The Scoop Online – August 2015

Hot Times for Birches

Also Inside

The Fluctuating Workweek

Out & About Member Profile Regional Trials

MEMBER APPRECIATION MONTH Thanks for a great 90 years!

Vol: 38 No: 8 Aug 2015 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I N N E S O TA N U R S E R Y & L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

THINK SAND THINK POLYMERIC THINK

GATOR MAXX IS THE ONLY POLYMERIC SAND DESIGNED FOR OVERLAY APPLICATIONS • Fast setting • Used for drainage & non-drainage base systems • Will not haze your concrete pavers, wetcast or natural stones

DO IT ONCE DO IT RIGHT! To l l f r e e : 1 . 8 5 5 . 8 4 7 . 7 7 6 7

Volume 38 No. 8 Aug 2015

CONTENTS 15

38 24

IN THIS ISSUE 8

Events

10 From the President Diversity 12 Out & About Photos from visits with MNLA members.

40

15 Merchandising Inspiration Preparing displays for retail sale is an ever-evolving challenge, but these photos from Europe will stimulate your creativity.  

20 Opportunities for the Stormwater Savvy This program should increase the market for landscape professionals who know how to effectively manage stormwater.  

24 Regional Landscape Plant Trials Dr. Stan Hokanson provides a report on Minnesota’s Woody Landscape Plant Breeding Program.    

35 The Fluctuating Workweek Aileen Conway of Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC notes some common mistakes employers make when implementing this method. 

30 Member Profile Aqua City Irrigation 38 Member Appreciation Month Be sure to attend one of this month’s free “Thank You” Socials.

44 MDA Update A summary of the MN legislature’s changes to the nursery law.

47 Standards and Guidelines for Power Cords Andy Lindquist educates us on some of the most commonly cited violations.

51 Research, Scholarships, and Career Development Advance Forward Dr. Bert Swanson provides an update on the many activities of the MNLA Foundation.

62 Amazon to Sell Landscape Services The online retail giant has begun selling home services. What will it mean for your company?

40 Hot Times for Birches Over-pruning and over-fertilizing are a few of the problems Faith Appelquist finds when evaluating birches.     

57 A Look Back on the Last 90 Years Some of the key moments and people that have shaped Minnesota’s leading green industry organization. 

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

The Scoop, August 2015, Issue 8, is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2015, 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 publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.

MNLA reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

august 15

MNLA .biz

5

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.NorthernGreenExpo.org

MNLA MISSION: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

heidi heiland, mnla-cp, president

Alliance Designer Products ................................................................................ 4 Arborjet ............................................................................................................ 29 Aspen Equipment ............................................................................................. 11 Astleford Equipment Co. .................................................................................. 56 Borgert Products, Inc. ....................................................................................... 34 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ..................................................... 42 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................................ 41 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ................................................................................... 48

Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens 612-366-7766 • heidi@BloomOnMN.com

D. Hill Nursery Co. ............................................................................................ 26

herman roerick, vice-president

Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................................. 52

Central Landscape Supply 320-252-1601 • hermanr@centrallandscape.com

scott frampton, secretary-treasurer

Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 • sframpton@landscaperenovations.com

debbie lonnee, mnla-cp, past president

Everris ............................................................................................................... 54 Fury Motors ...................................................................................................... 22 Gardenworld Inc. .............................................................................................. 55

Bailey Nurseries, Inc. 651-768-3375 • debbie.lonnee@baileynursery.com

Gertens Wholesale / JRK Seed .......................................................................... 2

randy berg, mnla-cp

GM Fleet and Commercial ................................................................................. 3

Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com

Gopher State One-Call ..................................................................................... 45

tim malooly, cid, clia, cic

Haag Companies, Inc. ...................................................................................... 36

Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com

mike mcnamara

Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscaping 651-437-9463 • mike.mcnamara@hoffmanandmcnamara.com

jeff pilla, mnla-cp

Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies ........................................................ 50 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................................. 32–33 Johnson’s Nursery, Inc. ..................................................................................... 42

Bachman’s Inc. 612-861-7600 • jpilla@bachmans.com

Klaus Nurseries ................................................................................................. 23

nick sargent

Kubota Dealers ................................................................................................. 43

Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com

cassie larson, cae

MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz

STAFF DIRECTORY

executive director:

Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz

membership director & trade show manager: Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz

communications director: Jon Horsman • jon@mnla.biz education/cert manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz government affairs director: Tim Power • tim@mnla.biz administrative asst: Gayle Anderson • gayle@mnla.biz accountant: Norman Liston • norman@mnla.biz foundation program coordinator: Megan Buchanan • megan@mnla.biz

advertising sales: 952-934-2891 / 763-295-5420

Faith Jensen, Advertising Rep • faith@pierreproductions.com Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com

legislative affairs consultant: Doug Carnival 6

AD LIST

Volume 38 No. 8 Aug 2015

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

MNLA .biz

august 15

Landscape Alternatives Inc. .............................................................................. 26 Minnesota Propane Association ....................................................................... 53 MTI Distributing, Inc. ........................................................................................ 23 Out Back Nursery ............................................................................................. 41 Plaisted Companies ............................................................................................ 7 RDO Equipment Co. ........................................................................................ 45 Resultants for Business, Inc. (RFB) .................................................................... 48 Rock Hard Landscape Supply division of Brian’s Lawn & Landscaping, Inc. .... 26 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. ............................................................................ 14, 34, 54 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. .................................................................................. 26 Versa-Lok Midwest ........................................................................................... 19 Ziegler CAT ......................................................................................... Back Cover

➾ C ALE N DAR

AUG13

MNLA Event

AUG11 ➾

MEMBER APPRECIATION SOCIAL Central Landscape Supply, St. Cloud MNLA.biz 651-633-4987 RSVP Today!

Celebrate our 90th year and your awesomeness.

Join in the fun during MNLA’s Member Appreciation month.

RSVP at MNLA.biz.

AUG25

AUG12 TESSMAN COMPANY GREENHOUSE BUYING EXPO The Prom Center, Oakdale

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska

tessmanseed.com 651-487-3850

Arboretum.umn.edu 612-301-1210

Tessman is ready to help you with all of your greenhouse, nursery, garden center and landscaping needs.

The Pollinator Summit will focus on protecting pollinators by restoring ecological functions to the urban landscape through design and management, and recognizing the ecological and economic benefits that using best practices brings to our communities.

2015 BFG EXPO

SEPT10

Earle Brown Center, Brooklyn Center

FOSTER’S SPRING MARKET

Bfgsupply.com 800-798-2891

Mayo Civic Center, Rochester

Unbeatable deals, discounts, clearance items, and educational seminars.

Fostersinc.com RSVP Today!

KEY:

Event

➾

POLLINATOR SUMMIT: Designing for Pollinators ­— Enhancing our Communities

Experience firsthand the latest and greatest the lawn and garden industry has to offer for the 2016 spring season.

➾

SEPT 15–16 FIELD COVER AND PRODUCTION TOUR Minneapolis Americanhort.org Join the AmericanHort tour of growing facilities in the Minneapolis region. It will combine classroom education and tours of nursery operations.

Education ➾ ➾ 8

All information on these and other industry events are online at MNLA.biz.

Did you miss a webinar? ALL of our webinars are recorded and available for viewing afterwards. Login to MNLA.biz to learn more!

MNLA .biz

august 15

2015 MNLA seminars generously supported by John Deere Landscapes

MNLA Event

AUG13

AUG13

MNLA Event

AUG19

MEMBER APPRECIATION SOCIAL

CARLIN HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES BUYER FEST 2015

➾

Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center Carlinsales.com/buyerfest 855-487-8108

➾

Waconia Tree Farm, Waconia

MNLA Office, Roseville

MNLA.biz 651-633-4987 RSVP Today!

MNLA.biz 651-633-4987 RSVP Today!

It’s time to celebrate our 90th year and your awesomeness. Join in the fun during MNLA’s Member Appreciation month.

All events will take place from 5–8pm. Food and adult beverages will be provided! RSVP at MNLA.biz.

Opportunity to visit with vendors, ask questions and learn about new product offerings.

Includes full day of show specials, education seminars, free labor dosmatic repair station, and complimentary lunch/dinner.

It’s time to celebrate our 90th year and your awesomeness. Join in the fun during MNLA’s Member Appreciation month.

All events will take place from 5–8pm. Food and adult beverages will be provided! RSVP at MNLA.biz.

MNLA Event

➾

MNLA Event

SEPT23

OCT21

MNLA SHOOTOUT

PARKING LOT & SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE with Reduced Environmental Impacts

South St. Paul Rod & Gun Club MNLA.biz 651-633-4987 The MNLA Shootout is a fun sporting clays charity event that raises money for the MNLA Foundation scholarship program.

MEMBER APPRECIATION SOCIAL

➾

Roseville MNLA.biz 651-633-4987 Learn techniques to decrease the effects of de-icing materials on the environment without compromising safety.

august 15

MNLA .biz

9

➾ F R OM THE PRESIDEN T

Diversity We all know that monocultures can be an issue in our landscapes. Having only ash trees growing in a neighborhood is a complex concern these days. Providing simply one season of bloom for our natural world is not a healthy approach on a myriad of fronts, nor would this be acceptable for our clients from an aesthetic perspective.

Heidi Heiland

The Fluctuating Workweek Hot Times for Birches

Also Inside

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens

Out & About Member Profile Regional Trials

MEMBER APPRECIATION MONTH Thanks for a great 90 years!

Vol: 38 No: 8 Aug 2015

T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I N N E S O TA N U R S E R Y & L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

we also appreciate diversity in our everyday life.

“Variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor.”

This phrase comes from William Cowper’s poem, “The Task” (1785). We have been debating this deep seeded truth for centuries!

We demand individual choice as a culture and experience a plethora of opportunities in our personal lives.

We look for diverse talent within our companies, not only from the front of the line to the back office, but also a varied skill set within our boots on the ground.

The MNLA supports a wide range of industry segments, 17 in fact. While many of us identify with several segments (i.e., landscape designer, landscape contracting and professional gardening for my company), I suspect we all proudly stand within a particular segment and feel very different from the other 16. While we operate our businesses more successfully because the other segments exist as well, we do not categorize ourselves as “them.”

How indeed would we navigate without the wide diversity that is the MNLA? We understand and appreciate diversity, yet when we want to align around a specific topic, we may reject others unique viewpoints and hope everyone has OUR perspective! Sometimes, we wish everyone saw the world through our lenses. While as a people and an association

we may philosophically understand this phenomenon, the challenge comes in then finding similar vision and values when we are trying to effect change with beneficial outcomes for all.

Versus using conjecture to make my point, let me share some examples surrounding the whole pollinator unease. I would like to preface this by stating that my summaries below are hypothetical and I have no judgement on any faction; rather, I am using this timely and important issue to isolate varied perspectives.

A gardening service company has clients that ask for no chemicals on any of their plant products, yet are unable to economically source sufficient materials to satisfy this request. A landscape management firm operates under tight margins for their commercial clients, and thus are obligated to utilize a rigorous chemical application to meet high expectations. An arborist invests oodles of time educating their client about the various approaches to preserve their tree health, appropriately applies an insecticide to prevent degradation, yet a neighbor attempts to stop them mid-application because the neighbor manages a bee hive. Because of quarantines, a commercial flower grower must apply neonicotinoids, values the chemical management approach that they utilize, and has no interest in investing to alter their model

ON THE COVER

Welcome to Member Appreciation Month! This year MNLA is celebrating its 90th anniversary, so during August we’ll be partying not once, not twice, but three different times and places. On August 11th, Central Landscape Supply will welcome us to their facility in St. Cloud. Then, on August 13th, the festivities will move to Waconia Tree Farm in Waconia. Finally, on August 19th, we’ll gather at the newly renovated MNLA offices in Roseville. All the “Thank You” Socials will run from 5:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m., so all members should plan to drop by right after work for free food and adult beverages! See pages 38-39 for more details and RSVP information.

10

MNLA .biz

august 15

Aligning our industry around this dispute is complex at best. Your MNLA Government Affairs Committee, Board of Directors and yours truly have not wavered from considering all viewpoints while leaning on the latest research and facts (ok, some emotion from me I have to admit). We also continue to build bridges with additional stake holders to ensure success and future cooperation. as the end user would experience minimal residue. A nursery offers various chemicals on their shelves to their retail customer to purchase, yet has difficulty educating the same customer to the sensitivity of their use. What scenario did I miss? I am confident there are more.

Aligning our industry around this dispute is complex at best. Your MNLA Government Affairs Committee, Board of Directors and yours truly have not wavered from considering all viewpoints while leaning on the latest research and facts (ok, some emotion from me I have to admit). We also continue to build bridges with additional stake holders to ensure success and future cooperation. Last August, the MNLA held our first Pollinator Summit and have been at work with the U of M Landscape Arboretum for another educational opportunity on Thursday, August 13.

This matter and similar ones that shine a light on our natural world are not going away. As the MNLA supports roughly 1,200 member companies, we cannot possibly have the same viewpoints!

Let us not alienate each other in this or any process! We have too much important work to do to waste time disputing our differences.

Let us band together in our diversities and discover how to cooperatively push the needle to effect change that will benefit us all!

Bloom On! Heidi Heiland Your MNLA 2015 President MNLA PRESIDENT HEIDI HEILAND welcomes

your feedback at 612.366.7766

or Heidi@bloomonmn.com

august 15

MNLA .biz

11

➾ OUT & ABOUT

&

AN INITIATIVE OF THE MNLA MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE IS TO STAY IN TOUCH AND THANK MEMBERS WITH OCCASIONAL VISITS.

Cliff Otten, John O’Reilly in the greenhouse at Otten Bros. Nursery, with Sue Flynn, MNLA Education & Certification Manager.

MNLA staff visited with Karen Filloon and Chris Clifton at Southview Design’s new headquarters.

12

MNLA .biz

august 15

MNLA Administrative Assistant, Gayle Anderson with Erik Paulsen and Jennifer Masterman of Bartlett Tree Experts and MNLA Membership Director, Mary Dunn.

Gayle Anderson with Rita at Reinders, Inc. We promised Rita we would not publish this picture, sorry Rita we couldn’t resist!

Ryan Paddock of Metro Stoneworks with Mary Dunn.

Sue Flynn with Laverne Dunsmore of Countryside Gardens at the peony farm.

MNLA Foundation Program Coordinator, Megan Buchanan takes a moment to smell the peonies at Countryside Gardens.

Cathy Rosolack and Laurene Burchell of Documation who help make sure The Scoop is printed each month with MNLA’s Jon Horsman and Cassie Larson.

A giant color correct proofing monitor used to produce The Scoop at Documation each month.

Inventor extraordinaire, Gary Ringus of Property Props shows Mary Dunn his turf protection equipment.

Ever wonder how The Scoop is produced?

This is the machine that prints the pages every month at MNLA member Documation.

The MNLA staff is welcomed back from member visits by the smiling Norm Liston, MNLA Accountant!

Cassie Larson with Michelle Thompson and Chris Muehleck of SavATree.

august 15

MNLA .biz

13

EUROPEAN RETAIL MERCHANDISING INSPIRATION This year, as several members of MNLA traveled to Europe in search of the latest trends in plants, retail, and technology, several scenes caught their attention. When it comes to retail merchandising, it’s incumbent upon independent garden centers to think outside the (big) box, and provide an experience customers can’t find elsewhere. We hope this pictorial will create a spark of creativity and innovation as you prepare your products for retail sale.

Photos by Debbie Lonnee, Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

Uniquely-pruned plants are a whimsical focal point in any landscape.

➾ RE TA I L IN SPIRATION

DISPLAYS THAT SELL

 Is it a beautiful planter box or a battleship-inspired arrangement?

Whomever buys them can decide.  Rustic charm fills this corner of this trade show display. Increased emphasis on edibles capitalizes on a trend that has no signs of slowing down.

 Quirkiness, cuteness and whimsicality never go out of style for many of our customers!  Plants make a great baby shower gift!

 We were left smiling by this signage. It gets you to think about other plants that could be marketed with this cheeky approach.  We like this centerpiece that used height and layering products on stages to create a focal place.

16

MNLA .biz

august 15

 Can you spot the owl? No? How about a display that creates a sense of mystery and discovery?

 The blending of one tray of each plant together in one table makes each specimen more attractive in contrast.

 It makes you feel warmer just looking at this display. Fill up those picnic baskets and head to the beach!

 A muted color palette in the hardgoods gives room for the plant products to pop.

 Hanging planters and “floating” displays are trending. This display again gives top billing to the color in the plants next to the monochromatic planters.

 Walking into this dramatic dining room with warm hues and neutral tones offsetting the plant material was the payoff after seeing glimpses of it through the slats while further away.

august 15

MNLA .biz

17

➾ RE TA I L IN SPIRATION

PLANTS WITH PUNCH

 Landscape grasses display their varying forms, while the photos on the front of the table highlight their unique colors and textures.  The manufactured edge and finish of the table is almost lost amidst the draping vegetation. Other tables around it are tidy, but this flow of green is the eye-catcher.

 This rounded tag makes this sempervivum mix tray look like a cute handbag. Don’t you want to sling it over your arm and take it home?

 Though not naturally occurring, these deeply-colored frosted tips command attention in the garden center.  This elegant combination blends in new varieties with Victorian-erainfluenced design.

18

MNLA .biz

august 15

VERSA-LOK

®

Contractor Sales Yards

Enter our design contest and you could win $1,000! www.versa-lok-midwest.com/Design2015.pdf

NEW FOR 2015!

Polysweep X-treme Wide Joint Sand For joints up to 4 inches wide Now available in gray and russet brown Exclusively at VERSA-LOK Contractor Sales Yards

Your locally owned headquarters for landscaping supplies and materials!

• VERSA-LOK retaining walls • Willow Creek pavers and kits • Unilock pavers • SEK Surebond Cleaners & Sealers • Natural stone, flagstone, steppers, wall stone and more • Accessories, including lights, sealers, polymeric sand, edging and geogrid • Easy-in-and-out yards with knowledgeable staff and convenient hours

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

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES SET TO EXPAND FOR

STORMWATER SAVVY

LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS, CONTRACTORS Tim Power and Jon Horsman | Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association

Unless otherwise noted, photo credits to Freshwater Society

Photo courtesy of Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supply.

A

re you a landscape professional with proven skills in designing and installing landscapes that effectively manage stormwater?

If so, your market may be expanding in the very near future. What would it take to create more opportunities for you to grow your business? How about a group of trained volunteers whose goal is to take the message of wise, responsible stormwater management into metro area neighborhoods? What if such a program already existed and, better yet, was set to dramatically expand this fall?

The program is called Master Water Stewards. The program description explains that: Master Water Stewards are local leaders who work with their neighbors to install pollution prevention projects that reduce pollutants from urban runoff, educate community members, and allow more water to soak into the ground before running into storm sewer systems.

The program began in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed, and stewards there are already making a difference in the health of the waters that flow through the watershed.

Master Water Steward candidates participate in a 50-hour program of courses, and complete their certification with a rigorous capstone project. Certified Master Water Stewards must volunteer for 50 hours of community service in the initial year of certification, and up to 25 hours each subsequent year. They also participate in ongoing continuing education in order to maintain their certification.

As part of the capstone project, each pair of Stewards must select a location that is a likely spot to infiltrate more water, and design and install a stormwater management project. All of the projects run through watershed district’s existing cost share programs, ensuring the technical quality of the Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP). The Freshwater Society is hoping to partner with more designers and contractors through the MNLA to increase the pool of experienced designers who can help Master Water Stewards and their neighbors protect Minnesota’s waters.

In the first three years of the program in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, 84 community members have gone through the certification process. By the end of 2015, Stewards will have installed 42 stormwater management projects on private properties in the watershed district. That increased interest in soaking water into the ground before it runs off of residential properties has created a need for more landscape designers and contractors who understand how to design urban landscapes to manage water.

Master Water Stewards are developing a market for professional designers who know how to manage stormwater.

If you are a landscape designer, but not well-versed in stormwater management principles, the Master Water Stewards program offers an opportunity to invest in professional development to become more knowledgeable about managing rainfall. The goal is to have more professionals available for Master Water Stewards to refer to homeowners.

august 15

MNLA .biz

21

D W EL IV E ER !

RAM H.D. HEADQUARTERS Diesels Here

2014 RAM 2500 PASSENGER PROMASTER

12 Passenger Capacity, Rear Heat and AC.

KNAPHEIDE GOOSENECK BODY

RAM 2500 POWER WAGON

PROMASTER MSRP $34,965

SPECIAL $54,745*

SPECIAL $33,586*

SPECIAL $47,688*

SPECIAL $27,848*

MSRP $54,745

Diesels Here

Choose from 32

RAM 5500

PROMASTER 1500

6.4L Gas, Dump bed truck

FWD V/6 Auto, P/W, P/L, T/C, A/C

SPECIAL $56,988*

SPECIAL $25,848*

MSRP $31,025

“Keith Babin and my salesman Craig were AWESOME. They worked very hard to make sure we got the best deal we could. We actuality got two vans, and $2000 for the wrap which turned out great as you can see. I love my new Pro Master 1500. I get people turning their heads and giving me the thumbs up on the highway every time I drive it.”

Tony Mahmood

#1

Chrysler Corp.

Commercial Dealer in Minnesota

Fury Ram Truck Center, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

* Pricing represents all Denver business center rebates deducted!

651.777.1316 Visit us at furymotors.com

Fu NO ry W R Ce amOP nt T EN er ru ! ck

32 Promasters Ready-To-Go • 18 Cabs and Chassis in Stock. More Coming!

➾ S T ORMWATER SAVVY

It’s important to note that Master Water Stewards don’t do what designers do.

“In 2014, we simply ran out of raingarden designers,” said Peggy Knapp, Director of Programs at the Freshwater Society. “And in 2015, we are expanding the program from a pilot in a single watershed to multiple watersheds throughout the metro area. We need more experienced, professional designers who can work with Stewards on stormwater management projects.”

If you are a landscape designer, but not well-versed in stormwater management principles, the Master Water Stewards program offers an opportunity to invest in professional development to become more knowledgeable about managing rainfall. The goal is to have more professionals available for Master Water Stewards to refer to homeowners.

It’s important to note that Master Water Stewards don’t do what designers do. But they do create opportunities by educating neighbors on the importance of stormwater management and the significance of what good landscape designers can do on their property to increase infiltration and reduce runoff.

If you’d like to expand your opportunities by becoming a trusted landscape professional resource for the Master Water Steward program or for more information contact Peggy Knapp, pknapp@ freshwater.org.

TIM POWER

is available at tim@mnla.biz, and can be reached at jon@mnla.biz.

JON HORSMAN

august 15

MNLA .biz

23

➾ RE GION AL TRIALS

TRIALS FOR ADVANCED SELECTION OF

LANDSCAPE PLAN

24

MNLA .biz

august 15

Stan Hokanson University of Minnesota, Department of Horticultural Science

NTS Note: This month’s Research for the Real World article is kindly provided by Dr. Stan Hokanson, Professor of Horticulture in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association has a long history of partnership with the University of Minnesota on research efforts, including plant breeding and selection research, and this relationship continues today under the direction of Dr. Hokanson and others. New and improved landscape plants are the lifeblood of our industry, and the Minnesotaspecific research described herein, (research funded in part by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association Foundation), is a wonderful example of the type of research that can benefit our industry and its customers by helping meet the need and constant demand for new and exciting landscape plants that are adapted to Minnesota conditions. We thank Stan and his colleagues for their research efforts.

Dr. James Calkins, Research Information Director MNLA Foundation

august 15

MNLA .biz

25

d v c w y c i o h y t

W

– i t p i o i W a p o

38

www.MNLA.biz | ocTober 2012

➾ RE GION AL TRIALS

B

reeding, selecting, and trialing woody landscape plants is a time- and space-consuming endeavor. Woody plants take a number of years, sometimes on the order of decades, to reach a semblance of maturity. Similarly, woody plants take a considerable number of years to reach reproductive age, a fact that has implications for two aspects of the breeding and evaluation process. Primarily, this delay to reproductive age slows the breeding process. Advancing traits into the next generation does not occur on an annual basis.

Additionally, one of the most important ornamental traits we consider when evaluating most woody landscape plants are the flowers. For most woody taxa we need to wait years to see the first flowers on our seedlings. In the course of time it takes to complete an evaluation of a woody plant, the plant can grow quite large. Such timeframes necessitate a plant spacing that requires large plot spaces.

Another important consideration for the plant evaluation process is the effect of environment on plant performance. In Minnesota, our primary environmental concern has always been winter cold temperatures. Historically, trialing for winter cold hardiness has been done at the Horticultural Research Center (HRC) in Chanhassen, MN. However, in the last couple of decades, minimum winter temperatures typical for USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4 (-20° to -30° F) have not occurred consistently at the HRC. We have gone years without getting a Zone 4 cold test in the field. Beyond cold, different trialing sites available to us through the University of Minnesota Research and Outreach Centers present a host of different environmental variables, including soil properties, moisture regimes, and different biotic and abiotic stresses. Trialing plants at these different sites informs us as to whether a plant will be broadly adaptable.

To develop sustainably hardy and resistant new woody plant cultivars, we needed to move beyond our traditional HRC testing site. Establishing and maintaining woody landscape trial sites is expensive. We estimated that the one-day cost to our project just to establish the planting at the North Central Research and Outreach Center (NCROC) in Grand Rapids, MN, in June of 2004 was approximately $3,600. This estimate did not include field preparation or maintenance after establishment at the NCROC. We applied for funding from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) to help offset some of the costs for initiating landscape plant trials at the NCROC (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3b) and the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris, MN (characterized by a drier, hotter summer climate with an elevated soil pH, average 7.4), from the years 2003–2008 (Table 1). The funding was requested for both the Woody Landscape Plant Breeding Program trials under my direction and the Herbaceous Plant Breeding Program trials under Dr. Neil Anderson’s direction.

The funding was passed through the Department of Horticultural Science directly to the NCROC and WCROC to offset costs at each of those sites.

Seedling Trials. The Woody Landscape Plant Breeding Program made major plantings of marginally hardy woody taxa in June of 2005 and 2008 at the NCROC (Table 2). We experienced a strong selection pressure (high mortality) on this plant material that is considered marginally hardy in USDA Zone 4 (Figure 1). None of

Figure 1. North Central Research and Outreach Center trial block with cornelliancherry dogwood (Cornus mas) (center) with 0% survival, and lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) (row to far left) with some survival following a winter low temperature event of -50° F. Figure 2. Small part of the crew involved in the June, 2008, planting of woody landscape plants at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, MN.

Northern Accents™ Lena.

Northern Accents™ Sven.

Northern Accents™ Ole.

Northern Accents™ Sigrid.

the plants came through the trial undamaged; however, we selected 5% respectively of the bald cypress and lacebark elms from this trial that showed a minimal amount of branch tip dieback. Currently, 17 and 6 of the selections from this trial are still under evaluation in the program.

Roses. In 1990, a breeding effort was initiated in the Woody Landscape Plant Breeding program to increase the number of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3 and 4 hardy, repeat blooming, black spot resistant landscape rose cultivars available for use in northern continental landscapes. In 2003, 24 selections were established at the WCROC, and 57 were established at the NCROC in a randomized trial block setting. In 2005, 52 and in 2008, 140 roses were established at the WCROC after fencing was installed to preclude deer from the august 15

MNLA .biz

27

➾ RE GION AL TRIALS

Another important consideration for the plant evaluation process is the effect of environment on plant performance. In Minnesota, our primary environmental concern has always been winter cold temperatures. plots. Unfortunately, the rose breeding effort was shut down after budget cuts resulted in Project Scientist Kathy Zuzek’s position being eliminated. The project effort, including regional trials, led to the release of five shrub roses — Northern Accents™ Lena, Ole, Sigrid, Sven, (pictured on page 27) and Suddenly Summer™ ‘Summer Waltz’.

Advanced Selections. We have conducted trials for several advanced woody plant selections including Siberian dogwood (Cornus hessei), nannyberry (Viburnum lentago), crabapples (Malus spp.), and maples (Acer spp.), American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), weigela (Weigela florida) and American smoketree (Cotinus obovatus), with a majority of the cost comprising labor to get the large plantings done in one day (Figure 2). Data collected from both locations informed the decision to release the Siberian dogwood ‘Garden Glow’, the nannyberry ‘Homefree’, and the wisteria First Editions® Summer Cascade™.

Table 1. Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association funding for regional trials of landscape plants at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, MN, and the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN. Year

Location

Funding Requested

Amount Funded

2003

NCROC

$4,900

$4,000

WCROC

$4,900

$4,000

NCROC

$5,488

$5,000

WCROC

$5,488

$5,000

NCROC

$5,488

$5,000

WCROC

$5,488

$5,000

NCROC

$5,488

$5,000

WCROC

$5,488

$5,000

NCROC

$6,002

$6,002

WCROC

$6,002

$6,002

NCROC

$6,271

$6,002

WCROC

$6,271

$6,002

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Table 2. Woody Landscape Plant Breeding Program seedling trial plantings at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, MN. Year

Taxa

# Planted

# Selected

2005

Cornelliancherry Dogwood (Cornus mas)

506

0

Sweet Gum (Liquidamber styraciflua)

720

0

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

555

29

Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

965

46

Japanese Katsuratree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

700

57

American Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus)

690

24

2008

STAN C. HOKANSON is a Professor of Horticulture in the Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota. His research focuses on the breeding and genetics of woody landscape plants and he teaches Woody and Herbaceous Plants, Flowering Woody Trees and Shrubs (Advanced Woody and Herbaceous Plant Topics), and Public Garden Management.

Additional information about Dr. Hokanson’s professional activities, including recent publications, can be found at http://horticulture. umn.edu/directory/faculty/stan-chokanson.

TO COMMENT ON THIS RESEARCH UPDATE, suggest research topics of interest, or pass along a piece of research-based information that might be of interest to your industry colleagues, please email us at Research@MNLA.biz.

28

MNLA .biz

august 15

Siberian dogwood ‘GardenGlow’.

Wisteria First Editions® Summer Cascade™.

RevolutionaRy Plant HealtH SolutionS FRom Soil to CRown

No matter your landscape challenge, Arborjet is here for you.

• Trunk injected insect & disease control • Botanical insect & disease control • Soil amendment & water management

For more information about our products, visit www.arborjet.com or call 781-935-9070

➾ ME MBER PROFILE

MEMBER PROFILE AQU A C I TY I R R I G ATI O N Molly Altorfer

Photos courtesy of Aqua City Irrigation

Gene Vogelgesang

C O M PAN Y SN APSH O T C O M PAN Y SN APSH O T

Company Name: Aqua City Irrigation Company Name: Home Sown Gardens, LLC Owner: Paul Vogelgesang Owner: Tami Gallagher Date Company started: 1967 Date Company started: 2007 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Location: Eagan, Minnesota Key Employees: Paul Vogelgesang, Mary Beth Number of Employees in PeakSteve Season: 10 Vogelgesang, Mike Gardner, Oestriech Areas Served: Twin Cities South Metro Number of Employees in Peak Season: 15 Member Category: Areas Served: TwinProfessional Cities MetroGardening Services Websites: www.homesowngardens.com Member Category: Irrigation Contractor, Landscape Lighting, Snow Plowing Websites: www.aquacityirrigation.net

Paul Vogelgesang, owner of Aqua City Irrigation, Tami Gallagher grew up “picking her dinner” grew up in an irrigation family. He had the from her childhood backyard. In 2007, opportunity to learn the industry from his father, Gallagher turned her passion for gardening Gene Vogelgesang, a man that is as close to into Home Sown Gardens, offering garden “irrigation royalty” in Minnesota as it comes. maintenance, restoration, vegetable gardening, GENE STARTED IN THE IRRIGATION INDUSTRYbeds IN 1957 after from renewal design for existing andgraduating planters, college. After a three-year stint working in Chicago, he returned to and personal garden coaching. the Twin Cities where his brother had begun AC Plumbing in 1963.

Aqua City Irrigation founded in 1967.

ORIGINALLY IN BUSINESSwas AS A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER, Gallagher realized that many of her clients were referencing their residential The Scoop had the opportunity to chat with Gene Vogelgesang, gardens as “messy” — and she knew that her upbringing, passion 80, who now splits his time between Minnesota and Arizona. for gardening, and horticulture education could assist them.

Despite his involvement in the company, he insists “I’m now the janitor.” The Scoop can attest that “the janitor” is a living Q: Tami, thanks for taking the time to talk with The Scoop. repository of Minnesota irrigation history.

What’s new lately at Home Sown Gardens?

Q: Thank Gene, for service sitting down withgardens.

The Scoop.

What A: “We areyou, adding a new — edible This entails was the irrigation industry like back in the 1950s the design, planning and planting of vegetable and and herb1960s? gardens.

WeIncan stand-alone, raised a part of an existing A: theoffer 1950s, it would take us abeds weekortoasdo a residential job. garden.”

It was hard to cut sod, use a digger and a wheelbarrow. It was ridiculous. Then PVC pipe started coming in. There were initial Q: Why this service and why now? problems with it because the fittings weren’t always tight. But A: “Homewe Sown Gardens beensod asked to provide it and edible gradually upgraded tohas a Ryan cutter.

Then, later, Ditch gardens have been in the media a lot lately.

Eating healthy and Witch made the jobs easier.

30

MNLA.biz MNLA .bizaugust january 14 15

13

The MNLA is a great organization. They are involved politically with the state.

I never had enough time for that, so it is a benefit to belong to MNLA for its political arm and connections.

cycles, although never to the same degree. We were fortunate at that time that one of our jobs was with General Mills. We designed a system for their west side 140 acres, at the time.

Q: What role did training or continuing education have in advancing the company or your employees?

A: I went to irrigation school in 1967. I learned a ton there. And when Paul joined the company in the early 90s, I insisted he go to a similar class in Texas.

Q: Aqua City Irrigation is still a familyowned business. Which family members are involved now?

local is very popular. We wanted to draw extra attention to it and what better place to get your vegetables and herbs than your backyard? We expect to serve residential customers with our edible gardens, but we are also open to other types of clients.”

Q: How much do education and certifications play a role in Home Sown Gardens?

(Top to Bottom): Honeywell 1978, 3M 1979, A: “Education and 1989. certifications play a Governor’s Mansion large role in our business. I feel that it adds the professionalism of does a company.

Q: Bytocomparison, how long the Iaverage am an MNLA Certified job take these Landscape days?

Professional and Master Gardener A: We can easily do one per day, sometimes and a number of my employees have two. It is a tremendous difference. Now horticulture degrees and certifications. we rely on winterizing systems and we This makes our clients feel more don’t have to grade the pipe anymore. comfortable knowing that we have knowledge in their out gardens.

Q: As you started with Continuing Aqua City education iswhat hugewere for our Irrigation, thecompany.” hardest times for the company?

Q: What makes Home Sown Gardens A: It was not always easy. Sometimes we distinct among its competition? didn’t get paid! Back in the late 1970s, the A: “Gardening is all we do. We are highly economy went to pot. We had to lay off specialized in the garden beds. Many some good help and just hope the other companies have other services but economy came back. And it usually did. we focus solely on gardening. I don’t The economy is a strange bird — look at there being a lot of competition downturns usually come in seven-year

A: My youngest daughter, Mary Beth, does all the accounting and the billing, but doesn’t have ownership. Paul joined full-time in 1986 and took ownership in 1998. My wife also went to school in — is to enough for all of us.and Weshe are thethere 1980s learn computers confident in the fact that we are experts incorporated them into the business untilin gardening refer other work to the Mary Beth and tookwe over in the early 1990s. experts in those respective fields.”

Q: How did you handle turning over Q: What the number 1 reason that a Aqua CityisIrrigation to the second client will call Home Sown Gardens? generation?

A: lot of ourfull clients havevowed had a to lifekeep A: “A I gave Paul rein and circumstance that has pulled them out of it. We talk about things, but away he fromdecided caring for They will also totheir take garden. the company in a usually after the garden has been differentcall direction. neglected for a few years. We like to take [Under Gene’s the for business the burden outleadership, of the garden them so focus was more on golf courses and that it can bring joy again. We will start a commercial business plan attained through regular maintenance for them, too, if the biddingthey process.

Paul has thatpublic is something are seeking.” transitioned Aqua City Irrigation to focus Q: What is accounts an example recent sucon existing suchofasa high-end cess story for Home Sown Gardens? residential irrigation and lighting, instead A: “We recently had from a client withbidding.] a steep of projects resulting public backyard that included overgrowth and Q: wastrees. it likeWe to collaborated service a multimillotsWhat of scrub with lion-dollar corporation General Mills? a hardscape contractor like on the project.

A: General wetowent onup to with work TheFrom challenge forMills, us was come with Medtronic, Delux a plant plan thatHoneywell, worked with3M theand steep Corp.

Theclient key toalso retaining those area. The wanted to attract corporations is giving them servicemany and birds and wildlife and incorporate taking care of problems as fast as youWe can. of the features of the former garden.

We lost out a few, we certainly well cleared thebut garden and thedid hardscape over the years.

Wehardscapes serviced General Mills contractor did the and then

for 50 years. We have redone the property a few times and they usually come to us for the design. The larger companies have engineers to work with you — they we completed the garden plants. understand quality and notand cutting Now we get to enjoy it as well when we corners. are back for scheduled maintenance!”

Q: Do you prefer the large- or smallQ: What has been a key to the success scale projects? of Home Sown Gardens?

A: Our bread and butter is the residential

A: “We always evolving. was project.

Peoplekeep still call and askThere for me a point when we had both the organizing and it’s such a warm feeling to have good, and gardening and loyal customers.companies I was happy towe develop couldn’t keep up with with the demands of long-term friendships them. both. The gardening was more lucrative Q: the MNLA helpwas, Aqua andHow that’sdid where my passion soCity we Irrigation throughout the years? evolved to grow Home Sown Gardens and A: Thethe MNLA is a great organization. close organizing business.

AnotherThey key are involved politically with theawesome, state. I to our success is that we have never had enough timewho for care that, about so it isour a dedicated employees benefit to belong to MNLA for its political clients and their gardens.” arm and connections.

Q: How do you manage employees and Q: How do you staff? think you impacted the retain a quality irrigation in Minnesota?

A: “I have industry a very close knit staff. It feels A: Welike didfamily thingsthan that co-workers. weren’t done in the more I believe industry.

A lot of the contractors are which still it is like that because I am invested, good friends. adopted new ways of in turns makesWe them feel like they want doing others followed suit.a We to workthings to theand same level.

I try to be changed way things werea done. always good rolethe model and have good Iwork said that I wanted to be my environment, whichwholesalers keeps employees pallbearers — We theyall carried meinfor this long! coming back. believe making the world a better place, one garden at Q: What do you miss most about a time!” not being involved in the day-to-day business at Aqua Irrigation?

Q: How has MNLACity helped you through your journey to start Home Sown A: The customers.

Without a doubt.

Gardens and now grow the business?

A: “I love being a member of MNLA. The educational events are fantastic. We attend the Northern Green Expo, we use the Job Board and the vehicle discounts and gas cards. It’s a great resource and adds to our professionalism. MNLA does so much for the green industry.”

INTERESTED INTERESTED IN IN BEING BEING PROFILED PROFILED IN IN THE THE SCOOP? SCOOP?

Our writer is always looking for a good story. Email jon@mnla.biz and we’ll discuss Email jon@mnla.biz and the next steps.

august 14

MNLA .biz

31

2012 CHEVY EXPRESS CARGO VAN

A WORK-READY INCENTIVE THAT WORKS HARD FOR YOU.

2012 CHEV Y SILVERADO

for CHASSIS CABS

$

1,000 UPFIT CASH

1

plus RETAIL OFFER

for CUTAWAYS

$

1,000 UPFIT CASH

1

plus RETAIL OFFER

for PICKUPS SELECT FROM ONE OF FOUR ACCESSORY PACKAGES UP TO $1,095 or

$

500 UPFIT CASH

1

plus RETAIL OFFER

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.

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.

Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12. ©2012 General Motors

Job # GMC1-12-03178

302

Version # 4

Job Description Chevy Retail Planning Flyer Bleed 8.75” x 11.25” Trim 8.5” x 11” Live 8.25” x 10.75”

Document Name Art Director Control

Mech Scale 100 Print Scale None Stock None

Copy Writer TBD Proj Mgr csenn Acct Svc kdenmark

GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd

Last Modified

Linked Graphics 12KTFLCHEV032.tif 11CHSL00054.jpg HD CC with Dump_psd.psd BusinessCentral_KO.ai GM_business_choice.ai

Colors In-Use RGB RGB RGB

840 ppi 270 ppi 1089 ppi

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

User ma-klane Mechd By: nminieri

4-17-2012 3:37 PM

Printer

Output Date

TITAN

4-20-2012 1:48 PM

RTVd By: None

M A N U FAC T U R E R OF P R E M I UM C ON C R E T E PAV I NG STON E S , SL A B S & WA L L S

D

REAM

about your next project and let Borgert take you there with our wide variety of premium pavers, slabs and walls. Experience a lifetime of enjoyment as you relax in your newly created space.

Enjoy A Beautiful Life Visit our showroom at: IMS, Suite 12C

For more information or for a free Borgert catalog call 800.622.4952 W W W. B O R G E R T P R O D U C T S . CO M

➾ LE G AL ISSUES

The Fluctuating Workweek: Common Mistakes Employers Make Calculating and trying to budget overtime for salaried employees can be a headache.

However, implementing a Fluctuating Workweek (FWW) method of calculation may alleviate some of your stress and help add predictability to your budget.

Aileen Conway

Zlimen & McGuiness

the fluctuating workweek method of calculating overtime is an alternative to the traditional “time and one-half” method used for paying non-exempt employees who consistently work 40 or more hours in one week. It allows you, as an employer, to set the employee’s weekly base pay upfront, keeping the employee’s compensation at a more predictable level. To determine whether or not this method will work for you, review these guidelines.

The Fluctuating Workweek applies if: 1. There is a mutual understanding between you and your employee that the employee will be paid on a salary basis, but that employee’s overtime pay rate will fluctuate based on the number of hours the employee works in one week.

2. The salary paid to the employee is large enough that the employee’s regular rate of pay never drops below minimum wage.

3. The number of hours the employee works in one week fluctuates above and below 40 hours from week to week.

4. The employee is paid the same base salary each week, whether they work 1 hour or 40 hours.

Please note that if your employee consistently works 40 or more hours and rarely, if ever, drops below 40

Examples of when the FWW Method CAN Be Used: • an employee consistently works an average of 40 hours, with some weeks being below 40 and some weeks being above; and • the employee is paid on a fixed salary; and • the employee is aware that you will be calculating overtime payment in this manner

hours weekly, this method cannot be used. There must be evidence of fluctuation to implement this method.

How is overtime calculated under each system?

The “straight time rate,” the rate of pay per hour without overtime, of an employee is calculated by dividing the weekly salary by the number of hours the employee worked during that week. In the traditional “time and one-half ” method, this number is calculated by dividing the weekly salary by 40.

The “time and one-half ” method of calculating overtime payment looks like this: • Shelby worked 50 hours this week and her weekly salary is $1,500.

• 1,500/40= $37.50 per hour (her “straight time rate”) • 10 hours (the amount she worked over 40) at “time and one-half ” rate is (10*$56.25)= $562.50 • The total pay would be her regular salary plus her ten hours at the “time and one-half ” rate.

• $1,500 + $562.50= $2,062.50.

Under the Fluctuating Workweek method, the salary is divided by the total number of hours worked that

Examples of when the FWW Method CANNOT Be Used: • an employee consistently works fewer than 40 hours per week; or • the employee is paid hourly; or • the employee is paid on commission, paid double-time, given a holiday bonus, or any other instance that would prevent their salary from being fixed

august 15

MNLA .biz

35

➾ LE G AL ISSUES

This point should be reiterated because it is very important. The rate of pay for your employee can never drop below minimum wage. This means that an employee cannot work so many hours in one week that the earned hourly wage would fall below state or federal minimum wage levels.

week, including the hours over 40. This way, the employee has been compensated at the straight time rate for all of the hours worked that week. Now, the employee is owed the half-time overtime premium. That is simply calculated by multiplying the employee’s regular rate by .5 and by the number of extra hours worked. Here is an example: • Shelby worked 50 hours this week and her weekly salary is $1,500.

• 1,500/50= $30 per hour (her “straight time rate”) • She would be compensated half-time in addition to her normal hourly rate for the 10 extra hours she worked this week: (10*30*.5) = $150.

• Therefore, the total pay would be her regular salary plus her 10 extra hours at salary plus half time compensation: $1,500 + $150= $1,650 is the total amount she would get paid for this week. $1,500 is her weekly salary and $150 is the amount she would be paid for overtime using the Fluctuating Workweek method.

Although some employers will pay less using the Fluctuating Workweek method, this method is not a means of avoiding paying overtime. Instead, it is a way to average out compensation as the employee’s hours fluctuate.

Common Mistakes Made When Implementing the Fluctuating Workweek

1. The first mistake most people make is applying this method to an employee whose work schedule does not fluctuate from week to week. If the employee’s schedule is not actually fluctuating, this method cannot be used. This method should work in both the favor of the employer and the employee, so that the employee receives an average rate of compensation that is greater than what their hourly wage would be in short weeks while also being less than it would be in long weeks. It is not a way for employers to avoid overtime expenses. There will be weeks when the employee is getting paid the full salary for working less than 40 hours.

2. The next common mistake is using this method to calculate overtime for employees who consistently work less than 40 hours per week and are not paid on a fixed salary. This

overtime calculation method requires that the employer pay the employee a fixed salary each week regardless of the number of hours worked.

3. Another typical error is using this method when the employee receives any form of extra compensation. You cannot pay your employees holiday pay, double-time, or commission while implementing this method. By paying your employees extra money in these situations, the employee is no longer working on a fixed salary.

4. The fourth common error when using this method is not notifying the employee about using the fluctuating workweek method of calculating overtime pay. The employer and the employee must have a mutual and clear understanding for this method to be implemented. It would be beneficial for you, as an employer, to explain the method to your employee and have them sign a document indicating that they understand and agree to the fluctuating workweek method being applied to them.

5. This point should be reiterated because it is very important.

The rate of pay for your employee can never drop below minimum wage. This means that an employee cannot work so many hours in one week that the earned hourly wage would fall below state or federal minimum wage levels. The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour. In Minnesota, the minimum wage rate for a large employer is $8 per hour. A large employer is any enterprise with an annual gross revenue of $500,000 or higher. Smaller businesses must use the federal minimum wage rate.

6. The last common error is using the method in a state that prohibits its use. This method of calculating overtime is allowed in Minnesota, but if you reside in a different state, you should consult an attorney licensed in your state regarding your state’s overtime payment laws. on employment law and should not be relied upon as legal advice. A qualified attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given. If you would like more information regarding employment law or other legal matters, please contact the attorneys at Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-331-6500 or info@ zmattorneys.com

THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES GENERAL INFORMATION

august 15

MNLA .biz

37

Thank You!

rd MNLA volunteers and boa

Mem ber

h Mont

tt Frampton.

Debbie Lonnee, and Sco members Heidi Heiland,

MNLA staff members Jon Horsman, Sue Flynn, Gayle Anderson, Mary Dunn,

Megan Buchanan, Tim Power, Cassie Larson, and Norm Liston.

Join in the FREE fun!

Mem ber

RSVP TODAY!

h t n o M See you at the...

“Thank You” Socials It’s time to celebrate our 90th year and your awesomeness by joining in the fun during the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association’s Member Appreciation Month. The “Thank You” Socials will be held: • August 11th in St. Cloud at Central Landscape Supply 4026 County Road 74 South, St. Cloud, MN 56301 • August 13th in Waconia at Waconia Tree Farm 12150 County Road 32, Waconia, MN 55387 • August 19th in Roseville at the MNLA office 1813 Lexington Ave. North, Roseville, MN 55113 All events will take place from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., and food and adult beverages will be provided!

RSVP to 651-633-4987, mnla@mnla.biz, or on www.MNLA.biz.

HOT TIMES FOR BIRCHES One of my most frequent calls among homeowners is to evaluate a sick birch. What I usually find is a stressed tree that has been over-pruned, over-fertilized, and growing in heavy turf.

The tree is about 10-years-old with one of the stems completely browned out and a second showing signs of decline in the form of a couple of dying branches and fading color in the top of the crown.

Faith Appelquist | Tree Quality, LLC

40

MNLA .biz

august 15

Bronze birch borer in white birch starts at the top and works its way down destroying the canopy.

W

hite birch (Betula papyrifera) is perhaps one of he top five planted trees in Minnesota. People love them and they are in high demand. White birches are tremendously ornamental. They are splendid in winter when the milky white bark is framed against evergreens. Their yellow-gold fall color makes a vivid display. Besides being in residential lawns, I find them planted in retail parking lots, boulevards, and urban sites.

What’s killing these birches is drought, heat, and poor placement. Drought stress predisposes birches to bronze birch borer (BBB) injury or death. The European birches (B. pendula, pubescens, platyphylla) are most susceptible and the native birches (B. papyrifera, popuifolia, nigra) less so. River birch (B. nigra) is among the least susceptible. Paper birches like a cool, moist root run over their root system in prepared and amended soils with drip irrigation and organic mulch over the root zone, at least beneath the canopy. The chance of BBB infestation increases significantly because too few gardeners and landscape architects pay attention to those sustainability details.

Sadly, I find River Birch to be a poor substitute for White Birch and does not even come close to the latter’s cultural attributes.

I have found this tree to have substantial surface roots, which interfere with mowing, and are constantly dropping branches and

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

TM

Native Minnesota Woody & Herbaceous (651) 438-2771 • Fax (651) 438-3816

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs august 15

MNLA .biz

41

➾ BI RCH E S

The large size of River Birch make it a poor choice for the residential yard. Here, the branches are over-pruned for clearance creating vigorous water-sprouts which require constant maintenance.

If excessively pruned, often the top breaks apart in storms, snow and ice.

twigs. They also develop iron chlorosis on high pH soils and for this reason, I would test the soil and make sure it reads pH 6.5 or below before planting River Birch.

And it’s a big tree, capable of growing 70 feet high with a 60 foot spread. Often excessively pruned because they outgrow their planting space, drooping branches are lopped off to the point where no branches remain on the bottom half. They can look ridiculous.

Pruning certainly leads to an earlier than usual death and the tree would do better if not pruned at all.

If you do want a birch, choose a native birch. Make sure of the scientific name, for any birch with white bark is a “white” birch.

Plant them on the east and north side of a home where they get afternoon shade. If you can’t give them the environment they need, there are plenty of artificial birches available.

Point your browser to http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ ht_birch/ht_birch.htm for more information on growing and maintaining a healthy birch tree.

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.

FAITH APPELQUIST

42

MNLA .biz

august 15

We are resourceful.

We are Kubota.

Standard L3901 Compact Tractor

M9960 Deluxe Utility Tractor

• 37.5 HP Quality Kubota Diesel Engine • Synchro-Shuttle or HST Transmission • Front Loader Quick Mount Attach/Detach Plus a Variety of Performance-Matched Implements Available

• 100 HP Kubota Diesel Engine • 2WD or 4WD and 3 Transmission Options for Made-to-Order Tractor Performance • Spacious Design with Optional High-Visibility Cab

RTV-X900 Utility Vehicle

Z724X Commercial Zero-Turn Mower

• 21.6 HP Kubota Diesel Engine • Exclusive Variable Hydro Transmission • Front and Rear Independent Suspension

• Powerful, Proven Kawasaki Gasoline Engine • 6"-Deep, Heavy-Duty Welded 48" to 54" Mower Decks • Ergonomically Designed for Optimal Comfort with Superior Handling and Drivability

See one of these authorized Kubota dealers near you!

ALEXANDRIA Alex Power Equipment 111 50th Avenue West (320) 763-4994 GLENCOE Arnold’s of Glencoe 655 Lindbergh Trail (320) 864-5531 www.arnoldsinc.com

HASTINGS Niebur Tractor & Equipment 14380 East 240th Street (651) 437-3531 (888) 559-9492

NORTH MANKATO Arnold’s of Mankato 1715 Howard Drive (507) 387-5515 www.arnoldsinc.com

ST. CLOUD Arnold’s of St. Cloud 2995 Quail Road NE (320) 251-2585 www.arnoldsinc.com

KIMBALL Arnold’s of Kimball 701 State Highway 55 East (320) 398-3800 www.arnoldsinc.com

SHAKOPEE Lano Equipment, Inc. 3021 133rd Street West (952) 445-6310

ST. MARTIN Arnold’s of St. Martin 374 Industrial Boulevard (320) 548-3285 www.arnoldsinc.com

www.kubota.com

Kubota Tractor Corporation Markets a Full Line of Tractors and Construction Equipment Through a Nationwide Network of Over 1,000 Authorized Dealers. Optional equipment may be shown. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015

➾ MDA

MDA UPDATE LEGI SL ATUR E M AK ES C H AN G ES T O N U RS E RY L AW Mark Schreiber

Supervisor, Nursery Inspection & Export Certification Unit

During the recently completed session, the Minnesota Legislature made some changes to the Nursery Law. These changes were proposed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and developed with the input from, and the support of, the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Regulatory Advisory Committee and the Minnesota Turf Association.

Sod was officially defined and is NOT included as nursery stock.

The action was supported by the advisory committee because sod is considered a low pest risk with the exception of Japanese beetle there have been no requests for certification by other states or entities. This decision will allow sod producers to be inspected upon request, on a fee-paying basis, and their sod certified for interstate shipments, which is what they need.

A definition of ‘tropical plant’ was added.

A tropical plant means a plant that has a United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zone designation of zone 6 or greater, or an annual minimum hardiness temperature of -9 degrees Fahrenheit. This definition was added so that plants identified as tropical do not require a separate nonhardy label (further discussed in this article). This will simplify nonhardy labeling and make compliance much easier at dealer sites.

A specified monetary penalty was added for any dealer or grower found operating without a current, applicable certificate.

The penalty is an amount equal to the certificate fee owed and a certificate will not be issued until full payment is received by the MDA. This penalty language was added to ensure consistency when encountering firms operating without a certificate as well as provide

44

MNLA .biz

august 15

a genuine incentive to obtain the required certificate.

The addition of a penalty on top of paying the required license fee is intended to discourage operations from operating without a license until they are identified by MDA staff. The addition of this penalty should reduce the number of firms operating without a certificate.

The hourly rate charged for special, additional or optional inspections was changed from $50 per hour to a rate sufficient to recover all inspection costs.

This charge is in addition to driving time to and from the inspection site and actual inspection time. This language was added so that fees could change as needed and not be dependent on formal legislative action and statutory change.

Label correctly for hardiness or be labeled “nonhardy.”

Perhaps the most important change consisted on only one clause: All nonhardy nursery stock as designated by the commissioner must be labeled correctly for hardiness or be labeled “nonhardy” in Minnesota. This change eliminates the need for separate nonhardy labels on plants that are accurately labeled for hardiness. Clearly labeled annuals, tropical plants and plants with accurate USDA hardiness or temperature labels will no longer require a separate nonhardy label. This change had unanimous support.

Changes to the restriction to advertising plants as beneficial to pollinators.

Also in the section relating to labeling and advertising stock, changes to the restriction to advertising plants as beneficial to pollinators was revised. The previous version of the law which became effective July 1, 2014, prohibits advertising plants as beneficial to pollinators

that have been treated with a systemic insecticide that has a pollinator, bee, or honey bee precautionary statement on the label.

Although there was no real change to the restriction to labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators, the changes better define the conditions under which such labeling can be allowed.

Changes to prohibited level of systemic pesticide.

The new pollinator language defines the plant part to be tested as the flower, rather than the whole plant. The prohibited level of systemic pesticide was changed from “any detectable level” to “a concentration in its flowers greater than the ‘no observed adverse effect level’ of a systemic insecticide as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for acute oral toxicity for adult honeybees.”

Compliance agreements for advertising.

To facilitate advertising plants as beneficial or attractive to pollinators, the MDA has developed a compliance agreement that will establish conditions required to meet statute requirements. Treatment records from the applicants and their suppliers will be needed to establish that no systemic insecticides have been used in production.

Testing protocols will follow the new EPA established ‘no observed effect’ standard.

The full nursery statute with these amendments may be found at the MDA Nursery program web site as well as an up dated questions and answers fact sheet for nursery pollinator labeling.

For questions, contact Mark Schreiber at Mark.Schreiber@state.mn.us or 651-201-6388.

GOPHER STATE ONE CALL This time and every time.

Protect What Matters

www.gopherstateonecall.org

14010591_4.75x4.75.indd 1

august 15

2/25/14 8:16 AM

MNLA .biz

45

➾ ME MBER N EWS

TIME TO RENEW!

RENEW TODAY! It’s that time of year — keep an eye out for your 2015–2016 membership dues renewal notices. In order to save the association printing and mailing costs, please return your renewal promptly. With summer in full swing, we encourage you to take a minute to reassess your business needs. Don’t pay more than you have to! Please take a moment to review the MNLA Member-Only Exclusive Benefits at www.mnla.biz. Sign in, and take a look under the “MEMBERS ONLY” menu.

Let us help you save on your bottom line! Feel free to contact the MNLA office if we can be of any assistance to you during the renewal process or for any of our products and services offered. We are available at 651-6334987 or mnla@mnla.biz.

Your continued support and involvement as a member of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is greatly appreciated.

Providing you with education, legislative representation, networking, and other member services is why MNLA exists.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Endres Custom Homes Dustin Endres Apple Valley, MN, 612-221-2215

Majestic Gardens LLC Tami Theis Shakopee, MN, 612-817-7571

Kage Innovation Jody Stream Oak Park Heights, MN, 651-433-4628

NogginWorks Jon Anderson Eagan, MN, 651-688-7781

Loch’s Lawn and Landscaping, Inc. Michael Loch St. Michael, MN, 612-490-5118

Valdes Lawn Care & Snow Removal LLC Yoleisy Valdes Oakdale, MN, 651-714-7113

FERRISS RETIRING FROM UWRF A F T E R 3 6 YE A RS

After 36 years of teaching horticulture at UWRiver Falls, Dr. Terry Ferriss announced her retirement effective May 25, 2015.

Ferriss leaves a long tradition of industry service, including chairing several national committees for the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and serving as national president of Pi Alpha Xi, the National Honor Society for Horticulture. At the regional level she served on the Greenhouse Growers, Education and Certification Committees for the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) and the Board of Trustees for the MNLA Foundation.

She recently served as a member of the Invasive Species Advisory Council for Herbaceous Plants in Wisconsin.

Ferriss held a strong commitment to developing a pipeline of well educated professionals for the next horticulture industry and was active in University service, serving multiple terms on Faculty Senate and sitting on numerous committees.

As an educator she was honored numerous times, including Outstanding Teacher Award in the College of Agriculture at UWRF, UWRF Distinguished Teacher of the Year, Advisor of the Year, UWRF Compass Award for Outstanding Advising in Support of First Year Students, Outstanding Undergraduate Horticulture Educator Award, and she was named a National ASHS Fellow.

Ferriss felt the time was right to retire. Her husband retired in December and they want to continue on into the next chapter of life together and have more time to spend with friends, parents, children and grandchildren.

46

MNLA .biz

august 15

OSHA STANDARDS AND NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE GUIDELINES FOR

POWER EQUIPMENT AND FLEXIBLE CORDS Electrical problems are among the most commonly cited OSHA violations and are contained within “Standard 29 CRF number 1910.305,” titled: “Wiring Methods, Components, and Equipment for General Use.” Andrew Lindquist | Links Systems, Inc.

➾ O H S A S TA N D A RD S

Your One Tractor Solution

30o

58% Grade

One Tractor, Over 30 Commercial Grade Attachments:

Schedule a Ventrac Demo with:

Cushman Motor Company, Inc. 2909 E Franklin Ave • Minneapolis, MN (612) 333-3487 • 1-800-759-5343 www.cushmanmotorco.com

T

he specifications within this standard are relatively similar to the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines and generally less specific as to actual installation methods. To perform our electrical work in a safe manner, we need to be aware of both OSHA Standards and NEC guidelines. To keep apprised of OHSA requirements, you can consult OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov.

A free electronic copy of the 2014 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) is available at http://www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

OSHA Standard 29 1910, Subpart S, serves as a wide-ranging descriptive standard for the use of “electrical utilization equipment”, which OSHA defined as “… equipment which utilizes electric energy for mechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar, for useful purpose. “Electrical utilization equipment includes, but is not limited to, battery-powered and cord/plug-in equipment such as: hand-held power tools; pumps; generators; testing equipment; cell phones; extended lighting devices; etc.

It is the employer’s responsibility to verify that all employee-furnished equipment is safe and “approved for a specific purpose, environment, or application ….”

Specifically, Subpart S states: “Safety of equipment shall be determined using the following considerations: (a) suitability for installation and use; (b) mechanical strength and durability; (c) electrical insulation; (d) heating effects under conditions of use; (e) arcing effect; (f ) classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, specific use; (g) other factors which contribute to the practical safeguarding of employees using, or likely to come in contact with, the equipment”. Additionally, the equipment must be labeled by a recognized certification organization (such as Underwriters Laboratories or other OSHA recognized national testing laboratories).

Shop Made Cords with Receptacle

Boxes: Among the most common electrical

violation is when a multiple receptacle box, designed to be surface mounted, is fitted with a flexible cord and is placed on the floor/ground in order to provide power to various tools or equipment. This is not permitted unless assembled by a 48

MNLA .biz

august 15

licensed electrician in a manner equivalent to those that are factoryassembled and listed. Any non-compliant cords should be taken out of service immediately.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI’s): These are fast acting devices designed to provide protection against shocks and electrocution. GFI’s sense small current leakages to ground and will shut-off (interrupt) the electrical flow within 1/40 of a second.

GFI protection is required on all working sites and projects — particularly when work is conducted in wet or damp locations.

Please note that wet or damp locations can occur both inside and outside of buildings.

With the prevalence of portable generators used in various industries, the 2014 NEC code now requires GFCI protection on portable worksite generators for 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20 ampere receptacle outlets that are a part of a 15kW or smaller portable generator. These portable generators shall either have a ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel integral (factory installed) into the generator, or a GFCI receptacle, or shall not be available for use when the 125–250 volt locking-type receptacle is in use. If the generator does not have a 125/250 volt locking-type receptacle, this requirement shall not apply. See NEC 445.20 “Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter Protection for Receptacles on 15 kW or Smaller, Portable Generators” to access additional detailed regarding current GFCI guidelines for portable generators.

Make sure to consider this requirement if you are purchasing a new portable generator. The GFCI portable generator guidelines will not go away, and may be expanded in the 2017 NEC revision.

The NEC guidelines for the wiring requirements of cables and flexible cords to power equipment and controls is provided in Article 400, which supplements general wire installation guidelines established in Chapter 3. Article 400 provides installation guidelines for flexible cords and cables with specific use/application detailed in Table 400.4. Table 400.4 should be used as your primary installation guideline. This table is a very extensive and references a considerable range of flexible cord and cable applications. In locating your particular cord, this well-organized table provides information by the cord’s trade name (lamp cord, elevator cable, heater cord, etc.), voltage, AWG size, along with other considerations. It may take a bit of time to find your specific application(s), however, it is well worth scanning through the entire table in order to be mindful of the wide range of cable variations and associated installation guidelines.

Other basic flexible cord and cable installation guidelines you should always be mindful of include: • Replace, rather than mend a damaged cable or cord. If you choose to splice a damaged cord or cable, splicing guidelines are provided in Article 400.9 — Splices.

• A flexible cord or cable cannot be substituted for a permanent wiring method as described in Chapter 3.

locations include: bedrooms, balconies, living room areas, kitchens, laundry, and other areas as defined in Section 210.12(A) - Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection.

Several applications in our industry where you can use cords or flexible cables are located in Article 400.7 – Uses Permitted: • Appliances where fastening methods and connections are specifically intended/designed to permit ready removal of appliance for maintenance and repair. Note that the appliance must be identified or intended for a flexible cord connection and uses an appropriate attachment plug.

• Wiring of luminaries and for pendants. Refer to Article 410 – Luminaries, Lampholders, and Lamps. Note that cable strain relief must be provided/installed so that tension for the cable and weight of attached devices is not transferred to the conductor terminal (plug, etc.). The cable strain relief may be provided by a “UL Knot”. However, it may be more appropriate to use supplemental strain relief fittings designed for this purpose.

• Connection to portable lamps and tools.

• Prevention of the transmission of noise or vibration/movement from the equipment.

• Connection to stationary equipment to facilitate their frequent interchange (does require appropriate attachment plug).

To take these guidelines further, NEC details uses that are not permitted for cables and flexible cords in 400.8 – Uses Not Permitted: • Cannot run through holes in walls, suspended/dropped ceilings, floors, or structural ceilings.

• Cannot run through doorways, windows or like openings.

• Cannot be attached to building surfaces.

• Cannot be concealed by ceilings, floors, walls or suspended/ dropped ceilings.

Be sure that the type of cord or flexible cord and fittings you are using meet the application. That is, environmental conditions of moisture, heat, etc., dictate the physical characteristics that the wire’s protective jacket needs to meet. Verify that the cord’s listing information (UL or other recognized listing organization) meets or exceeds your working environment and application.

Remember that the NEC does consider cords and flexible cables as a wiring method. Wiring methods and materials are addressed in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 addresses “Equipment for General Use”, in which flexible cords, cables, fixture wires, switches, and receptacles installation/applications are located.

• The type of cord and fittings used must be identified (suitable) for the application as defined in Article 400.3 — Suitability.

• Overcurrent protection (such as circuit breaker, etc.) must be provided and are dependent upon location. An AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) may also be required. AFCI

ANDREW LINDQUIST, owner of Links Systems, Inc., can be reached at alindquist@linkssystemsinc.com.

august 15

MNLA .biz

49

Did you know? Hedberg Supply will partially match your contribution to the MNLA Research and Education Partners Fund. Get the details - www.hedbergsupply.com/mnla.cfm

ASK US ABOUT OUR FALL PROMOTIONS! (763) 545-4400

MORE THAN JUST

ROCK

For the ver y best in landscape supplies, come home to Hedberg! Here, you will find more than just great products and unmatched inventory. You’ll also find experts who are committed to getting it right. Ask us about our Fall Promotions on Fieldstone Boulder Steps and Fieldstone Boulders; sizes 24”-30” and 30”-36”!

Also, this Fall, get 10% OFF all In Stock Hearths and Mantels; per fect for your customers’ outdoor fireplaces!

W W W . H E D B E R G S U P P LY. C O M

TM

PLYMOUTH 1205 Nathan Lane North Plymouth, MN 55441

STILLWATER 8400 60th Street North Stillwater, MN 55082

FARMINGTON 4375 170th Street West Farmington, MN 55024

(763) 545-4400

(651) 748-3158

(651) 423-5048

➾ MNLA FOUN DATION

Research, Scholarships, and Career Development Advance Forward Research for the Green Industry is in progress as a result of the MNLA Foundation awarding $20,000 in Research Grants at the beginning of 2015. Eight Research Projects totaling $101,225 were received in response to the Research Advisory Panel’s request for proposals. The Foundation funded three projects for 2015.

Bert T. Swanson, II, Ph.D. Chair,

MNLA Foundation

dr. vera krischik, Entomologist at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, received $10,000 for her project relative to the new bee labeling laws. Her research is titled: “Determination of Residue in Flowers and Leaves from Imidacloprid, Dinotefuran and Pymetrozine Use in Greenhouse Container-grown Plants.” Since the new MN bee labeling laws do not permit the use of systemic insecticides to be used on plants that are labeled as “Bee Friendly”, this research will help determine if early use of systemic insecticides control insect pests during production and if the insecticide residue dissipates by 14 weeks at the time of sale.

A second grant of $7,000 was awarded to Steve Poppe, Horticultural Scientist at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris, MN. This grant will help fund cultivar trials of annual bedding plants of over 15 major plant breeding companies from around the world.

This research also includes the All American Selections trials. All of these plants are evaluated at the WCROC in Morris, MN and at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, MN, in accordance with the protocol from the National Plant Trial Database. Both of these research centers have Summer Field Days, which everyone in the green industry should attend. The tours and educational evening event at Morris attracts over 1,400 attendees. Go see your research dollars at work in Morris or Grand Rapids.

The third grant of $3,000 was awarded to Dr. Todd West, Woody Plant Improvement Director in the Department of Plant Science at North Dakota State University. Dr. West’s research is titled: “Oak and Magnolia Rootstock Evaluation for the North Central

Region.” This research will determine the compatibility, hardiness and growth characteristics of rootstocks for oaks and magnolia to improve growth, transplantability, and vigor. This research was scheduled to begin in spring 2015, but due to funding transfer issues the grafting window to conduct the work could not be met. The work will begin in spring 2016 for this two-year study.

The Foundation Board of Trustees has approved another $20,000 for research grants in 2016. The Board would like to thank you if you completed a recent survey indicating your research needs and priorities. This greatly facilitates the Foundation Research Advisory Panel to select or direct research that meets your requirements.

This science-based panel will provide the industrybased leadership for your Foundation research endeavors. Active members of the Research Advisory Panel include: Dr. Jim Calkins, MNLA Research Director; Dean Engelmann, Tangletown Gardens; Dave Kleinhuizen, Margolis Company, Inc.; Dr. Mary Meyer, U of M Horticultural Science; Eric Nordlie, Bachman’s, Inc.; Vicky Pondell, Bailey Nurseries, Inc.; Rod Saline, Engwald Greenhouse; and Dr. Bert Swanson, Swanson’s Nursery Consulting, Inc. Ten additional industry and academic professionals also serve on this advisory panel as resource members to help find and/or direct research that is applicable and pertinent to the green industry.

Please contact anyone on the panel to voice your ideas, concerns or direction.

In order for the Foundation to provide this research and to promote careers in the green industry and to provide scholarships, the Foundation Board of Trustees, along with many MNLA members, have been hard at work on the many Foundation endeavors. The Foundaaugust 15

MNLA .biz

51

➾ M N L A F O U N D AT I O N

C O M M E R C I A L - G R A D E AT TA C H M E N T S AERA-vator

Drift Control Sprayer

• Easy access to the underside for simpliied maintenance • Space-saving storage and portability • Extra-deep cutting chambers deliver carpet-like cut quality

52

MNLA .biz

august 15

CleanSweep Rotary Broom

tion has nine highly talented, dedicated and hardworking professional trustees that manage over 12 small and large activities. To accomplish this, the trustees have engaged over 65 industry and academic professionals from across the state and region who are not afraid to volunteer and who are not afraid of work. Some of these people are involved in several projects which expands the number of people working on activities for the Foundation. For those that chose to concentrate on one or two events, that is just great and that is where they should expend their energy. The full Board approved the last several annual work plans, to which they all had input, and that provides our guidance. All trustees participate in some activities, but each trustee does not participate in all activities. That is why there are nine trustees and that is why there are also several adjunct trustees as well as many core and resource panel and team members.

The key for this to work is that not only are there people that want to volunteer for specific events, projects or causes, but also that those not involved in a specific project do not limit the activities of those willing to put forth their effort to get the job done.

The Foundation has over 150 companies that served as sponsors, plus another 1,000 or more companies that have contributed in dollars or “in kind” gifts to the Foundation.

The Foundation has built an endowment of over $640,000 in a relatively short period of time, which included a time of depressed economy, with the support of a membership that is interested in what is happening, plus has an eye for the future. In addition, the Foundation has provided $15,000–$20,000 in scholarships for several years to educate employees. Professionals in the green industry are hiring these educated employees. This process may not work for everyone and that is understandable, but for those that it does, let’s let it happen. In fact, the MNLA Foundation’s scholarship award to students is comparable to the National HRI’s current award of $20,000.

As described above and in previous years, the Foundation has also provided considerable funding for research in Minnesota and in the north central region. Has this expenditure of dollars always been totally beneficial to every MNLA member? Absolutely

not, however, many garden center owners and greenhouse growers have found the Foundation-funded annual and perennial work at UMC and UMGR valuable and pertinent to Minnesota. Did this help all the landscape contractors? Maybe not so much, but developing a better root system to improve survival of Quercus certainly was of interest to growers and landscape contractors on the Research Advisory Panel as well as to others. The Minnesota green industry wants specific work done in Minnesota, not in Ohio or Georgia.

Retailers, growers, and contractors want Dr. Meyer’s grass research done in Minnesota, not elsewhere. Providing research results for the real world does bring in outside information that is applicable, but again every article will not pertain to every member all the time.

Other associations in the lakes states region thought this was a very good informational service, but they evidently are not willing to pay for it. The MNLA Foundation is paying for it for its members. Even though the Foundation’s research dollars may be limited, work can still get done as described above, but also, and just as important, is that the Foundation’s grants can also serve as “seed money” that can be leveraged to bring larger grants into the area.

MNLA membership is a very diverse group of professionals and one can never be all things to everyone all the time, but over time, we can help those who provide the proper input. Even though it is always said that “the need for educated employees is ubiquitous,” it still is not the easy, fool-proof common denominator. In an answer to the cry of MNLA members for educated employees and of educational institutions for more students, the Foundation has

dedicated considerable time and dollars into this cause. Curricula have been developed for elementary and high school levels. Contacts have been made with government agencies, institutions of higher education, agricultural student groups and programs to establish liaisons and working relationships. Industry members, instructors, faculty, administrators and staff have visited schools and hosted field trips to the green industry establishments. And there are more industry professionals and faculty who are willing to do more of this. The Foundation is in a position to promote and facilitate the implementation of these activities. The Foundation has an active website that provides career information, plus it has TheLandLovers. org site that promotes this nation-wide. It has taken significant work and funding to get to where the Green Industry Careers Team is today. Is this work complete? No and it will never be complete, but it is at the point where work is being done and progress can be made.

This is not a short-term endeavor, so it will always take time and effort, but if the Foundation does not address this need, it is safe to say that an adequate number of students and employees are not going to come running to the green industry on their own unless owners and managers are willing to pay two to three times the existing wage.

That’s probably not going to happen, but even if it did, they still need to be educated. We most likely will not make a national impact, but if enough industry, faculty and instructors get involved and can communicate and cooperate, a significant impact can be made in assistance to local high schools, colleges and universities, and the local green industry. Other industries make it happen; the green

Go Propane and SAVE!!

Up to a $2000 Incentive

• On the purchase of a new propane or dual-fueled pickup or conversion of a 2005 or newer model.

Call the MPA for details.

• • • • • •

Why Propane?

Propane is a green, clean burning alternative fuel Propane is less expensive than gasoline or diesel Propane is affordable to implement Propane is reliable Propane is produced in the United States Proane is an alternative fuel that is ready now!

For more information call the Minnesota Propane Association at 763-633-4271 august 15

MNLA .biz

53

NEW

Control times two.

1/2 Gallon size

Expanded label. Smaller jug.

It’s a bad time to be a weed.

Gemini has expanded its label to include new plant tolerances and use sites. Plus, the two trusted actives are now available in a handy, new half-gallon jug. This liquid pre-emergent will give you: ™

• Control or suppression of more than 125 broadleaf and grassy weeds • A cost in use per acre that’s competitive with tank mixing

Prodiamine + Isoxaben

www.carlinsales.com Always read and follow label directions before sale or use of this product.

© 2015 An ICL Fertilizers Company, Worldwide Rights Reserved.

➾ MNLA FOUN DATION

industry needs to make it happen. The majority of green industry members are not so short-sighted that they cannot see the benefit to the industry as a whole, rather than just one or a few specific companies or entities in a short period of time. It is also important to note that employees quite readily move from employer to employer, so again, this is an industry-wide effort that is raising the bar of information, technology, and education for all concerned. Just as being a member of a professional association should be beneficial to your business, so shall the involvement and sponsorship of the Foundation be beneficial to you, your customers, the environment and your family. There are MNLA members that would not be MNLA members today if it were not for the existence of the Foundation.

Even though we have hundreds of Foundation contacts, we have just barely scratched the surface of the membership potential to be involved or to contribute. The Foundation’s purpose is not to zero in on the 10 or 15 companies that get relentlessly tasked by the Association and others for time and dollars. The Foundation wants to engage the populace so they have an investment and so their voice can be heard. If we listen to them, instead of ourselves all the time, good things can happen. We are thankful that good things have happened, but it has not been easy. We are really fortunate and thankful that we have a large and great cadre of adjunct trustees and others to assist a hard working, talented Board of Trustees, as well as MNLA Executive Director Cassie Larson’s helpful assistance, as we have been without adequate staff support for several months.

However, we now have Megan Buchanan as the new Foundation Program Coordinator. Megan is highly experienced in this type of work and she has already done an excellent job organizing and managing documents, programs and events to further enhance the Foundation’s outreach and capability. One of these major projects was the completion of a comprehensive funding solicitation matrix.

This matrix lists companies that have contributed financially or in-kind to the Foundation’s request for direct funds, sponsorships, scholarships or in-kind donations. Trustees, adjunct trustees, panel members and task team members have signed up for a continuous contact with several companies of their choice. The basis for this matrix is one of the Foundation’s most efficient fundraising efforts known as the “Trustee’s Personal Touch.” Each Trustee will contact 25 colleagues and request a contribution of $25 or more. Many of these contributions have been $100 or more and come with the comment that “I have never been asked.” Please respond to this “Personal Touch” effort from a Trustee. Or better yet, do your own “Personal Touch” and call your favorite Trustee and offer your contribution for your future and the future of the industry. Your Personal Touch Trustee, as listed on the matrix, can also facilitate your attendance and involvement in Foundation activities such as the Widmer Golf Tournament, Shootout, Garden Party, Silent Auction, scholarship sponsors, event sponsorships and other Foundation activities. Respond to or call for that Personal Touch today. We all need to make this happen. It is YOU that can make it all happen!

Thank you for your support in the past. Please keep up the good work and invite your colleagues to get involved as well.

BERT SWANSON can

GERANIUM JOLLY JEWELS VIOLET

GERANIUM JOLLY JEWELS NIGHT

GERANIUM JOLLY JEWELS SALMON

NOW AVAILABLE 2016 SPRING CATALOG www.growingcolors.com 788 Hampden Ave. | St. Paul, MN 55114 800.839.2851 | info@gardenworldinc.com

Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC have over 20 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.

MNLA members receive a discounted rate.

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

be reached at btswanson2@gmail.com.

august 15

MNLA .biz

55

➾ 9 0 T H AN N IVERSARY

MNLA HIGHLIGHTS THROUGH THE DECADES The year 2015 marks the 90th Anniversary of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, and we want to celebrate our past and energize our future! This look back begins in 1925, and shows some of the key moments and people that have shaped Minnesota’s leading green industry organization. All the photos and information in this feature were a part of MNLA’s 90th Anniversary poster display at the 2015 Northern Green Expo. Because Expo can be a fast-moving experience, we wanted to give members another chance to take a moment to see the history of the association.

THE 1920s: THE “JAZZ AGE”

Association Presidents in this era include: J.V. Bailey, J.V. Bailey Nurseries; C.H. Andrews, Andrews Nursery.

1925 — A group of nurserymen, including some of whom are officers in the Northern Retail Nurserymen’s Association, decide a state nursery organization is necessary to focus on Minnesota-specific concerns and issues. The Minnesota State Nurserymen’s Association (MNA) is born with Harold Reid appointed Secretary-Treasurer, a position he would hold for the next 25 years.

1926 — J.V. Bailey of Newport is elected as the first president of the Minnesota State Nurserymen’s Association. He serves from 1926–1928.

Top left: J.V. Bailey, Bailey Nurseries, circa 1920s. Top right: The original articles of incorporation showing the then-current Board of Directors and officers. Bottom right: A greenhouse scene from Bachman’s in the early 1900s. L-R: Albert Bachman, Henry Bachman.

1928 — The MNA holds its first two annual meetings in this year; the first on January 9–10 and the second on December 17–18 at the Lowry Hotel in St. Paul. Meeting topics included: “Must we find a substitute for Buckthorn?” and “Increasing Nursery Stock Sales through National Publicity” as well as other topics.

THE 1930s: THE GREAT DEPRESSION

Association Presidents in this era include: C.H. Ruedlinger, Ruedlinger Nursery; Bj Loss, Lake City Nurseries; D.M. Mitchell, Mitchell Nursery; R.D. Underwood, Jewell Nursery.

1931 — The first notes appear which reference a Legislative committee chaired by Bjarne “Bj” Loss of Lake City Nursery.

1933 — At the 1933 MNA meeting, the growing role of government is evident during these dark days of the Great Depression.

Agenda topics included: The National Code of Fair Practice for Nurserymen, Federal Government Specifications as to Highway Beautification, and Policies and Plans of the Minnesota State Highway Department as to Roadside Beautification.

Left: Bjarne “Bj” Loss of Lake City Nursery. Right: Vincent and Gordon Bailey in a photo taken at the end of the decade.

august 15

MNLA .biz

57

➾ 9 0 T H AN N IVERSARY

THE 1940s: A TIME OF WAR

Association Presidents in this era include: John D. Andrews, Andrews Nursery; Vincent Bailey, J.V. Bailey Nurseries; Frank Seifert, Summit Nursery; Paul Peters, Peters Evergreen Nursery; Robert Wedge, Wedge Nursery.

1945 — The association uses the shortened name of Minnesota Nurserymen’s Association for the first time. This marks the first year that the annual meeting program includes advertising and is more than four pages.

Left: Forrest H. Sargent next to his new Chevy truck. Right: Hotel Lowry, December, 1947.

Photo courtesy of Switzer’s Nursery & Landscaping.

1947 — First listing of members and committee members appears in the annual meeting program. Committees include Nursery Inspection, Woodlot, Recognition, Resolutions, and Legislative. 11 men fill all the committee slots.

THE 1950s: PEACE TIME PROSPERITY

Association Presidents in this era include: Ken Law, Jewell Nursery; Harold Reid, Holm & Olson/Park Nursery; W.A. Coupanger, Elmore Nursery; Gordon Bailey Sr., J.V. Bailey Nurseries; Kimball Andrews, Andrews Nursery.

1950 — Listing of a Public Relations Committee appears, chaired by Kimball Andrews of Andrews Nursery in Faribault. 97 members appear in the annual meeting program.

1955 – The framework of the extensive grassroots committee system is apparent.

Eleven men are on the Legislative Committee, chaired by Ken Law of Bailey Nurseries, Inc. 1955 – MNA’s revenue is $5,087 and expenses are $3,257. There are 73 voting members and 27 associate members.

Left: Wedge Nursery’s first retail display area. Right: New officers of the Minnesota State Nurserymen’s Association, left to right: Don Wedge and Keith Law (directors); Kimball Andrews (president); Lawrence Bachman (vice-president) and Edward S. Reid (secretary-treasurer).

1957 – Harold Reid is the first person named to the MNA Hall of Fame.

1958 – Dues range from $5.00 to $20.00.

THE 1960s: MAN LANDS ON THE MOON

Association Presidents in this era include: Vincent Bailey, Bailey Nurseries, Inc., Lawrence Bachman, Bachman’s, Inc.; Don Wedge, Wedge Nursery; C.J. Hawkins, Rose Hill Nursery; Max Sargent, Sargent’s Nursery; Ed S. Reid, The Park Nursery.

1960 — MNA’s income is $4,089 and expenses are $2,966. There are 73 voting members and 33 associate members.

1964 — Gordon Bailey Sr., Bailey Nurseries, Inc. is a key player in the creation of the Wholesale Nursery Growers Association (WNGA).

1965 — MNA has 125 members. The first published map of exhibitors shows 20 booths at the Curtis Hotel in Minneapolis.

Left: Minnesota Nurserymen’s Association’s first logo. Right: Equipment demonstrations were popular during the Midwest Nurserymen’s Field Day at Bailey Nurseries.

58

MNLA .biz

august 15

1966 — The first MNA logo makes its appearance. The Minnesota Nurserymen’s Research Corporation is listed for the first time.

THE 1970s: THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT Association Presidents in this era include: D.T. Grussendorf, Grussendorf Nursery; Clarence Seefert, Seefert’s Hudson Road Nursery; Richard E. Cross, Cross Nursery; Gordon Bailey, Jr., Bailey Nurseries, Inc.; C.G. Swanson, Phalen Park Nursery.

1970 — Association revenues are $15,400 and expenses are $13,850. MNA lists 84 members.

1970 — A cooperative effort by Larry Bachman, Bachman’s, Inc. and Ray Sackter, Dundee Nursery & Landscape Co. evolves into the MNA catalog program in December. The board approves the printing of 100,000 catalogs and a bank account to facilitate the project.

1972 — The first Planting Guide booklet is introduced to the membership.

1975 — MNA celebrates its 50th anniversary during the annual convention. MNA’s total revenues for the year are $28,000 and expenses are $22,325. The association has a total of 129 members.

Top left: Margolis Company works on the site of Midway Bank in 1977. Top right: Richard E. “Dick” Cross, left, receives his Hall of Fame induction plaque with his wife Florence from Max Sargent, right. Bottom left: Margolis Garden Center 1979. Bottom right: The Accredited Nurserymen’s Program launches in 1978.

1977 — Keith Law, Law’s Valley View Nursery, executive secretary of MNA from 1962–1977 retires. Jim and Gen McCarthy become the executive directors of the MNA. 1978 — MNA launches its first certification program and includes an outdoor trade fair for the first time at its summer meeting.

THE 1980s: ECONOMIC GROWTH

Association Presidents in this era include: Ray Sackter, Dundee Nursery & Landscaping Co.; John Lindmeier, Jewell Nursery; Ken Relyea, Farmer’s Seed & Nursery; Walter Carpenter, Minnesota Tree, Inc.; Dale Bachman, Bachman’s, Inc.; Forrest Sargent, Sargent’s Landscape Nursery; Gerald Theis, Dundee Nursery & Landscape.

1980 — MNA has 224 members, including 18 industry affiliates, academic affiliates and honorary classifications. Revenues are $115,000 and expenses are $85,000.

1980 — MNA Winter Trade Fair includes 57 booths at the Thunderbird Hotel in Bloomington. Convention registration is $15 for members and $50 for non-members.

1982 — MNA introduces its first Landscape Awards Program, spearheaded by Rick Tesch who led the effort for the next 30 years.

1985 — MNA Convention features 95 exhibits; the first ever Landscape Design Tour is held.

1987 — MNA organizes Garden Center and Landscape Contractors committees.

1988 — Members vote to change the organization’s name to the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. Jerry Theis, Dundee Nursery & Landscaping Co. is elected as the first president under the new “MNLA” banner.

Top left: Rick Tesch congratulates David L. Hoyt on his 1982 Landscape Award during the program’s first year. Top right: The January, 1981 issue of North Central Nurseryman.

Bottom right: The crowd at the Arboretum for the 1980 Summer Meeting.

1989 — Sue Lindstrom, Minnesota Valley Wholesale, Inc. is the first woman elected to serve on the MNLA Board of Directors.

august 15

MNLA .biz

59

➾ 9 0 T H AN N IVERSARY

THE 1990s: MULTICULTURALISM & ALTERNATIVE MEDIA

Association Presidents in this era include: Brad Pederson, Bloomington Garden Center & Landscape; Robert J. Velander, East Union Nursery Co.; Paul Morlock, Law’s Nursery, Inc.; Cliff Otten, Otten Bros. Nursery & Landscape; Sue Lindstrom, Minnesota Valley Wholesale, Roger Landsburg, Landsburg Landscape Nursery.

1990 — Dues rates raised for the first time in 25 years. An irrigation industry committee is organized. Membership is at 620 members and the total budget is $382,835. MNLA produces its first consumer directory.

1991 — Convention moves to the Minneapolis Convention Center. 2,600 people attend.

1992 — An environmental concerns committee is organized.

1995 — The association’s budget is $725,000.

MNLA has 788 members.

1996 — MNLA builds the Garden Roundabout at the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show.

Bob Fitch hired as the new Executive Director.

1997 — MNLA adopts a new logo.

Top Left: Sue Lindstrom helps to plant an oak tree as part of MNLA’s contribution to Habitat for Humanity. Top Right: Minnesota Landscape Source was first published in 1999. Bottom Right: Brad Pederson, Cliff Otten, and Kay and Forrest Sargent prepare food while Paul Morlock stands ready to douse flames.

1998 — Attendance at convention breaks the 4,000 barrier. MNLA has its first online presence at www.mnlandscape.org.

1999 — First ever MNLA Day on the Hill is held in February. Membership tops the 1,000 mark for the first time.

THE 2000s: THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Association Presidents in this era include: Dennis McNamara, Hoffman & McNamara Co.; James D. Wilson, Wilson’s Nursery, Inc.; John S. Mickman, Mickman Brothers, Inc.; Tim Power, Law’s Nursery, Inc.; Van Cooley, Malmborg’s Inc. 2000 — MNLA celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Total membership numbers over 1,200. The budget was $889,000. The member services committee launches affinity programs.

2001 — The Commercial Flower Growers Association joins forces with MNLA. 2002 — MNLA completes the first ever green industry economic impact study in Minnesota.

2003 — MNLA partners with MTGF creating the Minnesota Green Expo. MNLA becomes the official Minnesota sponsor of the National Arbor Day Poster Contest for students.

2004 — The MNLA Foundation officially forms and the last summer field day takes place.

2005 — MNLA launches the Garden Minnesota brand with a website and a yearbook.

2007 — Marked the highest peak of MNLA membership to date with 1,673 total members. The budget was $2,238,800.

Top Left and Right: The services MNLA members provide cover all aspects of outdoor living.

Bottom Right: In 2003, MNLA partners with the Minnesota Turf & Grounds Foundation to create a joint Green Expo, which becomes the premier event for Minnesota’s green industry.

60

MNLA .biz

august 15

2008 — MNLA leads a national coalition of associations to create www.theLandLovers.org as a workforce development initiative. And the MNLA Foundation hosts its first Shootout fundraising event.

THE 2010s: TODAY

Association Presidents in this era include: Bert Swanson, Swanson’s Nursery Consulting, Inc.; Debbie Lonnee, Bailey Nurseries, Inc.; Heidi Heiland, Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens.

2010 — MNLA hosts the public service event, “Green for Life,” in which members team up with schools to plant trees.

Biodegra

e

Green Ind dable Contain ustry Benc er hmark Res port

Also Insid

Plant of the Mo Out & About nth Photo Flashba ck

POLLIN

ATORS

A 12-page se this seas ction covering on’s hotte st topic

Vol: 37 No: the

5 May 2014 offi

cial

publ

i c at

ion

of t he

Minn

esot

a nu r

sery

& la n

dsca

pe a sso

c i at

ion

2011 — The first Snow Day event takes place at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and a Stormwater Management Task Team is commissioned to create educational materials about permeable paver systems.

2012 — The Board of Directors embarks on a strategic planning initiative to bring the association into the new century. Governance, networking, education, membership, and government affairs take center stage in the plan. Executive Director Bob Fitch announces retirement. Cassie Larson, CAE comes on board as the next Executive Director.

2013 — The cornerstone publication of the association, The Scoop, is re-designed and re-launched in January.

2014 — The networking committee holds the first class of the Green Industry Leadership Institute. Pollinators and pesticide issues take center stage at the legislature.

Top Left: Sophistication in landscape design and installation increases. Bottom Right: 2014 MNLA Board of Directors. Back L–R: Tim Malooly, Herman Roerick, Scott Frampton, Randy Berg, Jeff Pilla. Front L–R: Debbie Lonnee, Patrick McGuiness, Heidi Heiland, Mike McNamara.

January 2015 — MNLA celebrates 90 years of serving the green industry in Minnesota.

Total membership stands at 1,212 with a budget of $1,674,450.

PARTNERS FUND You are encouraged to participate in the Research & Education Partners Fund at one of the participating suppliers recognized below. Your voluntary donation of ¼ of 1% (0.25%) 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 $2.50.

Your individual contribution is small, but collectively these small contributions will add up to make a real difference!

TM

L A N D S C A P E + M A S O N RY

Research for the Real World

Career Development & Promotion

Scholarships

august 15

MNLA .biz

61

➾ T H E LAST WORD

AMAZON.COM AM AZO N TO SEL L L AN D S CA P E S E RV I CE S

Jon Horsman

You can see their pricing structure on their web page at http://services.amazon.com/selling-services/pricing. htm?ld=NSGoogleAS.

MNLA Communications Director

This is their explanation of how it works:

AT THE END OF MARCH,

Amazon began to market services to its shoppers (in select markets for now). Amazon has been the leading online retailer almost since it launched, and continues to dominate dueFiller to its continual Neededimprovements in effective online marketing and physical warehousing and fulfillment practices. Up to now, it has been a place where you can buy any “thing.” With this year’s new endeavor, it aims to be a one-stop shop for services as well as physical products.

Amazon will not hire any service providers. Rather, it will act as the platform for finding them. Amazon Home Services will be available in many categories, including landscaping. “Hire a Landscaper,” “Lawn, Garden or Yard Maintenance — 2 Hours,” “Mulch Delivery and Installation — 2 Cu Yds, Fine,” “Lawn Mowing — 2 Hours,” “Tree Trimming or Pruning — 2 Trees,” “Shrub or Hedge Trimming — 3 to 4 Shrubs,” and “Lawn Aeration — 2 Hours” are all options for the Twin Cities-based internet consumer.

All are available near the MNLA office, and all offer a range of prices. Each one comes with this shiny promise: Hand-picked pros. Backed by our Happiness Guarantee.

It’s an interesting concept, and one that many MNLA members would be wise to pay attention to. While I could see an anti-trust issue brewing due to Amazon’s criteria for inclusion as a “hand-picked pro,” it’s also easy to see a viable business plan emerge that includes helping Amazon provide consumers with their “happiness guarantee.”

How You Can Be a Provider You can apply with Amazon to become a provider by using the form found here. Earlier this year, Amazon was also reaching out to certain companies in their target markets to jumpstart their offerings. It wasn’t clear to me what criteria they were using to make their choices.

There is no cost to submitting an application, nor for being listed. Amazon collects a percentage of the completed order based on the level of service provided.

62

MNLA .biz

june15 may august 15 15

• Reach Customers in Your Neighborhood and Grow Your Business — Selling Services on Amazon allows top pros like you to offer your services on Amazon Home Services. Millions of people shop on Amazon and many of them are right in your neighborhood.

With Selling Services on Amazon, we provide actual orders and easy-to-use tools, so you can focus on what you do best — delighting customers.

• Zero Upfront Cost. There’s no charge to sign-up and no charge to list your services. And, best of all, you’ll only pay us when you get paid.

• No Lead Fees. Don’t waste time chasing leads.

When you sell your services on Amazon, you’ll get requests directly from customers.

• Invite Only. Our program is invite-only, so you’ll only compete with top-rated pros instead of every other service professional in town.

• How it Works — Service professionals can now offer their services on Amazon.com—from installation and assembly to diagnostics and repair. Set price estimates, receive custom requests, and sell directly to our customers.

• Set It and Forget It. Set prices for standard services up front, so customers can purchase them on Amazon any time. For custom services, Amazon customers can submit requests that are delivered directly to your inbox.

• Get Discovered. Amazon customers can easily find and purchase your services while shopping for products related to the service you provide, or they can submit a custom request for your services on Amazon.com.

• Get Paid. We handle the hassle of payment processing and customer payment issues, so you can focus on doing what you do best — delivering great service and growing your business.

If Amazon is successful in implementing and legally protecting their new Home Services, it has the potential to disrupt the green industry. Whether that will be a good or bad development for MNLA members, it will bear watching closely.

What will you learn at the show for green industry pros?

JANUARY 13-15, 2016 MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER

W W W. N O R T H E R N G R E E N E X P O .O R G

$999 PER MONTH ONE YEAR

A new Cat® 259D is more affordable than you think.

With Ziegler CAT lease packages as low as $999 per month, you’ll get Caterpillar® performance, versatility, and ease of operation with no money down and an affordable monthly payment. Upgrade to a 299D for only an additional $76 per month.

THE OFFER INCLUDES: One-year Full Machine Warranty Heat and Air Conditioning Bluetooth Radio Backup Camera

General Purpose Bucket Quick Coupler Two-Speed Cab

Offer good for qualifying customers in Ziegler CAT (Minnesota and Iowa) service territory. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. Payment shown is based on the first 12 months of a 60-month lease, 1,000 hours usage, does not include sales tax, and is based on current interest rates. Customer has the option to terminate lease after 12 months. Contact your Ziegler representative for details or to learn about buyout or lease extension options.

877.633.9301

www.zieglercat.com/lease