The Scoop Online - November 2019

OUT & ABOUT

50-YEAR MEMBERS

VEHICLE LIGHTWEIGHTING

EYE ON EQUIPMENT

TRENDS, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS

ALSO INSIDE:

A LIQUID ASSET

PLUS:

THE STIGMA OF MILLENNIALS

nov 2019 n v42 n11

T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I N N E S OTA N U R S E RY & L A N DS C A P E A SS OC I AT I ON

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30 18

8 Events 36

10 Workforce and Career Development President Scott Frampton gives an update on joint strategy sessions with the association and foundation.

13 Out & About Photos from a Landscape Design and Professional Gardening networking event and the Night at the

54

Saints Game.

14 Minnesota’s Nursery Industry Is Becoming More

30

Vehicle Lightweighting Steve Spata gives an overview of the opportunity for operational benefits of utilizing lighter vehicles.    

36

38

Liquid Asset: Brine

18 Northern Green 2020 Master Classes, registration options, trade show features, upgrade tracks, keynote speakers, and all the sessions at-a-glance!

Eye on Equipment

The Stigma of Millennials Theo Lenneman explains why there is no better time than the present to incorporate millennials into your business. 

Top 10 Flower Picks from NCROC Staff from the North Central Research Station provide an update on their top performers from the past season.   

54

that are both here and on the horizon.

safety, and decreased environmental and financial costs.  

challenges, and solutions in the marketplace. 

45

MDA staff provide an update on invasive species

While not easy to implement, the potential of liquid de-icers is increased

We talked to some industry suppliers to find out some of the trends,

42

Complex and so Are Its Challenges

50-Year Members Please join us in celebrating these five companies who have been members for more than 50 years! 

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

41 Refer a Friend, Get Rewards Our Member-Get-A-Member campaign is off and running!

50 MNLA Goes to Washington Government Affairs Director Forrest Cyr provides an update on a recent lobbying trip to the nation’s Capitol.

52 Shootout Recap Thanks to everyone who came out to support this year’s clay pigeon shoot fundraiser.

55 Green Industry Leadership Institute Have an employee who’s ready for the next level of leadership in your company? Sign them up for the 2020 program now!

Cover photo: Orange Vectors/Shutterstock.com. Table of Contents Images: Top Left: iStock.com/Petmal. Middle: iStock.com/Pgiam.

Bottom: MNLA Staff.

november 19 MNLA.BIZ

5

DIRECTORY

nov 2019 n v42 n11

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here!

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Scott Frampton, President Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 • sframpton@landscaperenovations.com Tim Malooly, CID, CLIA, CIC, Vice-President Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com Randy Berg, MNLA-CP, Secretary-Treasurer Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com Faith Appelquist, MNLA-CP Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.com Matt Mallas Hedberg Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@hedbergaggregates.com Mike McNamara Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscaping 651-437-9463 • mike.mcnamara@hoffmanandmcnamara.com John O’Reilly Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com Jeff Pilla, MNLA-CP Professional Turf, Inc. (Proturf) 952-469-8680 • jeff@professionalturf.com Nick Sargent, MNLA-CP Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com Cassie Larson, CAE MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz STAFF DIRECTORY Executive Director: Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz Membership Director & Trade Show Manager: Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz Communications Dir.: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz Education/Cert. Manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Government Affairs Dir: Forrest Cyr • forrest@mnla.biz Regulatory Affairs Manager: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz Accountant: Kris Peterson • kris@mnla.biz Foundation Program Coordinator: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz Administrative Assistant: Lora Sondrol • lora@mnla.biz Advertising Sales: 952-934-2891 / 763-295-5420 Faith Jensen, Advertising Rep • faith@pierreproductions.com Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com Legislative Affairs Consultant: Doug Carnival

6

MNLA.BIZ november 19

Aspen Equipment ............................................................................... 51 Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes ............................... 3 Brandl Motors ......................................................................................... 9 Bullis Insurance Agency ..................................................................... 40 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................ 17 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ...................................................................... 39 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................... 48 Frost Inc ................................................................................................. 51 Fury Motors ........................................................................................... 44 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply ............................. 2 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies ...................................... 11 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................... 28–29 Northern Salt Inc ...................................................................................17 Northstar Truck Sales Inc .................................................................. 46 Out Back Nursery ................................................................................. 17 Peat, Inc. .................................................................................................. 9 Plaisted Companies .............................................................................. 7 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................... 51 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility ..................................................... 11 The Resultants ..................................................................................... 39 The Tessman Company ....................................................................... 40 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .......................................................................... 12 Truck Utilities, Inc. ................................................................................ 11 Versa-Lok Midwest ................................................................................ 4 Xcel Energy ............................................................................................ 48 Ziegler CAT ............................................................................. Back Cover

UPCOMING

NOV

15



NOV

15 –18 NOV

20

MNLA CERTIFICATION EXAM Prove what you know and sit for the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional.

MNLA Office, Roseville ➽ MNLA.biz

CONFERENCE ON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE More than 120 education opportunities and hundreds of new products, services, technology applications, and design solutions — all under one roof!

San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA ➽ASLAconference.com

MNLA LANDSCAPE AWARDS SUBMISSION DEADLINE The MNLA Landscape Awards is a program for installed landscapes. Entries are due by midnight. ➽MNLA.biz

NOV

20 –21 NOV

22

PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY FORESTRY CONFERENCE The largest international gathering of urban forestry practitioners, advocates, researchers, and government leaders.

Cleveland, OH ➽Arborday.org

MNLA/MTGF PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION WORKSHOP (CAT. A, E AND J) This workshop meets MDA’s Commercial Pesticide Applicator Requirements for: Category A (Core), E (Turf and Ornamentals), and J (Forestry, Rights-of-Way and Natural Areas).

Maplewood YMCA Community Center, Maplewood ➽ MNLA.biz

DEC

02 –06 DEC

06 –07

2019 IRRIGATION SHOW See the latest irrigation-related education, products and technologies.

Las Vegas Convention Center ➽Irrigation.org

SAVANNA INSTITUTE’S PERENNIAL FARM GATHERING This year’s PFG features keynote speaker Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquín, panels and workshops with Midwest agroforestry experts, perennial food and beverage tastings, and 5-minute Nutshell Show & Tell talks.

Sinsinawa, WI ➽Savannainstitute.org

iStock.com/Jurgute

JAN

14 –16

NORTHERN GREEN 2020 Register now for the green industry experience where you browse + do business, learn + let loose, and connect + grow. Tuesday: Take advantage of one of the 6 full-day Master Classes. Attend the Trade Show Preview Party (free with registration). Includes a keg crawl and poker run. Wednesday: Don’t miss the opening keynote: Embracing Change with Paul

The Scoop, November 2019, Issue 11, is issued monthly,

Douglas. Upgrade your registration to attend the CEO track (How to Grow Your Company

12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats

from the Inside Out) to help take your business to the next level. Thursday: Spend the day

published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery &

experiencing the dynamic tradeshow floor, attending education sessions and networking

Landscape Association, 2019, and may not be used

with industry colleagues. Upgrade your registration to include the Interactive Track — a

without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave

more in-depth hands-on educational experience. This year’s topic is: Diagnosing Tree and

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

Shrub Problems: A Stepwise Approach.

year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER:

Minneapolis Convention Center ➽NorthernGreen.org

Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

2019 MNLA seminars

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your

generously supported by:

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

Business

 Skills Training

 Networking

Leadership Development

General

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



reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

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

8

MNLA.BIZ november 19



FROM THE PRESIDENT

Workforce and Career Development Scott Frampton

This late summer was a busy time for the MNLA and MNLA Foundation Boards.

Landscape Renovations, Inc. We gathered as a group for two half days of facilitated

planning focused on workforce and career development.

It was a fantastic learning experience for both boards to gain firsthand knowledge of our efforts and accomplishments thus far. We are very fortunate to have many passionate volunteers and dedicated staff who continue to keep our career development efforts thriving.

In the spirit of continuous improvement, we organized a list of nearly everything the volunteers and staff have been focusing on. With this list in hand we were able to begin working together to create our next three years of strategic initiatives.

It was an exciting process hearing all the possibilities form veteran and junior members altogether sharing ideas to further and strengthen our combined efforts now and into the future. Everything from bold and ambitious to “Why didn’t we think of that before?” were bantered about.

From this process of sharing and gathering ideas, we were able to drill down and develop three initiatives for each of the next three years that the two boards will begin and continue focusing on and who is responsible. Budgets, staff time, and volunteer availability were all aspects of where and how to focus our efforts.

Over the next several months the volunteers and staff will continue to develop the year one plan which includes: • Clear accountability structure to execute the vision • Develop sustainable funding mechanism to support execution of the vision • Develop outreach and measurables In addition to the initiatives that the members of MNLA are pursuing we are also working with our member

friends of the Great Lakes Leadership Council and national associations to share best practices and resources. This past week the President, Vice President, and Executive Directors of the Great Lakes Nursery and Landscape Leadership Council attended our annual conference. A significant focus of this year’s conference was a workshop dedicated to career development.

The workshop stimulated many discussions yet remained focused on the objective of continuing improvement of career development. We left the workshop excited about what we learned and how we may implement ideas in our association and improve regionally. It is also very clear that despite the size of the association, the budget, number of dedicated staff or marketing savvy we are all having similar experiences, victories, and struggles in the area of career development.

Focusing on career development is essential for maintaining the health and vigor of our current and future leaders and workforce. It’s an effort that requires continuous refinement as our education, cultural norms, and values constantly evolve. How we message and market; how we train and educate; how we attract and retain must not be stagnant. With the fast-paced culture we are part of, we must continuously evaluate and adapt as methods evolve and improve.

For those of you who want to broaden your peer relationships please consider joining a volunteer committee or task team. You will be surprised and grateful by the relationships you form in addition to the beneficial work of volunteering.

Please contact me anytime if you have a topic you wish to discuss.

➽FOR QUESTIONS about volunteering for a committee or networking opportunities please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at 651-248-4021 or sframpton@landscaperenovations.com.

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MNLA.BIZ november 19

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OUT & ABOUT

MNLA NETWORKING

A good turnout for the Landscape Design and Professional Gardening Networking meeting in September. Anita Volkenant provided a wealth of information on new perennials and annuals for 2020, along with discussing Pleasant View Garden’s capacity for custom growing plants. Thanks to biota for hosting!

Pauli Roerick (middle) from Central Landscape Supply enjoyed the game with her daughter and son-in-law.

SAINTS GAME

This summer the MNLA Networking Committee hosted another fun night with the St. Paul Saints.

Rain and wind threatened our perch on the roof deck, but green industry folks are too hardy to not have a great time at the ball game!

& Networking + Night at the Saints Game

Debi Souba (left) of Souba Greenhouse & Garden Center brought their clan to St. Paul for a whole day, including attending the MNLA Member Appreciation Day in the afternoon.

The staff from Zlimen & McGuiness and their friends had so much fun it was probably illegal.

Past President Herman Roerick enjoys the game with the guys from Eden-Valders Stone and Wheeler Landscape Supply.

The crew from the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association.

Craig and Michelle Franzmeier (middle) from Farmington Greenhouse brought their daughters to enjoy the game with them.

Dave Kemp (second from left) brought family and friends from The Catholic Cemeteries.

The team from Mangold Horticulture.

Mary Lou Clymer of Clymer Design enjoyed the game with some family.

november 19 MNLA.BIZ

13

MDA

14

MNLA.BIZ november 19

Minnesota’s Nursery Industry

MORE IS BECOMING

COMPLEX AND SO ARE ITS CHALLENGES

Author: Josh Plunkett, Plant Pest Regulatory Specialist (MDA) Co-Author: Michelle Grabowski Ph.D., Plant Pathologist (MDA)

iStock.com/DrAfter123

INCREASINGLY, THE NURSERY INDUSTRY is becoming more and more complex. The ease with which we can ship live plants and their global availability are two areas of positive growth; but with that growth come new challenges for the industry and regulatory agencies. As an inspector, we seem to be on the hunt for invasive species all the time or trying to anticipate what new pest will show up next.

In the past we could count on what we knew as “seasonal” pests or diseases to show

up when expected. We could manage and control these pests by marking the calendar when control measures should be implemented. But that was then, and now managing these pests is a lot more unpredictable. Perhaps weather is november 19 MNLA.BIZ

15

iStock.com/DrAfter123

MDA

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MNLA.BIZ november 19

encouraging movement of some of these pests, and maybe some are traveling by way of semi-trailers.

Either way, we must be prepared for what’s next.

One of the ways companies are getting a grip on the overwhelming number of potential threats to growing nursery stock is through a pilot program called SANC: Systems Approach to Nursery Stock Certification. Nursery inspectors, in combination with the National Plant Board and USDA, are responding to this challenge by developing a process for incorporating a Systems Approach to Nursery Stock Certification to complement agencies’ existing programs. The goal of SANC is to “develop, promote, and implement a risk-based nursery and greenhouse certification system utilizing existing state authorities and programs to enhance uniformity, increase efficiency and reduce pest distribution”.

Although just a pilot program, more information is available at the National Plant Board website: https://sanc.nationalplantboard.org.

There are a few reasons industry is concerned with increased trade and global markets. One is the threat of invasive species and how that impacts the livelihood of the nursery industry and our environment in Minnesota. In addition to quarantine pests such as gypsy moth, and emerald ash borer, Minnesota is seeing more and more introductions of nonnative pests. We refer to them as “quality pests” because they can diminish the quality of plants without killing them outright. This year, one of these quality pests, Viburnum Leaf Beetle (VLB), was first collected in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Last year, we had an introduction of Elongate Hemlock Scale, and the year before that it was Thrips setosa found introduced with Hostas.

So, what’s on the horizon for Minnesota’s nursery industry in the upcoming years? Will it be quarantine pests like Thousand Cankers Disease, and Phytyphora ramorum; or will it be nuisance pests like the spotted lanternfly and Japanese maple scale? State nursery inspectors took a trip to Omaha, Nebraska this year to learn more about the pests that threaten our state. The event was a group harmonization workshop for the Central Chapter Horticultural Inspection Society (HIS) which includes inspectors and diagnosticians from the upper Midwest. One of the common topics during this gathering is plant scale and treating it must be a major component of any nursery’s plant health care program. States like Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska have more experience with these types of infestations and their knowledge of these problems is welcomed. So, what will that next threat to our industry be? Will it be Japanese maple scale, or will it be boxwood blight? It’s hard to know, but being prepared is crucial to the success of the nursery industry.

So why should we be concerned with scale insects in Minnesota? They aren’t causing severe

losses for nursery growers yet. They haven’t been a major problem in our state so far…or have they?

Thinking back a couple years, many reports have come in from across Minnesota regarding magnolia scale. Pests like these are becoming more familiar to us and are going to make their way from southern regions of the country. The more we anticipate this the better. The concern for any new pest introduction is their appetite for many of our plant species, not to mention the cost to control them.

Another concern we have is with quarantine pests such as Phytophthora ramorum. P. ramorum has never been identified in Minnesota but it could have significant impact on the state’s forests and landscapes. Tests have shown that native trees like Northern red oak and white oak can be infected with Phytophthora ramorum. Common landscape plants like rhododendron, lilac, viburnum, and azalea are all susceptible to infection by P. ramorum.

In July of 2019, USDA announced that rhododendrons infected with P. ramorum had been shipped to 18 states. Plants carrying the invasive plant pathogen were found in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois, among other states. Minnesota did not receive any shipments of infected plants. Concerned that infected plants could be brought in from neighboring states, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) issued a press release asking for property owners to report any recently purchased rhododendrons with disease symptoms to the MDA. Over 40 calls came in from people with concerns about diseased rhododendrons or oak trees. Samples were collected from five sites where recently purchased rhododendrons had suspicious symptoms. All samples tested negative for P. ramorum.

Half of the samples tested positive for a different species of Phytophthora. There are several species of Phytophthora that are common on nursery and landscape ornamentals and can cause similar symptoms as P. ramorum.

Whether it’s a quarantine pest, invasive quality pest, or just those that give us a regular headache, we can see how these pests can impact us and challenge us! Minnesota’s nursey industry will be continually challenged, and we will need to be vigilant in anticipating problems and working on solutions that will help the industry and the environment.

➽ JOSH PLUNKETT can be reached at Joshua.Plunkett@state.mn.us and MICHELLE GRABOWSKI can be reached at Michelle.Grabowski@ state.mn.us.

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ACCEPTING

Download the NG 2020 App! It’s easy, free, and will help you make the most of your time at Northern Green!

SILENT AUCTION

WWW.MNLA.BIZ

HELP CREATE A MOVEMENT IN THE GREEN INDUSTRY!

Promote your company. Drive attendees to your booth on the trade show floor!

WHEN Jan. 15-16, 2020 at Northern Green

COMPANY RECOGNITION

DONATIONS

DON’T MISS IT!

Items accepted until January 6, 2020.

EXTRA VISIBILITY

Your logo will be displayed with your donation to all attendees!

SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN HELP

• Donate an item (min. value $25) • Offer a week at your cabin or timeshare • Ask a business to donate a gift card

We are looking for an interesting mix of items that are attractive to all attendees of Northern Green. It could be an item in your booth, plants from your nursery next spring, or items unrelated to the green industry, such as tickets to sporting events, concerts, or a theater event. Gift baskets, jewelry, or gift certificates are welcome, too.

Plus, follow us on Twitter with the hashtag #NorthernGreen

Contact: paulette@mnla.biz

BENEFITING

Invest in the future of the green industry by donating an auction item. Auction funds will provide scholarships to high school and college students pursuing careers in horticulture.

Silent-Auction-2020-quarter-page.indd 1

NG20-App-Promo-one-quarter.indd 1

9/5/2019 2:25:42 PM

9/17/2019 3:00:12 PM

GREEN INDUSTRY AWARDS

CELEBRATI0N R E C O G N I Z I N G E X C E L L E N C E I N M I N N E S O TA’ S G R E E N I N D U S T R Y

PRESENTED BY:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020, 6:00 P.M. | TICKETS: $40 A joint effort by MNLA and MTGF, this event utilizes the Innovation & Inspiration Theater on the trade show floor, which includes an outstanding visual display. There will be fantastic food, cash bars, and lots to celebrate!

We’ll recognize a number of deserving individuals and companies for service, research, excellence in landscape and sports field work, receiving and sponsoring scholarships, and for completion of the Green Industry Leadership Institute.

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

Special thanks to our sponsors:

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

HOTELS A limited number of discounted room rates have been secured for Northern Green 2020 at the hotels below. Because there are a number of conventions in Minneapolis the week of Northern Green, we encourage you to book your rooms early to ensure you get the ideal room and rate for your circumstances.

HILTON MINNEAPOLIS 1001 Marquette Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Rate: $109 (single/double rate) Reservations: 888-933-5363 or 612-376-1000 MILLENNIUM HOTEL MINNEAPOLIS 1313 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Rate: $109 (single/double rate) Reservations: 888-763-3909 or 612-332-6000 HYATT REGENCY MINNEAPOLIS 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Rate: $118 (single/double rate) Reservations: 888-421-1442 HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES 225 South 11th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Rate:$99.95 (single/double rate) Reservations: 612-341-3300 (Reference Group Code: MNG)

THE GREEN INDUSTRY E XPERIENCE WHERE YOU...

BROWSE + DO BUSINESS LEARN + LET LOOSE CONNECT + GROW GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY:

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

January 14–16, 2020 | Minneapolis Convention Center www.NorthernGreen.org | info@NorthernGreen.org | 651.633.4987

WEDNESDAY At-A-Glance

COLOR KEY:

Session in Seminar Room Session on Trade Show Floor Premium Content (upgrade required)

Northern Green 2020 Education Generously Supported By:

7:30 AM 8:20 AM

University of Minnesota Turf Research Update Eric Watkins

1:15 PM 1:45 PM

8:30 AM 9:45 AM

OPENING KEYNOTE: Embracing Change Paul Douglas | Main Aud All attendees and exhibitors welcome!

Climbing Demo | Climbers Corner Use of Drones in Landscape Design for Site Survey Sam Geer | The Sandbox

1:45 PM 2:15 PM

10:00 AM 5:00 PM

Trade Show Open

10:00 AM 11:00 AM

Works in Stone: Building with Integrity and Mindful of our Cultural Legacy | Daniel Arabella Deciphering the Color Code for More Sales!

Christina Salwitz Bulbs as Companion Plants | Brent Heath Monitoring and Managing Organic Matter in Putting Greens | Doug Linde The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly: What You Need to Know and How We are Fighting the Invasion Emelie Swackhamer Irrigation Roundtable

Climate Change and Hardiness Zones, Continued Lee Frelich | Innovation Theater Why Are Stonewalls Falling Down?

Daniel Arabella | Lakeshore Campfire Innovations in Plant Certification Craig Regelbrugge | Backyard Campfire

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

2020 Vision: Garden and Greenhouse Trends You Need to Know About | Neil Anderson Common Water Feature Mistakes | Jan Schreiner Inside the Design | Nick McCullough Sports Feld Performance Testing: Current Tends and Future Applications | Chase Straw Putting Green Trueness: Can It Be Measured?

Doug Linde Breakthrough Plant Breeding in Flowering Shrubs Tim Wood

10:00 AM 12:00 PM

CEO PREMIUM CONTENT: How to Grow Your Company from the Inside Out | The Resultants

2:00 PM 4:10 PM

CEO PREMIUM CONTENT: How to Grow Your Company from the Inside Out | The Resultants

10:05 AM 10:35 AM

MNLA Landscape Case Study Sam Geer | Innovation Theater

2:15 PM 3:15 PM

Fly a Drone | Sam Geer | The Sandbox

2:20 PM 2:50 PM

Will Sterile Plants Save Us? Mary Meyer | Innovation Theater Legal Pay Practices for the Green Industry Patrick McGuiness | Lakeshore Campfire Cold Hardiness in Minnesota Steve Shimek, MDA | Backyard Campfire

Using Hand and Power Tools Chris Flegel | Lakeshore Campfire MNLA Certification Exam—Study Tips Cert. Task Team | Backyard Campfire 10:40 AM 11:10 AM

Variety Focus: Ironclad Hostas for the Landscape Steve Kelley | Innovation Theater Smart Salting: Improve Your Winter Maintenance Program and Save Money Fortin Consulting | Lakeshore Campfire Research for the Real World—The Year in Review Jim Calkins | Backyard Campfire

11:15 AM 11:45 AM

Climbing Demo | Climbers Corner

11:15 AM 12:15 AM

MN State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspection Demo The Sandbox

11:20 AM 11:50 AM

Variety Focus: 100 Years of Daffodils and More!

Brent Heath | Innovation Theater Professional Gardening Networking Group Meeting Lakeshore Campfire

12:15 PM 12:45 PM

Invasive Species /Noxious Weed Status Update Jim Calkins | Innovation Theater Landscape Design Networking Group Meeting with Nick McCullough | Lakeshore Campfire

12:15 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:30 PM

3:00 PM 3:30 PM

3:10 PM 4:10 PM

3:15 PM 3:45 PM

Fly a Drone | Sam Geer | The Sandbox Climate Change and Hardiness Zones Lee Frelich | Innovation Theater Garden Center Networking Group Meeting w/Special Guest, Christina Salwitz (Selling Nicely to Difficult Customers) | Lakeshore Campfire Spotted Lanternfly: Just the Basics Emelie Swackhamer | Backyard Campfire

4:20 PM 4:50 PM

Introduction to E-Commerce for the Horticulture Industry | Stacy Noble | Innovation Theater Winter Protection of Container Nursery Stock Bert Swanson | Lakeshore Campfire Status of Palmer Amaranth in Minnesota Shane Blair | Backyard Campfire How to Choose Sustainability in Everyday Decisions Nick McCullough Finding Good Labor, H-2 Visas Craig Regelbrugge Reimagining the Perennial Plant Palette Kelly Norris LED Lighting—What’s New? Gerry DeLaVega and Lighting Panel Ash Tree Working Standards Mike Tilford, Nicholas Bomber Weeding Through Invasive Aquatic Plants in Minnesota Megan Weber Pruning Demo | Climbers Corner Use of Drones in Arboriculture Brock Eastlund | The Sandbox Rigging/High Risk Tree Removal Fred Fisher, Nels Spence | Innovation Theater 15 Ways Your Displays Can Help You Sell More Christina Salwitz | Lakeshore Campfire MNLA Foundation is Connecting with Students and Schools—Learn How You Can, Too Paulette Sorenson | Backyard Campfire

THURSDAY At-A-Glance

COLOR KEY:

7:00 AM: MNLA Annual Meeting | 101 FG 7:00 AM 8:00 AM

Exploiting Turf Physiological Strategies to Enhance Summer Stress Tolerance | Michelle DeCosta

8:00 AM 8:50 AM

Measuring Retail Financial Success – Do You Have What It Takes? | Steve Bailey A Minnesota Irrigation Contractors License? Benefit or Distraction, Part 1 | Steve Hill Planting for the Future | Kelly Norris Urban Nature : Human Nature | Peter Del Tredici Physiology and Management for Minimizing Winter Injury of Turf | Michelle DeCosta Dealing with Wet Fields: From Playability to Diseases Doug Linde

8:00 AM 10:00 AM

INTERACTIVE TRACK—Diagnosing Tree and Shrub Problems: A Stepwise Approach, Pt. 1 Tom Creswell, John Bonkowski

9:00 AM 4:00 PM

Trade Show Open

9:05 AM 10:05 AM

9:10 AM 9:40 AM

9:45 AM 10:15 AM

Estimating & Bidding: What you Need to Know, Part 1 Peter Baloglou, aka “Paver Pete” My Favorite Plant Debbie Lonnee Now That You Can Measure Retail Financial Success, How Do You Attain It? | Steve Bailey The Projects of Land Morphology Richard Hartlage What’s Going On With RoundUp®?

Dr. Hannah Mathers Winter Turf Discussion Panel Michelle DeCosta, Eric Watkins, Jeff Ische, Tom Proshek, Matt Cavanaugh Walt Disney Never Tried to Grow Trees Gary Johnson | Innovation Theater Collaborative Work and Tools to Reduce Woody Invasive Plant Impacts in the Great Lakes Basin Clair Ryan | Lakeshore Campfire Reducing Wear and Soil Compaction on Athletic Fields Kristina Walker | Backyard Campfire Social Media Branding Ryan McEnaney | Innovation Theater Nursery Networking Group Meeting Lakeshore Campfire Considering Adding Holiday Lighting to Your Business?—What You Need to Know Wayne Wheeler | Backyard Campfire

9:45 AM 10:30 AM

Fly a Drone | Sam Geer | The Sandbox

10:40 AM 11:10 AM

Ten Breeders and Ten (or so) Remarkable New Plants Tim Wood | Innovation Theater Irrigation Licensing in North Carolina – Q&A Steve Hill | Lakeshore Campfire Local Superintendents: What I Screwed Up Backyard Campfire

Session in Seminar Room Session on Trade Show Floor 11:20 AM 11:50 AM

Climbing Demo | Climbers Corner

11:15 AM 12:15 AM

MN State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspection Demo The Sandbox

Association Meeting

Managing Nature | Jim Hagstrom | Innovation Theater Arborist Networking Group Meeting with Peter Del Tredici | Lakeshore Campfire Understanding Soils and Proper Soils Prep Effect on Seeding Success | Jake Voit | Backyard Campfire 12:00 PM: MAC Luncheon | Lounge A

12:15 PM 12:45 PM

Landscape Awards Presentations 1 | Innovation Theater Commercial Flower Grower Networking Group Meeting Lakeshore Campfire Emerald Ash Borer Past, Present & Future Mark Abrahamson, MDA | Backyard Campfire Use of Drones in Landscape Design for Site Survey and Project Photography | Sam Geer | The Sandbox Climbing Demo | Climbers Corner 12:30 PM: MGCSA Annual Meeting | 101FG

1:00 PM 1:30 PM

Landscape Awards Presentations 2 | Innovation Theater Hardscape/Landscape Contractor Networking Group Meeting with Special Guest Paver Pete Lakeshore Campfire Woody Plant Walkabout Doug Danielson | Backyard Campfire

1:00 PM 2:00 PM

Fly a Drone | Sam Geer | The Sandbox

1:30 PM 3:20 PM

INTERACTIVE TRACK—Diagnosing Tree and Shrub Problems: A Stepwise Approach, Pt. 2 Tom Creswell, John Bonkowski

1:45 PM 2:15 PM

Landscape Awards Presentations 3 | Innovation Theater Onboarding and Training New Staff Joel Miller | Lakeshore Campfire Battery Operated Outdoor Equipment Steve Hagen | Backyard Campfire 2:00 PM: MNRC Annual Meeting | Room 207

2:15 PM 2:45 PM

Pruning Demo | Climbers Corner Use of Drones in Arboriculture Brock Eastlund | The Sandbox

2:30 PM 3:00 PM

Herbicide Drift | Hannah Mathers | Innovation Theater

2:30 PM 3:20 PM

10:45 AM: MPSTMA Annual Meeting | 101FG 11:15 AM 11:45 AM

Premium Content (paid upgrade required)

3:20 PM 4:00 PM

Pre-Game Agronomic Field Safety Assessment for Football and Soccer Fields to Reduce Player Injury Kristina Walker A Minnesota Irrigation Contractors License? Benefit or Distraction, Part 2 | Steve Hill Plants are Back in Landscape Architecture: The Increasing Diversity of Plants in Public and Private Projects | Richard Hartlage Aging, Rejuvenation and Resilience in Trees Peter Del Tredici Estimating & Bidding: What You Need to Know, Part 2 Peter Baloglou, aka “Paver Pete” Biodiversity of the Minnesota Big Woods and How Native Plants Might Be Incorporated into Golf Courses Lee Freilich CLOSING KEYNOTE: The Champion's Code

Building Relationships Through Life-Lessons of Integrity and Accountability from the Sports World to the Business World

Ross Bernstein | Innovation Theater

MASTER MASTER CLASSES CLASSES TUESDAY, JANUARY 14

Tuesday Registrations include one of the below Tuesday Master Classes.

Generously supported by: Note the number of the class with your attendee registration information on the other side.

Grow your skills as a green industry professional by attending a Master Class on Tuesday of Northern Green week. Available with 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Registration options.

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1. PLT RELICENSURE – ADVANCED LANDSCAPE LIGHTING CONCEPTS AND TROUBLESHOOTING Pending Minnesota Dept. of Labor & Industry approval, this class satisfies eight hours of continuing education requirements for the Power Limited Training Licensure, including 2 hours of code and 6 hours of technical training oriented specifically toward the landscape industry. The focus for 2020 is landscape lighting.

2. PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION WORKSHOP This workshop meets the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commercial Pesticide Applicator Requirements for Category A (Core) and Category E (Turf and Ornamentals). Recertification for optional Categories F (Aquatics) and P (Vertebrate Pest) will also be offered as part of this workshop.

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Licensed applicators with Categories A and E who last attended a recertification workshop in 2018, and newly licensed pesticide applicators in 2019, must attend an MDA-approved workshop by December 31, 2020. By attending the Pesticide Recertification track and scanning in and out onsite with staff of the Department of Agriculture, applicators will obtain recertification credit.

For applicators to receive credit for optional Category F or Category P, they must attend the entire Pesticide Recertification track (Category A, E, and F or P), and scan in and out with staff of the Department of Agriculture.

3. DESIGNING PLANT COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP with Claudia West

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Our planet is rapidly losing the ecosystems and plants that sustain us and life on earth. Creating more ecological and functional landscapes in our cities and suburbs is urgently needed. However, many plantings that focus on ecological benefits suffer for aesthetic and functional challenges and fail to inspire the public. Great design that follows successful planting strategies is an essential part of the solution. Join us as we dig deep into inspiring design principles derived from wild plant communities and learn to create successful planting systems that provide essential ecosystem functions and contribute to our quality of life. Known for her passionate advocacy of plant-driven design, Claudia West is a leading voice in the emerging field of ecological planting design. She will introduce you to an innovative form of planting design that works with natural principles and marries horticulture with ecology.

Moderate to advanced planting design and plant management skills are required for this workshop.

4. A PLANT OUT OF PLACE with Gary Johnson, Dave Hanson, Sam Bauer, & Mary Meyer If you are working in the green industry you have likely heard the term “a plant out of place” or in layman’s terms, a weed. This can mean many things to many people, but for plants, it can just be wrong place, wrong setting, wrong choice. Are you using the best plant for the situation? This interesting and educational workshop will take a look at the landscapes that green industry professionals encounter, including true weeds, and also the plants you may be using correctly or incorrectly. We will discuss the many different versions of the term “plant out of place,” from trees, to herbaceous plants, to turfgrass, to an invasive buckthorn mass.

Learn from the following green industry experts and educators:

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Trees – Gary Johnson University of Minnesota, Department of Forestry Invasive Plants – Dave Hanson, MnDOT, Vegetation Management Turf – Sam Bauer, Bauer Turf Consulting Herbaceous Plants – Mary Meyer, University of Minnesota, Department of Horticultural Science

5. UP YOUR RETAIL GAME with Petra Marquart, Zac O’Connor & Joe Baer If you are a retail garden center owner, manager or employee looking for just-in-time information, new skills, and new ideas to grow your business, this Master Class is for you! The day will include the following:

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Differentiate Yourself Through Customer Service – Petra Marquart Digital Marketing: Building a Healthy Ecosystem – Zac O’Connor, Web Conductors Interactive Visual Merchandising – Joe Baer, ZenGenius Peer Roundtables with Take Home Ideas You Can Use

This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn, connect, and discuss challenges unique to independent garden centers. We hope you will join us!

6. KEYS TO SUCCE$$ IN THE HARDSCAPING BUSINESS with Pat McCrindle

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2020 is the year to take your landscape business to the next level. Join hardscape guru, Pat McCrindle, for a fastmoving class that will outline the keys to success in hardscaping. Pat spends most of his time sharing knowledge and experience with newcomers and industry veterans looking for an edge on the competition. During this interactive class, McCrindle will discuss the following and more!

• Adding Hardscape Install to Your Business: Equipment, Training and Capital Investment • Best Practices: Paver Installation and Essentials • The Right Equipment to Increase Production

2020 REGISTRATION OPTIONS 3-Day

(Tue–Th)

2-Day

2-Day

2-Day

1-Day

(Tue/Wed) (Wed/Thur) (Tue/Thur)

(Tue)

1-Day

1-Day

(Wed)

(Thur)

Tues. + Trade Student Trade Show Show Only (Wed/Thur) (Wed/Thur) (Wed/Thur)

Student 3-Day (Tue–Th)

(ON OR BEFORE JAN. 7, 20191)

PRE-REGISTER MEMBER

$327

$248

$178

$248

$169

$109

$109

$204

$35

$40

$199

PRE-REG. NON-MEMBER

$347

$268

$198

$268

$189

$129

$129

$224

$40

$40

$199

(JAN. 14-16, 2020)

REGISTER MEMBER ONSITE

$427

$348

$278

$348

$269

$209

$209

$304

$45

$50

$299

REG. NON-MEMBER ONSITE

$447

$368

$298

$368

$289

$229

$229

$324

$45

$50

$299

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Choice of 1 Tuesday Master Class

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Wednesday Concurrent Educational Sessions in Seminar Rooms

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GREEN INDUSTRY AWARDS CELEBRATION TICKET (Tuesday)

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 UPGRADES & EXTRAS

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PRE-REGISTRATION PRICE

ON-SITE PRICE

$40

$50*

PREMIUM WEDNESDAY UPGRADE: CEO TRACK - How to Grow Your Company from the Inside Out - Requires Wed. Registration Above - Includes exclusive access to CEO Lounge!

Member: $89 Non-Member: $109 Member: $99 Non-Member: $119

PREMIUM THURS. UPGRADE: INTERACTIVE TRACK - Diagnosing Tree and Shrub Problems: A Stepwise Approach - Requires Thursday Registration Above

Member: $89 Non-Member: $109 Member: $99 Non-Member: $119

THE GREEN INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE WHERE YOU...

BROWSE + DO BUSINESS LEARN + LET LOOSE CONNECT + GROW

January 14–16, 2020 Minneapolis Convention Center www.NorthernGreen.org info@NorthernGreen.org | 651.633.4987 GO TO WWW.NORTHERNGREEN.ORG AND REGISTER TODAY!

1 Register on or before Dec. 20 to receive badges in the mail. The deadline for pre-registration is Jan. 7 and all who pre-register between Dec. 21 and Jan. 7 have the option of printing a name badge at the Self Check-In Kiosk onsite.

2 Available to the first 1,800 attendees on Wednesday. *A limited number of tickets are available onsite.

NORTHERN GREEN 2020 IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY:

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

TRADE SHOW CAMPFIRES: CONNECT + GROW ON THE GO

Lakeshore Campfire

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…

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 climate change, hardiness zones, social media, favorite plants, Landscape Awards presentations, and several plant variety talks! Plus, featured interviews, video highlights, and educational content all tailored for green industry professionals.

Supported by:

THE SANDBOX

The Sandbox

Safety should be your number one priority both as a company and individual. A Minnesota State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspection Demo will be featured in this area. We'll have a truck and trailer set up 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 (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. Come hear from green industry companies using this technology, and experience the challenge of flying a drone for yourself through our fun obstacle course!

DRONES

CLIMBER'S CORNER

Stop by the Climber's Corner where Certified Arborists from Birch, Inc. will provide tree climbing and pruning demos.

Climber’s Corner ESCAPE ROOM CHALLENGE

Escape Room Challenge

CLIMBER'S CORNER ESCAPE ROOM CHALLENGE

Looking for a fun team building event that will challenge your industry knowledge during Northern Green? Visit the 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 custom puzzles. Will your crew have what it takes to escape? Come and find out!

A showcase of region-relevant products and services + the connections you need to build your business.

PREVIEW

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 4:00–6:30pm

TRIVIA

TRAIL

Supported by: WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

Supported by:

TRIVIA TRAIL

Hit the Trivia Trail at Northern Green to win some prizes! Simply follow the path on the card available outside the trade show entrance, talk to booth personnel at each participating booth, and get your trivia questions answered. Then, drop off the completed card in the big drum in Lobby C to be entered into a drawing to win fabulous prizes!

FREE LUNCH ON

RUN KEG CRAWL

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!

There will be free appetizers, cash bars, a poker run and a keg crawl throughout the show floor during this happy hour affair.

PARTY

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POKER

PREVIEW PARTY

TRADE SHOW

W E D N E S D AY

CONNECT WITH INDUSTRY VENDORS IN PERSON...

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

CONNECT OVER LUNCH*

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. *Available to the first 1,800 attendees.

Supported by: WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

Visit hundreds of exhibitors in the 198,000 square-foot exhibit hall onsite at Northern Green 2020. For the latest listings, please check www.NorthernGreen.org or the Northern Green app.

...AND VISIT THEM ONLINE.

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

SCHEDULE FOR 2020

Tuesday, January 14: PREVIEW PARTY 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 15 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 16 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

NORTH E RN G RE E N PRE M IU M U PG R ADE S* 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 | ROOM 101 AB

THURSDAY | ROOM 101 AB

TRACK

HOW TO GROW YOUR COMPANY FROM THE INSIDE OUT Presented by The Resultants You started your business for the freedom that comes with running your own company. The challenge is that for many business owners the dream remains elusive. Running a business day-to-day can be overwhelming and leave you with little time to work ON the business rather than IN it.

This workshop offers a proven methodology and tools to help owners and their leadership teams make the most of their time and talents, and gain real traction toward achieving their vision. You will be engaged by business advisors and industry peers who have been in your shoes.

The presentation will be especially helpful if you and/or your business: 1. Has outgrown the capacities of the people, processes, and/or resources 2. Are looking for the discipline and structure to change, adapt and grow 3. Are currently self-implementing EOS® and want to achieve greater results The Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) is a complete set of time tested, simple concepts and tools that have helped thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs get what they want from their businesses. Made famous by the book “Traction” by Gino Wickman, EOS® has impacted thousands of entrepreneurial companies around the world.

Participants will walk away with: 1. An introduction to the EOS® Process and Tools 2. Actionable steps that can be implemented the next day 3. A copy of “Traction” by Gino Wickman CEO Track & CEO Lounge generously supported by:

TRACK

DIAGNOSING TREE AND SHRUB PROBLEMS: A STEPWISE APPROACH Instructed by Tom Creswell and John Bonkowski, Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab, Purdue University

Jerry Olson

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

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

Tom Creswell

Peter Beaumont

Steve Wilcox

Terri Wilcox

John Bonkowski

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

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

Closing Keynote

Embracing Change

The Champion’s Code

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

Building Relationships Through Life Lessons of Integrity and Accountability

Paul Douglas

The only predictable thing about the future is change.

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

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

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

FREE

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

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

Ross Bernstein

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FREE

THE CHAMPION’S

THE CHAMPION’S CODE

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH LIFE-LESSONS OF INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE SPORTS WORLD TO THE BUSINESS WORLD

Keynotes Supported by:

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH LIFE-LESSONS OF INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE SPORTS WORLD TO THE BUSINESS WORLD

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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”

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

PROMASTER VANS IN STOCk! Vehicles ready for work at a moment’s notice.

Professionals trained to keep business owners happy.

Service facilities equipped for commercial applications.

2019 Ram Reg cab – Ready for Plow.

2019 Ram 5500 4x4’s, 108” c/a.

Call for pricing.

2019 Ram 5500 120 c/a, 4x2.

Call for pricing.

COMMERCIAL HEADQUARTERS Jeff Belzer Ram, 21111 Cedar Ave., Lakeville, MN Please Call the Commercial Dept, 952-469-4444 All Rebates & Incentives to Dealer, Must Qualify for Same, Prices Subject to Change Jarret Petsch 952-469-7063 jpetsch@jeffbelzer.com

John Zadurski 952-469-6818 jzadurski@jeffbelzer.com

iStock.com/DKart

ctor e Dire try Indus istanc s s A l Truck a k ic r n o h , Tec the W n for Spata Steve ociatio s s A – The NTEA

VEHICLE LIGHTWEIGHTING

iStock.com/Petmal

ehicle operations are no exception to the continuous improvement goal of doing more while spending less. Reducing vehicle weight provides organizations with opportunities to keep enhancing operational efficiencies. Weight has direct influence on regulatory compliance for motor vehicle safety, emissions and Bridge Law limitations, in addition to operational elements such as motor carrier/driver requirements, maintenance and vehicle life cycle. It’s a critical factor in the acquisition process. This overview primarily focuses on vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less.

As driver regulations (such as electronic data logging for hours of service and other qualifications) increase, the trend to downsize into vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less (Class 1–2) continues. Use of lighter weight chassis and bodies to reduce a truck’s However, these operational benefits can be unloaded weight, while maintaining payload more apparent than some of the limitations on capacity of a larger GVWR truck, is a major what multistage manufacturers can provide consideration. Although acquisition of a to customers looking to downsize from a lower GVWR chassis does not necessarily Class 3 vehicle. Work truck manufacturers translate into a lower overall chassis cost, the must comply with many other Federal Motor upfront price of lightweight materials for Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that apply truck bodies to preserve or improve payload to Class 1–2 vehicles as required by the capacity can be compared to the ongoing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration operational fees subject to vehicles with (NHTSA). As weight is also a direct factor in GVWRs over 10,000 pounds. the energy a vehicle must manage in a crash, Another factor related to this trend is the in addition to braking and handling, smaller current labor market. Efforts to recruit and vehicles have more FMVSS to protect their maintain good employees have led organizaoccupants and optimize dynamic performance. tions with work truck drivers to view smaller, Many of these FMVSS limit the completed lighter vehicles with a more comfortable work truck’s maximum unloaded vehicle interior as a competitive edge (especially in weight (UVW). Maximum UVW limits are situations where employees take vehicles based on chassis OEM compliance to specific home). standards like FMVSS 126: Electronic

NEWS & NOTES

Official Notice: Annual Meeting

During the annual

EAB Found in Brown and Steele Counties

third and fourth new

large, healthy ash

meeting, the results of

EAB infestations to be

trees in residential

Notice is hereby given

the Board of Directors

In September, the

documented in

and commercial

that the annual

election will be

Minnesota Department

Minnesota this year,

landscapes from

membership meeting

announced. An

of Agriculture

bringing the number

attack by this

of the Minnesota

electronic ballot will

announced the

of counties under

devastating insect.

Nursery & Landscape

be sent the first week

discovery of new EAB

quarantine to 21. Both

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infestations and

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held at 7:00 am on

primary contact

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tree care professionals

EAB-infested green

Thursday, January 16,

provided to MNLA by

quarantines in Brown

and highlight the

ash in Roseville

2020 at the Minneapolis

each business member.

and Steele counties.

importance of

quickly become

These finds are the

protecting existing,

hazards and should be

Convention Center.

32

MNLA.BIZ november 19

Working with potential upfitters can be a productive way to approach lightweighting. Together, you can explore chassis/body/equipment options that can be produced to maintain regulatory compliance (as determined by applicable FMVSS and EPA standards), while providing needed payload capacity and operational efficiency. For example, if a lower GVWR vehicle upfit would still have a payload so limiting that additional trips and/or vehicles are needed to do the same work as the original higher GVWR truck, it may not be a good lightweighting candidate.

However, if your equipment, payload and performance needs can be met using a lighter weight chassis with a work truck body that incorporates lighter weight materials (like high-strength steel, aluminum or composites that meet longevity and durability requirements), this can be a great opportunity to help your fleet’s operational flexibility.

➽STEVE SPATA is Technical Assistance Director at NTEA. NTEA offers access to publications and reference materials on current regulations, safety standards, and other technical issues at ntea.com.

Green Truck Association (GTA), an NTEA affiliate division, offers a variety of resources to educate its members on techniques and technology that can improve fleet efficiency, reduce emissions across time, and lower the risk of fuel price volatility driving up operating expenses.

iStock.com/Eoneren

Stability Control; FMVSS 208: Occupant Crash Protection; FMVSS 212: Windshield Mounting; FMVSS 214: Side Impact Protection; FMVSS 216: Roof Crush Resistance; FMVSS 219: Windshield Zone Intrusion; and FMVSS 301: Fuel System Integrity. For some applications, this means lightweighting bodies and/or equipment is the only way a multistage manufacturer can build on a particular Class 1 or 2 vehicle platform to remain within maximum UVW limitations. Beyond the weight itself, weight distribution has FMVSS limitations as it relates to the center of gravity location, which can influence a vehicle’s crash and braking performance. A maximum vertical limit for overall center of gravity is a common performance requirement for multistage manufacturers to maintain braking system compliance. For certain barrier tests, a similar limit can be required for the body portion of a lighter vehicle. Lightweighting can help keep an application viable by minimizing center of gravity height.

Maximum UVW also plays a role in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) greenhouse gas emissions and NHTSA fuel economy regulations, which have caused chassis manufacturers to place strict requirements on maximum UVW and frontal area for the completed vehicle.

These EPA and NHTSA limitations extend up to 14,000 pounds GVWR but are more restrictive for Class 1–2 vehicles. While frontal area limitations can be more challenging, lightweight body materials can help overcome maximum UVW limitations in meeting these requirements.

“

EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND MAINTAIN GOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE LED ORGANIZATIONS... TO VIEW SMALLER, LIGHTER VEHICLES... AS A COMPETITIVE EDGE.

”

Debbie Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

removed promptly.

Emerald Ash Borer Now

centers can

of the Minnesota

the state quarantine

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that discusses how

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customers who are

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they have died as is

ash trees might be

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the MNLA membership

happening with this

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november 19 MNLA.BIZ

33

Advertorial

INTRODUCING THE NEW

CAT® D3 SERIES Caterpillar has recently announced the release of new Cat® D3 Series Skid Steer Loader (SSL) and Compact Track Loader (CTL) models.

These new machines advance the D and D2 Series’ reputation for quality, comfort, and performance and deliver improvements in operator experience, and track loader stability.

An industry first, the D3 Series models also support a line of new Smart Attachments offered from Caterpillar. This advanced machine technology recognizes certain attachments and tailors the controls and operator information to match the tool and the task.

Advertorial

Improved Operator Experience

Entering and exiting the new D3 Series loaders equipped with an enclosed cab is now easier thanks to a wider opening cab door. Additionally, the distance between joystick pods has increased by 3 inches, offering extra space for the operator inside the cab to deliver a more comfortable experience. New Cat D3 Series CTLs deliver improved operating stability while handling heavy loads, grading or truck loading. Changes to the undercarriage frame and torsion axles reduce machine pitching and rocking, while still offering superior ride comfort.

Raising Compact Track Loader Standards

All Cat D3 Series CTLs feature standard two-speed travel to improve performance at the jobsite. These machines are geared to deliver high torque digging performance as well as high top-end speed for travel. The powerful Cat 279D3 and 289D3 loaders boast an 8.4 mph top-end ground speed, a 20% increase over their D Series counterparts. The Cat 239D3 and 249D3 models are now built with 2-speed transmission as standard, versus the previous single speed, increasing travel speed by 9% and aligning these models with the rest of the two-speed equipped CTL model range. These advancements will help operators complete work on a jobsite more safely and efficiently than ever before.

The Future of Smart Attachments

The D3 Series Cat SSL and CTL models deliver Smart Technology that ushers in a higher level of integration between the machine and new Smart Attachments. This advanced attachment technology will allow the D3 Series Cat SSL and CTL models to automatically recognize Smart Attachments and convert machine controls to align with the operational and informational needs of that attachment.

Cat SSLs and CTLs offer advanced control features that include Return-to-Dig and Work Tool Positioner to assist operators with repetitive tasks like grading, digging, and loading.

These items are now bundled together with the dual-direction self-level feature so that even more operators will be able to take advantage of features that automate machine functions to allow these tasks to be completed with less user interaction and expertise.

If you have any questions about the new D3 series or would like to schedule a demo, contact your local Ziegler CAT store or visit www.zieglercat.com

High-Performance Segment Solution

Also included in the D3 series CTL family is the new purpose-built Cat 299D3 XE Land Management CTL. The 299D3 XE Land Management delivers superior performance in demanding vegetation-management applications, such as mulching, brush cutting, vegetation control and mowing. Ensuring optimum performance when powering highproduction hydromechanical attachments like mulching heads, this machine has a turbocharged 110 gross horsepower Cat C3.8 engine that combines with a 40 gpm high-flow/ high-pressure auxiliary hydraulic system, producing a hydraulic horsepower rating of 94 hp.

D3 SERIES SSL PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 226D3 Engine

232D3

236D3

242D3

246D3

262D3

272D3

272D3 XE

Cat C2.2 CRDI Cat C2.2 CRDI Cat C3.3B DIT Cat C3.3B DIT Cat C3.3B DIT Cat C3.3B DIT Cat C3.8 DIT Cat C3.8 DIT

Gross power 67.1 hp

67.1 hp

74.3 hp

74.3 hp

74.3 hp

74.3 hp

98 hp

110 hp

Operating weight

5,849 lb

6,514 lb

6,567 lb

7,138 lb

7,478 lb

8,296 lb

9,133 lb

9,573 lb

ROC @ 50%

1,550 lb

1,900 lb

1,800 lb

2,200 lb

2,200 lb

2,700 lb

3,450 lb

3,700 lb

259D3

279D3

289D3

299D3

299D3 XE

D3 SERIES CTL AND MTL PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 239D3 Engine

249D3

257D3

299D3 XEÂ LAND MANAGEMENT

Cat C2.2 CRDI Cat C2.2 CRDI Cat C3.3B DIT Cat C3.3B DIT Cat C3.3B DIT Cat C3.3B DIT Cat C3.8 DIT Cat C3.8 DIT Cat C3.8 DIT

Gross power 67.1 hp

67.1 hp

74.3 hp

74.3 hp

74.3 hp

74.3 hp

98 hp

110 hp

110 hp

Operating weight

7,434 lb

7,831 lb

8,094 lb

8,987 lb

10,095 lb

10,688 lb

11,464 lb

11,756 lb

12,764 lb

ROC @ 50%

2,185 lb

2,485 lb

2,570 lb

2,870 lb

3,170 lb

4,130 lb

4,970 lb

5,085 lb

6,200 lb

BRINE Liquid Asset:

IS TAKING HOLD WITH CONTRACTORS Jordan Whitehouse This article was originally published in Landscape Trades, Canada’s Premier Horticultural Trade Publication.

BRINES AND OTHER LIQUID DE-ICERS have become very popular in North America.

36

MNLA.BIZ november 19

Municipalities have embraced them in one form or another for years. Advantages include increased safety, decreased environmental damage and potentially lower costs. But recently, more private contractors have been seeing the benefits, too, especially the bigger operators.

Take Clintar Landscape Management, headquartered in Markham, Ont., with franchises across Canada. Five years ago, they weren’t using any liquids. Now they’re using liquids in half their locations. “It’s working really well for us in some parts, and we believe it’s the future,” says Terry Nicholson, Clintar’s VP of Operations. “It’s not something that we’re close to accomplishing 100 per cent yet, but we are working towards it.”

They aren’t alone. The Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) says that about a quarter of its members use liquids in some capacity, whether that’s as a pre-treatment, post-treatment or as a way to pre-wet granular salt. And those numbers are going up, says Brian Birch, SIMA’s Chief Operating Officer.

“I don’t know how fast, but it is becoming more in demand, especially with the larger commercial contractors,” he says. “They have more resources and more people dedicated to researching it and implementing it, because there definitely is a learning curve.”

There can also be a significant investment in equipment. Even if a contractor has that upfront money, they still have to convince customers that liquids are a good idea. In a

iStock.com/Pgiam

liability-heavy market where people are more familiar with solid salt than liquid brine, that’s not always easy.

THE GOOD So how should contractors begin having those conversations with customers? By explaining the benefits of liquids. And there are lots, says Phill Sexton, the founder of WIT Advisers of Delanson, N.Y., which works with contractors across North America to develop more sustainable snow and ice practices. “If you care about increasing efficiencies that enable increased profit over time, then brine is the way to go,” he says. “Brine saves wasted salt being spread that bounces and scatters, and it saves time by allowing de-icing applications to work faster.” It can also prevent the bond of snow and ice to paved surfaces, he adds, and when contractors can do that, they decrease the chance of someone slipping and falling, which in turn reduces risk. “All these combined benefits mean contractors can help their clients control their spending, and the contractor to be more efficient, which means more profit without charging the client more.”

As for those profits, it’s tough to generalize, as brines and other liquid de-icers can range from 10 cents to $1 per gallon (less if the contractor wants to make it himself). But as many contractors know, recent salt shortages have caused rock salt prices to skyrocket, meaning these liquid alternatives that require less salt can be good for the bottom lines of customers and contractors.

Still, liquids are new to many customers, and there’s a sustained and growing anxiety about slip and fall liabilities. “Customers want to know that they’ve been serviced; they want to see that they’ve been serviced, and you can’t see a liquid very easily,” says Brian Birch. Thus, starting small is key, says Robert Tester, president of TNT Property Maintenance and Your Salt Connection in Kitchener, Ont. “We advise taking baby steps if people aren’t too sure about it, maybe getting you into treated salt first, then let’s get you into doing some pre-spraying of sidewalks or stairs or runways of busier properties. Then later maybe you’re ready to spray brine for everything.”

It’s also key for all parties to understand that not all liquids are created equal. Like rock salt, straight salt brines work best at temperatures no lower than -10 degrees Celsius. Other liquids, like magnesium chloride and beet juice, can work in colder temps.

At Clintar, Nicholson says in general they’re learning that brines work best as a pre-treatment, particularly when later trying to scrape the hard packed snow off the asphalt. “The brine makes it a lot easier, and with follow-up applications of granular salt afterwards there’s less residual to melt away, so we end up using less materials.”

There has to be an even larger cultural shift across the industry for true change to happen, says Sexton. And what inspires change are two things, he’s learned: pain and awareness. The pain part has been there with the recent — and likely ongoing — salt shortages. “Now we have an awareness and education opportunity to get simple, easy to understand, and scalable information out to the broad industry. We need the ‘got milk’ or ‘just do it’ awareness and marketing campaign so that the producers, applicators and end-user clients all understand the issues and opportunities.”

THE CHALLENGE Outside of additional equipment costs, the learning curve contractors like Clintar have to go through is one of the biggest challenges with liquids. It’s a whole paradigm shift in just considering one product for all conditions (granular salt) versus a different product or different combination of products, depending on the conditions. “It’s much more complicated than just going out and spreading rock salt,” says Birch. “There are even some scenarios where the liquid can cause the exact opposite of what you want if you don’t understand the weather and the surface temperatures and the wind moisture that could condense out of the air and potentially freeze.”

And then there’s typically a shift in how contractors have to service accounts. With granular salts, crews may go out an hour before a storm or during it. But with liquids, they may have to be trained to go out a day before. That sounds like any easy shift to make, but not always. “Right now, one of our challenges is selling the concept to our own staff,” says Nicholson. “You need buy-in from everybody that it’s going to work, but because it’s relatively new, just convincing people that it’s the right way to go can be tough.”

What helps, though, he says, is targeting the younger generation of staff, because they tend to be more open to change. Communicating the environmental angle is also good, he adds, because it’s relatively clear to most that salt is bad for our waterways and that liquids minimize that impact.

THE FUTURE Everyone we talked to for this story thinks the cultural shift will continue to happen, particularly with larger contractors who have the budgets, manpower, and knowledge to shift to liquid. But they agree it won’t happen overnight. “A lot of people in this industry are not in it as a full-time operation, and I don’t see them spending a lot of money upgrading their equipment,” says Brian Perras, owner of BP Landscaping in Caledon, Ont. “So unless somebody like the government mandates changes, even if it’s a five-year phase-in policy or something, I don’t see that changing any time soon.”

Brian Birch is a bit more hopeful. He believes there will be more opportunities with sophisticated clients that are more focused on the environment and finding quality contractors over just the lowest bidders. “I can’t predict liquids taking over rock salt, but I think the pressures of environment, the need for better service, higher expectations, and efficiency will continue to drive liquid use.”

Terry Nicholson doesn’t think Clintar will ever totally stop using rock salt, but he does believe they will use a lot less in the future.

Technology application improvements will certainly help with that, he says, but the public education component is huge. “The public has to understand that salt is damaging our waterways and that more salt doesn’t necessarily create safer conditions.”

➽JORDAN WHITEHOUSE is a freelance writer based in Vancouver, B.C.

november 19 MNLA.BIZ

37

EYE

EQUIPMENT

ON

EQUIPMENT

What’s new or different with your products or services?

Aspen Equipment Company Lila Fick, Marketing Coordinator

We carry the Western line of products that are designed to do snow clearing jobs with better efficiency — for time and work. Their snowplow products work with trucks, UTVs, and skid steers. They are easy to install, so people can just get it setup and start working. They have also engineered them to make them easier to use and better at snow clearing with stiffer blades for uneven surfaces and any surprise obstacles while plowing, and multiple plow blade angles.

Cushman Motor Company, Inc. Tim Commers, President

TRENDS, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS Katie Mills Giorgio

We have a new 96” MK960 wide area mower deck that will be available in the spring of 2020. It will fit new and existing Ventrac 4500 series tractors.

The benefits to this include reduced mowing time, thus reducing labor costs and increasing efficiencies. The full width roller also produces a striping pattern for a professional finished appearance to large turf surfaces. This is one more attachment to help make a customer’s Ventrac tractor the most versatile equipment they can own.

Frost Inc. Ken Rost, CEO

AS WE ROLL INTO THE WINTER MONTHS with the looming cold temperatures and snowfall, we also look ahead to planning for 2020. We chatted with some of our equipment partners to find out what trends and challenges companies like yours are facing in today’s market. They also highlighted a few new products debuting in the coming months that may offer added benefits and efficiency to the work you do day-in and day-out.

38

MNLA.BIZ november 19

The Sea-Mix is a new fully automatic brine making system to convert dry salt into brine for ice control. It has a large top hopper that allows for filling with a skid loader bucket and when the optimum salinity is reached, it will either shut down or open a valve to a truck or storage tank. The bottom finish tank holds 500 gallons. 1,500 to 2,000 gallons of brine can be made in an hour.

We also have the new Space-Saver commercial spray system. It is the most compact curbside sprayer on the market. Using only 29” of truck bed allows for more space for other tools of the trade. The 200-gallon tank supports Frost’s standard Honda engine-driven diaphragm pump, as well as a Titan professional series hose reel holding 200 feet of ½” hose. The Space-Saver is built for the pros but now takes up less space!

Brandl Motors Dick Reineck, Fleet and Commercial Manager

We are a Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership. We offer a fleet discount on vehicle purchases. To take advantage of our fleet program, you simply have to be a member of MNLA. And it doesn’t matter if you are buying one vehicle or 100 vehicles. You get the discount pricing up front. That offers you a 100,000-mile power train warranty, which is a no brainer. For the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van, for example, right now we have $8,000 worth of fleet incentives attached to that. The Ram pickup also got a refresh in 2019 and is another great option. We are excited about the Jeep Gladiator — a pickup truck — that will be hitting the market for 2020. It is a true off-road vehicle which may be a good option for landscaping companies that also need to transport their employees.

What current trends are you seeing in the industry?

Lila Fick: One trend we are seeing is

the push to use technology to do more with less people power. We’re seeing products that are designed with more features and versatility. The Western rotary broom, which the user walks behind, has a snowblade to move the snow and a rotating brush that sweeps the snow off. It’s designed for snow clearing on sidewalks and along curbs.

One challenge in the industry is labor.

People want to be able to do jobs quicker and more efficiently but don’t want to have to use a lot of workers to do the job. Having a product — like our Western plow line — that needs just one person from start to finish is beneficial because it would require less labor resources. And if they can finish a job like shoveling sidewalks with one pass instead of going over it multiple times, that saves them time, too.

Tim Commers: One industry trend we are

seeing is for equipment to be able to do more than one task and do it as well if not better than so-called dedicated machines. In other words, a customer may own a Ventrac Tractor to do many different jobs. This could include snow removal and deicing in the winter, spring and fall clean ups, mowing,

brush cutting and aeration to name a few.

The trend is really driven by economics. It is more cost effective to have a primary tractor that can do many different tasks versus having a separate driven piece for each.

YOUR ONE TRACTOR SOLUTION

Ken Rost:

Trends in snow and ice control are leading to liquid applications versus dry salt spreading.

Liquids when pre-applied can prevent bonding of snow and ice to surfaces allowing for cleaner plowing and faster recovery to bare pavement. Liquids don’t ‘plow off’ like dry salt does which helps minimize waste and environmental impact. Liquids also track less into buildings which saves on indoor entry area surface maintenance.

Trends for professional applicators have moved a little towards ride-on equipment.

However, hill sides, fenced-in areas, and tree spraying still require a truck-mounted skid sprayer. Many crews will have both types of equipment to apply on any property and they often use the skid sprayer to refill the ride-on sprayer.

Mow Slopes

Aeration & Overseed

Fall Cleanup

Schedule a Ventrac DEMO with:

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

Dick Reineck:

In terms of industry trends, vehicles are lasting longer and are more reliable and safer. The manufacturers are listening to customers and are open to their suggestions when they make improvements and upgrades to vehicles.

We are seeing people becoming more realistic on their engine needs, often going back to smaller diesel engines because there is longevity and power there. They are turbo charged or six-cylinder, but still have the power to tow four lawnmowers with four guys riding in it.

We are seeing a lot of businesses question what the next year will look like in terms of the economy, which can lead to a slowdown in purchasing new equipment. But we are looking forward to a great year. november 19 MNLA.BIZ

39

Call for Entries The online entry portal is open and we’re receiving entries for the 2020 Landscape Awards program right now.

Go to MNLA.biz/ landscapeawards to find the entry portal link and complete your entry by November 20! Full entry rules are posted on the entry form.

Nov. 20 Entry Deadline Dec. 3-7 Entry Status Notifications Jan. 14, 2020 Green Industry Awards Celebration

Special thanks to our sponsors:

20

20

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

LandscapeAwards2020-1-quarter-Nov-Scoop.indd 1

10/16/2019 3:59:59 PM

MEMBER-GET-A-MEMBER

REWARDS

iStock.com/Grayscale Studio

GET

Member-Get-A-Member Campaign: September 1, 2019–August 31, 2020 WHAT

$

Encourage your colleagues to join MNLA and get rewarded!

Take time now to share the learning, resources, and connections of MNLA with your colleagues. It’s an easy sell: just 63¢ per day provides benefits and services valued at nearly $5,000 per year. Spread the word about MNLA and reap the benefits.

MNLA Member-Get-AMember Campaign Guidelines and Eligibility

• Recruit three (3) new members during the campaign timeframe and receive a $50 VISA Gift Card!

• When you keep going and recruit a total of six (6) new members, you will be entered into a drawing to win $300 cash!

• Campaign prizes only open to current MNLA members in good standing.

HOW

WHY

Simply tell your colleagues why you are a member of MNLA and encourage them to join, too!

They can join online at www.

MNLA.biz/join, or by mail by downloading the application form. Also, be sure to tell them to include your name as the referrer.

Every time you recruit a member, MNLA is strengthened. Through member growth, MNLA can continue to develop new and enhanced programs to support you.

least two years since their last expiration date).

• To receive credit for a

• Completed applications with full dues payment must be submitted to MNLA for referrer to

• Program rewards are valid

referral, the new member

for new members in the

must include the referring

business membership

member’s name on their

category only.

application. If MNLA

must be received between

cannot verify the identity

September 1, 2019 and

of the referring member,

August 31, 2020 for the

• The program is NOT valid for membership renewals.

• Reinstated memberships DO qualify for credit (memberships that have not been active for at

no credit will be received.

receive credit.

• Membership applications

referrer to receive credit.

• MNLA staff are not eligible for rewards.

• The program may not

be combined with other MNLA membership discount offers.

• Program rules and incentives are subject to change. MNLA reserves the exclusive right to interpret these rules.

• All federal, state, and local laws apply. Void where prohibited.

• VISA is not a sponsor of this promotion. november 19 MNLA.BIZ

41

MILLENNIALS

THE

STIGMA OF MILLENNIALS

Millennials are perceived as being entitled.

Theo Lenneman Southview Design

THEY COME INTO THE WORKFORCE and they want high pay, they want opportunity for advancement, and they want it now. But, what is wrong with having an employee that wants to make a lot of money and move up in the company?

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MNLA.BIZ november 19

As long as they are willing to work for it, why

wouldn’t you want all of your employees to think this way? Millennials are becoming the majority of the workforce, so how do we incorporate this mindset into the landscape industry?

The landscape industry likely is not the preferred choice for many millennials. Most entry level positions require physical labor and spending a lot of time outdoors during hot and humid days, rainy days, chilly fall days, and possibly even blizzard conditions.

This is probably the leading factor as to why there are fewer people looking to get into the industry. So, how do we retain the ones that are willing to give it a try?

With every new generation, there will need to be adjustments. People who have success

with hiring millennials have likely adapted well and set expectations early. Those who see high turnover with millennials are struggling to adapt and are treating every employee the same way they have in the last 20 years.

You may see a difference as early as the interview process. Often, when you meet with millennials, they will be interviewing you just as much as you are interviewing them.

While compensation is going to play a factor in their decision, there will be more focus than ever on your company’s core values and mission. Millennials are looking for a career in which they can add value. Once hired, your on-boarding process can make a new employee feel welcome and part of the team early – or make them regret their decision to join.

iStock.com/Cloud-Mine-Amsterdam

Make your process high touch and, once they have made it through the on-boarding phase, stay connected. Consistently checking in will make millennials feel appreciated and should be done regardless of generation. This will help give your employees the opportunity to let you know if they are unhappy while they still work for you. If someone is not happy with what they are doing, they are not producing at their highest capacity and they will not stay long.

Millennials are known to change jobs often.

Part of that has to do with how easy technology makes it to find a new job. The number of opportunities available also plays a factor.

Keeping employees engaged will continue to be an important part of employee retention for generations to come. One thing that may

be a competitive advantage – and could be the deciding factor on whether employees will stay — is creating a road map of their opportunities to move up within the company.

Especially when employees are working long hours outdoors, knowing what is next will keep them motivated.

If you continue to struggle with millennials, try going against the grain. Once one of them has earned it, promote him or her! If your entire management staff is made up of baby boomers and generation Xers, you are creating a barrier that may seem impossible to cross. Once you promote one, all of the others may see that it is possible.

Millennials want to find a place where they have career advancement, but they want to be doing something that they feel is making

a difference and providing value. They want to feel appreciated. Now, we know there is always an exception to the rule, but I believe this is an accurate overview of the generation.

There seems to be a negative perception of them, but why? What about their values makes them bad employees? Millennials are not going away, in fact the opposite is true; they are taking over. There is no better time than the present to start incorporating them into your business so they can help you achieve your vision. ➽ THEO LENNEMAN is Production Manager at Southview Design and an ISA Certified Arborist and MNLA Certified Professional. Theo can be reached at TLenneman@southviewdesign.com. november 19 MNLA.BIZ

43

THINK AHEAD and let the tax code work as hard for you as our

TRUCKS AND VANS DO!

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TOP TEN

TOP 2019

FLOWER PICKS FROM NCROC Text by Crystal Sucher, Research Plot Technician Photos by Leanne Stanley, Principal Office and Administrative Specialist

iStock.com/v_rachai

University of Minnesota North Central Research and Outreach Center

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 Verbena bonariensis — Purple Haze Verbena bonariensis Purple Haze is a first-year flowering perennial with beautiful lavender/light purple flower clusters all season long. This is a good tall plant to bring height to the flower garden and it is VERY attractive to pollinators, a must-have plant for butterfly gardens! 

ANNUAL FLOWER TRIALS are hosted at the North Central Research and Outreach Center. These trials are an evaluation of specific flower varieties and how well they perform in a field environment, a hanging basket, and/or a container. Companies such as All-America Selections, Proven Winners, Syngenta, Hem Genetics, and many others host their annual trials here at the NCROC. We grade the flowers for such criteria as color, uniformity, uniqueness, drought tolerance and insect/disease resistance.

This information is made available in our annual report to the flower companies and is available on our website https://ncroc.cfans.umn.edu/

Petunia — Supertunia Vista® Snowdrift™

Crisp and clean, this Supertunia provides a showy mass of white that mixes well with any other color or texture in the garden. They are fantastic landscape plants and are great in large containers.

 Petunia — Tidal Wave® Red Velour A top performer for any landscape or hanging basket. This petunia has a deep, rich colo0r with an abundance of flowers that bloom all season long. It maintains an excellent, uniform shape well into the season with minimal effort.

 Zinnia — Profusion Red No plain color here! This flower was a top pick for its beautiful color development from start to finish. The large flowers are nicely distributed throughout the plant and contrast beautifully with the vibrant green foliage. Pollinators are attracted to the continuous bloom all season.  Celosia — Asian Garden This flower was selected for its unique flower development and vibrant fuchsia color.

The blooms contrast beautifully with the bright green foliage and grow uniformly throughout the plant. This plant will easily fill a container but can also add a distinctive look to your flower beds. november 19 MNLA.BIZ

47

TOP TEN

SNOW DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE.

See one in action at grasshoppermower.com/snowthrower

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Adding Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to water well pumping systems can increase efficiency and lower operating costs. Plus, we offer rebates from $400-$8,000 per VFD for various applications—from agricultural, golf course, and landscape irrigation, to municipal water supply. Other systems may also qualify.

For more information contact an energy efficiency specialist at 855.839.8862 or visit xcelenergy.com/MotorEfficiency.

© 2019 Xcel Energy Inc.

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MNLA.BIZ november 19

Begonia semperflorens — Super Cool Red

Begonia semperflorens is the most widely cultivated type of begonia and the fourth most popular bedding plant in the United States according to the USDA. The Super Cool Red is a classic bedding plant for shady spots with their lustrous, succulent leaves and red blooms that appear continuously throughout the growing season.  Petunia — Supertunia® Sharon This Supertunia is a vigorous variety with slightly mounded habits making it a great filler and spiller in containers. It has a unique petal shape with a lovely pink color pattern and is known to be low-maintenance as it is self-cleaning, no deadheading necessary.

8/1/19 9:31 AM

 Salvia — Rockin’® Blue Suede Shoes™ This flower was chosen for its beautiful blooms and healthy foliage. The continuous bloom of flowers have a subtle, soothing color that attract many different pollinators. Not only will it look great in your landscape, it can also be an accent plant in a container. Sit back and enjoy the bustle of pollinators visiting all summer long!  Dianthus — Supra Pink This compact, bushy plant blooms prolifically with novel mottled pink flowers sporting frilly petal edges that hold up even in summer heat and drought. No deadheading needed on this winner.

 Dianthus, Interspecific — Jolt™ Pink This Dianthus sports brightly colored, showy flowers on strong stems that continues performing all summer long. It’s a trouble-free annual that’s easy to grow and is sure to please with its bright pink fringed flowers. ➽ CRYSTAL SUCHER is Research Plot Technician at the University of Minnesota North Central Research and Outreach Center and can be reached at csucher@ umn.edu. ➽ LEEANNE STANLEY is a Principal Office and Administrative Specialist at University of Minnesota North Central Research and Outreach Center.

november 19 MNLA.BIZ

49

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

MNLA Goes to Washington Forrest Cyr

MNLA Government Affairs Director

As an advocacy organization, MNLA works year-round to promote the green industry to the Minnesota legislature and advocate for state public policy issues that impact association members.

Working with our colleagues at AmericanHort (the lobbying group for the national horticulture industry), MNLA engages with Minnesota’s U.S. congressional delegation as well, to ensure that our voices are heard and our priorities are understood.

In September 2019, a Minnesota green industry delegation joined colleagues from across the country in Washington, DC for the AmericanHort Impact Washington Summit. Over 100 green industry leaders met with members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate, as well as with regulatory leaders, including the Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue, and the EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, to discuss policy and regulatory priorities. These priorities are numerous and diverse, impacting many of MNLA’s members. Today I’ll focus on workforce, immigration, and trucking.

Many in the green industry use H-2A and H-2B temporary worker visa programs to satisfy the labor needs of their businesses. These programs are vital to many sectors of our industry — with horticulture businesses using H-2A, and other non-agricultural businesses, such as landscaping companies, relying on H-2B visa programs.

As immigration is a high-profile (and emotionally-charged) issue in Washington, working to advocate for small — but important — changes to the well-established H-2A and H-2B programs is a welcome reprieve from other immigration topics.

With a limited number of H-2B visas available, and demand drastically outpacing the 66,000/year cap, MNLA strongly supports an increase of the available worker visas and is joining in the work with budget leaders in the

House and Senate to make this much-needed increase a reality.

As these non-agriculture visas are fiercely competed for by all types of businesses, we must increase the cap to match the demand.

With H-2A, efforts to reform the system are essential to helping agriculture businesses thrive. With the system being costly, MNLA and AmericanHort support efforts to streamline the program, allow for Tim Malooly, MNLA access regardless of job duration, Vice President and reduce HR and compliance costs, Government Affairs and provide pathways for seasoned Committee Chair, at H-2A workers to legally immigrate the US Capitol advocating for for employment.

Minnesota’s green The two programs are intrinindustry professionals. sically linked. With many of the H-2B-using landscaping businesses relying on product produced by H-2A-using horticulture companies, a lack of enough labor causes a harmful ripple throughout the industry. MNLA will continue to work with our partners at AmericanHort to educate members of Congress on these critical issues.

With new trucking regulations, it remains unclear if horticulture is considered agriculture when it comes to the new Hours of Service and flexibility for these regulations due to perishability. Our position continues to be that horticulture is agriculture and any proposed or existing regulation or legislation should acknowledge this fact.

➽ YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED! Contact Forrest Cyr at forrest@mnla.biz to get involved in advocacy on these issues and more.

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MNLA.BIZ november 19

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SHOOTOUT TOURNAMENT

2019 MNLA FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT SPORTING CLAYS CHARITY EVENT It was a great day for the sporting clays fundraiser event at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake on September 17, 2019! Over 75 people came together to play games, compete in clay pigeon shooting, enjoy a wonderful buffet lunch, and support the MNLA Foundation.

Proceeds benefit the MNLA Scholarship Fund. The scholarship program makes it possible for outstanding college students who have made horticulture or landscaping their career choice to enter and/or complete their college degree programs.

Congratulations to our champions! First Place Team: Steve Mielke, Wilsons Nursery Inc., Bill Mielke, Waconia Tree Farms LLC, Daren Laberee, Land-de-Con, Inc., Mark Laberee, Lan-de-Con, Inc., Jesse Anderson, Garden World, Pam Thomas (not pictured).

First Place Individual: Scotty Hines, Tessman Company.

Duck Flurry Game Winner: Steve Hamacker, Autumn Oaks, LLC.

Grouse Skeet Walk Winner: John Emery, Natures Garden World.

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MNLA.BIZ november 19

Long Shot Winner: Justin Goodroad, Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

Two Trap Flurry Winners: Kyle Nelson and Matthew Wedell from Andy’s Lawn Care.

A special thank you to all our sponsors for helping make this event possible!

Game Sponsors:

Station Sponsors:

General Sponsorships:

Swanson’s Nursery Consulting

First Minnetonka Bank

Tangletown Gardens LLC

Bachmans Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes

Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC

BFG Supply Company

Copeland Buhl

Klaus Nurseries

Felknor Financial Group

Individual Champion Prize Sponsor:

Margolis Company, Inc.

Gardeneer, Inc.

Hedberg Supply

Plaisted Companies, Inc. RDO Equipment Co.

Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscape

Rock Hard Landscape Supply

Malmborg’s

Prize for Champion Team: HiWay Federal Credit Union

Arborjet

Sun Gro Horticulture Tessman Company

Raffle Prizes:

Touchstone Accent Lighting

Hedberg Supply

Waconia Tree Farms LLC

Lunch Sponsor: Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

november 19 MNLA.BIZ

53

LAST WORD

MNLA HONORS 50 YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP

❷ ❸

❶

❺

❹ The association honored five companies who joined the Minnesota Nurserymen’s Association and the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association in the 1960s. Visits were conducted to each member location and a plaque was presented in recognition of the longevity of support these companies have shown to the green industry in Minnesota and beyond.

54

❶

❷

❸

❹

❺

Amy and Bailey Schirmers accept the plaque on behalf of Dundee Nursery from MNLA Membership Director Mary Dunn.

Andrea Sandager accepts a plaque on behalf of Abrahamson Nursery from MNLA Membership Director Mary Dunn.

Troy and George Lucht accept the plaque presented to Malmborg’s Garden Center and Greenhouse from MNLA Executive Director Cassie Larson.

Jerry Gunderman and family accept the plaque presented to Cherokee Manufacturing from MNLA Executive Director Cassie Larson.

Chad Buran, Jerry Romero, and Dave Kleinhuizen accept the plaque for Margolis Co. from MNLA Membership Director Mary Dunn.

MNLA.BIZ november 19

Develop the Next Leader in Your Business in 2020

Managing Conflict

This learning experience cultivates leadership skills in your key staff by incorporating highly interactive exercises, discussions, lecture-style QUESTIONS? learning, and project-based activities and Managing Contact Jon Horsman 651-633-4987 sessions. Using these multiple learning methods Change jon@MNLA.biz creates a rich adult-learning environment and increases takeaways for each person. The sessions focus on personal development through key soft skill topics. Plus, irreplaceable “from the trenches” Knowing Your Staying on Top Own Strengths of the Work experience comes from green 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

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Training and Evaluating Others

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