The Scoop Online - March 2023

10 Years of the Green Industry Leadership

Cassie Larson shares the importance of developing the soft skills required for effective leadership. Have you taken advantage of this program yet? 

8 Events

16 Mycorrhizae Fungus

Barrie Anderson shares about the two types of this beneficial fungus that helps with the growth and development of plants.

25 Garden Center Trays

Get your volume discount on garden center trays!

28 Out & About: Northern Green

It was great to see everyone on the trade show floor and at the Green Industry Award Celebration!

57 Day on the Hill is Here

A day to make our voices heard, this annual event shows legislators how critical our industry is and allows us to advocate for our businesses and industry.

58 Special Service Awards

Dave Kemp (posthumously) and Steve and Terri Wilcox received MNLA Special Service Awards for their dedication and service to the green industry.

Nine out of the sixteen proposed species have been categorized as noxious weeds for 2023.

How

60 Silent Auction, Grand Prize Winners, and Seek & See Winners

Thank you to Silent Auction donors, and congratulations to the winners of the Grand Prize and Seek & See drawings!

61 Heidi Heiland Receives Hall of Fame Award

Heidi was inducted into the MNLA Hall of Fame for her years of enthusiastic volunteerism and efforts to dramatically improve the green industry.

62 Volunteers of the Year

Congratulations to the Landscape Crew Member Apprenticeship Program Task Team for winning the Volunteers of the Year Award!

photo: Courtesy of LIVIT Site + Structure. Table of Contents Images: Top Left: MNLA Staff. Middle: MDA. Bottom: Courtesy of Rock Hard Landscape Supply.

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.

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

Susan Bachman West

Bachman's, Inc.

612-861-7600 • sbachman@bachmans.com

Kim Gaida-Wagener

Rock Hard Landscape Supply

612-619-3312 • kgaida@rockhardmn.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

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: Felipe Illescas • felipe@mnla.biz

Education & Cert Mgr: Hallie Chasensky • hallie@mnla.biz

Communications Coor: Brianna Burns • brianna@mnla.biz

Regulatory Affairs Mgr: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz

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

The Scoop, March 2023, Issue 3 is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2023, and may not be used without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave 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 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

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

MAR 20 –22

GREEN INDUSTRY SPRING TRAINING (HYBRID)

Professional athletes attend pre-season training every year to prepare and brush up on skills for the season ahead. Green industry pros should do the same! This hybrid workshop will provide fundamental training for new and returning green industry professionals so they can hit the ground running in Spring 2023. Monday in-person session and Tue/Wed online webinars.

Cedarholm Golf Course — Community Room & Online, Roseville, MN ➽ mnla.biz/events

MAR 24

MAR 27 

MAR 28

MNLA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM

Sit for the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional in 2023.

MNLA Office, Roseville, MN ➽ mnla.biz/events

MASTERING FOREMANSHIP SEMINAR — ENGLISH

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.

Cedarholm Golf Course — Community Room, Roseville, MN ➽ mnla.biz/events

MASTERING FOREMANSHIP SEMINAR - SPANISH

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.

Cedarholm Golf Course — Community Room, Roseville, MN ➽ mnla.biz/events

MAR 29 –30

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP

Prepare for the category A and E pesticide applicator certification exam by attending the in-person 1½ day study program led by Dr. Vera Krischik, University of Minnesota. Please note: This workshop does NOT qualify for pesticide recertification.

Roseville Skating Center, Roseville, MN ➽ mnla.biz/events

Celebrating 10 Years of the Green Industry Leadership Institute

Over 10 years ago, a conversation among several MNLA committee members began regarding their desire to promote specific employees within their companies. While these employees had mastered the technical requirements of their positions, there was the need to provide soft skills training to take them to the next level.

The employees needed tools and resources to help them move into leadership positions. But no one had good access to training resources in this realm. So, MNLA formed a volunteer team to explore this idea. And, several months later, the Green Industry Leadership Institute was born.

The task team created the outline of skills needed and put their thinking caps on about who could help facilitate such a program. Steve and Terri Wilcox of The Resultants were identified as potential partners early on in the development process. And as it turns out, they became integral in the development of the Green Industry Leadership Institute. The Wilcoxes were the exact right partners, with the perfect skillset, at the right time. Terri’s background in training and development was essential to the creation of the core curriculum while Steve helped to weave the content together with industry stories and practical applications. Steve and Terri were recognized this year with an MNLA Special Service Award for their contributions

to this keystone program. Jerry Olson has taken on core facilitation of the program in recent years and has helped continue to shape the program into what it is today!

With the workforce shortages facing the green industry, this program has helped fill a unique need — it serves to help develop up-and-coming leaders. Focusing on providing career growth for employees is a tremendous retention tool that cannot be understated in today’s economic environment.

A kernel of an idea has resulted in 10 years of leadership training which has touched more than 120 students. The program has guided, mentored, and inspired a new generation of leaders in the green industry. This is a great example of how volunteering your time with the association can pay dividends into the future.

Has your company taken advantage of this program which has been tailored to your business needs? Learn more about the program at https://www.mnla.biz/gili.

Cassie Larson MNLA Executive Director

Facilitators Terri Wilcox, left, and Jerry Olson, right, presented certificates of completion to the 2022 Green Industry Leadership graduates at the Green Industry Awards Celebration.

OF TURTLES ON POSTS & THE LEADERS

WHO PUT THEM THERE

Chad Haldeman The Resultants

WHEN DEREGULATION LIFTED IN THE 90s, the media industry experienced a lot of consolidation. I was with Clear Channel radio at the time, and as the largest major market operator, we took the opportunity to buy up surrounding smaller markets. One of our resources during this time was Lindsey Wood Davis, broadcaster and organizational development academic. Together, we’d go into these smaller markets and find people in ill-fitting roles that would leave us scratching our heads. What was this person doing there, we’d wonder? Lindsey would laugh and say, “Chad, my boy… If you see a turtle on a post, somebody put him there.”

Have you ever observed a turtle in water? They’re a marvel. How fast they swim! How well they blend in with their environment! How easily they snap up prey! But all the aquatic talents in the world couldn’t help a turtle on a fence post. Out of their element, their four webbed limbs flailing, the turtle is totally useless. You just know someone had to have placed it there, because there’s no way the turtle could’ve gotten up there alone.

It’s often like that with leadership teams: there’s a person (or people) in a leadership role who is so clearly out of their element, you can only assume that it was an ill-advised decision of someone higher-up the ladder. These Post Turtles have their own unique abilities, of course— but their role isn’t allowing them to “live in” those abilities.

There are a few reasons why we find Post Turtles in leadership teams:

• A resource scarcity issue — the company needed someone to fill a position to keep things moving, like plugging a leak on a sailboat.

• A false belief that skill equals leadership ability, i.e., the rockstar Salesperson will make a rockstar Sales Manager.

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• A family business where Grandpa (CEO) wants more for nephew Edgar (GM) than Edgar wants for himself (to be a musician).

No matter the cause, the key takeaway is this: don’t blame the turtle.

A Post Turtle is often a matter of right person, wrong role. This person could be a hard worker and a great fit for the company culture. But when an executive places them in the wrong role, they fall short of expectations. And so, the “turtle on a post” allegory puts the spotlight back on the leaders, and asks for accountability.

When a board of directors interviews us, they often ask us what we consider to be the secret sauce of a successful organization. Our answer, without hesitation, is team health. And we know that team health begins with the right strategic structure, and then filling that structure with the right people in the right roles. Without the right roles or right people to fill them, dysfunction inevitably follows.

You can have the best strategy in the world, and if you have a dysfunctional team, you might as well be going into the market with both hands tied behind your back. I’ve been in positions where we had the dominant market share, but we had an unhealthy team. Our performance was underwhelming. Conversely, I’ve been in situations where we were not in a dominant position, and yet we had a rockstar team. Did you guess that we knocked it out of the park, way outperforming our circumstances?

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Post Turtles are showing up more frequently in departments as of late. It’s a scarce resource question that the labor shortage has posed for us all. But I’ll leave you with this: your Post Turtles are causing your organization pain. Identify them, find their unique abilities, and then place them in a new position where they can live in those abilities. It’s not an act of demolition or demotion, but an act of healing the organization.

https://www.theresultants.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

➽ CHAD HALDEMAN, is a Senior Business Advisor with The Resultants™. To learn more about Chad, visit

“IF YOU SEE A TURTLE ON A POST… DON’T BLAME THE TURTLE.”

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MYCORRHIZAE FUNGUS

Barrie Anderson Creative Gardenscapes

WAIT! DON’T LET THIS FUNGUS SCARE YOU OFF FROM READING THIS! This little guy is a beneficial fungus that holds the title of one of the oldest symbiotic relationships in the plant kingdom. Mycorrhizae are vital to a plant's survival. Just like humans need food, water, and air to survive, plants need water, phosphorus, and nitrogen to survive, and that’s exactly what the mycorrhizae assist with in each plant.

There are two different types of this fungus found in plants. About 85 percent of plant families on this planet have what is called Endomycorrhizae. That means this particular fungus penetrates the cells of the roots INSIDE instead of just clustering on the outside of the root. That happens by these little tendrils called hyphae. Think of it as the defense on a football team penetrating the line of scrimmage and getting to the quarterback for a sack. Unlike the quarterback who’s just been sacked and gives nothing to the defense, the root of the plant gives back carbon dioxide to the mycorrhizae which then converts it into sugars. How do they give back? By photosynthesis! As we know, all plants go through photosynthesis which is the process of capturing sunlight and converting that captured energy to chemical energy and store it, or this case, share it! All of this takes place right in front of us daily, only on a microscopic level! Remember, Endomycorrhizae exists in green, leafy plants.

The second type of mycorrhizae is Ectomycorrhizae and this one appears in about 10 percent of plant families. These form on the

OUTSIDE of the roots, never penetrating the inside. They act like safeties and cornerbacks on a football team, never crossing the line of scrimmage, but working in their territory outside the line of scrimmage, floating around in the soil right on the outside of the roots. Ectomycorrhizae occur in mostly woody plants like trees. Pine, Birch, Larch and Oaks are few that come to mind. This fungus performs the same duties as the other one, only this guy doesn’t penetrate the root cells. It still provides mobilization, absorption and translocation of soil nutrients and water to the root.

I bet you’re thinking there’s still five percent remaining, and you’re correct. Did you know there are plant families that are considered non-mycorrhizal? Believe it or not, they already carry their own form of mycorrhizae within their system! How cool is that? The Brassica family is one of these groups, and this includes broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, beets, brussel sprouts….have you noticed these are all crops? Also, let’s not ignore the orchid family. They too carry their own mycorrhizae and it does have a name. These so called ‘non-my-

corrhizae’ are Arbuscular mycorrhizae. These do the same exact chores as the Endo and Ectos, just a tad differently. When the plant's roots extend into the soil, the hyphae of the fungus just penetrated the outer layer of the root, not INSIDE the root as in the case of the Endomycorrhizae. These hyphae form what are called Arbuscules and act like an extension of the roots and increase the ability of those particular roots to access even more nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and water. It’s like they’re miners tunneling underground and making it possible for even more gold to be found!

This is just the tip of the mycorrhizal underworld. There exist many more levels and classes of mycorrhizae fungi and it would take a few years to cover it all. Go forth and consider using mycorrhizae for your future planting projects!

Sources

Frontiers in Plant Science; Naheeda Begum, Cheng Qin, Lixim Zhang College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China

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 MNLA REGULATORY UPDATE

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MNLA REGULATORY UPDATE —

Nine New Plants Added to the Minnesota Noxious Weed List Including Five Landscape Species: New Review Cycle Begins.

As of January 1, 2023, nine new species have been added to the Minnesota Noxious Weed List (Minnesota Noxious Weed List | Minnesota Department of Agriculture, https://www. mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/minnesota-noxious-weed-list) and are now variously regulated as noxious weeds in Minnesota. The Minnesota Noxious Weed List is updated on a three-year review and listing cycle and nursery and landscape professionals are encouraged to keep up with these changes. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and more specifically the Commissioner of Agriculture, in consultation with the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee (NWAC), is the listing authority for noxious weeds and is charged with protecting the residents of the state from the injurious effects of noxious weeds as prescribed by the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law (Ch. 18 MN Statutes, https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/18/ full#stat.18.75). New species are reviewed for potential listing as noxious weeds during the first two years of each three-year review cycle and a mandated review of the regulatory status of all of the species on the noxious weed list is performed during the third year of each three-year cycle. As a result, with the exception of emergency listings, additions and changes to the noxious weed list are only implemented every three years and 2023 is one of those years. Sixteen new species were reviewed during the 2020–2022 review and listing cycle and the following plants were added to the Minnesota Noxious Weed List on January 1, 2023 (landscape species are highlighted in color. Unless noted differently, MNLA supported the listings):

Tatarian Maple (Acer tataricum)

A large shrub or small tree with a rounded crown characteristics similar to Amur maple (Acer ginnala) which has been grown and planted more widely. Native to southeastern Europe and western Asia and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 3. Listed as a Specially Regulated Plant with the same listing and labeling requirements as Amur/ginnala maple (Acer ginnala) / Sellers shall affix a label

a

directly to the plant or container packaging that is being sold that advises buyers to only plant Tatarian maple and its cultivars in landscapes where the seedlings will be controlled by mowing or other means. Tatarian maple seed is wind dispersed and trees should be planted at least 100 yards from natural areas. Tatarian maple is closely related to Amur maple (Acer ginnala) which has been listed as a Specially Regulated Plant in Minnesota since 2016 and is considered a subspecies of Tatarian maple (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala) by some taxonomists. Norway maple (Acer platinoides) is also listed as a Specially Regulated Plant with the same regulatory requirements. Plants of these three species not being labeled as required is a violation of the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law that is commonly observed during MDA inspections. Nursery and landscapes professionals should be aware of the labeling requirements for these species and make sure plants are labeled properly when offered for sale.

Saltcedar, Tamarisk, Tamarix, Five-Stamen Tamarisk/Tamarix (Tamarix ramosissima; synonym - Tamarix pentandra)

A medium to large shrub with an open, graceful, arching habit, reddish bark on younger branches, fine-textured, gray-green,

juniper-like foliage, and attractive plumes of feathery pink to rosy-pink flowers. It has escaped cultivation in North America and has primarily become problematic in riparian areas in the southwestern United States where it forms dense monocultures that displace native species. Native from southeastern Europe to central Asia and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 3. Listed as a Restricted Noxious Weed (may no longer be propagated, transported, or sold). This listing was not supported by MNLA in response to a lack of evidence that saltcedar will prove to be invasive in Minnesota, but the recommendation was passed by the NWAC on a vote of 11 to 4.

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

An adaptable, medium-sized tree with attractive (but malodorous), white flowers, small, inedible fruit, and good fall color (usually and especially in warmer areas because the color tends to develop late and the foliage is often killed before fall color develops in colder areas) that has escaped cultivation and become invasive in warmer areas south and east of Minnesota where it has invaded a variety of habitats from wetlands to forests. Not reliably cold hardy in all but a few isolated areas in Minnesota, but the state is warming

Acer Tataricum Samaras

Figure 1. A flowering saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) that is part of a saltcedar infestation in Diablo Canyon just upstream from the Rio Grande in New Mexico where saltcedar is a widespread and serious invasive species in riparian ecosystems; although the MNLA did not support the recommendation, saltcedar has been listed as

Restricted Noxious Weed in Minnesota and may no longer be grown or sold in the state.

MDA

Jim Calkins

and planting of additional cultivars of this self-incompatible plant that is spread by birds will likely increase the potential for escape. Thus far, ‘Autumn Blaze’ has been the primary cultivar that has been planted in Minnesota as it is the most cold hardy). Native to Asia (China and the Korean penninsula) and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 5. Listed as a Specially Regulated Plant to accommodate a three-year production phase-out period (2023–2025). On January 1, 2026, Callery pear will become a Restricted Noxious Weed and sale of the species and all cultivars will no longer be allowed.

Amur Corktree (Phellodendron amurense)

A medium-sized, dioecious (individual plants male or female) shade tree with pinnately-compound foliage and showy, black fruits on female plants. Native to northern China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 3. Because the species produces copious amounts of seed that is spread by birds that consume the fruits, Amur corktree has escaped cultivation and become problematic as an invasive species in woodlands. Listed as a Specially Regulated Plant / Only sales of named male cultivars permitted. Sales of all other Phellodendron amurense are prohibited. All existing planted and escaped fruit producing trees must be controlled, by tree removal or other means, such that no seed is disseminated.

Amur Silvergrass, Silver Banner Grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus)

A vigorous, perennial, rhizomatous, warm season grass with showy, white, plume-like flowerheads that spreads aggressively via rhizomes to produce large colonies (not to be confused with Miscanthus sinensis, Chinese Silver Grass, which forms compact clumps and has many named cultivars). Although the species spreads vegetatively to produce large colonies, it had been thought that Amur silvergrass did not produce viable seed in Minnesota, but recent research has documented genetic variability that suggests outcrossing and reproduction and spread by seed. Native to eastern Asia (eastern Russia and China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula) and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 2. Listed as a Restricted Noxious Weed (may not be propagated, transported, or sold).

Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)

A vigorous, mat-forming, herbaceous perennial and spring ephemeral with shiny, dark

green, heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow, star-like flowers. It has escaped cultivation and primarily invades wooded floodplains and other areas with moist soils where it produces large colonies that displace native species and especially spring ephemerals. It is also poisonous to livestock and humans. Lesser celandine has not yet been documented in Minnesota but has been found in Wisconsin. It can reproduce by seed but mainly spreads vegetatively via bulbils and underground tubers that are moved by animals and water. Although it is much smaller, lesser celandine is often mistaken for marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) which is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere including Minnesota. Native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 4. Listed as a Restricted Noxious Weed (may not be propagated, transported, or sold).

Red Hailstone, Goldencreeper (Thladiantha dubia)

A fast-growing, herbaceous, rhizomatous, tuber-forming, dioecious (individual plants male or female), perennial vine in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) that climbs via tendrils and produces showy, yellow flowers on male

and female plants and small red fruits on female plants. It spreads by rhizomes and tubers that float and move along rivers and streams. Once established, the vigorous vines climb, cover, and smother native vegetation and the species has also become a weed in agricultural fields. Native to eastern Asia (southeastern Russia, northeastern China, and the Korean peninsula) and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 3. Listed as a Prohibited/Eradicate Noxious Weed (may not be propagated, transported, or sold and existing plants must be eradicated).

Pale Swallow-Wort (Cyanchum rossicum)

A clump-forming, twining, herbaceous perennial vine in the milkweed family with shiny, dark green, oval or heart-shaped leaves with smooth margins, creamy-pink to reddish-brown, star-shaped flowers in loose clusters, and typical milkweed-like pods (follicles) that split open when mature to release plumed seeds that are spread by wind. The seeds are also polyembryonic (have multiple embryos, one to four/seed) which significantly increases the potential for establishment. Unlike black swallow-wort (Cyanchum louiseae; also listed as a noxious weed in Minnesota) and our native common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), pale swallow-wort does not spread by rhizomes, but it does produce extensive, dense patches that displace native species. The species is toxic to mammals, including livestock, and may be toxic to monarch butterfly larvae. Native to southern Europe (southwestern Russia and Ukraine) and appears to be cold hardy to at least USDA Hardiness Zone 4. The species has been documented as invasive in southeastern Canada, throughout the eastern United States, and increasingly in the Midwest. It is is an early-detection species in Minnesota and two populations were found in Scott County in 2020 and are spreading. Listed as a Prohibited/Eradicate Noxious Weed (may not be propagated, transported, or sold and existing plants must be eradicated).

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halapense)

A herbaceous, rhizomatous, warm-season, perennial grass that was introduced to North America as a forage crop in the southeastern United States and has subsequently escaped cultivation. It has not yet been documented in Minnesota but has been found in neighboring states. Considered one of the ten worst invasive weeds in the world, Johnsongrass is a prolific self-seeder and invades wetlands,

BECAUSE THE SPECIES PRODUCES COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SEED THAT IS SPREAD BY BIRDS THAT CONSUME THE FRUITS, AMUR CORKTREE HAS ESCAPED CULTIVATION AND BECOME PROBLEMATIC AS AN INVASIVE SPECIES IN WOODLANDS.

MDA

Amur Corktree Leaf Scar

floodplains, irrigation ditches, undisturbed grasslands, prairies, savannas, and riparian zones via seed and rhizomes. Native to southern Europe and Asia and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 4. Listed as a Prohibited/Eradicate Noxious Weed (may not be propagated, transported, or sold and existing plants must be eradicated).

Seven of the sixteen species reviewed during the 2020–2022 review cycle were not recommended for listing as noxious weeds at this time including (landscape species highlighted in color):

• Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata)

• Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)

• Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea)

• Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)

• Garden Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

• Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)

• Kudzu (Pueraria montana) (a serious problem in warmer areas but not cold hardy in Minnesota; cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 5b).

The review for one species has been extended into 2023:

Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta)

A fast-growing, woody, perennial, twining vine that is grown on a limited basis as a landscape plant for its attractive foliage and edible fruit and a species that has potential for commercial fruit production in colder climates. Native to eastern Asia (China and Japan) and cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 4. Although the review of hardy kiwi continues, a tentative recommendation to list the species as a Specially Regulated Plant (landscape use possibly not allowed; commercial fruit production allowed with stipulations) has been discussed.

It should also be noted that winged euonymus/burning bush (Euonymus alatus) also became a Restricted Noxious Weed on January 1, 2023, and may no longer be propagated, transported, or sold in Minnesota. Its well-behaved growth habit, winged stems, shade tolerance, and pink to red fall color have made winged euonymus a popular landscape plant for many years, but the seeds are dispersed by birds and the species has escaped cultivation and become invasive in woodlands and other environments where it produces dense thickets and displaces native species. Unfortunately, there are no sterile cultivars that could be exempted from regulation. Winged euonymus had been listed as a Specially Regulated Plant beginning in 2020 to allow for a three-year phase-out period to allow growers to sell plants that were already in production. Winged euonymus is native to eastern Asia including eastern Russia, central and eastern China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula.

Whether listed or not, the risk assessments for all of the species reviewed for potential listing as noxious weeds in Minnesota are available on the Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council (MISAC) website at Risk Assessments — Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council (mninvasives.org), https://www.mninvasives. org/risk-assessments. Additional information about listed noxious weeds is available via links from the Minnesota Noxious Weed List at Minnesota Noxious Weed List | Minnesota Department of Agriculture (state.mn.us), https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/ minnesota-noxious-weed-list.

Looking to the future, a new three-year noxious weed review and listing cycle has begun this year (2023) and sixteen new species, including ten landscape species, have been selected for review as

potential noxious weeds over the next three years (2023–2025). The species chosen for review during the 2023–2025 review cycle include (landscape species highlighted in color):

• Asian Copperleaf (Acalypha australis)

• Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

• Butterfly Dock (Petasites hybridus)

• Creeping Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus)

• European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia)

• Hybrid Willow (Salix matsudana × Salix alba; Austree, ‘Scarlet Curls’, ‘Golden Curls’)

• Japanese/Nepalese Stiltgrass/Eulalia (Microstegium vimineum)

• Periwinkle/Vinca (Vinca minor)

• Queen of the Meadow (Filipendula ulmaria); not Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra)

• Rough Potato (Metaplexis japonica)

• Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

• Small-Leaved Bramble/Raspberry (Rubus parvifolius); note that this is not our native Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)

• Sweet Coltsfoot (Petasites japonicus)

• Ural False Spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia)

• White Crack/Hybrid Crack/Brittle Willow (variously listed as Salix × rubens and Salix × fragilis and a hybrid between Salix alba and Salix euxina,– White Willow and Eastern Crack/Crack/Brittle Willow

• Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) including ‘Herman’s Pride’

With the exception of emergency listings, any new noxious weed listings approved during the 2023–2025 review and listing cycle will not become effective until 2026 and MNLA membership will be updated regularly as the 2023–2025 review cycle proceeds.

Once again, the Minnesota Noxious Weed List is available at Minnesota Noxious Weed List | Minnesota Department of Agriculture (state.mn.us), https://www.mda.state.mn.us/ plants-insects/minnesota-noxious-weed-list. Additional information about the MDA Noxious and Invasive Weed Program is available at Noxious and Invasive Weed Program | Minnesota Department of Agriculture, https:// www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/ noxious-invasive-weed-program.

➽ IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS regarding this MNLA Regulatory Update or would like more information or to comment about the listing of noxious weeds in Minnesota, please contact Jim Calkins, MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager, at jim@mnla.biz; 612-258-7744.

Volume Discounts on Garden Center Trays

CONSERVATION

Balancing landscaping and the environment

Water Conservation

Water is the most important and, frequently, the most taken-for-granted resource in the world. The earth is 71% water; however, only 3% of that water is potable or drinkable. Of that 3%, 30% is ground water and only 0.3% surface water. Every living entity requires water to survive, and this resource is fast becoming depleted. While Minnesotans are using less water indoors due to more energy efficient appliances, we are using more water outside for irrigation. This increased water consumption carries with it increased environmental effects, costs and conflicts.

With buy-in from individuals, communities, and businesses we can make a difference. Voluntary action for more efficient water usage practices as well as governmentally

mandated actions will all serve to protect this valuable resource.

Let’s start at home with some simple measures that include:

• Collect rainwater in a barrel or cistern.

• Build a rain garden and divert rainwater runoff towards it.

• Test soil moisture before watering and only water when necessary.

• Water lawn less frequently and more deeply.

• Adjust irrigation systems so you are not watering the pavement.

• Don’t water in the heat of the day.

• When planting, group together plants that require similar light and moisture conditions to reduce the need for additional watering.

• Plant drought tolerant plant material and/ or install a meandering dry creek bed to utilize rainwater runoff for irrigation.

• Use mulch for moisture retention.

• Use drip irrigation systems as opposed to overhead sprinklers.

• Mow higher and less frequently. Mow your lawn to maintain 3 inches or so in height.

• Use a broom to clean pavement, not the hose.

• Use shut off nozzles on all hoses and faucets.

Our awareness of what needs to be done and greater public commitment and governmental responsibility at the local, state, and national levels will go a long way to ensuring adequate clean water supplies for future generations.

Reasons to Plant a Tree

There are many reasons to plant a new tree! Shade, energy savings, wildlife habitat, edible fruit, decorative fruit, fall color, screening. Whatever the reason, you’ll find plenty of options for your landscape.

Starting with conservation, in Minnesota strategically placed shade trees can reduce air conditioning by nearly 25% and a windbreak can reduce annual fuel bills by up to 20%. Note that if you have a tree due south of a window, trim up the lower branches so that you can take advantage of the winter sun to help heat your home.

Trees increase the value of your home. The United States Forest Service says that value could be as much as 20%! With careful planning your trees will not only add beauty but save or earn you dollars. Money does grow on trees!

Trees also provide wildlife with nesting areas, shelter, and food. Oak trees produce acorns for a large variety of animals in the area throughout winter. Serviceberry, Cherry, Cranberry and Crabapples also provide food and habitat for many species of birds, insects, and animals.

Additionally, trees provide screening from road noise, an unsightly view and wind! Evergreens work great for year-round windbreaks. Certain deciduous trees provide fall color, and who doesn’t love that? Maples offer a wonderful variety of reds, oranges and yellows depending on variety. Oak trees give you great reddish colors and hold their leaves until spring, giving you fall and

winter interest. Plant them both and you’ll have a interest for every season! There are plenty of fruit trees hardy to our cold Minnesota climate too. Know your climate zone and make sure your choice is appropriate. The University of Minnesota has continued creating numerous cold-hardy delicious Apple trees. Don’t forget Cherries, Plums and Pears. We can even grow Peaches and Apricots in some cases. Note that most of these fruit trees need two different varieties for proper pollination. How to select a tree:

• Sunlight. How much and what time of day the sun shines on your planting.

• Moisture level. Does a lot of water sit or run through the spot you are thinking of planting a tree?

• Tree size at maturity. This is important as you can see by how many trees are planted too close to a home's foundation or encroaching on a neighbor’s property or a powerline.

• Location. Are you planting the new tree

along a boulevard or is it in the middle of a field?

• Soil. Is it heavy clay or sandy? This will greatly inform you on what trees will thrive.

Native Plants and Bee Lawns

From forests to backyards, native plants play an important role, not only in providing for pollinators, but supporting everything from above ground to below. With deep roots, native plants substantially increase the ability of soil to absorb and retain water. Some native prairie grasses have roots as long as 10 feet.

That means they reduce runoff, attract microbes, fungi and earthworms, which break down organic matter releasing nutrients and carbon dioxide into the soil while feeding those native fungi and worms!

Native flowering perennials offer seeds, pollen and nectar for various bees, butterflies and birds too. Fun fact, Minnesota is home to countless pollinators including nearly 400 species of native bees.

Turn your lawn over to pollinators. White clover has been naturalized in North America over centuries. The University of Minnesota Bee Lab recommends a mix of non-native, but bee-beneficial flowers, such as Dutch white clover, creeping thyme and lanceleaf self-heal as well as fine fescue grasses for bee lawns. JRK Seed’s Pollinator Honeybee Mix offers just that balance of seed for a low input lawn with no fertilizer necessary.

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.

& Northern Green

& Green Industry Awards

HOW TO START A MENTOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Kit Welchlin Welchlin Communication Strategies

MANY OF US ARE STUDENTS OF LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Mentor

leadership refers to the activity when a leader or a senior member of an organization shares their wealth of experience with a junior or inexperienced member. When you start a mentor leadership program be sure to define what mentor leadership is, consider getting your own mentor, consider being someone’s mentor, and follow the guidelines given below.

Define It

Mentor leadership is the creation of a personal and professional development relationship between a leader, or mentor, and a person in the organization that demonstrates leadership potential. Sometimes the recipient of the mentoring activities is referred to as a protégé, apprentice, or mentee. Mentoring is the act of sharing relevant insight and wisdom that accelerates the mentee’s personal and professional development.

Mentoring not only helps the mentee, it also benefits the organization overall. Studies show that there is a positive correlation between a positive mentoring experience and a measurable improvement in productivity, retention, commitment, satisfaction, knowledge sharing, leadership growth, and succession planning.

Given the positive impact, mentor leadership should be a strategic organizational priority. Signs of a successful mentoring relationship include willingness of both mentor and mentee to ask questions, challenge ideas and suggestions, freely and openly discuss personal and professional goals, give honest feedback, and express appreciation for each other’s efforts. There are many people who can be magnificent mentors. Mentor leadership should be part of your standard operating procedures.

Mentor leadership takes time and commitment from both parties and is worth the investment. The mentor enjoys the satis-

faction of watching someone grow and the mentee gains a feeling of being valued.

Develop It

Invest time and effort in yourself and with others. Consider getting your own mentor. A mentor can help you develop important professional connections, expand your network personally and expose you to new opportunities professionally. If you would like to gain insight to the processes, people, and culture of your organization, spending time with a mentor will be a good use of your time. A mentor can give you insight concerning preferences, attitudes, norms, and values of your colleagues and customers, and the expectations of the organization overall.

If you would like to gain a fresh perspective about yourself and your ideas, a mentor leadership relationship is critical. Your mentor is committed to your personal and professional development and will provide an outsider’s view of you, your ideas, and your behaviors. They can give you honest feedback supported by their expertise and experience. Mentor leaders have so much to offer. Identify what you hope to gain. What type of mentor can help? Where do you want to be in the next few years? What knowledge do you need to acquire? What skills do you need to develop? So, who are you going to ask?

While reading this article about mentor leadership you might be recalling informal mentor relationships that have helped you along the way both personally and professionally. Maybe it’s time for you to be a mentor. Sometimes, the best mentees turn out to be the best mentors.

There are many characteristics required for you to be an effective mentor. Are you committed to assisting in others’ growth and development? Are you willing to share your expertise that has taken years to develop and introduce your mentee to relationships you have nurtured for a lifetime? Have you acquired content knowledge and insight about the organization’s norms and expectations, and fully understand the organization’s culture, and can explain it in a way that benefits all? Over time, have you focused on developing your emotional intelligence and communication skills to the point that you can be sensitive to the emotions and feelings of others? Because as a mentor, your responsibility is to provide guidance, through feedback, that is accurate, yet kind. So, do

you have the time to invest in a mentoring relationship? Your mentee will be counting on you to be accessible, whether face-to face, by phone, or at least online.

Continue to develop mentor leadership skills. Get involved in a formal mentor leadership relationship and polish the right skills. Mentor leadership is a commitment. Both the mentee and the mentor leader need to be determined to invest the time and energy. Mentor leadership activities should not be taken lightly by the mentee or the mentor.

Be Dedicated to It

Sometimes it seems hard to get a mentor leadership program off the ground. It is ideal if your organization creates a clear strategy for mentor leadership opportunities. A thoughtful framework helps determine the guiding principles, clarifies reasons for the program, helps define the objectives, and creates a plan for implementation.

Your organization must be clear about the purpose of the mentor leadership program. Short-term and long-term goals need to be discussed. Given the scope of the program, it is important to determine who and how many mentors and mentees will need to be recruited. It is wise to consider the characteristics for selecting both mentors and mentees. If we are trying to develop new leaders, then we need to pair seasoned leaders with mentees. If we are seeking retention, we need to pair charismatic, or naturally social leaders, with mentees.

It is important to provide skill building training for both mentors and mentees. All of the soft skills become critical, including empowerment, listening, supportiveness, collaboration, and assertiveness. The training should also consider how to assess strengths and weaknesses, how to identify developmental objectives, and how to discuss and clarify the roles and responsibilities of participants. Take the time to train staff.

Make sure your organization doesn’t just jump into a mentor leadership program without giving these guidelines some serious consideration. The key to mentor leadership is to take it seriously. Our members, coworkers, and younger employees need us to provide a thoughtful framework that guarantees success for all.

➽ KIT WELCHLIN, M.A., CSP, is a professional motivational speaker and author and can be found at www.welchlin.com.

Legal Services from

When you have a legal issue, MNLA membership makes it easy to pick up the phone and talk to lawyers who understand the green industry. MNLA members receive:

1. A free initial phone consultation

2. A 15% discount on all fees (hourly fees, flat fees for contracts, etc.)

Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC have over 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.

Contact Bryan Zlimen or Patrick McGuiness 651-331-6500 | info@zmattorneys.com | www.zmattorneys.com

NATURAL STONE

Kevin Robertson Rock Hard Landscape Supply

Apply

NEWS & NOTES

ore times than not, there is some form of natural stone on every job site whether it be the base beneath a wall or patio, or a big accent piece as the center of the landscape. In the landscaping industry, things tend to change year over year when it comes to new products, assorted color options, and new materials. But the one constant that has always been a part of the industry is natural stone and the countless options that are out there at a landscaper’s disposal.

When you hear the term natural stone, what do you think of? Do you think of boulders or wall stone? Flagstone or decorative rock? Or what about outcroppings and pavers? There is no wrong answer because natural stone can come in all these forms. The common narrative is that most natural stone used on job sites is used in the form of flagstone or as an accent outcropping in the middle of a landscape bed. And that does happen a lot of the time, but with newer trends making their way into the industry we are starting to see the use of natural stone as pavers, wall stone, and edging.

The best part about natural stone is there is always at least one possibility out of the countless options that will work in any climate in any part of the country. Here in the Midwest for example, a lot of the limestone, sandstone, and glacial stone can be used all throughout the country from the west coast to the southern states, all the way to the east coast because of the harsh climate they are mined in. However, because of the drastic

freeze and thaw cycle that the Midwest goes through, limestone, sandstone, and bluestone are predominantly the most popular.

One of the most sought-after natural stones throughout the nation is bluestone in all its forms. Normally sourced from the east coast and shipped across the country, bluestone can be used in many different applications. In recent years, bluestone patios are being made of cut and patterned dimensional pavers and not just flagstone. The reason being a lot of customers still want a “concrete paver” look but use natural stone material. The one area of the country where bluestone tends to not work at its best is the southern states along the Gulf Coast because of the humidity and what that does to the integrity of the stone. A lot of the weather down there affects the oxidation of the bluestone causing it to change colors and usually flake off because of the climate. Bluestone caps are an excellent choice to increase the contrast of a natural stone wall.

The Anthony W. “Tony” LaFetra Scholarship Program honors Rain Bird’s late president and CEO and provides meaningful financial support for worthy candidates pursuing

irrigation-related degrees. Scholarships are awarded based on the student’s letter of intent, financial need, three reference letters, resume, and list of irrigation-related courses taken or enrolled in. To be eligible, a student must: 1) Be currently enrolled (undergraduate or

graduate) at a U.S. technical or vocational school, community college, university or similar institution of higher learning with a graduation date of December 2023 or later. 2) Be a U.S. citizen. 3) Have taken or be currently enrolled in a class with an irrigation-related

curriculum. 4) Have a minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average, based on a 4.0 scale. 5) Demonstrate financial need.

6) Visit the IA website to learn more about the scholarship program requirements and application process. ➽ https:// bit.ly/3Je7v3q.

EPA announces final rule regarding WOTUS

A recent decision by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C., establishes a “durable” definition of “waters of the United States,” or, WOTUS. The definition has industry

THE BEST PART ABOUT NATURAL STONE IS THERE IS ALWAYS AT LEAST ONE POSSIBILITY OUT OF THE COUNTLESS OPTIONS THAT WILL WORK IN ANY CLIMATE IN ANY PART OF THE COUNTRY.

Images courtesy of Rock Hard Landscape Supply

Importance of Research

Doing research can help prevent unnecessary issues related to specific natural stone materials. The longevity of natural stone varies from local to imported product options. Certain natural stone options should be avoided in a variety of climates. Stones that are harvested from quarries in low moisture environments might cause future problems when installed in high moisture environments. The opposing environment can also be a problem. Natural stone from these areas can change color when exposed to different oxygen levels and new mineral components. Regions that experience more intense freeze-thaw cycles expose products that are not fit for the conditions. Distinct sediments affect the exposed edge or “rock” face of natural stone walls and pavers in unique ways. The consequences can be largely related to correct drainage, proper backfill, and or base material makeup.

Value of Natural Stone

When deciding between materials in your landscape, one of the main decisions is always choosing between natural stone and concrete. Concrete is synthetic and usually on the cheaper side of the spectrum compared to natural stone. The reason for that is concrete is more easily produced and readily available. It takes less physical labor to produce a concrete product because a lot of concrete manufacturers have automated systems. However, the longevity of concrete is less than natural stone and that is why the value of natural stone tends to be greater than concrete.

Natural stone can be looked at as an investment because of the minimal maintenance costs, fewer repairs, and the ability of the product to hold its natural color. Individuals often consider a variety of options to increase the value of their homes. Landscape renovations

experts concerned about the definition’s implications for the irrigation industry. For some irrigators, a federal permit might now be necessary when working with water that falls under federal jurisdiction.

With the average cost of obtaining a federal permit costing more

than $250,000, according to the National Federation of Independent Business, the impact WOTUS has on the industry is serious. Much of the concern regarding the Biden administration’s definition of WOTUS stems from the “significant nexus” test, which would allow agencies

to determine the jurisdiction of a covered water body, and could allow agency jurisdiction over some of the specifically exempted features provided for in the rule as a WOTUS. The specifically exempted features include prior converted cropland, waste treatment systems, ditches

(excavated exclusively in the uplands without permanent flow, including roadside ditches), artificially irrigated areas that would revert to dry ground if irrigation were to cease, artificial lakes or ponds, artificial reflecting pools or swimming pools, water-filled

depressions, and swales and erosional features.

New Members:

FYI Landscaping; Bell Insurance

WHEN DECIDING BETWEEN MATERIALS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, ONE OF THE MAIN DECISIONS IS ALWAYS CHOOSING BETWEEN NATURAL STONE AND CONCRETE.

generate value through accommodations like outdoor kitchens, pools, hot tubs, saunas, and boulder walls. Any of these additions can help contribute to a higher ROI (return on investment) for a home. Natural stone can be implemented into the paving and coping of a pool or the seating wall of a hot tub. In the Midwest and other regions that often experience snow, there is an elevated appreciation for natural stone landscapes. This stems from the prolonged freeze-thaw cycles experienced here. The exterior components of a home are viewed differently in those areas. Close to six months out of the year, less time is spent outside for many consumers in these regions due to complications and restrictions with the weather. Backyard kitchens have started to gain more traction in the last five years. Many of these designs include natural stone countertops and storage compartments such as refrigerators or freezers, and outdoor pantries. These features express the elegant natural stone finishes that are available in the market today. Firepits and fire features are another one of the most popular landscape features today. With fire features, there is quite an assortment of natural stone design options to choose from. The stone used in these features can be used as a focal point for outdoor gatherings.

The use of natural stone is on all jobs. It could be the focal point, or it could be the base layer that nobody sees. But the one constant thing is there will always be some form of natural stone within a landscaping project.

➽ KEVIN ROBERTSON is a Sales Representative at Rock Hard Landscape Supply. He can be reached at 952-895-7408.

MNLA Certified Professional Fellows

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 and promote standards of professional excellence, and consistent participation in professional 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 2023:

• 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

• Scott Endres, Tangletown Gardens

• Dean Engelmann, Tangletown Gardens

• 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

• Amy Voight, A Team Landscaping, Inc.

• Cory Whitmer, The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center

• Cheryle Wilke, Flying W Gardens LLP

• Paulette Wozniak, Environmental Care Nursery & Landscaping

• Gary Zahrbock, Macalester College

• Bruce Zeman, Lakeside Lawn & Landscape, Inc.

2023 MNLA LANDSCAPE AWARD WINNERS

Several members of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association were recently honored with a 2023 MNLA Award for Excellence in Landscape. Nine projects received awards, and you can view and read the project descriptions by visiting MNLA.biz/landscapeawards. Congratulations to the companies and personnel behind these projects! Winning projects were recognized at the Green Industry Awards Celebration, held at the Minneapolis Hilton on January 10, 2023. All winners receive a plaque and other marketing assets. MNLA delivers a linkable project page in our gallery, a sample press release, a winner’s crest, guidelines for pitching projects to local home magazines, and tips for marketing to other media. Did you know? Entries are NOT judged against each other. In any given year, ALL entries could win awards, or NO entries could win an award. Each entry is judged

YOU TO OUR 2023 LANDSCAPE AWARDS SPONSORS:

against the standards of excellence. Judges must decide whether an entry, in their opinion, meets or exceeds those standards.

What is the Judges’ Choice Award? At the end of reviewing all projects, judges choose their favorite project from all the entries. The winning project is announced at the Green Industry Awards Celebration held on the Tuesday of Northern Green week.

What is the Excellence in Planting Design Award? This special designation was created to encourage landscape designers to feature plants in their plan while incorporating artistry, proper horticultural practices, and appropriate installation in their project. This award is chosen in the same way as the Judges’ Choice Award, with the winner being announced at the Green Industry Awards Celebration.

Name of Entrant: biota Landscapes

Application Name: Backyard Zen

Firm Name: biota Landscapes

THANK

Your Trusted Partner WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Judges’ Choice Award Winner – Look for a feature article on this project in an upcoming issue of The Scoop!

Name of Entrant: Team at Ground One

Application Name: Cedar Lake Mid-Century

Firm Name: Ground One Landscape Design + Build + Maintain

Excellence in Planting Design Award Winner – Look for a feature article on this project in an upcoming issue of The Scoop!

Name of Entrant: Tim Johnson

Application Name: Modern Delight

Firm Name: LIVIT Site + Structure

Application Name: Everything and More

Firm Name: LIVIT Site + Structure

Name of Entrant: Tim Johnson

Name of Entrant: Mike Gravenish

Application Name: Busch Project

Firm Name: Rock Solid Retaining Walls & Landscaping

Application Name: Wetland Overlook

Firm Name: Southview Design

Name of Entrant: Matt Burton

In addition to these awards, the Newcomer of the Year Award is given to the top scoring project from a first-time entrant. This year’s winner is Afton Oasis by Mike Goergen of Southview Design. Thank you, Mike, for entering, and we hope to see more of your top projects in the future!

Name of Entrant: Mike Goergen

Application Name: Afton Oasis

Firm Name: Southview Design

Contractor Sales Yards

Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm Visit www.versa-lok-midwest.com

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

Name of Entrant: Shawn Racine

Application Name: Landscape for the Grandkids

Firm Name: Superior Landscape and Irrigation

Name of Entrant: David Kopfmann

Application Name: Modern European

Cottage

Firm Name: Yardscapes, Inc.

A fifth-generation family business, we grow healthy specimen qua lity trees and have a strong commitment to our customers. Our nursery grows a diver se and superior selection of Shade, Ornamental, and Evergreen trees. We are loc ated in Northern Illinois and are able to ship to the surrounding state s.

We welcome the opportunity to show you our nursery, our quality and our service.

V-Plow Series

Winged Plow Series

Straight Blade Plow Series

SPREADERS

Hopper

Tailgate

Walk-Behind/Storage

LET’S DANCE CAN DO!

®

Hydrangea macrophylla × serrata ‘SMNHSI’ PP#32,548; CBRAF

Rebloomer | Easy Care | Super-sized Blooms

This unique hydrangea hybrid has proved it really CAN DO anything! First, it sets its flower buds along the entire length of its stems, not just at the tips like conventional rebloomers. So if it’s cut back or damaged by cold, those lower old wood buds will still develop into flowers. Plus, it reblooms faster, providing continuous displays of star-like double flowers through frost.

Available from Proven Winners® ColorChoice ® growers www.provenwinners-shrubs.com

SUMMER FALL USDA 4-9 3-4’ TALL + 3’ WIDE

Felipe Illescas MNLA Government Affairs Director

Day On The Hill is Here

Even though it is a good idea to engage on a regular basis with the people we elect to represent us at the state legislature, every session there is a special day for all of us to head to the Capitol and make our voices heard.

The 2023 Green Industry Day On The Hill offers a great opportunity to highlight our priorities with our elected officials and key legislative leaders. In addition to our priorities, it is imperative that our leaders hear about your contributions to the state’s economy, the workforce, and our environment.

Why is this important? Having a large turnout for this event is extremely important because this is one of the ways in which we show how critical our industry is and

why our priorities need to be taken seriously during endof-session negotiations. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to meet your legislators and build fruitful relationships that will be beneficial to your business and the green industry as a whole.

I am thrilled to be part of this exciting event, and I hope that you are too. If you have any questions about the 2023 Green Industry Day On The Hill or about MNLA’s legislative efforts, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Kemp Receives MNLA Special Service Award

Posthumously

Dave Kemp was honored with a Special Service Award by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) during the Green Industry Awards Celebration, held at the Hilton Minneapolis on Jan. 10, 2023. Kemp, a resident of Apple Valley, Minn. worked for The Catholic Cemeteries for over 53 years.

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.

Kemp was an integral part of the MNLA and Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF) community and embodied a vision of cooperation that built up the entire green industry. He gave countless volunteer hours over the last 20+ years to help form the Minnesota Turf & Grounds Foundation (MTGF) and forge

the strong partnership between MTGF and MNLA in creating the Minnesota Green Expo (now Northern Green). In addition, he was co-chair of MNLA’s Trade Show Committee, helping to lead the team that provides a fantastic exhibitor experience at the show.

Kemp was adept at strategic, long-range thinking, prioritizing what would be best for the whole group, not just individuals. He was content, yet forward-thinking; humble, yet proud when we all succeeded. He was patient, kind, friendly, goofy, and a servant leader.

According to MNLA President Randy Berg, “We’ve lost a loyal friend, a joyful joke-teller, a genuinely good man, and a natural leader. He will be truly missed by many. But his influence and passion have had an impact on generations of green industry professionals. The green industry is in a far better place because of his many contributions.”

Ken Liddell accepted the award on behalf of the Kemp family from MNLA President Randy Berg.

Wilcoxes Receive MNLA Special Service Award

Steve and Terri Wilcox were honored with a Special Service Award by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) during the Green Industry Awards Celebration, held at the Hilton Minneapolis on Jan. 10, 2023. The Wilcoxes are former green industry business owners as well as current owners of The Resultants, a team of business advisors based in Hudson, Wisc.

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.

The Wilcoxes have been steadfast supporters of MNLA for many years – from their time serving on committees when they owned green industry businesses to their current partnership with MNLA on the Green Industry Leadership Institute.

Steve and Terri were integral in the development of the Green Industry Leadership Institute which serves to help develop up-andcoming leaders identified within green industry businesses. The program will be starting its 10th year in 2023. Terri’s background in training and development was essential to the creation of the core curriculum while Steve helped to weave the content together with industry stories and practical applications. They have guided, mentored, and inspired a new generation of leaders in the green industry.

According to MNLA President Randy Berg, “The Wilcoxes were the exact right partners, with the perfect skillset, at the right time. They have gone above and beyond to craft the program and ensure its continued success, as well as supporting the future workforce of the green industry. We appreciate all they’ve done for the green industry in Minnesota and beyond.”

Terri Wilcox accepted the award from MNLA President Randy Berg. Steve was not present due to prior commitments.

NORTHERN GREEN SILENT AUCTION

thank you donors!

We did it! The MNLA Foundation raised $11,921 from the Silent Auction held at Northern Green 2023. This far surpassed our $8,000 goal. In addition, Kim Gaida-Wagener with Rock Hard Landscape Supply raised an additional $850 from their gift card raffle. We are thrilled and deeply grateful for the outpouring of support we received. THANK YOU to all who donated, bid, and purchased items. We had over 80 items donated! The Foundation will use the funds to further our workforce development initiatives, such as the Landscape Crew apprenticeship program, high school grants, and college scholarships.

Abrahamson Nurseries

Alta Falls & Pond Supplies

Ambergate Horticultural Consulting

Bachman’s Wholesale

Nursery & Hardscapes

Bailey Nurseries

Ballistic Tips

BFG Supply Company

Borgert Products, Inc.

Central Landscape Supply

Copeland Buhl

COWSMO, Inc.

Cross Nurseries, Inc.

Dale Bachman

Dayton Bag & Burlap

Eden — Valders Stone

Gail Nozal

Gardens of Rice Creek

Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply

Hoffman & McNamara

Nursery and Landscape

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS

Johanna Helmin

Ashley Flach-Mottaz

Tanya Good Martinez

Nic Potthoff

Mia McCraw

Lily Palokangas

Aubrey Parrington

Aaron Porter

Brandy Jones

Mandy Grossinger

Don Greifenkamp

James Bonkoski

Home Sown Gardens LLC

Irrigation By Design

Dulcet Fountains

Compeer Financial

Kankakee Nursery Company

Knecht’s Nurseries & Landscaping, Inc.

Landscape Renovations, Inc.

Living Space Landscapes

Luther Hochradel

Maguire Agency, Inc.

Malmborg’s Garden Center & Greenhouse

Mary H. Meyer

Midwest STIHL

Minnesota State

Horticulture Society

Monrovia Nursery

Mother Earth Gardens

Nutrien Ag Solutions

Organic Lawns by LUNSETH

Otten Bros.

Plaisted Companies, Inc.

Plantpeddler Inc.

Probst Inc.

Rock Hard Landscape Supply

Smart Level LLC

Southview Design

SRW Products

Sunbelt Business Advisors

Sustane Natural Fertilizer, Inc.

Swanson’s Nursery Consulting, Inc.

Tangletown Gardens LLC

The Resultants

The Tessman Company

Tonkadale Greenhouse

Trio Landscaping LLC

Twin Orchards Nursery

Wheeler Landscape Supply

Wolcyn Tree Farms & Nursery

Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC

SEEK & SEE WINNERS

Richard Ohm

Katie Possis

Chelsea Levorsen

Annette LeDuc

Mandy Grossinger

Brian Carstensen

Donna Atallian

Tyler Ulrich

Angi Neu

Clay Rehtmeyer

Meghan Detlaff

Heiland Inducted to MNLA Hall of Fame

Heidi Heiland of Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens and GrowHaus was inducted into the MNLA Hall of Fame during the Green Industry Awards Celebration held on Jan. 10 at the Hilton Minneapolis. The MNLA Hall of Fame honors leaders who have given long-time service to the association and the industry. The commitment and sacrifice made by these leaders will have dramatically improved the activities, stature or services of the association.

As the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) of GrowHaus and Lifestyle Gardens, Heiland has been diligently managing and artfully expanding her company, since 1979. After graduating from the Constance Spry Flower School in England, she continued her education and became an MNLA Certified Professional. Heiland holds a certificate in Horticultural Therapy through Colorado State University, has her PDC for Permaculture Design, and is also a Professional Master Gardener. Her prowess as a gardening professional led her to serve as President of the Wayzata Garden Club and become actively involved with the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club.

Her community outreach is tireless as she frequently presents seminars to students, colleagues and passionate plant people of the green industry. Her gardens have received awards from the Perennial Plant Association and recognition from the Garden Club of America. Her outdoor spaces and philosophy have been highlighted in many magazines including Better Homes & Gardens, Horticulture, and Northern Gardener. For a decade, Heiland presented monthly segments on the local NBC affiliate, Kare 11’s EarthKare. Heiland originally became active in MNLA at the urging of then MNLA President John

Mickman of Mickman Brothers, who recognized the unique passion she brought to the industry. Mickman convinced her to join the Public Relations Committee, and eventually became its chair. She has also served on the Networking Committee as well as the Board Development Committee. And, back when MNLA had a landscape garden at the State Fairgrounds, she was instrumental in its execution. She has received both MNLA’s Committee Member of the Year Award and Special Service Award for projects with the association.

She was elected in 2006 to serve on the Board of Directors and served as President of the Association from 2012–2013 where her platform was “All Ships Rise with the Tide.” She understands that by working together, we all do better and wants to bring others along for the journey. She has recruited many volunteers to join the MNLA committees and teams over the years.

MNLA President Randy Berg noted, “One of Heidi’s most striking characteristics is her passion. She is zealous about the green industry, and she is adept at getting others excited about it too! She tells the story of the ‘original green industry’ to all who will listen – through her educational initiatives, to her clients, and through her media and public outreach initiatives.”

Berg continued to note, “We are lucky to have had Heidi as the cheerleader of Minnesota’s green industry for all these years, and we don’t expect her to stop any time soon.”

Heiland has donated countless hours to ensuring the future of the Minnesota green industry remains strong. Her service has set a high bar and serves as an example for a future generation of volunteers.

MNLA Past President Heidi Heiland is inducted to the MNLA Hall of Fame by current President Randy Berg.

Heiland’s family, including her husband, children, and 92-year-old mother, joined to help her celebrate the honor.

MNLA Volunteers of the Year

Members of the MNLA Landscape Installation Apprenticeship Task Team were named MNLA Volunteers of the Year during the Green Industry Awards Celebration held Jan. 10 at the Hilton Minneapolis. The volunteers are from a variety of green industry companies throughout the state including:

• Luke Berg, Berg’s Nursery & Landscape, Austin, Minn.

• Karen Filloon, Southview Design, St. Paul, Minn.

• Scott Frampton, Landscape Renovations, Afton, Minn.

• Carly Haugen, Prescription Landscape, St. Paul, Minn.

• John Thell, Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscape, Hastings, Minn. and

• Patrick Warden, Bachman’s, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

The MNLA Volunteer(s) of the Year Award honors an individual or group who has, within the previous 18 months, risen up to make special achievements happen for the association. Working within MNLA, this individual or group’s leadership and commitment will have helped significantly improve the activities, stature, or services of the association. The team was honored this year for their creation, development, and launch of the landscape installation apprenticeship program in Minnesota.

“MNLA set a strategic goal in 2021 of developing a landscape apprenticeship program in Minnesota to recruit, train and retain employees in the green industry. This team of six members was recruited specifically to be technical advisors in the development of the apprenticeship program. They enthusiastically took on the task of reviewing position descriptions and requirements. They also helped to develop educational components necessary for career advancement. They were highly engaged in a very important project that will hopefully help with future workforce development for the green industry,” said MNLA Executive Director Cassie Larson.

According to MNLA President Randy Berg, “MNLA’s mission is to help members operate their businesses more effectively. Workforce development is currently a pain point for the majority of green industry businesses so the MNLA Board of Directors put together a strategic goal to develop a landscape apprenticeship program that could be a first step to help addressing this issue. We thank this team for all they’ve done to help develop a valuable program that will hopefully be used by member companies for years to come.”

Want to learn more about the apprenticeship program? Visit www.mnla.biz/apprenticeship for details and sign up information.

Pictured are Patrick Warden, Karen Filloon, Luke Berg, and Sunny Yang (who accepted on behalf of Scott Frampton). Not pictured: Carly Haugen and John Thell.

MNLA FOUNDATION

Improving the Environment by Investing in Research and Education

PARTNERS FUND

You are encouraged to participate in the MNLA Foundation 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:

Research for the Real World

Career Development & Promotion

Scholarships