Tennessee Greentimes - Fall 2014

VOL. 15/NO. 3

Fall 2014

Native Grasses for Tennessee Landscapes

Your Staff Is Your Best Publicity Asset Also, Special Inside!

Program for the TN Green Industry Expo, October 2–3, at the Music City Center

Table of Contents

Upcoming Event Tennessee Green Industry Expo October 2–3, 2014 Nashville, TN

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VOL. 15/NO. 3

Fall 2014

In the Landscape Native Grasses for Tennessee Landscapes

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more features Eye on Business Your Staff Is Your Best Publicity Asset.............................................................................18

DEPARTMENTS From the President, Matt Dawson.....................................................................................6 TNLA New Members..........................................................................................................7 Industry Event.....................................................................................................................8 Index of Advertisers..........................................................................................................17 Calendar of Events............................................................................................................21

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tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

Recent Event Snapshots from TNLA’s Green Industry Field Days in Knoxville and McMinnville

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The Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Tennessee GreenTimes, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright ©2014 by the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association. Tennessee GreenTimes is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Green Times allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association.

We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs.

Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

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From the President Matt Dawson

Integrity...

Point Us in the Right Direction

A TNLA Would like to

Thank

the following companies for being

Membership Sponsors Gold Membership Sponsors Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Mix, Inc. Dayton Bag & Burlap Co. Greenrise Technologies, Inc. Hale & Hines Nursery Co. Randall Walker Farms Samara Farms Swafford Nursery, Inc.

Silver Membership Sponsors Common Grounds Reedy Landscaping, Inc. Tennessee 811 Turner & Son’s Nursery

friend of mine, Jim Paluch, wrote a letter several years ago that inspired me to make changes in my life. Below are some of his thoughts and mine that helped point me in the right direction. As we prepare ourselves for the busyness of fall, it’s good to make sure we are planning to keep our integrity in order.

All of us are faced with various situations throughout our lives that test us. These are the situations that may seem small and insignificant for the moment but may very well define who we are and what we stand for. Whether it is walking back into the store when we find something in the bottom of the cart that wasn’t paid for, telling our boss exactly how many sales calls were actually made or not checking an order to make sure all the plants on the truck meet the highest standard, the decisions at a moment of choice make a difference.

It has been said that the farmer who cheats is only cheating himself — put off mending the fence today, and you’ll be chasing livestock tomorrow. It comes down to a choice: to do what is the most convenient or to do the right thing. Are you doing what is easiest, most enjoyable or most profitable, or are you doing what is right?

Sometimes, they can be one and the same, but when they are not, then we put our character to the test. Think about the challenges you face each day to choose between what is convenient and what is right. It is the clear choice between evading responsibility and accepting responsibility. The habit of accepting responsibility paves the way to strong character and a great destiny.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Who you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you’re saying.” In challenging times, when ethics are more important than ever before, make sure you set a good example for everyone you work and live with.

These thoughts help guide me when I am setting my prices, leading my employees and, most of all, raising my children. I make mistakes every day and hope the outcome is not negative. The outcome of the event below, I will always remember.

My son, wife and I several years ago went to the fair, and the admission was $20 for adults and $10 dollars for kids age six and under. At this point in time, my son was seven and proud to be thought of as not a little kid. I proceeded to tell the gate attendant that I needed tickets for three adults, and I paid him. As I walked away, the attendant asked how old my son was. I proceeded to tell him, “Seven.” The attendant said, “You could have saved ten dollars and told me he was six, and I wouldn’t have known the difference.” I said, “Yes, that may be true, but my son would have known the difference.”

As I said those words, my son looked at me, and I thought I was a hero. I have heard other people tell a similar story. Maybe at that time of decision, subconsciously I knew what would happen and thus proceeded in the right direction. I wish all decisions were just as easy. As we move forward together with this great organization, I will always try to act and make decisions with integrity as president. Ultimately you have to trust your gut and go with what feels right. For me, I always try to think my seven-year-old son is right beside me.

Matt Dawson 2014 TNLA President

TNLA Annual Business Meeting, 6

tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

Friday, October 3, 2014, 8:00 a.m., Music City Center

New TNLA Members

Welcome,

TNLA New Members!

Active Member Select Seedlings Terry Grissom 1161 Harrison Ferry Rd. McMinnville, TN 37110

Associate Members Goldleaf Farms Phil Cates 1845 Lower Creighton Rd. Ball Ground, GA 30107

Harrell’s Turf & Landscape – Chattanooga Dennis Connelly Jr. 784 Bentleaf Drive Dallas, GA 30132 J & R Garden, Stone and Rental Inc. Tiffany Adams 2170 Hillsboro Road Franklin, TN 37069 Nufarm Americas, Inc. Greg Roman 126 Southwold Drive Cary, NC 27519

Richey Nursery Co., LLC Mark Richey 6184 Quarterline Road Spring Lake, MI 49456 Thompson Machinery Trace Hall 1245 Bridgestone Blvd.

LaVergne, TN 37086 Tuff Equipment Company Chad Morgan/ Tina Claxton 181 Industrial Blvd.

Lavergne, TN 37086

The Tennessee Greentimes is the official publication of The Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 115 Lyon Street McMinnville, Tennessee 37110 (931) 473-3951 Fax (931) 473-5883 www.tnla.com Email: mail@tnla.com Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com Editors Dr. Bill Klingeman Dr. Amy Fulcher Associate Editors Dr. Donna Fare Dr. Nick Gawel Dr. Frank Hale Mr. Gray Haun Dr. John Sorochan TNLA Officers President Matt Dawson Samara Farms 1st Vice President Jeff Harrell Tennessee Valley Nursery 2nd Vice President Kim Holden Holden Nursery 3rd Vice President Josh Woodlee David’s Nursery Secretary-Treasurer James Hines Hale & Hines Nursery, Inc. Associate Director Tony Graham Tractor Supply Co. Ex-Officio Bill Seaton TruGreen LandCare Executive Director Louree Walker Administrative Assistant Pam Stern

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Industry Event

Time Again “To Seek and To Share” with New Friends at the

Southern Region IPPS Meeting, October 26–29

By Anthony LeBude, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, and Bill Klingeman, Ph.D., The University of Tennessee

It’s

nearly time to join your friends and fellow growers at the 39th Annual Conference of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) Southern Region in Hickory, NC, October 26-29, 2014, at the Hickory Crowne Plaza.

Create new connections and strengthen roots at our welcome social in the Hickory Museum of Art. Learn the latest about camellia cultivars, discover secrets to novel propagation techniques, and gain insights about the impact of horticulture on the world! Attendees will have opportunities to place an auction bid on rare plants and can submit a question to the always lively, occasionally contentious, Question Box! Nursery and plant tours will include grower- and expert-guided visits to Buds and Blooms Nursery, Cam Too Camellias, Shiloh and Spivey’s Nursery, the NCSU Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, Southeast Native Nursery, Van Wingerden International and the NC Arboretum.

One of the hidden highlights of the meeting is being able to sit next to someone on the bus tour from another part of the country or world and share ideas about the industry, business, markets and the future of horticulture. There is no tradeshow associated with the meeting.

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The tours, education and events are grower focused.

If you are unfamiliar with IPPS-SR or missed out on previous Southern region meetings, you can visit http://ipps-srna. org/papers-presented-at-the-annualmeetings/ and scan the past four years of

papers presented by your colleagues and regional experts.

For more information about the 2014 meeting in Hickory, go to http://ippssrna.org to register and learn more about the conference. Do not miss this professional-development experience. C

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Upcoming Event

Don’t Miss the

Tennessee Green Industry Expo October 2–3, 2014 • The Music City Center • Nashville, TN

The

Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association and the Middle Tennessee Nursery Association are excited to be partners in the Tennessee Green Industry Expo! For the first time, the two associations are pooling resources and combining forces to hold a joint event that promises to be the state’s premier nursery and landscape get-together.

The Expo — packed with exhibitor displays, products and equipment — will be held on Thursday, October 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, several educational sessions will be held for attendees on Thursday. See program details below.

Easily accessible and affordable, the Tennessee Green Industry Expo is a great alternative to traveling the country searching for the products you need to make your business successful and increase your bottom line! Located within a day’s drive of more than half of the nation’s population, the Tennessee Green Industry Expo connects you with the industry’s top producers of plants and related products.

TNLA and MTNA look forward to seeing you here!

Trade Show Hours Thursday, October 2 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday, October 3

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Expo Host Hotels

All-Day Thursday Workshop

Be sure to make your reservations early. Rooms will sell out quickly (many nearby hotels are already sold out)! Reservations at either of this year’s host hotels can be made online by going to www.tngie.com and selecting Hotel Information.

Selling, Pricing and Making a Profit

Omni Nashville Hotel

In this seminar, learn about real-world strategies being employed by contractors who are working to produce both increased sales and profits. Many of the old ways of selling and pricing no longer generate the profits they did five years ago. In fact, they may actually reduce competitiveness and profitability. If you are an owner/manager and have several key people who need to understand the business side of making a profit, come hear long-time industry educators Jeff Harkness and Kevin Kehoe team up to give you insights into the strategies and tactics of high-profit companies.

(across from the Music City Center) 250 Fifth Avenue South

(800) 843-6664 • Rate: $253 for single/double,

by Tuesday, Sept. 2.

• Free Wi-Fi. • Valet Parking is $30 per night.

However, the Music City Center has 1,800 parking spaces, and parking is $18 per day.

Hyatt Place 301 3rd Avenue South

(615) 687-9995 • Rate: $189 single/double,

by Tuesday, Sept. 2.

• Free Wi-Fi and breakfast.

• Valet parking is $24+ tax per night. Self-parking is available for $20+ tax per night.

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Expo Education Program Thursday, October 2, 2014 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Registration open in front of Exhibit Hall D.

Concurrent Morning Session A Meeting Room 201 | You must have an Education Badge to attend.

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

A1. Selling, Pricing and Making a Profit, Part I Presenter: Kevin Kehoe, Three Point Group In this morning session, Kevin will discuss sales, including: • Benchmarks for sales success • The five habits of successful sales organizations • Pitch Perfect: How to differentiate • Plan Ready: How to generate leads and proposals • Up Front: How to separate prospects from tire-kickers • Dash Board: How to do sales tracking • ABC: How to present and close

Concurrent Morning Sessions B Meeting Room 203 | You must have an Education Badge to attend.

8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.

B1. New and Proven Japanese Maples for the South Presenters: Mr. Matt Nichols and Mr. Tim Nichols Mr. Maple, Flatrock, NC

9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

B2. What Is Happening to the Bees?

Presenter: Dr. Blair Sampson, USDA, ARS

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

B3. IPM Practices Made Easy for Nursery/ Landscape Professionals Presenter: Dr. Amy Fulcher, The University of Tennessee

Visit Tradeshow

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Concurrent Afternoon Session A Meeting Room 201 | You must have an Education Badge to attend.

2:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

A2. Selling, Pricing and Making a Profit, Part II Presenter: Jeff Harkness, Three Point Group In this afternoon session, Frank will talk about pricing and profits, including: • Benchmarks for profitability • Establishing a pricing model and price levels • Determining budget for labor and material markups • Establishing consistent estimating • Determining customer profit • Integrating with operational controls and job tracking report

4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

B6. UFO: Unidentified Fungal Organisms Presenter: Ms. Amy Dismukes, Tennessee State University

Friday, October 3, 2014 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Registration open in front of Exhibit Hall D.

TNLA Annual Business Meeting

8:00 a.m.

Music City Center, Room 204 Open to all TNLA members.

New TNLA officers for 2015 will be elected.

MTNA Annual Business Meeting

9:00 a.m.

Music City Center, Room 204 Open to all MTNA members.

New MTNA officers for 2015 will be elected and installed.

Visit Tradeshow

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Concurrent Afternoon Session B Meeting Room 203 | You must have an Education Badge to attend.

2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.

B4. New and Proven Weed Control Practices Presenter: Dr. Chris Marble, University of Florida 3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.

B5. How Much Water Do My Plants Need Anyway for Optimal Growth Presenter: Dr. Jim Owen, Virginia Tech University

Pesticide Recertification Points Six recertification points in C3, C10, and C12, have been assigned to the educational sessions.

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In the Landscape / Cover Story

Native Grasses for Tennessee Landscapes

By Tom Samples, Ph.D., John Sorochan, Ph.D., and John Parham, The University of Tennessee

Figure 1. Surface water protection triangle.

Figure 2. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map of Tennessee

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N

ative grasses are planted in Tennessee landscapes for several reasons. They can be used to provide nesting habitat for birds, attract wildlife, control erosion, reduce maintenance costs, improve plant diversity and add seasonal color. Some, such as sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) are relatively short, reaching a height of ~36 inches at maturity. Others, including big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), are tall and may reach a height of more than 6 feet. Leaf texture, color and variegation also often vary among species and varieties. For example, in summer the leaves of Mexican feather grass (Nasella tenuissima) are yellow or golden, while those of bitter panic grass (Panicum amarum) are grayish-green.

Mexican feather grass also has very slender leaves, while the leaves of giant reed grass (Arundo donax) are coarse, often 2 or more inches wide.

Several species, including little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), thrive in clayey, fine-textured soils low in fertility. Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) is best adapted in well-drained soils. As its name implies, the warmseason native species woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is tolerant of shade and grows in forests. Many motorists are very familiar with broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virginicus), a species they observe growing along the state’s highways.

Several species of native warm- and cool-season grasses are often planted along with trees and shrubs in buffer strips next to streams, lakes and ponds (Figure 1). These grasses are especially effective in reducing the flow rate of water across the surface, improving water infiltration into the soil and filtering sediment and chemicals that threaten water quality (Table 1).

In 2012, The United States Department of Agriculture introduced a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map. It serves as a standard by which green-industry professionals and others can predict what plant species are most likely to survive extreme low temperatures at a given location (Figure 2).

Table 1. Trees, shrubs and grasses can be used in riparian buffers to protect or improve water quality in lakes, streams and ponds.

Purpose

Trees

Shrubs

Grasses

Filter sediment

Low

Low

High

Filter chemicals

Low

Low

Medium

Stabilize stream banks

High

High

Low

Intercept runoff

High

High

High

Rate of water infiltration

Medium

Medium

High

A short summary of characteristics of several native grasses follows. Much of this information is available online at

http://plants.usda.gov/java/, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Resources Service website. C

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) USDA Hardiness Zones

4 – 10

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

155

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

20 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

Foliage texture

Medium

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

6 feet

Adapted to coarsetextured soils

Yes

‘Earl’ ‘Kaw’ ‘Niagara’ ‘Ozark’ ‘Pawnee’ ‘Rountree’

Adapted to mediumtextured soils

Yes

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

6.0 – 7.5

Fertility requirement

Low

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) USDA Hardiness Zones

3–9

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

100

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

14 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

Foliage texture

Medium

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

~ 3 feet

Adapted to coarsetextured soils

Yes

‘Aldous’ ‘Badlands’ ‘Blaze’ ‘Camper’ ‘Cimarron’ ‘Pastura’

Adapted to mediumtextured soils

Yes

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.0 – 8.4

Fertility requirement

Low

tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

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In the Landscape / Cover Story

Broomsedge Bluestem (Andropogon virginicus) USDA Hardiness Zones

5 – 10

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

135

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

14 inches

Bloom period

Late spring

Varieties

None

Foliage texture

Medium

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

~ 3 feet

Adapted to coarsetextured soils

No

Adapted to mediumtextured soils

Yes

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

4.9 – 7.0

Fertility requirement

Low

Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) USDA Hardiness Zones

5–9

Drought tolerance

Medium

Active growth period

Summer and Fall

Frost-free days, minimum

120

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

24 inches

Bloom period

Spring to Fall

Varieties

Foliage texture

Coarse

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 6 feet or more

Adapted to coarsetextured soils

Yes

Adapted to mediumtextured soil

Yes

‘Americus’ ‘Cheyenne’ ‘Holt’ ‘Liano’ ‘Lometa’ ‘Nebraska 54’ ‘Osage’ ‘Oto’ ‘Pawnee’ ‘Rumsey’ ‘Tomahawk’

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

4.8 – 8.0

Fertility requirement

Low

Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)

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tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 – 10

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Root depth

May reach 3 feet

Flower color

White

Varieties

None

Bloom period

Summer

Foliage texture

Fine

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

~ 2 feet

Adaptation: Soil

Rocky slopes and dry, welldrained soils

Soil pH range

6.0 – 7.0 preferred

Fertility requirement

Low

In the Landscape / Cover Story

Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaries) USDA Hardiness Zones

5 – 10

Drought tolerance

Low

Active growth period

Spring and Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

120

Flower color

Red

Root depth, minimum

9 inches

Bloom period

Fall

Varieties

None

Foliage texture

Fine

Growth habit

Bunch

Mature height

~ 3 feet

Adapted to coarsetextured soils

Yes

Adapted to mediumtextured soils

Yes

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.8 – 6.8

Fertility requirement

Low

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) USDA Hardiness Zones

4–7

Drought tolerance

Medium

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

90

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

12 inches

Bloom period

Spring

Varieties

Foliage texture

Medium

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 3 feet

Adapted to coarsetextured soils

Yes

Adapted to mediumtextured soils

Yes

‘Butte’ ‘El Reno’ ‘Haskell’ ‘Killdeer’ ‘Niner’ ‘Pierre’ ‘Premier’ ‘Trailway’ ‘Vaughn’

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.5 – 8.5

Fertility requirement

Low

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) USDA Hardiness Zones

5–9

Drought tolerance

Medium

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

120

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

12 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

Foliage texture

Coarse

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 5 feet or more

Adapted to coarse-textured soils

Yes

Adapted to medium-textured soils

Yes

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

4.5 – 8.0

Fertility requirement

Low to Medium

‘Alamo’ ‘Blackwell’ ‘Cave-in-Rock’ ‘Dakotah’ ‘Forestburg’ ‘Grenville’ ‘Heavy Metal’ ‘Kanlow’ ‘Nebraska 28’ ‘Northwind’ ‘Pathfinder’ ‘Shelter’ ‘Summer’ ‘Trailblazer’

tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

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In the Landscape / Cover Story

Woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium) USDA Hardiness Zones

5–9

Drought tolerance

Medium

Active growth period

Spring and Fall

Frost-free days, minimum

160 days

Flower color

Green

Root depth, minimum

10 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

None

Foliage texture

Fine–Medium

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 4 feet or more

Adapted to coarse-textured soils

Yes

Adapted to medium-textured soils

Yes

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.0 – 7.0

Fertility requirement

Low

Bitter Panicgrass (Panicum amarum) USDA Hardiness Zones

3–9

Drought tolerance

High

Active growth period

Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

180

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

16 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

Foliage texture

Coarse

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

‘Atlantic’ ‘Dewey Blue’ ‘Northpa’ ‘Southpa’

Mature height

~ 5 feet

Adapted to coarse-textured soils

Yes

Adapted to medium-textured soils

Yes

Adapted to fine-textured soils

Yes

Soil pH range

5.0 – 7.5

Fertility requirement

Low

Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectina)

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tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

USDA Hardiness Zones

5–9

Drought tolerance

Low

Active growth period

Spring to Summer

Frost-free days, minimum

110

Flower color

Yellow

Root depth, minimum

18 inches

Bloom period

Summer

Varieties

‘Aureomarginata’

Foliage texture

Coarse

Growth habit

Rhizomatous

Mature height

~ 8 feet

Adapted to coarse-textured soils

Yes

Adapted to medium-textured soils

Yes

Adapted to fine-textured soils

No

Soil pH range

6.0 – 8.5

Fertility requirement

Medium

Index of Advertisers

Braun Horticulture........................................................................................5 www.braungroup.com

Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Mix Inc..........................................................9 www.barkybeaver.com

Blankenship Farms.......................................................................................5 www.blankenshipfarmsandnursery.com

Boshancee Nursery, Inc.............................................................................17 www.boshanceensy.com

Center Hill Nursery.....................................................................................22 www.centerhillnurseries.com

Coleman Farms...........................................................................................22 D & D Agri....................................................................................................19 Fairview Evergreen Nurseries.....................................................................5 www.fairviewevergreen.com

Herd Farms Nursery...................................................................................21 www.herdfarmsnursery.com

Hidden Valley Nursery................................................................................22 www.hiddenvalleynursery.com

John Deere Landscapes............................................................................17 www.johndeerelandscapes.com

John Holmlund Nursery.............................................................................22 www.jhnsy.com

Mid Tenn Turf, Inc.................................................................................8, 22 www.midtennturf.com

Motz & Son Nursery...................................................................................21 Odom Nursery Company.............................................................................7 www.odomnursery.com

OHP................................................................................................................22 www.ohp.com

Oldham Chemicals Co...................................................Inside Front Cover www.oldhamchem.com

Richey Nursery Company, LLC.................................................................17 www.richeynursery.com

Samara Farms / Natural Creations...........................................................3 www.samarafarms.com

Smith Seed Services..................................................................................22 www.smithseed.com

Surface Nursery Inc.....................................................................................9 www.surfacenursery.com

Swafford Nursery....................................................................... Back Cover www.swaffordnursery.com

Tennessee 811 / Tennessee One Call....................................................19 www.tnonecall.com

Tree Equipment Design, Inc.......................................................................8 www.treeequip.com

Thomas Nursery..........................................................................................22 www.thomasnurserytrees.com

Turner & Sons.............................................................................................22 www.turnerandsonsnursery.com

Wellmaster Carts........................................................... Inside Back Cover www.wellmaster.ca

tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

17

Eye on Business

Your Staff Is Your

Best Publicity Asset

By Russell Trahan, PR/PR Public Relations

T

hroughout the business landscape, countless days and hours are spent on the hiring process — rifling through resumes, conducting phone and in-person interviews and vetting potential hires — and for good reason. Company payroll budgets contain only so much flexibility for new employees, and selecting the correct individual to fill an open position involves much more than just ensuring his/ her competence in the role. Your new employee is also joining the best weapon in your companywide publicity arsenal: your staff.

Your selection of staff members should go beyond just the tangible skills they bring to the office and their ability to complete projects and achieve goals during the workday. It should also include their talent for recruiting and driving business when the day is done.

Your employees — present and future — should recognize the value of out-ofoffice networking skills and practices, as even simple interactions after-hours or on the weekends could potentially engage new customers or clients.

It is for that reason that you, as a manager or business owner, should consider the people you employ as an essential component to any of your publicity efforts, as they are often your establishment’s first-impression and top recruiting asset once the office lights go out for the evening.

There are multiple best practices for instilling a sense of off-the-clock commitment in your present and future employees, and utilizing them to foster a sense of organizational pride will work wonders in your efforts to bolster your company

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tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

image. Online, in person and over the phone, your staff should recognize their value away from the office.

The social ovation Incalculable business relationships are now created and nurtured in the socialmedia stratosphere, and acuity in this area can be an accurate barometer for real-world success. Along with your business’ online presence and activity, your employees can boost your impact in the social-media arena by broadcasting companywide or individual accomplishments from their personal profiles. This can be as simple as a sharing a blog post that a staff member is particularly proud of or that garnered an extensive degree of attention, or actively promoting any sponsored events or appearances.

Client or customer bases can be developed through your employees’ relationships, especially if they are pleased enough with their individual contributions and the level of work coming out of your offices to show them off. Regularly recognize and applaud their performance in-office, and they may be compelled to share it out of the office — chiefly, on their social-media platforms.

A fulfilled employee is an employee who enthusiastically wants to share your achievements.

Word-of-mouth is often the most powerful form of promotion or advertising, and your staff can be the premier vehicle for this type of reputation advancement.

The business card is timeless There is no action in the business world more common than the time-honored

tradition of exchanging business cards.

Even with a shift toward internetcentricity and networking, every executive will always have a business card on hand, one which should also contain that person’s array of online links and contact information.

Employers should encourage their staff members to keep a few cards on the ready. Any chance interaction outside of the workplace can quickly shift into a professional conversation, and a casual swap of business cards on Saturday night may result in a new product order or contract Monday morning. Many things will change in the business environment, but the business card is a timeless object that will remain a fundamental networking component.

Maintaining a convention game face Regardless of primary field or industry, chances are you will send out staff representatives to attend a conference or convention on your company’s behalf at some point. Effectively working a booth is an imperative skill that your employees need to possess to ensure that you receive a tangible return on your sponsorship investment.

Part of making an appearance at a corporate convention a fruitful one is the overall demeanor from inside the booth.

Your employees should understand the value of simple, conversational engagement with those who stop by; not everyone will want to secure your services, but they should all be treated as such.

A smile and a simple acknowledgement greeting to passersby can be the easiest

route to increased booth traffic and solid sales leads at the event’s conclusion.

Email etiquette has no day off With the culture of connectedness that was ushered in by the widespread adoption of laptops, tablets and smartphones, your salaried employees are now within reach at all hours of the day and every day of the week.

When receiving work-related emails or text correspondence while away from the office, your staff should be remain acutely aware that in-house etiquette still applies and not allow themselves to slip into casual text-speak or a tone they may utilize on their day off. Improper email decorum is an immediate strike against company credibility, so make sure you instill in your workforce the importance of proper electronic communication.

In summary Your product or service is only as good as the people you have on board. When your employees and associates realize and appreciate their value to your operation and the role they play in actively promoting your business, the more cognizant they become of their actions when they leave the workplace. When you impress upon your staff their importance to the company and their influence on overall accomplishments, you create a workplace culture of collective input and shared success.

And when your employees realize their fundamental position in your business, they ardently become an extension of your publicity undertakings and make a point to contribute, even when they are away from the workplace. C About the author: Russell Trahan is president of PR/PR, a boutique public relations agency specializing in positioning clients in front of their target audience in print and online. PR/PR represents experts of all kinds who are seeking national exposure for their business or organization. For more information, visit our website at www.prpr.net, or contact Russell at (407) 895-8800.

Recent Event

Snapshots from the

Tennessee Green Industry Field Day June 3, 2014 • Tennessee State University Nursery Research Center • McMinnville, TN

Thanks to Our Exhibitors!

• Anderson Mulch & Soil, LLC • Dickens Turf & Landscape Supply • Ewing Irrigation • General Equipment Company • Harrell’s, LLC — Turf & Landscape Division • Middle Tennessee Nursery Association • Riverbend Nurseries, LLC • Samara Farms • Southern Ag • Tennessee Valley Tractor & Equipment • TriGreen Equipment, LLC

Snapshots from the

Tennessee Green Industry Field Day June 24, 2014 • The University of Tennessee Gardens • Knoxville, TN

Thanks to Our Exhibitors!

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

• Airtech Tools

Lunch Sponsors

• Anderson Mulch & Soil, LLC

• Forest Nursery Company

• Dickens Turf & Landscape Supply

• John Deere Landscapes

• Ewing Irrigation • Harrell’s, LLC – Turf & Landscape Division • Samara Farms • Southern Ag • Volunteer Turf, LLC

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tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

Water Sponsor • Holden Nursery

Calendar of Events

September 12

Univ. of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Field Day University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN

October 2–3

Tennessee Green Industry Expo To be held in conjunction with The Middle Tennessee Nursery Association (MTNA) Music City Center Nashville, TN Contact: 931-473-3951 Fax: 931-473-5833 Email: mail@tnla.com www.tngie.com

October 22–24

January 5–7, 2015

October 26-29

January 5–9, 2015

PLANET Green Industry Conference and GIE+EXPO Marriott Louisville and Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY Contact: 800-395-2522 www.landcarenetwork.org/GIC

IPPS – Southern Region 39th Annual Meeting (Intl. Plant Propagators Soc.) Hickory, NC Contact: 803-743-4284 www.ipps-srna.org

November 15–18

ASLA – Annual Meeting & Expo (American Society of Landscape Architects) Colorado Convention Center Denver, CO Contact: jdepass@asla.org www.asla.org

49th Annual TTA Conference and Trade Show (TN Turfgrass Assn.)

Marriott Cool Springs Franklin, TN Contact: 615-591-8286 www.ttaonline.org

Green & Growin’ Show (NC Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel and Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC Contact: 919-816-9119 www.ncnla.com

January 14–16, 2015 Mid-America Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, MD Contact: 800-431-0066 www.mants.com

January 7–9, 2015

CENTS (Ohio Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

Greater Columbus Conv. Center Columbus, OH Contact: 800-825-5062 www.centshow.org

January 20–22, 2015 KY Landscape Industries Winter Education & Expo Louisville, KY Contact: 502-320-3733 Email: mail.knla@gmail.com

tennessee greentimes Fall 2014

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tennessee greentimes Fall 2014