The Scoop - March 2022

BIOCONTROLS & IPM

FLUCTUATING WORK WEEK

LANDSCAPE AWARDS 2022

WHAT NOT TO PLANT

ALSO INSIDE:

LABELING NURSERY STOCK

PLUS:

WHY HAVE CUSTOMERS BECOME SO AGGRESSIVE AND BELLIGERENT? march 2022 n v45 n3

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

A Flurry of Savings Order Bachman’s-Grown, Field Direct trees this winter and save next spring.

Save on arborvitae, birch, crabapple, coffeetree, elm, hackberry, hawthorn, honeylocust, lilac, linden, maple, oak, serviceberry, spruce, and more!

Place your orders today.

BachmansWholesale.com

Wholesale Nursery: (651) 463-3288 | (800) 525-6641 | Fax: (651) 463-4747 6877 235th St. W., Farmington, MN 55024 Hardscapes Cedar Acres: (952) 469-9665 | Fax: (952) 469-9674 23004 Cedar Ave. S., Farmington, MN 55024

©2022 Bachman’s Inc.

Contact your sales representative for availability and pricing.

march 2022 n v45 n3

19 54

8 34

Events

10 Wow, What a Ride!

New MNLA President Randy Berg reflects on the journey from non-participatory member to volunteer leader.

23 How the Fluctuating Work Week Pay Method Can Save Money Patrick McGuiness explains this very useful tool

48

14

Biocontrols & IPM

Vera Krischik explains how to reduce pesticide use and water contamination using insects and pathogens to control pests or diseases.    

for the green industry and other industries that are seasonal in nature.

44 Trivia Trail Winners These people braved the Trivia Trail at Northern Green 2022 and were rewarded with $100 gift cards.

53 Trade Show Casino Winners

19

Labeling Nursery Stock Properly for Cold Hardiness

How do we ensure the public has the best and most up-to-date cold hardiness information when purchasing landscape plants?  

Did you know 10 lucky players won $500 cash each at the Trade Show Casino on Thursday at Northern Green?

54 Photos from Northern Green The Green Industry Awards Celebration and

27

What Not to Plant

Peter MacDonagh notes that we over-rely on a very small selection of trees in our cities, and cautions against planting more of these. 

34

Landscape Awards 2022

Congratulations to the companies and personnel behind these projects!  

Northern Green Trade Show were back in action!

56 Thank You Donors!

The MNLA Foundation Silent Auction and Bottle Pull wouldn’t have been possible without your contributions.

59 Board of Directors Election Results These volunteer leaders serve to guide MNLA’s strategy and oversee its financial stability.

48

Why Have Customers Become So Aggressive and Belligerent?

As mask mandates are lifted, the rotten feelings we have toward customers and shoppers could remain. 

 Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Mgmt  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Mgmt  Arborists & Tree Services  All

62 Kim Gaida-Wagener Receives Special Service Award Kim was honored for her fundraising efforts for the MNLA Foundation including the creation of a Bottle Pull event.

Cover photo: LIVIT Site + Structure. Table of Contents Images: Top: Jim Calkins. Middle: Southview Design. Bottom: iStock.com/ Rawpixel. march 22 MNLA.BIZ

5

DIRECTORY

march 2022 n v45 n3

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here!

1813 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987 • Fax: 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, Fax: 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz • www.NorthernGreen.org

Ancom Communications Inc and Midwest Radio Rentals .......... 18 Anderson Nurseries, Inc. ...................................................................... 9 Aspen Equipment ................................................................................. 39 Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes ................................ 3

Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape

Bullis Insurance Agency ..................................................................... 26

Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

Central Landscape Supply ................................................................. 60

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Randy Berg, President Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com Matt Mallas, Vice-President SiteOne Landscape Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@siteone.com Terri McEnaney, Secretary-Treasurer Bailey Nurseries (651) 459-9744 • terri.mcenaney@baileynursery.com Faith Appelquist, MNLA-CP Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.com Greg Krogstad Rainbow Treecare (952) 922-3810 • gkrogstad@rainbowtreecare.com Patrick McGuiness Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC (651) 331-6500 • pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com John O’Reilly Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com Nick Sargent, MNLA-CP Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com Jim Shimon Willow River Company — Landscaping & Tree Farm (715) 386-3196 • jimshimon@willowrivertree.com Cassie Larson, CAE MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz STAFF DIRECTORY Executive Director: Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz

Cushman Motor Company ................................................................. 21 Davey Twin Cities Wood Products .................................................... 39 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................... 16 Environmental Design Inc .................................................................. 40 Fahey Sales Agency, Inc. ..................................................................... 60 Frost Inc ................................................................................................. 60 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .............................. 2 Glacial Ridge Growers ......................................................................... 60 Gopher State One-Call ....................................................................... 16 Green Turf Sod Farms ........................................................................... 4 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet ...................................................................... 32–33 Keen Edge Company ........................................................................... 25 Klaus Nurseries .................................................................................... 18 Lano Equipment, Inc. .......................................................................... 18 Midwest Groundcovers LLC ................................................................ 11 Minnesota Propane Association ...................................................... 53 Niebur Tractor & Equipment ............................................................. 58 Out Back Nursery ................................................................................. 26 Plaisted Companies ............................................................................... 7 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ............................................................. 9 SiteOne Landscape Supply ................................................................ 17 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility ..................................................... 58 Spring Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners Color Choice ............. 47 Sunbelt Business Advisors ................................................................ 43 The Resultants ...................................................................................... 24 The Tessman Company ....................................................................... 26

Associate Director: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz

Touchstone Accent Lighting ................................................................ 9

Dir. of Government Affairs: Forrest Cyr • forrest@mnla.biz Regulatory Affairs Mgr: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz

Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .......................................................................... 31

Foundation Program Mgr: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz Administrative Assistant: Louise Nemmers • louise@mnla.biz Accountant: Pam Helgeson • accounting@mnla.biz Advertising Sales: 763-295-5420 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com Legislative Affairs Consultant: Doug Carnival 6

MNLA.BIZ march 22

Unilock Chicago, Inc. ........................................................................... 57 Versa-Lok Midwest .............................................................................. 22 Wheeler Landscape Supply ............................................................... 43 Ziegler CAT ............................................................................. Back Cover

UPCOMING

MINNESOTA SHADE TREE SHORT COURSE (VIRTUAL)

MAR

15 –16

A two-day virtual course for everyone involved in urban forestry, arboriculture, and the green industry. Minnesota Certified Tree Inspectors will be re-certified by attending the



entire short course. ISA Certified Arborist© CEUs are available for most sessions. mnstsc.org

GREENHOUSE IPM AND BIOCONTROL PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION WORKSHOP

MAR

17



**This workshop qualifies for Categories A/E recertification.** This program is for Greenhouse IPM managers, growers, and applicators. Learn about new pesticides, compatibility of pesticides with biocontrol organisms, identification and management of thrips, aphids, scales, and biostimulants to prevent pathogens and bring awareness of the interactions of releasing biocontrol agents and chemical pesticides.

Midland Hills Country Club

MASTERING FOREMANSHIP SEMINAR

MAR

21

This workshop offers complete foremanship training on how to more effectively handle



tight deadlines, tight margins, and increase customer satisfaction. How the customer perceives the foreman’s crew is fundamental to the success of a contractor’s business.

The Wellstone Center ➽St. Paul, MN

HALF-DAY STRING TRIMMER, BLOWER & HEDGE TRIMMER SAFETY & MAINTENANCE SEMINAR (ENGLISH AND SPANISH)

MAR

22



This half-day seminar taught by Armando Actis is being offered in both English (morning) and Spanish (afternoon) and will provide contractors important information related to OSHA string trimmer, blower, and hedge trimmer safety and maintenance.

Cedarholm Community Room ➽Roseville, MN

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP (ONLINE)

MAR

23 APR –06 iStock.com/goodmoments

Prepare for category A and E pesticide applicator certification exams via an on-demand virtual study program with a live Zoom Q&A session. The workshop is a series of ten, 1-hour training webinars recorded by Dr. Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota.

Online

GREEN INDUSTRY SPRING TRAINING

MAR

30 –31

This 2-day workshop will provide fundamental training for new and returning green industry professionals so they can hit the ground running in Spring 2022.



Roseville Skating Center➽Roseville, MN

HOT LEGAL TOPICS WEBINAR: CURRENT GREEN INDUSTRY TOPICS

APR

12

The Scoop, March 2022, Issue 3 is issued monthly,



12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats

The green industry legal landscape is always changing and it’s important as a CEO,

published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery &

business owner, or manager to be well informed. This webinar will feature attorneys from

Landscape Association, 2022, and may not be used

Zlimen and McGuiness, PLLC who will discuss the industry’s current “hot legal topics.”

without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave

Online

N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813

2022 MNLA seminars generously supported by:

Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact the publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987. MNLA



reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

➽Information on industry events: MNLA.biz/events. Free member-only videos: MNLA.biz/OnlineEducation.

8

MNLA.BIZ march 22

Business

 Skills Training

 Networking



Leadership Development

General

OPEN HOUSE March 18, 2022

11:00am - 4:00pm at our Burnsville Location

3600 W Hwy 13 • Burnsville, MN 55337 • 952-895-7408 2022 price books available!

www.rockhardmn.com Boulders Outcroppings Natural Stone Mulch Decorative Rock Black Dirt Stone Fabrication

Pond Supplies Pavers Rock Drilling Basalt Mexican Beach Pebbles Landscape Lighting Landscape Supplies

Reminder: early buy specials are due by April 1st!

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Wow, What a Ride!

Randy Berg

Berg’s Nursery & Landscape MNLA President

Hi everyone! For those of you who do not know me I thought I would introduce myself and give you a bit of background.

Along with my wife Deb and son Luke, we own Berg’s Nursery & Landscape. We operate out of Austin (home of SPAM®).

Our primary market area is the Austin/Albert Lea area.

We have been in business since 1979. The business consists of a design/build division, garden center, and maintenance division.

My membership with MNLA started shortly after the 1980 season. For the following 20-plus years I, like many members, sent in my dues, attended an occasional education seminar, and of course Northern Green. I was what I would call a ‘lukewarm’ member. I was there but never participating. Then after several years, I attended a workshop and carpooled with Brad Wedge, a third-generation nursery owner operating out of Albert Lea. Brad and I had many ‘spirited‘ discussions after our first drive together. Brad was the Garden Center Committee chair at that time and asked me to join the committee. My response was no, no I wouldn’t have anything to offer. After further ‘arm twisting’

by Brad I reluctantly joined. Volunteering to join the committee turned out to be a career-changing decision.

What I did not know was the solid friendships I would

form. The other members were brothers and sisters with common problems, concerns, and interests. The networking, information sharing, and valued friendships made have never ended. Prior to joining a committee, I thought “I don’t have the time,” “I have a business to run,” “This committee stuff is for others.” All flawed thinking.

In later years, I eventually chaired the Garden Center Committee and later on, the Communication & Technology Committee. I have served on task teams and strategic planning teams and the Board of Directors, and now I have been elected to President. I follow in the footsteps of some very talented leaders. As times change and the MNLA changes with them, I hope I can lead as well as my predecessors. We currently have an excellent team on the Board. We are here to serve you, the member, to assist you in running your business more profitably.

I also encourage anyone interested in getting more involved in the MNLA not to wait. We need YOU!! Contact myself or MNLA Executive Director Cassie Larson to help you get started.

➽ RANDY Is the owner of Berg’s Nursery & Landscape in Austin, and a Certified Professional Landscape Designer. You can reach Randy at randy@bergsnursery.com.

10

MNLA.BIZ march 22

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Advertorial

HOUSEPLANTS ARE THE NEW “WORKPLANTS” While officing at home, many have felt the benefits of houseplants. Filling their home office with undemanding plants to fit their space. Now, as we are moving between home and office, those same employees are wanting their workspaces to have that “at home” feel and are asking employers to provide it.

“Workplants” or office-plants, if you will, are the *new* houseplants. Our collective experience as we continue to navigate our way through the last

two years of a pandemic has proven to businesses the value of plant life in the office1 and they are looking to provide that atmosphere as they bring their employees back. One study, highlighted in a 2020 article in Science Daily, suggests that business owners would see an economic benefit in providing small plants at the work areas of their employees.2 From the article: “In addition, for growers of indoor plants and business owners of retail plant companies, the

field of mental health for office workers could open up a new avenue of a promising market.”

Visualize stepping into the lobby of an organization. See it with large greenery, then see it without and you will most likely feel a difference! It is obvious that plants in the office offer a visual benefit.

In fact, the color green is noted for having a calming and relaxing effect. But wait, there is more! Studies conducted over decades continue to prove the vast

Advertorial

array of benefits that include reducing stress. A 2010 study by the University of Technology in Sydney found a 58 percent reduction in depression and 37 percent in anxiety.3 Anger dropped by 44 percent. Other studies suggest productivity increases by 15 percent; absenteeism drops by 14 percent. The University of Vermont cites studies that prove it is cost effective to keep employees happy and values plant “assets” at ten times a building operating cost and 100 times the energy cost!4 And they “clear the air.” Decades of studies have shown the air cleaning qualities of plants. They add moisture to our dry indoor air through transpiration. An often cited NASA study ranks the top fifty plants that remove toxins from the air, including formaldehyde.5 These plants take in toxins through their leaves, sending them down through their roots into the soil where microorganisms turn those toxins into food for the plant.

We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants take in the carbon dioxide and release oxygen. We

are perfect partners with plants. From homes to hospitals, office complexes to retail spaces and everything in between, “indoor landscaping” plays a crucial role in balancing our lives.

Plants in a work atmosphere reduce noise which helps us concentrate better, connect us with our innate desire to be in nature, boost creativity, and are also attractive to job applicants. In this time of high demand for employees, anything we can do to attract them is a plus, and the appetite for houseplants nationally is very strong. Gen Z are entering the houseplant market earlier than nearly any generation before them.

Demand has never been higher, although satisfying that need is challenging at the moment. The demand combined with the availability of plastics for the plant containers and most importantly, fertilizer and labor, has delayed spring planting for many growers

in South Florida where many of our houseplants come from.

Houseplants are certainly “work” plants as multiple studies continue to prove. Our environment is changing at a fast pace and meeting those changes is what our industry does best. From climate change to the “climates” of our workspaces, we are called to improve our living spaces inside and out!

Sources: 1. Perry, L. (n.d.). Benefits of Using Plants Indoors. University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science. Retrieved Feb. 12, 2022, from http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/ articles/healthyin.html 2. Masahiro Toyoda, Yuko Yokota, Marni Barnes, Midori Kaneko (2019). Potential of a Small Indoor Plant on the Desk for Reducing Office Workers’ Stress. HortTechnology; 1 DOI: 10.21273/HORTTECH04427-19 3. Burchett, M.D. (2011). Greening the Great Indoors for Human Health and Wellbeing.

4. Nieuwenhuis, M., Knight, C., Postmes, T., & Haslam, S. A. (2014). The relative benefits of green versus lean office space: Three field experiments. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 20(3), 199–214.

5. Wolverton, B.C., Johnson, A., Bounds, K. (1989). Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement. National Aeronautics and Space Administration,.

Retrieved Feb. 12, 2022, from https:// ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19930073077/ downloads/19930073077.pdf

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the content of this advertorial, feel free to reach out to Andy Vick, Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply at avick@gertens. com, or visit www.GertensWholesale.com.

PEST MANAGEMENT

BIOCONTROLS & IPM ↘IN FOCUS

REDUCE PESTICIDE USE AND WATER CONTAMINATION WITH

Vera Krischik

Extension Specialist and Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

“

EDUCATION ON BIOCONTROL USE Biocontrol agents for greenhouses and hoop houses can be successfully used to control pests, to decrease pesticide use, decrease contaminated wastewater, and improve worker safety. Live insects and pathogens can be purchased online from many different businesses that rear biocontrol agents for release.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL USES INSECTS AND PATHOGENS TO CONTROL PEST INSECTS OR DISEASES.

”

What is biocontrol?

In 2016, 69% of Canadian greenhouses used biocontrol for insects and 45% for pathogens.

Why have growers spent time, money, and educational hours on learning how to mange using biocontrol? Sometime biocontrol works better than conventional insecticide use, especially for thrips.

Biological control uses insects and pathogens to control pest insects or diseases. Biological control is used as part of a total integrated pest management program (IPM), which includes scouting, using disease

resistant plants, sound cultural practices, and compatible pesticides. There are three types of beneficials used in greenhouse production: predators, parasitoids, and pathogens.

Predators are insects and mites that feed on pests. Predators feed on a variety of pests.

Parasitoids are insects that are host-specific and deposit eggs in or on a pest; the parasitoid then develops inside the pest insects, making sure not to kill the important organs and nervous system to keep the insect alive as they develop. Pathogens are fungi, bacteria, or viruses that cause a fatal disease in pests.

Here Are A Few Things That You Can Learn About Biocontrol Use beneficials when thrips populations are low: A biocontrol

mine whether tospoviruses are present

the banker plants. The adults will move

program can be developed for managing

in greenhouse plants. If a plant is show-

across the greenhouse and kill first and

western flower thrips (WFT), Franklinella

ing symptoms and is suspected of being

second instar thrips larvae and adult

occidentalis, which is very difficult to

infected with a tospovirus, purchase a

thrips.

manage with insecticides. WFT damage

test kit such as ImmunoStrips from Agdia

plants directly by feeding and indirectly

Inc., 30380 County Rd. 6, Elkhart, Indiana,

by acting as vectors for the tospoviruses

46514, www.agdia.com.

impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) and

On-site test kits can be used to deter-

minute pirate bugs will reproduce on

Use conventional insecticides when thrips populations are high: There are many insecticides registered for WFT,

tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). WFT

Detecting thrips and virus: Early

pupae in soil, while greenhouse thrips,

detection is critical to the control of WFT

resistance in the WFT populations you

Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, pupae on

and to the prevention of tospovirus infec-

are trying to control. While resistance is

leaves. Foliar applications of beneficials

tions. Indicator plants and sticky cards

of concern, failure of chemical control

are needed to manage greenhouse thrips

are the best available means of providing

is most often due to poor timing, poor

and foliar and soil applications for WFT.

early warning of thrips and TSWV/INSV

coverage, or other factors, and these

Thrips feed by piercing plant cells with

in greenhouse production areas. Petunia

causes should be considered before

their mouthparts and sucking out their

plants (Petunia x hybrida) are excellent

assuming resistance. Most insecticides

contents. Damaged plant cells collapse,

early indicators for the presence of WFT

and miticides affect insects and mites

resulting in deformed plant growth,

feeding and the transmission of tospovi-

in specific ways that may be called the

flower deformation, or silvered patches

ruses because petunias are not systemi-

pesticides’ “mode of action” (MoA). The

and flecking on expanded leaves. If thrips

cally infected with either TSWV or INSV. The

Insecticide Resistance Action Committee

feed within developing buds, the damaged

following petunia cultivars are excellent

(IRAC) is an organization of chemical

cells fail to grow as the leaf or flower

indicator plants for the detection of

companies and researchers that has

expands, resulting in deformed leaves or

tospoviruses: Calypso, Super Blue Magic,

classified insecticides and miticides into

flowers. Sometimes flower buds abort.

Blue Carpet, Cascade Blue, Summer Mad-

different mode of action groups. Each

Silvery leaf scars and specks of black feces

ness, Burgundy Madness, Red Cloud, and

MoA group is assigned an Insecticide Re-

are a good way of diagnosing the presence

Super Magic Coral.

sistance Action Committee Group number

of WFT on plants. WFT feed on a broad range of plants including impatiens, fuchsia, chrysanthemum, ivy geraniums, marigolds, hibiscus verbena, and petunia.

Use banker plants to keep predatory mites and minute pirate bugs alive when thrips populations are low

but overuse of pesticides can lead to

(IRAC code). Mode of action is the way a chemical works, so chemicals in different chemical classes may have the same or similar modes of action and be causes of

Ornamental pepper plants have been

pesticide resistance. MoA group numbers

used in spring crops as banker plants

are found on many pesticide labels. Visit

During feeding, saliva is injected into the

at a rate of one plant per 1,000 sq. ft of

https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-flori-

plant cell and the contents withdrawn.

growing area. Recent research in Canada

culture/publications-resources/new-en-

When tospoviruses are present in the

reported that the cultivar “Purple Flash”

gland-greenhouse-floriculture-guide for

saliva, these are transmitted to the plant

was more effective as a banker plant

the New England Greenhouse Floriculture

during the feeding process in as little as

than the ornamental pepper variety

Guide for Insects, Diseases, Weeds, and

15–30 minutes. Only the two larval instars

“Black Pearl,” which has been used

Growth Regulators. Visit the Krischik

of WFT can acquire the virus. Adult WFT

before. About 60–80 pirate bugs can be

lab web site to learn more about pests

do not acquire the virus from tospovirus

released per flowering pepper plant. Ori-

and biocontrol in greenhouse: https://

-infected plants because tospoviruses pass

us will lay eggs in the same area where

ncipmhort.cfans.umn.edu/ipm-iden-

right through the gut and do not enter the

thrips lay eggs. Pepper plants attract

tifying-pests/greenhouse-integrat-

salivary fluid. Overlapping generations of

thrips and serve as indicator plants for

ed-pest-management-ipm

thrips within a greenhouse may result in

early detection. If the pepper plants

continuous virus transmission.

are in flower and producing pollen, the

WFT feeding and virus transmission:

Bottom Left and Right: iStock.com/Toltemara. Top (Icon): iStock.com/Drypsiak.

iStock.com/Veronica Todaro

PEST MANAGEMENT

One of the best recent predators available for release, is the predatory Swirskii mite Amblyseius swirskii, that helps manage whiteflies, mites, and thrips. Swirskii mites work better at warmer temperatures than Ambylyseius cucmeris, which feed only on the first instar nymphs, so they must be released early in the crop cycle before thrips populations are high. In addition, the soil dwelling predatory mite, Hypoaspis miles may feed on thrips pupae in the soil as well as fungus gnat larvae. Also, the rove beetle, Atheta coriaria is a generalist predator that may feed on thrips pupae, along with fungus gnat and shore fly larvae. The minute pirate bug Orius is used as a predator on thrips. Predatory nematodes can be released in the soil to kill thrips pupae and fungus gnats. Beauveria bassiana (BotaniGard, Mycotrol O), Isaria fumosoroseus (Preferal, NoFly WP) are sprays that kills insects.

Interested in learning more about biocontrol?

Register to attend the “IPM and Biocontrol in greenhouses, nurseries, and hoop houses” workshop on Thursday March 17, 2022, at Midland Hills Country Club. The workshop is a collaboration of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, and the University of Minnesota. You can receive MDA pesticide recertification credit and/or MNLA Certified Professional recertification credit. Register at mnla.biz. ➽ For program information, contact Vera Krischik at krisc001@umn.edu.

iStock.com/Toltemara

16

MNLA.BIZ march 22

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Find a location near you at SiteOne.com/Locations

MNLA ad 112421.pdf

C

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Helping shape the Minnesota landscape for over 75 years.

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And we’re just getting started.

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NURSERY STOCK Your Source for Labeling

PROPERLY FOR COLD HARDINESS James Calkins MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager

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

and is available on the MDA website at Cold Hardiness List | Minnesota Department of Agriculture (state.mn.us), https://www.mda. state.mn.us/plants-insects/cold-hardiness-list.

The list is updated annually and is the legal authority for the labeling of nursery stock for cold hardiness purposes in Minnesota. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cold Hardiness Zones are used for the cold hardiness ratings (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map; USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/) and the MDA Cold Hardiness List serves as the primary authority for identifying false or misleading cold hardiness labeling for woody plants and herbaceous perennials offered for sale in the State of Minnesota. False or misleading labeling of nursery stock relative to cold hardiness is a violation of the Minnesota Nursery Law (Minnesota Statute 18H; Minnesota Statutes 2021, Chapter 18H (mn.gov), https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/ cite/18H/pdf) and specifically Section 18H.14 – Labeling and Advertising of Nursery Stock.

As stated in the Minnesota Nursery Law: a. Plants, plant materials, or nursery stock must not be labeled or advertised with false or misleading information including, but not limited to, scientific name, variety, place of origin, and hardiness zone as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, and growth habit. b. All nonhardy nursery stock as designated by the commissioner must be labeled correctly for hardiness or be labeled “nonhardy” in Minnesota.

The MDA Nursery Stock Cold Hardiness List divides nursery stock into eight primary categories with some overlap: Deciduous Trees & Evergreens, Fruit (herbaceous and woody species), Fruit/Produce (asparagus and rhubarb), Grasses (landscape grasses), Perennials (herbaceous perennials), Roses, Shrubs (deciduous and evergreen, needle leaf and broadleaf), and Vines (woody and

herbaceous). According to the MDA, whenever nursery stock is labeled for cold hardiness, the hardiness rating on the label must be consistent with the cold hardiness rating published in the MDA list. So long as the correct cold hardiness rating is included on the label, nothing further is needed. Conversely, nursery stock that isn’t labeled for cold hardiness and isn’t cold hardy in the area in which it is being sold must be labeled “nonhardy” to be in compliance with cold hardiness labeling requirements.

Note that cultivars are sometimes listed separately from the parent species when their cold hardiness has been documented as being different from the generally accepted hardiness level for the species based on credible evidence supporting a difference in cold

Photo Credit: James Calkins

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (MDA) COLD HARDINESS LIST HAS BEEN UPDATED FOR THE 2022 SEASON

Figure 1. Plant cold hardiness information is important when selecting plants for landscape use and the MDA Cold Hardiness List is the legal authority for the labeling of nursery stock for cold hardiness purposes in Minnesota as provided for under the Minnesota Nursery Law; so far this winter, the lowest temperature recorded by this thermometer, located in USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 4 (-20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit) and showing a temperature of -12 degrees, is -18 degrees, a Zone 5 (-10 to -20 degrees) temperature.

hardiness compared to the species in general.

For cultivars that are not specifically listed, nursery professionals and the public should refer to the species for the appropriate cold hardiness zone rating.

As indicated previously, the MDA Cold Hardiness List is reviewed and updated on an annual basis and multiple sources of cold hardiness information are considered during the review process including input from the Min-

nesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA). In this regard, the MNLA has put together a review panel composed of MNLA members that reviews the draft MDA list each year in September and the group’s comments are submitted to the MDA for consideration

by MDA staff. The current cold hardiness list will remain unchanged and effective until the list is reviewed and updated once again in September 2022 for the 2023 season.

The MDA Cold Hardiness List impacts the MNLA membership from a regulatory perspective and MNLA members also have a vested interest in assuring that the public has the best and most up-to-date cold hardiness information when purchasing landscape plants. For these reasons, the MNLA has participated in the MDA’s cold hardiness assessment process for many years and remains engaged in the process today. To this end, consensus among our members is important and we are interested in any comments you might have about the cold hardiness list and its implementation, and the annual review process in general, from a nursery and landscape perspective. We would also welcome additional participation from interested MNLA members during the next review cycle this fall; please let us know if you would be interested in serving on the MNLA review panel so we can add you to the list.

For additional information about cold hardiness labeling requirements for nursery stock, and questions about other nursery stock labeling requirements under the Minnesota Nursery Law, contact Steven Shimek (Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Division) at steven.shimek@state. mn.us or (651) 201-6619. You can also reach out to Jim Calkins at jim@mnla.biz or 952935-0682 or 612-258-7744 (cell). Additional information about the MDA Nursery Inspection & Certification Program, which is responsible for the administration of the Minnesota Nursery Law, including compliance with the law’s cold hardiness labeling requirements, is also available on the MDA website at Nursery Certification and Plant Regulation | Minnesota Department of Agriculture (state.mn.us), https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/ nursery-certification-plant-regulation.

➽ TO COMMENT ON the cold hardiness list, its implementation, and/or the annual plant cold hardiness review process with the goal of assisting the MNLA as it participates in future reviews, or to volunteer to serve on the MNLA plant cold hardiness review panel next year, contact Jim Calkins (MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager) at jim@mnla.biz or (952) 935-0682.

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MNLA.BIZ march 22

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How the Fluctuating Work Week Pay Method Can Save Money Patrick D. McGuiness Zlimen & McGuiness, Attorneys at Law

The Fluctuating Work Week compensation method may be a bit confusing at first glance, but it is a very useful tool for the green industry and other industries that are seasonal in nature.

Overtime is expensive. In general, overtime must be paid at the time-and-half rate for all hours worked over 40 hours in each workweek. Often, businesses will pay an employee on a salary basis to avoid the expensive costs of overtime.

However, simply paying an employee a salary does not mean that they have qualified for a salary exemption. The Department of Labor can still audit your business and require you to pay back overtime pay to employee who were improperly classified as salary-exempt. This includes working foreman and crew leaders — it is not legally compliant to pay this type of employee a salary with no overtime. There is another option, though: the Fluctuating Work Week compensation method. It is similar to a salary, but without the high overtime expenses.

The Fluctuating Work Week involves paying a worker the same base rate each week they work (similar to a salary), but there is still an overtime payment that must be made when the worker works more than 40 hours in a work week. In order to properly compensate an employee using the Fluctuating Work Week method, four criteria must be met: 1. The employee’s hours must fluctuate from week to week; 2. The employee must receive a fixed salary that does not vary with the number of hours worked during the week (excluding overtime); 3. The fixed salary amount must be sufficient to provide compensation every week at a regular rate that is at least equal to the minimum wage and the employee must receive at least 50% of their regular hourly pay for all over time worked; and 4. The employer and employee must share a clear, mutual understanding that the employer will pay that fixed salary, regardless of the number of hours worked.

This seems simple enough, but each factor has some complexities which should be addressed.

The employee’s hours must fluctuate from week to week In the tree care and landscape industry, this is rarely hard to accomplish. The weekly hours do not need to fluctuate by a large amount, but the workers hours cannot simply be factory style scheduling of a block of hours that never change.

The employee must receive a fixed salary that does not vary with the number of hours worked during the week This portion of the compensation is similar to that of any other salaried employee. The employee is paid a flat weekly amount for each week in which work is performed.

This means that if the employee works only 1 hour in a given week, they still must be paid their full weekly pay rate. This weekly payment covers all work the employee does, up to 40 hours in a work week. The important part to remember about this factor, is that employee pay cannot be reduced, lowered, or docked if the employee only works a few hours in that week.

The fixed salary amount must be sufficient to provide compensation every week at a regular rate that is at least equal to the minimum wage and the employee must receive at least 50% of their regular hourly pay for all over time worker There are two parts to this. The first consideration is minimum wage. In order for the Fluctuating Work Week compensation plan to be compliant, the employee’s wage must be greater than minimum wage (in Minnesota, $9.00 per hour), even if they work a large amount of hours in a week. So, (Base pay + Overtime Premium Pay) Divided march 22 MNLA.BIZ

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LEGAL ISSUES

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by Total Hours worked, must come out to be more than $9.00 per hour for all weeks the employee worked. This is important because the overtime premium is “half-time” and consequently has the effect of lowering the employee’s hourly wage the more hours the employee works beyond 40 hours.

The second part of this factor explains the necessary overtime premium pay. For all hours over 40 in a work week, the employee must be paid “half time”. This is calculated with the following formula.

1. Total base pay divided by the number of hours worked in a week equals half time rate.

2. Half time rate multiplied by the number of hours over 40 in a work week equals overtime premium total for that work week.

3. Base pay plus overtime premium total equals total compensation due to the employee for that particular work week.

This can be confusing because the “half time” pay does not remain consistent but instead changes based on the total number of hours worked in a given work week.

The employer and employee must share a clear, mutual understanding that the employer will pay that fixed salary, regardless of the number of hours worked In order to be fully compliant, the employee being paid using the Fluctuating Work Week method must understand the terms of their compensation. This does not mean that they must be able to calculate to the penny how much they will earn in a given week, but they must have a general understanding of the system. Included in this understanding must be the knowledge that they will earn the same base rate for every week in which they work at all. Additionally, the employee must understand that they will receive an overtime premium which is “half time” and will not be as high as the traditional time and a half overtime compensation.

Common Problems Implementing the Fluctuating Work Week On paper, implementing the fluctuating work week seems to make sense simply based upon the amount of money it can save a business in a given year. However, implementing it can have some challenges. Do your supervisors or foremen perform much of the work along with the crew? If so, then they are not eligible for any of the regular salary exemp-

tions, but may be excellent candidates for the fluctuating work week payment plan. Here are some tips for deciding whether the fluctuating work week is right for your company and how to best implement it.

Overcoming Employee Fear There is often employee fear associated with changes to the compensation plan, so what is the best way to ‘sell’ employees on the fluctuating work week? The biggest employee benefit with the new plan will be the security of a reliable paycheck. Every pay period will have the same amount of base pay on the check, even if the employee only works 20 hours in a week. This stability of income will allow the employee to better manage their personal budget and the additional half-time overtime pay will still be an alright bonus during the busy times.

It is not required that all employees be paid via the fluctuating work week plan, so if you are unable to convince a key employee after explaining the merits of the plan, you can still pay them the traditional time and half overtime if necessary.

The Accountant Doesn’t Get It There is no question that the fluctuating work week is a non-traditional payment plan. It is often resisted by bookkeepers, accountants and controllers who don’t understand it and don’t like the fact that it doesn’t fit into their preexisting systems. It is important to thoroughly explain the benefits the plan has for your business, and the competitive edge it can give the company. It is actually very easy to create a spreadsheet which automatically calculates hourly wage and half-time overtime, simply by inputting the weekly base pay rate. It may result in a very small amount of increased data entry for the accounting department, but the savings are still very significant.

Confusion Among Employees Because the fluctuating work week is often only offered to key employees, rumors can start among other employees about overtime going away. The best way to handle this is to have a meeting explaining the plan to employees that are not being offered the plan. Go over the competitive edge the new plans give the company and reiterate that these employees’ compensation and overtime pay is not changing.

Another good idea is to try and sell the fluctuating work week to hourly workers as a plan they can strive for by becoming supervisor qualified.

It’s a Tool That Can Work The Fluctuating Work Week compensation method may be a bit confusing at first glance, but it is a very useful tool for the green industry and other industries that are seasonal in nature. When properly implemented, it can save a company tens of thousands of dollars per year in overtime payments to employees ➽ This article provides general information on employment law matters and should not be relied upon as legal advice. A qualified attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given. ➽ Patrick McGuiness is one of the founding partners of Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC. His law practice focuses on assisting green industry business owners. He can be reached at pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com If you would like more information regarding employment law or other legal matters, please contact Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-331-6500 or www.zmattorneys.com.

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iStock.com/lemono

The Kestrel Design Group

PLANTING GUIDE

This content has been reprinted from the DeepRoot Green Infrastructure blog (www.deeproot.com/blog).

SOMETHING SIMPLE AND EXTREMELY FUNDAMENTAL MUST UNDERPIN ANY EFFORT TO INCREASE THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE URBAN CANOPY: ADEQUATE QUANTITY AND QUALITY SOIL AND WATER. THAT’S IT.

Top: and Right: iStock.com/lemono.

Above Icons: iStock.com/Drypsiak

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MNLA.BIZ march 22

If a guy wanted to grow a great tree in a typical 4 × 4 urban tree opening, he could add macronutrients (NPK), micronutrients (Mn, Mg, etc.), compost tea, mulch, foliar sprays, even have the tree’s nails done — none of that will matter. That tree is headed for an early death. That’s how unimportant all those other things are compared to adequate quantity of soil, adequate quality soil, and water.

Once good growing conditions are established, then tree selection becomes extremely important.

We’ve come to over-rely on a very small selection of trees in our cities. Today I’m going to go through a list of all the trees not to plant (I’ll go over trees that we should plant in a future article).

What tree where?

Probably 5 percent of all tree species can grow just about anywhere. We know them well, and while we’re comfortable with these species, this is exactly what we should stop planting.

Why? There are a few genera that are vastly overrepresented in the North American urban forest.

These trees are vulnerable to four catastrophic failures that are all human health and safety factors: 1. an epidemic; 2. a falling tree/branch hazard to people, cars and buildings; 3. invasive species that destroy wild & natural areas; 4. roots that enter sewer pipes and other underground utilities.

The lists that follow are not comprehensive, the idea is to eliminate from consideration the 5 to 10 percent of trees that cause severe problems and don’t belong in urban areas. I’m telling you which city trees not to plant because I think it’s easier for

people to stop doing an existing thing, rather than start doing a new thing. On to the lists.

A note on maples I’m afraid that the coming story for maples is not a happy one. I believe an epidemic similar to Dutch Elm Disease, Emerald Ash Borer, or Chestnut Blight awaits them. In U.S. cities east of the Mississippi River, Maples now make up over 30 percent of the urban forest canopy – tens of millions of trees.

Perhaps it will be Asian Long Horned Beetle, which is already in some states in the United States; perhaps it will be something else we don’t even know about yet. It is a matter of when, not if, and it’s safe to say the devastation will be significant. So, I appeal to all responsible professionals in the business of planting trees to please stop planting maples.

Damaging Roots The trees below have very vigorous root systems, they are phriatiphytes growing where constant supplies of water are available: along streams and lakes. These trees roots, in their search for water and nutrients, occasion on waste water pipes (sewer pipes). Because this water and nutrients supply is perpetual, these trees’ roots will intrude and fill these pipes with roots, eventually coming to rely on this artificial source, and completely obstructing them. This does not seem to be a problem with stormwater pipes.

• Cottonwood (Populus): Eastern (P. deltoidea); Dogtooth (P. grandentata) • Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) • Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) • Willows (Salix): Most species & cultivars

Vulnerable to an Epidemic

Structurally Vulnerable

Severely Invasive: The Naughty List

(Insect, Virus, Bacteria, Fungi)

(soft or weak wood; included branch attachments; unstable root plates)

(self-seeds and overruns native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs in wild and natural areas)

Ash (Fraxinus): vulnerable to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB); except Manchurian (mandshurica)

Cottonwoods (Populus): Eastern (P. deltoidia); Big Tooth or Western (P. grandidentata): Soft wood; Weak branch attachments

Cherries (Prunus): vulnerable to many insects and diseases; most species & cultivars

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus): Weak branch attachments; Most species & cultivars

Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens): Cytospora Canker eventually will kill all needles leading to defoliation and death

Maples (Acer): Boxelder (A. negundo), Silver (A. saccharinum): Soft wood; Weak branch attachments

Crabapples (Malus): vulnerable to Cedar Apple Rust and Fire Blight which completely defoliates trees; Most species & cultivars

Pears (Pyrus): Weak branch attachments; Most species & cultivars

Depending on your point of view, trees on this list ascended or descended onto the list because in over 200 United States counties they are listed as invasive, according to the 2014 USDA’s Invasive Species Group. This list is comprehensive for these purposes. But this list does not include aggressive natives growing outside their pre-European Contact range such as Black Locust, Hedge Apple, Eastern Red Cedar, etc. or commercial fruit and nut trees that may have escaped from cultivation and become problematic.

EAST Section Lobatae: Black Oak (Q. velutina); Water Oak (Q. nigra); Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra/borealis); Pin Oak (Q. palustris); Northern Pin Oak (Q. ellipsodalis); Willow Oak (Q. phellos), Elms (Ulmus): vulnerable to Dutch Elm Disease (DED); except DED resistant ‘Accolade’; ‘Homestead’; Lacebark or Chinese (U. chinensis ‘Allee’); Cedar Elm (U. crassifolia) Leyland Cypress (Cupressus leylandii): Canker Disease, West of the Rockies Lombardy Poplars (Populus nigra’Italica’): vulnerable to Fungal Leaf Spot

Siberian Elm (Ulmus sinensis): Weak branch attachments, DED susceptible Water Oaks (Quercus nigra): Soft wood; Weak branch attachments Willows (Salix): especially Weeping (S. babylonica); Crack (S. fragilis): Soft wood; Weak branch attachments; Main trunk and Root Plate failure is common

Buckthorn (Rhamnus): Especially European & Asian species: Glossy (R. cathartica) Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana): This is NOT a commercial fruit Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebiferum) Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus): Most species & cultivars European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) Honeysuckles (Lonicera): Especially European & Asian species: Tatarian (L. tatarica) Amur (L. maackii); Bells (L. bella); Morrow’s (L. morrowii)

Maples (Acer): vulnerable to Asian Long Horned Beetle, especially NOT these Eurasian species: Hedge (A. campestre); Norway (A. platanoides); Amur (A. ginnala); Tatar (A. tatarica); 3 North American Natives that are seriously overplanted and are thus extremely vulnerable to an overseas epidemic: Silver (A. saccharinum); Red (A. rubra); Sugar (A. saccharum)

Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra’Italica’); White Poplar (P. alba)

Pines (Pinus): especially Austrian (P. nigra); Ponderosa (P. ponderosa): Dothistroma Needle Blight eventually will kill all but current year’s needles leading to defoliation and often death

Paradise Apple (Malus pumila): This is NOT a commercial fruit

Planetree (Platanus): Anthracnose; except 2 London Plane tree cultivars (P. x acerifolia ‘Bloodgood’ & ‘Columbia’) Red Oaks (Quercus…Section Lobatae Eastern North America; Section Protoblanus of Western North America): the Red Oak group (with bristles on their leaves); have an extreme susceptibility to Oak Wilt.

Additionally the Red Oak group has a huge number of species and is found on 4 of the 5 continents that grow trees, this increases the odds of an epidemic dramatically.

WEST Section Protoblanus: e.g. Canyon Live Oak (Q. chrysolepis) White Birches (Betula): vulnerable to Bronze Birch Borer; most species and cultivars, except River (nigra and nigra ‘Heritage’)

Maples (Acer): especially Eurasian species and cultivars: Amur (A. ginnala); Norway (A. pseudoplatanus) Mimosa (Albizzia julibrizum) Mulberry (Morus): Especially the Asian/White/ Paper (M. alba)

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) Privets (Ligustrum): especially Chinese (L. sinense); Common (L. vulgare) Russian Olives (Eleagnus): Russian (E. angustifolia); Thorny (E. pungens); Autumn (E. umbellata) Tamarisk (Tamarix): Salt Cedar (T. ramosissima); Chinese (T. chinensis) Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliate): This is NOT a commercial fruit Willows (Salix): especially Eurasian species and cultivars: Weeping (S. x ’Babylonica); White (S. alba); Crack (S. fragilis) Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)

PLANTING GUIDE

”

iStock.com/lemono

“

CONSIDER THE SPECIES ON THESE LISTS BASED ON THE FACTORS PRESENT ON YOUR SITE.

The Right Tree for the Wrong Place There are also a number of tree species that can cause problems in some places and contexts while being great choices for others. Consider the species on these lists based on the factors present on your site.

Minor Human Health Hazard (massive cones that can hurt people, asthmatic inducing levels of pollen) • Bristly Locust (R. hispida): Extreme Thorns • Common Locust (Robinia): Extreme Thorns: Black (pseudoaccacia): Except ‘Chicago Blues’: • Cottonwood (Populus): Eastern (P. deltoidea); Dogtooth (P. grandentata): Prodigous pollen levels and ‘Cotton’ can block HVAC intakes • Honey Locust (Gledistisia): Extreme Thorns: Except (‘inermis’) (‘Skyline’) • Mountain Cedar ( Juniperus asheii): Prodigous Pollinator • Pines (Pinus): Especially the Gigantic Cones of: Coulter’s (P. coulteri): World’s Heaviest; Sugar (P. lambertiana): World’s Longest Pine Cone • Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum): Thorns Annoyance Factors These are trees that can be planted in the city and will have no serious issues with pests, invasiveness, invading roots, structural problems, or people getting hit hard on the head. Almost all of these problems can be solved using a broom. Except for their perceived messiness, these are very, very sound trees, and some of them will show up on our recommended planting list.

Clean-up (large pods, fruits, nuts or abundant airborne seeds) • Black Walnut ( Juglans nigra): Nuts • Catalpa (Catalpa): Southern (C. bignoides) Northern (C. speciosa): Pods 30

MNLA.BIZ march 22

• Common Locust (Robinia): Black (R. pseudoaccacia): Pods except ‘Chicago Blues’; Bristly (R. hispida) • Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis): Ball Bearing Sized Nuts • Hickories (Carya): Nuts • Honey Locust (Gledistisia): Pods except ‘inermis’ ‘Skyline” • Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum): Nuts • Mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin): Pods • Pecan (Carya illinoisensis): Nuts • Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora): Seed Heads • Sweet Gum (Liquidambar stryraciflua): Gum Pods Smell • Chinese Chestnut (Castinea mollissma): Husk of Nuts • Gingko’s Females (Ginkgo biloba Female): Fruits; Use males only Fruit and Sap • American Linden (Tilia americana): Sap on Cars • Asian Mulberry (Morus alba): Pavement Staining Fruit • Ginkgo Females (Ginkgo biloba Female): Slippery Fruits • Sweet Gum (Liquidamber strycaflua): Gum Pods So, what should we plant?

Credit for these lists goes also to the following from their writings and conversations: Dirr, Coder, Urban, Johnson, McPherson, Gilman, Harris, Shigo. The next and final article in this series will list the trees that are proven contenders over the years in cities. This is a large selection that will grow well in cities given reasonable care (adequate soil quality, adequate soil quantity, and water); use the list widely with no genus exceeding 5 percent of the city’s Urban Tree Canopy.

Go forth and prosper, young trees. ➽ PETER MACDONAGH, FASLA is the Director of Science + Design at The Kestrel Design Group. This is part three in a series about species diversity in the urban forest.

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Job Description 8.75” Chevy Retail Planning Flyer 11.25” Bleed Trim 8.5” x x11” 8.75” x 11.25” Chevrolet, 50Bleed & Cedar, Box 965, Trim Live 8.5” 8.25”x x11” 10.75”

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Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job Description Chevy Retail Planning Flyer JobJob #Description GMC1-12-03178

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John Zadurski 952-469-6818 jzadurski@jeffbelzer.com

LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Several members of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape

entries could win an award. Each entry is judged against

Association were honored with a 2022 MNLA Award for

the standards of excellence. Judges decide whether an

Excellence in Landscape at the Green Industry Awards

entry, in their opinion, meets or exceeds those standards.

Celebration (GIAC) at the Minneapolis Hilton on January 11,

2022 MNLA LANDSCAPE AWARD WINNERS

2022. Nine projects received awards. Congratulations to

What is the Judges’ Choice Award? After reviewing all

the companies and personnel behind these projects!

projects, judges choose their favorite from all entries.

They received a plaque and marketing assets from MNLA

The winning project is announced at the Green Industry

including a linkable project page in our gallery, a sample

Awards Celebration on the Tuesday of Northern Green.

press release, a winner’s crest, guidelines for pitching projects to local home magazines, and tips for marketing

What is the Excellence in Planting Design Award? This

to other media. All submitted photos and project descrip-

special designation was created to encourage landscape

tions can be viewed at MNLA.biz/landscapeawards.

designers to feature plants in their plan while incorporating artistry, proper horticultural practices, and appropri-

Did you know? Entries are NOT judged against each other.

ate installation in their project. The winning project is

In any given year, ALL entries could win awards, or NO

also announced at the GIAC.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 LANDSCAPE AWARDS SPONSORS: WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

Name of Entrant: Justin Mangold Application Name: Modern Glow Firm Name: Mangold Horticulture

34

MNLA.BIZ march 22

Name of Entrant: Clayton Johnson Application Name: Minneapolis Front Yard Renovation Firm Name: Yardscapes Inc.

march 22 MNLA.BIZ

35

LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Name of Entrant: Ground One Team Application Name: Modern Tranquility in the Woods Judges’ Choice Award Winner – Look for a feature article on this project in an upcoming issue of The Scoop!

Firm Name: Ground One Landscape Design + Build + Maintain

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MNLA.BIZ march 22

Name of Entrant: Tim Johnson Application Name: Lakeside Estate Firm Name: LIVIT Site + Structure march 22 MNLA.BIZ

37

LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Name of Entrant: Heather Sweeney Application Name: Summit Retreat Firm Name: Mom’s Design Build 38

MNLA.BIZ march 22

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MNLA Certified Professional Fellows

TIFIE

AL

N

C

O PR • • • • • • • • • • • • •

D

The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association has instituted a Certified Professional Fellow designation for MNLA Certified Professionals who are in good standing (e.g., not lapsed or expired), and who have maintained their status as an MNLA Certified Professional for at least 20 consecutive years. Certified Professional Fellows are longstanding nursery and landscape professionals and are recognized as industry leaders. Their commitment to uphold, improve FE SSIO and promote standards of professional excellence, and consistent participation in professional F E L L O W development activities and service to the green industry is being recognized with this Fellow designation. MNLA would like to congratulate the following Certified Professionals who achieved the Fellow designation as of January 2022: Donna Atallian, Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery, Inc. Dale Bachman, Bachman’s Inc. Richard Brickley, Jr., Bachman’s Inc. Renae Chesley, Bachman's Inc. Ron Davidson, Amity Creek Landscaping of Duluth Ken Dehkes, Hamline University Terry Ferriss - retired, Univ. of Wisc. River Falls Kimberly Gaida-Wagener, Rock Hard Landscape Supply Tom Haugo - retired, Bachman's Inc. Steven Hutton David Lange, Lange’s Nursery & Landscaping, Inc. David Lewis, Sargent’s Nursery, Inc. Debbie Lonnee, Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

• • • • • • • • • •

Jeff Pilla, Professional Turf, Inc. Lori Reiland, Custom Retaining Walls & Landscaping, Inc. Rich Schillinger, Professional Turf, Inc. Scott Solomonson, Living Space Landscapes, Inc. Joni Stapfer, Green Valley Greenhouse Bert Swanson, Swanson Nursery Consulting Cheryle Wilke, Flying W Gardens LLP Paulette Wozniak, Environmental Care Nursery & Landscaping Gary Zahrbock, Macalester College Bruce Zeman, Lakeside Lawn & Landscape, Inc.

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LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Name of Entrant: biota Landscapes Application Name: Garden to Table Excellence in Planting Design Award Winner – Look for a feature article on this project in an upcoming issue of The Scoop!

Firm Name: biota Landscapes march 22 MNLA.BIZ

41

LANDSCAPE AWARDS

The Newcomer of the Year Award is given to the top scoring project from a first-time entrant.

This year’s winner is Pool on the Bluffs by Bryce Lindquist of Superior Landscape & Irrigation.

Thank you, Bryce, for entering, and we hope to see more of your top projects in the future!

42

MNLA.BIZ march 22

It’s a Great Time to Sell Your Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping Business with Sunbelt Business Advisors! + Bob Harris is a designated Lawn Maintenance & Landscape Industry Expert (Business Brokerage Press) + Large database of buyers looking to acquire lawn maintenance & landscaping businesses + Member of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA)

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C

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TRIVIA TRAILL

NS! O I T A L U T A ONGR THE WINNERS OF THE 2022 NORTHERN GREEN TRIVIA TRAIL EACH WON A $100 GIFT CARD!

NAME

SPONSOR

Joe Sikora Andrea Nelson Jordan Lockman Hannah Stoll Bob Thelen Tahirah Anderson David Wildman Sam Schulz Fardos Abbas

Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes Bailey Nurseries Circle K - Holiday Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply MNLA Legislative Action Center Ostvig Tree, Inc. Ramy Turf Products SiteOne Landscape Supply Ziegler CAT

Here’s are the Questions and Answers from the Trivia Trail. Thanks to all participating sponsors!

SPONSOR Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes

QUESTION Bachman’s began business on its family farm in Minneapolis in 1885. What year did Bachman’s Wholesale Center in Farmington begin operation?

Bailey Nurseries

What is the name of the new Endless Summer® hydrangea, arriving at garden centers in 2023?

Circle K - Holiday

How many states is Holiday in?

Gertens Wholesale & How many Red Geraniums does Professional Turf Supply Gertens plant each year?

ANSWER 1984 Pop Star™ 10 74,000

MNLA Legislative Action Center

What is the name of the political action committee for Minnesota’s Green Industry?

Ostvig Tree, Inc.

What year did Ostvig Tree start?

1933

Ramy Turf Products

In 1957, the University of Minnesota released this Kentucky bluegrass to the market?

Park

SiteOne Landscape Supply

When did SiteOne’s story begin?

2001

Ziegler CAT

What year did Ziegler CAT open?

1914

Minnesota Green Industry Political Action Committee (MGI-PAC)

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

See you next year!

LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Name of Entrant: Clarissa K. Cooper Application Name: Cherrywood Circle Firm Name: DreamScapes Landscaping & Design march 22 MNLA.BIZ

45

LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Name of Entrant: Alyson Landmark Application Name: Edina Residence Firm Name: Southview Design 46

MNLA.BIZ march 22

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Bob Phibbs The Retail Doctor

James Calkins MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager

W CUSTOMERS

e’ve all seen videos of customers being abusive to airline personnel, in grocery stores, in banks, etc. Bad customer service examples are everywhere. Stories have been written about the abuse, and there is an abundance of signs imploring people to not mistreat staff. But frankly, posting a sign does little to keep it from happening.

In these times especially, we should be treating each other kindly. All of us are under an enormous strain of non-stop bad news everywhere we turn which runs the gamut from “THERE’S A NEW VIRUS COMING” and “THERE’S A SHIP STUCK IN THE CANAL” to “THERE’S A CAT STUCK UP IN A TREE.” Why? Everyone everywhere is looking to catch eyeballs and let’s face it…fear sells.

You see it in politics of course. But also, social media. And many well-meaning friends lead with fear as conversation starters. We have adopted a language of disappointment and fear.

The constant fear we’ve endured over the past two years has decreased our capacity for empathy. Instead of going from zero to 10 on a gradual scale and escalating to out-of-control when something is more warranted, we now go directly from zero to 10; we’re either on or off. This is a vicious circle only you can break. We must teach empathy with employees, or they will be unconsciously tripping that on/off switch in customers.

An example of a bad customer service interaction This past December, I drove to Newark airport to leave for a scheduled business trip to Dubai. I had gotten the Covid test United Airlines had recommended, waited, and got

my negative result. It was 5:45 pm. We boarded in an hour.

I went to business class check-in and tried to upload my test results. It didn’t take. I asked an agent, “This isn’t working and I’m flying to Dubai shortly — can you help?”

“Scan this,” she said. I scanned the QR code she had on a badge. She walked away.

The website was in Arabic. I found her again. “Hey, that didn’t work. It’s in Arabic and I don’t speak that.”

“Try again,” and she stuck out the badge.

I scanned it — the same thing. “That didn’t work, and it won’t take the Covid test results.”

“Then I guess you took the wrong test,” she said.

“WHAT?” I shouted.

“Sir, you can’t yell at me.”

“What are you saying? I just took the test United said to take. I have the negative results.”

Minnesotans to show their commitment to agriculture while supporting our young leaders in FFA and 4-H.” The plate is now available to Minnesotans and will cost $15.50. A minimum $20 contribution is due with plate purchase and each year afterward at vehicle

ability as agricultural learners, leaders, innovators, global citizens and agents of change,” said Jennifer Skuza, associate dean for Youth Development at University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota 4-H State Director.

“The Minnesota FFA

iStock.com/SIphotography

NEWS & NOTES

50

MNLA.BIZ march 22

Specialized Ag. License Plate

A new Minnesota license plate celebrating agriculture will benefit 4-H and the state’s FFA members. The plate’s design was unveiled in early February.

MDA Commissioner Petersen said, “This is an opportunity for

registration renewal.

Both organizations expressed their gratitude for support for young people with a license plate honoring agriculture.

“We plan to broaden and deepen young people’s knowledge and involvement in agriculture so that they act on their

Foundation ensures that students enrolled in agriculture, food and natural resource classes have access to premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, regardless of their economic situation,” said Val Aarsvold, executive director, Minnesota FFA

“

THIS OFTEN COMES FROM ASSOCIATES ANTICIPATING A REACTION. SINCE THEY’VE MET WITH SOME RESISTANCE BEFORE, THEY CAN FEAR THAT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL BE BELLIGERENT.

“Sir you can’t raise your voice at me.” That made me even more upset.

“Wrong. I paid $10K for a ticket in business class on this airline. I did everything I was supposed to do. You’re going to get on a phone and call a supervisor and get this done. Now.” Yes, not my finest moment but…

She got on the phone and low and behold, she could fix the problem in under a minute.

Now, why do I share this bad customer service example? Because it highlights the other side of what is happening with the customer/customer service interaction. Employees have no idea what is going on in a customer’s life prior to interacting with each other.

We went back out into the world expecting people to be nicer. Our hearts were open to new possibilities. To fulfill our craving for human contact. To get back to normal.

But normal is gone. Customers are greeted with signs telling them to be patient with fewer employees and less merchandise. Retail associates, hospitality workers, and almost every business’s employees came back to a world with fewer employees. Shorter hours.

More self-service. Less merchandise. More demands.

Associates thought with the return of shoppers, there would be a greater appreciation for retail workers. That they would treat them better than pre-pandemic. But here’s the

thing: we treat people we fear much worse than those we feel empathy for. And that’s on both sides.

What part do associates play in creating angry customers?

In more normal times, something might have irritated a customer, but they wouldn’t end up swearing at you, using racial epithets, or threatening to (and then doing it) flame you across multiple social media channels. But that is happening more and more.

This often comes from associates anticipating a reaction. Since they’ve met with some resistance before, they can fear that all customers will be belligerent. I must tell him something he won’t like, let’s get this over with, etc. Because of that they may feel defensive and attacked all the time.

I imagine the United agent, dealing with a record number of travelers, has plenty of stories of when customers went off on her. I might even be one of them as a person with privilege and a business class seat. But they don’t change how they deal with the public, and so the cycle repeats. And remember those who practice empathy but see others get away with dismissing customers will either become coarser themselves or move on to an employer who values empathy. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!

”

How bad customer experiences can be avoided When coaching after a blowup occurs, I always ask the associate, “What did you say to them prior?” From a customer standpoint it often isn’t just that they couldn’t get a refund, or an update on an order; it is the way information is relayed or the tone used. If it comes off dismissive, you’re lighting the match for a blowup.

On my most recent flight, I started to enter the CLEAR FastPass lane, held up my phone like I usually do, and the woman stopped me and asked in an accusatory tone, “Are you trying to use CLEAR to get in TSA pre?” How did she get that way? I’m sure she has thousands of people who try to use that lane not knowing it is separate from TSA pre, so anyone working the front of the CLEAR line is bound to have had her patience trounced on again and again. I was irritated that it sounded like I had done something wrong, but politely said, “Yes, that’s why I’m here.”

But someone needs to train employees to simply start with, “Good morning.” Wait. And then ask the question without the attitude.

They’d find people would be nicer to them.

What are the root causes of bad customer service?

Understand the customer — while it can seem hard to have compassion for everyone,

08 Foundation. FFA is in 220 rural, urban and suburban schools statewide.

Dept. of Labor Tip: Rest Periods

Rest periods of short duration, usually 20 minutes or less, are common in industry (and promote the efficiency of the employee) and are

customarily paid for as working time. These short periods must be counted as hours worked. Unauthorized extensions of authorized work breaks need not be counted as hours worked when the employer has expressly and unambiguously

communicated to the employee that the authorized break may only last for a specific length of time, that any extension of the break is contrary to the employer’s rules, and any extension of the break will be punished. Bona fide meal periods (typically 30 minutes or more)

generally need not be compensated as work time. The employee must be completely relieved from duty for the purpose of eating regular meals.

The employee is not relieved if he/she is required to perform any duties, whether active or inactive, while eating.

New Members Apex Outdoor Inc.; Cherry Hill

Perspectives; Outdoor Perfection Inc.

Outdoor Services; Landscapehub; Neighborhood Landscaping & Development; North Star Outdoor Services; O.T.S. Grading and Landscaping LLC; Outdoor Lighting

march 22 MNLA.BIZ

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iStock.com/SIphotography

CUSTOMERS

sometimes changing the way you view the abuser can give insight into coping with the abuse. Keep the abuse — within reason — in its proper context. When the customer gets angry, it isn’t about you, it’s about them and the frustration they feel.

Most of us learned how to be empathic toward others from how we observed others interacting with people. We still do. If you see your boss being dismissive of an employee or customer in front of you, it will harden your feelings. Worse, hear them being dismissive behind a co-worker’s back and you feel they might say the same about you. Some people call this siege mentality…

This developed as some associates, many considered essential workers, developed zero tolerance for anyone not wearing a mask precisely covering the mouth and nose as the customer entered the store. In a world where they couldn’t control much, they could control those entering your business. That helped erode empathy as well.

• Maybe working with a mask on makes people ornery…

• Maybe having to shop with a mask on makes people ornery…

What excuse will you have once masks are no longer required? You can change how customers treat you by how you engage them. Talk to them as people, not something to handle quickly so you can move on, and practice empathy.

What is empathy?

It’s the ability to step into the eyes and heart of someone else, aiming to understand their feelings and perspectives and to use that understanding to guide your actions. That makes it different from being kind or sympathetic. George Bernard Shaw said, “Do not do 52

MNLA.BIZ march 22

unto others as you would have them do unto you—they might have different tastes.” Empathy is about discovering those tastes.

narrative becomes “Step up, work harder!” rather than “How can we fix what is happening together?”

And why do customers become belligerent and aggressive?

Employees exhibit a lack of retail customer service training. You can’t just focus on product knowledge without realizing left alone, untrained employees will revert to how they feel when threatened and act accordingly.

They continue providing reasons customers don’t return.

What could the United agent have said instead of, “I guess you got the wrong test?”

How about “Let me see if I understand. You took the Covid test downstairs but can’t get it in the app, right?” Then based on my response she could have said, “That’s got to be upsetting. Please hand me what you have and let me make a call.” I would have RAVED about the experience. She would have helped me and not dismissed me.

Great customer service comes from teaching associates they have a choice I was hanging with my buddy Tony Drockton in downtown Los Angeles recently, and shortly after presenting us with menus, our server said, “Sorry, the power went out — see the streetlights? We won’t be able to make anything hot. You can have salads or something cold. Sorry.”

Tony asked him, “Why couldn’t you just assume the power will come on shortly and it will all be fine?” The guy laughed and said, “I don’t know.” He went and got our drinks, and the power came back on. “You can always choose hope,” I said.

How does bad customer service affect your turnover?

I heard from a customer the other day about how his employees handled masking.

I have a crew that themselves is all over the map. Some are deathly afraid of anyone not wearing a mask that properly goes over their nose and will call out anyone not doing it as they enter. Others don’t care, but also have disengaged and are not welcoming people. Some have shut down to a ‘just the facts’ mentality. Others are trying to rally their co-workers and when it doesn’t work, are leaving.

When someone leaves and conditions do not improve, work gets shifted to others without additional pay or training, and the

In Sum There are no easy solutions and as mask mandates are lifted, the rotten feelings we have toward customers and shoppers could remain. It will be paramount to anyone working in retail to acknowledge and work to address all sides of the situation if we are to get through it. Otherwise, whether someone is treated poorly or witnesses someone else being treated unfairly, they might pause before getting in their car and going to a brick-and-mortar store. And everyone loses when consumers just go online. ➽ BOB PHIBBS, The Retail Doctor, is a nationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, marketing mentor, and retail author. To learn exactly how to provide retail sales training in a system that is easy to duplicate and train, contact Bob at www.RetailDoc.com.

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march 22 MNLA.BIZ

53

OUT & ABOUT

& 2022 Green Industry Awards Celebration

54

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& 2022 Northern Green Trade Show

march 22 MNLA.BIZ

55

FOUNDATION

SILENT AUCTION thank you donors!

Albert Eizenveldt

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

Ambergate Horticulture

Knecht’s Nurseries &

Consulting

Landscaping

Anderson Nurseries, Inc.

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Arborjet/Ecologel

Living Space Landscapes

Bachman’s Inc.

Malmborg’s Garden Center

Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

and Green House

Proven Winners® ColorChoice® The Resultants Rock Hard Landscape Supply & Alert Distributing Southview Design Sunbelt Business Advisors

Ballistic Tips

Mark Prince

Sustane Natural Fertilizer

BFG Supply Company

Mary H. Meyer

Tangletown Gardens LLC

Borgert Products

Midwest Stihl

The Builders Group

Central Landscape Supply

Hoffman & McNamara

The Catholic Cemeteries

Copeland Buhl Cowsmo, Inc. Cross Nurseries, Inc.

Nursery and Landscape Minnesota State Horticulture Society

The Tessman Company Twin Orchards Nursery UofM Landscape Arboretum

Davey Resource Group, Inc.

Monrovia

Versa-lok Midwest

Daybag

Mother Earth Gardens

Water in Motion, Inc.

Dulcet Fountains & Aeration

MPSTMA

Wolcyn Tree Farms & Nursery

Eden-Valders Stone

Niebur Tractor &

Yip Fitness LLC

Erik Lindberg

Equipment, Inc

Gardens of Rice Creek

Nutrien Ag Solutions

Gertens Wholesale &

Organic Lawns by LUNSETH

Professional Turf Supply Hiway Credit Union Irrigation by Design, Inc.

Zlimen and McGuiness, PLLC

Otten Brothers Garden Center and Landscaping Plaisted Companies

BOTTLE PULL thank you donors!

Land-d-con, Inc.

County Materials

Otten Brothers Garden Center and Landscaping

Borgert Products

Paulette Sorenson

Rock Hard Landscape Supply

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / albo

Louise Nemmers

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MNLA.BIZ march 22

Innovation

FROM THE MARKET LEADER SOFT TOUCH

Texture is smooth underfoot

Refined surface and long-lasting color

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For almost 50 years, Unilock has been the North American leader in paver technology. Facemix manufacturing was a concept we introduced more than 25 years ago, and we’ve been selling products coated with EasyClean since 2007.

Now we’re introducing Soft Touch, a finishing technology that results in a solid surface texture that is smooth and incredibly comfortable underfoot. Look for these technologies in our popular Artline™ and Bristol Valley® product lines.

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Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC have 25 years combined experience as small business owners in construction and landscaping. They understand what green industry business owners face on a regular basis: Contracts, Construction Law, Mechanics Liens, Business Formation, Collections, and Employment Law.

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MnDOT 3877 Topsoil Blends Natural and Colored Mulch Engineered Wood Fiber/ Playground Wood Chips Compost and Compost Blends

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ELECTIONS

MNLA Board of Directors Election Results

Randy Berg

Greg Krogstad

Randy Berg was elected president of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. He is the owner of Berg’s Nursery, Landscapers/Garden Center located in Austin, Minn. which he founded in 1979 after graduating from Duluth Area Technical College with a degree in horticulture and landscape design. Berg’s company is comprised of both a garden center and landscape design/ build division. He has been a member of the MNLA since his graduation and received his MNLA certification in 1981.

He became an APLD Certified Landscape Designer in 1997.

He is past chair of the MNLA Communications & Technology Committee and Garden Center Committee and recently lead the association task team responsible for updating the office landscape for which he was awarded MNLA Committee Member of the Year.

Greg Krogstad was elected to the MNLA Board of Directors. He serves as the President / COO of Rainbow Treecare.

Rainbow Treecare is an employee-owned company headquartered in Minnetonka with additional locations in Little Canada and Burnsville. Rainbow serves residential, commercial and government customers with pruning, tree health care services and products, lawncare, holiday lighting, and pest control services. Krogstad has a B.S. degree Urban Forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Steven Point, College of Natural Resources and is an ISA Certified Arborist. He is a member of the Board Development Committee as well as a past member of the Commercial Arborist Committee.

Matt Mallas Matt Mallas was elected vice president of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. During his more than 25 years of industry experience with Hedberg Supply & SiteOne Landscape Supply, Mallas has managed sales, operations, and branch offices as well as worked in installation.

He has been a featured speaker at Hardscape North America and Mid-Atlantic Hardscape trade shows. He has an Associates degree in Architectural Drafting & Estimating. After participating in and contributing to MNLA events and initiatives for 18 years, he was chosen as 2015 Volunteer of the Year for his work with the MNLA Green Industry Leadership Institute. He is the chair of the MNLA Networking Committee and a past member of the Hardscape Committee.

Jim Shimon Jim Shimon was elected to the MNLA Board of Directors. Shimon is the co-owner of Willow River Company. Willow River Company is a full outdoor service company specializing in design/build landscape, nursery, general tree care, plant health care, turf care and pool installation. Willow River Company has a retail location in the Hudson, WI and a growing facility in Clear Lake, Wisc. He has a B.S. degree in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin-Superior. Shimon is the current chair of the Career Development Committee.

Also continuing to serve on the MNLA Board of Directors are: • Nick Sargent, Sargent’s Landscape Nursery • John O’Reilly, Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping • Faith Appelquist, Tree Quality • Patrick McGuiness, Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC • Terri McEnaney, Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

march 22 MNLA.BIZ

59

GET ALL YOUR CONTRACTOR SUPPLY NEEDS! CALL US FOR THE BEST SELECTION IN THE INDUSTRY GROWERS: Nursery Containers, Wire Baskets/ Burlap , Horticulture Tools, Corrugated Tree, Protectors, Digging Spades, Osmocote Fertilizers and Grower’s Mixes.

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Annuals, Baskets, Herbs, Vegetable Plants & Certified Organic Plants also available.

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

2022 (Week) Day on the Hill Forrest Cyr

MNLA Director of Government Affairs

At Week on the Hill 2022, members of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association attended meetings with their members of the Minnesota Legislature virtually to lobby on behalf of the green industry, green industry businesses, the communities they serve, and issues central to MNLA’s legislative platform.

Meeting with members of the Minnesota Legislature from communities across Minnesota, MNLA members positioned

themselves as resources to their elected officials on issues related to Minnesota’s green industry. With COVID-19 impacting the ability of MNLA to host these meetings in person, MNLA worked with staffers at the Minnesota House and Senate to schedule online meetings throughout the week of February 28, 2022.

At Week on the Hill 2022, MNLA volunteer leaders, staff, and members persuasively presented MNLA’s legislative priorities, discussed the state of the green industry in Minnesota, and laid the groundwork for future conversations and relationship building between members of the Minnesota House and Senate and members of MNLA. Additionally, members of the legislature asked insightful questions and indicated their interest in numerous proposals that were presented, as well as updated their constituents on work they were doing at the legislature.

MNLA’s advocacy leaders — both newbies and veterans alike — helped move the needle on key legislation essential to the success of the green industry and its members.

Thank you to everyone who attended! These priorities are listed below.

1. Allowing our industry’s trained individuals to test and repair backflow devices.

2. Establishing fairness in construction contracts by prohibiting certain indemnity clauses.

3. Providing robust slip and fall liability protection for snow and ice removal contractors.

If you would like to get involved, contact me at forrest@ mnla.biz. To help continue this conversation, MNLA encourages members to contact their legislators on key grassroots advocacy campaigns through MNLA’s online VoterVoice system to provide additional resources into the green industry’s legislative efforts and share their unique insights into their businesses, families, and communities.

These resources can be found at https://www.mnla.biz/ legislativeupdates.

We want to thank MNLA’s Week on the Hill Sponsors: Irrigation by Design, Water in Motion, Dulcet Fountains & Aeration, TruGreen, and Compeer Financial.

FORREST can be contacted at 612-248-4463, or at forrest@mnla.biz.

march 22 MNLA.BIZ

61

SERVICE AWARD

Gaida-Wagener Receives MNLA Special Service Award

62

MNLA.BIZ march 22

Kim Gaida-Wagener was honored with a Special

Service Award by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association during the Green Industry Awards Celebration, held at the Hilton Minneapolis on Jan. 11, 2022. Gaida-Wagener serves as a Sales Associate for Rock Hard Landscape Supply where she focuses on customer support and service.

MNLA’s Special Service Award honors MNLA members or industry friends who have, over a long period of time, given of themselves personally and/or professionally to make the nursery and landscape business a better industry.

Gaida-Wagener has been a steadfast supporter of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) for many years – serving on the Northern Green trade show committee to assist exhibitors with move in and move out logistics. She goes above and beyond to make sure exhibitors have what they need for a successful event.

In addition to her service on the Trade Show Committee, she also supports fundraising efforts for the MNLA Foundation including the creation of a Bottle Pull event that supports scholarships for the next generation of green industry employees.

She received her undergraduate degree in environmental management, landscape construction and landscape architecture from North Dakota State University, and has worked in various roles in the green industry in Minnesota.

According to MNLA Past President Tim Malooly, “Gaida-Wagener has gone above and beyond to ensure the success of Northern Green, as well as supporting the future workforce of the green industry. We appreciate all she’s done on behalf of the green industry in Minnesota. Her tireless promotion of several MNLA Foundation fundraisers sets an amazing example of dedicated volunteerism.”

MNLA FOUNDATION Improving the Environment by Investing in Research and Education

1813 LEXINGTON AVE. N | ROSEVILLE, MN 55113 | 651-633-4987 | FAX 651-633-4986 | MNLA@MNLA.BIZ | WWW.MNLAFOUNDATION.COM

PARTNERS FUND You are encouraged to participate in the MNLA Foundation Research & Workforce Development Partners Fund at one of the participating suppliers recognized below.

Your voluntary donation of ½ of 1% (0.5%) on purchases of plants and other nursery, greenhouse and landscape products at these suppliers is used by the MNLA Foundation to grow a brighter future for the industry. On an invoice totaling $1,000 at one of these suppliers, your contribution will be only $5.00. Small, individual contributions add up quickly to make a real difference!

Partner Suppliers: WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

Research for the Real World

Career Development & Promotion

Scholarships

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