The Scoop Online - August 2019

GARDEN RE-CENTERING

VOLUNTEER VOICES

OUT & ABOUT

OUTDOOR LEARNING LAB

OFFICE LANDSCAPE FILLS LONG-TIME MEMBER NEED ALSO INSIDE:

NAVIGATING THE COMMUNICATION BARRIER

aug 2019 n v42 n8

PLUS:

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARD PROJECT

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 OTA N U R S E RY & L A N DS C A P E A SS OC I AT I ON

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR FALL PROJECTS.

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WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

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1051 W. 7th Street, Monroe,WI 53566

www.monroetruck.com PH: 888-878-8777

MNLA Business Member

aug 2019 n v42 n8

18 36

8 Events 25

12 Exterior Project Timeline This series of photos documents the construction process at the MNLA office.

16 Volunteer Voices Jim Shimon of Willow River Company is discovering that getting involved in MNLA offers more

32

benefits than he realized.

34 Year-Round Advocacy

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Showcasing the Green Industry at the MNLA Office Executive Director Larson describes the transformation of MNLA's landscape into a learning space, technology showcase, and member gathering spot. 

18

A Water-Efficient Alternative to Overhead Mist Submist shows promise as a viable alternative to overhead mist for rooting herbaceous stem cuttings. 

25

Colonial Makeover Clayton Johnson and Yardscapes, Inc. impressed our Landscape Awards judges by how they unified the building with its landscape. 

32

What’s Not to Lichen?

Faith Appelquist draws attention to these often-overlooked organisms (which are not actually plants).  

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Navigating the Communication Barrier Marcus Darby provides an understanding of the cultural nuances present in an increasingly diverse and international green industry workforce. 

43

Garden Re-Centering

Through grassroots and electoral activities, members can influence policy throughout the calendar year.

36 Keynote Speakers & Premium Tracks This region-relevant high-quality content comes your way in January 2020 at Northern Green!

48 Sick & Safe Leave Now Applies to Companies Outside Minneapolis Bryan Zlimen reports on a ruling that impacts any company with an employee working in Minneapolis at least 80 hours per year.

54 Sponsor a Scholarship Students who participate in the MNLA Foundation scholarship program gain a greater connection to the industry.

55 Thank You Scoop Supporters!

MNLA appreciates these businesses for helping to bring this magazine to you!

Scott Grams ponders the impact on bewildered homeowners when looking for help at a big box store.      Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Mgmt  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Mgmt  Arborists & Tree Services  All

Cover photo: Jon Horsman. Table of Contents Images: Top Left: Jim Calkins. Middle: Yardscapes, Inc. Bottom: Faith Appelquist.

august 19 MNLA.BIZ

5

DIRECTORY

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MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here!

1813 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987 • Fax: 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, Fax: 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz • www.NorthernGreen.org Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Scott Frampton, President Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 • sframpton@landscaperenovations.com Tim Malooly, CID, CLIA, CIC, Vice-President Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com Randy Berg, MNLA-CP, Secretary-Treasurer Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com Faith Appelquist, MNLA-CP Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.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, MNLA-CP Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com Cassie Larson, CAE MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz STAFF DIRECTORY Executive Director: Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz Membership Director & Trade Show Manager: Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz Communications Dir.: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz Education/Cert. Manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Government Affairs Dir: Forrest Cyr • forrest@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: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz Advertising Sales: 952-934-2891 / 763-295-5420 Faith Jensen, Advertising Rep • faith@pierreproductions.com Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com Legislative Affairs Consultant: Doug Carnival

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

Anderson Nurseries ............................................................................ 24 Arborjet .................................................................................................... 9 Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes ........................ 3, 40 Borgert Products, Inc. ......................................................................... 23 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................. 11 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ...................................................................... 17 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................... 21 Frontier Ag & Turf ................................................................................ 44 Fury Motors ........................................................................................... 47 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply ............................. 2 Gopher State One-Call ....................................................................... 17 Haag Companies, Inc. ......................................................................... 49 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies ..................................... 44 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................... 28–29 Klaus Nurseries .................................................................................... 44 Monroe Truck Equipment .................................................................... 4 Northern Salt Inc. ................................................................................ 50 Out Back Nursery .................................................................................. 11 Plaisted Companies .............................................................................. 7 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................... 50 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility .................................................... 24 The Resultants ..................................................................................... 21 The Tessman Company ....................................................................... 42 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .......................................................................... 35 Truck Utilities, Inc. ............................................................................... 24 Versa-Lok Midwest .............................................................................. 52 Wheeler Landscape Supply .............................................................. 42 Xcel Energy ............................................................................................ 41 Ziegler CAT ............................................................................. Back Cover

UPCOMING

IGC SHOW

AUG

13 –15

Tradeshow and education sessions focused on the interests of garden centers.

Chicago, IL ➽ Igcshow.com

LANDSCAPE DESIGN TOUR

AUG

14



Join your colleagues and tour design sites in the metro area. This tour always inspires, and the connections you will make on the bus are priceless. ➽ MNLA.biz

AUG

27



MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY Stop by the MNLA office for coffee, donuts, ice cream & toppings, beer, and popcorn — all free to members! Also, see the completed office landscape!

MNLA Office, Roseville ➽ MNLA.biz

AUG

27



5TH ANNUAL MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS GAME This year we have reserved the Rooftop Party Deck for the MNLA group. $28 per person includes a pre-game dinner and the game!

CHS Field, St. Paul ➽ MNLA.biz

SEPT

10



LEADERSHIP PEER GROUPS The topic is attracting, onboarding, and developing talent across your company. The first of six sessions is on September 10. Deadline for application is August 27. ➽ MNLA.biz/leadership

SEPT

17

MNLA SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT The 9th Annual MNLA Foundation Shootout is a fun sporting clays event that raises money for green industry career promotion and scholarships.

Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club, Prior Lake ➽ MNLA.biz

SEPT

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SALUTING BRANCHES Join the Saluting Branches initiative to give back to those who gave so much. Tree care companies, arborists and industry professionals are invited to volunteer their time and talents on this day of service. ➽ Solutingbranches.org

iStock.com/cmannphoto

OCT

03

published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2019, and may not be used without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave

next snow season.

Minnesota State Fair Dairy Building, St. Paul ➽ MNLA.biz

The Scoop, August 2019, Issue 8, is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats

MNLA SNOW DAY Join us for a day of education, equipment, supplies, and networking to gear up for the

JAN

14 –16

N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one

NORTHERN GREEN 2020 Save the dates now for the green industry experience where you browse + do business, learn + let loose, and connect + grow.

Minneapolis Convention Center ➽NorthernGreen.org

year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

2019 MNLA seminars

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your

generously supported by:

expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact

Business

 Skills Training

 Networking

Leadership Development

General

the publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987. MNLA



reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

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

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MNLA.BIZ august 19



FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Showcasing the Green Industry at the MNLA Office Cassie Larson

MNLA Executive Director

The History: Why did the board take on this project?

A few years ago, the MNLA Board of Directors considered purchasing a different building to accommodate the desire to have indoor classroom space as well as an outdoor learning lab for members. For many reasons, this purchase did not come to fruition and was ultimately the right decision at the time.

However, the desire to have a learning space (both internal and external) that belonged to the membership continued to exist. Therefore, the Board decided that perhaps the internal and external resources on MNLA's current property could be more efficiently utilized. During the 2015 calendar year, a task team was commissioned and completed an interior renovation of the building that included an indoor classroom/meeting space, while the outdoor parking lot and landscape improvements were deemed a phase 2 project. We have now reached and completed phase 2!

There was a task team appointed to oversee the creation of a comprehensive exterior site plan for the MNLA office property, which broke ground in the fall of 2018. This team put in many hours making sure the project was completed efficiently and professionally to adequately showcase the green industry.

Installation Photo Timeline Interested in seeing a photo timeline for the installation of this project? See pages 12–13 for photos and further details.

Project Design/Elements The desire was to create a highly functional, inspirational, and sustainable space. The office landscape is now a destination where MNLA companies can send new or existing clients to see elements that could be incorporated into their own yard/property. It will also serve as a setting for MNLA to hold educational workshops for the industry and increase knowledge about horticultural/landscape topics.

• Featured design elements of the MNLA landscape and garden include:

Your Invitation The Board is excited about this project and can’t wait to welcome you to this new outdoor learning space and feature gardens. As a member, you are welcome to stop by any time to see the space! But we’d like to specifically invite you to attend the upcoming Member Appreciation Day on August 27 (where we will have free donuts, ice cream, beer, and popcorn) and take a few minutes to stroll the new landscape while we say THANKS for being a member.

➽CASSIE LARSON can be reached at: cassie@mnla.biz.

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

• An inspirational theme showcasing our industry knowledge and ability to be creative and feature the newest technology • Two large raingardens for stormwater management • Gardens — including perennial, shrub, and annual garden spaces with seasonal interest for both passive and active learning • An outdoor learning area/lab/’sandbox’ area for hands-on industry workshops • A shaded paver patio area for members and workshop attendees and staff to relax, network, and enjoy meals • Paver and natural stone walkways as well as boulder outcropping walls • A water feature and a comprehensive irrigation and water harvest/re-use system • Landscape lighting – a complete landscape lighting design/plan • New solar powered light fixtures for the parking lot • Updated signage, both for the organization and the materials contained within the landscape

THANK YOU TO THE MNLA OFFICE LANDSCAPE PROJECT DONORS!

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

TM

This project would not have been possible without generous donations from many MNLA member companies. If you talk to someone at one of these companies be sure to tell them thanks for their support of the green industry.

PLATINUM DONOR (OVER $10,000)

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

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs

GOLD DONOR (OVER $5,000)

GET ALL YOUR CONTRACTOR SUPPLY NEEDS! CALL US FOR THE BEST SELECTION IN THE INDUSTRY

SILVER DONOR (OVER $2,500) Bailey Nurseries, Inc. Central Landscape Supply in partnership with Border Concepts, Dimex, and SRW Products Hunter/FX Luminaire MIDC Enterprises Irrigation & Landscape Supplies

BRONZE DONOR (OVER $1,000) Bachman’s, Inc. Happy Land Tree Farms, Inc. Hoffman & McNamara Nursery and Landscape South Cedar Greenhouses TerraDek Lighting, Inc.

GROWERS: Nursery Containers, Wire Baskets/ Burlap , Horticulture Tools, Corrugated Tree, Protectors, Digging Spades, Osmocote Fertilizers and Grower’s Mixes.

NURSERY STOCK: Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, B&B Trees, Perennials, Specialty Conifers, Specialty Deciduous and *Field Direct Trees.

RETAIL: Chemicals, Grass Seeds, Tools/ Pruners, Water Gardening, Supplies, Garden Hose, Bird Feeders, Feed and Yard Ornaments.

EROSION CONTROL: Wood Blankets, Straw Blankets, Geojute, Sod Staples, Silt Fence, Grass Seed & Sediment Logs.

CONTRACTORS: Edging, Fabrics, Low Voltage, Lighting, Retaining Wall Systems, Pavers, Bulk Materials, Safety Supplies and Wheelbarrows.

® ® PAVING SYSTEM FEATURINGCHARLESTON CHARLESTON HIGHLAND STONE® FEATURING PAVING SYSTEM WALL SYSTEM & HIGHLAND STONE® WALL SYSTEM!

DONOR (OVER $500) Crow-Hassan Nursery Hardwood Creek Nursery Klaus Nurseries The Mulch Store Urban Ecosystems Waconia Tree Farms

www.centrallandscape.com

1-800-772-3888 | Fax 1-888-257-5577 | sales@centrallandscape.com

4026 County Road 74 South

|

St. Cloud, MN 56301 august 19 MNLA.BIZ

DonorRecognitionListing_ExteriorProject.indd 1

7/16/2019 3:53:39 PM

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MNLA OFFICE LANDSCAPE PROJECT TIMELINE, PT. 1

OCT. 3, 2018

The MNLA office landscape before installation.

NOV. 15, 2018

Top Left: Assembling the AquaBlox® that will serve as the structure within the catchment area for the water re-use system. A pond will sit on the top when complete.

Top Right: The liner is installed for the pond area of the water catchment system, and the AquaBlox® are installed as well.

JUNE 5, 2019

Top Left: Today they are digging the trenches for the piping that will take the water from the roof and transport it to the holding pond behind the building.

Top Right: These catchments will take water from the roof/gutters and send it around to the holding pond for re-use in landscape irrigation.

OCT. 9, 2018

Tree removal of large evergreen trees along the west side of the property.

NOV. 20, 2018

The outcropping of stone is started on the east side of the parking lot. Thanks to Eden-Valders Stone for their donation!

JUNE 12, 2019

Hydrovac excavation of a tree stump that was over a gas line.

OCT. 11, 2018

The beds are cleared and the grass removed.

MAY 10, 2019

It’s spring and the MNLA office landscape project is back in action. Pouring the curb at the front entry.

JUNE 18, 2019

The raingarden on the east side is full of Plaisted Companies product. Thanks for your donation!

Thank you to the Exterior Task Team for guiding the process from conception through completion. MNLA members now have a showcase landscape to demonstrate best practices to their clients, a party area to celebrate together, an outdoor hands-on educational venue, and a living case study of a stormwater management plan that captures water falling on our property and surrounding properties. Below are a series of photos documenting the construction process. Look for Part 2 next month with completion photos.

The complete list of donors is on page 11 of this issue of the Scoop. To view more photos, see the photo gallery on our Facebook page!

OCT. 29, 2018

A delivery of wall block arrives at the MNLA office. Thanks to Borgert Products, Inc. for their generous donation!

MAY 10, 2019

The raingarden excavation. Two large raingardens will capture water from the property as well as overflow from the street.

JUNE 18, 2019

A close up of the spot where the “MNLA� monument sign will be installed on the southwest corner of the property.

NOVEMBER 2018

Top Left, Nov. 1, 2018: The retaining wall along the east side of the property (on Lexington Ave.) is removed.

Top Right, Nov. 21: An SRW wall has been completed and will run along the city path on Lexington. Looks great and matches the building nicely!

MAY 15-31, 2019

Top Left: Base prep for paver installation is underway and soon the bridge to the front entrance will be gone for a bit as they prepare to install a walkway along the front of the building.

NOV. 9, 2018

Getting ready for the pergola footings to be poured. The pergola is a donation from Arbors Direct.

MAY 28, 2019

Work on the paver patio begins!

Top Right: The paver walkway along the front of the building is complete. This photo looks toward the west side of the property.

JUNE 27, 2019

Top Left: Starting to fill the sandbox which will be used as an educational area in the landscape.

Right: Installing the seatwall next to the patio, which will add seating capacity to the gathering area.

JULY 3, 2019

The new trees along the west side of the property.

OUT & ABOUT

Paulette Sorenson is flanked by Craig Corby and Andrea Sandager from Abrahamson Nurseries.

Jon Horsman flanked by Chris Sondrol and Amanda Hol from Balsam Lake Pro Lawn.

& MNLA staff â?¤'s visiting our members!

Therese Olson, owner of Lowes Creek Tree Farm with Sue Flynn.

Bev Graf (L) from Heins Nursery with Paulette Sorenson (R).

Cindy Reuver (L) from Reuvers' Nursery with Cassie Larson (R).

Sue Flynn with MNLA award winner Wayne Bollinger, owner of Green Oasis.

Lowes Creek's log cabin.

Susan Bachman West and Heidi Heiland with their husbands at Solstice Soiree: Gala in the Garden at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

Anne Matzek (middle) gave Forrest Cyr (L) and Cassie Larson (R) a tour of Sargent's Nursery in Red Wing.

Forrest Cyr (L) presents a membership plaque and other gifts to the staff at Minnesota Sodding Company.

& MNLA staff â?¤'s visiting our members!

Down to Earth Garden Center.

Professional Gardening Services Networking Group at Lake Monster Brewing.

Mary Dunn with Ben Bolzin, owner of Down to Earth in Eau Claire, WI.

New sales room at Rivard Stone in Houlton, WI.

Mary Dunn with John Hopkins, Rivard Stone, in Houlton, WI.

august 19 MNLA.BIZ

15

VOLUNTEER VOICES

By Katie Mills Giorgio

VOLUNTEER: Jim Shimon COMPANY: Willow River Company – Landscaping & Tree Farm LOCATION: Hudson, Wisconsin

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

Jim Shimon grew up working for his family’s business, Willow River Company, which was started in 1988 by his grandfather and dad. Today, Shimon runs the company with his two brothers. “We say my dad is retired, but he still comes down and barks orders,” said Shimon. “My older brother is a landscape architect and he is our head design sales manager. My younger brother has an urban forestry degree, so he handles all the tree installations.

And I have a business administration degree, so I handle the business stuff.”

Collectively, all the brothers have a hand in the day-to-day operations.

And while their farms — one for Christmas trees and one for bag and burlap tree growing and prep — are located in Wisconsin, Willow River Company has long been a member of MNLA. Shimon said he is thankful MNLA “allows us to play” and be part of such a beneficial organization. “We have always gone to Northern Green and it has always been a really cool thing,” he said. “The MNLA is the only thing this industry has to get together.

Northern Green was always that opportunity for us. We got to know people through that.”

Now new to volunteering with MNLA, we chatted with Shimon to find out how he got involved with committee work a year ago and what he has learned so far.

Q. How did you get into the green industry?

A. I grew up working in the family business, doing landscaping with my dad. When I graduated from high school, landscaping was probably the last thing I wanted to do. We were doing things the hard way back then.

But through college, while working on my business degree, my mind kept coming back to different ideas on how to improve our family tree business.

The company was very small at the time. But I would always get ideas on marketing and eventually I started putting it all together and realized it could be a cool opportunity. So, I guess I’ve been in the green industry my whole life whether I realized it or not.

But it wasn’t until after college that I started to become passionate about it and what we could do for people.

Q. How did you first get involved with volunteering at MNLA?

A. I have always looked up to people volunteering with MNLA and wondered what it was all about. As I started thinking about what a cool association it is, I realized that if people don’t get involved with it, it will go away. So that was my big push. We didn’t have anyone involved with MNLA within our company and I thought that was wrong and I thought we should be getting involved. So, I reached out and they let me know about a new committee they were starting up and asked if I’d be interested in helping out.

Q. What committee or task team are you serving on right now?

A. I joined the new Career Development Committee. And it’s exciting because within MNLA this is a hot topic. The board is really excited about what our committee can come up with.

Right now, we are trying to put together business organizational charts to figure out what jobs are within the green industry as a whole, from retail nursery, to hardscape contractors, to a lawn care guy. We are working on coming up with the hierarchy of the jobs and flow charts. Next, we will be creating job descriptions that can help show how someone could move up through the company. I think so many people just see the green industry as a job; they don’t see it as a career. That is one hurdle that we are tackling. We aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but we are looking for ways to make it seem not like just a job but a career path. It’s an educational component.

Q. What has been your most meaningful experience as a Committee/Task Team member thus far?

A. It’s a good group of people from all parts of the industry. When you volunteer, you get to see the bigger picture and it’s so interesting. Sometimes you get stuck within your world.

So, when we meet, it’s cool to have all the people, from all parts of the sector, sitting in the room. I have light bulbs go off all the time when I’m in meetings.

And it’s so interesting that everyone, no matter the size of your company, has the same issues; the only thing that is

different is how you problem solve. And I don’t know that it was really meaningful, but getting involved has helped me learn so much about the MNLA website. I don’t think people realize the power of the website. There’s a lot of stuff on there, especially when you login.

You can also create logins for all your employees so they can look at all the resources. It’s also where you can find out about all the volunteering opportunities.

Q. Why do you think it’s important for green industry professionals to play an active role in MNLA, especially younger professionals?

A. If it’s only the larger companies or an older generation of people serving as volunteers, then you aren’t getting the full picture of what the MNLA represents. If you think about it, a landscape company often has a fairly young workforce. So, you need the full populace of the group to get involved. I think sometimes people might think they don’t have anything to share or that they don’t have a big enough company, so their opinion isn’t as important.

That couldn’t be more wrong. It’s super important for everyone to have a say in it.

Volunteering with MNLA is a great way to get together and be one voice for the industry and share what kind of educational things we need to provide. If MNLA doesn’t know what your concerns are, they can’t make arrangements to help make a difference. Getting involved in committees and task teams is a great way to have your voice heard. You gather with all sorts of different companies and learn what’s working and what’s not. You learn a ton of stuff from the people that are in the room with you.

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Q. What keeps you busy during the winter months?

A. Our company does do some snow removal, but I coach eighth and ninth grade hockey.

That consumes my entire winter.

Q. Where was the last place you travelled?

A. I just got back from the Bahamas. I like to get away when it’s cold, because anywhere that is warm is better than here in the winter.

I also recently went to the Minnesota Wild’s away hockey game in Vegas. I would highly recommend it. It’s pretty fun. ➽ Looking for an opportunity to participate in making MNLA and the green industry better? When you become part of an MNLA Committee or Task Team, you’ll find personal connections, knowledge, and wisdom you won’t gain anywhere else. august 19 MNLA.BIZ

17

WATER EFFICIENCY

18

MNLA.BIZ august 19

A Water-Efficient

ALTERNATIVE TO OVERHEAD

MIST Dr. James Calkins

MNLA Foundation Research Information Director

SUBMIST SHOWS PROMISE as a viable, water-efficient alternative to overhead mist for rooting herbaceous stem cuttings.

iStock.com/hudiemm

While recognizing the revolutionary role and status of overhead mist in

facilitating the rooting of leafy stem cuttings by reducing transpirational water loss through evaporative cooling, plant propagators and researchers also recognize that overhead mist systems are not perfect and might be improved upon. Concerns inherent with overhead mist systems include the use of large amounts of potable water, uneven mist coverage, the presence of persistent water films that can promote disease, low oxygen (anaerobic) conditions in the rooting medium that can reduce rooting and promote rotting, reduced root-zone temperatures caused by evaporative cooling that can delay rooting, leaching of foliar nutrients, and the need to acclimate rooted cuttings to a lower-humidity environment before harvest. These concerns are highlighted as the impetus for a recent study by Peterson, Sanchez, Burnet, and Hayes (2018) and published in the peer-reviewed journal HortTechnology.

Research Objectives Building on the research findings of others, the research had two primary objectives: august 19 MNLA.BIZ

19

Primarily planted as annuals for their interesting, colorful, and often multicolored, variegated foliage, the coleuses or painted nettles, currently classified in the genus Plectranthus and known by the scientific name Plectranthus scutellarioides, are herbaceous perennials native to tropical areas in southern and southeastern Asia and Australia; they are easily propagated by seed and from cuttings and are one of the most popular bedding plants for use in shady, and more recently sunny (sun coleus), locations worldwide.

1. To compare the rooting and subsequent

performance of rooted coleus cuttings that are rooted using four different propagation systems including traditional overhead mist (OM), an aeroponic submist system (SM), an aeroponic subfog system, and a subirrigation system.

2. To determine whether the addition of water-soluble fertilizer was beneficial in any of these propagation systems.

In addition to these primary objectives, other factors like water use and post-propagation performance were also followed.

Experiment Setup The test species was coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides; synonym — Solenostemon scutellarioides); specifically, ‘Wizard Mix’ which includes 12 hybrid varieties with foliage of different colors; stem cuttings collected from five of these varieties were used for the study (Coral Sunrise, Jade, Maroon, Scarlet, and Velvet Red).

The traditional overhead mist (OM) system involved mist nozzles mounted on 22-inch risers that were operated for 10 seconds every 10 minutes. The cuttings were stuck in open trays filled with coarse perlite that had been initially wetted with tap water or fertilizer solution (quarter-strength Hoagland solution; 52 mg/liter nitrogen). For the subirrigation (SI) system, water-tight, black PVC tubs were filled with coarse perlite with water or fertilizer solution added to a depth of 2.5 inches. The cuttings were stuck such that the bases of the cuttings were about 1-inch above the water or fertilizer solution and additional 20

MNLA.BIZ august 19

water was added as needed to maintain a relatively constant level. The submist (SM) system involved mist nozzles tapped into a 3/4-inch PVC manifold enclosed within a black plastic tubs fitted with lids. Three-quarterinch holes were drilled in the lids to insert the cuttings which were held in place by a 1/2-inchthick sheet of foam insulation with smaller, corresponding, 1/4-inch holes and placed on top of the lid. As for the OM system, the mist nozzles were operated for 10 seconds every 10 minutes by submersible pumps submerged in a water or nutrient solution at the bottom of the tub and additional water was added as needed to maintain the initial level. Finally, the subfog (SF) system utilized commercial, ultrasonic fog generators enclosed within black plastic tubs that were identical to those used for the SM system. The fog generators were operated continuously and were supplied with water or nutrient solution from the reservoir that was initially established at the bottom of each tub and was supplemented with water as needed to maintain a constant level. Each propagation system and tap water or fertilizer solution treatment combination was replicated three times with two cuttings from each of the five cultivars included in each of the replicated propagation/water/fertilizer solution systems. In all cases, the fertilizer treatments were only applied initially and were then followed (OM) or supplemented (SM, SI, and SF) with plain tap water.

The experiment was performed in a Quonset greenhouse with triple-layer, polycarbonate glazing with an average air temperature of 21.7ºC and an average daily light integral (DLI) of 10.19 mol·m-2·d-1 (moles/meter/day).

The cuttings were maintained under 50% shade during propagation. After 21 days, root ratings (0=no roots, 5=superior rooting) and the length of the longest root for each cutting were recorded. One-half of the cuttings (one cutting from each cultivar from each treatment) were then destructively harvested to count the number of roots and determine root and shoot dry weights and root/shoot ratios. The remaining cuttings were transplanted into 5-inch azalea pots filled with a commercial, peat-based medium. The transplanted cuttings were not shaded, were watered as needed, and were top-dressed with controlled-release fertilizer 11 days after transplanting. Forty-one days after transplanting, the height of each plant was measured, and the cuttings were harvested and dried to determine shoot and root dry weights and root/shoot ratios.

Research Results With the exception of the SF system where wilting was initially observed for a couple of days, but not thereafter, all four of the propagation systems maintained the turgor of the cuttings until harvest and the cuttings from all four systems produced roots. The cuttings rooted in the SM system had the best root systems with an average root length seven times the length of the roots on the cuttings produced in the OM system. In addition, the root ratings and root numbers were approximately four times greater and the root dry weights approximately 15 times greater for the SM system compared to the rooted cuttings from the OM propagation system.

The performance of the cuttings from the

Photos by Jim Calkins

WATER EFFICIENCY

SI treatment was intermediate compared to the SM system and the OM and SF systems which produced similar results.

Regardless of the propagation system, all of the cuttings transplanted well, but the cuttings rooted in the SM system established more rapidly and produced superior plants that were taller and had greater root and shoot dry weights compared to the plants propagated in the OM system, and greater shoot dry weights compared to the plants from the SI and SF systems. And finally, while the addition of fertilizer did not improve rooting for any of the four propagation systems studied, the authors reported that using a fertilizer solution in the submist system appeared to “prime� the rooted cuttings for improved growth following transplanting to a peat-based growing medium. This effect was documented by the superior post-transplant performance of the cuttings from the SM/ fertilizer treatment which were taller and had more than twice the root dry weight and nearly twice the shoot dry weight, compared to plants from the SM system with tap water instead of fertilizer solution.

Challenges In addition to the differences in propagation success, a number of challenges were encountered with each of the propagation systems studied and these challenges are discussed by the authors. Most of the challenges were associated with the SF system which reportedly required considerable troubleshooting to maintain and operate effectively. The fog generators were also expensive resulting in the SF system being the most expensive system to construct.

Viability of Submist These results demonstrate that a SM propagation system can be a viable alternative to OM for the propagation of coleus, and possibly other species, from stem cuttings based on water use efficiency and the quality of the resulting root systems. These results are similar to the findings of other studies that have made analogous comparisons. Subirrigation was also shown to be a viable method of propagation compared to OM. The Taxonomy of Coleus Since this research update is focused on coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides), it may also be of interest to note that the taxonomy and classification of coleus has been debated by botanists and plant taxonomists for more august 19 MNLA.BIZ

21

WATER EFFICIENCY

than 250 years and the taxonomic debate continues today. Interestingly, the popular garden plants we associate with the common name coleus, also called painted nettle, flame nettle, and common and garden coleus, were first described as Ocimum scutellarioides by Carl Linnaeus in 1763, and are tropical perennials that are grown as annuals in northern climates like Minnesota. Nursery and landscape professionals will recognize the genus Ocimum as the generic name for basil including sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) and both coleus and basil are members of the Lamiaceae (Mint or Deadnettle Family) and exhibit the opposite leaves, square stems, and irregular, bilabiate (two-lipped) flowers composed of five fused petals and arranged in terminal verticillasters (an inflorescence composed of clusters of paired, axillary cymes along a central axis) that are characteristic of the family. In addition to the name Ocimum scutellarioides initially assigned by Linnaeus, Coleus x hybridus (or simply Coleus hybridus), Coleus blumei, Solenostemon scutellarioides (2006), and most recently and currently Plectranthus scutellarioides (as of 2012) are the most recent examples of the 45 scientific names that have been variously assigned to coleus by botanists and plant taxonomists over the years.

Coleus are primarily grown for their colorful foliage and sometimes their flowers and as highlighted by the specific epithet hybridus in the former scientific name Coleus x hybridus, most of the coleus selections available today are likely of hybrid origin. The flower stalks are often removed for aesthetic reasons, but, just like blooms of other members of the mint family, the flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators including hummingbirds. If coleus plants are allowed to flower, the flowering stems can be pinched back to a set of leaves (node) once the flowers have faded to help maintain appearance and vigor. Although the reclassifications and resulting name changes for coleus and other plant species can be frustrating, such reclassifications have become fairly commonplace as comparative DNA analyses have shed new light on the phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationships among plant groups and species. Ironically, it has been suggested that the genus name Coleus may ultimately stage a comeback as a consequence of further analysis. The common name coleus will, however, probably remain a constant. In both cases, we shall see. Regardless, coleus are valuable garden plants that have enjoyed renewed 22

MNLA.BIZ august 19

popularity as a result of the many new and improved cultivars that have been developed by plant breeders in recent years, including selections with increased sun tolerance (sun coleus), and I am confident the species will remain a popular choice for shady and sunny locations in containers and garden beds for the foreseeable future.

Study Summary The results of this study with coleus indicate that submist (SM) systems can significantly reduce water use compared to overhead mist (OM) and have the potential to eliminate other weaknesses associated with overhead mist systems including uneven mist coverage, persistent water films that can promote disease, low oxygen conditions in the rooting medium that can reduce rooting and promote rotting, reduced root-zone temperatures caused by evaporative cooling that can delay rooting, leaching of foliar nutrients and resulting nutrient deficiencies, and the need to acclimate rooted cuttings to a lower-humidity environment after rooting. Compared to OM systems which lose water through drainage and evapotranspiration from plants and from greenhouse and rooting medium surfaces, the only water lost by SM systems results from the transpiration of the cuttings. As a result, the SM propagation system used a volume of water during the entire propagation period (21 days) that was equivalent to the same amount of water used by single OM nozzle operated for 30 seconds (i.e., three 10-second cycles in twenty minutes) system; a significant and consequential savings from a commercial production perspective. In addition to these important benefits, and somewhat surprisingly given the role of overhead mist in mitigating transpirational water loss, the results indicate that an aeroponic submist system can be a viable method for successfully rooting stem cuttings and producing superior rooted cuttings with more roots, longer roots, and root systems with greater dry weights than cuttings rooted under overhead mist. Based on these research findings, submist (SM), at minimum, deserves consideration and further evaluation as a potential alternative to overhead mist (OM) for rooting horticultural species using stem cuttings.

horttech/view/journals/horttech/28/2/article-p143. xml

The following, selected resources may also be of interest:

Crawford, B.D., J.M. Dole, and B.A. Bergman. 2016.

Influences of Season and Cutting Week Within a Propagation Cycle on Rooting of ‘Stained Glass’

Coleus Shoot Tip Cuttings Are Not Overcome by Rooting Compound Treatment. HortTechnology

26(5):620-627. https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/ view/journals/horttech/26/5/article-p620.xml

Currey, C. and R. Lopez. 2014. Controlled Release Fertilizer During Cutting Propagation Affects

Growth and Tissue Nutrient Concentrations of

Rooted Cuttings of Annual Bedding Plants. Hort-

Science 49(2):152-159. https://journals.ashs.org/

hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/49/2/article-p152.xml Graves, W.R. and H. Zhang. 1996. Relative Water

Content and Rooting of Subirrigated Stem Cuttings in Four Environments Without Mist. HortScience 31(5):866-868. https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/ view/journals/hortsci/31/5/article-p866.xml

Maroya, N., M. Balogun, R. Asiedu, B. Aighewi, P. Lava Kuma, and J. Augusto. 2014. Yam Propaga-

tion Using “Aeroponics” Technology. Annual Review of Biology 4(24):3894-3903. https://cgspace.cgiar. org/bitstream/handle/10568/75942/U14ArtMaroyaYamNothomNodev.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Mechandru, P., N.S. Shekhawat, M.K. Rai, V.

Kataria, and H.S. Gehlot. 2014. Evaluation of

Aeroponics for Clonal Propagation of Caralluma

edulis, Leptadenia reticulata, and Tylophora indica Three Threatened Medicinal Asclepiads. Physio-

logical and Molecular Biology of Plants 20():365373. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC4101132/

Paton, A., M. Mwanyambo and A. Culham. 2018.

Phylogenetic Study of Plectranthus, Coleus and Allies (Lamiaceae): Taxonomy, Distribution and

Medicinal Use. Botanical Journal of the Linnean

Society 188(4):355-376. https://doi.org/10.1093/ botlinnean/boy064 (abstract only)

Zhang, H. and W.R. Graves. 1995. Subirrigation to Root Stem Cuttings: Comparison to Intermittent

Mist and Influence of Fertilization. HortTechnology 5(3):265-268. https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/ view/journals/horttech/5/3/article-p265.xml

➽ To comment on this research update,

Citation:

suggest research topics of interest, or

Peterson, B.J., O. Sanchez, S.E. Burnett, and D.J.

pass along a piece of research-based

Hayes. 2018. Comparison of Four Systems for

Propagation of Coleus by Stem Cuttings. HortTechnology 28(2):143-148. https://journals.ashs.org/

information that might be of interest to your industry colleagues, please email us at Research@MNLA.biz.

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Judges Choice Award Project Profile

COLONIAL Makeover Clayton Johnson

Yardscapes, Inc.

PROJECT PROFILE

ach year the MNLA Landscape Awards program judges choose their top three projects as they review and evaluate all entries. These votes are tallied and the winning project is announced first at the Green Industry Awards Celebration held the Tuesday of Northern Green week. This project represents the judge’s favorite project, chosen from all entries that year. The winner of the 2019 Judges Choice Award is Colonial Makeover by Clayton Johnson from Yardscapes, Inc. Judge’s Comments The judge’s comments show their admiration for the choices Clayton made.

• The front entrance does a nice job of integrating with the existing architecture and the walls. Paving and other details are well-executed.

• The project is a strong complement to the symmetrical nature of the architecture, and the color and material choices do a nice job of weaving new with old.

• The strongest feature of this design is unity. The materials and the forms are pulled together by the classical use of focal pointing circles, used in just the right places.

• This project met the client’s needs in a bold statement. Fortified connections between the landscape and the residence welcomes and guides guests along this wonderfully-executed project.

NEWS & NOTES

26

MNLA.BIZ august 19

Project Description Upon first arrival on this property my thought was, “What a beautiful home!” However, the landscaping did nothing to complement the home’s architecture and material details.

During our initial design consultation, the homeowner and I discussed her goals and objectives for the project. The main item we discussed was creating a connection from the front door to the road and the driveway. The existing asphalt driveway was another area she wanted to address because it had an awkward angle to it that was difficult for some to back out of, and inevitably people would back into the lawn. There were three mature spruce trees at the corner of the house that were becoming thin at the bottom and were encroaching on the house. The spruce did, however, create visual separation to the adjacent neighbor, so the new solution needed to recreate privacy. With these main goals

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 BEFORE Flowing crab and spruce trees to be removed from front.

Homeowners desired walkway to the road and driveway, as well as to develop an overall theme to complement the colonial architecture of the home.

BEFORE  Asphalt driveway, concrete walk, and apron to be removed and replaced.

02

pattern to a 45-degree pattern to add interest and break the patterns from the walks at the road and the driveway. The asphalt driveway was removed and a concrete driveway with a clay paver border was installed at the same width of the garage doors, eliminating the previous angles.

In an effort to create visual separation at the adjacent property, a row of white pine and hydrangea were installed. The planting scheme was kept simple yet impactful. The placement of the velvet pillar crabs not only frame the house and front entrance but also add spring flowering interest and the foliage color complements the brick and ivy on the house. An evergreen combination of Taunton yew and boxwood along with the white pines offer year-round grounding and interest. The Incrediball® and Little Lime® Hydrangea offer different peak bloom times and flower interest in summer through the winter with the dried flower heads. Finally, a perennial

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along with an attractive year-round planting scheme, there was one more detail she was looking for. That final detail in question was how you tie all of those elements together and complement the colonial architecture and details of the house to the landscaping.

The hardscaping set the stage in pulling the architectural details of the home into the landscaping. Greeting guests at the road/ boulevard is a full range patterned bluestone walk with clay paver border. In order to manage the 4' elevation change from the sidewalk to the upper lawn elevation, a brick wall with brick columns and bluestone cap was installed to retain the grade between the two elevations. The radius brick wall and columns added pull the brick detail from the house down to the front entrance. The bluestone walk with clay paver borders and bluestone treads on concrete sub-pour steps pulls you to the central radius area at the front door. The bluestone pattern changes from a 90-degree

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august 19 MNLA.BIZ

27

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302 302 302

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Stock None Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Mgr Svc afinnan cube_0758.jpg RGB Folded Size Prod GM_business_choice.ai RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Stock Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Svc cube_0758.jpg RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB Folded Size None afinnan Mgr TBD 1 RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Finishing Buyer To qualify, vehicles must be None used in day-to-day operations of your business and notArtProd solely for transportation purposes.

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

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

PROJECT PROFILE

 BEFORE Brick walk to the front entrance, spruce trees, and foundation plantings to be removed. Ivy on the house will remain.

DURING  Excavation for the entry walk, columns, walls and steps is under way.

 DURING Frost footings are being excavated to a 42” depth for the entry brick columns and walls.

DURING  Footings have been poured. It is now ready for block and brick.

 DURING Class #5 base preparation and form installation for the new concrete driveway with clay paver border.

DURING  Fabric underlayment was installed under a 6"–8" class #5 base for the walkway from the driveway.

 DURING Circular bluestone area with interior planting bed at front entrance.

DURING  Brick walls and columns being built with Bluestone treads over concrete sub pour on steps.

30

MNLA.BIZ august 19

 DURING Bluestone walks with clay paver border are wrapping up. Pattern change with the bluestone adds interest and breaks the 90-degree patterns of the two connecting walks.

AFTER  Completed project.

The brick walls, columns, and clay paver borders pull the brick on the house into the landscaping.  AFTER View from the road to the front yard. Not shown in image but worth noting: the velvet pillar crabs and foundation of the house is up-lit at night which adds subtle yet effective illumination.

AFTER  View from the driveway to the circular conjunction area. White pines provide visual break of the neighbor’s home.

 AFTER Central radius at the front door with bluestone, clay pavers, interior planting bed with boxwood, and an urn for seasonal interest.

AFTER  The completed project.

combination of nepeta, rudbeckia, ligularia and astilbe provide ongoing color.

In an effort to keep the project looking good all growing season, an irrigation system was installed to water all turf and planting areas. Another highly impactful detail is the lighting system. A low voltage lighting system was installed to illuminate the architecture

of the house and the parallel rows of velvet pillar crabs.

The final result of the project with the use of brick in the walls, columns and borders on the walk and driveway really pull the brick detail on the house into the landscaping. The bluestone walks and caps on the columns and wall complement the brick perfectly. The sim-

ple but impactful variation of trees, shrubbery and perennials offers year-round interest at the front yard. Overall, the client is thrilled with the end result of the project. Not only am I pleased with the end result, I also know how well installed the project is that will result not only in a timeless look but physically will stand the test of time. august 19 MNLA.BIZ

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LICHEN? What's Not to

Faith Appelquist

Tree Quality LLC

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

Mosses grow in environments where light is low, and the atmosphere is damp. Here they densely clothe logs, rocks, tree trunks, and branches.

Lichen covered tree at Walden Pond.

Lichen and moss light up the amazon rainforest floor; a delicate work of art.

Photos by Faith Appelquist

Lichens can have crusty, leafy, branching or other growth forms and come in various colors and sizes.

OFTEN OVERLOOKED amidst the overwhelming green of vegetation, mosses and lichens nevertheless form a vibrant and colorful decoration in the forest.

iStock.com/mgfoto

Reproducing from spores, they are virtually

unchanged from the first mosses and lichens which appeared 350 million years ago. While mosses are true miniature plants, lichens are amalgams of two creatures: a fungus and either an algae or a bacterium. Lichens may appear plant-like, but they are not plants.

The quietude and outer simplicity of lichens hides the complexity of their inner lives. The fungus produces a leafy organ, while the algae or bacteria nestles inside these strands and uses the sun’s energy to assemble sugar and other nutritious mole-

cules. The diversity of color in the lichens reflects the many types of algae, bacteria and fungi involved in the lichens’ union. Lichens vary greatly, from wispy beards hanging from branches, to thin patchwork patterns of jade, oranges and yellows.

Given a place to grow, sunlight, and water, lichens seemingly live independently in their own little world. However, they play many important roles in the larger ecosystems where they live. Some lichens are an important food source for animals, for example, reindeer.

Since lichens get their nourishment from the air, they absorb carbon dioxide, lowering greenhouse gasses. Some lichen species are sensitive to air pollutants and will be damaged or even die if air pollution levels are too high. It is possible to determine air quality by looking for the presence and the quality of these sensitive species.

Since lichen can look like mold; I’m often asked whether or not it harms the trees.

Lichens do not have roots. They are not parasitic, do not rob nutrients, steal water or poison their host tree. They only use the tree as a scaffold. Trees are probably completely indifferent to their presence.

Lichens are particularly hardy, enabling them to populate 10 percent of the earth’s surface. They live where nothing else can, surviving icy cold mountains and hot, dry deserts. They are often the first living things to grow after a disaster has destroyed other life forms. Lichens balance their snail’s pace growth with extreme longevity. They can survive to be hundreds of years old, showing that these tiny organisms are perfectly suited to life in the slow lane of the forest. ➽FAITH APPELQUIST is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, an ISA Municipal Specialist MN, and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist®. Faith can be reached at faith@treequality.com. august 19 MNLA.BIZ

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Government Affairs: Year-Round Advocacy Forrest Cyr

iStock.com/hauged

MNLA Government Affairs Director

Minnesota’s green industry is a respected voice at the Minnesota State Capitol, advocating for pro-business, pro-environment policies to ensure that members of the green industry can effectively run their businesses. Working with a dedicated group of volunteer experts from a variety of different green industry specialty fields, the importance of the industry is known to legislators, stakeholders, and the public through sustained communication, advocacy, and networking.

To further strengthen our government affairs program, the Minnesota Green Industry Political Action Committee (“The PAC”) should be a priority for the association’s membership and leadership. Advocacy doesn’t stop at the end of the legislative session, and the work done in the interim leads to more influence and more legislative victories in Saint Paul.

The PAC, through its bylaws, contributes to Minnesota legislative candidates on a non-partisan basis, supporting those who support the green industry in Minnesota. A strong, well-funded PAC, just like an engaged membership, demonstrates how invested the members of the green industry are, and how closely they watch policy decisions in

Saint Paul. Individuals know that when giving their hardearned money to the PAC, their contributions will only go to candidates who are friends of the green industry.

Our legislative successes demonstrate that current policy has been influenced by the green industry. In 2019 alone, MNLA helped secure funding for Emerald Ash Borer mitigation and for the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee, as well as worked with a coalition of subcontractors to pass and implement much-needed retainage reforms.

Further, we were successful in stopping harmful legislation by working with key legislative leaders in both the House and the Senate. However, some priority issues, such as the Salt Liability bill, failed to reach final passage. Increased member participation in green industry advocacy is essential to future policy victories.

We as an industry can do more to strengthen our advocacy outreach, and advocacy is a year-round endeavor.

Through both grassroots and electoral activities, Minnesota’s green industry can influence policy not just during session, but throughout the calendar year. The Minnesota Green Industry PAC should be central to this effort.

➽ TO LEARN MORE about how your involvement in advocacy can help your business and the green industry in Minnesota, contact Forrest Cyr at forrest@mnla.biz, or visit www.mnla.biz.

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

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NORTH E RN G RE E N 2020 K E YNOTE S Opening Keynote

Closing Keynote

Embracing Change

The Champion’s Code

WEDNESDAY 8:30–9:45 AM | MAIN AUDITORIUM

Building Relationships Through Life Lessons of Integrity and Accountability

Paul Douglas

The only predictable thing about the future is change.

All of us have a fear of the unknown. But to be successful, every individual and company will need to embrace change. Experts estimate half of all current jobs may be disrupted by an inevitable tsunami of change: automation, outsourcing, robotics and artificial intelligence. We’re just now witnessing the tip of the iceberg of what promises to be a fundamental restructuring of the U.S. economy – and all of us need to pay attention.

Today’s graduate may have to navigate as many as four different careers and S KE YNOTE two dozen jobs. Like it or not, we are all members of the “Gig Economy.”

WITH ALL This calls for a mindset of lifelong PASSES learning and retraining; to be ready (in some cases) for jobs that don’t even exist today. We are all entrepreneurs now, but tools are becoming available to ease this rocky transition into the near future. A willingness to fail, iterate and reinvent is no longer optional. How do we get to a place of embracing change and building flexibility into our career plans as well as business plans? One thing seems certain: what worked in 1995 probably won’t work in 2025. Paul explores the challenges and potential solutions as America charges headlong into a new Information Economy.

FREE

Paul Douglas is a 32-year broadcast television veteran and Minnesota’s first Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. He’s lived in Minnesota for 26 years, where he taught Broadcast Meteorology at St. Cloud State University, and authored two books, “Prairie Skies, the Minnesota Weather Book”, and “Restless Paul Skies, The Ultimate Weather Book.”

Douglas Douglas has always been fascinated by the intersection of weather and technology and has launched six companies into this space. His company’s products have been used in movies by Steven Spielberg, became the first weather app for a smart phone, and provide weather content for a 24/7 national cable weather channel.

Ross Bernstein

THURSDAY 3:10–4:00 PM | INNOVATION THEATER

The best-selling author of nearly 50 sports books, Ross Bernstein has keynoted conferences for Fortune 500 companies on all seven continents and has been featured on CNN, ESPN, Fox News, and “CBS This Morning,” as well as in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today.

Ross’ program is based on a series of interviews of more than 1,000 professional athletes and coaches that all had one thing in common — they were all members of championship teams.

In his research, he concluded that the same metrics and characteristics that were common Ross among champions in sports Bernstein were also common among peak performers in business. There are reasons certain teams win consistently, whereas others don’t… and Ross explains why.

In an engaging, provocative, and visually entertaining style, Ross uses inspirational stories and poignant life lessons from the world of sports to show attendees how to: S • Create a “culture of excellence” by KE YNOTE giving extraordinary customer service.

• Generate momentum by utilizing WITH ALL the “currency of karma.”

PASSES • Follow their moral compasses to win “the right way,” with respect, ethics, and integrity.

• Be better leaders and create more “buyin” by embracing change and failure.

• Evolve from “order takers” to “trusted partners” by enhancing the quality of their relationships.

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HOW TO GROW YOUR COMPANY FROM THE INSIDE OUT

DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGES: IS MY TREE DYING AND WHY?

Presented by The Resultants – Jerry Olson, Peter Beaumont, Steve Wilcox and Terri Wilcox

Instructed by Tom Creswell and John Bonkowski, Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab, Purdue University

You started your business for the freedom that comes with running your own company. The challenge is that for many business owners the dream remains elusive. Running a business day-to-day can be overwhelming and leave you with little time to work ON the business rather than IN it.

This interactive and hands-on workshop will teach green industry professionals the steps of problem diagnosis, including tips for proper identification of the host, as well as key symptoms and signs to help identify specific plant diseases.

There are many look-alike problems and expression of symptoms is a dynamic process—with symptoms changing in appearance over time.

This interactive session, with handson diagnosis of samples, will provide an overview of a stepwise approach Tom to problem solving. This handsCreswell on workshop will conclude with a review of the samples, emphasizing the importance of proper plant identification and recognition of common insects and diseases for accurate diagnosis of problems on trees and shrubs.

This workshop offers a proven methodology and tools to help owners and their leadership teams make the most of their time and talents, and gain real traction toward achieving their vision. You will be engaged by practical, relevant strategies from business advisors who have been in your shoes. In addition, participants will hear from industry peers who have experienced improved results in their company’s culture, productivity, and accountability, along with topline and bottom-line growth.

The presentation will be especially helpful if you and/or your business: 1. Has outgrown the capacities of the people, processes, and/or resources 2. Are looking for the discipline and structure to change, adapt and grow 3. Are currently self-implementing EOS® and want to achieve greater results

Jerry Olson

Peter Beaumont

Steve Wilcox

The Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) is a complete set Terri of time tested, simple concepts and Wilcox tools that have helped thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs get what they want from their businesses. Made famous by the book “Traction” by Gino Wickman, EOS® has impacted thousands of entrepreneurial companies around the world. Participants will walk away with: 1. An introduction to the EOS® Process and Tools 2. Actionable steps that can be implemented the next day 3. A copy of “Traction” by Gino Wickman

BARRIER Navigating the Communication

WITH THE GROWING HISPANIC POPULATION

Marcus Darby Organic Lawns by LUNSETH

iStock.com/solidcolours

AS THE UNITED STATES’ ECONOMY continues to grow and unemployment continues to fall, many green industry businesses have adapted by hiring from the large Hispanic population that has immigrated to this country.

2000–2017 is from the Americas, and 25% of the total immigrants are from Mexico alone.

While companies hiring Hispanic workers is not a new practice for green industry businesses, it has become increasingly important as the labor supply in the U.S. continues to shrink, reaching a decade low unemployment rate of 3.6% as of May 2019.

Understanding this trend and adapting to the different perspectives and attitudes of our Hispanic neighbors is critical to maintaining a sufficient workforce, building quality relationships, and staying competitive in today’s booming economy.

have a direct impact on managing a workforce. As a society in the U.S., our lives work and revolve around linear time, which emphasizes completing one task after another, punctuality, and strict deadlines. In many other parts of the world, including most of Latin America, daily lives revolve around cyclical time. Cultures with cyclical time concentrate on group harmony and doing the task correctly rather than focusing on a certain deadline.

Interactions and conversations are important; thus, group dynamics may take precedence over time. Not understanding this cultural dimension can cause frustration, loss of trust, and missed cutoffs. To circumvent this, give workers ample time to finish a task and periodically check their progress. Also, appeal to what your employees value by communicating within the context of cyclical time.

Understanding that harmony and relationships are highly valued by your employees, make sure to stress how not finishing a task on a linear time frame will result in your loss of trust with them. Clearly discussing expectations will stress the importance of the task while also building a stronger relationship with your staff.

Understand Cultural Differences in Perceptions of Time Time perception is one difference between many Hispanic cultures and the U.S. that can

Although English is spoken by 1.5 billion people worldwide and continues to spread with increasing globalization, more people globally speak Spanish natively (400 million)

iStock.com/garybaldi

Over 50% of the immigrant population from

than English (360 million). Also, many of the immigrants from Latin America speak only Spanish at home (40 million) and have LEP (Limited English Proficiency). Due to the rapid migration of Hispanic-Americans to the U.S., many are not forced to learn English due to the growing number of Spanish speakers in their communities. Knowing at least some Spanish and being able to have basic dialogue and communication with your Hispanic employees is essential to making them feel comfortable and welcome in your business environment. Consider having signs around your place of business marked in both Spanish and English, avoid slang or jargon, and try to anticipate how your employee will interpret your message. Further, hiring bilingual upper-level managers, in addition to those in the field, emphasizes a commitment to building trust with your workforce.

Recognize the Implications of Language Context Understanding the difference between Spanish and English and the level of context used is critical to maintaining effective communication and ensuring the message you broadcast is understood correctly by your employees. High context languages such as Spanish use tone, underlying messages, and cues to communicate. The words said sometimes mean little in comparison to these august 19 MNLA.BIZ

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COMMUNICATION

“

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPANISH AND ENGLISH AND THE LEVEL OF CONTEXT USED IS CRITICAL TO MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND ENSURING THE MESSAGE YOU BROADCAST IS UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY BY YOUR EMPLOYEES.

”

other subtle hints given during the transfer of your message. Low context languages like English are more direct and explicit, and the words used directly relate to the message the speaker is sending. Managers must be smart in their word choice and tone when communicating with their Hispanic staff.

Avoid being too direct and try to engage in casual dialogue with your employees before directing tasks or orders. This will help avert alienation between you and the staff, as direct speech may cause a feeling of confrontation or disaffection for native Spanish speakers.

Also, be wary of using email and texts to communicate. These are easy for people from low context cultures to interpret, but they could confuse and frustrate people from high context cultures. Sticking to in-person communication as much as possible is ideal to help your Hispanic employees grasp your message. Realizing the differences in the context level between English and Spanish can help decrease the level of misunderstandings between you and your employees.

• https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/us-immigration-trends • https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/ LNS14000000 • https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/ the-10-most-spoken-languages-in-theworld/ • https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/ frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states

KEEP THE SAVINGS GOING THIS SUMMER. Adding Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to water well pumping systems can increase efficiency and lower operating costs. Plus, we offer rebates from $400-$8,000 per VFD for various applications—from agricultural, golf course, and landscape irrigation, to municipal water supply. Other systems may also qualify. For more information contact an energy efficiency specialist at 855.839.8862 or visit xcelenergy.com/MotorEfficiency.

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4.75x4.75_MN-Biz_JulyScoop_P01.indd 1

6/4/19 7:48 AM

Lights, Camera, Action!

If you want to put your landscape project’s best foot forward, you’ll need to enter wellcomposed, eye-catching photographs.

1. Tidy up. Take care of neglected pruning, snip off bad leaves, edge the lawn, sweep paved areas, straighten blinds and curtains, and make sure to pull visible weeds. Show off your attention to detail!

2. Make your picture suggest that there is much more “just around the bend,” such as a wall that disappears around a corner, foliage from an invisible tree, or light from an unseen opening.

3. Include people discreetly to show scale of important elements.

4. Accessorize completely to give the view a “lived-in” feeling.

5. Show the details of hardscape construction, both in the structures and rest of the landscape.

6. To capture the transformation of your project, take some shots before, during, and after your work.

7. If at all possible, take your photos when the plants in the project look their best.

8. Consider investing in professional photography, as the images you’ll receive will be useful in marketing beyond your award entry.

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➽ MARCUS DARBY is a Summer Intern with Organic Lawns by LUNSETH.

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Entry Portal Opens: Oct. 1 Submission Deadline: Nov. 20 Find out more at www.MNLA.biz/landscapeawards.

LandscapeAwards2020-1-third-July-Scoop.indd 1

august 19 MNLA.BIZ

6/14/2019 5:16:23 PM

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GARDEN Re-centering

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Originally published in ILCA’s magazine, The Landscape Contractor

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RE-CENTERING

THEY SAY there is someone for everyone. That is, unless you are looking for help at a big box store.

In that case, you are on your own.

Walking through a big box store, I feel like James Audubon hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare orange-breasted employee. Many of us spend our Saturdays hunting these elusive and majestic beasts. To be fair, we know what we are getting into. We descend upon these massive stores with a skip in our step and delusions of grandeur in our heads. We are the weekend warriors armed only with a credit card and hastily sketched plan on the back of a piece of junk mail. “In and out,” we tell our families — like the famous last words of doomed bank robbers.

The moment we enter, the plan goes sideways. They are out of a certain material. We have questions on fixtures or fasteners. We stare hopelessly at a wall of appurtenances whose use and understanding far exceed our limited knowledge base. Then, someone utters those terrible words, “Let’s just ask someone.” We cup our hands to their mouths trying to shove those words back where they came from. We know, full well, that “asking someone” will begin the hunt - a desperate

trip into the jungle, where torches glow and war drums beat. The hunt usually ends in frustration, hunger, and disillusionment.

As far back as I can remember, I was going to hardware stores with my father. Often, multiple times in the same day. My father would shuffle around the hardware store aided by someone named Larry in an apron with a pencil shoved behind his ear. He’d tell my father that he was on the right track, but would make casual, inoffensive suggestions that would change the entire project. Looking back, I probably owe that man my life.

Big box stores came into prominence in the late 1980’s. They rode the economic boom and urban sprawl of the 1990’s to become the de facto retail stores of the modern marketplace. Big box hardware stores were game changers. They had absolutely everything whether you were buying batteries or building a bomb shelter.

As with anything, there were tradeoffs.

Gone was the helpful hardware man. Now, a team of employees had to cover a store 10x larger, featuring dozens of different brands of the same product, and hundreds of thousands of items. The idea that a hardware store employee, living out his golden years, was going to have firsthand knowledge of twelve different drill bits, was asking a lot.

I have been in seedy bars, dark pool halls, and Chicago alleyways, but no environment is more intimidating to the uninitiated than a garden center. At least with hardware, you have a general idea of what the item is, where it goes, what it does, and what it should not do. The first time I walked into a garden center, it was like that dream of walking through your high school cafeteria in your underwear.

I was convinced everyone was looking at me, judging me, as I tried to appear calm and in control.

With each passing trip, it gets a little easier, but I don’t think our industry understands just how hard it is for the layman to break into gardening and landscaping. It’s ironic that one of the biggest complaints about landscaping are the low barriers to entry. I would bet that if you ask your average residential homeowner about gardening and landscaping, they’d compare it to mastering a musical instrument or learning Russian. It’s not that there isn’t enough information out there, it’s that there is too much.

For garden centers, this is certainly a bad thing. They want as many knowledgeable customers showing up each day with money to spend. The more background the customer has, the less resources the garden center has to spend. I would also assume that avid garaugust 19 MNLA.BIZ

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RE-CENTERING

“

deners spend more per visit than the average weekend lookie-loo.

For landscapers, creating barriers for DIYers may be zero-sum. On the one hand, it shows consumers just how complicated and expensive landscaping can be. This could create more consumers of landscape services.

On the other hand, it may completely turn off the customer and send them back into the world of red mulch, identical hostas, and weekly lawn scalpings. Our industry had our chance to demonstrate value and we whiffed.

Those dollars will be spent elsewhere.

Garden center employees truly do the Lord’s work. The window for DIYers is small.

This means garden centers are absolutely crushed for about 10–12 weekends per year.

To meet demand, we’d probably need to airdrop horticulturists in from helicopters to answer every question. Even if the customer has prepared a plant list, they now need to find those plants amidst a sea of green. There is also strong industry resistance to cookie-cutter design, but many garden center customers barely know sun from shade. I am sure many garden center customers would love someone to hand them a plant layout, plant list, and even have it palletized by the time they walk through the door.

Garden centers are locked in an epic struggle between big box retailers. Chains like Ace Hardware and True Value knew they couldn’t win an arms race with big box stores, so they focused on quality, not quantity and spotlighted their greatest asset, their employees. People love the convenience of big box retailers, but shopping at one is usually a miserable experience. This is especially true when customers require assistance and expertise. That is what garden centers have in spades. They can also beat big box retailers at their own game if they are willing to accept commoditization.

I told my wife recently that shopping is a lot easier when you’ve committed to spending the money. She laughed, but it’s true.

Wandering around any store is stressful and exhausting when you keep seeing those dollar

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

THE FUTURE OF PLANTS WILL DEPEND ON OUR ABILITY TO REACT TO A CHANGING MARKETPLACE.

”

signs add up and you aren’t quite sure what you want. Once you know your budget and what you are looking for, all it really takes is one last gulp.

Most of my friends are middle class and live in middle class homes. Some use professional landscape companies, some do not. I have never heard a single one of our friends say they were shocked at how cheap landscape material is. Other than mulch, most homeowners are stunned at the cost of plant and landscape material. I have to admit, I fall victim to this, as well. The more I think about it, I am not sure what we are benchmarking plant prices to. Cut flowers? Produce? Hardware? Clothes? Plants can last a long time with proper care. Is $15 for phlox really that excessive?

Garden center customers may not know plants. They may not know design. They may not know maintenance. The one thing they do know is how to pull a credit card from a purse or wallet and hand it to a cashier.

Garden centers should recognize this. The quicker they can get to that step, the happier all parties are. That’s not crass, that’s giving the customer what he or she wants.

Most consumers view plants like I view wine. I know very little about wine other than the basic varieties. When in doubt, I always buy a bottle of wine with a duck on the label. I trust ducks. I also have a set price in mind. If I’m buying a bottle for the house, under $10 is fine. If I’m buying a bottle for company, $15. If I’m bringing a bottle to someone’s house, I’ll crack $20. So, all of my wine purchasing decisions are based on price and ducks.

That’s completely idiotic. But c’mon, liquor and grocery stores know this. Wine sections are organized by type and then organized by price.

Expensive bottles on top. Cheap bottles on the bottom. It is not because short people like cheap wine and tall people are connoisseurs.

So, here’s my unsolicited advice for plant sellers, follow the money. This is not advice to be used on master gardeners or plant geeks.

They will spend hours at a garden center like they are picking out a Ferrari. Leave them

alone. This advice is for how to handle the wandering hordes. The garden center zombies are begging for your help. I recognize this flies in the face of a lifetime dedicated to the art and science of growing and selling plants, but creating customers for life happens when you remove the pain points.

Garden centers are fun to watch from a far because they must keep up with retail trends far more than landscape companies. I know many garden centers are experimenting with online ordering and express pick-up. Others are having customers pay for the privilege of using a private shopper by appointment only.

Others have live and online classes about basic garden and landscape design. All of this pumps more money into the industry. It turns the ambivalent into DIYers and DIYers into landscape consumers. That’s the chain this industry depends on.

Dual income families with an endless slate of structured activities have paved the way for commoditization. People like to shop, but they value their time even more. Grocery stores are moving rapidly towards online shopping. Amazon, home to the world’s richest man, is a leviathan that reaches into every industry, even plants. Carvana, an online car dealer, more than doubled its sales last year.

All the factors align for garden center customers to be commoditized.

I understand the purists will disagree, but inclusivity can drive the plant market just as it did the wine market. In 1960, Americans consumed 63 million gallons of wine. 60 years later, we are up to 789 million gallons.

Changing the way people purchase a product isn’t treachery, it’s trenchant. The future of plants will depend on our ability to react to a changing marketplace. Plant geeks, like wine snobs, aren’t made overnight. It takes years of patience to get them to that level. If that fails to move plants, just put a duck on them. ➽ SCOTT GRAMs is the Executive Director of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association and can be reached at sgrams@ilca.net.

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LEGAL ISSUES

Sick & Safe Leave Now Applies to Companies Outside Minneapolis Bryan Zlimen

Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC

If your company has employees who work at least 80 hours per year within the city of Minneapolis, be sure to familiarize yourself with this ordinance and bring your company’s policies into compliance.

Minneapolis’ Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) ordinance now

applies to companies located outside of the city. After amendments were made to the ordinance, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that Minneapolis’ ESST ordinance can be enforced against any employer with at least one employee working 80 or more hours per year in the city, regardless of where that employer is located. Previously, the courts had limited the reach of the ordinance to employers resident in the city. This ruling will have a significant impact on companies that do business in the city of Minneapolis.

The ordinance requires employers to provide leave benefits to employees who work at least 80 hours per year within the city limits. Employees who exceed the 80hour threshold, regardless of whether they are full-time, part-time, or temporary, will accrue ESST leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, with an annual accrual cap of 48 hours. For employers with 5 or fewer employees, ESST leave can be unpaid. For those with 6 or more employees, ESST must be paid leave. Note that prevailing wage employees are exempt from the ESST ordinance. Employers are required, for each qualifying employee, to record total hours worked within the city, how much ESST the employee accrued, and how much ESST was redeemed. Employers must maintain these records for three years and can face monetary penalties for failure to comply with the ordinance in any way.

After the district court ruled in early 2017 that the ordinance was unenforceable against companies outside the city, Minneapolis amended the ordinance to require that only time actually worked in the city be counted for accrual purposes. Additionally, the revised ordinance only requires employers to allow ESST to be redeemed

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

on days when the employee would be working within the city. The rest of the ordinance remained unchanged.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals, on April 29, found that the amended ordinance was valid and could be enforced against companies located outside of Minneapolis.

Summary of Ordinance Requirements: • Applies to any employers with qualifying employees • Employees qualify if they work at least 80 hours per year in Minneapolis and are not paid on a Prevailing Wage basis • Leave accrues at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked within the city, capped at 48 hours per year. Accrual begins on the employee’s first day on the job.

• Leave can be redeemed for days when the employee would be scheduled to work in the city, beginning 90 days after the start of employment.

• Unused leave can be “rolled over” to the next year, though an employee’s total “banked” ESST can be capped at 80 hours. Unused leave need not be paid out at the end of the employee’s employment.

• Leave must be paid if the employer has 6 or more employees • Reasons for leave can include the employee dealing with illness, injury, preventative health care, or issues related to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.

Employees may also redeem leave when assisting a family member with any of those conditions or to care for a family member whose school or place of care has been closed unexpectedly, including due to weather.

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YELLOW TAG SALE

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF THE GREEN INDUSTRY

Contribute to the Research & Education Partners Fund at a participating supplier. Your voluntary donation of ¼ of 1% on purchases is used to grow a brighter future for the industry.

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LEGAL ISSUES

“

EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED, FOR EACH QUALIFYING EMPLOYEE, TO RECORD TOTAL HOURS WORKED WITHIN THE CITY, HOW MUCH ESST THE EMPLOYEE ACCRUED, AND HOW MUCH ESST WAS REDEEMED. EMPLOYERS MUST MAINTAIN THESE RECORDS FOR THREE YEARS AND CAN FACE MONETARY PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE IN ANY WAY.

”

Note that the standards in the Ordinance are minimum standards. Employers are free to provide more generous leave benefits and those who already do will not need to change their policies.

If your company has employees who work at least 80 hours per year within the city of Minneapolis, be sure to familiarize yourself with the ordinance and bring your company’s policies into compliance. Employers who are not already in compliance with the ordinance will need to update the policies in their employee handbooks regarding paid leave and post notices explaining the ordinance in the workplace. Employers can find further information and required workplace posters on the city’s website at http://sicktimeinfo. minneapolismn.gov.

This article provides general information on business and employment 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.

➽ BRYAN ZLIMEN is one of the founding partners of Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC. His law practice focuses on assisting contractors and other small business owners. He can be reached at bzlimen@ zmattorneys.com.

Marketing

OPPORTUNITIES

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association | NORTHERN GREEN Marketing options include: MNLA Membership Directory The Scoop Digital Advertising MNLA Education Awards Program Northern Green

ContaCt us for more information: Faith Jensen Sales Representative 952-934-2891 faith@pierreproductions.com

Betsy pierre Sales Manager 763-295-5420 betsy@pierreproductions.com

visit www.MNLA.biz (Click on Advertising at bottom.)

DEADLINE August 27 If you’re looking for a highly effective and affordable professional development tool, MNLA’s Leadership Peer Groups is your solution. The knowledge, wisdom, and insight you need can be just a conversation away.

WHAT IS A LEADERSHIP PEER GROUP?

Learning from others is a dynamic resource for every leader to recognize, embrace, and leverage. In MNLA’s Leadership Peer Groups, similar leader-managers convene on a regular basis with a skilled facilitator to discuss certain topics, issues, or challenges found within the green industry. Utilizing Rod Johnson’s Peer InsightTM method, you learn to connect the content you encounter in your life with the context of how to use it in your career.

CONNECTING CONTENT TO CONTEXT

WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS WALK AWAY WITH?

• Expanded personal and professional relationships.

• Personal coaching and practical advice vital to you and your company’s success.

• Improved problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

• Outside perspectives on issues where you might be too close to see the solutions.

2019 FALL TOPIC (SEP.–NOV.):

Talent

This program focuses on attracting, onboarding, and developing talent.

DETAILS

• Six Tuesday sessions every two weeks starting Sept. 10th.

• Application deadline: August 27. Investment: $595.

• Interested? More questions? Ready to apply? Head to www.MNLA.biz/leadership.

OUR FACILITATOR

Rod Johnson of Growing Your Leaders successfully facilitates numerous peer learning groups by always innovating and pondering how to improve the impact of each meeting and the performance of each participant.

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august 19 MNLA.BIZ

7/17/2019 11:57:47 AM

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Save 6¢ off every gallon of fuel at Kwik Trip and Kwik Star locations.

SAVE ON FUEL & MORE Additional SPEEDWAY BUSINESS discounts include FLEET CARD 10% off most instore purchases and volume car wash discounts up to 50% off.

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THE GREEN INDUSTRY E XPERIENCE WHERE YOU...

BROWSE + DO BUSINESS LEARN + LET LOOSE CONNECT + GROW MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER

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LAST WORD

SPONSOR AN MNLA SCHOLARSHIP Demonstrate Commitment to the Future of the Green Industry

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MNLA.BIZ august 19

The MNLA Foundation is happy to announce the 2019–2020 Academic Awards program to benefit college and high school students. The MNLA Foundation is pleased to partner with MNLA members to provide the industry’s future leaders with monetary support for their education. Since the program began in 1996, over $340,000 has been awarded to deserving students.

The goal of the MNLA Foundation Academic Awards program is to honor the academic achievements of students who have chosen the nursery and landscape industry as their profession. The Foundation’s scholarship program aims to encourage students to stay on a green industry career path and help them make connections with nursery and landscape employers who are MNLA members.

By partnering with interested MNLA member companies, over 20 scholarships are awarded every year to deserving students.

Have you considered sponsoring a student scholarship? Sponsoring companies are asked to make a $500 commitment for a college scholarship or $250 for a high school scholarship, and the MNLA Foundation will match up to $500 or $250, respectively. Companies can sponsor more than one scholarship per year if they choose. Giving to a student will not only provide you with the satisfaction of knowing you are making a lasting difference in a young person’s life and in the future of the green industry, there are additional charitable tax deduction benefits to you as well.

Consult your tax advisor about your own deductions.

MNLA will send a press release to various media, including your company’s local paper, and the student’s hometown and college publications. You will also receive company recognition in the Scoop magazine, on the MNLA website, at Northern Green, and at the Green Industry Awards Celebration.

Demonstrate your commitment to the future of the region’s green industry — sponsor a student scholarship! The deadline for 2019–2020 participation is August 31, 2019. You can act to-

day by completing the application at

www.MNLA.biz/scholarships. Your generosity will be cherished by the student winners — the future of our industry. Contact us with any questions or for additional details at Paulette@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.

THANK YOU

TO THESE BUSINESSES FOR THEIR CONSISTENT SUPPORT OF THE SCOOP MNLA would like to thank the below companies for being frequent Scoop advertisers this year. We are proud that The Scoop is consistently a top-rated member benefit, and MNLA appreciates these businesses for their help in making this magazine happen! (Companies listed by area of product/service.)

EQUIPMENT & VEHICLES Cushman Motor Co. Inc Edney Distributing Co., Inc. Fury Motors Jeff Belzer Chevrolet Lano Equipment, Inc. Monroe Truck Equipment Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. Truck Utilities, Inc. Ziegler CAT GROWING SUPPLIES FOR NURSERIES & GREENHOUSES Central Landscape Supply CST Distributors Klaus Nurseries Out Back Nursery Plaisted Companies The Tessman Company HARDSCAPES All Stone Solutions Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes Borgert Products, Inc. Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply Haag Companies, Inc.

HARDSCAPES, CONT. Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies Plaisted Companies Rock Hard Landscape Supply Unilock Versa-Lok Midwest Wheeler Landscape Supply HERBACEOUS PLANTS Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply Glacial Ridge Growers RETAIL & LANDSCAPE PRODUCTS Anderson Nurseries, Inc. Central Landscape Supply CST Distributors Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies Lano Equipment, Inc. Plaisted Companies Rock Hard Landscape Supply SMSC Organics Recycling Facility Versa-Lok Midwest

SERVICES Bullis Insurance Agency Frost Inc. Fury Motors Gopher State One Call Hiway Federal Credit Union Maguire Agency Northern Salt Inc The Resultants SMSC Organics Recycling Facility Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. Unilock Xcel Energy Ziegler CAT TURF PRODUCTS, SOD, IRRIGATION Frost Inc Haag Companies, Inc. Northern Salt Inc The Tessman Company WOODY PLANTS Anderson Nurseries, Inc. Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes Glacial Ridge Growers Klaus Nurseries Out Back Nursery

EARN

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$500 attachment credit for a friend

REFER A FRIEND $500 Visa

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&

$500 attachment credit for a friend

When you refer someone who buys a new Cat® qualifying machine from Ziegler CAT during 2019, we will send you a $500 PREPAID VISA® GIFT CARD after the sale is complete. What’s in it for your friend? A $500 attachment credit.

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Valid only if the buyer has not purchased a new machine from Ziegler within the past five years.

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Terms and conditions apply.

Visit www.zieglercat.com/refer for complete details.