Congress or your local Chapter, new systems, etc., pay off. This is when it’s game on and coming at you fast.

And, throughout these hectic few months, it’s really hard to carve out time to look after ourselves. Yet, it’s the single most important thing that you can do, so that when you’re ‘on stage,’ you’re at your best.

I never realized the importance of taking time to breathe and re-charge, especially during the most stressful times. That is at least not until I had pushed myself every

year at break-neck speed for so many years in a row, and I ended up in hospital for a few weeks. I hit the proverbial wall, and spent an entire winter slowly recovering.

That was back in 2004. It was 12 years after I had started my business, had long since single-handedly blasted through the million dollar mark in sales, and was a force to be reckoned with — just ask any of my suppliers or employees from back then. I always felt like my head was in a vice, and if I let up for so much as one precious hour, everything in my business would come unravelled.

So, it’s with the utmost respect for your harried to-do list, endless hours, and frenetic pace that I suggest you take time out for you. I can guarantee if you make the time to slow down for a short period of time every week (preferably every day), you’ll be more effective, efficient and most probably, more pleasant to be around.

Forget what it’s like to relax and unwind? I’ve polled some of our members as to how they unwind when the pressure is on, and here’s their short list of ideas to help you decompress at this time of year: • Take your kids or dog (or both!) to a really nice or different neighbourhood, park the car, and go for a long walk, admiring the work of proud home owners.

• Plan a fun but quiet activity or meal with kids, friends, or community group.

• Challenge yourself to NOT talk about work or check your phone during home meals.

• Volunteer to help with a fun community event or fund-raiser (i.e. kids car wash event).

• Keep your fitness or social group routine (i.e. yoga, personal trainer, spin class, golf, darts, bridge).

• Join your fellow parishioners in a charity or church project.

• Spend one evening a week, alone, doing your favourite hobby.

• Make time to listen to relaxing music and actually read the whole newspaper.

• Take a short road trip with your spouse, leaving the cell phones in the trunk.

• Go to a great movie or theatre performance.

• Work in your own garden every Sunday afternoon without your phone.

• Hang out at the beach with family or friends.

• Have coffee or meal weekly with a good friend and only talk about current events.

Prosperity comes in many ways. Personal prosperity is not only measured with money and the number of happy clients.

That was my mistake years ago, because no one suggested I do anything other than work hard. So, I’m hoping that I can nudge you to be intentional about your own work life/balance.

I will leave you with a great question with respect to managing your stress: If not you then who, and if not now, then when?

I hope the answers are not ‘my doctor’ and ‘hopefully never’.

Landscape Ontario offers many opportunities to improve systems. There are also resources available outside of LO to create systems for various (or all) aspects of your business. These include: horttrades.com/ safety, horttrades.com/HRToolkit, lstraining.com, jplbiz.ca, and golmn.com.

Also, the Landscape Ontario Peer-toPeer Network is offering a Face-to-Face focus group session on Aug. 19 in Milton on Developing Internal Systems in Your Business. Go to http://gfl.me/x2uV for more information or to register.

The Peer to Peer Network is a LinkedIn forum for LO member business owners. To join, go to http://gfl.me/x2vv.

Free prosperity tool: Improve your bidding process This month we bring you a list of ideas to improve your chance to win a bid. This isn’t about a lottery; Win a Bid contains proven methods to improve your chances at being the company chosen in a tender process. Win a Bid is part of the Prosperity Partners Sales Success pillar. To access it online, go to http://gfl.me/x2xh.

Download these ideas and a wealth of other free Prosperity resources at horttrades. com/prosperitytemplates. The templates are organized by Prosperity Pillar, and can be customized to suit your business needs.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 29

Get INSPIRED GetCLASSIFIEDS CONNECTED

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All classified ads must be pre-paid by credit card. Rates: $50.85 (HST included) per column inch Min. order $50.85. 15% discount on ads run for entire calendar year. Box Numbers: Additional $10.

Confidentiality ensured. Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 20th). January deadline is Dec. 10. Space is limited to a first come, first served basis.

To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario. com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $67.80 (HST included) for Associaton members and $90.40 HST included for non-members. Website ads are posted for 31 days. View ads online at www.horttrades.com/classifieds

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