HRI 60TH ANNIVERSARY
AXIOM MARKET INSIGHTS
MARCH OF THE OAKS
SPRING TRIALS HIGHLIGHTS PLUS:
FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL GRANT AWARDED
ALSO INSIDE:
ON THE CLOCK: EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE july 2022 n v45 n7
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION
Arborists Supplies
TREE & PLANT FERTILIZERS
INSECT CONTROL
FUNGICIDES & INJECTIONS
GROWTH REGULATORS
Professional Turf Supplies
FERTILIZERS & WETTING AGENTS
ADJUVANTS & FUNGICIDES
PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
GRASS SEED & SPREADERS
Weed Control Products
SELECTIVE & NON-SELECTIVE
PRE-EMERGENT POST-EMERGENT
gertenswholesale.com 651-450-0277 email: wholesale@gertens.com
SPRAYERS & SPREADERS
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Gertens is sponsoring the CRMC Championship PGA Canada Tour at Cragun’s in Brainerd, MN. Visit crmschampionship.com to find out more.
NURSERY WHOLESALE & HARDSCAPES
Smooth Operator Tribute® Smooth
Tribute® Smooth Retaining Wall Systems offer a clean aesthetic. Featuring multiple pin grooves on the top surface, these units allow a combination of retaining and freestanding wall options.
Contact your hardscapes sales representative for more details. 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) 469-9675 23004 Cedar Ave. S., Farmington, MN 55024
july 2022 n v45 n7
17 52
8 21
Events
10 Challenges, Opportunities, Fears President Berg considers the challenges spring weather created and the continued demand for our products and services.
20 Jumpstart Your Landscape Awards Entry Use the Entry Checklist from the Landscape Awards
31
13
17
On the Clock
Poorly maintained equipment costs money in repairs and downtime, so it’s not
Task Team to shorten the time needed to enter your project.
43 Biden Administration Charts Its Course on “Waters of the US”
too early to start prepping your winter equipment.
The anticipated re-write of the rule creates uncer-
March of the Oaks
applicants.
Faith Appelquist helps us understand where oaks came from and where they’re going.
tainty for existing permit holders and prospective
50 So Close, Yet So Far Despite broad support for “Duty to Defend,” the governor and state agencies derailed the efforts of
21
Market Insights on 2022 Home Improvements
Did you know more Millennials consider themselves “Expert” or “Experienced” DIYers than any other demographic group?
MNLA’s coalition.
52 MNLA Foundation High School Grant Awarded Edison High School received an $1,800 grant to create a pollinator garden at their school.
31
2022 Spring Trials: Part 1
Alisha Asleson is back with a report on this year’s Spring Trials, which were back as an in-person event after two years.
53 GILI: How to Choose a GILI Candidate What factors make for a successful Leadership Institute candidate? Here are some tips for selecting the right person.
45
60 Years of Support
Started in 1962, the Horticultural Research Institute continues to grow the industry now with over $9.5 million in funding.
Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design Garden Services & Landscape Mgmt Garden Centers Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse Irrigation & Water Mgmt Arborists & Tree Services All
54 It’s Time to Renew! Summer is renewal season for MNLA memberships; thank you for your continued support of your industry association! Cover photo: Suntory Flowers. Table of Contents Images: Top Left: Kristen Fisher. Middle: iStock.com/sturti. Bottom: Suntory Flowers.
july 22 MNLA.BIZ
5
DIRECTORY
july 2022 n v45 n7
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 Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help members grow successful businesses.
Ancom Communications Inc and Midwest Radio Rentals .......... 39 Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes ................................ 3 Bullis Insurance Agency ..................................................................... 48 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................. 37 Cushman Motor Company ................................................................. 30
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Davey Twin Cities Wood Products .................................................... 48
Randy Berg, President Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com
Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ................................................................ 18
Matt Mallas, Vice-President SiteOne Landscape Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@siteone.com
Fahey Sales Agency / Jeff Martin Auctioneers .............................. 37
Terri McEnaney, Secretary-Treasurer Bailey Nurseries 651-459-9744 • terri.mcenaney@baileynursery.com
Gopher State One-Call ....................................................................... 18
Faith Appelquist, MNLA-CP Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.com
Haag Companies, Inc. ......................................................................... 35
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 Associate Director: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz Dir. of Government Affairs: Forrest Cyr • forrest@mnla.biz
Environmental Design Inc .................................................................. 44
Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .............................. 2
Green Turf Sod Farms ........................................................................... 4
Jeff Belzer Chevrolet ...................................................................... 28–29 Keen Edge Company ........................................................................... 14 Kubota .................................................................................................... 39 Landscape Alternatives Inc. .............................................................. 48 Maguire Agency ...................................................................................... 9 Midwest Machinery ............................................................................. 23 Minnesota Mulch & Soil ..................................................................... 23 Niebur Tractor & Equipment ............................................................... 9 Out Back Nursery ................................................................................. 23 Plaisted Companies ............................................................................... 7 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................... 25 SiteOne Landscape Supply ................................................................ 16 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility ..................................................... 46 Spring Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners Color Choice ............. 42 The Resultants ...................................................................................... 49 The Tessman Company ....................................................................... 44 Touchstone Accent Lighting .............................................................. 46
Education & Cert Mgr: Hallie Chasensky • hallie@mnla.biz
Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .......................................................................... 51
Communications Coor: Brianna Burns • brianna@mnla.biz Regulatory Affairs Mgr: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz
Unilock Chicago, Inc. ........................................................................... 41
Foundation Program Mgr: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz
Versa-Lok Midwest ............................................................................... 11
Administrative Assistant: Louise Nemmers • louise@mnla.biz Accountant: Pam Helgeson • accounting@mnla.biz
Wheeler Landscape Supply ................................................................. 9
Advertising Sales: 763-295-5420 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com Legislative Affairs Consultant: Doug Carnival 6
MNLA.BIZ july 22
Ziegler CAT ............................................................................. Back Cover
CONSISTENT QUALITY
HARDSCAPES
CUSTOM BLENDED MIXES
Plaisted Horticultural mixes are like no other — they contain highly sought after ingredients. We custom blend mixes using a computerized Accublender ™, controlling quality & consistency.
OUTDOOR LIVING
We are the midwest's largest resources for quality residential hardscapes. We offer 3,2000 in-store, quality brands that offer exceptional strength, durability that can withstand Minnesota’s harsh winters.
HORTICULTURE
SATISFIED CUSTOMERS • Bachman’s
• Baker Lake Nursery • Cross Nursery
• Tangletown Gardens
• Twin Orchard Nursery • Varty’s Greenhouse
RESPONSIVE DELIVERY
Experienced drivers operate a fleet of more than 45 trucks. Our GPS locator helps us set the standard for the most responsive delivery in the 5-state area.
763.441.1100 • plaistedcompanies.com info@plaistedcompanies.com
WE WE ARE ARE SOIL EXPERTS SOIL EXPERTS
UPCOMING
32ND ANNUAL WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT
JUL
19
The Widmer Golf Tournament is an 18-hole best ball scramble tournament with great networking, prizes, contests, golf and more! Proceeds support research activities and education that is important to the Green Industry. Shotgun Starts at 8:30am. Come early! Crystal Lake Golf Club: 16725 Insbrook Drive, Lakeville, MN 55044➽www.mnla.biz/events
MNLA 2022 SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN BUS TOUR
AUG
11 –12
Tour industry sites in the Madison, Wisconsin area with a two-day bus tour including the Olbrich Botanical Gardens and the Environmental Research and Innovation Center. There is
limited space for this tour. Register online now! Madison, WI and surrounding area ➽www.mnla.biz/events
MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS
AUG
17
Pre-game meal at 5:30pm; Game starts at 7:00pm
Take a break from your busy season to enjoy a game at the beautiful CHS Field. We have reserved space for our group in the Craft Beer Corner, and we will gather there to enjoy a pre-game picnic dinner. At 7:00pm, we will move to the reserved outfield seats to watch the game. Register now, this event sells out fast! CHS Field, Saint Paul, MN ➽www.mnla.biz/events
PEACH AND PIZZA TOUR
AUG
24
What could be better in August than peaches and pizza? Join us for an amazing opportunity to visit Stone Creek Farm, a stone fruit farm, followed by a wood-fired pizza dinner at the Women’s Environmental Institute apple orchard. Rain or shine, join us from 3:00-6:00pm for a unique tour! Shafer, MN ➽ www.mnla.biz/event/peachesandpizza
NORMANDALE JAPANESE GARDEN MAINTENANCE-FOCUSED TOUR
AUG
30
Join us on a maintenance-focused tour of the Normandale Japanese Garden in
Bloomington, MN on Tuesday, August 30th from 10:00am-12:00pm. We will be guided by Normandale Community College Horticulturist, Sam Kaufman and Scott Solomonson of Living Space Landscapes. Registration is open now. West Lot, 9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431 ➽ www.mnla.biz/events
MNLA FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT
SEPT
20
This sporting clays tournament is fun for everyone and is a great way to spend time
with colleagues and friends this fall. This is a 75-round course and the difficulty level is FUN! First time shooters are welcome, and guns are available for rent. Proceeds support workforce development. Registration is open now. Game Unlimited: 871 County Road E, Hudson, WI 54106 ➽www.mnla.biz/events
The Scoop, July 2022, Issue 7 is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats
MNLA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM
OCT
published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery &
07
Landscape Association, 2022, and may not be used
Sit for the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional in 2022.
without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave
Additional dates: October 21, November 4, November 11. Registration is limited. MNLA Office, Roseville, MN ➽www.mnla.biz/events
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 editor at brianna@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 july 22
Business
Skills Training
Networking
Leadership Development
General
Baumalight manufactures high quality ground engaging equipment including stump grinders, mulchers, tree spades, trenchers, brush cut rotary cutters and other specialized products.
CONTACT YOUR TRUSTED BAUMALIGHT DEALER, NIEBUR TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BAUMALIGHT PRODUCTS.
AARON TRETTER, CLCS T: 651.635.2770 | F: 651.638.9762 atretter@maguireagency.com www.maguireagency.com 1970 Oakcrest Avenue Suite #300, Roseville, MN 55113
NIEBUR TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT 14380 E 240TH ST. HASTINGS, MN 55033 651.437.3531 | 888.559.9492 NIEBURTRACTOR.COM LOCATED IN MIESVILLE BETWEEN HASTINGS AND RED WING ON HWY 61.
For over 30 years, Wheeler Landscape Supply has been serving contractors in the metro area with superior service and quality products like Rockwood Retaining Walls from Rochester Concrete Products.
Rockwood’s Vintage 6 is a three-piece, spilt-faced, tumbled, freestanding or retaining wall system that builds an 8' radius without cutting. In Beechwood, Bluestone, Santa Fe and Desert Buff colors. • Matching end, corner and 3" H tumbled cap blocks • 30 sq. ft./pallet
North and South metro locations: 11151 Chaparral Ave S, Shakopee (952) 496-1043 4105 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park (763) 493-5150
Proud Members
www.wheeler-con.com
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Challenges, Opportunities, Fears Randy Berg
Berg’s Nursery & Landscape MNLA President
The challenges that this spring’s sales and landscape installs encountered were tough to deal with. Our April garden center sales were dismal as the unfavorable
weather continued to drag on and on. Suppliers called pleading with us to take preordered product that was ready to ship. Meanwhile, freezing night temperatures continued creating a huge risk for loss of plant materials shipped from warmer climates or greenhouses. Our sales staff prepared for the flood of plants and people as the weather grew a bit better and better. Interest by the buying public was high and frantic when it finally came, but losing all of April hurt the budget forecasts. Lost sales are very hard to recover. Our landscape crew struggled to find areas dry enough to work. The winds blew relentlessly making working conditions exhausting. We found ourselves patching days together working here and there to fill hours. Minor installation, maintenance, and spring cleanups were the saviors to salvage what we could out of a lousy spring. As May finally approached the sun started to shine. It was like being launched by a rocket. A whirlwind of crazy hours, customer expectations, and insane freight prices. These challenges add more pressure and angst to an already pressure-filled season. Despite all the turmoil, there are opportunities out there. The number and quality of landscape projects continue to be very strong. The increase in prices that had to
be, must be, passed on to the consumer are being received with little to no push back. The interest and acceptance of all our green industry products have reached a high level. Our products are valued and sought after. Irrigation, high-quality landscape design and installation, Gardening services, and garden products are in demand. Some of us have taken full advantage of this newly found desire by the public for our products. Remodeled and revamped stores, fully stocked inventories, and creative online marketing have helped many businesses fuel the urge to buy green products and services. There is potential to make well-deserved profits if we can adequately staff for it. My fears are related to uncertainty. Will fuel prices continue to rise? Will product costs and freight continue to escalate? Will consumer demand soften or return to pre-pandemic levels? Will staffing and the seeming lack, of available workers continue? Will my personal desire and energy level sustain and continue to push our business forward? The answer to many of these questions is unknown. I do know that over the years I have built a tremendous network of colleagues and friends that act as a support group, a sounding board for all the questions swirling in my head. The MNLA has provided that for me. Thanks, MNLA! You are AWESOME!
➽ RANDY BERG 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 july 22
VERSA-LOK
®
Contractor Sales Yards
Metro Yards: Summer Hours Mon - Fri: 7a to 5p & Sat: 8a to 12p Your locally owned headquarters for landscaping supplies and materials! • VERSA-LOK retaining wall systems • Willow Creek pavers and kits • Unilock pavers • Rosetta hardscapes • Porcelain landscape tiles • Decorative rock, mulch, natural stone, steps, wallstone, flagstone and more • Accessories, including lights, sealers, polymeric sand, edging and geogrid • Easy in/out yards with knowledgeable staff and convenient hours
NEW Slatestone™ Smooth
BROOKLYN PARK (763) 488-1310
OAKDALE (651) 773-7444
BURNSVILLE (952) 894-4401
KIMBALL (320) 398-5415
FARIBAULT (507) 331-3198
VERSA-LOK-midwest.com
ONALASKA, WI (800) 770-4525
Upcoming Classes & Events WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT
JUL 19
SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN GARDEN/LANDSCAPE TOUR
AUG 11-12
CRYSTAL LAKE GOLF CLUB, LAKEVILLE
OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS, EPIC CAMPUS, AND MORE!
NIGHT AT THE SAINTS
PEACHES & PIZZA TOUR
AUG 17
AUG 24
CHS FIELD, ST. PAUL
STONE CREEK FARM, SHAFER
MAINTENANCE-FOCUSED
LEARNING LAB HAPPY HOUR:
MNLA CERTIFCATION EXAMS TIF
ER
O PR
FE
IE
D
C
MNLA SHOOTOUT
SEP TBD
MNLA OFFICE, ROSEVILLE
AL
AUG 30
NORMANDALE JAPANESE GARDEN, BLOOMINGTON
FALL BULB LAB
N
NORMANDALE JAPANESE GARDEN TOUR
SEP 20 GAME UNLIMITED GUN CLUB, HUDSON
I O 4, 11 S |SNOV OCT MNLA 7, 21 OFFICE, ROSEVILLE
Go to www.MNLA.biz/events to sign up for these events and more!
REGISTER NOW
OPERATIONS + MAINTENANCE
ON THE CLOCK ↘IN FOCUS
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO START PREPPING WINTER EQUIPMENT
Duane Wright
Fisher, Western
Preparation starts in late summer when you dust off your snow and ice control equipment and perform operation and serviceability checks. Winter is coming. Don’t wait to prepare.
Don’t be the one who waits until they see snow
on the ground before connecting their snowplow and/or spreader. Poorly maintained equipment will cost you in repair costs and downtime.
annual services and pre-, during and postevent checks are all part of a good preventive maintenance plan. At minimum you will want to follow the manufacturers’ recommended service intervals for your equipment.
Set a schedule Mother Nature doesn’t wait for you to be ready. Establish a schedule for your preseason equipment roll out and scheduled maintenance throughout winter. Preseason checks,
Prepare for breakdowns You’re eventually going to need to make a repair; and Murphy’s Law says you’ll need to execute that repair at the worst part of the storm in the middle of your route. Having
iStock.com/tudmeak
and SnowEx.
july 22 MNLA.BIZ
13
OPERATIONS + MAINTENANCE
Stay Ahead of the Curve
1 2
Create a readiness schedule: If you don’t already have a fleet readiness schedule, make one. Identify your company’s snow season kickoff date and calculate the time you need to get your equipment ready. Leave plenty of time, knowing that current season maintenance and breakdowns may temporarily derail the schedule. Consider a phased approach: Companies who perform other services may not be able to do a complete switch over to winter operations. If not, use a phased approach, starting with one or two trucks with plows and spreaders being prepared early in the event of an early storm and adding as winter nears.
3
Open communication channels: Keep an open line of communication between all relevant parties in the company so they are aware of the mainten-
4
Order parts early: The closer you get to the start of the season, the better the chance that parts will be on back order. Early on, stock major parts, such as plow pumps, spreader motors, etc., that may be hard to find in the middle of a storm.
5 6
ance program timeline.
Fix it fast: Keep an equipment “first aid” kit handy. At minimum, every truck should have basic hand tools and a hydraulic hose repair kit in their truck as the first line of defense in the event of a breakdown. Establish breakdown procedures: Ensure your drivers and site managers follow protocol, including how to report problems and any required documentation.
spare parts is a must to keep you on the road doing the job you were hired to do. It could be as simple as an emergency parts kit that you keep in your truck or as complex as a parts room for the big fleets. Maintaining a great relationship with your dealer is important when it comes to parts availability. Let your dealer know your service needs as well as your snow and ice control equipment density to help them stock the appropriate parts you’ll need in the future.
Keen Edge Company Bill Burke / General Manager | Phone: 262-749-8097 Email: bburke2@keenedgeco.com
Find a dealer at www.wrightmfg.com 14
MNLA.BIZ july 22
Be diligent Servicing snow and ice equipment doesn’t stop with the plow or spreader. The truck is the key component to the snow and ice removal weapon system. Maintain your truck to maximize your equipment performance during the storm. If you aren’t a snow-only company it can be difficult to juggle the transition from green to white services; but having a plan — even if it sometimes gets off track — will position you ahead of the game when winter services begin. ➽ Duane Wright is technical service manager for Fisher, Western and SnowEx. Light Bulb: Top of next page: iStock.com/tudmeak
STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE Winter operations will run more smoothly if you properly plan for preventive maintenance and keep equipment primed and ready before, during and after winter services. Use this checklist as a refresher on key areas you Additional Resources should prep and inspect on your plow, spreader and truck. This list is based on manufacturer recommendations. This Tear & Teach offers a checklist of items to inspect and tend to before and during the season. SIMA also offers Operational Equipment and Use it as a base list and add to it asbenefit. necessary. Best Practices training as a members-only Learn more at www.sima.org/education.
1
2
BATTERY
Clean and tighten all electrical connections. Apply dielectric grease.
3
CUTTING EDGES
Check for wear and align for best performance and structural integrity.
TEAR OUT AND SAVE
Inspect and test the battery and charging system.
CONNECTIONS
5
4
FITTINGS
Check to make sure they are tight and don’t leak. Lubricate as recommended.
7
HYDRAULICS
Drain system and refill with fluid annually. In-season, check levels.
HEADLIGHTS
Adjust plow headlights for proper aim. Make sure they’re clean.
8
PAINT
Check exposed areas and repaint to prevent corrosion.
6
HOSES
Check hoses for leaks, cracks and damage. Replace as needed.
9
STROBE & WORK LIGHTS
Check that strobe and work lights are functioning properly.
STAY PREPARED AND MINIMIZE DOWNTIME WITH WESTERN® PLOWS, SPREADERS AND FACTORY ORIGINAL PARTS & ACCESSORIES. MORE JOBS. DONE FASTER.
Find your WESTERN dealer at westernplows.com july 22 MNLA.BIZ
15
GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH
LIGHTING & AUDIO At SiteOne ® Landscape Supply, we take the guesswork out of growing your business with outdoor lighting and audio. From getting started to making the sale, we’re here to help. And we don’t stop at products and supplies. SiteOne offers: • Product and installation training • Skilled experts at our local branches • Customer demo assistance • Unmatched selection of top low-voltage brands • Brand-name outdoor audio systems & kits
CONNECT WITH OUR EXPERTS SiteOne.com/Locations
2022-5737
March of the
Oaks
Faith Appelquist
iStock.com/Valentina Shilkina
Tree Quality LLC
TREES
No other mower can match the smooth, even cut of a Grasshopper zero-turn mower. In fact, very few carpets can, either. Which is why Grasshopper mowers remain a top choice among turf care professionals.
www.grasshoppermower.com www.edneyco.com (888) 443 - 3639
OVER THE COURSE OF SOME 56 MILLION YEARS, oaks (which all belong to the genus Quercus) evolved from a single population near current day Salzburg Salzburg, Austria, into the roughly 435 species found today on five continents, ranging from Canada to Colombia and from Norway to Borneo. Oaks are especially prominent in the Americas.
Approximately 60% of all Quercus species live here. This astounding variety, along with the fact that the oaks in this region account for more forest tree biomass than any other woody plant genus in North America and Mexico, makes them the single most important group of trees in the continent’s forests. In America, oaks are dominated by two evolutionary lineages: red and white. The red oak group is composed of species with bristle or pointed-tipped leaves. The white oaks have no bristles but rounded lobed leaves. Most white oaks drop their leaves in the fall, whereas red oaks keep their dead withered leaves until early spring, losing them all just before the new set grows. This makes winter identification pretty easy. In red oaks, pollen takes a full year from the time it lands on the female flower to fertilize the seed, so that acorns pollinated in one year only ripen in the next. White oak acorns ripen the same year they are pollinated, sometimes 18
MNLA.BIZ july 22
Kristen Fisher
Unless noted otherwise, all photos are from Faith Appelquist. Photos credited to others are used by permission.
The majestic Angel Oak on Johns Island South Carolina is estimated to be 400-500 years old, with a life expectancy of 900 years.
Andy Smith
Dawn Anderson
Red oak in winter.
The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England is estimated at 1,000 years old and may have been used by Robin Hood’s Merry Men as a hide-out.
White oak leaves. The reddish hue indicates new leaves emerging.
germinating before they even fall. Gray squirrels prefer to cache red oak acorns because they are less likely than white oak acorns to go bad before the squirrels can get back to them. White oaks have long served as wood for ships and wine barrels because the wood holds water more effectively than red oaks. White oaks are able to efficiently plug the water-conducting, tubelike cells called vessels in their wood with tyloses, balloon-like structures that seal the vessels as a barrier against deadly fungal diseases such as oak wilt. Red oaks are slower and sloppier in their defense. Consequently, white oaks can struggle with an oak wilt infection for years, whereas red oaks die in a single season. Underground, oaks can tell each other apart. White oak roots graft (or join) mainly to white and reds to red. This has important implications for oak wilt transfer via the root system.
Chewing insects recognize the differences between red and white oaks, and most are adapted to favor one or the other. Even mycorrhizal fungi, which connect plant roots to soil nutrients, appear to recognize their differences between the two types of oaks. Advances in DNA sequencing and analysis have allowed scientists to reconstruct a detailed picture of the origin, diversification, and dispersal of oaks. It is a remarkable evolutionary success story that will have important implications for predicting how these essential trees will fair in the face of a changing climate.
Everything is bigger in Texas, even the acorns from a white oak.
➽ FAITH APPELQUIST is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, an ISA Municipal Specialist MN, and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist®. Faith can be reached at faith@treequality.com.
Red oak leaves and acorn. july 22 MNLA.BIZ
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WANT A JUMPSTART ON YOUR LANDSCAPE AWARDS ENTRY? Use our checklist to get organized! The Landscape Awards Task Team has created a tool to help first-time (or long-time) entrants with submission preparation. Download the Entry Checklist at MNLA.biz/landscapeawards. The checklist enables you to quickly see all you’ll need to gather, helps you double-check for the most common mistakes in an entry, and includes tips from a long-time award-winning entrant: Judges appreciate photos that show seasonality, construction details that show the quality of the build, and other close-up photos of details of the project, but professional “After” photos are best at showcasing the project. Pair two or three before/after photos from the same angle, if possible. When writing your Project Description consider including an opening statement that grabs the reader’s/judge’s attention so that they want to read on. Include the client’s goals, the functionality of the landscape, the thinking behind your plant choices and hardscape selections, and how you used Best Management Practices in your installation.
Note: To
MN LA
LA ND
ensure company objectivity, judge nam
SC AP
E AWAR
DS EN TR
s do not es in the Entry Form know parts of your entry who was invol is com ved in pleted. that judge a proje s see, There products/ ct. While there are no manufact shou identifiab urers may ld be no ident le peop Work Res ifiable be ident le nor com peop ified as ponsibil pany nam applicable le nor ity Cha es in the . rt is com project There pleted. are no name. identifiab le peop No com le nor com ments exceed pany nam 75 word es in the All digi s. commen tal pho tos I plan ts. ned to use (up There are no to 20) are identifiab uploaded le peop Each phot . le nor com o is a high pany nam -quality Photos es in the jpeg, read are uplo photos. y for mag aded in azine publ the sequ All pho ence I ication. to desc wish judg riptions es to revie I planned w them There to writ . are no e are com identifiab plet le peop ed. No phot le nor com o desc riptions pany nam exceed es Project in the Pho 75 word Descrip s. to Des tion is criptions complet . ed. There are no identifiab le peop The Proj le nor com ect Des pany nam cription does not es in the The As-B exceed Project uilt Plan 650 word Descript is uplo s. ion. aded (up Includes to thre a North e PDFs arrow. are allow Is a com ed). plete set Includes of plan s. There a Scale. are no Is pres identifiab entationIs an as-b le peop quality. All plan uilt plan le nor com . each plan ts are labelled pany nam corr t es in the could appe will need a plan ectly and spec file nam t list ifica ar in the es nor on the Work Res and a narrative lly located. (Not plan. All othe e: Plan ponsibility describin r elements ting area g the desi Chart, s without are labe Photo gn inten Descript specific lled corr tion for ion, or ectly and loca the plan Project ting area tions for specifica Tips from Descript . This narr lly loca ion.) a long-tim ted. ative • Judg e award-w es appr inning other clos eciate phot entrant: os that e-up phot • Try os of deta show seasonal to limit the num ils of the ity, cons • Pair ber truct project, two or ion deta but profe three befo of “In Progress • Impo ils that ssional ” photos re/after show the rtant “After” to two photos qual o An openaspects to cons phot or three ity of the from the os are ider . build, and ing state same angl best at o Clien showcasi ment that including in your e, if poss t goals ng grab writt ible. the o Func s the read en narr project. tionality ative er's/judg o Plan e’s atten and descriptio t Choices ns: tion so o Hard that they scapes want to o How read on. you used Best Man agement Practices
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The MNLA Landscape Awards Task Team is calling all landscape professionals to participate in the awards program this year. MNLA has so many talented designers and specialists that assist our clients with diverse projects, and we want to see both your technical and aesthetic creativity. We are welcoming installed landscapes of all sizes and types, whether it is a small intimate area or a large opulent space. We appreciate new and innovative concepts and materials, and look forward to how these ideas will spur the imagination!
Did you know? • A Newcomer of the Year plaque is awarded to the top scoring project from a first-time entrant. • You get a second chance. If an entry is incomplete or incorrect, entrants have one opportunity to amend their submission and resubmit materials. DE ADLINE: • The criteria has expanded for plant labeling. Notable dates: NOV. Planting areas that do not have specific locations 16 Sep. 30: Entry Portal Opens for each plant can be accepted for judging as Nov. 16: Submission Deadline long as a plant list and narrative describing the Nov. 17: Entry Review design intention for that area is provided. This Nov. 18: Notification of necessary entry revision narrative could appear in comments on the Work Nov. 22: Resubmission Deadline Responsibility Chart, in the Photo Descriptions, Nov. 24-30: Judging and/or in the Project Description. This expansion Dec. 5-9: Entry Status Notifications allows for inclusion of designers who follow an intentional process of placing plants onsite. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023: Green Industry Awards Celebration Questions? Contact Landscape Awards Task Team staff liasion Jon Horsman at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.
Judging Reminders
• The size and cost of a project are not part of the criteria for judging. • Entries are not judged against each other; rather each entry is evaluated by judges against standards of excellence. • To ensure objectivity, judges do not know who was involved in a project. While there should be no identifiable people nor company names in the parts of your entry that judges see, products/ manufacturers may be identified as applicable.
OUTDOOR 2022 Market Insights:
HOME IMPROVEMENT
iStock.com/sturti
Conducted March 2022 by Axiom
july 22 MNLA.BIZ
21
SURVEY
²⁄₃
OF RESPONDENTS WILL SPEND MORE TIME ON OUTDOOR PROJECTS IN 2022.
About the Survey: The intent of the survey by Axiom was to explore homeowner sentiments about outdoor projects they will pursue in 2022. With many homeowners completing indoor projects over the past two years, they wanted to understand the motivations for outdoor projects. What projects will homeowners be completing? How much will they hire or do themselves and how will they pay for the projects?
SURVEY GOALS • Identify which outdoor projects are being considered for 2022 • Identify homeowner motivations for the projects • Identify how they will complete and fund the projects
TOP 5 MOTIVATORS FOR OUTDOOR PROJECTS Overall Responses: 1. Something I want for my home or yard – 42% 2. Increase home value – 32% 3. Routine maintenance – 34% 4. Spend more time outside – 32% 5. Make the exterior of my home as nice as the interior – 25%
Boomers:
1. Routine maintenance – 41% 2. Something I want for my home or yard – 38% 3. Spend more time outside – 32% Gen X: 1. Something I want for my home or yard – 50% 2. Spend more time outside – 32% 3. Routine maintenance – 29% Millennials: 1. Increase home value – 43% 2. Routine maintenance – 35% 3. Something I want for my home or yard – 35%
PLANNED PROJECTS: 1. Paint exterior – 22% 2. Deck renovation – 19% 3. New shrubs or trees – 19% 4. New fence – 17% 5. New deck – 17% 6. Expand or add new flower garden – 17% 7. New firepit – 13% 8. Expand or add new vegetable garden – 12% 9. Patio renovation – 11% iStock.com/sturti
10. New patio – 11%
22
MNLA.BIZ july 22
Bulk Residential & Commercial Orders 20
Yard
Order
Minimum
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For more information visit mmcjd.com to find a dealer near you.
SURVEY
COMPLETION METHODS: Millennials are DIY confident More than half of Boomers plan to hire out 2022 outdoor projects
INVESTMENT LEVELS: Nearly half of respondents are likely to spend $1,000-5,000 on outdoor projects • Up to $500 – 5% • $501 to $1,000 – 23% • $1,001 to $2,500 – 24% • $2,501 to $5,000 – 24% • $5,001 to $10,000 – 15% • More than $10,000 – 8%
HOW WILL THEY BE PAYING? CASH IS KING • Cash – 48% • Credit – 34% • Loan – 5% • Haven’t decided – 13%
TOP CHALLENGES FOR COMPLETION: 1. Money – 59% 2. Finding a pro – 16% 3. Time – 14% 4. Finding materials – 5% 5. Finding friends & family to help – 3% 6. Other – 3%
IF MONEY WAS NOT AN OBJECT,
WHAT PROJECT WOULD YOU COMPLETE?
1. Swimming pool – 14% 2. Deck – 10% 3. Backyard/add more yard – 7% 4. Fence/wall – 6% 5. Garage – 5% 6. Landscaping – 5% 7. Siding – 4% 8. Outdoor kitchen – 4% iStock.com/sturti
9. Driveway – 4% 10. Spa/hot tub – 3%
24
MNLA.BIZ july 22
Salute the Flag – stone
6 IN 10 RESPONDENTS SAY THEY ARE READY TO FOCUS ON OUTDOOR PROJECTS BECAUSE THEY COMPLETED MAJOR INTERIOR PROJECTS DURING COVID LOCKDOWNS.
SURVEY DEMOGRAPHICS: Iron Mountain Flagstone
Cafe Flagstone
Chilton Flagstone
Fond du Lac Flagstone
www.rockhardmn.com 3600 W Hwy 13 • Burnsville, MN 55337
952-895-7408
4375 170th St. W • Farmington, MN 55024
952-207-4456
944 215th St. E • Jordan, MN 55352
952-492-2890
Location: • Pacific – 12% • Rocky MTN – 10% • Southwest – 14% • Midwest – 20% • Southeast – 24% • Northeast – 20% Household income: • Under $25,000 – 5% • $25,000 - $49,999 – 14% • $50,000 - $74,999 – 18%
SAVE ON FUEL & MORE
• $75,000 - $99,999 – 24% • $100,000 and over – 39% Age: • 25 to 40 – 31% • 41 to 56 - 36% • 57 and older 32% ➽ Since 1993, Axiom has served North America’s best-known horticultural, agricultural, building products, and utility companies. Axiom uses market insights to drive strategies in sales, innovation, and market communications, which accelerates purchase decisions and business growth. This report represents a summary of our key research findings. If you’d like more detailed implications, customized views of the data, demographic, or age break downs and more, contact Craig Dick at cdick@axiomcom.com.
Save 6¢ off every gallon of fuel at Kwik Trip and Kwik Star locations.* Additional discounts include 10% off most in-store purchases and volume car wash discounts up to 50% off. Customize account to fit your tracking and administrative needs for any size company. No annual nor monthly fees. Contact Tanner Benson with questions or to apply (do not apply online): 608-793-4826 or tbenson@kwiktrip.com. *Must be an MNLA Member and approved on a Kwik Trip fuel account.
july 22 MNLA.BIZ
25
Advertorial
All photos courtesy of SiteOne Landscape Supply
DO CUSTOMERS NEED LIGHTING? Have you ever wondered why you didn’t get the sale? Have you ever kept track of the reasons why?
The sales process theory indicates that you can usually reduce the reasons why you didn’t get the sale or why your prospects weren’t interested to six basic objections. By doing this the theory says you can start to formulate good responses to overcoming those six basic objections.
How to Sell Needs vs. Wants Within our industry, the top objections are typically price and what we have labeled the kit objection, which is “I can get it at home centers for $49.95, so why should I pay $2000 for a professional system?” Good objections, aren’t they? But one of the six basic objections that is the most telling in our industry is the perceived need. How often do you
hear potential customers tell you that a landscape lighting system is a luxury, not a need? Do you perceive a need? When was the last time you approached a job site and informed your client that you could address these basic concerns with landscape lighting? When is the last time you thought about why people need landscape lighting? Let’s discuss the first major needs for landscape lighting security concerns. If you don’t think people are willing to pay for a certain degree of security, start taking notice of the proliferation of companies that are servicing the home
security market. Start noticing how many yard signs are in front of homes today warning possible intruders that the home is protected with a security system. If there are six homes on the street and only one is completely lit with landscape lighting, which house is an intruder least likely to pursue? With landscape lighting, the prowler sees the security sign from the street. Effectively constructing and designing a landscape lighting system that considers beauty, safety, and security will provide protection and security to your customers. If you still don’t believe your customers have a need for the security lighting you can provide, ask yourself how many of
Advertorial
your customers have porch lights? How many leave them on at night?
Reasons to Add Lighting
With a landscape lighting system your customers get not only security, but the safety elements are addressed. Changes in the elevation, low-level shrubs, or plant material that people may trip over all
are potential safety concerns that need to be addressed for the homeowner and guests. By building in the proper controls for your customer with their landscape lighting system, safety can be “turned on” with motion sensing devices timers and more to avoid accidents. As you can see, landscape lighting systems may fulfill more needs than many other offerings. If you can effectively present how you can address some security and safety concerns with landscape lighting, you’re 90% on your way to a sale. That’s because the easy part (and by far the biggest added value) of a landscape
lighting system is the beauty aspect. Most of us focus on beauty in landscape lighting and dramatically diminish the safety and security benefits so we also begin to believe in the myth that landscape lighting is a luxury. You must also believe that effective landscape lighting also has the power to fulfill basic client needs.
their landscape investment. In Minnesota, where you only have abundant daytime light from late April to late September, landscape lighting’s role in keeping customers satisfied is even more dramatic.
The Value of Lighting
beauty you’ve brought to them throughout the seasons.
Now to overcome the most common objection to landscape lighting- price. By showing your customer how lighting will address safety and security concerns and add beauty, your customers will begin to see that you’re not only installing a highquality product, but adding value to their home.
For a fraction of the total cost of landscape installation, landscape lighting allows customers to enjoy the safety and
To overcome each of the basic lighting objections, first overcome your misconceptions. There truly is a need for landscape lighting. It’s not a luxury. It’s something that will bring year-after-year of benefits to your clients, and it’ll do wonders for referrals.
Nothing can help your referrals more than an effective landscape lighting system. It will not only expand the living space for your clients, it will also give them year-round access and enjoyment to
*Reprinted with permission. This article first appeared on SiteOne.com/Learn.
For more information visit www.siteone.com.
2012 CHEV Y EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2012 CHEV Y EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2012 CHEV Y EXPRESS CARGO VAN
A WORK-READY A WORK-READY A WORK-READY INCENTIVE THAT INCENTIVE THAT INCENTIVE THAT WORKS WORKS HARD FOR YOU. WORKS HARD HARD FOR FOR YOU. YOU.
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1 1 1
750 plus RETAIL OFFER
plus RETAIL OFFER
for CUTAWAYS for CUTAWAYS for CUTAWAYS
$ $ 1,000 UPFIT CASH $1,000 UPFIT CASH CASH1 1,000 UPFIT plus RETAIL OFFERCASH
1,200
1 1 1
plus RETAIL OFFER plus RETAIL OFFER
for PICKUPS for PICKUPS for PICKUPS
SELECT FROM ONE OF FOUR ACCESSORY SELECT FROM ONE OF FOUR or ACCESSORY PACKAGES UPUP TO $1,095 TO $ OF FOUR ACCESSORY SELECT FROM ONE 1,095 or PACKAGES UP TO PACKAGES UP TO $1,095 or 1 1
1,000
$ $ UPFITCASH CASH $ 500 UPFIT $500 UPFIT CASH plus500 RETAIL OFFER UPFIT CASH plus RETAIL OFFER 1 1
plus RETAIL OFFER
Business Choice is designed for business owners who rely on their vehicles Business is designed for business owners who on their vehicles for their Choice day-to-day operations. It’s available withrely eligible Chevrolet Business Choice is designed for business owners who on their vehicles for their and day-to-day operations. It’ssuch available withrely eligible Chevrolet vehicles offers great incentives as valuable upfit equipment. for theirand day-to-day operations. It’ssuch available with eligible Chevrolet vehicles offers great incentives as valuable upfit equipment. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com today to see if you qualify. vehicles and offers great incentives such as valuable Visit gmbusinesschoice.com today to see if you qualify. upfit equipment. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com today to see if you qualify. 1 1 1
To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12. To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. ©2012 General Motors Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12. ©2012 General Motors ©2012 General Motors
Business Choice is designed for business owners who rely on their vehicles for their day-to-day operations. It’s available with eligible Chevrolet vehicles and offers great incentives such as valuable upfit equipment. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com today to see if you qualify. 302 302 302
www.jeffbelzerchevy.com Version # 4 Version # 4 Version # 4
Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.inddLinked Graphics Art Director Control Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd 12KTFLCHEV032.tif Linked GraphicsRGB
Retail Planning Flyer Control Art George Miller •Mechgmiller@jeffbelzer.com Scale 100 8.75” 952-469-7076 x 11.25” Bleed Chevy CopyDirector Writer TBD
RGB
12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB HD CC with Dump_psd.psd Linked GraphicsRGB Control Art Director 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Mech TBD Copy Print Scale Scale 100 12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB None BusinessCentral_KO.ai ProjWriter Mgr csenn HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Scale Please 100 GM_business_choice.ai TBD Copy Writer Jeff Belzer Lakeville,Mech MN. call the Commercial Department at 952-469-4444. Print Scale None BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Stock None HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB Acct Mgr Svc kdenmark cube_0758.jpg RGB GM_business_choice.ai Print Scale Trim None 8.5” x 11” BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Mgr Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB All Rebates & incentives to dealer, must qualify for same, prices subject to change. Stock None Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Mgr Svc afinnan cube_0758.jpg RGB Folded Size Prod GM_business_choice.ai RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Stock Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Svc cube_0758.jpg RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB Folded Size None afinnan Mgr TBD 1 RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Finishing Buyer To qualify, vehicles must be None used in day-to-day operations of your business and notArtProd solely for transportation purposes. Must provide Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Family_Option_a3.tif RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB None Folded Size None afinnan ProdBuyer Mgr TBD RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB 4320G_cs.tif CMYK Finishing Art Family_Option_a3.tif RGB Colors Spec’d 4C TBD Copy Edit Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB 4320Gss.tif CMYK 4320G_cs.tif CMYK Finishing None TBD Art Buyer Colors Spec’d Family_Option_a3.tif RGB 4C TBD 1PROCS.tif CMYK Copy Edit nminieri/pm Mac with Business Central Special Instr. 4320Gss.tif CMYK 4320G_cs.tif CMYK 1PROSS.tif CMYK Colors Spec’d 1PROCS.tif CMYK 4C Business Central TBD CopyMac Edit nminieri/pm Special Instr. with 4320Gss.tif CMYK BasePkg_ss.tif CMYK Publications None 1PROSS.tif CMYK 1PROCS.tif CMYK 12KTFLCHEV021.tif RGB Mac nminieri/pm with Business Central Special Instr. None BasePkg_ss.tif CMYK Publications
CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT
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”
Publications None
Colors In-Use Cyan Colors In-Use
Last Modified 4-17-2012 3:37 PM 4-17-2012 3:37 PMDate Last Modified Printer Output 4-17-2012 3:37 PMDate Last Modified TITAN 4-20-2012 1:48 PM Printer Output
User ma-klane User
John Zadurski 952-469-6818 • User jzadurski@jeffbelzer.com 4-20-2012 1:48Date PM Colors In-Use Printer Output
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CMYK RGB RGB CMYK RGB RGB RGB
Magenta Cyan Yellow Magenta Cyan Black Yellow Magenta Black Yellow Black
proof of business.
ma-klane Mechd By: nminieri ma-klane Mechd By: nminieri
TITANRTVd By: None TITANRTVd By: None
Mechd By: nminieri
RTVd By: None CD/ACD
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ACCT SERVICE
PROD
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AD AD
©2022AD General Motors COPY EDIT
BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO ACCT SERVICE PROD COPY EDIT VED THIS WORK. BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO ACCT SERVICE PROD COPY EDIT VED THIS WORK. BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO VED THIS WORK.
4-20-2012 1:48 PM4-20-2012 1:48 PM 4-20-2012 1:48 PM
Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job Description Chevy Retail Planning Flyer JobJob #Description GMC1-12-03178
PROMASTER VANS IN STOCK! Vehicles ready for work at a moment’s notice. Professionals trained to keep business owners happy. Service facilities equipped for commercial applications.
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COMMERCIAL HEADQUARTERS Jeff Belzer Ram, 21111 Cedar Ave., Lakeville, MN Please Call the Commercial Dept, 952-469-4444 All Rebates & Incentives to Dealer, Must Qualify for Same, Prices Subject to Change George Miller 952-469-7076 gmiller@jeffbelzer.com
John Zadurski 952-469-6818 jzadurski@jeffbelzer.com
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2022 Spring Trials
REPORT: PART 1
Alisha Asleson BFG Supply
OH, IT WAS GOOD TO BE BACK IN CALIFORNIA AFTER A TWO-YEAR HIATUS. WE HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW CHANGES IN OUR WORLD IN THAT TIME AND
iStock.com/AF-studio
THINGS DO LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
W
SPRING TRIALS
e started our trip in Oxnard and traveled north to San Jose. We crammed it all into three full days which amounted to almost 700 miles total. Our team gained an enormous amount of knowledge, and I am excited to share that with you. Let’s dig in!
PanAmerican Seed
Begonia Dragon Wing® White
TALK ABOUT A SHOWSTOPPER! WHO DOESN’T LOVE A GOOD COLEUS WITH SERRATED EDGES AND BOLD RUBY RED COLORS THAT THRIVE IN THE SHADE?
i We finally have a white one! These Angel-wing leaves and large blooms give this plant a dramatic look. Easy to grow like their counterparts from a pelleted seed and boasts stunning “flower power.” Flowers can turn blush in warmer conditions and flowers earlier than the pink variety.
Celosia Sunday™ Green
First cut flower version of the plume-shaped celosia. The strong stems enhance the appeal for larger bouquets. The icy pale green is sure to stand out in any arrangement.
Premium Sun Coleus Ruby Heart
Talk about a showstopper! Who doesn’t love a good coleus with serrated edges and bold ruby red colors that thrive in the shade? It can be placed in the landscape and has a similar performance to Crimson Gold.
Interspecific Impatiens Solarscape™ XL Salmon Glow
Seed-propagated interspecific impatient that provides unbeatable color for FULL-SUN! They are durable in the landscape and the XL means that they are more vigorous, growing 20% larger than the standard Solarscape varieties. Reaching a height of 11–13" with a spread of 18–20" makes this plant a no-brainer for landscapers and mass plantings.
NEWS & NOTES
32
MNLA.BIZ july 22
Promote Smart Irrigation Month
It’s July, which means it’s Smart Irrigation Month. Join the Irrigation Association in this annual initiative to promote the social, economic, and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation technologies, products, and services. For
resources, including press releases, social templates, and more information about how you can get involved, go to www.smart irrigationmonth.org.
Time to Renew! MNLA Membership Renewal Notices Have Been Mailed!
It’s that time of year to
keep an eye out for your 2022 MNLA membership renewal notice. Please take a moment to review your company information, including the list of employees, so that we have the most accurate information for your company. Once you have reviewed your company information,
please return your membership renewal form promptly. If you prefer, you can renew your membership online! Go to www. MNLA.biz, click “Sign in” in the upper righthand corner, and enter your company’s username and password. While signed in, you will be
asked to review and update your company’s information, which will be published in the MNLA Membership Directory and online directory. Feel free to contact the MNLA office if we can be of any assistance to you during the renewal process or for more information on any of
Interspecific Impatiens Solarscape™ Magenta Bliss
Unlike the XL counterpart, this standard Solarscape variety grows to 9–11" tall with a spread of 15–20". This seed-propagated variety is low-maintenance and provides color that will pop all season long in full sun. In addition to Magenta Bliss, there is a White Shimmer and Orange Burst.
Interspecific Begonia Hula™ Bicolor Red White
This variety looks great on the retail bench. With only a height of 10" and a spread of 27", this series is ideal for hanging baskets and mixed containers. This unique spreading variety is highly branched with a lot of flowers that can handle sun or shade while being daylength neutral. There are three more colors to round out this series. Tomato Sun Dipper
i This is sure to be a customer favorite! This orange elongated fruit is great for dipping and sharing with others. This variety is indeterminate and has resistance to Fusarium, Nematodes, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus. The average fruit size is 2–2.5" inches.
Zinnia Zesty™ Orange
I’m not sure what it is about Zinnias, but I can’t seem to get enough of them. This late spring bloomer has extraordinary garden appeal while boasting fully double flowers. A great pollinator plant and a standard for landscape plantings. Another new addition to this series this year is a yellow. Selecta
Petunia Headliner™ Strawberry Sky
Another addition to the Sky family. This berry-colored addition is sure to be a favorite in red, white, and blue combinations. It has medium vigor and is early in flowering. It can spread up to 30" which makes it ideal for container plantings and monoculture hanging baskets.
06 our products and services. We are available at 651.633.4987 or mnla@mnla.biz.
Value of Membership
Your continued support and involvement as a member of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is greatly appreciated! Among other member-
ship benefits is personal in-depth support of issues affecting you and your customers at the Federal, State, and Municipal Levels. The MNLA Government Affairs Team is deeply involved at various levels of government representing your interests and advocating for the
green industry with elected officials and regulatory agency staff. To learn more about what MNLA has to offer to its members, visit www.mnla.biz.
Welcome New MNLA Members
MasterTag; Meyer Masonry; Olson’s Customer Lawncare; Restore Landscaping; Sota Enterprises; Strese’s Tree Service.
july 22 MNLA.BIZ
33
SPRING TRIALS
Calibrachoa MiniFamous® Uno Orange+Red Vein
Wow! This very early flowering plant with excellent heat tolerance is sure to be one of the first flowering on the bench. The rustic red veins are gorgeous against the light pink edges that enhance the look of these blooms. Being that it is in the Uno® family, it is more compact and doesn’t require a lot of PGRs.
Dahlia Venti™ Mango
The most vigorous series that this breeder offers is always a favorite amongst growers. The stunning orange color really pops against the green foliage in single-pot production or in combinations. Make sure to start out with a large pot to begin with, because these need the space.
Bidens Namid™ Red+Yellow Eye
j This is the first orange bidens in this breeder’s lineup. Ideal for combinations with the semi-trailing habit and medium vigor. It has a controlled growth habit and a long flower performance.
Verbena Lascar™ Orange Lava
j Talk about a unique color. This variety is a little less vigorous than the other ones in this series and is earlier to flower. It has excellent heat tolerance for full sun conditions and grows to be 14" high and wide.
Westhoff Calibrachoa Chameleon® Pink Splash
I just love this series of calibrachoas. I love that they change color throughout the growing season which adds interest for our customers. The colors of this plant make it ideal to mix with other reds, pinks, or purples.
Calibrachoa Dracula
What a name huh? This stand-alone variety is early flowering and full of crimson blooms with a very dark and dramatic center.
Petunia Hells™ Fusion
It is fun to see this series back on the market after a couple year hiatus. Growers are loving them, and their customers are too for the unique coloring and effect that they add to their containers. 34
MNLA.BIZ july 22
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SPRING TRIALS
Petunia BigDeal™ Hollywood Star
This series is known for the vigor and flower size that it produces. They are perfect for landscape plantings and this flower has a fun star pattern.
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Begonia Citizen™ Cane Pink
Dark foliage with a striking polka dot pattern. Fun pink flowers have a strong fragrance that is great for outdoor containers and could be an indoor plant as well.
Streptocarpus Ladyslippers® Azure
A classic houseplant that is making a comeback for early season sales and impulse buys. Great color to compliment the Pantone color of the year. Great for single container production and smaller mixed containers.
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MNLA.BIZ july 22
Lobelia Rift Violet
i A fun twist on the regular stand-alone colors that are available for this genus. Splotches of violet are against a pure white background to bring interest and drama to containers.
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Suntory Flowers Bracteantha Granvia® Harvest Orange
This is a series that I absolutely adore. Supersized strawflowers that bloom and bloom. They are extremely heat and drought tolerant and thrive in full sun. The Gold is the original color and in addition to the Harvest Orange, they are adding two other colors to the series as well.
Calibrachoa Million Bells® Orangina®
i The first collaboration for this breeder with tying in a drink and a plant. Like a traditional Million Bells®, it has a mounded habit that works well for containers and hanging baskets.
Petunia Surfinia® XXL Salmon Vein & Watermelon Jazz
j Jumbo-sized flowers with an upright and mounded habit. With a height of 10–12" and spread of 24" it is early flowering and daylength neutral. Perfect for hanging baskets and landscape plantings.
july 22 MNLA.BIZ
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SPRING TRIALS
Scaevola Surdiva® Lilac Mist
Beautiful and compact plant that has excellent branching. Flowers earlier than other varieties in this series and has excellent heat tolerance. Dummen Orange
Dahlia Hypnotica® Rose Swirl
j Multi-colors of rose shades that catch your eye instantaneously. Large flowers are ideal for thrillers in mixed containers or in stand-alone large containers for patios.
Dahlia Megaboom Orange Crush
Everything you love about the Hypnotica® series but with shorter peduncles and protects the flowers against the elements. Calibrachoa TikTok® Orange
Large orange flowers with yellow spokes mimic hands on a clock. Hence, the name. Fun novelty series that includes numerous other colors.
Geranium Santana series
Interspecific geraniums are ideal for containers and hanging baskets. Improved heat tolerance compared to traditional zonal types. The dark green foliage provides a striking contrast to the large and oversized blossoms. Numerous colors in this series will be available and suited for growers of all types.
Coleus Great Falls Rose Gold
Addition to the popular trailing series that adds a pop of color to any shade container. Not as vigorous as others in the series but has a nice, mounded habit.
38
MNLA.BIZ july 22
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38560 14th Ave. North Branch, MN 55056 651-674-4494 www.OlsonPower.com © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2022. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, disclaimer, safety, incentive offer and product information, consult your local Dealer or go to KubotaUSA.com.
CMYK
SPRING TRIALS
Sakata Ornamentals
Sunpatien® Compact Lavender Splash
Sunpatiens® Vigorous Peach Candy
i Large orchid-colored flowers with lavender splashes on the petals stand out in any landscape. This compact series is a bit smaller than the vigorous but is still quite large with a height and width of 20–28".
i Dark bronze foliage
highlights the vibrant peach and orange flowers. The vigorous series is quite large and best utilized in large containers and hanging baskets.
Celosia Flamma Orange
i 2022 AAS Winner with a compact habit and vivid colored plumes. Great for monoculture or mixed containers with a height of 10". There are four other colors in the series and a mix. Syngenta Flowers
Begonia Bionic™ Bronze leaf
Interspecific begonia that is great for landscape and containers. Loves both sun and shade conditions for season-long color.
Lantana Bandolista™ i Finally, a lantana just for baskets! This series is well-branched with a trailing habit that makes it the perfect summer basket. Four colors in the series and is sterile with a height of 15–18" and width of 24–30".
Pansy Delta™ Premium Yellow w/Red Wing
The most uniform growing series on the market. Early and uniform flowering that resists stretching.
Vinca Cora® Magenta Halo
Easy to grow with large and showy flowers that are disease resistant like the others in the series.
STAY TUNED FOR EVEN MORE PLANTS TO BE FEATURED IN THE AUGUST 2022 ISSUE
Zinnia Interspecific Zydeco™
Fully double flowers that are 25% larger than the competitors. Disease resistant with heat and drought tolerance. Four colors in the series, including a white. 40
MNLA.BIZ july 22
➽ ALISHA ASLESON can be reached at alisha.asleson@bfgsupply.com.
50 years of
Prestige Projects
Public Plaza at CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario. Designer: IBI Group
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min al - 197 3
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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Biden Administration Charts Its Course on “Waters of the US” AmericanHort
On May 10, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers held the first of ten regional listening sessions on their new definition of waters subject to Clean Water Act protections.
iStock.com/herreid
Evan Lee
Each session will highlight geographic differences and a
range of stakeholder perspectives, including agriculture, conservation, water management, and development. Compared to a game of “ping-pong” recently by an EPA official, the Biden Administration’s new definition of "Waters of the United States" will become the fourth version in as many Administrations. For stakeholders, the lack of consistency is a headache when determining whether to seek special Clean Water Act permitting for activities near water features, and the shifting application of the law creates uncertainty for existing permit holders. Rules issued by the Obama and Trump Administrations sought to address ambiguities within the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) definition of waters subject to federal law, with the latter applying a narrower definition of navigable waters and core tributary systems. For its part, the Biden Administration’s re-write of the Trump-era rule will likely expand federal jurisdiction to include water and land features with a “significant nexus,” or ecological connection, to more clearly definable navigable waters.
Meanwhile, all eyes remain on a legal challenge of the Clean Water Act making its way through the federal court system – Sacket v. EPA. It’s likely the case will come before the Supreme Court next fall, giving the Justices a say in how the law defines federally regulated waters. The EPA Administrator’s Agricultural Advisor, however, recently put to rest speculation the agency will hold their new rule while the court weighs in, saying, “I suspect it's still going to be a number of months probably before the next concrete steps, but I do still think there's an interest in trying to get this finalized this calendar year.” For more information about sessions in your region, view EPA’s announcement here: epa.gov/wotus/publicoutreach-and-stakeholder-engagement-activities.
➽ Evan Lee is Director of Policy and Government Relations at AmericanHort. july 22 MNLA.BIZ
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60 Years of Support: The Horticultural Research Institute Continues to
GROW THE INDUSTRY
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iStock.com/Prostock-Studio
Reprinted with permission from the Horticultural Research Institute.
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HRI
“
“IT’S REMARKABLE TO IMAGINE THAT 60 YEARS AGO, HRI WAS MERELY AN IDEA.
THINK BACK, IF YOU WILL, TO 1962: • John Glenn became the first human to orbit the Earth • President John F. Kennedy was dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis • Rachel Carson published her landmark book, “Silent Spring” And in September 1962, a small group of forward-
thinking nursery professionals established the Horticultural Research Institute to provide funds that would support industry-driven, targeted research. Starting from a combined donation of $1,300 in the early 1960s to having supported a total of $9.5 million in research grants and scholarships by its 60th year, HRI continues to grow—and to grow the industry. “It’s remarkable to imagine that 60 years ago, HRI was merely an idea. Today, that idea has grown into an incredible organization singularly focused on the research needs of the green industry,” says Alan Jones, current president of the Horticultural Research Institute and president of Manor View Farms in
Monkton, MD. “Sixty years later, on the shoulders of those who started the work, HRI is a strong, thriving organization with hundreds of volunteers, thousands of donors, and millions of dollars invested in research.” The roots of the organization actually go back to the early 1950s, when the American Association of Nurserymen Board of Directors proposed a program to solicit financial contributions to support industry research. That early attempt laid the foundation, but it wasn’t until a few years later that the AAN Board formally established HRI as an organization separate from, but related to, AAN. Beginning in those early days in the 1960s, through AAN’s change to the American Nursery and Landscape Association, and then AmericanHort, the Horticultural Research Institute has been committed to prioritizing and funding research that addresses specific problems and challenges identified by industry professionals. Where do those funds come from? The money is contributed by industry stakeholders—growers, landscapers, garden center retailers, and other green industry professionals—through endowments they’ve established with HRI. “This is a grassroots organization,”
”
explains Harvey Cotten, HRI’s Ad-Hoc Development Committee Chair. “All the money has come from industry; it has been individuals or companies that have seen the wisdom in trying to solve our own problems.” All funds are invested, and so the money continues to accrue interest over the years; the fund draws dividends, which then can be used to fund further research. “I’ve often said that you’re not giving to HRI, this is not a charitable contribution in the sense that we make a contribution to our church or even to feed the homeless,” Cotten adds. “This is actually an investment that is going to pay you back in dividends, i.e., problem-solving so that it isn’t just a gift. And this research is what will make one profitable in one’s own business.” Dale Deppe, President of Spring Meadow Nursery and member of HRI’s Investment Committee, puts it this way: “HRI does things that we can’t do for ourselves. You’re better together than you are as an individual nursery or greenhouse person. Because you can’t do the research, you can’t fund it at the level that HRI does.” It’s an investment in finding research solutions to your specific challenge. But it’s also july 22 MNLA.BIZ
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d v c w y c i o h y t
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– i t p i o i W a p o
HRI
an investment in the future of the industry. Looking ahead, HRI has identified four Strategic Focus Areas that serve as a guide for further prioritizing funding of research programs. To consider and identify the broad spectrum of interests within the greater green industry, HRI convened a large panel of stakeholders, each representing unique businesses and industry segments. “We came together with 50 different stakeholders, representing the whole industry and every segment of it to talk about what we see going into the future: What are the research priorities that we need to look at, and how would we then prioritize the type of research projects that we want addressed? And that’s where the four areas of strategic focus came about,” says Cotten. The first area is “Quantifying Plant Benefits.” The ultimate target is the consumer— those who purchase plants and plant-related services—and the aim is to help them to fully understand and appreciate plants’ value. But in order to do that, Cotten explains, “We need to get our people, whether that’s the greenhouse side, the landscape side, or the retail side, the ammunition they need to show the benefits of plants as more than just being something pretty. Whether that’s ecosystem services, pollinator appeal, pollution, erosion, all of these things—including climate change.” Research that highlights the quantitative value of plants—what, specifically, do plants do for me? what do plants do for the environment? — will provide green industry professionals the information that will help sell those plants, and help grow and sustain the industry. The second area is “Creating Innovative Solutions.” A prime example of a continuing challenge, for all segments of the industry, is labor. “When we looked at ‘creating innovative solutions,’ labor continues to be our biggest problem,” Cotten says. “So how do we, instead of just saying, ‘fix labor,’ determine which innovative solutions will reduce the need for additional labor?” Is mechanization the answer? Are efficiency studies called for? Funding the most appropriate targeted, specific, dedicated research will help to answer these questions and find innovative, useful, and applicable solutions. The third area is “Gathering Consumer Insights.” Growers excel at propagating, hybridizing, and, well, growing plants. Landscape professionals are experts at designing and installing built environments that showcase those plants. And garden center retailers are generally that all-important point of con-
tact between the buyer and the producer. Cotten says of the stakeholders’ considerations, “‘Gathering consumer insights’ truly was looking at the buying public and marketing of our plants, which we had never done.” Listening to the end-user, assessing the home gardener’s wants and needs, working with professional customers and clients to determine what they’re looking for: All this is necessary to provide the best, most valuable, most saleable goods and services. The final Strategic Focus Area identified by HRI’s panel of industry professionals is “Producing Practical and Actionable Solutions.” Ideally, it’s the goal of all research funded by HRI grants. Research for the sake of research is laudable, admirable, necessary. But what professionals in the green industry need from HRI-funded research—the research into which they’ve invested their dollars—is information and strategies they can put to use to solve the problems they’ve identified. “Producing practical and actionable solutions,” Cotten explains, “is that easily defined” category into which very specific challenges fall. It’s where producers get the answers for their unique problems: “There’s crape myrtle bark scale; how do we solve it?” Cotton
says. “Or there’s spotted lantern fly coming up, or boxwood tree moth. We wanted to have an area of focus that those types of problems would fit very nicely into.” As the country appears to be emerging from the restrictive grip of a global pandemic, studies have determined that lockdowns, career changes, working at home, and other factors contributed to an extraordinary growth in the number of new gardeners: 16 to 18 million are estimated to have entered the market. Reaching out to them, educating them, maintaining them as good customers, producing the best quality and most desired plants —it’s all quite a challenge. But HRI has already provided funding support for research that will lead them, and the industry, into the future. ➽ The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the research affiliate of AmericanHort, has provided over $9.5 million in funds since 1962 to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to the green industry. Over $20 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations, and associations. For more information about HRI, its grant-funded research, scholarships, or programming, visit www.hriresearch.org.
july 22 MNLA.BIZ
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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
So Close, Yet So Far Forrest Cyr
During the 2022 session, the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association again advocated for
MNLA Director of
the passage of legislation to prohibit the use of predatory construction contracts that transfer
Government Affairs
liability to downstream contractors regardless of fault (House File 803/Senate File 1025). General contractors (GCs) and public owners (such as state agencies) use these contract clauses to compel non-negligent parties to cover legal fees and defense costs for litigation arising from the work and negligence of another party. HF803/SF1025 enjoyed strong bipartisan support during the 2022 session in both the House and the Senate with unanimous votes in the House and Senate Judiciary and Labor committees. However, continued opposition from the office of Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and other state agencies again derailed passage of the legislation. MNLA will work to secure its passage in the 2023 legislative session alongside the Minnesota Subcontractors Association, the Minnesota Electrical Association, the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association, the Minnesota Association for Justice, and many others, as well as the many members of the Minnesota House and Senate who support the bill. Additionally, MNLA is open to finding meaningful compromise that will allow the bill to pass. However, despite offering numerous compromises in 2022 to concerned parties (and many sessions before), none was found. While we are supremely disappointed in the outcome of the 2022 session, we are heartened by the support received from legislators on all sides of the aisle in both the House and the Senate, and hope to secure victory soon. HF803/SF1025 prohibits the practice of using indemnification contract clauses and project-specific insurance to compel subcontractors to pay the legal costs and attorney’s fees for litigation arising from the work and negligence of another party. This unfair business practice hurts small businesses by forcing these subcontracting
businesses to choose between signing harmful contract provisions or not taking the contract and not working – an impossible choice. During the 2013 Minnesota legislative session, legislation was passed that prohibited using indemnity contract clauses to compel non-negligent parties to pay for damages caused by another party. Following the change that prohibited this, GCs rewrote contracts to require the coverage of legal fees and defense costs instead. HF803/SF1025 closes the loophole that still allows for defense indemnity clauses in construction contracts, and would make such contracts invalid. Some public owners and the trade association representing GCs still oppose the legislation on grounds that the “duty to defend is broader than the duty to indemnify.” However, the bill’s language has precedent in Minnesota law and aligns construction contract law in Minnesota Statute Sec. 337.01 with similar Minnesota statutes governing indemnity contracts related to design professions (Sec. 604.21) and trucking (Sec. 221.87). Opposition from the agencies and the GCs on these grounds does not reflect the reality of the legislation as written nor the current law in Minnesota covering indemnity in other industries. Additionally, bills with similar language in 2022 have not received opposition or concern. MNLA continues to point out these inconsistencies to elected officials. Based on the coalition’s advocacy and concerted lobbying efforts over the past nine years, HF803/SF1025 is widely supported by myriad legislators, caucuses, and leadership. However, the final passage of this bill still eludes us thanks to the continued obstinance of those benefiting from the contracts in question.
➽ FORREST CYR can be contacted at 612-248-4463, or at forrest@mnla.biz. 50
MNLA.BIZ july 22
FOUNDATION
MNLA Foundation High School Grant Awarded Paulette Sorenson MNLA Foundation Program Manager
The MNLA Foundation awarded Edison High School an $1800 grant to create a pollinator garden at their school.
Left: Rain garden at Edison High School. Middle: Sonja Hakanson, agricultural education teacher at Edison High School. Right: Garden plot at Edison High School. The High School Grant Program is a new program designed to
expose as many students as possible to the green industry. The MNLA Foundation High School Grant Program allows local agriculture and high school teachers the opportunity to fulfill educational objectives that may be shared, re-created, and used again by other agricultural instructors. Examples of projects that may receive financial support from the MNLA Foundation include those that: • Promote career awareness and stewardship. • Examine diverse aspects of plant cultivation and environmental impact. • Educate about sustainable landscapes and design, installation, irrigation, and maintenance. • Explore the production of plants for landscapes and greenhouses. • Provide experiential green industry activities. Edison High School partners with community organization Spark-Y. This program provides internships for students interested in sustainability and entrepreneurship. These interns are involved in the pollinator garden and will be an integral part of developing the garden at
Edison High School. Students will be able to learn from this project through multiple avenues and engage with the project by learning about the importance of native plants and pollinator habitats. The purpose of the project is to disseminate knowledge about pollinator plants, habitats, and their importance to a wider audience. Edison High School and Spark-Y will use social media to share updates about the project with the community. Engaging students in hands-on activities is a great way to inspire young adults and leave long-lasting impressions. Providing funds for equipment, supplies, educational events, and activities help drive careers in our industry. High schools with agriculture programs have limited budgets and typically scale down possible experiential learning due to restraints so awards help reach more students. If we are looking for the industry leaders of tomorrow, we need to act today. Looking for a way to help? Consider attending the Widmer Golf Tournament on July 19, 2022. Funds raised help support workforce development projects.
➽ PAULETTE SORENSON is the MNLA Foundation Program Manager and can be reached at paulette@mnla.biz. 52
MNLA.BIZ july 22
Develop the next leader in your business next year with this proven MNLA program!
HOW TO CHOOSE A GILI CANDIDATE (Basic Requirements for Success) First of all, let’s define a few terms. CANDIDATE/STUDENT: The person who attends GILI. SPONSOR: The person responsible for the financial decision to send an employee to the Leadership Institute. DIRECT MANAGER: The person who gives the most direct oversight to the candidate’s day-to-day job. In some cases, this person may also be the Sponsor.
Choosing a candidate should be done carefully. Here are some tips for selecting the right person.
Sponsors: Meet with key managers of your company and explain the program. Ask managers to nominate someone who they believe has the willingness and readiness to focus on developing their leadership management skills.
Candidate Success Factors: • Candidate is willing to learn about themself and willing to practice and apply new perspectives between classes, even though it may seem uncomfortable at times. • Candidate is willing to take extra time over and above attending class, and their position will allow for this. • Candidate is disciplined enough to show up to class each month and arrive on time. • Candidate is open to engaging with other students, offering up suggestions, and sharing information. Does not have a problem with participating in groups. • Candidate has a track record of being committed, and following through with duties from beginning to end.
Candidates that supervise others (even a small number) are preferred. Please explain why the candidate is qualified to attend if he/she has a position that does not include a supervisory component. Exceptions have been made.
Sponsors and/or Managers: Meet with employee to explain the program and ask the employee these questions: • Do you believe you can handle such a program on top of your workload? • Are you willing and able to focus on the course load as well as take on a project (a substantial deliverable worked on throughout the GILI year)? • How can I help to make this a reality for you? (In other words, is there something that has to be modified for their job in order for this person to take the course?)
When Considering Candidates: If the job position is such that the individual must call in last minute unable to attend, please reconsider or redesign the position’s expectation. This course requires consistent attendance. Only one absence is allowed.
A COMPLETE EXPLANATION OF THE VALUE OF GILI IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.MNLA.BIZ/LEADERSHIP. For questions contact Jon Horsman, MNLA Associate Director: 651-633-4987 or jon@mnla.biz.
MNLA NEWS
TIME TO RENEW!
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MNLA.BIZ july 22
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WHY DOES IT BENEFIT ME IN MY CAREER? • Identifies you as a professional. • Gives you credentials and proves your qualifications. • Provides you instant credibility with your clients, and increases opportunities for advancement with many employers. • Demonstrates your commitment to your profession. • Distinguishes you from the competition. • Qualifies you to do expert work and give expert advice.
WHAT IS THE EXAM FORMAT? The exam is given in an electronic format with inline photos and videos and immediate results. It is a two-part exam: you must pass a Basic Knowledge Exam and a specialty of your choosing (Landscape, Garden Center or Grower) to become MNLA Certified.
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE? To register for the exam you must meet the following requirements: • Have either two years of study in an accredited postsecondary nursery and/or landscape program that includes a structured internship, OR • A minimum of 2,000 hours in nursery or landscaperelated employment. A signature of an educational advisor or work supervisor is required on the exam registration form to verify completion of the prerequisite.
WHO | WHY | WHAT | WHEN | WHERE
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MNLA CERTIFICATION
Your continued support and involvement as a member of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is greatly appreciated! Providing you with education, legislative support, networking, and other member services is why MNLA exists.
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The first part of June you should have received an email with information about renewing your 2022–2023 MNLA membership. If you renew your membership online by July 31, you will be entered in a drawing for $250 CASH! (This does not apply to delayed payment option.)
Feel free to contact the MNLA office if we can be of any assistance to you during the renewal process, or for more information on any of our products and services. We are available at 651.633.4987 or mnla@mnla.biz.
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GREAT INCENTIVE FOR ONLINE RENEWAL!
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Recertification To maintain certification status, all individuals must compile at least 18 continuing education points every three years, and pay a $15 recertification fee. NOTE: The recertification process is now done online at www.MNLA.biz. WHEN AND WHERE IS THE EXAM? When: October 7, 21; and November 4, 11 Where: The MNLA Classroom, 1813 Lexington Ave. N, Roseville, MN 55113 Only seven seats are available for each test date. Please apply early!
HOW TO PREPARE: ONLINE STUDY CHAPTERS PRACTICE TEST
Save the dates for these fun Foundation fundraisers! JULY 19, 2022
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
CRYSTAL LAKE GOLF CLUB LAKEVILLE, MN
GAME UNLIMITED HUDSON, WI
MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS
CHS Field: 3 6 0 N B r o a d w a y S t , S t P a u l , M N 5 5 1 0 1
AUGUST
17TH
Pre-game meal at 5:30pm; Game starts at 7:00pm Take a break from your busy season to enjoy a game at the beautiful CHS Field. We've reserved space for our group in the Craft Beer Corner. We'll gather there to enjoy a pre-game picnic dinner. At 7:00pm, we'll move to outfield reserved seats to enjoy the game. Register Reserved box for registered attendees. now, this event sells out fast!
Thank you to our sponsors who help make this event possible!
Visit www.MNLA.biz/events for more information and to buy your tickets! july 22 MNLA.BIZ
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