The Scoop Online - January 2017

Mine Your Diamonds

Also Inside

The Value of Healthy Soil

Member Profile Retail Details Networking News

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY Research, Career Development, and Scholarships

Vol: 40 No: 1 Jan 2017 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

ENJOY LIFE

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STILLWATER 8400 60th Street North Stillwater, MN 55082 (651) 748-3158

1987 - 2017

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PLYMOUTH 1205 Nathan Lane North Plymouth, MN 55441 (763) 545-4400

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Join us January, February, and March for our Second Annual Master Class Series. Classroom training with industry professionals, two days a week and FREE to you, our valued customers. After listening to you, we have replaced Hedberg Education Day with this longer, more in depth training series. Over a dozen classes, covering a wide range of topics, are sure to make your 2017 season a successful one. Register today at www.hedbergsupply.com/mcs.

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For all of your hardscape needs, come to Hedberg Supply. Here, you will find more than just great products and unmatched inventory. Accurate orders, timely deliveries and proactive service will help keep your jobs running smoothly, and help you be more successful.

Call your Hedberg Sales Representative to request your 2017 Hardscape and Nursery Catalogs! Coming to your local Hedberg THE W March, 2017.

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FARMINGTON 4375 170th Street West Farmington, MN 55024 (651) 423-5048

CHANHASSEN 10008 Great Plains Blvd.

Chaska, MN 55318 (952) 444-3531

HEDBERGSUPPLY.COM

Volume 40 No. 1 Jan 2017

CONTENTS 15

60 36

IN THIS ISSUE 8

Events

10 An Eye-Opening Visit Herman Roerick shares how he came up to speed on some new regulations.

12 Member Profile CST Distribution

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15 Retail Details Learn how some leading Canadian garden centers are meeting their challenges for growth.  

23 Never Underestimate the Value of Healthy Soil Jim Calkins writes why it’s important to always respect the fundamental nature of soil in an ecosystem. 

27 Tracking Trends in Government Affairs Alicia Munson analyzes the MNLA 2017 Policy Survey and notes the priorities the association will be focusing on in the coming year. 

36 Container Pour-Through Results Demystified Have you ever wondered what your pour-through results really mean? If so, now there’s help! 

44 Mine Your Company’s Acres of Diamonds Do you realize the potential value you have in your present client base?

Do you know how to mine for those diamonds? 

56 Foundation Thanks & Scholarship Winners The MNLA Foundation thanks all the individuals and companies that contributed this past year to support its mission. 

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

20 MDA Update Do you have an Incident Response Plan or a Release Response Plan for your facility?

30 Networking News A great network builds your business and advances your career.

42 Legal Issues: H-2B Jared Nusbaum gives an overview of the H-2B visa process.

49 Words Mean Something Dr. Susan Gordon from Rhode Island challenges us to think about how we sell our services to our customers.

60 Green Industry Day on the Hill Don’t miss this critical opportunity to build relationships and impact important issues.

62 In Memoriam Prescription Landscape co-founder Colin O’Neill left a legacy of business and environmental leadership.

The Scoop, January 2017, Issue 1, is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2017, 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.

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AD LIST MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here!

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

MISSION: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape

A Top Notch Equipment ................................................................................... 46 Anderson Nurseries, Inc. .................................................................................. 41 Arborjet ............................................................................................................ 26 Aspen Equipment ............................................................................................. 11 Beberg Landscape Supply ................................................................................ 52 Bridgewater Tree Farms ................................................................................... 17

Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

Bullis Insurance Agency .................................................................................... 19

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ..................................................... 29

herman roerick, president

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

scott frampton, vice-president

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

tim malooly, cid, clia, cic, secretary-treasurer Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com

randy berg, mnla-cp

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

matt mallas

Hedberg Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@hedbergaggregates.com

mike mcnamara

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

john o'reilly

Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com

jeff pilla, mnla-cp

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

nick sargent

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

cassie larson, cae

Central Landscape Supply ................................................................................ 25 COWSMO, Inc. ................................................................................................. 48 Cushman Motor Co. Inc. .................................................................................. 45 Dayton Bag & Burlap ........................................................................................ 41 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................................. 21 Farber Bag & Supply Co. .................................................................................. 26 Frost Services ................................................................................................... 48 Fury Motors ...................................................................................................... 43 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .................................................. 2 Glacial Ridge Growers ...................................................................................... 19 GM Fleet and Commercial ................................................................................. 3 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies .......................................................... 4 Hiway Federal Credit Union ............................................................................. 40 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................................. 32–33 Kahnke Brothers Tree Farm............................................................................... 46 Lano Equipment, Inc. ....................................................................................... 51 Maguire Agency................................................................................................ 11 McKay Nursery Co. ........................................................................................... 51

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

Midwest Transmission Center / DBA Clutch & U-joint Proven Force ............... 25

STAFF DIRECTORY

Northern Family Farms .................................................................................... 26

Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz

Out Back Nursery ............................................................................................. 11

membership director & trade show manager:

Plaisted Companies............................................................................................. 7

executive director:

Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz communications dir.: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz education/cert. manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Government Affairs Dir.: Alicia Munson • alicia@mnla.biz

regulatory affairs manager: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz administrative asst.: Gayle Anderson • gayle@mnla.biz accountant: Kris Peterson • kris@mnla.biz foundation program coordinator:

Minnesota State Horticultural Society .............................................................. 47

RDO Equipment Co. ........................................................................................ 17 Resultants for Business, Inc. (RFB) .................................................................... 21 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................................... 29 The Builders Group .......................................................................................... 41 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. ............................................................................ 14, 38, 59

Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz

Truck Utilities, Inc. ............................................................................................. 53

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

Unilock .............................................................................................................. 34

Faith Jensen, Advertising Rep • faith@pierreproductions.com Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com legislative affairs consultant: Doug Carnival

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Volume 40 No. 1 Jan 2017

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MNLA .biz

january 17

Versa-Lok Midwest ..................................................................................... 22, 63 Ziegler CAT ......................................................................................... Back Cover

➾ C ALE N DAR

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JAN 10–12 NORTHERN GREEN — Where Outdoor Pros Connect + Grow Minneapolis Convention Center Northerngreen.org A new name and a new schedule … See what else is new in 2017!

Attend the premier event for green industry professionals in the northern region.

Register now!

MNLA Event

MAR2 FEB24 GERTENS WHOLESALE SPRING EDUCATION DAY Mystic Lake, Prior Lake Gertens.com Join us for a day filled with education, demos & discounts!

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GROW YOUR LANDSCAPE BUSINESS WORKSHOP Jeffrey Scott Dakota Lodge West St. Paul, MN MNLA.biz A one-day high-impact workshop where you’ll learn how to gain maximum traction and grow your landscape business, step by step.

JAN 18–19 ICPI CONCRETE PAVER INSTALLER COURSE Sheraton St. Paul Woodbury Hotel Woodbury, MN

JAN19– MAR23

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MNLA Event

HEDBERG MASTER CLASS SERIES

icpi.org/woodbury

Plymouth, MN

The two-day classroom course is designed to enhance the knowledge of individuals with at least one year’s experience in the construction of interlocking concrete pavements. Attendance at this course is one of the requirements for earning a Concrete Paver Installer Certification.

hedbergaggregates.com Hands-on contractor training at Hedberg’s Plymouth location.

MNLA Event

MAR 22–23

MNLA Event

MAR8 GREEN INDUSTRY DAY ON THE HILL ST. PAUL

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP & EXAM

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Minnesota Department of Agriculture, St. Paul, MN

MNLA.biz

MNLA.biz

This annual government affairs event is an opportunity to make personal connections with legislators that will provide greater political strength to MNLA as an organization and, thus, ultimately to your business.

Prepare for the Category A & E Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam by attending this 1½ day training program. Day 2 includes the exam proctored by the MDA.

2017 MNLA seminars generously supported by:

SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS • PARTS

MNLA Event

FEB 14–15 JAN20 ICPI PICP SPECIALIST

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The PICP Specialist Course is designed for contractors who are presently doing residential and/or commercial segmental paving projects or who wish to move into the permeable interlocking concrete paver market.

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Sheraton St. Paul Woodbury Hotel Woodbury, MN www.icpi.org/woodburypicp

BUILDING PROFITS FOR LIFE WORKSHOP

MNLA Event

SSIO

FEB10 17, 24 + MAR10, 17, 24

Landscape Management Network — Ziegler CAT, Columbus, MN golmn.com See how simple it is to run a more profitable landscape company.

You’ll work with top 100 landscape contractors to build a plan to ensure your business is positioned to make money and a pricing system that links to your plan.

CERTIFICATION FRIDAYS IN FEBRUARY MNLA, Roseville, MN MNLA.biz Prove what you know.

Sit for the exam to become a MNLA Certified Professional in 2017.

MNLA Event

FEB23 GARDENING FOR POLLINATORS AND TOUR OF THE BEE & POLLINATOR RESEARCH LAB Cargill Building University of Minnesota St. Paul MNLA.biz The event will include a presentation by Elaine Evans: Gardening for Pollinators. We will then take a tour of the new Bee Lab on the St. Paul Campus.

MNLA Event

APR5–6 MAR29 BACHMAN’S SPRING OPEN HOUSE Bachman’s Cedar Acres, Farmington Bachmanswholesale.com Join us for the Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes Annual Spring Open House at Bachman’s Cedar Acres Garden/ Hardscapes Center in Farmington.

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

PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP ONLY

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Roseville Oval Roseville, MN MNLA.biz Prepare for the Category A & E Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam by attending this 1½ day training only program. This workshop does not include an exam and is for those applicants who desire training and time to study before taking the exam at the MDA location in St. Paul.

KEY:

Event Education

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➾ F R OM THE PRESIDEN T

An Eye-Opening Visit The beginning of the New Year 2017 has just begun, and with the election finally over and the wrap up of a beautiful holiday season, I wanted to bring our members up to speed with some new Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) laws that came into effect on January 1, 2017.

Herman Roerick

The Value of Healthy Soil Mine Your Diamonds

Also Inside

Central Landscape Supply

This past October, I hired a new staff member who requested to get his pesticide certificate renewed. I contacted the MDA in St. Cloud to get the most recent information and the MDA staff member offered to stop out to introduce himself and to make sure I was aware of the new laws that would come into effect in January.

While I felt very prepared for the New Year and was confident my business was up to industry standards, what I learned was a real eye opener for me, as I had thought my business was up to date and in compliance with employee right-to-know training, safety meetings, and inspections. Unfortunately this was not the case. I prepared for the new changes and I wanted to take this opportunity to let all of you know as well.

The MDA staff member that came out reviewed our current training and went over what needs to get implemented starting in 2017. I want to encourage all

businesses and individuals working in the industry to act now and be prepared for these new changes. To find the most up-to-date information for your nursery or greenhouse visit the MDA website at https://www.mda. state.mn.us/ as well as the “How to Comply with the Worker Protection Standard” website at www.epa.gov/ pesticides/health/worker.htm. With these new regulations in place, large fines may be assessed to those who are not in compliance, so I encourage all of you to make sure these new changes have been implemented.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at Northern Green and I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing winter and enjoyed a great holiday season.

HERMAN ROERICK can be reached at: hermanr@centrallandscape.com.

Member Profile Retail Details Networking News

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY Research, Career Development, and Scholarships

Vol: 40 No: 1 Jan 2017

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

ON THE COVER

In this issue, the MNLA Foundation spotlights its donors, scholarship sponsors, and scholarship winners. Thank you to each of you that have supported the MNLA Foundation over this last fiscal year. Your generous contributions enable us to continue to provide research information, scholarships, and career outreach that support the green industry in this region both now and into the future.

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A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

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

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs

BRIAN FERGASON, CPCU 651.635.2781 612.247.7346 Cell bfergason@maguireagency.com www.maguireagency.com 1970 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 300 Roseville, MN 55113

➾ ME MBER PROFILE

MEMBER PROFILE CST D I STR I B UTI O N

Photos courtesy of CST Distribution

C O M PAN Y SN APSH O T

Company Name: CST Distribution, LLC Owner: Chad and Megan Toft Date Company started: 2010 Location: Rogers & Elk River, MN (soon to be consolidating to East Bethel, MN) Number of Employees in Peak Season: 50–55 Areas Served: Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa Member Category: Manufacturer Website: www.cstcompanies.com

CST Distribution, along with CST Transportation, is owned by Chad and Megan Toft. Chad has worked in the distribution and trucking industries since 1996 and he has been involved in the mulch industry since 1997. Megan worked in the staffing/HR industry for 20 years before changing directions to work with Chad.

Opening CST Distribution & Transportation has been an easy progression for Chad with his history in these industries, and he runs all operations. Megan’s background in Human Resources and Finance/Accounting has made it a good partnership, and she runs all financial/purchasing/HR and customer service operations for the company.

CST Distribution started as a wholesale distributor of softener salt, mulch, ice melt, firewood, washer fluid and bottled water. During the first year of business, they had the opportunity to move into contract packaging of (primarily) mulch and soils. This started out relatively small, which meant they could find some success without getting in over their head. They attribute their growth to always being mindful that “quality products and customers is more important than quantity.” Their distribution facility has been located in Rogers, and their mulch facility operates in Elk River. CST serves a diverse customer base, including roughly 2,500 convenience stores, grocery stores, quick lubes, manufacturing plants, car washes, big box retailers, and lawn/garden stores and hardware

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“ CST will begin to relocate their office, trucking business, and warehousing operation to East Bethel in January 2017, with plans to be working out of that location by the end of February.”

stores. They currently serve Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Michigan.

For the last few years CST has been working to consolidate both locations into one facility. After aggressively pursuing a number of locations, longtime business associates — and sometime competitors — Mike Rivard and Chad came together after Mike, of Central Wood Products, learned that CST was looking to expand its mulch operation and was seeking a suitable location to consolidate their trucking and distribution operations.

Recognizing the possible win-win situation, they talked and were able to work out an agreement benefitting both companies.

“Consolidating our two north-metro operations under one roof was key for us, as was a need for ‘room to breathe,’” said Chad Toft. “We’ll definitely have that in the East Bethel location. It will give us much-needed space for vehicle maintenance and additional warehouse capacity. Central Wood Products’ operation sits on 33 acres, which will

be ideal for us to establish a drop-yard for tree waste.” Since CST first started processing mulch in 2010, they’ve been taking pre-ground mulch, coloring it, bagging it and distributing it in bulk or bagged form — pretty much doing everything except any actual grinding.

Now, after adding Central Wood Products’ capabilities, along with continuing to purchase pre-ground mulch, they will also have the ability to grind green waste from tree care companies.

“We want those contractors and customers of Central Wood Products to feel confident in knowing we are not strangers to their industry and that they will be able to count on us as we move forward,” said Megan Toft. CST will begin to relocate their office, trucking business, and warehousing operation to East Bethel in January 2017, with plans to be working out of that location by the end of February. They hope to have the bagging part of the mulch operation totally functional at the new site by midFall, while bulk mulch will run out of both locations in Elk River and East Bethel.

CST will be exhibiting in the trade show at Northern Green 2017 being held at the Minneapolis Convention Center January 10–12, 2017, and are looking forward to sharing their enthusiasm about this latest move with others in our industry during the event!

INTERESTED IN BEING PROFILED IN THE SCOOP?

Our writer is always looking for a good story. Email jon@mnla.biz to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

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CHIP IT. GRIND IT.

RENT IT.

TREES, BRANCHES, LIMBS AND STUMPS ARE NO MATCH FOR A BANDIT! Rent the brush chippers and stump grinders that are the choice of tree care professionals for their performance and dependability!

There are many types and sizes of machines to suit every job.

Chippers have capacities from 6 inches all the way up to 21 inches and we have stump grinders small and nimble enough for yards or large and powerful enough for high production work.

Call or stop in to speak to a Rentals Specialist who will recommend the best equipment for your needs!

1200 Highway 13 East Hwy. 13 and 12th Ave Burnsville, MN 55337 952-894-0894

www.tristatebobcat.com

3101 Spruce Street Little Canada, MN 55117 651-407-3727

588 Outpost Circle I-94 and Hwy. 12 Hudson, WI 54016 715-531-0801

âž¾ S E CT I O N TITLE

RETAIL DETAILS

GARDEN CENTERS MEET CHALLENGES FOR GROWTH Spiders and snakes. Santa Claus. Mandarin. Fashion. Radio. Oh, and edibles.

Mike Edwards | Landscape Trades

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➾ RE TA I L

Weekend farmer’s markets can help to drive traffic during non-peak planting months.

dustry that support the SPCA or other animal welfare organizations, especially at Christmastime when Canadian gardeners have largely been driven indoors.

Events with meaning

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ot just a random list, but some of the tools that help garden centers survive and grow in today’s predatory retail landscape. Of course, there is no magic formula for any business other than to be seasonably flexible and creative on several fronts all at once. Events are a universal way to draw traffic into any garden center. “Hay rides suck,” laughs Brian Minter, president, Minter Country Garden in Chilliwack, B.C. However, spiders and snakes have played a role. “Our daughter Erin belongs to a group that protects and looks after abandoned animals,” says Minter, who is also a gardening lecturer and broadcaster.

So experts were hired to come into the store to teach kids about tarantulas and snakes. “They were putting snakes around kids’ necks, putting a tarantula on somebody’s shoulder to show they don’t really bite. The parents loved it, too.”

Rather than always having events that are strictly seasonal like Halloween themes, Minter says, “it’s about questioning everything you do and asking yourself, ‘is it (socially) relevant?’”

Garden center events can provide both a public service and be entertaining, Minter believes. His business is one of many in the in-

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Steve Wilson, co-owner (with brother Colin), Wilson’s Greenhouse and Garden Centre, of Saskatoon, Sask., notes that every second month his business works with a dog rescue organization on pet adoption days. “At Christmastime we do pictures with your pets — that’s really popular. Last year we had two Santa Clauses and this year we will have three Santa Claus stations for taking pictures.”

At the Greenland Garden Centre in Sherwood Park, Alta., an Edmonton suburb, many events are used to bring customers into the store. These include “a harvest gathering in fall, a couple of fashion shows each year, as well as our ‘eager gardeners’ event,” according to manager Tina Burback.

“When we are at our coldest, craving sun and warmth, we build a large indoor landscape for Albertans to escape winter. And what was initially just a way to drive traffic in the depths of winter turned out to be a favorite spot for not only any average visitor, but both seniors’ groups and mental health patients.”

Greenland Garden Centre has added a full-scale restaurant and has been attracting a younger crowd as the baby boomers start to slow down, according to Burback. Classes are conducted at the center to teach crafts and decorating which are either free or offered for a nominal fee.

Burback is also co-host of a Sunday morning gardening call-in show at CHED radio in Edmonton. She finds the media profile helpful to their business locally, as well as to garden centers everywhere because the advice is available to anyone live and archived on the internet.

Stretching the seasons

Garden centers certainly strive to stay open year round to flatten out the seasonal revenue dips. There is also another good reason, says Marina Phillips, manager, Cedarcrest Gardens of Saint John, N.B. “We try to stay open to keep our good employees employed as long as possible.”

Open seven days a week in 2016 from March 1 to December 23, Cedarcrest Gardens has bridged the winter gap in January and February with weekend farmer’s markets. On Saturdays, locals can escape the cold at the market inside the 25,000 square foot greenhouse, Phillips explains. As many as 1,500 people have come out to the farmer’s market event.

The greenhouse allows Cedarcrest to grow much of what it sells, including custom retail planters, depending on what is available in season. “Customers can bring in their own planters to be done up,”

says Phillips. She adds that they have also started to meet the huge demand for homeowners who wanted landscape design services. “They came to us looking for help, so we created this division.”

A changing customer base

The demographics surrounding any garden center affect what generates sales. For Cedarcrest, it’s the pesky deer population in rural New Brunswick that puts pressure on the landscape, but in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), it is the ethnicity of neighborhoods that has to be catered to.

Sheridan Nurseries, based in Georgetown, Ont., has garden centers scattered all over the GTA and southern Ontario, including a location in Unionville where the local population is 60 percent ethnic Chinese.

“We have about five full time employees who speak fluent Mandarin that can answer any question,” says Karl Stensson, president of Sheridan Nurseries. “There are many customers who cannot speak English. Our bilingual staff give these customers confidence to shop at our store.”

At the downtown Toronto Sheridan location, there are different demands put on the business. According to Stensson, “customers want something different and they want it now.” For Sheridan, this often means stocking one-year exclusives of certain flowers in different colors at just that garden center so customers can personalize their homes.

Fashion — clothing and accessories — are increasingly taking over at garden centers that have the space. Five years ago Sheridan Nurseries introduced change rooms, mostly to attract what is a 75 percent female clientele. “They want to buy something for the house,” says Stensson, “they want to buy something for me.”

Minter notes that the garden center “leaders of tomorrow” have to diversify into areas such as fashion and outdoor furniture.

“You have to understand that it is a business and for a business to be successful you need to improve your bottom line continuously and you have to stop getting out of the seasonal swings. By having year round inventory, understanding whom your market is — 80 percent is female, a little older demographic — ask yourself how you can create a positive experience for them.” january 17

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➾ RE TA I L

Canada’s variable weather dictates sales at garden centers, on top of seasonal averages.

Spring came early in the Edmonton area this year, bringing an onslaught of customers to the Greenland Garden Centre — only to taper off just as quickly.

Offering diversified products for your customers is a way to succeed.

This display is from Greenland Garden Centre.

Planting for the table

Plant materials are still the heart and soul of garden centers and nurseries, so the trend for homeowners returning to edibles is a good news story repeated across Canada. Shawna Bell, vicepresident, Jeffries Nurseries of Portage La Prairie, Man., says that its sales to garden centers extend as far west as Alberta, as far east as Ontario and into the states of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

“The trend for edibles is still very strong,” says Bell. This includes herbs, tomatoes, and fruit. “People are planting apples, plums and small berries, trying to be self-sufficient.”

This trend in edibles sales is echoed by Wilson, who notes that vegetable produce and fruit trees are now experiencing a renaissance with consumers. “Three or four years ago nobody wanted fruit trees.

‘They’re too messy,’” was the sentiment, says Wilson.

Canada’s variable weather dictates sales at garden centers, on top of seasonal averages. Spring came early in the Edmonton area this year, bringing an onslaught of customers to the Greenland Garden Centre — only to taper off just as quickly. Burback says she is continuously looking at the weather forecast for inspiration. “There’s always something in our back pocket. We can ramp up with ‘rainy day’ sales as needed.”

Even with positive, revenue-generating diversification under way at many garden centers, challenges such as staffing and big box store competition remain. According to everyone canvassed for this 18

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report, these two concerns are inextricably intertwined because experienced, knowledgeable staff is what sets the industry apart from the big box retailers.

Wilson notes that Costco competes by selling plant materials during peak sales seasons. His business helps to offset this consumer buying trend with in-house expertise and competitive pricing. “And we grow a lot of our own plant materials,” says Wilson.

It also doesn’t hurt that his garden center supplies the majority of landscapers in the region and has a list that customers can pick from. “We are the largest paving stone dealer in Saskatoon,” says Wilson. “We’re a one-stop shop. People come in for landscaping, top soil, base gravel, sod, paving stone, fencing material, bedding plants, pots for the deck — everything.”

Almost as worrisome to Wilson as the big box stores are the people who don’t understand business models that come into the landscaping market offering items like top soil at half price. “This is not sustainable; so they mess up the marketplace for a while and make everybody mad, but they disappear because they can’t afford to keep going.”

Quality of plant materials and customer service at big box stores are also questionable, according to Burback. “The flowers look good only when the truck drops them off. They are also negligent in July and August when we have lots of fresh stock available.”

Customer, staff outlooks evolve

Minter and Stensson agree that the younger generation of buyers and potential employees are very different from the past. “Millennials aren’t going to be spending big dollars in your store,” says Minter. “You have to understand their psyche.” They are interested in environmental concerns and are attracted to events that speak to this, such as saving populations of bees with the right plantings, adds Minter.

“One of our biggest enemies is the next generation not wanting to be involved,” according to Stensson. “That’s been our problem.

The next generation doesn’t want to work as hard or as manually as needed in a garden center.”

Sheridan has developed into a more upscale operation over the years and has been willing to invest in its locations and services such as two-year plant warranties. “It’s no longer mom and pop with their dirty boots on. People are coming out of their $100,000 cars, with their shined Florsheim shoes — they don’t want to step in mud. They’re coming in after work, they’re tired, they want service.

You’d better have a higher end store and staff, you better have a selection, you better not say ‘I don’t carry that,’ but rather ‘I’ll get it for you.’”

Almost as worrisome to Wilson as the big box stores are the people who don’t understand business models that come into the landscaping market offering items like top soil at half price. “This is not sustainable; so they mess up the marketplace for a while and make everybody mad, but they disappear because they can’t afford to keep going.”

Investing in making staff more knowledgeable than at any competitor, big box store or not, is paramount for garden center operators. It is intimidating for a customer to walk into a garden center that carries 700 varieties of nursery stock, 300 varieties of annuals, 800 varieties of perennials, and 200 varieties of flower bulbs, adds Stensson. “It’s multiples of craziness.” This is when the customer needs help from staff who can provide answers, delivered with “the right attitude,” he says.

Growth trend

The garden center businesses of those approached for this article all appear to be growing. For example, Minter Garden Centre reports record sales the last two years, Cedarcrest Gardens notes a similar growth pattern, and Greenland Garden Centre is benefitting from the large growth area surrounding its suburban location. Wilson’s Greenhouse and Garden Centre, meanwhile, has experienced enough annual five to 10 percent growth recently that it plans to double in size, to 120,000 square feet, in early 2017.

No one sounds like they are resting on their laurels, however, while a lot of hard work starts to pay off at garden centers across the country.

MIKE EDWARDS is a freelance business writer based in the Toronto area.

This article was originally published in Landscape Trades, Canada’s premier horticultural trade publication.

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➾ MDA UPDATE

MDA UPDATE INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN OR RELEASE RESPONSE PLAN — JANUARY 2017 (BULLETIN 8 OF 8) Corinne du Preez

Agricultural Advisor/ ACI Minnesota Department of Agriculture Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division

WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you had a release or incident at your facility? By pre-planning and practicing for a release or incident you will be better equipped to handle a spill or emergency. New legislative changes to Incident Response Plan requirements were enacted in 2015. These requirements are highlighted below.

WHAT IS AN INCIDENT? An incident is an event where a threat or actual agricultural chemical (pesticide and/or fertilizer) spill may adversely impact the environment or threaten public safety.

• Minimize risks and ensure safety while trying to abate the spill or leak.

• Recover any agricultural chemicals involved in the incident and follow these clean up tips.

WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A PLAN? • Some businesses are legally required to develop and maintain an incident response plan. If your business is engaged in one or more of the following, it must establish and maintain an incident response plan: • Pesticide Dealers; • Agricultural pesticide dealers; • Commercial pesticide application;

Leak from application equipment

• Noncommercial pesticide application; • Structural pest control; • Storage of (bulk) pesticides that are held in an individual container with more than 55 gallons or 99 pounds; • Storage of (bulk) fertilizers that are neither packaged nor labelled by a manufacturer.

Spill in shop/ storage area

WHAT IS AN INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN? • A document you develop to prepare for dealing with pesticide and fertilizer incidents quickly and effectively.

• Describes fertilizer and pesticide storage, handling, disposal, and incident handling practices of your business.

A Sample Plan is available on the MDA website.

Fire Flood

WHAT TO DO IF AN INCIDENT OR RELEASE OCCURS: • Immediately report the incident to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) by phoning the Minnesota Duty Officer at (800) 422-0798.

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: The plan must be: • Updated every three (3) years, or whenever information in the plan becomes out of date, whichever is earlier;

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STATUTORY AUTHORITY Follow the link below to read: Minnesota Statute 18B.37, Subd. 4.

Incident response plan.

For additional information and/or a short version of an incident response plan, refer to the MDA’s fact sheet, Developing and Maintaining You Incident Response Plan.

CORINNE DU PREEZ is

Agricultural Advisor/ACI of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division, and can be reached at Corinne.dupreez@state.

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NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF

HEALTHY SOIL Always respect the fundamental nature of soil in natural and managed ecosystems.

Dr. James Calkins | Research Information Director, MNLA Foundation

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➾ RE S E ARCH FOR THE R EAL WO R L D

Figure 1. Healthy soil is a dynamic and living system and a foundational component of the earth’s ecosystems; not surprisingly, its importance to the nursery and landscape industry cannot be underestimated (Photo Credit: Jim Calkins).

T

oo often we seem to overlook or ignore the value and significance of healthy soil to our profession and the plants we grow, maintain, and recommend to our customers and the general public.

As green industry professionals we should, of course, know better and constantly strive to preserve its many functions in natural and managed ecosystems. Several new publications produced by soil scientists at Iowa State University in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS; United States Department of Agriculture/USDA) provide a wealth of information that should be of interest to growers, garden center staff, landscape designers, landscape managers, and the general public. These publications include a soil health field guide, which introduces the soil health concept and provides valuable information about soil health, the role of healthy soil in supporting plant and animal life, maintaining water and air quality, and sustaining agricultural production, a soil health management manual, which includes a summary of the basics of soil science relative to the functions of soil and soil management practices, and a soil health assessment card which can be used to assess a variety of soil health indicators and the impacts of soil management activities in combination with the soil health field guide. All three publications are research-based, easy to follow and understand, and provide up-to-date information on managing and protecting soil health and the importance of soil health in sustainable production systems.

Soil includes solid, liquid, and gaseous components and is a mixture of minerals, organic matter (living and in various stages of decomposition), water, and air (ideally about 45%, 5%, 25%, and 25%, respectfully) and, from a plant growth perspective, provides anchorage and support for the roots and above-ground portions of plants, serves as a reservoir and source of water and nutrients, mediates gas exchange with the atmosphere, and is home for a multitude of micro and macro-organisms that variously influence soil struc-

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ture, function, and health and plant growth and performance. The water and air fractions are dynamic and occupy the soil pores (pore space; water retention porosity + aeration porosity = total porosity) which is determined by soil texture and structure and the depth of the soil profile. As a saturated soil drains and dries, water retention porosity decreases and aeration porosity decreases as the water lost to drainage and evapotranspiration is replaced by air. And while the organic fraction is typically relatively small, with the exception of organic soils, its importance to soil health and plant growth and performance is huge and should never be underestimated. Soil is also important from an engineering and construction perspective and functions to infiltrate and purify water and recharge groundwater, roles that are increasingly getting attention from a stormwater management perspective in designed landscapes. In short, healthy soil is important to our profession, and society as a whole, and a valuable resource that must be understood, managed properly, and protected; never ignored and taken for granted or, worse yet, damaged and degraded.

When I think of soil and the fundamental role it plays in the growth and performance of plants, and when considering plant performance in general, it isn’t long before I am reminded of the five factors of plant growth — light, water, plant nutrition, gas exchange (carbon dioxide/CO2 and oxygen/O2), and proper temperature — which I first learned from Dr. Harold Wilkins as an undergraduate in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. With the exception of exposure to toxic materials (including allelopathy) or attack by pests, and skipping over most of the details, all problems related to plant growth and performance can generally be traced to a problem related to one or a combination of these five environmental factors. Of course genetics, and thus plant breeding and selection, can also play an important role in a plant’s ultimate response to these and other (e.g., pest resistance)

growth and performance factors, as can the soil reaction or pH (a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a soil; more precisely the soil solution) which influences the solubility and availability of plant nutrients and other elements and can also influence plant growth and performance through its effect on beneficial and problematic (disease organisms) soil microorganisms. Regarding plant roots — which, like the soil they typically inhabit, we also tend to ignore or forget compared to the more obvious, above-ground plant canopy — three of these five factors are mediated by the characteristics (soil texture, mineral and organic content, pH, etc.) and condition (soil structure, bulk density/compaction, etc.) of the soil or other growing medium — water (water holding capacity, drainage, and availability), plant nutrition (specifically mineral nutrition; 15 of the 18 essential plant nutrients come from the soil; carbon/C, hydrogen/H, and oxygen/O2 come from the air and water), and gas exchange (aeration; specifically the O2 needed for respiration). And, from a broader perspective, soil characteristics can also influence soil temperature. Clearly, soil plays a clear and foundational role in plant growth and performance that shouldn’t be ignored. The Iowa State publications address these factors in more detail and from a soil management perspective. And don’t forget that these same factors apply when growing plants in containers, but growing quality plants in containers brings additional challenges. For example, are you aware that the ideal pore space (porosity) is often higher for container media than field soils and do you know the porosity characteristics of the growing media in the various containers you use to produce container-grown plants? You should, and note that the water retention and aeration porosities will vary depending on the growing medium used and the depth of the container. All three documents are available for free in print form or downloaded in PDF format and I encourage you to check them out. At minimum, they provide an excellent soil science refresher and a critical reminder of the importance of soil in managed and natural systems.

Citations: Mahdi Al-Kaisi and David Kwaw-Mensah. 2016. Iowa Soil Health Field Guide. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; May 2016. 60 pages. https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/Iowa-Soil-HealthField-Guide Mahdi Al-Kaisi and David Kwaw-Mensah. 2016. Iowa Soil Health Management Manual. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; May 2016. 46 pages. https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/IowaSoil-Health-Management-Manual Mahdi Al-Kaisi and David Kwaw-Mensah. 2016. Iowa Soil Health Assessment Card. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; May 2016. https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/Iowa-Soil-HealthAssessment-Card

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.

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➾ G OV E RN MEN T AFFAI R S

MNLA 2017 Policy Survey: Tracking Trends in Government Affairs Following the election in November 2016, MNLA’s Government Affairs team distributed a survey to members with a comprehensive list of the policy priorities we identified heading into this year’s legislative session.

Alicia Munson

MNLA Government Affairs Director

Being the first of its kind for the association, we weren’t sure what to expect… we wrestled back and forth with questions like, “does this list of issues truly capture what’s important to members?”; “have we done enough to ensure that each question is fair and unbiased?”; and most importantly — “will anyone respond?!”

But after the deadline passed and all the responses were tallied, we were overwhelmingly energized by the results! Nearly 100 members of all sizes from throughout the state responded, providing insights and feedback critical to informing our advocacy efforts throughout 2017.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the trends we tracked with the help of your survey responses: Demographics:

Acknowledging the diversity of our membership, the survey offered seventeen different business types – from equipment sales/rental to landscape lighting to snow plowing — as options to help members self-identify the types of services they provide. A majority of the respondents (58%) cited landscape contracting as an element of their business services, with landscape design (48%), and hardscape contracting (42%) rounding out the top three.

We also inquired about survey respondents’ individual role within the industry, and the majority cited “owner/ corporate official” (55%) as their primary function.

“Manager/foreman” (19%) and “landscape designer” (14%) also accounted for a significant portion of the respondents.

And while an overwhelming majority of those respondents cited their business as being located within the 11-county metro area (83%), we were pleased to see a contingent of respondents from Greater Minnesota

(18%) as well. As a trade association based in “the Cities,” we know that members outside the Metro sometimes feel underrepresented; through advocacy opportunities in which you can engage remotely — such as this survey — we hope to help you feel more connected and better served while increasing participation in government affairs overall.

Priorities:

Of all the issues referenced throughout the survey, three rose to the top of respondents’ list of policy priorities january 17

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➾ G OV E RN MEN T AFFAI R S

This indication of your top priorities gave us confidence that we’re on the right track, as each of these issues had previously been selected as topics to discuss with panelists during our 2017 Legislative Breakfast at Northern Green.

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— local workplace regulations, roadside pollinator habitat, and temporary worker visa programs.

In the local policy section of the survey, we asked “when thinking about labor laws and regulations, do you believe local governments (e.g. City Councils) should advance local workplace regulations such as a local minimum wage, local paid sick time, local parental leave, etc.”? The vast majority of respondents — 64% — responded “no,” while only 19% responded “yes.” 12% of respondents indicated that they needed additional information, and 5% were neutral on the issue.

In the state policy section of the survey, we asked “when thinking about pollinator habitat, do you believe public property along roadways and interchanges should be redesigned and utilized as habitat for native and/or migratory pollinator species”? You overwhelming answered “yes” — with 67% indicating support for that proposal.

Only 8% responded “no” while 14% said they need more information, 10% took a neutral position, and 1% cited “other.”

Finally, in the federal policy section of the survey, we asked “when thinking about national labor issues, do you believe that reforming the structure of temporary worker visa programs (i.e. H-2A, H-2B) should be a priority in addressing the workforce shortage within the green industry?” 8% responded “no”, but 54% stated “yes,” with 21% requesting more information, 15% maintaining neutrality, and 2% indicating “other.”

This indication of your top priorities gave us confidence that we’re on the right track, as each of these issues had previously been selected as topics to discuss with panelists during our 2017 Legislative Breakfast at Northern Green. If you’re unable to attend that event this month, keep an eye out for a re-cap and learn more about the panelists’ responses in future issues of The Scoop.

Areas of education:

Additional content you’ll be seeing in The Scoop will focus on the issues where survey respondents indicated a need for more information — specifically sales & use tax and corporate farming. These are areas where “I need more information” accounted for over 40% of the responses, and we look forward to helping members feel more informed and knowledgeable about these issues — both of great importance to the green industry in Minnesota and nationwide.

Not only do your survey responses help us get a better sense of the areas where we can do a better job providing information and education, but they’ve been crucial in ensuring that we focus on the issues of most importance to you as we engage in government affairs. As such, your insights and feedback helped us shape MNLA’s 2017 legislative agenda — a critical tool in advocating as effectively as possible on behalf of the entire green industry in Minnesota.

We are so grateful to all the members who took time out of their busy schedules to respond thoughtfully and thoroughly to this firstof-its kind survey. We look forward to sharing similar tools with you in the future, as continuously engaging in conversation about our collective priorities is essential to growing results in government affairs. Thank you!

ALICIA MUNSON

can be reached at alicia@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.

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➾ NE T WORKIN G N EWS

NETWORKING NEWS GARDEN CENTER NETWORKING WHEN: Wednesday, November 30 at 2 p.m.

WHERE: MNLA Office in Roseville

LANDSCAPE DESIGN NETWORKING WHEN: Thursday, December 1 at 3 p.m.

WHERE: Able Seedhouse in Minneapolis

• A small group met to discuss what worked well for them and what didn’t this past season.

• A total of 11 attended the meeting at Able Seedhouse. Discussion included national trends in the industry and what the group is seeing as trends in Minnesota. The conversation included topics like sourcing, code compliance, availability of materials, and the role designers play in influencing material availability.

• The group plans to meet every other month at a brew pub/restaurant with some meetings held in designer’s studios as well.

• They discussed the direction and goals of the group, potential topics of discussion for future meetings, and educational opportunities specific to designers.

ARBORIST NETWORKING WHEN: Thursday, December 8 WHERE: Bad Weather Brewing in St. Paul

• The Arborists met for a fun and informal networking meeting.

All networking group meetings are posted on the events calendar at MNLA.biz. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet other business owners and industry professionals to enhance your personal local network. Remember, there is nothing as powerful as a great network to build your business or advance your career.

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FE

N

O PR

AL

D

C

MNLA CERTIFICATION

TIFIE R E

SSIO

Prove what you know.

Become a Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association Certified Professional.

Who is eligible?

Who?

You are eligible to register for the exam if you meet the following requirements: • Have either two years of study in an accredited post-secondary nursery and/ or landscape program that includes a structured internship, OR • A minimum of 2,000 hours in nursery or landscape-related employment.

A signature of an educational advisor or work supervisor is required on the exam registration form to verify completion of the prerequisite.

Did You Know?

SA M E VALU E, N E W FO R MAT When and where are the 2017 exams?

When & Where?

Why does it benefit me in my career?

Why?

When: Testing will occur on three Fridays in February and three Fridays in March.

February 3, 10, 17 | March 3, 10, 17 Where: Testing will take place at the MNLA office in Roseville.

Please note, only seven seats are available for each test date. Please apply early!

• Identifies you as a professional.

• Gives you credentials and proves your qualifications.

• Provides you instant credibility with your clients and employers.

• Contributes to increased opportunities for advancement with many employers.

• Demonstrates your commitment to your profession.

• Distinguishes you from the competition.

• Qualifies you to do expert work and give advice.

Why does it benefit MNLA member companies?

MNLA member businesses that employ certified professionals enhance their professional image, increase customer recognition and respect, provide a consumer marketing tool, and offer an additional tool for employee motivation, evaluation, and advancement.

AL

O PR

FE

TIFIE

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Last year, we introduced a new process, and the exam is now given in an electronic format with immediate results and integrated photos and videos. It is still a two-part exam: you must pass a Basic Knowledge Exam and a specialty of your choosing (Landscape, Garden Center or Grower) to become MNLA Certified. To maintain certification status, all individuals must compile at least 18 continuing education points every three years.

SSIO

Did You Know?

HOW TO PREPARE: USE THESE RESOURCES TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAM: ONLINE STUDY CHAPTERS | PRAC TICE TEST | PL ANT I.D. WEBINAR

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Develop the Next Leader in Your Business in 2017 Managing Conflict

This learning experience designed by MNLA and Resultants for Business will cultivate leadership skills in your key staff, helping to create the next generation of leaders within your company. The program incorporates highly interactive exercises, discussions, lecture-style learning, and project-based Managing activities and sessions. Using these multiple learning Change methods increases takeaways for each person and creates a rich adult learning environment. Plus, irreplaceable “from the trenches” experience will come from green industry personnel and other subject matter experts. The Green Industry Leadership Institute prepares your employee to take a more Knowing Your Staying on Top confident leadership role in your company. Only Own Strengths of the Work 16 applicants will be accepted into the 2017 program. These students will journey together for one year, meeting 10 times between February and December. More information and an application form Understanding is at www.MNLA.biz/leadership.

How Your Decisions Affect the Bottom Line

Communicating Effectively with Clients, Work Crews, Retail Staff and Boss

Problem Solving on the Job Site and in the Shop

Seeing Your Company Through Your Customer’s Eyes

Training and Evaluating Others

APPLY NOW! DEADLINE: JANUARY 20

O& F N N E I ATIO R MO PLIC AT: AP ORM HIP F True Leadership S R DE A E Z/L I B .

LA N M W. W W QUESTIONS? Contact Jon Horsman, MNLA Communications Director: 651-633-4987 • jon@MNLA.biz

1

âž¾ C ONTAIN ERS

CONTAINER POUR-THROUGH

RESULTS DEMYSTIF

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Jennifer Gray | Horticultural Research Institute

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Have you ever wondered what your pour-through results really mean? If so, now there’s help!

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MNLA .biz

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➾ C ONTAIN ERS

With the help of the Horticultural Research Institute’s competitive grants program, a collaboration of researchers developed a mobile web site to record, monitor, and share water quality and pour-through values on your phone or tablet.

Researchers Dr. Jim Owen, Virginia Tech; Dr. Brian Whipker, NC State University; Dr. Sarah White, Clemson University; and Dr. Brian Krug, Pioneer Hybrids, acknowledged the scarcity of mobile-friendly tools available for the green industry in general, and set about to make GroZone Tracker, a useful tool for the container producer. This program helps managers quickly pinpoint problem areas related to pH, EC, and water quality on a map and monitor them over time.

T

he variety of media available to the container industry is astounding. Many operations have water sources with unique quality and their own special blended fertilizers and soilless substrates (i.e. media) to ensure they have what works best for them.

These selected fertilizers and substrates do not behave identically for each operation or each location. Water quality (e.g., alkalinity), electrical conductivity (EC), and pH, for example, are chemical characteristics that can vary greatly depending on water source, fertilizer, and media constituents. They are also important to monitor, since they directly impact nutrient availability. While (relatively) simple and inexpensive to measure using portable meters, water quality and substrate pH and EC results can be confounding.

With the help of the Horticultural Research Institute’s competitive grants program, a collaboration of researchers developed a mobile web site to record, monitor, and share water quality and pourthrough values on your phone or tablet. While not technically an app, the site can be used on your desktop computer as well as your mobile phone via an easily created shortcut that make the site act as an app without the needed updates. And best of all, it’s free!

Instant feedback about water quality and pour-through values is a key component. For example, values of pH and EC for a specified crop are flagged red if immediate attention is needed, yellow if they need to be watched, or green if they are okay and within a normal range. Having this information translates into faster decision-making.

Dr. Owen was struck by the amount of extension calls he received asking how to interpret pour-through data. He said, “Growers realize the benefits of regular, in-house pour-throughs and water quality monitoring, but often have difficulty understanding the results.

GroZone Tracker helps growers make on-the-spot decisions and be more self-reliant.”

Furthermore, the entered data are archived. In the event that an extension agent or consultant is needed to diagnose a problem, records are available to help them understand the historical growing conditions. Owen commented, “Often we go on a site visit, and no one has the data to help diagnose the problem. Having this information will help me and my colleagues better serve our stakeholders.”

The data stored in the program are secure and inaccessible by third parties.

The program is intuitive and tutorials/how-to guides are available regarding the program itself, water quality sampling and pourjanuary 17

MNLA .biz

39

➾ CO N TA I N E RS

In the event that an extension agent or consultant is needed to diagnose a problem, records are available to help them understand the historical growing conditions.

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throughs. Once water quality parameters, such as pH and EC values are determined, they are entered in the program for a specific site, which can be set using your phone’s GPS. Sampling date and time are also recorded. Information on water samples, such as pH, EC, and alkalinity, can also be entered and evaluated for a specified crop.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HRI, its grantfunded research, or programming, visit www. hriresearch.org or contact Jennifer Gray at 614.884.1155.

➾ LE GA L ISSUES

An Overview of the H-2B Visa Process for Prospective Workers The trend of cities setting standards for employers continues as the city of St. Paul has passed an ordinance requiring employers to provide paid leave for employees.

Jared Nusbaum

Attorney at Law Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC

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MNLA .biz

Most employers in the Green Industry have is seasonal fluctuations in their staff. In seasons when there a shortage of qualified applicants available, one way that employers can increase the pool of potential applicants is to hire workers through the H-2B visa program. An H-2B visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows foreign nationals to enter the United States temporarily to engage in seasonal, nonagricultural employment. There are several steps involved in obtaining foreign national temporary seasonal workers.

First, the employer should obtain a Prevailing Wage Determination which would provide the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment. This can be done by submitting a request to the National Prevailing Wage Center either through electronic filing or by using the ETA form 9141.

Second, the employer must obtain a temporary labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. The temporary labor certification’s main purpose is to show that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the position(s) and that the foreign national’s employment in the U.S. will not have an adverse effect on the wages of U.S. workers employed in the same or similar occupations. The application process can be complicated and involves completing forms, providing documentation showing efforts that the employer has engaged in to advertise the position in order to recruit U.S. workers, providing a detailed statement of the temporary need, and evidence that the employment will be seasonal.

After receiving the temporary labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor, the employer/petitioner must file a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). Generally, the employer/petitioner

january 17

must submit the original temporary labor certification with Form I-129.

Finally, after USCIS approves the Form I-129, the prospective workers themselves must apply for an H-2B visa with the U.S. Department of State at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad and then seek admission to the United States with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a U.S. port of entry.

There is a limit on the number of H-2B visas granted during a fiscal year. Congress has set that cap at 66,000 visas per fiscal year with 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the first half of the fiscal year (October 1-March 31) and 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the second half of the fiscal year (April 1-September 30). There is carry-over from one-half of the fiscal year to the other half of the fiscal year, but no carry-over between fiscal years.

If you are considering hiring workers through the H-2B program, the attorneys at Zlimen & McGuiness can help ensure that you take the steps to get the workers you need while staying in compliance with the law.

This article provides general information on business and collections matters and should not be relied upon as legal advice. A qualified attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given. If you would like more information regarding business law, collections, or other legal matters, please contact Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-331-6500 or info@zmattorneys.com.

is an attorney at Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC. His law practice focuses on assisting contractors & other small business owners with their legal needs. You can reach him at jnusbaum@zmattorneys.com.

JARED NUSBAUM

HOW TO MINE YOUR GREEN INDUSTRY COMPANY’S

ACRES OF DIAMONDS

FOR ADDITIONAL PROFITABLE BUSINESS Tom Borg | Tom Borg Consulting

R

ussell Conwell used to tell the story of “The Acres of Diamonds.” The story was about a farmer who lived on the banks of the River Indus. He had heard about the fortunes being made by people mining for diamonds in Persia, Palestine, and Europe. He decided to sell his farm, take the proceeds and go abroad prospecting for diamonds. As the story goes, three years later he ended up broke and destitute, and fell into a river and drowned.

In the meantime, the person that bought his farm discovered, you guessed it, diamonds. Unfortunately, the original owner did not recognize what diamonds looked like in the rough and did not realize he had a fortune under his feet while he had owned his farm.

Green industry business owners are a lot like that farmer. They don’t realize the potential value they have with their present client base. They do not realize that their present customers have other needs that their business could fill for them. They assume that the best place to look for more business is elsewhere.

Some ways they try to attract new customers and spend precious advertising money include:

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• monthly coupon mailers • advertising in the local newspaper, chamber directories or business journals • banner ads on websites I am not saying you should avoid advertising to the masses, but you do want to limit it. Why? Because it can be very expensive and ineffective. As Jay Conrad Levinson has taught us, your ratio for advertising should be divided up so that you spend: • 10% on the universe (that is anybody and everybody, i.e. ads in newspaper, mailings, internet banners etc.).

• 30% on a qualified prospect list.

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• 60% on your present client base.

One of the best ways to sell more to your present client base is to discover what january 17

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➾ BU S I N E S S

their additional needs and wants are. You can do this by talking with your customers on a regular basis. As someone once said, “it is amazing what you can learn by just listening.” As I tell my green industry consulting clients and workshop participants: you don’t have to be as smart as you think you must be, you just have to ask the right questions and listen to your customers. They know what they want and need; all you have to do is ask the right questions and take good notes.

One of my clients, Maverick Property Maintenance, started asking the right questions and making a list of the services their customers were asking to be delivered. Once they compiled an extensive list, they decided which services they could provide and started offering them. Some of these services were things they had never considered offering, yet, given the skill sets of his crews, he knew they could easily provide them. And these were services other companies were providing, but because Maverick Property Maintenance already had established a trusted business relationship with these customers, they wanted my client’s company to do the work.

For instance some of the services people requested were: • shrub trimming • weeding bed edging • tree trimming • organic fertilization • sprinkler system repair • repositioning of sprinkler lines and heads to optimize coverage • installation of new sod • new landscape construction The amount of money some of their typical clients started spending per year with them was mind boggling. Some had a five-fold increase. Maverick Property Maintenance did what your business can do more of, and that is to ask the right questions, listen and respond to customer needs and wants. The idea is to leverage your trusted business relationship with your clients and provide more of the services and products they need and want.

Rather than offering just the bare minimum to your clients, the concept I am recommending to you is to make it a point to go vertical with each one of your clients. What kind of services or products can you supply to them? Research shows that it is ten times cheaper to sell to your present client base than to try to find and sell to a new customer.

So, what about your “Acres of Diamonds?” What are some of the questions you need to start asking your customers? What will you do when you start getting their responses? It’s up to you. works with small and mid-size Green Industry companies to effectively and profitably improve customer acquisition and retention. Contact Tom at: (734) 404-5909 or email him at tom@tomborg.com or visit his website at: www.tomborgconsulting.com.

TOM BORG

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—Chris Harich, Lilydale Garden Center, St. Paul, MN Contact Lisa Williams-Hardman: 1-800-676-6747 ext. 204, lisaw@northerngardener.org or visit the MSHS Booth at the Northern Green. NEW LOCATION: ROOM 103E

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WORDS MEAN SOMETHING Susan Gordon | Manager, Kinney Azalea Gardens

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➾ W OR DS

“W

ords, my friends, do mean something.” Many of you recognize this as the voice of Hillary Clinton. Our very wise editor, Sallie Sirhal, has warned me to stay away from politics. But I think it’s safe to back a single statement. So, I’m with her.

In the English language, we sometimes use the same word in different contexts and it has completely different meanings, “Sanction” is one that sticks in my craw.

To sanction something is to endorse it or to give it blessing. Yet, an economic sanction is a form of international punishment.

Go figure.

In our industry there are several words or phrases that lead to misunderstandings, or worse. The phrase “beneficial insects” drives me insane. (I know, get a life Gordon.)

Scientists and educators have been telling us for years that every native organism, in a given locale, supports the food web and ecosystem. Not just the pretty or cute ones.

Yet we stink at imparting this information to our clients. Every time we say “benefials” we imply all the other insects are not helpful. Same with “pollinator gardens.”

If you sell a client on a garden with native species for the local pollinators, you have to make darn sure they understand there will be holes in the leaves, too maybe a “native species” garden?

The next phrase I’d like to disgorge from my craw is “obligate wetland plants.” The words themselves mean plants that have to live in wetlands. Sure, if folks take the time to read the definitions provided by the RINHS or CRMC in the manuals, they will find it just means that’s where these plants are usually found growing. But most folks are rushed and overworked. Definitions don’t get read. I ended up explaining to some designer or contractor for the 597th time that no, many or most wetland plants do just fine in normal or even dry conditions. They’re just usually out-competed at these sites without human intervention (a.k.a. weeding, pruning).

The final phrase that makes me bonkers is “good steward of the environment.” It almost seems that some folks in our industry feel that if they say that enough or “we’re the good guys” it will make it so. Sorry,

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C O L O R

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➾ W O RD S

Has anyone else also noticed there are almost no insects fluttering against the windows at night? At Kinney’s the wildflower meadow should be alive with golden digger wasps, hummingbird moths and milkweed bugs.

Instead, there are some yellow jackets, honey and bumble bees.

dirty work boots are not ruby slippers. Our ecosystem is crashing around us. A “good steward of the environment” wouldn’t prey on fear. Let clients know that blowing out all the leaf litter and treating with an acaricide like Bifenthrin doesn’t just kill ticks.

It will either directly or indirectly kill most insects on the ground plane, as well as small amphibians. It doesn’t matter if laboratory studies show limited toxicity to non-target organisms. Whether the cause is toxicity, desiccation, physical trauma, loss of habitat or starvation, dead is dead.

Ultimately, birds and mammals will be impacted as well. A steward wouldn’t encourage a client to spray for gypsy or winter moths, and then tell them they could balance it out by planting fruiting shrubs and hanging bird feeders. Most of our clients aren’t dumb. If they can afford landscape pros, they’re probably pretty intelligent.

Educate them about the impacts of their choices. Give them alternatives to pesticides, tree removals and sterile landscapes.

Has anyone else also noticed there are almost no insects fluttering against the windows at night? At Kinney’s the wildflower meadow should be alive with golden digger wasps, hummingbird moths and milkweed bugs. Instead, there are some yellow jackets, honey and bumble bees. The occasional butterfly is a big deal. How many grasshoppers or katydids are you running into? Our kids are only going to know what a cricket is by watching the Disney channel.

Many Americans are disassociated from the natural world. This means it’s real easy 52

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for them to get scared or even panicky every time they hear new information about the Zika virus, Lyme disease or even a tree falling on a neighbor’s house. A “good steward of the environment” wouldn’t take advantage of those fears. A steward would educate their clients, give them options, and maybe some alternatives to pesticides and tree removals.

Some of our most successful members are taking serious steps toward more environmentally friendly practices. As folks review business plans this winter, maybe some serious soul searching is in order. I’m not asking everyone to stop all spraying, give up gas engines for mules, and weave their clothes from bittersweet vines.

Jimmy Siligato (from All Outdoors) said it succinctly on his sign board a few weeks ago: “Think.”

DR. SUSAN GORDON,

formerly an adjunct professor in the plant science and landscape architecture departments at the University of Rhode Island, is manager of Kinney Azalea Gardens in Kingston, RI. She is the coordinator for the Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association’s Certified Horticulturist Program.

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MNLA FOUNDATION Thank You to each of you that have supported the MNLA Foundation over this last fiscal year,

September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016. Your generous contributions enable us to continue to provide research information, scholarships, and career outreach that support the green industry in this region both now and into the future. Thank you for showing your dedication through your time and donations.

Individual and Company Donors Arla Carmichael Bailey Nurseries Bachmans Barrett Lawn Care Gertens All Seasons Garden Center AtoZ Services Bereson Nursery Bumble Bee Landscaping Carls Landscaping Jason Rathe JK, Garden Design Josh Kirschenbaum Premium Quality Trees Kerker Inc. Rodney Saline Ron Clark Construction Savanna Designs Stars & Stripes Terry Becker Construction Tim Power Twin City Seed Zlimen & McGuiness

Scholarship Sponsors

Tangletown Gardens Bailey Nurseries Baker Lake Nursery Wilson Nurseries Bailey Nurseries Wally Marx Hoffman & McNamara Otten Brothers Garden Center & Landscaping Southview Design Malmborgs Natural Creations Barrett Lawn Care Wilson Nurseries Home Sown Gardens, LLC Robin D. Linder Memorial Scholarship Hoffman & McNamara Minnesota Society of Arboriculture Rochester Arborist Workshop Gertens Robin D. Linder Memorial Scholarship Bailey Nurseries Bachmans Robin D. Linder Memorial Scholarship Minnesota Society of Arborculture Rochester Arborist Workshop

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A great number of companies have shown their support by contributing ¼ of 1% of their purchases at participating industry suppliers in the Research and Education Partners Fund program. This investment into the industry’s future is greatly appreciated.

Contributors 101 MARKET; ABRAHAMSON NURSERIES; ALOHA LANDSCAPING; AUSTIN LAKE GREENHOUSE; BARCK RESIDENTIAL LAWN & LANDSCAPE; BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS; BERGESON NURSERY; BERG’S NURSERY & LANDSCAPE INC; BIERMEIER GREENHOUSE, INC.; CLEM HOME & LAWN; COOPER’S LANDSCAPING; CORBIN’S CUSTOM LANDSCAPE; COUNTRYSIDE GARDENS INC; CREATIVE LANDSCAPE - MANKATO; DALE WELLE NURSERY; DAN DEVEREAUX LANDSCAPE GARDENER; DITCH CREEK LANDSCAPE; EARTHSTONE ENVIRONMENTS INC; EARTHWORKS LANDSCAPING; ELMORE NURSERY; ENERGYSCAPES INC; ENGWALLS FLORIST & GREENHOUSE; ENVIRODESIGN, INC; ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN INC; ESTES AND ASSOCIATES; EUFLORIA; FARIBAULT GROWERS INC; FIEDLER LANDSCAPING; FOREST & FLORAL GARDEN CENTER; FOX LANDSCAPING; G & M TREE MOVING; GETHSEMANE GARDENS; GREEN BARN GARDEN CENTER; GREENSIDE INC; GREENWORLD INC; HAGEN LAWN & LANDSCAPE; HAMMARLUND NURSERY INC; HAY CREEK/PESTOP; HELIOTROPE GARDEN DESIGN; HIGHLAND NURSERY; HOFFMAN & MCNAMARA NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE CO.; I & M LANDSCAPING; INSIDE OUT LANDSCAPE LLC; IRRIGATION BY DESIGN; JACK W MOORE; JEFF REISINGER LAWN SERVICE, INC.; JOHNSON CREEK INC; JUSTIN MALECHA LANDSCAPE DESIGN; KARLS LANDSCAPE INC; KLEINMAN COMPANIES; KNECHT’S NURSERY & LANDSCAPE; KOKESH LANDSCAPE LLC; LAKE SUPERIOR GARDEN CENTER; LAKELAND LANDSCAPE INC; LANDSBURG LANDSCAPE NURSERY; LANDSCAPE RENOVATIONS; LANDSCAPE TECHNIQUES; LIFESTYLE CREATIONS; LILYDALE GARDEN CENTER; LIVING SCULPTURE; LYNDE GREENHOUSE; MALMBORGS GREENHOUSE; MCGUIRE LANDSCAPING; MICKMAN BROS NURSERY; MIDLAND NURSERY INC; MIEROW LANDSCAPES MISSINNE GH & LANDSCAPE, INC.; NATURAL CREATIONS; NATURAL

Improving the Environment

by Investing in Research and Education

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

SURROUNDINGS; NATURE’S WAY LAWN SERVICE; NORTHEAST TREE INC; OTTEN BROS NURSERY & LANDSCAPE; PICTURE PERFECT HOMES INC; PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS; PRECISION LANDSCAPING & CONSTRUCTION; PROPERTY UPKEEP SERVICE; PROSPECT HILL GARDENS INC; R L REYNOLDS CONT; RIVER CREEK NURSERY; RIVER ROAD GREENHOUSE; SARGENTS ROCHESTER; SARGENTS GARDENS

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!

GROWER; SARGENT’S LANDSCAPE NURSERY INC; SARGENTS ON 2ND; SCAPE CREATIONS LLC; SCHALOW’S NURSERY; SCHRADER ENTERPRISES LAWN/LANDSCAPE; SCHULTE GREENHOUSE; STICKS

TM

& STONES DESIGN; STOCKMENS

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

GREENHOUSE & LANDSCAPE; STONEPOCKET, INC; SWEDBERG NURSERY; TANGLETOWN GARDENS LLC; THE TREE HOUSE INC;

Chanhassen Distribution Yard 952-445-4088 1-800-477-4123 Fax: 952-445-6219

WAGNER GREENHOUSES INC; WEIS

New Germany Growing Range Field Direct Sales Phone & Fax 952-353-2175 Jim's Cell: 612-290-6358

LANDSCAPING & DESIGN LLC; WINONA NURSERY INC; WINTER GREENHOUSE INC We’ve made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this list. If your information is incorrect, please contact the MNLA office at 651-633-4987 or mnla@mnla.biz.

Research for the Real World

Career Development & Promotion

Scholarships

➾ MNLA FOUN DATION

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS 20 1 6 – 2 0 1 7 SC H O L AR SH I P R ECI P I E N T S

The MNLA Foundation partnered with 16 member companies to present 23 academic scholarships for the 2016–2017 school year. Here is a look at this year’s collegiate recipients.

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MILES ANDERSON

MACKENZIE COCHRAN

SPONSORED BY: BAKER LAKE NURSERY

SPONSORED BY: WALLACE GARDENS

School: University of MN St. Paul Major: Plant Science Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: I want to enter a field of study with universal worth. The value added to the world through human’s interactions with plants is of great importance to everyone on Earth. It gives one a great sense of accomplishment to participate in this interaction.

School: University of MN Crookston Major: Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2018 Future Plans: I am interested in the ability to have a hands-on career, specifically with agriculture crops and plants. seedlings in the greenhouse or bedding plants in a landscape setting. My goal is to merge horticultural in my own Garden Center business.

GABRIELLA BLAIR

ELIZABETH CONKLIN

SPONSORED BY: ROBIN D. LINDER MEMORIAL

SPONSORED BY: MINNESOTA SOCIETY OF ARBORCUL-

SCHOLARSHIP

TURE ROCHESTER ARBORIST WORKSHOP

School: University of Wisconsin-River Falls Major: Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2018 Future Plans: I plan to create and run my own Christmas tree farm and landscape design company; celebrating my favorite time of the year with trees and design.

School: Rochester Community and Technical College Major: Horticulture Expected Gradution: 2017 Future Plans: I want to incorporate my love of gardening and science with my passion for inspiring, exciting, and educating others in the field of horticulture.

ERIC BRANCH

JESSICA CUMMINGS

SPONSORED BY: WILSON NURSERIES

SPONSORED BY: BACHMANS

School: University of MN St. Paul Major: Plant Science Expected Graduation: 2019 Future Plans: I plan on going on to graduate school, and hopefully focus on solving problems and overcoming challenges that are unique to vegetable producers in northern climates, particularly Minnesota.

School: University of Wisconsin- River Falls Major: Horticulture in Landscape Design and Management & an Emphasis in Business Expected Graduation: 2018 Future Plans: I plan to work for a landscape design company in the Wisconsin River Falls area.

JOSH CARPENTER

DANIELLE FEHRING

SPONSORED BY: BARRETT LAWN CARE, INC.

SPONSORED BY: MALMBORGS

School: Hennepin Technical College Major: Landscape Design and Construction Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: I wish to become a Landscape Designer and Project Manager at the company with which I am currently employed, and work to increase the number of renewable garden designs.

School: Hennepin Technical College Major: Greenhouse Technician Expected Graduation: 2016 Future Plans: I plan to work in food production and permaculture, and to be a part of the food justice movement, both occupationally and through volunteerism.

january 17

THEO FEINSTEIN

SETH HEDER

SPONSORED BY: HOME SOWN GARDENS, LLC

SPONSORED BY: BAILEY NURSERIES

School: Hennepin Technical College Major: Landscape Design & Construction Expected Graduation: 2018 Future Plans: My future plans are to combine my knowledge of horticulture and landscape design to create residential and commercial landscapes that incorporates permaculture and sustainable practices.

School: UofM St. Paul Major: Plant Science Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: My plans are to become a fruit breeder or to be a part of a fruit breeding program for engineering of better cultivars.

BETSY FISHER

ELIZABETH “LIBBY” HEILSKOV

SPONSORED BY: OTTEN BROTHERS GARDEN CENTER

SPONSORED BY: MINNESOTA SOCIETY OF ARBORICUL-

& LANDSCAPING

TURE ROCHESTER ARBORIST WORKSHOP

School: Hennepin Technical College Major: Landscape Design & Construction Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: I’m very eager to pursue a job as a landscape designer with a Twin Cities company. I hope to build strong client relationships and have a positive, lasting impact on residential spaces and the environment through my work.

School: Rochester Community and Technical College Major: Horticulture Technology Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: After graduation, I plan to work managing/installing a landscape/garden area.

I also hope to someday start my own greenhouse vegetable production business and have the first all vegetarian restaurant in my town.

SALLY GRANATH

BROOKE JERIE

SPONSORED BY: HOFFMAN & MCNAMARA NURSERY

SPONSORED BY: BAILEY NURSERIES

AND LANDSCAPE

School: Iowa State University Major: Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2018 Future Plans: Upon graduating with my degree in Horticulture I plan to work in the nursery industry. Through this I not only hope to produce and sell excellent plant material, but also to educate the public on just how important the field of horticulture is in our day to day lives.

School: Dakota County Technical College Major: Horticulture/Landscape Design Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: I plan to work in the area of greenhouse growing, crop production, designing for water capture and filtration, and hydroponics.

CONNOR HAGEMEYER

SARAH KICKERT

SPONSORED BY: GERTENS

SPONSORED BY: ROBIN D. LINDER MEMORIAL

School: North Dakota State University Major: Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2019 Future Plans: I plan on pursuing a master’s focusing on plant breeding. My focus primarily is ornamental plants for landscape.

I really enjoy answering questions and helping friends and family with their landscaping challenges.

School: North Dakota State University Major: Horticulture- Landscape Architecture Expected Graduation: 2019 Future Plans: I am interested in so many areas of horticulture, but ideally I’d like to find employment in one of these areas: greenhouse growing, nursery crop production, designing for water capture and filtration, or hydroponics.

SCHOLARSHIP

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➾ MNLA FOUN DATION

MASON LANDRY

ANDY SHERWOOD

SPONSORED BY: NATURAL CREATIONS

SPONSORED BY: BAILEY NURSERIES

School: Hennepin Technical College Major: Landscape Design and Construction Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: I plan to complete my two year degree in Landscape Design and Construction at Hennepin Tech, then transfer to a four year college to obtain my bachelor’s degree.

School: University of Wisconsin- River Falls Major: Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans:I hope to make a positive impact on the industry by focusing on important traits such as pest and disease resistance as well as cold hardiness.

KYLE LEMKE

ROSALIE WILSON

SPONSORED BY: SOUTHVIEW DESIGN

SPONSORED BY: TANGLETOWN GARDENS

School: Hennepin Technical College Major: Landscape Design and Construction; Landscape Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: I plan on continuing to work with a landscape design and build firm.

Currently, I am working on a landscape crew.

Being able to see an original design come to life will be one of the most satisfying accomplishments life can offer.

School: UofM St. Paul Major: Food Systems Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: I hope to work for a nonprofit organization, government agency, or company that promotes access to nutritious, sustainably-grown food reduces food waste.

After gaining work experience, I plan to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Health.

AMBER LIEN

THOMAS WRIGHT

SPONSORED BY: ROBIN D. LINDER MEMORIAL

SPONSORED BY: WILSON NURSERIES

SCHOLARSHIP

School: Hennepin Technical College Major: Landscape/Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: My area of interest is the production of landscape design, garden installation and maintenance. I currently work for myself and plan to build a strong business.

It is important to me to create spaces that improve the environment.

School: Century College Major: Greenhouse Technology Expected Graduation: 2016 Future Plans: I would like to continue my education in areas such as beekeeping and chicken keeping with hopes of becoming a mentor to members of my community. I also plan to continue my career working in the retail industry.

MARY RIESTENBERG SPONSORED BY: HOFFMAN & MCNAMARA

School: UofM Crookston Major: Horticulture Expected Graduation: 2017 Future Plans: I plan on gaining as much experience by studying abroad in landscape design. I also plan on becoming a certified Arborist.

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You never know when a heavy snowfall will require an early morning and fast action. That’s why Tri-State Bobcat offers winter-ready machines and the widest selection of snow removal attachments in the business.

We also rent all of the machines and attachments that we sell. We rent by the day, week or month and stock a huge inventory.

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952-894-0894

651-407-3727 www.tristatebobcat.com

Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. 15-B261

NEW LOCATION OPEN 588 Outpost Circle Hudson, WI 54016

715-531-0801

2017 GREEN INDUSTRY DAY ON THE HILL Wednesday, March 8th

Join green industry professionals from around the state for a day of information-sharing and advocacy!

Our Day on the Hill is a critical opportunity for YOU to build relationships with elected officials and raise awareness about issues impacting your business, workforce, and the industry as a whole.

Members of MNLA’s Government Affairs Team and Day on the Hill “pros” will guide you through the day’s events, helping foster connections between attendees and ensuring you’re prepared for successful legislative meetings.

Event Schedule:

Best Western Capitol Ridge, Capitol Hall • 8:00-8:30 – Check-in & Complimentary Continental Breakfast • 8:30-9:20 – Issue & Advocacy Orientation • 9:20-9:45 – Small Group “Sessions” Capitol Complex, Senate & State Office Buildings • 9:45-4:00 – Meetings with your elected officials

Be sure to register by this year’s deadline – Wednesday, February 15th!

To register, submit a scanned copy of this form to Alicia Munson via email (alicia@mnla.biz) or fax (651-633-4986). Registrations can also be submitted electronically by visiting the MNLA.biz event calendar and downloading the form on our Day on the Hill event page.

We look forward to advocating alongside you to grow results in government affairs!

➾ ME MBER N EWS

WELCOME NEW MNLA MEMBERS! All Around Landscaping Lucas Schafer Sartell, MN, 320-248-0308

Efficient Foam, Inc. Jason Hartkopf Clear Lake, MN, 320-980-2583

MSP Outdoor Services Jamie Hightshoe Plymouth, MN, 763-544-6776

As-Motors Daniel Pregont Watersmeet, MI, 239-272-8020

Heyboer Landscape Maintenance, Inc. Randall Heyboer Caledonia, MI, 616-877-4077

Ness Farms Michael Ness Fertile, MN, 218-280-1408

Circle J Repair & Services LLC Jesse Wilson New Prague, MN, 952-292-1167

Iceman Industries, Inc. Thomas Keller St. Paul, MN, 651-488-9659

Peterson Snow Removal Robb Peterson Ham Lake, MN, 612-919-2172

CJ Swenby Construction Chris Swenby Fertile, MN, 218-945-3741

JD Storage LLC Daniel Dolan Cottage Grove, MN, 651-458-5607

Recreational Supply Corp Brad Schreifels Forest Lake, MN, 651-982-0101

County Line Engineering & Machining Scott Graves Zumbro Falls, MN, 507-951-0767

Lawn Ranger Out Door Services, Inc. Joseph Unger Minneapolis, MN, 612-366-5296

Waterworks Irrigation LLC Tom Magnafici Dresser, WI, 651-775-9222

EDC Doug Beutel Minneapolis, MN, 612-355-2300

Maciej Sign Scott Maciej Andover, MN, 612-867-6159

CAREER CENTER:

SCOOP CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE Poly-Tex FieldPro gothic high tunnel 24' × 48', used one season. Call 952-461-4728.

RED BOSS Tree Spades 16" to 105", Planters, Tree Tiers (upto 110"), Stump Diggers. Tree Boss. Nursery and Landscaping Equipment is our specialty.

All made in USA. info@redbosstreespades.com, www. redbosstreespades.com

Searching for your next great employee? Looking for a buyer? Place a Scoop Classified ad.

ONLINE JOB BOARD on MNLA.biz

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Looking for a new job? Search the MNLA Career Center job postings on www.MNLA.biz for free - no membership required.

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MNLA members: Use this valuable service to list your full time and seasonal positions. Only $40 for a 60-day listing. Login to www.MNLA.biz and click on “Career Center’ in the menu to get started today.

Contact Faith Jensen 952-934-2891 faith@pierreproductions.com.

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➾ I N MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM C O L I N O ’ N EI L L

COLIN O’NEILL was a familiar name and face in the Minneapolis-St. Paul community and its green industry as the founder of Prescription Landscape, Inc. Colin passed away unexpectedly at his waterside home at Oyster Bay Yacht Club, Fernandina Beach, Florida, surrounded by family on April 19, 2016 following a brief battle with cholangiocarcinoma — a rare form of gallbladder cancer.

Colin grew up in the close-knit community surrounding Rice Creek in Fridley, Minn., and was the middle child in a large, sports-enthusiastic family wherein he developed numerous friendships and lifelong loves of tennis, golf, baseball, swimming, boating and the great outdoors.

After graduating from Fridley High School, Colin received his B.S. in horticulture from the University of Minnesota and his MBA from University of St. Thomas. Soon after his marriage to Paulita LaPlante in 1980, he bought some very basic equipment and a used plow truck, and with partner Mike Teichert, started Prescription Landscape.

Under Colin’s business and financial leadership, the company grew into a multimillion dollar business serving corporate clients in Minnesota. Ryan Foudray became a partner in the business replacing Mike Teichert who retired in 2012. Upon assuming the role of CEO/ COO in 2014, Ryan refocused the company client list and ushered in a new period of growth.

Reflected in the name, Prescription Landscape has always had an environment health focus. As a horticulturist, Colin worked to

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maintain a company culture of responsibility. When new herbicides or pesticides were presented to the lawncare market, he went into “U of M” mode. A great example of this was his very big NO to Imprelis® which was in his words “an easy decision” based on its chemical properties. Colin was also a proponent of big picture thinking when it came to economic ecology and water quality; he implemented landscape assessments to promote horticulturally-sustainable programs over the long term. The quick-fix chemical approach was not part of his DNA. Colin mixed his love of land and water and was both a passionate golfer and boater. His attention to detail made him the logical event organizer and his generosity kept it fun. About one year after buying a 36' Sea Ray and completing all his certifications, he piloted his boat down the Mississippi and Tenn-Tom and across the Gulf of Mexico to Fernandina Beach.

Extremely proud of his children, Kerry O’Neill and Carly Haugen, Colin enthusiastically mentored them and served as a volunteer throughout their swimming careers on Dolphin Aquatics swim club and St. Thomas Academy and Visitation swim teams.

Ryan Foudray continues as Prescription Landscape’s CEO/COO in partnership with Paulita LaPlante, who recently became Chief Strategy Officer. Together they will carry on Colin’s legacy.

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