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News from VNLA
Legislative Update
This summer the VNLA has been diligently working for you in the regulatory and legislative world.
With the passing of HB1941/SB1161 Invasive Species Retail Signage, VDACS Commissioner Joe Guthrie shall designate in conjunction with the Invasive Species Working Group the format, size and content of these signs. The deadline for the completion of these signs is October 1, 2025. The Invasive Species Working Group is scheduled to meet the afternoon of September 17, 2025, 2:00 – 5:00 pm in Richmond. Public comment is welcome. Note: this legislation has an enactment clause, delaying the effectiveness of the law to January 1, 2027. This is when it becomes law.
A periodic review of the Noxious Weeds Law has also been filed. This review will determine whether this regulation should be repealed, amended, or retained in its current form. Public comment is wanted whether to understand whether the regulation (i) is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare or for the economical performance of important governmental functions; (ii) minimizes the economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable law; and (iii) is clearly written and easily understandable. Public comment is now open; the deadline is June 23, 2025
VNLA has distinct concerns with the proposed drafts Proposed Chapter 501. Rules and Regulations Governing the Construction and Maintenance of Migrant Labor Camps. The new language would be overly burdensome and costly to address the construction and maintenance of migrant labor camps by those in the horticulture industry. VNLA stresses the importance of providing a sound approach of ensuring safe, sanity conditions for all workers while considering feasibility for any business in the green industry. Meetings have been held May 6 and July 2, 2025, to review draft regulations. VNLA along with the Virginia Agribusiness Council, Virginia Farm Bureau, másLabor and others are engaged in this process. The proposed regulations are a significant departure from Virginia and federal regulations. Once the next steps are announced, we will share with you future meeting dates and draft regulations.
VNLA will continue to engage in these efforts and start the process of preparing for the 2026 General Assembly Session. With all members of the House of Delegates up for election and statewide races for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General in full steam, the next few months will be full of activity.
Nursery Research Updates from Dr. Kris Criscione, Hampton Roads AREC
Greetings, everyone! I hope that the beautiful weather across the state of Virginia has already stimulated home gardening, landscaping, and sales this spring. Although this will be my first summer in Virginia, the temperature has been incredibly refreshing so far.
I have a quick update for the Virginia green industry, as well as a favor to ask all of you.
First and foremost, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Horticulture Group is teaming up with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, as well as some Virginia Tech faculty and Extension Agents to continue the Greenhouse and Nursery Crop School. Likely topics that will be discussed may include VDACS-OPS legal updates and economic impact of tariffs and H2A employees, rootzone management for ornamental producers, pest and disease management, as well as a nursery tour. We are also working on providing Category 91 pesticide recertification credits. Please contact Ashley Appling for further information regarding the program and updates. You may email her - ashappling@vt.edu
As for my favor, I would like to conduct a simple, yet impactful, survey across the state of Virginia for nursery growers. Nursery operations heavily rely on consistent and clean resources to produce quality crop growth and ensure production fruition. Amongst many fundamental management practices, irrigation water quality and substrate choice are perhaps the two most important pillars of nursery production; though, poor quality water or substrates can lead to sizable setbacks later in the season.
What I would like to do is:
Take soilless substrate samples from your nursery operations and analyze the physical (water and air storage, porosity, bulk density, particle size distribution) and chemical (pH and electrical conductivity) properties of your growing media. Take irrigation water samples from your reservoir pond (or if you use city water) and the water that comes out of your sprinkler heads and conduct an entire analysis of your irrigation quality. I will analyze metrics like: pH, Hardness, Conductivity, SAR, RSC, Adj SAR, pHc, RNA, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Iron, Carbonate, Bicarbonate, Chloride, Sulfur as Sulfate, Boron, Salt Concentration, and Alkalinity.
Of course, all of this would be at no cost to the nurseries. I will provide a full report of your substrate and irrigation quality data to each participating nursery; however, since I would like to publish the findings, all data would remain anonymous.
Where I need your help is for you to fill out this very brief, 10 question survey.
The survey entails your yearly soilless substrate and amendment costs. Within the survey, there will be a “yes” and “no” box if you and your nursery are interested in having your substrate and irrigation samples analyzed. The survey and tests will help me gather a strong understanding of the current substrate and water quality resources nursery operations that are employed throughout the production year. Plus, it may enlighten some inefficiencies with your growing media or problems with your irrigation that you may not know exists.
I would really appreciate your help very much. Thank you all for your time and I am looking forward to hearing from the industry soon! Please contact me, Kris Criscione, with any questions, via email: kscriscione@vt.edu
