The Scoop Online - December 2018

Make Every Venture an Adventure

Also Inside

Overcoming Obstacles

Northern Green D.C. Update Out & About

UP IN THE AIR Exploring drone use in the green industry

Vol: 41 No: 12 Dec 2018 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I N N E S O TA N U R S E R Y & L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

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Volume 41 No. 12 Dec 2018

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Events

10 3-Year Trends in Government Affairs Cassie Larson and the GA team are tracking the issues important to you.

18 Northern Green Trade Show

42

A showcase of region-relevant products and services.

20 Northern Green Premium Upgrades

24 Up in the Air Researchers and growers in Oregon are exploring the use of drones in nursery production. 

32 Exiled to Siberia

Want personal and professional growth? Check out our premium upgrade tracks.

21 Northern Green Keynote Speakers Lots of inspiration and a bit of fun around every corner.

46 D.C. Update

The reason evergreens stay green all year is not so simple, says Faith

Wage audits, EAB quarantine, and a busy lame

Appelquist.     

duck congressional session.

35 Make Every Venture… An Adventure Steve Uzzell, keynote speaker at Northern Green 2019, charts a course to solving our most difficult problems. 

39 Overcoming Obstacles Jill Blashak Strahan will present at the Master Class, “Women in Leadership: Grow, Inspire, Lead.” 

42 Embracing Ambiguity in Outdoor Spacemaking Dan Snow will be speaking about creating flexible surroundings at Northern Green 2019. 

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

48 Green Industry Leadership Institute This unique program is grounded in leadership development best practices.

51 Out & About An event to help those in need, plus a gathering of professional gardeners and landscape designers.

55 MNLA Certification The Scoop, December 2018, Issue 12, is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2018, and may not be used without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact the publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.

MNLA reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

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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

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

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

AD LIST Anderson Nurseries, Inc. .................................................................................. 12 Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes .................................................... 3 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................................ 12 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ................................................................................... 26 Dragonfly Gardens ........................................................................................... 49 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................................. 40 Frost Inc ............................................................................................................ 47 Fury Motors ...................................................................................................... 53 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .................................................. 2 Glacial Ridge Growers ...................................................................................... 17 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies .......................................................... 4 Hennepin Technical College ............................................................................. 49 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................................. 28–29 Lano Equipment, Inc. ....................................................................................... 12 Maguire Agency................................................................................................ 12 McKay Nursery Co. ........................................................................................... 34 Monroe Truck Equipment ................................................................................. 50 Northern Salt Inc .............................................................................................. 38 Out Back Nursery ............................................................................................. 38 Plaisted Companies ............................................................................................ 7 Resultants for Business, Inc. (RFB) .................................................................... 40 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................................... 17

executive director:

SMSC Organics Recycling Facility .................................................................... 34

membership director & trade show manager:

The Builders Group .......................................................................................... 43

Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz 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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The Tessman Company .................................................................................... 41 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. ........................................................................................ 31 Truck Utilities, Inc. ............................................................................................. 38 United Label & Sales ........................................................................................ 47 Versa-Lok Midwest ........................................................................................... 36 Xcel Energy ...................................................................................................... 26 Ziegler CAT ......................................................................................... Back Cover

Volume 41 No. 12 Dec 2018

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CENTRAL LANDSCAPE FALL BUYING SHOW centrallandscape.com

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

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Prepare for the Category A & E Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam by attending this 1½ day study program.

Day 2 includes testing by the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture.

Prepare for the Category A & E Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam by attending this 1½ day study program.

Day 2 includes testing by the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture.

KEY:

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 Leadership Development

 Networking

General ➾

All information on these and other industry events are online at MNLA.biz. december 18

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➾ F R OM THE EXECUTIVE DI R EC TO R

3-Year Trends in Government Affairs We're tracking the issues important to you, and the changes happening over time.

Cassie Larson MNLA Executive Director

For the last three years, the MNLA Government Affairs team has distributed a survey to members in the fall with a comprehensive list of the policy priorities the group identified heading into the upcoming legislative session. The survey has remained relatively similar over the past three years, allowing us to account for trending changes in responses over time.

An average of 75 members of all company sizes throughout the state respond year after year, providing insights and feedback critical to informing our advocacy efforts throughout the year.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the trends we’ve tracked over the last three years, with the help of your survey responses: Demographics

Acknowledging the diversity of our membership, the survey offered seventeen different business types as options to help members self-identify the types of services they provide. The top three services provided by survey respondents each year continue to be landscape/hardscape contracting, landscape design, and retail nursery/ garden center.

And while an overwhelming majority of those respondents cited their business as being located within the 11-county metro area (over 80% each year), we are pleased to see a continuing contingent of respondents from Greater Minnesota (between 15–18% per year) as well. As a trade association with an office in “the cities,” we know that members outside the Metro sometimes feel under-represented. Through advocacy opportunities in which you can engage remotely, such as this survey, we hope to help you feel more connected and better served while increasing participation in government affairs overall.

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Priorities

Of all the issues referenced throughout the survey, four consistently rise to the top of respondents’ policy priorities each year: • Local workplace regulations, • Pollinator habitat, • Sales and use tax issues, and • Temporary worker visa programs.

Local Workplace Regulations

In the local policy section of the survey we asked, “When thinking about labor laws and regulations, do you believe local governments (e.g. City Councils) should advance local workplace regulations such as a local minimum wage, local paid sick time, local parental leave, etc.”? For 2019, the vast majority of respondents — 72% — responded “no,” while only 13% responded “yes.” Nine percent of respondents indicated that they needed additional information or other, and 6% were neutral on the issue. Answer percentages were similar in the 2017 and 2018 surveys.

Pollinator Habitat

In the state policy section of the survey we asked, “When thinking about pollinator habitat, do you believe public property along roadways and interchanges should be redesigned and utilized as habitat for native and/or migratory pollinator species?” In the 2019 survey, you answered “yes” — with 65% indicating support for that proposal. Only 13% responded “no” while 8% said they need more information, 10% took a neutral position, and 4% cited “other.” Answer percentages were similar in 2017 and 2018.

Not only do your survey responses help us get a better sense of the areas where we can do a better job with providing information and education, but they’ve also been crucial in ensuring that we focus on the issues of most importance to you as we engage in government affairs.

Sales and Use Tax Issues

Also in the state policy section of the survey we asked, “When thinking about sales and use tax compliance and reporting among green industry businesses, do you believe the current structure should be reformed?” in 2019, 52% responded “yes” while only 10% responded “no.” 22% responded that they need more information and 16% were neutral on the issue. Percentages were similar in 2017 and 2018 surveys.

Temporary Worker Visa Programs

Finally, in the federal policy section of the survey we asked, “When thinking about national labor issues, do you believe that reforming the structure of temporary worker visa programs (i.e. H-2A, H-2B) should be a priority in addressing the workforce shortage within the green industry?” Eight percent responded “no,” but 76% stated “yes,” with 10% requesting more information, 2% maintaining neutrality, and 4% indicating “other.” Again, percentages were similar in 2017 and 2018 surveys.

This confirmation of your top priorities gave the Government Affairs Committee confidence that it’s on the right track, as each of these issues has been incorporated into our legislative agenda or is being worked on by our regulatory team.

Summary

Not only do your survey responses help us get a better sense of the areas where we can do a better job with providing information and education, but they’ve also been crucial in ensuring that we focus on the issues of most importance to you as we engage in government affairs. As such, your insights and feedback helped shape MNLA’s 2019 legislative agenda — a critical tool in advocating as effectively as possible on behalf of the entire green industry in Minnesota.

Want to see a copy? Visit the MNLA Legislative Action Center at www.mnla.biz.

We are so grateful to all the members who take time out of their busy schedules to respond thoughtfully and thoroughly to this survey each year. Continuously engaging in conversation about our collective priorities is essential to growing results in government affairs. So, when you see this survey come around again next fall, please take a moment to reply. It will help shape the future of your industry! december 18

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PALMER AMARANTH FOUND AGAIN IN MINNESOTA James Calkins | MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager

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The MDA takes Palmer amaranth very seriously and is working diligently to eradicate the Redwood and Jackson County infestations just as it did for the previously-identified infestations in the other four counties and is optimistic that the infestation can be successfully eradicated. Cooperation with the MDA to quickly identify and manage Palmer amaranth infestations will be critical in preventing the establishment of Palmer amaranth in Minnesota.

It is unlikely that the success in identifying and eradicating Palmer amaranth infestations experienced thus far would have been possible without the efforts of conscientious land owners whose attentive scouting activities, proactive reporting, and partnerships with the MDA have played a central role in these early detection and eradication efforts.

Palmer amaranth is a serious threat to Minnesota agriculture and nursery and landscape professionals should remain vigilant to help prevent new infestations by understanding the Palmer amaranth threat, becoming familiar with this new weed and its identifying characteristics, avoiding new introductions of Palmer amaranth through nursery and landscape activities, watching for Palmer amaranth on the lands they manage, and reporting any suspected finds to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Figure 1. Soybeans (Glycine max) ready for harvest; Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), a serious agricultural weed that has only recently been found in Minnesota, has been documented in five west-central Minnesota counties since 2016 – Lyon County and Yellow Medicine County in 2016, Douglas County and Todd County in 2017, and most recently Redwood County in September 2018; the Redwood County infestation is unique because it was in a soybean field and was the first infestation found in a crop field in Minnesota; all of the previous finds were in conservation plantings believed to have been established with a seed mix that was contaminated with Palmer amaranth seeds (Photo Credit: James Calkins).

he Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed two new infestations of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri). One is in Redwood County and another in Jackson County, both in southwestern Minnesota. Palmer amaranth infestations have previously been documented in Lyon and Yellow Medicine County in September 2016 and Todd and Douglass County just over a year later and one year ago in October 2017. All four counties are in west-central Minnesota. All the previous infestations have been associated with conservation plantings and are believed to have resulted from seed mixes contaminated with Palmer amaranth seed, but the Redwood and Jackson County discoveries were in soybean fields and are the first time Palmer amaranth has been found in a cash crop. The Palmer amaranth infestations were discovered and reported by the land owners who noticed several plants in their soybean fields that were suspected as being Palmer amaranth. Genetic testing confirmed that the plants were indeed Palmer amaranth. MDA staff have subsequently scouted fields within a 5-mile radius of the infestation and no additional infestations were found. The source of the Palmer amaranth seed that lead to these most recent infestations is unknown currently, but the MDA is investigating potential sources.

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A Very Serious Weed

Palmer or Palmer’s amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is one of many species of amaranth found in North America, but one that had not been documented in the State of Minnesota until September, 2016, when the first infestations were unfortunately confirmed in conservation plantings in Yellow Medicine and Lyon Counties in the southwestern corner of the state. Additional infestations were discovered in Douglas and Todd Counties just over a year later in October, 2017. In all four cases, a swift and sustained response by the MDA resulted in only a small number of plants being found in these areas in 2017 and no finds thus far in 2018. Monitoring efforts continue and eradication efforts are ongoing for the new infestations in soybean fields in Redwood and Jackson County discovered last month (September 2018). Although the MDA is optimistic about its eradication efforts, these finds have highlighted the Palmer amaranth threat and the need for landowners and land managers to be on the lookout for Palmer amaranth in order to catch and manage new infestations quickly and proactively in an attempt to prevent this weed invader from becoming established in the state.

Palmer amaranth is a very serious weed whose distribution has been expanding northward and eastward and a weed the agricultural community in Minnesota should be concerned about. Palmer amaranth has been spreading across the country from what is thought to be its native range in Mexico and the southwestern United States and has also been recently found in neighboring and nearby states, including Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

As an agricultural weed, Palmer amaranth is considered the most aggressive and competitive of the pigweeds, even more competitive than common/tall waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus), and is likely to become a serious and significant weed problem in Minnesota if it becomes established in the state.

Factors that make Palmer amaranth a serious weed include extended germination during the growing season, a rapid growth rate (as much as two or three inches per day), large size (6-10 feet) and significant biomass production, prolific seed production (up to 600,000 seeds per female plant), a high level of genetic diversity, environmental adaptability (including drought tolerance), superior competitiveness, and herbicide resistance (multiple modes of action) including glyphosate resistance (Roundup® and related products).

Herbicide resistance has also been observed in other species of Amaranthus including waterhemp, redroot pigweed, Powell amaranth, and smooth pigweed and the development of herbicide resistance by these, as well as other weed species, is a significant and growing concern.

Background of the Pigweed Family

As members of the genus Amaranthus, Palmer amaranth and its relatives are members of the Pigweed or Amaranth Family (Amaranthaceae) which includes about 180 genera and 2500 species. Specifically, the genus Amaranthus includes about 60 species; of these, about 33 species are found in the United States and seven in Minnesota. Members of the genus are commonly and often interchangeably called amaranths or pigweeds. The seven species found in Minnesota include redroot pigweed (also called rough pigweed and green amaranth; Amaranthus retrofexus), tumble pigweed (also called tumbleweed; A. albus), prostrate pigweed (A. blitoides), smooth pigweed (also called slender pigweed and spleen amaranth; A. hybridus), Powell or Powell’s amaranth (also called green pigweed; A. powellii), spiny, thorny, or prickly amaranth/pigweed (Amaranthus spinosus), and common/tall waterhemp (also called rough-fruited waterhemp; A. tuberculatus; synonyms A. rudis and A. tamariscinus.

Of these, redroot pigweed, smooth pigweed, Powell amaranth, and waterhemp are fairly similar in appearance and can be difficult to distinguish from one another. All have a branched, upright habit and can reach heights in excess of six feet. The color of the taproot (red or not) and leaf characteristics (color and shape) can also be very similar.

Unfortunately, Palmer amaranth also resembles these species so understanding the differences and being on the lookout for this new threat will be critical in keeping this species from being introduced to new areas, gaining a foothold, and becoming established and a problem in Minnesota. Weed managers should become familiar with all seven species and especially Palmer amaranth and the four species it may be confused with, and especially waterhemp which it is most likely to be confused with, as the swift identification of Palmer amaranth will be critical in preventing the spread and establishment of this harmful weed in Minnesota.

Methods of Eradication

As every weed manager should know, reliance on a single mode of action has the potential to be problematic when it comes to the development of herbicide resistance and herbicide resistant weeds and weed populations. The widespread and growing reliance on glyphosate resistant, “Roundup Ready” crops, mainly agronomic crops including corn, soybeans, and cotton, but also Kentucky bluedecember 18

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grass, ignores this basic principle and we are now facing the consequences as an increasing number of weed species, including Palmer amaranth, are becoming resistant to glyphosate and other herbicides with various modes of action. In the case of Palmer amaranth, and waterhemp, enhanced outcrossing as a consequence of the species being dioecious results in the rapid spread of inherited characteristics like herbicide resistance. As a result, Palmer amaranth has become a leading example of herbicide resistance and its negative and costly consequences. Pesticide applicators must recognize, understand, and respect the threat posed by pesticide resistance — the ability of pests, including weeds, to evolve and develop resistance to pesticides, including herbicides, as a result of exposure to pesticides under field conditions — and must select and apply pesticides properly to help prevent the development of pesticide resistance.

Early detection and eradication will be the keys to preventing the spread and establishment of Palmer amaranth in Minnesota. The hope of keeping Palmer amaranth from becoming a serious weed problem in Minnesota will depend on the awareness and vigilance of agricultural producers and land managers, including nursery and landscape professionals, and a commitment to do everything possible to prevent the introduction of this species into new areas across the state. This is true for all non-native species that have the potential to harm agricultural production and native ecosystems.

Agricultural production and distribution systems that include best management practices designed to prevent the introduction of new weed species, regular scouting, proper identification, and a quick response to eradicate pioneer populations and prevent seed production will be required to prevent the establishment and spread of Palmer amaranth in the state. If pioneer plants and populations are not identified and seed production is not stopped, Palmer amaranth, including glyphosate resistant populations, will become a serious threat across the state. From a management perspective, new infestations should be eradicated quickly to prevent seed production and dispersal followed by pre-emergence herbicides known to be 16

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effective on Palmer amaranth and timely (plants less than 3" tall) post-emergence herbicide applications (where feasible as needed and remembering to rotate the modes of action of the herbicides used; using herbicide combinations with different modes of action can also be effective in preventing herbicide resistance) as can other methods of control like mowing, burning/torching, and crop rotation.

Report Suspicious Plants

The fear that Palmer amaranth would find its way to Minnesota has unfortunately been realized. Still, controlling existing populations and preventing new infestations remains an important goal and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is fully engaged and believes eradication of the existing infestations is still possible. To this end, Palmer amaranth has been listed as a Prohibited-Eradicate Noxious Weed and a Prohibited Weed Seed in Minnesota. This means all of the above and below ground parts of any Palmer amaranth plants must be destroyed and no Palmer amaranth seed is allowed in any seed offered for sale in the state including all agricultural, vegetable, flower, tree, shrub, native grass, and forb seed sold in Minnesota.

Most importantly, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, with legislative support, has a plan that will hopefully result in the eradication of Palmer amaranth from the state and the successful prevention and management of future introductions.

If plants suspected as being Palmer amaranth are found in Minnesota, more technical identification aids or a weed specialist should be consulted to confirm the identification and the findings reported to your county agricultural inspector, University of Minnesota Extension personnel, or the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (email — Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us; phone — 1-888-5456684). Effective weed control is an important activity for growers and landscape managers who should keep themselves up-to-date concerning potential, new weed threats and management practices.

Be on the lookout for Palmer amaranth in your fields (including conservation and prairie plantings) and other production areas, and

The fear that Palmer amaranth would find its way to Minnesota has unfortunately been realized. in managed landscapes and lesser managed areas adjacent to such areas, and be proactive in helping to prevent new introductions of Palmer amaranth to help keep this weed from becoming established in Minnesota.

Additional information about the new Palmer amaranth infestation in Redwood County and the status of palmer amaranth in Minnesota is available through the following links: Palmer Amaranth Found In Redwood County (News Bulletin; September 28, 2018) — https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDA/ bulletins/210b005 Palmer Amaranth in Minnesota (MDA) - http://www.mda.state.mn.us/ plants-insects/palmer-amaranth-minnesota Selected Links to Additional Information About Palmer Amaranth: Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 2017. Factsheet: Palmer Amaranth in Minnesota. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/palmeramaranth-minnesota Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Prohibited - Eradicate Noxious Weed Palmer Amaranth - Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson. http://www. mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/noxiouslist/ palmeramaranth Behnken, L., F. Breitenbach, J. Gunsolus, P. Bongard, and L. Stahl.

2016. Palmer Amaranth: A New Weed Threat to Watch Out for. University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Crop News; August 23, 2016. http://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2016/08/palmer-amaranthnew-weed-threat-to.html Hartzler, B. 2016. Palmer Amaranth in Iowa: What We Know. Iowa State University, Integrated Crop Management News; August 19, 2016. http://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2016/08/palmer-amaranth-iowa-what-we-know College of Agriculture Life Sciences and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. 2016. Palmer Amaranth Now Identified in at Least Nine Iowa Counties. Iowa State University, Integrated Crop News; August 15, 2016. http://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2016/08/ palmer-amaranth-now-identified-least-nine-iowa-counties (Incudes a video describing Palmer amaranth and its identifying characteristics) Loux, M. 2016. New Palmer Amaranth Finds: We’re Mowing Down Soybean Fields, Folks. Ohio State University, OSU Weed Management; August 18, 2016. http://u.osu.edu/osuweeds/2016/08/18/new-palmeramaranth-finds-were-mowing-down-soybean-fields-folks/ University of Minnesota Extension. 2013. Palmer Amaranth Confirmed in Iowa What Does it Mean for Minnesota. http://blog.lib.umn.edu/ umnext/news/2013/09/palmer-amaranth-confirmed-in-iowa-what-doesit-mean-for-minnesota-1.php

3600 W Hwy 13 Burnsville, MN 55337 phone: 952-895-7408

944 215th St. E Jordan, MN 55352 phone: 952-492-2890

www.rockhardmn.com

Bulk Salt Bagged Salt Salt Spreaders Treated Salt Salt Delivery

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

regarding this update or the status

of Palmer amaranth in Minnesota and neighboring states, or other places in North America, contact Jim Calkins, MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager, at jim@mnla.biz; 952-935-0682.

Shovels We have Snow Event Hours. Call the Salt Hotline!

952-882-4997

december 18

MNLA .biz

17

TRADE SHOW CAMPFIRES: CONNECT + GROW ON THE GO

Campfires on the trade show floor are hubs for gathering and learning, but they’re not your typical general session.

These unique learning spaces include hosted discussions, trade show floor walkabouts, demonstrations, and more…

Lakeshore Campfire

Backyard Campfire INNOVATION + INSPIRATION THEATER

Innovation & Inspiration Theater

This theater, with a huge screen in the center of the action, hosts a variety of live events, including sessions focusing on next generation leadership, garden center merchandising, tree planting BMPs, presentations from Landscape Award recipients, and several “Top 10” plant lists! Plus, featured interviews, video highlights, and educational content all tailored specifically for green industry professionals.

Supported by:

THE SANDBOX

The Sandbox

Safety should be your number one priority both as a company and individual. Join us at the portable TBG safety trailer to learn about everything from silica safety and PPE to utility locates and sun/weather protection! In addition, Minnesota State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspection Demo will also be featured in this area. We'll have a truck and trailer set up for the demo and a Minnesota State Patrol officer will be on hand to discuss the most frequent types of commercial vehicle citations and how to satisfy state and federal requirements. Bring your questions!

TECH LAB (NEW LOCATION IN THE SANDBOX!)

Tech Lab

Have you explored utilizing drones in your business? Current applications include evaluating tree structure, measuring turf health on golf courses and sports fields, surveying sites prior to landscape design, and taking photos and videos to use in sales efforts. Come hear from green industry companies using this technology, and experience the challenge of flying a drone for yourself through our fun obstacle course!

CLIMBER'S CORNER

Stop by the Climber's Corner where Certified Arborists from S&S Tree & Horticultural Specialists will provide tree climbing and pruning demos.

DRONES

CLIMBER'S CORNER

Climber’s Corner ESCAPE ROOM CHALLENGE

Escape Room Challenge

ESCAPE ROOM CHALLENGE

Looking for a fun team building event that will challenge your industry knowledge during Northern Green? Visit the NEW mini-escape room on the trade show floor! Go online to www.NorthernGreen.org/EscapeRoom to sign up your team of up to 5 people for a 10-minute time slot and see if you can beat our landscape/golf/plant-themed puzzles. Will your crew have what it takes to escape? Come and find out!

Lots of inspiration and a bit of fun around every corner!

PREVIEW

TRADE SHOW

PARTY

Tuesday, Jan. 15, 4:00–6:30pm

Do you like to be first? The Northern Green Trade Show Preview Party is a chance for attendees of Tuesday Master Classes, anyone holding a Northern Green name badge, or customers with a special invitation directly from their supplier to get a sneak peek into the trade show before it officially opens! Yes, you can be first! There will be free appetizers, cash bars, a poker run and a keg crawl throughout the show floor during this happy hour affair.

FREE LUNCH ON

W E D N E S D AY

CRAWL RUN Supported by:

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

Supported by:

“X” MARKS THE SPOTS

While you’re visiting with Northern Green exhibitors, you also have a chance to find treasure. Simply follow the treasure map on the card available outside the trade show entrance and dig up booth personnel at each participating booth to sign your card.

Then, drop off the completed card in the big drum in Lobby C to be entered into a drawing to win fabulous prizes!

POKER

KEG

PREVIEW PARTY

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

CONNECT OVER LUNCH*

Supported by:

There’s so much to do at Northern Green that you won’t want to miss a beat. Grab a FREE lunch gift card to use at the trade show concessions or café on Wednesday and keep right on conducting business with vendors or learning something new.

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

*Available to the first 1,800 attendees.

CONNECT WITH INDUSTRY VENDORS IN PERSON...

...AND VISIT THEM ONLINE. Connect with these exhibitors all year long by visiting the Vendor Directory online at www.NorthernGreen.org.

Visit hundreds of exhibitors in the 198,000 square-foot exhibit hall onsite at Northern Green 2019. For the latest listings, please check www.NorthernGreen.org or the Northern Green app.

SCHEDULE FOR 2019 Tuesday, January 15: PREVIEW PARTY 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 16 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 17 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

NORTHERN GREEN PREMIUM UPGRADES* *Requires Wednesday or Thursday Registration, plus paid premium upgrade.

C E O

INTERACTIVE

Requires Wednesday Registration, plus paid premium upgrade.

Includes access to the CEO Lounge.

Requires Thursday Registration, plus paid premium upgrade.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 | ROOM 101 AB

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019 | ROOM 101 AB

CREATING A CAREER PATH FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES

THE RIGHT TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSFORM YOUR LANDSCAPE OR HARDSCAPE BUSINESS

TRACK

PART 1: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM PART 2: 2:00 PM - 4:10 PM In this workshop for CEOs, business owners and managers, Jim Huston introduces attendees to the process of creating a career path for their employees using the green industry job descriptions contained in his book. Plus, he also explains: • Why creating a career path mentality for employees is so important.

• The benefits of creating a career path for your employees.

• How job descriptions are used as a foundation for creating a career path.

• The eleven major components contained in a good job description.

• The benchmarking concept of minimal supervision and why it is so important.

• Finding, training and keeping good people.

• Implementing simple incentive and bonus methods.

• The FBI concept of profiling and how it applies to developing a career path.

• Why attitudes determine your company’s altitude and how to incorporate high-performance attitudes into your employees.

• How to measure performance both analytically and intuitively.

Attendees will be provided with numerous handouts and visual aids. Huston’s book, audio book, and MS Word CD will be available for purchase.

James R. Huston, MBA, CPE, has over thirty-five years of diverse business management experience and holds an MBA degree in finance.

He is also a member of the American Society of Professional Estimators. He is a Certified Professional Landscape Estimator and he is one of only two such CPLE’s in the world. As a Jim Huston Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, he held positions in finance, aviation supply inventory management and procurement. After his tour of duty, he became a senior production control analyst for the Electronics Division of General Dynamics.

Since 1987, he has been a management consultant to the green industry. Early in his career, he was in charge of the consulting division for Charles Vander Kooi and Associates, Inc.; and in 1989 he formed J. R. Huston Consulting, Inc. Huston has written seven books and developed five software programs for the green industry.

CEO Track & CEO Lounge generously supported by:

TRACK

Technology is changing the way the green industry does business. Learn about the tools and technology that will increase your efficiency and business profits, no matter if you are a beginner or if you are already running a multimillion-dollar company.

PART 1: THE RIGHT TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFICIENCY ONSITE | 8:00 – 10:00 AM In this high impact morning session, you will learn the habits, tools, and technologies that are used by highly effective teams, field leaders, and crews. Get the latest information regarding the best industry habits and tools that can increase your efficiency, productivity, and profits as a landscape and hardscape company. This session focuses on several industry leaders/company case studies and how they created award-winning companies.

PART 2: THE RIGHT TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY TO SET UP YOUR MOBILE OFFICE | 1:30 – 3:20 PM You will spend the afternoon learning how to integrate technology and mobile applications into your business to set up your mobile office and increase productivity, efficiency, and profits with your teams. You will learn about available options to design, track, monitor, communicate, advertise, share and access information more easily at anytime from anywhere.

Frank Bourque is an awardwinning hardscape professional, speaker, writer, consultant, and entrepreneur with an extensive background in business, landscaping and hardscape construction. His knowledge and experience have allowed him to coach various types Frank of organizations in sales, customer Bourque service, installation practices, peak performance and efficiency strategies. He has been a part of the green industry for more than 20 years as a business owner, working in various sectors including retail, landscape management and landscape design/construction. Frank offers coaching and conferences at some of the largest contractor events throughout the U.S. and Canada such as Hardscape North America, GIE Expo, and Landscape Ontario Congress. He is the host of Hardscape Live in Toronto and a certified ICPI & NCMA instructor.

NORTHERN GREEN 2019 KEYNOTES Opening Keynote Open Roads Open Minds An Exploration of Creative Problem Solving Steve Uzzell

Closing Keynote The Work We Do Ted Schick, Schick Corporate Learning

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

THURSDAY, 3:20–4:00 PM | INNOVATION THEATER

Anyone who has had the good fortune to drive for any length of time on a true open road has experienced the remarkable mind-opening phenomenon that results: our imagination is released, and problems resolve quickly in solution. Why? Why does this ALWAYS work? Steve calls this effect the Spirit of the Open Road. As adults, the continuum of every day is spent solving problems, so… how DO we access the Spirit of the Open Road and turn it into an attitude for everyday problem solving? A 58-minute presentation with over 250 photographs from 44 of the United States and 11 other countries covers 10 key points of the process and much more.

We spend nearly 40% of our lives working. And let’s face it – our work, to some degree, defines who we are. In this fun and engaging closing keynote, we will look at our work, our motivation and what we need to flourish every day. We’ll examine the roots of our professionalism, as well as how to cultivate our teams, so they can grow and blossom. We will close with how to till our own soil, taking care of us as we tend to our health and well-being. A perfect way to close our conference as we anxiously wait for spring (and we will be waiting for a while more).

Steve Uzzell is an internationally renowned photographer and inspirational speaker. His photographic assignments have taken him to all 50 United States and 30 countries: from corporations, such as Boeing and IBM to more than 100 publications Steve Uzzell including National Geographic, Smithsonian and Time. As a speaker, he has taken his message of creativity and the power of ideas to over 490 organizations, associations, corporations and colleges (in all 50 states and six countries, India and China among them) including the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School, Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan Chase, Northrop Grumman, HSBC, Marriott, BNY Mellon and Adobe.

Steve began his photography career as the assistant to the editor of National Geographic and a member of its photographic staff. He struck out on his own in 1975 and today spends six months of the year traveling the world for his KEYNOTES photographic clients and the rest as a teacher and inspirational speaker.

WITH ALL Along the way, Steve has published PASSES three books of his photography, and received 10 prestigious Communication Arts awards.

FREE

Ted Schick

With over 20 years in teaching, Ted holds a BA Business from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a teaching certificate from Bemidji State University, and Master of Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Ted is a member and past president of the Lake Superior Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development located in Duluth, MN. Ted is active in his community with 13 years on the Spirit Mountain Ski Patrol and volunteering with local animal humane societies such as Animal Allies in Duluth and Friends of Animals in Cloquet. Ted is also part of the Cloquet Rotary and Mentor Duluth. In his “spare” time, he has been a stand-up comedian, teaches Boot Camp fitness classes in the Twin Ports and is an accomplished triathlete.

KEYNOTES

FREE WITH ALL PASSES

Keynotes Supported by: WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

Residing in Duluth, MN, Ted is a corporate trainer, professional speaker and consultant with his own business, Schick Corporate Learning. A retired naval officer who rose up from the enlisted ranks, Ted has over 30-years’ experience leading people.

Keynotes Supported by: WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

Visit MNLA member service companies in their booths at Northern Green!

Booth 310 Holiday Stationstores Booth 1633 TBG (The Builders Group) Booth 1917 Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC - Attorneys at Law

3 EASY WAYS TO REGISTER!  ONLINE

Visit www.NorthernGreen.org to register at your convenience, 24/7.

 MAIL

Use the registration form in the Advance Program, or download from www.NorthernGreen.org and send your registration and payment by mail to the address listed.

 FAX

Use the registration form in the Advance Program or download from NorthernGreen.org and fax back to 651.633.4986 with payment.

Receive a discount on registration when you register by January 4!

Plus, members of the following associations receive a $20 discount: MNLA, MGCSA, MPSTMA, MAC, MASMS, MSA, MTA, and MTSC. Don’t forget that when you register

by December 20th, your badge will be mailed to you in advance.

If you register between December 21-January 4, you will be able to utilize self-check-in onsite.

Questions? Contact the Northern Green office for assistance at 651.633.4987.

MemberServicesNG18-one-third-vert.indd 1

11/8/2018 4:35:03 PM 3 Easy Ways to Enter.indd 1

11/8/2018 4:16:47 PM

GREEN INDUSTRY AWARDS

CELEBRATI0N

REC O GNIZING E XCELLENCE IN MINNESOTA’S GREEN INDUSTRY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019, 6:00 P.M. | Ticket price: $40 A joint effort by MNLA and MTGF, this event utilizes the Innovation & Inspiration Theater on the trade show floor, which includes a giant rear-projected screen allowing for an outstanding visual display. There will be fantastic food, cash bars, a master of ceremonies to act as a host for the evening’s festivities, and lots to celebrate! We’ll recognize a number of deserving individuals and companies for their service to the green industry, their research, their excellence in landscape and sports field work, for receiving and sponsoring scholarships, and for completion of the Green Industry Leadership Institute.

BUY YOUR TICKET WHEN REGISTERING FOR NORTHERN GREEN AT WWW.NORTHERNGREEN.ORG!

Special thanks to our sponsors:

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

GIAC half page promo.indd 1

8/10/2018 4:20:29 PM

Try our app!

It’s easy, it’s free, and it will help you make the most efficient use of your time!

• Organize your schedule.

• Access session handouts.

• Bookmark exhibitors and sessions you’re planning to visit.

• Use the Activity Stream to follow the action.

• Lighten your load – no need to carry around anything more than your mobile device.

NG19AppPromoOne-half.indd 1

Plus, follow us on Twitter with the hashtag #NorthernGreen

11/8/2018 5:07:18 PM

âž¾ DRON ES

UP IN THE AIR

24

MNLA .biz

december 18

Lloyd Nackley and Heather Stoven | Oregon State University This article originally appeared in Digger magazine, which is published by the Oregon Association of Nurseries. www.diggermagazine.com.

Researchers and growers explore the use of drones in nursery production.

All photos courtesy of Oregon State University.

december 18

MNLA .biz

25

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he popularity of drones, aka unmanned aerial vehicles or systems (UAV/UAS), has dramatically increased over the past decades.

Like global positioning (GPS) technology, walkie-talkies and Jeeps, drones initially were developed for military use. Although the U.S. Air Force’s Predator and Reaper drones continue to appear on the evening news, and as a plot device in action movies, it is not likely that one will whirl into your life from the hobbyist market.

The rapid growth of hobby drone sales prompted concerns about safety and aerial congestion. This concern resulted in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) setting up a registration system for all drones, both for commercial and hobby use (see https://www.faa.gov/uas/faqs/ for details).

The FAA’s vision was for the full integration of UAS into the National Airspace System to operate harmoniously with manned aircraft, using many of the same air traffic management systems and procedures.

While little winged copters have become common gifts and can be regularly seen patrolling parks or parties, the non-military application of drones is not just for Hollywood or holidays. In fact, civil and commercial industries are being recognized as the largest emerging drone market.

The Goldman Sachs investment bank is projecting $100 billion in UAV market growth over the next two years. Agriculture is one of the larger commercial sectors for drone applications. Within agriculture, drones have been used to locate livestock, deploy agri-chemicals (i.e., spraying), and achieve a variety of other purposes.

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26

MNLA .biz

december 18

10/25/18 1:31 PM

Currently, the two primary applications for drones in specialty crops are for crop health monitoring and survey applications.

Crop health monitoring is one of the most commonly marketed applications of drones in agriculture. Images collected during flight can be used to monitor crop health across large areas with few people.

Drones offer an improvement from manned aerial vehicles (i.e., small airplanes) or LANDSAT imagery because drones can

Researchers and growers explore the use of drones in nursery production.

provide increased flight frequency and better image quality from low-level flights.

Many agricultural drone software platforms alluringly display colorimetric approaches to crop health monitoring in green to red spectrums on their websites. For colorimetric approaches, aerial images can be analyzed in visible wavelengths, and the images can be contrasted in multiple wavelengths to detect non-visible signals.

For example, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is a ratio at the core of many proprietary software platforms offered in the agricultural market.

The fundamentals of NDVI relate to light wavelength and light reflectance. The presence of chlorophyll in the plant tissues causes absorption of red light wavelengths. Non-green plant structures and biomass reflect relatively more near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths.

In general, healthy plants in dense canopies reflect high levels of NIR and have low red light reflectance. On the other hand, when there are few plants or unhealthy plants more red light is reflected.

The NDVI is a ratio of this phenomenon NDVI = NIR – Red / NIR + Red. For healthy plants and dense vegetation, the ratio will tend towards +1.

On the other hand, unhealthy crops will reflect more red light and have a lower NDVI value. Brayden Sechser trialed a colorimetric approach at Kraemer’s Nursery Inc. (KNI). For Sechser, who flew a fixed-wing drone, the hope was that UAV would support KNI’s crop health team by indicating specific locations that needed more attention.

When small teams are expected to monitor large acreages, spotting problems can be like finding a needle in a haystack. For example, a malfunctioning emitter or head could go unreported for a few days when there are hundreds or thousands of emitters in an irrigation system — especially if irrigation is timed to run at off-hours, allowing for crew access during work hours. As any grower knows, missed irrigation on full-grown plants in the heat of the summer can be a costly and deadly error.

KNI’s team used the drone flights with early identification methods. “The cameras can sometimes detect problems before we can see them,” said Sechser. Oregon State University (OSU) researchers are also applying colorimetric analysis methods in grape vineyards in an attempt to detect plant pathogen outbreaks. The OSU Aerial Information Systems Laboratory uses infrared technology to spot the presence of grapevine red blotch virus and potentially other viruses before they are noticeable to human eyes.

Field surveys are another typical application for UAV. Over the past few years, OAN members have supported a few different drone research projects with nursery and Christmas tree applications, thanks to funding from the ODA Nursery Research Grant Program.

In 2010, OSU researchers partnered with researchers from the University of Arkansas and University of Florida to develop a costeffective, low altitude aerial imagery system to automate inventory processes at shade tree nurseries, container nurseries and Christmas tree farms. The study operated under the premise that collecting real-time inventory data is expensive, time-consuming and can be imprecise.

Their project assumed that semi-automating the inventory process with UAV would reduce labor inputs, increase count accuracy, reduce workforce strain, and reduce overall costs. An additional benefit was that the drone imagery could simultaneously map roads, buildings, irrigation and other undocumented infrastructure.

Eight years ago, when drones were new to the market, the research project objectives included basic evaluations of sensors and environmental factors that would influence image quality. The researchers learned that several factors contributed to the complexity of imagery used for plant inventory analysis, including plant characteristics (plant color, species, plant size and shape, canopy cover, plant health), ground and surface characteristics (bare soil, gravel, ground cloth), and environmental factors (sunlight, shadows).

One of the major hurdles was that plant canopies sometimes hampered the ability to discern individual plants. Late in the season as december 18

MNLA .biz

27

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302 302 302

www.jeffbelzerchevy.com Version # 4 Version # 4 Version # 4

Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.inddLinked Graphics Art Director Control Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd 12KTFLCHEV032.tif Linked GraphicsRGB

Retail Planning Flyer Control Art George Miller •Mechgmiller@jeffbelzer.com Scale 100 8.75” 952-469-6820 x 11.25” Bleed Chevy CopyDirector Writer TBD

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12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB HD CC with Dump_psd.psd Linked GraphicsRGB Control Art Director 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Mech TBD Copy Print Scale Scale 100 12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB None BusinessCentral_KO.ai ProjWriter Mgr csenn HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Scale Please 100 GM_business_choice.ai TBD Copy Writer Jeff Belzer Lakeville,Mech MN. call the Commercial Department at 952-469-4444.

Print Scale None BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Stock None HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB Acct Mgr Svc kdenmark cube_0758.jpg RGB GM_business_choice.ai Print Scale Trim None 8.5” x 11” BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Mgr Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB All Rebates & incentives to dealer, must qualify for same, prices subject to change.

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

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CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT

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

Publications None

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User ma-klane User

John Zadurski 952-469-6818 • User jzadurski@jeffbelzer.com 4-20-2012 1:48Date PM Colors In-Use Printer Output

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

➾ DRON ES

(Left) Aerial view of trees on a nursery as seen with the naked eye.

(Right) Colorimetric renderings look at plant health from a different lens.

plant canopies filled out both in-containers and in-field facilities, it was challenging for the software (or often even the individual eye) to determine where one plant’s branches stopped and another’s began.

To address this, in the later years of the project, the research team began investigating how spatial resolution and canopy separation on different ground surfaces affected image analysis algorithms. The team was eventually able to achieve 98 percent accuracy in a count of 22,000 plants with drone-collected images, including plants with overlapping canopies.

However, like almost everything else in the nursery business, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Inventory algorithms and some plant scenarios remain challenging.

Site-specific variables, as well as the diverse range of plants grown by various nurseries, may require nursery-specific or even block-specific counting algorithms.

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. (JFS) has been a voluntary test site on many of these projects and is hopeful that drones could eventually help count the several million plants they have in the ground.

Although progress has been made counting large broad areas, JFS is hopeful for a practical, cost-effective, row-by-row counting solution.

Issues with stitching — the merging of hundreds of smaller photos generated during flight into one large photo — can result in misaligned counts of trees in a row. For now, this is a technical problem that can result in a significant miscalculation of available product.

Similarly, Sechser at KNI also has high hopes for drone-based inventory analysis. In his estimation, the inventory software has not been developed sufficiently enough to be solely reliable for inventory counts. In the yards he manages, where product frequently moves with different spacing, there are concerns with the ability to distinguish individual units — especially in can-tight or closed canopy situations.

In discussions with software developers, Sechser has learned that large datasets are still required to refine the counting algorithms.

While the technology is rapidly improving it is not yet grower-ready.

systems. In addition to the previously mentioned inventory issues, there are also crop-health challenges with colorimetric approaches (e.g., NDVI).

In a sense, NDVI is a measure of “greenness” and has an established application in field crops like corn, soy, and other agronomic varieties. The utility of “greenness” is lesser known for nursery crops.

We work with such a wide variety of plant types within and between nurseries that specific crop- or variety-specific detail rarely exists.

For instance, the relevant NDVI range for variegated, glaucous, and highly pigmented young or mature leaves is unknown. The spectral signature for species with colored leaves can be different from uniformly green crops. Uncorrelated spectral signatures present a problem when green and non-green crops grow adjacent to each other. Like green crops, colored leaves will emit a reflectance signature that will change in response to crop health. However, at this time, the ‘danger’ thresholds are unknown for most nursery species.

A second barrier is a cost. Entering the drone market carries capital and operating expenses. It is our experience that a commercial research-level drone with a high-quality camera will cost $10,000– 20,000 initially, with potentially $1,000–3,000 in annual software fees. These costs exclude any required maintenance and repairs when — not if — a collision happens.

The return on investment is challenging to predict given the many unknowns with the developing technology.

As time goes by, the efficacious use of drones has become closer to reality. Inventory algorithms continue to be refined and high-quality sensors are becoming ubiquitous. Like the investment banks who predict billions of dollars of growth over the next two years, OSU also recognizes the significant value of UAV to support specialty crop growers — especially when growers have fewer eyes available to monitor crop health and inventory.

Therefore, the OSU Nackley Lab has recently partnered with Dr. Kristine Buckland, assistant professor and vegetable and specialty seed crop specialist, to develop a drone-based research program at OSU’s North Willamette Research and Extension Center. The initial goals are twofold.

First, we wish to guide growers who are interested in entering the market, but who are overwhelmed by the initial costs and variety of similar products available in the drone market. Secondly, Dr. Nackley’s program will address the fundamental lack of knowledge of ornamental crops.

He has partnered with Dr. Carolyn Scagel, USDA ARS Horticultural Crops Research Unit, to calibrate nutrient stress with colorimetric approaches from multi-spectral images in nursery production systems. They plan to expand the program to include water stress identification as well.

OSU researchers will continue to develop partnerships with growers and other universities to inform and assist technological incorporation of technology like UAV in nursery production systems.

LLOYD NACKLEY

is an assistant professor of nursery and greenhouse

The future of flight

production systems at, Oregon State University. HEATHER STOVEN is

For all the perceived opportunities of incorporating drone technologies, there are still some barriers to adoption in nursery crop

an assistant professor (practice), of community horticulture and small

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farms, at Oregon State University.

âž¾ S E CT I O N TITLE

EXILED TO SIBERIA Faith Appelquist | Tree Quality LLC

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Conifers gain a foothold in the cold, harsh climate of Yellowstone National Park.

he reason evergreens stay green all year is not simple. Evergreens (trees that keep their leaves year-round instead of losing them all at once) originated in cold, northern climates, where summers are short and winters bitterly cold. Holding on to their needles certainly brings advantages in the spring, because the trees can get going immediately without waiting for new growth.

Evergreen leaves start photosynthesizing as soon as conditions allow, wasting no time in growing a new set of leaves every year, like deciduous trees. Not a day is lost. A maple growing in a similar climate wouldn’t even have a chance to open up all its leaves before the end of the season.

Those skinny needles you see on evergreen trees are actually leaves that are rolled up very tightly. They are beautifully compact and adapted to withstand hard, dry conditions. Needles therefore lose little water when it is in short supply. They are also long and thin to shed the snow and contain little sap for freezing.

However, holding on to needles is also extremely risky. Snow lands on the branches and accumulates until the load is so heavy it can break the tree. The evergreen employs two defense mechanisms to avoid this. First, it grows an absolutely straight trunk, with downward-sloping branches. As soon as snow lands on them, they gradually angle down until they are layered one on top of each other like tiles on a roof. This means that most of the snow falls around the tree and not on it. This design also means that their built-in umbrellas intercept one third of the rain that falls. This pyramidal shape also helps evergreens receive the maximum amount of light from sun low on the horizon.

Today, some people plant trees in climates that are too warm. In these places, evergreens are always hot and thirsty. Evergreens like it cool and moist. Thanks to climate change, fall temperatures are remaining higher and the growing season longer, stressing out the evergreens. In my estimation, deciduous trees will have a better chance of surviving in the future.

FAITH APPELQUIST

(Left:) A Colorado blue spruce with a deadly fungus. Similar to humans, trees are vulnerable to disease when stressed.

(Below): An evergreen makes a perfect backdrop for the intricate branching of a deciduous tree in winter.

is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, an

ISA Municipal Specialist MN, and an ASCA Registered Consulting ArboristÂŽ. Faith can be reached at faith@treequality.com.

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2019 Model Year Exclusive Allowance. Save up to $5,500 on select models.

FORD DISCOUNTS FOR MNLA MEMBERS Rebates up to $5,500 on the Ford vehicles you use in your business! Available to all MNLA members.

Contact Mary at the MNLA office for more information 651-633-4987 or mary@mnla.biz.

Ford 3.5x5.indd 1

11/15/2018 3:10:20 PM

The GO-TO source for all of your residential & commercial landscaping needs!

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- Municipal Wood Site Management - Wood Grinding - Material Screening - Free Drop-Off of Logs/Brush/Wood Chips

952.233.9191 | smscorf.com 1905 Mystic Lake Drive S, Shakopee, MN Owned and Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

MAKE EVERY VENTURE…

AN ADVENTURE A sneak peek from a 2019 Northern Green Speaker.

Steve Uzzell | Northern Green Keynote Speaker

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VERSA-LOK

®

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➾ NORT HERN GREEN

o you remember going on an adventure as a kid? Do you remember how you felt — the incredible excitement… the anticipation? As an adult, have you been able to reconnect with those feelings? Don’t you sometimes wish you could? As if it were yesterday, I can recall stuffing my knapsack for an overnight camping trip with my best friend Rick to a new spot we had found the weekend before. We had our dogs and our fishing rods. We would explore and find hidden treasures. We were 9, and we had everything we needed for the rest of our lives.

Well, what was that excitement all about? What happens to us when we’re on an adventure that causes this excitement, this eagerness? An adventure always involves doing something we’ve never done before. We don’t know the outcome— oh, we may know some of the outcome, we may be able to guess at more of it, but we definitely don’t know it all. There is uncertainty and risk.

Some people like uncertainty and risk, some love it; some dislike it, some hate it. Regardless of where we fall on that spectrum, there are some reactions to uncertainty and risk that are common to all of us: our hearts pump harder, which is usually a good thing; we are energized and excited — we are alert. Fully alert. We are focused.

We are engaged. If we’re on a serious adventure, being fully engaged is everything: our very survival may depend on it.

We look around… are we walking uphill or down? We become very aware… into the sun or away? Toward the light, or deeper into the forest? We become mindful of the clues offered by our surroundings… we look up and then down. We look behind us. We listen to everything: the rhythmic rising roar of a fleeting cloudburst on jungle leaves bigger than our outstretched arms, the whispered whoosh of wind in a pine, the rattled rustle as it passes a birch; the water in the stream — is this a muffled gurgle, a popping trickle, or a mini thunder roll?

Because we’re using our senses intensely, we make associations we wouldn’t were we not on an adventure. Now we hear two sentinel sounds — the wren and the squirrel are both warning the woods of our presence. How different, and yet how similar, their expressions of caution and alarm! We notice and appreciate disparate textures in contiguous surroundings — the softest moss, the hardest rock.

We become aware of the myriad rhythms of nature. We feel more deeply. We become aware of our own rhythms, perhaps for the first time. Tiny increments herald big changes— the clean dampness of a light wind on the apple of our cheek and we know moist air will be arriving soon. Minutes later, the breeze changes directions and freshens — the afternoon will be quite different than this morning.

We remain steady, even as we are constantly thinking ahead.

Anticipation becomes a positive force, no longer the negative pull of anxiety. We don’t know what to expect, so we consider more, we remain open to a broader range of possibility. The humbling silence of a remote lake in the northern Yukon Territory is suddenly shattered by the razor-sharp cry of the loon. Is she warning us of dangers unforeseen, alerting others of our intrusion, or just laughing at us?

Refreshingly, we don’t assume: our expectations are neither linear nor predictable. We question, and if we can, we verify. We know

the rules, but we realize that on this adventure, the rules may not apply. We realize, slowly at first, that we are permitted to make new rules. And as our confidence builds, we feel encouraged– to revise, to raise the bar, to set new standards for ourselves. Now we will hold ourselves to a much higher level of accountability, for we are much more aware of the causal relationship between our actions and their consequences. Now we will be much more passionate and resourceful about finding our way to solutions, for we know that our safe return from this adventure will depend on it.

On the first cloudless night on a tiny uninhabited island in the middle of the limitless Pacific Ocean, we startle to consciousness from a deep sleep, dazed, by the bright lights of just… the stars. No moon– just millions, billions, maybe even googols of stars– so astonishingly bright we can easily read by their light. So brilliant is the dimmest that it takes many anxious minutes to find the Big Dipper; then the Little Dipper; then Polaris, the North Star; and finally… those touchstone bearings we thought we’d always have. We have company on this adventure and we cannot wait until morning to share this night, so we rouse them and delight in their reaction. We earnestly seek out and listen to their musings. And in doing so, we become more reliant on each other.

The collective sense of wonder that enthralls us becomes a wellspring of inspiration. We make connections in the natural world that escape us in civilization. We can’t help but be stimulated… by the clarity of shape, form, light, shadow, hue and pattern. Fresh ideas arise from old connections, catalyzed by new stimuli. We are blessed to witness the marvel of tens of thousands of snow geese — cued by a precise signal of which we humans know nothing — taking simultaneous flight, filling the entire sky, circling twice and landing where they started. Why? Perhaps… just because they can.

By the pure power of that experience, other images connect in our mind’s eye from completely novel perspectives. Those images link with ideas— some familiar, some not– then quickly merge into a film-like sequence, complete with silent narrative, and suddenly, we realize that only a few moments of our uniquely human condition have passed.

Time intensifies its relentless game of hide and seek— when we’re aware of it, it slows way, w-a-y down… barely… moves… and as soon as we turn our back on it for a second to delight in a new discovery, twenty minutes disappear.

Compelled by these new sensibilities, we pause often to reflect: we are filled with awe that we get to play any role at all on this glorious stage that is our universe. As a warm smile gently washes our face, we remember that inspiration also means to breathe in. And now we know, as surely as we breathe, that we have everything we need for the rest of our lives.

Renowned photographer and speaker, STEVE UZZELL, will present the opening keynote: Open Roads Open Minds on Wednesday, January 16 at Northern Green.

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A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

TM

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

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs

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Regular Hours: M - F 7am to 3pm Sign up online for our snow event hours update.

651-209-3148 www.northernsalt.com 602 Prior Ave. N, St. Paul, MN 55104

âž¾ S E CT I O N TITLE

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES A sneak peek from a 2019 Northern Green Speaker.

Jill Blashack Strahan | Tastefully Simple

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➾ N O RT H E RN G RE E N

SNOW DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE.

See one in action at grasshoppermower.com/snowthrower

Equip your zero-turn Grasshopper with one of our heavy-duty snow removal implements, that’s designed for your location and you’ll power through deep, heavy, wet snow like a hot knife through butter. www.edneyco.com 888.443.3639

ere’s the scoop ­— I’m just a dairy farmer’s daughter from outstate Minnesota who graduated with 18 kids in my class. Frankly, I didn’t have any big dreams or aspirations. Then tragedy struck, and I had a huge shift in my thinking that impacted my entire life.

We all need help sometimes pushing through our fears, being stronger leaders, or overcoming adversity. Obstacles, at a minimum, distract us and affect our productivity. Long days, strenuous workloads, or personal challenges can suck the lifeblood out of us. At times challenges will erode our very core, messing with our clarity and confidence. It isn’t just business issues.

Our personal life affects our work, and vice versa. We hit a wall.

I understand. I have felt the same way.

Through intense emotional pain and adversity I was blessed with the ability to push through those obstacles, which ultimately led me to start Tastefully Simple in a shed with no running water and packing orders on a pool table.

Here is what I have learned — thoughts control emotions, and emotions control actions. Every-single-time. Several thought sparks have helped me choose my thoughts.

When we have hope for the future we have power in the present.

Let’s face it — it’s so easy to attend a conference, get fired up, and then have the fire die. My purpose is to give you hope for the future by helping you think differently.

When we understand what is within our control, and feel that immense power, our lives can be magnificently transformed.

CEO OF TASTEFULLY SIMPLE,

Jill Blashak

Strahan, will present “Burning Bright: How to Overcome Obstacles” at the Tuesday Master Class: Women in Leadership: Grow, Inspire, Lead.

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GOLF COURSES LAWN CARE ATHLETIC FIELDS GREENHOUSES NURSERIES LANDSCAPES

A family-owned company serving the green industry since 1950.

• Grass Seed

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The Tessman Company has the products, knowledge and service for all your green industry needs.

St. Paul, MN

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46954 Mindy St. Tea, SD 57064

Phone: (651) 487-3850

Phone: (701) 232-7238

Phone: (605) 368-2586

âž¾ S E CT I O N TITLE

EMBRACING AMBIGUITY IN

OUTDOOR SPACEMAKING A sneak peek from a 2019 Northern Green Speaker.

Dan Snow | Dan Snow Stoneworks LLC Photos courtesy of Dan Snow Stoneworks LLC

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ver the past twenty years, social media has overtaken social infrastructure as the place to meet others and be part of a community. But everything that goes around comes around again. The desire for places and spaces to congregate and interact in person may have dimmed but didn’t go away. Now, it’s growing again in newfound directions.

Social media can be the forum that sparks engagement in the physical world. Outdoor settings more easily become scenes of spontaneous activity with the help of online planning. Traditional, housed venues offer permanent, structured facilities that function well for established programs. Ephemeral or transient happenings are free to explore alternative locations; ones that might more closely align with the spirit of the times.

It is the spacemaker’s obligation to create flexible surroundings that can adapt to situations as they develop. Not knowing what’s to come is unsettling, but without one foot in the unknown we can’t prepare a place for advancement. A built outdoor environment can be exciting simply for its possibilities.

Human nature follows nature’s lead. Open air inspires honest appraisal. Iron (from soil) in our blood mixes with the oxygen (from plants) we breathe. We are substantiated by earth and atmosphere.

Celebrate the connection by allowing the outdoor spaces that we design and build to grow into their own. The process begins with us but ends we don’t know where or when.

DAN SNOW

is an art maker in the outdoors. Dry stone construc-

tion is the mode of making he employs to devise site-specific works of environmental art. He combines mastercraftman skills with sculptural artistry to bring new geologic forms into the natural world. The works stand alone as a sculpture, and come alive when engaged by visitors to their environs. Many pieces are large enough to be walked through and climbed upon, inviting the same participation as do their greater surroundings. See Dan Snow at 2019 Northern Green.

He is presenting two sessions on Wednesday, January 16: ARTSCAPING IN DRY STONE: Delightful Curiosities: A Visual Tour of Purpose-Built Enigmas and ARTSCAPING IN DRY STONE: Examining Process in the Creation of One-of-Kind Stoneworks.

97%

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LE A D ER S H I P P EER G R O U P S A R E P R O D U C ED I N P A RTN ER S H I P W ITH B ATC - H O U S I N G FI R ST M I N N ES OTA

If you’re looking for a highly effective and affordable professional development tool, MNLA’s Leadership Peer Groups is your solution. Utilizing Rod Johnson’s Peer InsightTM method, this session helps to connect the content in an informal program with the context of how to use it in your career.

CONNECTING CONTENT TO CONTEXT

What is a Leadership Peer Group?

A group of similar leader-managers will convene on a routine basis to discuss certain topics, issues, or challenges found within the industry. The group will offer advice and support each other while collecting input on a topic.

The peer group helps individuals break down complex issues, exchange ideas, and adapt to different perspectives, all through a continuous learning forum. The team approach helps individuals with their accountability, while the coaching structure provided by the professional facilitator keeps discussions and idea exchanges focused and efficient.

The informal, confidential nature of peer groups helps participants get to know each other on a more personal level within a safe environment. The relationships developed with peers allows for faster issue solving, personal improvement, and professional growth.

What will participants walk away with?

• Insight into the powerful impact peers can have on your career and your leadership • Personal development • 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 I might be too close to see solutions.

• Greater self-awareness of how I work within a team.

2019 PRE-SEASON TOPIC (JAN.–MAR.):

Talent This program focuses on attracting, onboarding and developing talent across the organization.

Details

• Each program includes six Tuesday sessions over three months.

• Applications are being accepted for the 2019 pre-season peer group program. The deadline for applying is Tuesday, January 8.

• Investment: $595 per participant • Each applicant will need to complete the application form at www.MNLA.biz/leadership.

• Each applicant must fulfill ONE of the following criteria: graduate of MNLA’s Green Industry Leadership Institute (or similar program); industry experience of five years; hold a management position in an industry company.

• Limited seats are available for each peer group program!

Our Facilitator

Rod Johnson of Growing Your Leaders has successfully facilitated numerous peer learning groups for over 10 years by always innovating and pondering how to improve the impact of each meeting, and the performance of each participant.

➾ MNLA S E CT I ONNEWS TITLE

MNLA NEWS BAILEY NUR SER I ES TO AC Q UI R E C ARLT O N P L A N T S

ST. PAUL, MN (OCTOBER 19, 2018) –

Bailey Nurseries is acquiring Carlton Plants as

of October 31, 2018. Integrating one of the industry’s most well-respected bareroot growers into the Bailey organization offers customers an expanded product portfolio with the same quality and service they have come to expect.

“Carlton Plants is very fortunate to have so many great employees, customers, and colleagues with whom strong relationships have been developed over the past 128 years. Carlton remains very strong and healthy because of them,” said Carlton General Manager Jon Bartch. “With respect to these relationships, and as a business owner, there is a responsibility to consider the longer term future of the company. I am excited to share this future with another relationship-focused organization such as Bailey.”

Second generation Bailey Nurseries owner Gordon Bailey Sr. purchased Carlton Plants in 1984 before his grandson [Bartch] purchased the company in 1997. This thread of common family ownership between Bailey and Carlton, as well as the already collaborative relationship between the companies, has laid the foundation for a smooth integration into one organization under the Bailey umbrella.

“We have many common core values, making this a natural fit,” adds Bailey President Terri McEnaney. “Our joint commitment to service and quality will be a great benefit to our expanded customer and employee base, and we look forward to bringing our teams together to support the long-term success of Bailey and our customers. This is an incredibly exciting time and we are thrilled to create new opportunities with the combined resources of Carlton and Bailey.”

Throughout the integration process, Jon Bartch will remain on board alongside Bailey and Carlton leadership. Customers can expect a smooth transition with all 2019 ordering and shipping processes unchanged. During this time, long-term transition plans will be established for the most efficient integration of people and systems. “The entire Bailey family has great respect and admiration for what has been built at Carlton, and we are grateful that Bailey has the opportunity to continue its legacy,” Terri McEnaney shared. “Jon’s intentional decision for Carlton to continue as a plant nursery speaks volumes to his character, and I am confident that if our grandfather were here today, he would be pleased to see this next evolution for Bailey and Carlton.”

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➾ D.C. UPDATE

D.C. UPDATE D EC EM B ER 2 0 1 8

AmericanHort

PREPARING FOR WAGE AND HOUR COMPLIANCE AUDITS

tablished populations throughout the U.S. from the east

The Department of Labor recently announced a compli-

coast to the intermountain west, including Colorado. It has

ance and enforcement initiative targeting the landscape

not yet been identified on the West Coast. Infestations

sector. Horticulture businesses — especially those using

are present in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

the H-2 seasonal worker visa programs — have long been disproportionately targeted. What’s a business owner to do? Put simply, prepare!

AmericanHort hosted a special landscape-focused we-

First identified in 2002 near Detroit, EAB has since es-

APHIS vows to continue supporting research on EAB control, including the release of biocontrol agents.

APHIS is accepting comments on the proposed rule until Nov. 19. Comments are currently being reviewed.

binar featuring DOL officials. The recording is available to MNLA members looking to prepare. Contact the MNLA office for details.

A BUSY LAME DUCK CONGRESSIONAL SESSION AHEAD Congress recently returned for a post-election “lame

NO MORE QUARANTINE FOR EMERALD ASH BORER?

duck” session and faces a daunting to-do list. First, Con-

USDA’s Animal & Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) is

spending bills, including a funding measure for the De-

recommending an end to the federal quarantine for

partment of Homeland Security (DHS). The Department

emerald ash borer (EAB), citing that such quarantines

is currently funded by a continuing resolution through

have “outlived their usefulness.” This follows APHIS’

December 7.

announcements earlier this year of newly regulated

gress must wrap up the outstanding fiscal 2019 federal

The fiscal 2019 DHS appropriations bill provides the

areas in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, New

only real opportunity to pass H-2B cap relief before the

Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

end of the calendar year. The DHS funding bill passed by

Quarantines currently regulate interstate movement of

the House Appropriations Committee in July would:

hardwood firewood, EAB-host wood and wood products, nursery stock, and green lumber waste, compost, and chips of ash species.

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• Exempt returning workers from the annual H-2B visa cap;

APHIS vows to continue supporting research on EAB control, including the release of biocontrol agent

• Reallocate the capped 66,000 visas on a quarterly basis to ensure that employers with late seasons are not shut out of the program; • Allow for visas to be appropriated on a proportional basis to ensure that all qualifying employers receive at least a percentage of needed H-2B workers.

The report that accompanies the Senate Appropriations Committee-passed version of FY 2019 DHS funding bill asks DHS to consider a more equitable annual allocation of the 66,000 visas. AmericanHort and the H-2B Workforce Coalition continue to urge Congress to include the House cap relief language in a final DHS appropriations package.

The DHS funding bill is also expected to trigger a fierce debate over funding for President Trump’s border wall priority. Ahead of that debate, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has introduced a separate measure that would fully fund a border wall, plus include several other get-tough immigration measures. Looking ahead to the next Congress, McCarthy is seeking to appease immigration policy hardliners ahead of a looming GOP leadership fight.

A final farm bill may also be negotiated during the lame duck session. The existing farm bill expired on September 30, leaving about 40 farm programs without funding until Congress passes a new bill.

While House and Senate conferees failed to reach an agreement before the end of the federal fiscal year, they plan to continue to negotiate over the next several weeks with a goal of sending a new farm bill to the President by the end of the year. AmericanHort is monitoring the farm bill negotiations closely and will continue to provide updates.

december 18

MNLA .biz

47

Develop the Next Leader in Your Business in 2019 Managing Conflict

This learning experience designed by MNLA and Resultants for Business cultivates leadership skills in your key staff, helping to create the next generation of leaders within your company.

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Plus, irreplaceable “from the trenches” Knowing Your Staying on Top experience will come from green Own Strengths of the Work industry personnel and other subject matter experts. More information and an application form is at www.MNLA.biz/leadership.

Understanding How Your Decisions Affect the Bottom Line

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

Problem Solving on the Job Site and in the Shop

Seeing Your Company Through Your Customer’s Eyes

Training and Evaluating Others

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

1

Established Retail Greenhouse Business for Sale Dragonfly Gardens in Amery, Wisconsin

$530,000

28X64’ Showroom, 18 Growing Hoop Houses, 6 Outbuildings on 5 Acres Selling LLC which includes all equipment, hard goods inventory and 2016 Skid Steer. 5 acres included in sale price, but sold directly from estate—not included in LLC. Live plant material inventory onsite at time of sale may adjust sales price.

The business made $700,000 in sales in 2017.

• Profitable Greenhouse and Nursery in Northwestern Wisconsin • Strong customer base established over 20 years • Full line of nursery products: annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, ferns and native plant sales Experienced staff available to support the business and transition.

Please contact Cheryl Clemens at (715) 225-0690 harmonyenv@amerytel.net 491 State Highway 46 Amery, Wisconsin dragonflygardens.net

Dragonfly Gardens.indd 1

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âžž OUT & ABOUT

&

NETWORKING EVENTS

Landscape Designers and Professional Gardeners gathered on Nov. 14th at the Biota office in Minneapolis for a joint networking event.

Thanks to Steve Modrow, Biota Landscapes, and Tami Gallagher, Home Sown Gardens, for organizing this fun and educational gathering!

Anita Volkenant, Pleasant View Gardens, provided a great talk with visuals on some interesting perennials that she is growing.

Close to 40 MNLA members volunteered on November 8th at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan.

Our group helped pack over 50,000 meals for children in Nicaragua, and the donations collected will feed a family of 4 for a year!

Thank you to our awesome members for taking time to gather together and make a difference!

WELCOME NEW MNLA MEMBERS! Caption

Caption

Bayer Built Woodworks

Haugens Landscaping, Inc.

Reeser Lawn Care

Welsh Construction

Melissa Bayer

Darin Haugen

& Landscaping

Allen Overturf

Belgrade, MN

Glyndon, MN

Jeff Reeser

Minnetonka, MN

320-254-3651

218-790-2719

East Peoria, IL

952-897-7700

309-264-7187 David Tupper and Associates

Lake Effect Coatings

David Tupper

and Hardscape

Central Hydraulics, Inc.

Rick Thorud

Eden Prairie, MN

Dennis Eckstrom

Scott Gronseth

Greenfield, MN

952-474-2793

Duluth, MN

St. Cloud, MN

612-850-2388

218-390-8382

320-290-7444

Mitchell Mulert

Laurins Lawn and Landscaping

Designs by Aloha

Owatonna, MN Caption 507-456-7812

Michael Laurin Sauk Rapids, MN

Jesse Grothe Caption Mendota Heights, MN

320-492-4068

612-987-7649

Thor Enterprises, Inc.

From the Ground Up LLC

december 18

MNLA .biz

51

R E S E R V E S PAC E TO DAY !

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Rebates up to $8,300 on GM Fleet and Commercial vehicles! Available to all MNLA members (after membership has been in effect for 6 months). Contact Mary at the MNLA office for more information 651-633-4987 or mary@mnla.biz.

52 ChryslerMNLA december 18 and GM.biz 7.5x3.611.indd 1

2019 Model Year Exclusive Allowance. Save up to $9,000 on select models.

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Available to all MNLA members! Contact Mary at the MNLA office for more information at 651-633-4987 or mary@mnla.biz.

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➾ MNLA S E CT I O BOARD N TITLE

OFFICIAL NOTICE: ANNUAL MEETING ON JAN. 17 AT CONVENTION CENTER Notice is hereby given that the annual membership meeting of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association will be held at 7:00 am on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. During the annual meeting, the results of the Board of Directors election will be announced. An electronic ballot will be sent the first week in December to the primary contact provided to MNLA by each business member.

CANDIDATES FOR DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE

RANDY BERG

MATT MALLAS

Randy Berg is a candidate for re-election to the

Matt Mallas is a candidate for re-election to the

MNLA Board of Directors. Randy is the owner of

MNLA Board of Directors. He is the Manager of

Berg’s Nursery, Landscapers/Garden Center

Purchasing & Logistics for Hedberg Supply, a

located in Austin, Minn. which he founded in 1979

landscape and masonry supplier based in Plym-

after graduating from Duluth Area Technical

outh, Minn. Matt serves Hedberg in an executive

College with a degree in horticulture and landscape

capacity and also oversees a team of purchasing

design. Berg’s company is comprised of both a

and dispatch personnel. During his more than 20

garden center and landscape design/build division.

years of industry experience, Matt has managed sales and branch offices and has worked on

Randy has been a member of the MNLA since his

installation. He has been a featured speaker at

graduation, and received his MNLA certification in

Hardscape North America and Mid-Atlantic

1981. He became an APLD Certified Landscape

Hardscape trade shows. Matt has an Associate’s

Designer in 1997. He is chair of the MNLA

degree in Architectural Drafting & Estimating.

Communications & Technology Committee and is a past chair of the Garden Center Committee.

After participating in and contributing to MNLA events and initiatives for 18 years, Matt was chosen as 2015 Volunteer of the Year for his work with the MNLA Green Industry Leadership Institute. He is the current chair of the MNLA Networking Committee and a past member of the Hardscape Committee.

54

MNLA .biz

december 18

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