The Scoop Online – May 2010

THE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

Insights and Information for Green Industry Professionals

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 5 May 2010

Arbor Day Winners PAGE 44

How Does Health Care Reform Affect the Green Industry?

New Savings Available on Phone and Credit Card Services

MNLA Government Affairs Grassroots Success Stories

PAGES 10-13

PAGES 23

PAGE 36-40

r da ! n le s Ca Tour r u Yo mer 30 k r e m Ma r Su ee pag fo S

THE

Arborists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 DC Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 41 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16 Recycling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Business Management . . . 22-25, 45 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-28, 30 Hardscapes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Stormwater Management. . . . . . . 34 Government Affairs. . . . . . . . . . 36-40 Public Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44, 50 Supplier Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Leadership Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Plant of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Sustainable Evironment. . . . . . . . . 58

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ADVERTISER INDEX A Top Notch Equipment - 45 AgStar Financial Services - 58 Anchor Block Company - 2 Belgard Hardscapes-Northfield-Bend - 35 BFG Supply - 40 Borgert Products, Inc. - 60 Bridgewater Tree Farms - 42 Bullis Insurance Agency - 46 BW Insurance Agency - 22 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus - 14, 19 Casualty Assurance - 47 Central Landscape Supply - 48 Central Wisconsin Evergreens, Inc. - 41 Cherokee Mfg. - 12 Cook Water Farms - 13 Crysteel Truck Equipment - 48 Cushman Motor Co., Inc. - 47 D. Hill Nursery Co. - 42 Evergreen Nursery Co., Inc. - 16 Fireside Hearth & Home - 21 Fury Motors - 49 G & B Woodchips - 48 Gardenworld Inc. - 39 Gertens Wholesale - 33 Gopher State One-Call - 14 Haag Companies, The - 59 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies - 9 J.R. Johnson Supply, Inc. - 24 JRK Seed and Turf Supply - 13, 34, 41

Kubota Dealers - 29 L&M Products, Inc. - 11 Lano Equipment, Inc. - 12 Law’s Nursery, Inc. - 20 Maguire Agency - 45 Midwest Groundcovers - 28 MN Equipment Solutions, Inc. - 24 Natural Industries, Inc. - 15 Out Back Nursery - 34 Pine Products, Inc. - 17 Plaisted Companies - 10 RDO Equipment Co. - 37 Rochester Concrete Products - 5 Rock Hard Landscape Supply division of Brian’s Lawn & Landsaping, Inc. - 25 Specialty Turf & Ag, Inc. - 4 St. Joseph Equipment Inc. - 55 Stonebrooke Equipment Inc. - 46 TerraDek Lighting, Inc. - 24 The Mulch Store - 51 The Tessman Company - 7 Timberwall Landscape Products - 31 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. - 32 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. - 50 Vermeer Sales & Service - 16 Wheeler Landscape Supply - 53 Wilson’s Nursery, Inc. - 27 Xylem, Ltd. - 50 Ziegler Cat - 3

Upcoming Events June 23-26 – 13th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium. Rhode Island Convention Center and Westin Providence Hotel, Rhode Island. For more information, see www.sima.org.

July 10-13 – OFA Shortcourse. Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio. For more information, see www.ofa.org.

18-24 – Perennial Plant Symposium. Doubletree Hotel, Portland, Oregon. For more information, see www.perennialplant.org.

27 – MNLA Foundation Widmer Golf Tournament. University of Minnesota Golf Course, Roseville. For more information, see page 49 or www.mnla.biz.

29 – Landscape Design Tour. St. Paul and Minneapolis. For more information, see page 30 or www.mnla.biz.

August 5 – Garden Center Tour. Inver Grove Heights to Red Wing. For more information, see page 30 or www.mnla.biz.

26-27 – JR Johnson 2010 Buyer’s Fair. Roseville, Minn. For more information, call 651-389-3500 or 1-800-328-9221.

26-Sept 6 – MNLA State Fair Display Garden. For more information visit www.mnla.biz upcoming events section.

September 16 – Green for Life – an MNLA Public Service Event. For more information, see page 43 or visit www.mnla.biz.

21 – MNLA Shootout - Sporting Clays Tournament to benefit the MNLA Foundation.

For more information see page 53.

28 – Credit Management Tips for the Green Industry. Bailey Nurseries, Inc., Newport.

For more information see page 30 or visit www.mnla.biz.

January 4 – Super Tuesday. Minneapolis Convention Center. More information coming soon!

5-7 – Northern Green Expo. Minneapolis Convention Center.

If interested in sponsoring or co-sponsoring an MNLA workshop, please call Betsy Pierre, 952-903-0505 ext 1/betsy@pierreproductions.com.

January 5-7, 2011

Minneapolis Convention Center Thanks MNLA Academy Sponsors!

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association 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 • GardenMinnesota.com

MNLA Mission The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help nursery and landscape related companies in Minnesota and the surrounding region operate their businesses more successfully.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bert Swanson, MNLA-CP, President Swanson’s Nursery Consulting, Inc. 218-732-3579 • btswanson@gmail.com Debbie Lonnee, MNLA-CP, Vice President Bailey Nurseries, Inc. 651-768-3375 debbie.lonnee@baileynursery.com Heidi Heiland, MNLA-CP, Secretary-Treasurer Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens 612-366-7766 • heidi@BloomOnMN.com Van Cooley, Past President Malmborg’s, Inc. 763-535-4695 van@geraniumsbygeorge.com Randy Berg, MNLA-CP Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 rberg@smig.net Scott Frampton Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 sframpton@landscaperenovations.com Tim Malooly, CID, CLIA, CIC Irrigation By Design Inc. 763-559-7771 • timm@ibdmn.com Bill Mielke Wilson’s Nursery, Inc. 952-445-3630 bill@wilsonsnurseryinc.com Herman Roerick Central Landscape Supply 320-252-1601 hermanr@centrallandscape.com Bob Fitch MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • bob@mnla.biz Staff directory and member services directory near the back cover.

The Scoop is published 12 times per year by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 1813 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113. Address corrections should be sent to the above address. News and advertising deadlines are the 5th of the month preceding publication.

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The Scoop | FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Positive Energy is Vital to Success!

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director ince the collapse of the world financial markets in September 2008 and the deepening recession that followed, it has not been surprising at times to be in a room seemingly devoid of Bob Fitch any optimists. The last couple of years haven’t been easy for most everyone and have dealt fatal blows to too many good MNLA member businesses.

Your association is not immune to these forces. Membership numbers, dues revenue, and Expo attendance and net revenue have all taken a hit. The dominance of the world wide web as the information source of choice has knocked the covers off our Outdoor Living catalog program.

But history demonstrates that your association will survive these tough times . . . the Minnesota Nurserymen’s Association was formed 85 years ago and has made it through depression, recession, wars, drought, death, destruction and more.

At our most recent Board of Directors meeting, Board member Heidi Heiland, Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens, offered a great statement: “Positive energy is vital to success!”

One of my former bosses had this same approach to life. I was the editor of Bill Byrne’s farm publication, Tri-State Neighbor, which he started in the depths of the farm crisis in the 1980s. We were not a journalistically pure enterprise: TriState Neighbor accentuated the positive and de-emphasized the negative news.

Readership, advertising sales, and profits multiplied every year – readers and advertisers loved the positive spin we displayed in some not-so-positive times.

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I’m no Pollyanna. But I really do believe there’s a lot to be said for “Positive energy is vital to success!” So here’s the good news I can offer you from my desk: • You live in the United States of America. I don’t think any of us would trade our opportunities and blessings for any place else on earth.

• There seem to be more indicators all the time that the economy is starting to perk up! Plus the tight times are pushing us to re-examine our operations, making them leaner, more efficient, and more focused.

• You can’t help but be an optimist when the nursery and landscape season gets off to a fast start.

• The MNLA Board of Directors has just endorsed a new member service (see page 23). Better Business Solutions will do the work for you in reducing your phone expenses and credit card processing fees. When you meet with BBS, it might sound too good to be true, but we’ve used them here at our office and it’s reduced our monthly phone bills by about 25 percent.

• Fast, smart action by MNLA’s lobbyists and great volunteer leaders headed off action at the State Capitol that would have cost some members thousands – even hundreds of thousands – of dollars every year. (See pages 38-39.)

• Green for Life is a new MNLA public service event in which members will plant trees at dozens of schools on Sept. 16. With regional and local media coverage expected, it will be a great opportunity to educate youth about the environmental value of trees and plants as well as the careers available in the industry.

Plus it will draw attention to the fact that fall is a great time to plant

trees! Sign up now – see page 43.

A “can’t miss” lineup of speakers is in place for the 2011 Northern Green Expo! Here is a sample of the topics on tap . . . perennials, pruning, flower beds, irrigation systems, small engines, hydrangeas, more perennials, natural stone walls and patios, water conservation, disease resistant elms, greenhouse production, ornamental grasses, lean management, growing your landscape business, irrigation troubleshooting and two-wire technologies, tree care, idea exchanges, bedding plants, plant combinations, and more and more!

Leave time between your Christmas break and your winter vacation for the Northern Green Expo on Jan. 5-7.

• Two new prestigious landscape awards are in the works thanks to our relationship with Midwest Home magazine.

• The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has hired a new director. Ed Schneider, who has been the head of the Santa Barbara, California, Botanic Garden for 18 years, will join the University of Minnesota later this year.

• Choice Plastics will work with MNLA members on a plastics recycling program again this year – even though they made zero profit from our industry last year. With your help, we can keep this important environmental initiative going. (See page 18.)

I hope the strong start to our spring continues for you and that everyone’s fortunes in 2010 take a nice upturn.

Infuse some positive energy into your team to create success! q ________________________________ Bob Fitch is executive director of MNLA. He can be reached at bob@mnla.biz •

The Scoop | ARBORIST

Accept the Change; Plan for Health Care Future

By Greg Krogstad, Rainbow Treecare

Health care reform will mean different things, both positive and negative, for MNLA members. It could be difficult for some green industry businesses with a high number of seasonal employees at lower income levels to deal with the additional costs. For some companies, new regulations will help employees qualify for healthcare for the first time.

ver the past year, our country has been on a rollercoaster of uncertainly when it comes to our economy, our banking system, and our health care. There is nothing more difficult to deal with, especially for business, then an uncertain future. The passing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), as well as the Health Care & Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 created some certainty.

It is impossible to capture the entire PPACA bill in this article, but here are some key points that could affect MNLA businesses:

Regardless of your feelings towards the heated issue, experts believe health care reform will not be overturned and businesses should learn how to best navigate with the new law.

January 2010 Businesses with less then 25 full-time employees and average annual employee wages of less then $40,000 qualify for a tax credit up to 35%. This credit is

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based on the employer paid portion of health coverage.

June 2010 Health insurance companies may not impose any pre-existing condition exclusions.

September 2010 Health insurance companies must offer coverage for children under the age of 26, regardless of marital status, and cannot exclude children with pre-existing conditions.

January 2011 Employers must report the value of health coverage on the employees W-2.

This is for informational purpose only and will not result in additional taxable income.

A Simple Cafeteria Plan will be created by the government for small businesses (less then 100 employees).

January 2013 Health Flexible Saving Account contributions are limited to $2,500 annually. No limit has previously been imposed. This may increase the taxable income for employees with health expenses exceeding $2,500.

January 2014 Under the Promoting Employer Responsibility portion of the law, a business with more then 50 full-time equivalent employees is required to provide health insurance or pay a $2,000 per employee fine. Fulltime is defined as someone working over 30 hours per week for more then 120 days.

Employees working less than 30 hours per week are defined as part time. Part time employees must be added to your full-time equivalent employee count by dividing the monthly hours worked by 120. The first 30 employees are excluded from the fine. For example, a business with 70 full time employees would pay a penalty on 40 employees if coverage was not offered.

"For some companies, new regulations will help employees qualify for healthcare for the first time."

Employers will face a $3,000 fine for every employee that selects the federal tax credit option rather then the employer option when the employer health coverage option is “unaffordable”, or exceeds 9.8 percent of income.

Over the next few months, more information will be available for companies to help them prepare for the new health care law. As the dust settles, lawyers around the country are trying to interpret this new legislation and in time, insurance agents will understand how to guide their clients best. Once more is known, it is important for MNLA members to develop a long term strategy with their insurance agent.

Although the controversy over health care reform will go on well into November, it is important for businesses to accept the change as reality and spend time planning for the future. Although forecasting the financial impact to the government is impossible, it is possible to understand the impact this may have on your future business costs. q ________________________________ Greg Krogstad is a member of the Arborist Committee and can be reached at GKrogstad@RainbowTreecare.com.

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The Scoop | DC UPDATE

Federal Health Reform Update is article is provided by MNLA and ANLA as a Lighthouse Program partner benefit. n March 21, 2010, the House of Representatives passed two bills that would reform health coverage in the United States. e first bill, H.R. 3590, the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (PPACA) represented final passage of the Senatepassed version of health coverage reform. e House also passed, H.R. 4872, the "Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act" (HCEARA) that contains the changes that the Obama administration made to the Senate-passed version of health legislation.

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e Senate will still have to consider and pass the HCEARA into law for the Administration's changes to be incorporated into health reform. President Obama signed the PPACA into law to ensure that provisions tied to the date of enactment can become effective sooner rather than later. e administration remains hopeful that the Senate will consider the HCEARA bill under reconciliation rules that would allow for a simple majority for passage, rather than the 60 vote margin needed for most bills.

In both H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872, there are several issues of interest to the nursery & landscape industry. ough there is no explicit language regarding employer mandates for health coverage, there are penalties and fines for not providing health coverage for employees that could be considered a "soft" mandate.

As previously reported, the Senate-passed version of health reform had exclusions for small business employers, defining a small business as having 50 or fewer full-time employees. ere was also a seasonal exemption included, which would allow for seasonal businesses to exceed the 50 employee limit for 120 days without triggering the coverage requirements. e HCEARA, commonly referred to as the "reconciliation" bill, would make a couple of changes to the PPACA if passed and enacted. e reconciliation bill would increase the applicable payment amount for firms with more than 50 "full time equivalent" (30 hours or more) workers that do not offer coverage, to $2,000 per full-time employee, up from $750 in PPACA. HCEARA would also allow employers with 50 or more FTE workers to subtract the first 30 full time employees 12

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from the payment calculation. For example, a firm with 51 workers that does not offer coverage will pay an amount equal to 51 minus 30, or 21 times the applicable per employee payment amount. ere was also some concern throughout the industry on provisions in the Senate-passed version that held construction occupations to lower employee thresholds than other small businesses. ose provisions have been dropped from the legislation.

In order to pay for this overhaul of the health reform system, there would be a number of new taxes included in the legislation. e PPACA increases the Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) trust portion of the payroll tax for the employee's share only. However, the HI applies only to earned income, so the HCEARA would create a new "Unearned Income Medicare Contribution" (UIMC) tax. is would be calculated separately from the HI tax and would apply to "net investment income." e rate for that tax will be 3.8%.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly to small businesses, the requirement for all vendors to file Form 1099 for all transactions was included in the PPACA and would not be altered in the HCEARA. ANLA will continue to monitor developments related to federal health reform as the Senate begins consideration of HCEARA, and as PPACA is implemented into law. q

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | SAFETY

OSHA 300 Log: Defining Differences Between OSHA Recordable and Workers Compensation Claims and Tips for Record Keeping

By Katie Schofield, CSP, ARM, CHST TBG Loss Control Representative

website, you can download the 300 Log and related instructions to your desktop.

SHA requires that each company with ten or more employees maintain a personal log of its injuries and illnesses for each calendar year. This record keeping is done by means of the OSHA 300 Log. Very detailed instructions on how to fill out and maintain the OSHA 300 log can be found, along with a copy of the 300 Log, on the following website http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/new -osha300form1-1-04.pdf. From the

Keeping the OSHA 300 Log correctly is very important because Incident Rates (IR) and Days Away-RestrictedTransferred Rates (DART) are calculated from the log. These rates can play a major role when bidding for certain jobs or projects. These rates standardize your company’s rates of injuries and illness and compare them to all other companies. These rates can help you identify problems in the workplace or areas in which you have made progress.

It is also important to maintain a correct

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Go to www.gopherstateonecall.org for more information on I-Tic or call us at 651-681-7326 / 800-245-5852.

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OSHA 300 Log because it is a different system and not inter-related to the workers’ compensation system used here at The Builders Group; we do not necessarily have the same information or the information in the same form as what is required on the OSHA 300 Log. As detailed in the directions on the 300 Log, injuries that require medical treatment beyond first aid, or any workrelated illnesses, are to be entered onto the log and are deemed “OSHA Recordable.” The OSHA log is concerned with the number, extent, and severity of injuries and illnesses as

determined by days that the employee is affected by them.

These types of injuries or illnesses would also be sent in as a First Report of Injury and be reported as a work comp claim.

Workers’ compensation is primarily concerned with the monetary impact and payment of these medical visits and claims. So, although in most cases OSHA recordable and workers comp claims will be triggered for the same event, there are some situations when the 300 Log and workers’ compensation differ. Here are some examples: • If an employee is taken to the doctor solely for observation or diagnostic procedures, but no injury is found, then this is NOT an OSHA recordable, but should be reported as a work comp claim.

• If an employee goes to the doctor, but the doctor only administers first aid, such as using a tweezers to remove a splinter from the hand, drilling a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure, draining a blister, putting non-rigid elastic wraps on a part of the body, or using bandages such as Steristrips or butterfly bandages, then this is NOT an OSHA recordable, but should be reported as a work. comp claim.

• If an employee needs to have a tetanus shot after being cut (no stitches), then this is NOT an OSHA recordable, but should be reported as a work comp claim.

• Mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, which has work-related stress as a major contributing factor (as diagnosed by a licensed professional) IS an OSHA recordable illness. However, in the state of Minnesota, mental illness without any contributing physical injury to the employee is NOT a work comp claim.

• When counting days away, restricted duty, or transferred duty for a recordable case, the maximum for the OSHA 300 Log is 180 days. Workers’ compensation does not follow this system, so the true amount of these days may far exceed what will be recorded on the 300 Log. • The difference between an over-the-counter and prescription strength painkiller, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, can make the difference between an OSHA recordable or non-recordable doctor’s visit. If there is no major injury detected, and the employee can return to work that day with no restrictions, make sure the doctor does not give them anything prescription strength and save yourself an OSHA recordable! Also, there are specifically defined allowable dosages of the over-the-counters. Allowing more than this cut-off can be determined to be prescription strength. For example, anything over 467 mg of Ibuprofen taken at one time is considered prescription strength.

Whatever the dosage, visit and outcome should still be reported as a work comp claim.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when maintaining your OSHA 300 Log: • All information in the log is confidential, so keep it in a secure place to protect the privacy of employees on the log

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• At the end of the year, fill out the Summary Form that is included in the log. The Summary will not (and should not) include any names or sensitive information. Post the Summary no later than February 1st, and keep it posted until April 30th in a place where all employees can see it.

• Even if the company has no recordable cases for the year, the Summary is still required to be completed and posted.

• Keep both the 300 Log and Summary on file for five years following the year it pertains.

• You do not have to send the 300 Log or Summary to OSHA unless they specifically ask for it.

• The instructions provided with the 300 Log will answer the majority of common frequently asked questions that companies have. However, more resources can be found at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/handbook/index.html; http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/RKpresentations.html; http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/entryfaq.html; http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/detailedfaq.html. q ________________________________________________ The Builders Group (TBG) is a self-insured workers’ compensation insurance fund that has been protecting Minnesota’s construction industry for more than 10 years. For more information, go to their website: www.tbgmn.com.

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Largest Pine Bark Supply in MN!

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952-442-5988 - www.pineproductsinc.com

SAVE 15-65% ON TELECOM AND MERCHANT SERVICES MNLA has endorsed Better Business Solutions (BBS) to provide negotiating services to MNLA members. BBS can cut your expenses by reducing the profit being made by your current credit card and phone service provider.

Telecom and merchant services are two of the largest

expense areas most businesses face, yet very few have an INDEPENDENT representative looking out for their best interests in these expense areas.

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Contact Dan Bauman, Better Business Solutions, Inc. Office: (877) 272-0741 Direct: (651) 330 9804

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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ATTENTION LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS AND GARDEN CENTERS! MNLA's Green Industry Recycling Program Returns!

Good news! Choice Plastics has provided a commitment to the MNLA recycling program for the 2010 season.

Choice Plastics did NOT earn any net profit from the program in 2009. Consequently, the program must be run leaner and more efficiently in 2010 – and that will take great cooperation from participating members. The challenges included mixed materials, lack of cleanliness, significant labor expenditures, and low-end market pricing on these low-end materials.

Despite the challenges, Choice is very committed to MNLA and the recycling program. Hopefully the new parameters will help extend this program well into the future without significantly hampering member’s ability to collect and deliver the material to Choice for recycling.

For the 2010 season, the program will start April 15th and run thru October 15th. Below are the parameters, which suppliers or garden centers MUST adhere to in order to participate in the program:

•

All incoming loads MUST HAVE A DOCK TIME and no material will be dropped outside in 2010. Delivery drivers will check in at the Choice offices and receive dumping instructions. A member of the Choice Plastics staff will conduct a visual inspection of each load.

•

Choice will accept ONE DUMPSTER per day as well as ONE SMALL LOAD from a non-dumpster facility per day.

Members will need to be aware that the schedule during the busy months may push them out several days or more when they call for a dock appointment. There will be no exceptions to this schedule. Choice must regulate the inflow of material.

•

Choice will no longer accept any types of AG Film, Silage Bags, or any other types of greenhouse film or bags. The only acceptable materials for 2010 will be the rigid plastics-pots, trays, flats, and containers. If there is any question about whether a particular material is acceptable, members can call the Choice offices for an answer.

•

Members must do the best they can to eliminate outside waste, garbage, heavy organic matter, aluminum cans, etc. Non-compliance with these parameters will result in rejection of the dumpster at the door. If Choice accepts a dumpster and later finds excessive non-conforming material, pictures will be taken to document the materials and disposal fees will be assessed to the member in question. Choice had significant disposal fees in 2009 as a result of non-plastic material in the dumpsters.

I have read the above parameters and understand that to participate in the MNLA Green Industry Recycling Program I must adhere to them. Failure to meet the parameters will result in exclusion from the program.

Signed: ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ Name Company Email

Please contact DanDan Mayer or Jon with any Please contact Mayer withHorsman any questions youquestions. may have.

Dan Mayer, Choice Plastics 952-472-3070 5338 Shoreline Drive Mound, MN 55364

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Jon Horsman, MNLA 651-633-4987 jon@MNLA.biz

To sign up for the 2010 Recycling Program, fax this signed form to MNLA at 651633-4986 or 888-266-4986.

CERTIFICATION | The Scoop

Certification Training Magic from the Manual: Soils for Nursery and Landscape Management

By Laurie Robinson, Bailey Nurseries, Inc. any decisions a nursery or landscape manager makes are dependent upon knowing characteristics of the soil in CERTIFIED Professional which the plants are grown. Soil is a diverse and dynamic system consisting of air, water, mineral particles, organic matter, and living organisms. It supports plants and their roots, and it supplies nutrients and water for plant growth. Healthy soil also supplies oxygen to plant roots. Critical soil characteristics for plant growth include texture, structure, drainage, aeration, water holding capacity, nutrient holding capacity, compaction, pH, and salinity. Thus, the type of soil will dictate the type of crops that can be grown, and the management practices required to grow them successfully.

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Soil Texture One of the most important physical properties of a soil is texture. Soil texture is the proportion of sand, silt, and clay

particles that make up a soil. By definition, these particles are distinguished solely by size. Clay particles are less than 0.002 millimeters, silt is 0.002 to 0.05 millimeters, and sand is 0.05 to 2.0 millimeters in size.

The 12 different textural classes of soil are based on their different proportions of sand, silt, and clay, and are identified as follows: clay, sandy clay, silty clay, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam and silt. For example, a soil with 20% clay, 60% silt, and 20% sand is classified as a silt loam. Note that a soil classified as a "loam" has roughly equal proportions of silt and sand and less than 25% clay. Soil is often called "loam", when it may, in fact, have quite a different texture.

Soil texture is important because it influences water and nutrient holding capacity, drainage, aeration, susceptibility to compaction, irrigation and planting practices, and erodability. For example, coarse textured soils such as sand, loamy sand or sandy loam, have a low water holding capacity, drain quickly, and are

low in nutrients, especially nitrogen and potassium. These soils usually require irrigation to be productive. Mediumtextured soils such as loam and silt loam usually have good drainage and adequate water and nutrient holding capacity.

Fine-textured soils such as clay loam and clay, have a high water and nutrient holding capacity, but are usually poorly drained and are difficult to manage when wet. These soils must often be tiled to improve crop productivity.

Soil Texture Soil texture is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to change. To add enough sand or loam to a field or even to a landscape to provide a meaningful change across the entire area and to a significant depth would require exorbitant quantities and would most likely be cost prohibitive. The manner in which sand, silt, and clay particles are held together is referred to as soil structure. Decayed organic matter and humic acids interact with mineral particles to form structural aggregates of various shapes and sizes. Soil structure may affect pore size distribution and

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therefore, affect the ability of a soil to drain and provide adequate aeration. A soil with 60% stable aggregates, which are aggregates that do not break down easily, is considered to have good structure. A good soil structure, often referred to as good tilth, will allow cultural operations to be performed with minimal problems and enable plants to establish extensive root systems.

Soil structure can be modified, for better or worse, in a relatively short period of time. Working or traveling over a wet soil can cause compaction and it will destroy good soil structure. Compaction crunches soil aggregates, therefore, compacted soils have much less pore space and a greater amount of solid particles per unit. This decreases soil oxygen and therefore, restricts root growth. Soils can range from being very poorly drained, where the soil is saturated with water much of the time, to excessively well drained, which is a droughty soil. Poor drainage is a leading cause of transplant failure. Poor drainage is most likely to be problem on heavy clay soils, and in low areas. The poorest drainage occurs when there is a water table near the surface. Deep tillage of two to three feet, berms, tilling, large planting holes, and turf aeration will facilitate drainage and aeration of compacted soils.

Organic Matter and Soil Amendments Amendments to a soil may include organic matter or the addition of a different soil texture. Whenever any amendment is added to an existing soil, the possibility of developing an

"interface" exists. An interface is the connecting surfaces of existing soil and the amendments. If these two meeting surfaces are quite different, aeration and drainage may be negatively influenced. This may have a significant effect on root growth and may prevent roots from growing through or into the interface. To prevent interface formation, insure that the two components are thoroughly mixed. Some organic matter such as manure may serve as a source of slow release nutrients, however most organic matter sources consume more nutrients than they provide.

The addition of organic matter such as compost, peat, wood chips, or bark can help improve soil water holding capacity, drainage, and pH. The rate of incorporation will depend on the situation and soil. For example, where trees or shrubs are to be planted, a "transition zone" can be developed by using a large planting hole and adding amendments directly to the backfill such as 1/3 amendment, 2/3 existing soil. This will prevent the roots from encountering a severe interface.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) Clay particles and organic matter in the soil have negative charges that attract and hold on to positively charged ions called cations. The cation exchange capacity of a soil is a measure of the amount of positively charged ions that a soil can hold. In general, the higher the clay and organic matter content of a soil, the greater the nutrient holding capacity. However, a high nutrient holding capacity does not always imply high nutrient levels.

Soil pH Another important soil chemical property affecting nutrient availability and plant growth is soil pH, which is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. Very simply, pH is a relative measure of the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 being neutral. In extremely acidic soils wherein the pH is less than 4.5, aluminum or manganese toxicity may result. In highly basic or alkaline soils with a pH greater than 7.0, iron becomes unavailable and iron chlorosis may develop.

For most plants, a pH of 5.5 to 7.0 provides the greatest nutrient availability. For some plant species such as azalea, blueberry, and rhododendron, the optimal pH is 4.5 to 5.5.

Various materials can be used to either raise or lower soil pH. Before any pH adjustment is attempted, the soil should be tested to determine the initial pH. Agricultural limestone is the most common material used to raise soil pH from a pH of 4 to a pH of 5. Liming or increasing the pH is seldom required or necessary for nursery crops or container media in most of Minnesota. Test the soil before adding lime. Elemental sulfur or iron sulfate can be used to lower soil pH, for example from a pH of 7 to pH of 6. However, it is more difficult to lower the pH than to increase it. Elemental sulfur is slow acting and may take several months before a pH change can be detected. Iron sulfate is faster acting and can lower pH within two to three weeks.

Irrigation water often has a high pH and, therefore, can raise the pH of the soil or medium over time. To avoid an increase in pH, use acidic fertilizers like ammonium sulfate and iron sulfate. Acidification treatments like sulfur may need to be

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repeated. High levels of soluble salts in the soil will damage roots and foliage.

This is a greater problem in heavy soils than in well-drained soils where the soluble salts can be leached through the soil profile.

Soil Surveys and Soil Sampling Techniques Most Minnesota counties offer detailed soil surveys that can be obtained from local Extension or soil Conservation District Offices. However, the soil maps may not be fully accurate in sites heavily modified by home construction or other developments.

The manner in which a soil sample is taken has a profound effect on the final analysis. It is critical to have consistency in sample collection over time, but randomization across the area is necessary each time a sample is taken.

Take samples at least six hours after irrigation and at least one month after an application of fertilizer, except where a constant fertilization program is used. In that case, sample one to two days after the last irrigation. Take 15-20 core

samples from an X or zigzag pattern across the field. For field soils, request the Regular Series plus the Nitrates and Soluble Salts Test. For container medium samples, scrape aside ½ to one inch of the surface of the medium. Take a core of the medium just off-center of the container and through the entire container depth. Sample at least ten containers per species, or groups of species. Samples should be taken at least monthly throughout the growing season.

Check with local Extension office for Soils Testing Lab. q ________________________________ Laurie Robinson is a member of the MNLA Certification Committee and can be reached at laurie.robinson@baileynursery.com. *Certification Training Magic from the Manual is a monthly article written by the MNLA Certification Committee as a study tool for the MNLA Certification Exam.

Information from these articles is taken directly from the chapter in the MNLA Certification Manual. It is an outline and does not replace studying the entire chapter in the manual.

Study Questions: 1. T F Soil structure and texture are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to modify or change.

2. T F In general, the higher the clay and organic matter content of a soil, the greater the nutrient holding.

3. e addition of organic matter may help improve soil water holding capacity, drainage and pH. Which of the following is not appropriate organic matter?

A. Wood Chips B. Peat C. Compost D. Sand E. Bark Answers: 1-F, 2-T, 3-D

! d e v o M e v ’ e W

Fireside Hearth & Home 7937 Wedgewood Lane N • Maple Grove, MN 55369 Phone 763-425-9656 • Fax 763-425-9654 e-mail olearyj@hearthnhome.com www.fireside.com MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Hiring For the Summer?

By Gary Haworth, CPA our kids will soon be out of school, and with your encouragement, will be starting their first summer job by helping you with your business. Like many business owners, my children become part of my staff during the summer. Hopefully your business can help our next generation get their first exposure to what is involved in having a job and the responsibilities that go along with it.

Now is probably a good time to review some of the government rules and regulations related to hiring minors for the summer. (For agricultural jobs, please contact the U.S. Department of Labor for special rules.)

Businesses Owned by Parents that Employ their Own Children If the parent owns 100 percent of the business, the owner’s children can work for the business regardless of their age, number of hours worked or time of day. Children under age 16 CANNOT do hazardous work such as using dangerous equipment (including lawn mowers, etc), work where food is cooked, or work near hazardous or flammable materials.

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Employee Paperwork and Personnel File When it comes to paperwork, a child is treated like any other employee. You need to have a personnel file with all the appropriate paperwork you would have for any employee you hire.

Owners Children under 18 If the parents are the sole owners or partners (not a corporation), wages are exempt from FICA. Income tax withholding is still required, depending on what is claimed on their W-4.

Other Non-owner Children under 18 For payroll tax purposes, treat as any other employee you would hire. Remember, these workers may not perform any hazardous work.

Other Non-owner Children age 14-15 ey are allowed to work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week, June 1-Labor Day if school is not in session. ese limits do not apply to children employed exclusively by their parent.

Other Non-owner Children under age 14 ey cannot be employed unless they work for their parent.

Minimum Wage: As an employer, you are required to pay the minimum wage.

One hundred percent owners hiring only immediate family members are not required to pay the minimum wage.

Exception: If owners regularly employ non-family members, even the family members must be paid at least the minimum wage.

Overtime Pay under Federal Law You are required to pay overtime for all hours physically worked over 40 hours in the work week. When computing the overtime, you do not need to include paid time-off such as holidays or vacation days.

Odds and Ends • Paying part-time and summer help for holidays is optional and not required by Federal law.

• No law requires paid vacation, but if you give paid vacation, some federal and state rules apply.

• Providing health insurance or other benefits to temporary and part-time employees is optional, but if not available, it should be stated in a written benefit plan.

Take the special opportunity to employ a young person this summer, but make sure you do it right! q ________________________________________________ Gary Haworth, CPA, is the owner of Haworth & Company, Ltd., and a member of the Small Business Resource Group, which helps small business owners with their bookkeeping & accounting, payroll, tax preparation and marketing needs. He started his practice over 20 years ago, growing from one person to now more than 30 employees and three locations. He can be reached at ghaworth@haworthco.com.

MEMBER SERVICES | The Scoop

New MNLA Partner: Better Business Solutions (BBS)

LET BBS PAY YOUR MNLA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL* he MNLA Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the MNLA Member Services Committee, has endorsed the company Better Business Solutions to provide negotiating services to MNLA members to help cut your expenses by reducing the profit being made by your current credit card and phone service provider.

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Telecom and merchant services are two of the largest expense areas most businesses and organizations face, yet very few have an Dan Bauman INDEPENDENT representative looking out for their best interests in these expense areas. At BBS, they represent you and negotiate with their vendor partners to maximize your savings. There are NO upfront fees, so there is no risk to you; their fees are generated from the savings they find their clients. It’s a great opportunity to improve your current situation and get a TRUE unbiased opinion. They average 15-65% savings for their clients.

*When an MNLA member becomes a NEW customer of BBS, company Vice Pesident Dan Bauman will give the MNLA member a voucher in the amount of $100 that the member can redeem to MNLA towards their MNLA membership renewal.

Secondly, Dan Bauman will give ANY MNLA member a $50 voucher for each new client referred to BBS who is NOT an MNLA member. This $50 voucher will also be used to renew their MNLA membership.

In the case of a member referring non-MNLA members over the amount of their member renewal fee, they can then apply the amounts to other MNLA services, such as educational programs, advertising, and Green Expo.

"Thank you so much for helping us save on our Telecom and Credit Card Expenses.

I was surprised by how quickly and easily you were able to analyze our bill, show us our savings, and then have our service switched over—all without a hitch.”

- Mark Halla, Owner The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center Chaska, MN q

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Timelines to Remember This Season

By Patrick McGuiness, Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC he busy season is almost in full swing.

In fact, if you are reading this article I am impressed-thank you for reading!

The information which follows could save you a lot of money, or help you collect money which you are owed. Here is a short list of important timeframes to keep in mind as the season continues.

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Patrick McGuiness

Mechanic’s Liens In order to be able to put a lien on a residential property, the owner must have received a “pre-lien notice”. The law is very specific in what the notice must say, and the time frames are strict as well. If you are not a subcontractor and you want to have lien rights, you must provide proper pre-lien notice to the homeowner within 10 days of agreeing to do the work. The best way to do this is by simply making the pre-lien notice a part of the written contract you use.

If you do not get paid for your work, you have 120 days to file a lien on the property from the last date of substantial work. This means the day you finished the project, not the date you last visited the project, or the last date you were there to fix something small that the homeowner complained about, otherwise known as the “punchlist.” Once again, it is important to note that in order to file a mechanic’s lien you must have

now carrying

2582 Long Lake Rd. Roseville, MN 55113

(800)328-9221 www.jrjohnson.com 24

www.MNLA.biz | MAy 2010

given the homeowner the proper pre-lien notice or your lien will not be valid.

I know how busy the season gets and how things can quickly fall by the wayside with the intention of figuring it all out later.

Don’t lose your mechanic’s lien rights just because you kept putting it off until things slowed down. If you install a project in late April, your lien rights will expire in late August, so keep an eye on who owes you money and don’t give up your lien rights even if the homeowner says “the check is in the mail.”

Statute of Limitations for Breach of Contract If you are not paid for the work you did, then the property owner has breached the contract you had with them. A contract can be oral or written, but enforcing a written contract is much easier because it has the specifics of the project on it and hopefully a date too.

If you want to sue a homeowner for breach of contract, you have 6 years from the date of the breach. I know, 6 years seems like a really long time, but every year I am amazed when a client comes into my office and only has a couple of months left before the statute of limitations runs out. Besides, the longer you wait, the less likely you are to get paid. If the homeowner owes you money, chances are that they owe other people money as well. In this situation, the sooner you get in

line to get paid the better. Also, keep in mind that the property owner may say that you didn’t do the work properly, which would constitute an earlier breach of contract than nonpayment would.

Keep these timelines in mind this season as you begin work.

Don’t give up your lien rights simply because you forgot about them! q ________________________________________________ This article provides general legal information on business matters and should not be relied upon as legal advice. A qualified attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given. If you would like more information regarding anything here, please contact Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-206-3203.

Patrick McGuiness is one of the founding partners of Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC. His law practice focuses on assisting contractors & other business owners. He is also part owner of One Call Property Care, LLC a Minneapolis landscaping & property management company. He can be reached at pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com.

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | MINNESOTA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

May and June Classes at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society lasses are sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, but are held at various locations, as noted. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is requested. To register, call 651-643-3601 or 800-676-6747, ext 211.

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Perennials for Sun and Shade Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Location: MSHS Classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Plants have varying light requirements. Sunny and shady areas create different settings for perennials. Gain insight into which hardy perennials work for Minnesota gardens in sunny or shady spots from spring to fall. Perennials in the proper location can bring you many years of enjoyment. Instructor: Shirley Mah Kooyman is a botanist with a specialty in Plant Taxonomy. She worked for 25 years at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Make Your Own Terrarium Wednesday, May 12, 10 a.m. to noon. $38 members, $48 nonmembers. Location: MSHS Classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Mary Beth demonstrates how to make a small 6” terrarium and will then tell you how to care for it. After the demonstration, you will make your own to take home. All materials provided including miniature plants perfect for this project. Instructor: Mary Beth Gullickson has 35 years of experience in horticulture. She is a master designer and has worked at Bachman's for many years.

Make your own Terrarium Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m. to noon. $38 members, $48 nonmembers. Location: The Country Diner Building at the McLeod County Fairgrounds, 840 Century Avenue Southwest, Hutchinson.

Join us for a "make and take" class in Hutchinson. We will be teaming up with the Hutchinson Garden Club to offer this class. Mary Beth demonstrates how to make a small 6” terrarium and will then tell you how to care for it. After the demonstration, you will make your own to take home. All materials provided including miniature plants perfect for this project. Instructor: Mary Beth Gullickson has 35 years of experience in horticulture. She is a master designer and has worked at Bachman's for many years.

Gardening—Herbs and Veggies—How to Plant Pesto Pots and Salsa Pots Saturday, May 15, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free. Minneapolis Farmers Market, 312 East Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis.

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Instructor: Marty Bergland is a lifelong gardener and Master Gardener in Wright County. She is owner of Heirloom House-MN and co-owner of Grow-Harvest-Eat. Creating Colorful Combos—Design Basics and Color Palettes Tuesday, May 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Location: MSHS Classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

It’s an Art AND a Science! Learn the basics of color combo design, take a spin on the color wheel and then ‘Get Moody’ with color. Learn how color can influence ‘the mood’ of a planter or landscape when used individually or in multi-color combinations and take away color combination ideas for your summer garden. Instructor: Heidi Doering has been a horticultural professional for 25 years. She’s worked in a number of positions from sales to greenhouse production over the years. From 2005-2009 she was a Product Manager for Syngenta Flowers.

3 Square Feet of Gardening Saturday, May 22, 10 to 11 a.m. Location: MSHS Classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville. Free with Garden-in-a-Box purchase, preregistration required.

You won't believe what you can get from 3 square feet of gardening. Marty will show you how to get an abundant harvest from your small garden space. Instructor: Marty Bergland is a lifelong gardener and Master Gardener in Wright County. She is owner of Heirloom House-MN and co-owner of Grow-Harvest-Eat. Introducing… New Garden Annuals for 2010 Tuesday, May 25, 7 to 8:30 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Location: MSHS Classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Ready, Set, Go! We’ve all been perusing through garden catalogs over the winter. Now it’s time to discover what new plant varieties you’ll find in the garden center to accent your summer garden planters and landscapes. Heidi has traveled throughout the USA and has discovered which new varieties perform best in Midwest gardens. See the best of the best of new seed and vegetative(cutting) annuals coming to a garden center or home improvement center near you in 2010.

Instructor: Heidi Doering has been a horticultural professional for 25 years. She’s worked in a number of positions from sales to greenhouse production over the years. From 2005-2009 she was a Product Manager for Syngenta Flowers.

Gardening to Attract Butterflies Saturday, June 5, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free. Minneapolis Farmers Market, 312 East Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis.

Your garden of any size can become an inviting butterfly garden if you choose the right flowers. Find out which plants are the best choices for a beautiful flower garden that will be irresistible to butterflies and fun for the whole family. Junior gardeners are encouraged to attend with parents. Instructor: Marty Bergland is a lifelong gardener and Master Gardener in Wright County. She is owner of Heirloom House-MN and coowner of Grow-Harvest-Eat. The Shade Garden Tuesday, June 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Location: MSHS Classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Gardening in the shade can be challenging but rewarding by opening up the possibilities of a new palette of plants to work with. Be adventurous and go beyond begonias and impatiens for your shady area. Learn what works with examples of perennials, annuals, ferns, and woody species. Instructor: Shirley Mah Kooyman is a botanist with a specialty in Plant Taxonomy. She worked for 25 years at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Landscape Design Basics for Homeowners Saturday, June 12, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: University of Minnesota Plant Growth Facility and Greenhouses, 1552 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul. *Deadline for registration: May 28, 2010 Email required for registration.* Price: $99 members, ($175 per member couple); $110 non-members ($195 per non-member couple); price includes a comprehensive course packet, lab materials, and a set of basic landscape design tools.

Got a landscape design project, but don't know where to start? This intensive, 8-hour workshop will help get your design project off the ground! We will focus on the principles and

theory of sustainable landscape design and attendees will learn about site analysis, the design process, concept and draft designs, and plant selection with the goal of learning how to develop design solutions that are functional, maintainable, environmentally sound, cost effective, and visually pleasing.

Attendees will also learn how to develop quality bedlines, mix and match plants based on function and landscape characteristics, how to build flexibility into the design process, and the importance of the relationship between design and implementation. The class will include a series of lecture and discussion periods interspersed with hands-on, in-class exercises that will and allow attendees to put pencil to paper and practice the techniques discussed during the class. NOTE: The Plant Elements of Design plant selection CD developed by the University of Minnesota will be available for purchase for $49.00. The instructors will email students with instructions on how to prepare for the class including collecting a soil sample and completing a site survey and needs assessment questionnaire about your site. Instructors: Julie Weisenhorn, Director, U of MN Master Gardener Program and Extension Educator and Jim Calkins, Horticulturist.

Create a Cast Bird Bath Tuesday, June 15 or June 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $40 for members, $50 for non-members. Location: Muriel Sahlin Arboretum, Roseville Central Park, 2525 North Dale St., Roseville.

Create a beautiful and functional cast bird bath out of cement using a rhubarb, hosta or burdock leaf. All materials included, but be sure to "dress for mess." You will pick up your birdbath after it has dried on Friday June 18th between 1 and 4 p.m. It will be ready for you to paint. You can purchase a rustic stand for your birdbath, and pick it up on Friday. Cost for the stand is $25, and must be paid for at Tuesday’s class.

Instructors: Sally Lehn and Charlie Johnson of "Garden Treasures".

Together they have five years of experience teaching and creating all kinds of treasures for your garden. q

EVERGREEN TREE TRAILER LOAD SPECIAL SPR IN G 2 0 1 0

Buy one semi-trailer load – get 20% off list price.

Trailer load quantity: 120 4ft. B/B, 90 5 ft. B/B, 70 6 ft. B/B or 50 8 ft. B/B Spruces: Black Hills • Meyer • Norway • Colorado • Serbian • Fat Albert Pines: Austrian • Ponderosa • Scotch Orders must consist of at least 70% Black Hills or Colorado Spruce — may fill with any combination of available evergreens off our Farm Direct List at the same discount level.

Check Farm Direct List for complete selection. F.O.B. New Germany, MN

Office: 952-445-4088

Bill’s Cell: 612-282-8434 MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM

Arboretum Gardening School 2010 earn from expert instructors in the Midwest’s largest and most spectacular classroom – the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Through lectures, demonstrations, on-site garden visits and hands-on activities, the Gardening School offers rich opportunities for lifelong learning on a full range of topics for home gardeners, horticultural industry professionals, Master Gardeners, and other interested individuals.

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Classes are held on four consecutive Saturdays, 10 a.m.12:30 p.m. Fee: $30 member / $40 non-member (per class in each series) To register, call 952-443-1422 or visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx.

SESSION 4: PLANTING IN LATE SPRING Vegetable Garden Basics Saturday, June 5; 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $30 member / $40 nonmember. Snyder Classroom 2 Grow your own fresh food. Learn the what, where, when and how about vegetable gardening. Larry Cipolla has been gardening for over 40 years. His 30’ x 50’ garden includes a

wide variety of vegetables. His gardens have been featured in magazines, newspapers and television.

Gardening with Herbs Saturday, June 12; 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $30 member / $40 non-member. Azalea Classroom – this is Oswald Visitor Center Herbs have been used for centuries in many cultures for fragrance, medicine, flavoring food, and garden designs. Learn which annual and perennial herbs are suitable for Minnesota, how to grow them in your garden, sources for purchase, and more. Shirley Mah Kooyman is a botanist, teacher and gardener.

The Moonlight Garden: Creating a Luminous Landscape Saturday, June 19; 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $30 member / $40 non-member. Azalea Classroom – this is Oswald Visitor Center Gain additional appreciation and enjoyment from your garden long after the sun has set. An evening moonlight garden is more than white flowers. Learn how texture, form, color, and variegation of leaves can add a special shimmer to the evening garden and help brighten a dark corner of the garden. Shirley Mah Kooyman is a botanist, teacher and gardener.

Stonescaping: The Building Blocks of Your landscape Saturday, June 26; 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $30 member / $40 non-member. Azalea Classroom – this is Visitor Center Stone is often overused, ill placed, or improperly selected for a particular setting in the home landscape. Learn how to build the ‘skeleton’ of your garden in its many forms, including stone walls and fences to complement the home and garden. Daniel Dix is owner of WoodSpirit Gardens located in Backus, Minnesota.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest and a premier northern arboretum, is part of the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and serves as a community and national resource for horticultural and environmental information, research, and public education. It is located nine miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator. The Arboretum is disability accessible; the buildings and terraces are smoke free. q

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Eligible Models

Down Payment

Maximum Term

A.P.R.

Monthly Payments per $1,000 Borrowed

New Kubota L and M Series Models

$0 10% Down $0 10% Down

60 Months 72 Months 72 Months 84 Months

0.00% 4.49% 4.99% 5.49%

$16.67 $15.87 $16.10 $14.37

2010 LANDSCAPE DESIGN TOUR July 29, 2010 | 8:00am—3:30pm | Minneapolis & St. Paul

Wondering how to design in those tight urban spaces? Join your colleagues to tour eight design sites in the metro area. The stops are sure to inspire and the event will provide great networking opportunities. Bring back ideas to implement in your own designs and share your ideas with your peers!

Tour stops will include (in no particular order): ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Silflow Residence, Roseville—Designed by Energyscapes, Inc. Endres Residence, St. Paul—Designed by Tangletown Gardens, LLC Hoeschler Residence, St. Paul—Maintained by Fleming Design Historic Davern Farmstead, St. Paul—Designed by Tangletown Gardens, LLC Nilles Residence, St. Paul—Designed by Field Outdoor Spaces Bahara Residence, Minneapolis—Designed by Biota—a Landscape Design + Build Firm Sheridan Ave. Residence—Designed by Temenos Garden Services in collaboration with Urban Escapes Baldus Residence—Designed by TerraVista Landscape and Design LLC

More information and site descriptions available online at www.MNLA.biz!

2010 GARDEN CENTER TOUR August 5, 2010 | 9:00am—3:30pm | Inver Grove Heights & Red Wing

Join your colleagues to tour several garden centers in the southeast metro and Red Wing including Gerten’s, Southview Garden Center, Sargent’s Nursery, Inc. and Hallstrom Florist and Greenhouses. The stops are sure to excite horticultural enthusiasts and the event will provide great networking opportunities. Bring back ideas to implement at your own garden center and share your ideas with your peers!

New this year: There will be short sessions and featured speakers at different locations on the tour!

CREDIT MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR THE GREEN INDUSTRY September 28, 2010 | 10:00am—2:00pm | Bailey Nurseries, Inc., Newport

Are you frustrated with not getting paid? Come and learn tips to lending credit and collections! Two local lawyers will be present to discuss your options. Topics will include: ! Using a credit application to help ensure you get paid. ! Determining when to grant customer credit & how to secure your payment and collect when necessary. ! Roundtable discussions: Learn from your peers—what’s working and what’s not!

More details and registration for these and other programs available online at www.MNLA.biz or call 651.633.4987!

Sponsorships are available for these seminars. Call Betsy at 952-903-0505 or e-mail betsy@pierreproductions.com.

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SELF-INSURED WORKERS’ COMPENSATION from The Builders Group Program Highlights: • Aggressive Claims Management to protect your money • Pay exactly what you owe with monthly self-audited billing • Personalized loss control services • Competitive up-front rates • All profits and investment income are returned to the members • TBG has paid 22 dividends from 10 fund years

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• TBG staff and claims adjusters working on behalf of the member • Monthly claims reports on request • Member controlled through experienced Board of Trustees • Ownership - it’s your insurance company (you no longer rent your workers’ compensation insurance)

Contact: Tina Morales TBG Marketing Association Rep. Phone: 651-203-6793 Toll Free: 888-824-3923 Email: tmorales@tbgmn.com

HARDSCAPES | The Scoop

Accurate Bidding Creates Better Closing Ratio

By Dave Klein, Amcon Block and Precast mcon Block & Precast just recently co-sponsored a seminar with Recon Wall Systems to promote and train contractors on products we manufacture and distribute throughout the area. We also brought in Jerry Gaeta from Vander Kooi & Associates, a company I am sure most of you are aware of. Jerry did a great job! e information he presented on bidding formulas and understanding your overhead expenses really engaged those who attended, as well as myself.

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One of his opening comments that I found interesting was that “contractors could consider themselves in a good situation if they had a break even year in 2010.” Imagine that thought - all the hard work we all put into this seasonal business with hope of breaking even! e question he posed to the attendees was, “did any of us know what that break even point was and what bidding formulas are we applying to properly price a project to get to that break even point and hopefully beyond.

His commentary on bidding paralleled some examples I witnessed while conducting the bidding portion of our certification classes during the winter.

It is true that some companies are geared differently than others. Some will be more efficient then others in planting, building walls, patios or you name the service.

During our class we would design and bid a retaining wall that I commonly see in a residential setting. All companies in the room had the exact same material cost to work with. e next step was to allow everybody to have the time to finish the bid. We all shared our final quote numbers and the varied price ranges did not surprise me! It was confirmation of what goes on at actual kitchen tables with owners all the time.

What is also true is that in all of our bidding examples there is not a right or wrong price. If the job is a two day job for your company, then you need to charge for being there for two days and hopefully the professional nature of your sales presentation allows for you to close that job regardless of any price difference the homeowner may get.

e interesting theme in many of these sessions was that the company that had the lowest bid in the room actually had the bid that best represented the scope of work we had laid out as an example and their bid was the lowest because of efficiency and the time frame that they applied to the project. In this example the question was not how could that bid be so cheap? It was how could that other bid be so expensive?

ink about the cost of not getting the projects you quote. Accurate bidding may be a profit center in that it creates a better closing ratio. Hopefully, at this point of the season you already have nailed down what your true overhead expenses are and can accurately apply that to your company’s ability to efficiently complete projects.q ________________________________ Dave Klein is a member of the MNLA Landscape Education Committee and can be reached at DKlein@AmconBlock.com.

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

STORMWATER – GET INVOLVED or BE LEFT BEHIND

By Chuck Klinefelter, Lan-De-Con, Inc. ometimes one has to step up to the plate and President Swanson asked me to do just that. After 20 plus years of non-volunteering for the allimportant MNLA, our state association, our collector of information, the mover and shakers, so on and so forth...I’m back.

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Stormwater management, long-term protection of Minnesota's surface water and groundwater is simply a real thing.

Here are just two quick facts as reported by the U.S. EPA: a report by the National Academy of Sciences found urban stormwater is estimated to be the primary source of impairment for 13 percent of rivers, 18 percent of lakes and

32 percent of estuaries, which are significant numbers given that urban areas cover only 3 percent of land mass in the U.S. Our own DNR under MN Session Laws 2009 Chapter 37 Section 4 Subd. 3 was charged to report by January 15, 2010, and I quote “the commissioner shall submit a report evaluating and recommending options to provide for the long-term protection of the state’s surface water and groundwater resources and the funding of programs to provide the protection."

In the March issue of the Scoop, Tim Power of Law’s Nursery informed you about the high-profile group called the Stormwater Management Task Team (SMTT). I am pleased to let you know that the team made up of various

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industry volunteers has made some significant inroads in just a very short time.

• January 19, 2010, the MNLA Executive Committee creates the Stormwater Management Task Team reporting directly to the Board of Directors for evaluation in one year.

• MNLA secures a voting seat (Mike Kelly and Craig Otto) on the Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) Board that is the key group with the MN Stormwater Steering Committee (which is administered by the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

• Inaugural meeting of the Task Team, the SMTT modified its mission and goals statement – The mission of the

MNLA Stormwater Management Task Team is to help MNLA members operate their businesses more successfully by identifying, promoting and providing education to green industry companies, the public and government officials on environmentally responsible and beneficial stormwater management solutions offered by landscape and plant professionals.

• Robert Race PE, Deltalok USA, agreed to be MNLA’s representative to the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework Domestic Technical Team.

• Patrick McGuiness, One Call Property Care, agreed to monitor the MN Stormwater Steering Committee meetings.

• The team moved to seek a formal proposal to identify and map for use the various government and nonprofit organizations involved in stormwater management issues, their roles and their overlap.

• Tim Oberg, Southview Design, reported on the Super Tuesday education program “An Advanced Discussion of Stormwater Management Methods” and also included a report by the Landscape Education Committee – Creating an Introduction and Overview of Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement (PICP) systems that could be presented to city officials; and is creating an education program for installers that would verify to cities that they had received proper training for PICP installation.

So what does all this boring governmental regulatory crap mean to me? BETTER WATER QUALITY for fishing (my favorite past time), water sports for my grandkids, drinking a full cool glass, and so on… All that we take for granted…Oh yah! There is that thing we all chase...money? It means planting of billions of dollars of plants, installing pervious pavements for

patios and sidewalks, raingardens, rooftop gardens, infiltration basins, collection of rain water for irrigating and the list goes on and on and on. So what can you do? Start by researching on-line and reading what you find, attend many educational seminars and workshops, get involved in your community.

Oh yes, some of you will complain about the cost of educating yourself.

However, after 38 short years in the business, (yes at 61, I am still learning) any and all monies spent have been handsomely rewarded. Some nay-sayers will say that this is not for me. To you I say: “DON’T COMPLAIN WHEN YOU’RE LEFT BEHIND." Stay tuned, more to come. q ________________________________ Chuck Klinefelter is the chair of the Stormwater Management Task Team and can be reached at Chuck.Klinefelter@LanDe-Con.com.

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

A Grassroots Grows Results Success Story

MNLA Positioned to Share Importance of Pavers, Plants and More

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director ne of the key groups within the state’s Stormwater Steering Committee is the Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) Board.

Future approaches to stormwater management will be tremendously impacted by the decisions that will be made over the next several years by the MIDS Board. MIDS is focused on:

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• A higher clean water performance goal for new development and redevelopment that will provide enhanced protection for Minnesota’s water resources.

• New modeling methods and credit calculations that will standardize the use of a range of “innovative” structural and nonstructural stormwater techniques.

• A credits system and ordinance package that will allow for increased flexibility and a streamlined approach to regulatory programs for developers and communities.

Our industry can play a vital role in these stormwater management approaches through techniques such as properly designed/installed/maintained rain gardens, vegetative swales, trees, sediment ponds, green roofs, irrigation, permeable interlocking pavement systems, and other landscape products and features. Not only can MNLA members play a positive role to impact the environment, but members also 36

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stand to enter a new frontier of potential business opportunities.

In January, MNLA discovered that the seats on the MIDS Board were about to be finalized – but there was no representation in the works for our industry. With the important role plants, hardscape products and landscape design/installation will play in the future of managing stormwater, MNLA believed it was vital to take part in these discussions.

Your MNLA team jumped into action.

I called our two government affairs consultants, Doug Carnival and John Boland, both of whom have excellent contacts within the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the state organization that oversees the Stormwater Steering Committee and MIDS. Anne Gelbmann with the PCA responded to those calls by calling her volunteer leadership to see what their opinion was of MNLA. MIDS Board Vice Chair Jay Riggs gave a thumbs up to listening to our case because of the years of interaction he’d had with MNLA Past President Tim Power, Law’s Nursery Inc., who had been active for years serving his local watershed district.

Because of the credibility John and Doug had built up over the years with the agency and because of the credibility Tim had with Vice Chair Riggs, PCA staff picked up the phone to call me, even though the MIDS Board was within 24 hours of finalizing its selections. I was able to secure an audience with the MIDS Board for the following morning.

I explained to the group how our members were intimately involved with the daily implementation of controlling

runoff and the importance MNLA was placing on the topic with the formation of our new Stormwater Management Task Team (see pages 34-35). ey were concerned that we’d have the right people to take part in the board, since it would be highly technical, dealing with water infiltration calculations and the like.

I replied that our representative would be Mike Kelly of TerraMax, an agronomist and soil scientist, who has years of experience across the country and around the world with systems that collect water. “Oh, I know Mike from his years with Rehbein,” said a member of the selection group. “Yes, he would be great,” said another. ey asked if we had an alternate in mind to back up Mike. Indeed, Craig Otto, an irrigation system designer/consultant and water management professional with Water in Motion who has been an instructor across the country, was the next name I offered. e MIDS Board chair knew the excellent reputation of Craig and his employer, Tim Malooly. e selection group forwarded Mike and Craig’s names to the full Stormwater Steering Committee who approved them and a voting seat for MNLA that afternoon. e confluence of staff action + contacts and credibility of our government affairs consultants + contracts and credibility of our member-volunteer-experts yielded a story of success for your interests. q

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | The Scoop

What Have You Done For Yourself Recently?

By Jack Mackenzie, North Oaks Golf Club s a youth, the only exposure to the legislative process was on Saturday mornings catching Schoolhouse Rock and the cartoon I’m Just A Bill (between the Bugs Bunny Show and All Star Wrestling). During the past decade, as I observed our Constitutional rights being twisted and interpreted in a variety of ways, an epiphany of sorts drove me to respond. Nothing was going to satisfy my growing concerns without direct personal involvement. And what if, just what if, my individual contribution could make a difference.

To that end, I followed developing legislation, wrote my state and national representatives, participated in rallies at the State Capitol, and joined professional organizations that were like minded such as the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, and appreciated that vocal individuals and industries can make a difference. During the process, I learned that most of our legislators are very interested in my professional and personal view point. And it was impressed upon me that they need help to craft laws good for individuals and business.

A bill begins as an idea proposed to a representative by one or several of their constituents, and if articulated well, will be acted upon in one form or another.

Unfortunately, often the initiative is onesided and intended to benefit the individual or group who proposed it.

Without balanced discussion from all who may be impacted, the rush to pass a seemingly innocuous bill can lead to unintended consequences. However, if the representative doesn’t know who represents the alternative view, how can they be blamed for promoting a seemingly logical idea?

If we really give a damn about future legislation, we as individuals and organized professionals must introduce and reintroduce ourselves if we want to

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be heard, or even more importantly, invited to partner with representatives to create healthy legislation for all those impacted. For that reason alone, I joined the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. As you are aware, the MNLA is well organized, professionally represented and articulate But of most importance to me, they are respected and looked upon as green industry partners to be consulted and listened to when issues arise.

Recently, I had a chat with a friend about legislative actions I had taken on my personal behalf as well as the agenda put forth by the MNLA through the Government Affairs Committee. After describing the proactive stance the MNLA embraces through retaining two professional lobbyists, John Boland and Doug Carnival, organizing the annual Day on the Hill, the Lighthouse program and GAC meetings throughout the year

he stated quite boldly, “Yeah, but what have you done for me recently?”

As an active Tea Party participant (here I must interject that I don’t care who gets into office, just so they represent me honestly, apply their position according to the Constitution, limit themselves to two terms and appreciate that their ‘real’ job is to provide stability for my family), my face stung from the quick slap! “For you my inactive friend I have done nothing as I am a selfish cad really out just for my own benefit. Thus, I am and I will remain active to be called upon to preserve my rights as an individual and as a partner in the green industry. My question for you; what have you done for yourself recently?” q ________________________________ Jack Mackenzie is a member of the MNLA Government Affairs Committee and can be reached at jmackenzie426@msn.com.

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

A Grassroots Grows Results Success Story

After Being Surprised, MNLA Opens Legislators’ Eyes

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director

Malooly of Irrigation by Design. A series of actions turned the tide in our favor:

he Minnesota Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Division and the state’s nursery industry were surprised in March with proposed budget cuts that could have caused a federal quarantine on nursery stock exports.

 Emails were sent from several dozen MNLA businesses to members of the Senate Ag Committee and the House-Senate Conference Committee that would reconcile the two versions of the ag finance bill.  Personal visits to members of the Conference Committee and the Ag Committees were made by Boland and MNLA’s other government affairs consultant Doug Carnival.  Power and Boland attended several key conference committee hearings to represent our concerns.  Malooly asked Government Affairs Committee members Bill Sayward, Jennifer Wilson, Scott Frampton, Van Cooley, Jack MacKenzie, and Jeff Pilla to call the MNLA members who were in the districts of key legislative leaders to make sure the members followed through on the legislative alert.  MNLA President Bert Swanson contacted the office of Gov. Tim Pawlenty.  MNLA alerted Minnesota Forest Industries (MFI), e Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association and others to the seriousness of the situation. Lobbyists

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e Minnesota House Agriculture, Rural Economies & Veterans Affairs Committee approved a budget bill that would have cut a large portion of the invasive species program at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. e state funding in this section is used to leverage $1.5 million in federal funding for MDA’s participation in the Gypsy Moth Slow-e-Spread Program, which provides for ongoing monitoring and fast response to pest outbreaks.

Without this program, Minnesota nursery stock, Christmas trees and timber would very likely quickly be quarantined for Gypsy moth (see story on page 39). Gypsy moth’s establishment in Minnesota would also cause defoliation of large sections of forest, impacting tourism along the North Shore.

During the week of March 22nd, MNLA’s Grassroots Grows Results Team went into action led by lobbyist John Boland, Past President Tim Power of Law’s Nursery, and Government Affairs Committee Chair Tim 38

"Our staff and government affairs consultants were instrumental in our effort."

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for MFI and TNC coordinated with Boland and their efforts proved extremely valuable.  MNLA ensured that our messages were in sync with MDA via ongoing communication with Plant Protection Division Director Geir Friisoe. MDA Assistant Commissioner Joe Martin was instrumental in turning around this potentially negative situation.

By the end of the week, the crisis was resolved. While a budget cut was made (as most programs are being cut this year), the bulk of the funding and the program remained at MDA. For nursery growers that export product, MNLA’s involvement saved individual companies thousands – even tens of thousands – of dollars.

“Our staff and government affairs consultants were instrumental in our effort; and a volunteer like Tim Power is priceless,” said Tim Malooly, chair of the MNLA Government Affairs Committee.

“But the real heroes are the MNLA members who took the time from their spring business preparations to follow through with messages to key legislators. e delivery of these grassroots messages produced the results we needed.

Legislators listen to voters.” q

"e real heroes are the MNLA members who followed through with messages to key legislators.

Legislators listen to voters."

The Scoop | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Where Do “Invasives” Belong?

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director oth the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources play roles in administrating programs related to invasive species. e National Invasive Species Information Center defines "invasive species" as a species that is non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive species can be plants, animals, and other organisms (e.g., fungi or bacteria). Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions.

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In Minnesota, because DNR has a higher profile among citizens and lawmakers than does MDA, when issues like EAB, Gypsy moth, buckthorn and the like arise, the first response of many is that it is DNR’s bailiwick.

Bright lines between agencies are not always possible. Just like various programs affecting surface/ground/drinking water cross agency lines – DNR, MDH, BWSR, MDA, PCA – so do invasive species programs cross lines at MDA and DNR. Both agencies are committed to responsibly implementing their roles. e DNR also has sole responsibility for exclusion and management of aquatic invasive species.

MNLA is concerned that the confusion over invasive species and the desire of some lawmakers to move everything “treerelated” to DNR could have unintended negative consequences for the Nursery Inspection Program, which has always been housed at state’s Department of Agriculture, as it is in nearly every other state. A strong, healthy Nursery Inspection Program is vital to the interstate trade of nursery stock. q

But it’s not that simple.

In the situation described in the article on page 38, MDA has been involved because some of those specific invasive species have been pests affecting agricultural crops for decades, or with the potential to negatively impact ag crops now. MDA works with U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) and County Agricultural Inspectors because those pests frequently directly impact traditional farms in cases like soybean cyst nematode or musk thistle; or specialty crop ag operations like nurseries, Christmas tree farms, and timber production in cases like EAB and gypsy moth. In fact, at the federal level, the National Invasive Species Information Center is housed at USDA. If a Gypsy moth quarantine went into effect, Minnesota nursery stock, Christmas trees and timber would very likely be faced with a statewide federal quarantine and exports would be saddled with additional inspection and/or treatments and delays in shipping. Growers would bear these costs, which could total in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars for nurseries exporting plant material. While the day is likely to come when Minnesota will be quarantined, the longer we stave it off, the more money growers will save.

MDA has the regulatory role for initial exclusion and eradication of all exotic plant pests be they agricultural, horticultural, forest or other. DNR has overall responsibility for managing state lands and providing expertise to assist landowners with established pests such as forest tent caterpillar. is is a relationship that has worked very well for many years.

It is a wheel that is not broken. MNLA believes that transferring Gypsy moth and EAB to DNR will create far more problems and difficulties then it will solve.

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Ups and Downs at the Legislature

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director fter many years where the association has had a lot of focus on landscape and irrigation contractor issues, MNLA certainly got back to its roots this year at the Minnesota Legislature. Tree-related issues have dominated our efforts in 2010.

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Going into the session, MNLA’s #1 issue was to secure funding for a statemunicipal cost-share program for the removal and replacement of diseased or infested trees. At the height of the Dutch elm crisis in the 1970s and 1980s, the state funded up to $30 million annually to replace trees. While still in statute, funding for the program has been largely dormant in recent years. e arrival of emerald ash borer to the

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state gave impetus to pursing the funding again.

While there were several potential funding avenues (general fund, LCCMR, or Legacy funds), legislators leading the charge such as Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, Rep. Diane Loeffler, DFL-Minneapolis, and Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, as well as Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, successfully pursued monies in the state bonding bill. e bonding bill signed into law included $3 million to remove and replace diseased or infested shade trees on public lands. Monies will be distributed by the DNR as part of a costshare program with municipalities.

MNLA did try to fix technical language glitches in the bill related to native species and disbursement procedures, but unfortunately the behind-closed-doors negotiators weren’t listening well enough to us. Hopefully these glitches won’t hinder timely and

effective implementation. MNLA will stay in touch with DNR to advocate for flexible interpretation of the language in question. e downside of MNLA’s session was the misunderstood proposal by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and MNLA to identify a new professional level of the state’s tree care registry. e proposal got caught in misinformation that it was designed as a “fencing” mechanism, as well as a movement to purge MDA of programs that aren’t “cows, sows, or plows.”

MNLA made the difficult decision to pull the bill rather than risk it being mangled in the Ag Committees or elsewhere. At this time, it is expected that MDA and MNLA will work together to re-introduce the concept in 2011. Now that various issues and opposition have been flushed out, we will be able to take a better run at it. anks to Rep. Rick Hansen, Rep. Denny McNamara, and Sen. Dan Skogen for their help with this bill. q

The Scoop | DC UPDATE

USDA Subsidy Program Threatens Industry's Mulch and Bark Supply ese articles are provided by MNLA and ANLA as a Lighthouse Program partner benefit. assed as part of the 2007 Farm Bill, the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) was created to stimulate the production of agricultural crops for the purposes of creating new, renewable sources of energy. Originally designed with switchgrass and other commodities in mind, the eligibility of woody forest by-products was later included as eligible materials under the BCAP program. e idea was to allow small forest owners to remove stumps from forest products and to provide forest slashings for the purpose of creating wood pellets and woody biomass.

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MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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Unfortunately, the confluence of unintended consequences, the lack of the technology and materials necessary to collect these stumps and woody remnants, and a soft market for forest products and by-products has put the current wood fiber market at risk. e ability to grow new crops in a short period of time has made the BCAP program become reliant on the current wood fiber market to meet these far-reaching renewable energy goals.

When the USDA issued a Notice of Available Funding for the BCAP program late last year, $500 million was made available to subsidize the purchase of materials like pine bark and hardwood/softwood chips used in the production of mulch.

While 46% of the current wood fiber market already goes toward fuel and biomass, USDA will be offering a subsidy of up to $45 per bone dry ton of these materials. As a result, suppliers in the Southeastern U.S. have notified growers that these materials will be withheld from the market until a determination can be made regarding eligibility at this heavily subsidized price.

Upon realizing that the BCAP program was having some significant unintended consequences on existing markets, USDA froze the program and issued a new proposed rule for the BCAP program. While there is language included regarding the exclusion of "high value products" in mature markets for things such as wood fiber, there is concern that these high value products are ill-defined. Further, it is feared that USDA will lack the resources to enforce how these products are defined by suppliers of wood fiber materials.

ANLA is currently collecting information on how price increases and the unavailability of these materials would affect wholesale and retail growers, independent garden centers and landscape operations. Lighthouse Partners are encouraged to direct their members to participate in a survey, and to utilize the BCAP resource page at ANLA.com to submit comments on the USDA's proposed rule for implementation of the program. e links are below: BCAP Survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BCAP_Survey ANLA BCAP Resource Page: http://anla.org/index.cfm?area=&page=Content&CategoryID=277. q

Green for Life 2010: Planting Trees at Schools On September 16, 2010, MNLA members will seek to educate students and the public about the environmental benefits of trees, plants and other healthy components of a quality outdoor living environment through planting events at schools in member’s local communities. Sign up today at MNLA.biz!

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | PUBLIC RELATIONS

New York Mill's Fifth-Grader Selected as Minnesota’s Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner eather Weller, a ďŹ fth-grade student at New York Mill's Elementary School in New York Mills, was selected as Minnesota’s state winner in the 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest (pictured on the cover of this month's Scoop). î “e competition is coordinated at the local level by the MNLA and sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

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To celebrate Heather's winning poster, an oďŹƒcial tree planting ceremony will be conducted at New York Mill's Elementary School this spring.

2nd Place Winner

In September, all Minnesota elementary schools were provided with a tree activities guide and information about the poster contest. Fifth-graders were invited to create posters reecting this year’s theme, “Trees are terriďŹ c‌And Energy Wise!â€? Over 120 students from schools 3rd Place Winne r throughout Minnesota participated in the 2010 competition. Ryan Fussy, Royalton Elementary School in Royalton, received second place. î “ird place honors went to Lauren Tritch, of St. Hubert School in Chanhassen.

Watch for the top three posters to be included in the 2010 MNLA State Fair Display!

OutdoorLiving Catalogs

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www.MNLA.biz | MAy 2010

The Scoop | NURSERY MANAGEMENT

Business Wastes: Excess Inventory #3 in a Series by Craig Chilstrom, Prairie Edge Nursery dentifying wastes in your business is the next step in creating a lean business model. The wastes I will be covering in a series of articles are Overproduction, Excess Inventory, Craig Chilstrom Excess Motion, Transportation, Defective Products, Over Processing, Waiting, and Under Utilized People. As you start working on eliminating or reducing wastes in your organization, you will see how one waste can lead you to finding additional areas of waste. As you improve one area, other areas of opportunity become visible.

This is why creating a “lean”

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organization is really a continuous improvement process.

For some organizations, excess inventory will provide the most opportunity for improvement, while another organization will realize the best return on investment by scrutinizing transportation or some other area of waste.

My suggestion is to start working on what you view as the most visible and easiest area to improve. The key is to start somewhere and as you become more familiar with the process, continue to work on the areas that you will obtain the most return on any investments you may make.

Avoid making the mistake of thinking that a new piece of equipment is the only answer. Concentrate on making improvements to “how you do things”

and “how to make the best use of what you currently have.”

Excess Inventory One goal of a lean organization is to match as closely as possible the income from the sale of a product, to the expense of obtaining or manufacturing the product.

Excess inventory ties up cash. By reducing the time between the expense and income, you are improving the cash flow in your business. Improving the cash flow can allow you to expand into new markets, or in a tough economy like we are facing today, may make the difference between your business surviving or failing.

There are significant expenses incurred with maintaining excess inventory.

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9:18 PM

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MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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Continued from page 45

• There are costs associated with the space required to maintain inventory. You may be able to offer additional choices in the same space by reducing the quantity of each item offered. You may be able to avoid the cost of acquiring and maintaining additional space.

• There are costs associated with maintaining the actual inventory. In the case of green goods this cost is very high. You cannot put a plant on a shelf and let it collect dust. It must be maintained in optimum health.

• Employee costs to maintain and track inventory can be significant.

• Financing costs may be hidden relative to inventory, but they are real and must be accounted for.

There are also risks associated with excess inventory.

• Inventory may decrease in value while you hold it.

• Not having the correct item in inventory to fill a customer’s need is

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a risk associated with having excess inventory of another item.

• Inventory “shrinkage” is a real factor in the green industry. This can be significant with plants and growing media, as well as the deterioration and outdating of hardgoods.

• Excess inventory can create, whether real or perceived, clutter which may make your presentation unappealing to customers.

Just in Time (JIT) delivery has been around for a long time and could be instrumental in reducing excess inventory. In order for this to work, there must be a good inventory control system in place to assure that you have the right products your customers want in the quantities desired and at the right time. If you do not have a reliable system, you will lose sales. There will be additional costs for this service. Delivery costs will increase due to more frequent deliveries. There may be increased unit costs due to the need to process smaller volumes.

Over production, which will be a topic of discussion in a separate article, is

a significant contributor to excess inventory. It is a difficult waste to manage in the green industry. If you produce or create any product, examine the process and determine how to more closely match the creation of the product with the sale of the product.

In a traditional manufacturing environment, the area of excess inventory is where the most savings can be realized.

In order to make the small batch, or one piece, economical to create, you must remove all waste from the process. Use your people to come up with solutions.

They may have an answer for your operation that you may never have thought of.

If you calculate the true costs to your business of maintaining excess inventory, you will discover significant cost savings associated with inventory reduction.

Each situation is unique. You must look at each situation, calculate your costs and determine which option is the best one for your business. q ________________________________ Craig Chilstrom is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at cchilstr@Wildbluecoop.com.

MEMBER SERVICES | The Scoop

New Information on Payroll Tax Exemption ecently, President Obama signed the HIRE Act into law. is law will exempt a business from paying the employer portion of a newly hired employee’s Social Security tax. An employer may claim this credit if several criteria are met.

• e employee must have been unemployed for 60 days • e employee must have been hired after February 3, 2010, but before January 1, 2011 • e employee cannot be used to replace another employee unless the previous employee was separated from employment voluntarily or for cause • e employee cannot be a family member of the business owner

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is credit can be claimed for qualified employers on the second quarter form 941.

A business tax credit can be claimed if the employee stays on the payroll for at least one year and have the last 26 weeks worth of wages be equal to no less than 80% of the first 26 weeks worth of wages. e additional credit is for $1000 or 6.2% of the Social Security tax, whichever is less.

To learn more, contact your payroll specialist. Consider contacting MNLA’s preferred partner for payroll services, Paychex. For more information please contact, Zack Tverstol, at ztverstol@paychex.com or 612-4081754. More information about online calculators, the latest updates, and other government legislation can be found at www.paychex.com/hireact/. q

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Contact our agency about our “Super Outstanding Service” today—we’ll work hard to exceed your expectations!

We have coverage for growing stock!

Tom Stuewe, CIC 952/556-4864 t.stuewe@casualty-assurance.com

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | SAFETY

Roadcheck Set for June 8-10: Are Your Vehicles Ready? oadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world, with approximately 14 trucks or buses being inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during a 72hour period in early June. Each year, approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial and federal inspectors at 1,500 locations across North America perform the truck and bus inspections. Roadcheck is one of a series of activities that occur year round whereby CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, driver and cargo safety and security. (Source: e Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance -www.cvsa.org/programs/int_roadcheck.aspx) Dates: June 8-10, 2010 Facts: Last year (2009) over 70,000 vehicles were inspected, of those nearly 20% were placed out of service for mechanical problems.

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Make sure you’re in compliance! q

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MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | PUBLICATIONS

High-Quality Content for Your Customers, Part 2

By Jon Horsman, MNLA Communications Director

he Publications Committee helped MNLA take a major step forward this year in providing excellent informational content to consumers. ey are now writing for all the GardenMinnesota branded publications: website, magazine, and eNews. For a quick sample of their work, check out the blogs on GardenMinnesota.com, or click the link on the home page to the online version of Garden Minnesota Yearbook.

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Have you heard about “Tips & Clips”?

GardenMinnesota.com Tips & Clips is a monthly eNews produced for direct delivery to consumers. Each issue features tips and tasks for the next month, and articles that will inform and inspire your clients. Over 5,000 people have subscribed to this well-written “opt-in only” eNews, and anyone can sign up for free.

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Oftentimes, consumers implicitly trust information that comes through a non-profit organization like MNLA. It always helps when you feel you are getting unbiased information. If your company doesn’t yet send an eNews to your customers, a simple way to become a trusted resource for great information is by connecting them to Tips & Clips.

Direct them to GardenMinnesota.com, or you could even place this graphic on your website. Email jon@MNLA.biz if you’d like a graphic sized to your specification and/or the signup link for your web page. q ________________________________________________ Jon Horsman is the Communications Director at MNLA and can be reached at jon@MNLA.biz or 651-633-4987.

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Visit www.mulchstoremn.com to view all products!

The Scoop | SUPPLIER PROFILE

Just-In-Time Delivery a Growing Trend Company Name: Plaisted Companies, Inc. Website address: www.plaistedcompanies.com Year company was founded: 1990 Key people at company (owners, managers, sales reps): • Todd Plaisted, President • Mark Duitsman, Chief Operating Officer • Kerry Glader, Sales Manager • Sales reps: Andy Anderson, Brad Behrns, Bruce Dalchow, Steve Young Business location and areas served: Elk River, Minnesota serving the upper 5-state region.

soil products, engineered soils, sand and gravel, Precast products and landscape hardgoods.

Is there a product or service you’ve recently introduced that you’re particularly proud of? We are very proud of our sales staff and their ability to work with the customer to develop custom engineered soils or to recommend existing soil mixes that will meet their specific requirement, all which can be verified by independent testing labs. As the preferred supplier of soils for the new Minnesota Twins stadium in Minneapolis, we were able to take specific specifications and meet them consistently.

Ways your company is involved with MNLA or other industry/community organizations:: Plaisted Companies is a member and proud supporter of organizations that support the horticultural, golf and athletic sports markets.

We support the MNLA, Minnesota Golf Course Superintendent’s Association and Minnesota America Society of Landscape Architects and many other organizations too numerous to list; refer to www.plaistedcompanies.com for more detail. We have exhibited each year at the Northern Green Expo and advertise regularly in publications that support these markets.

What do you think the future holds for the segment(s) of the industry that you serve? Just-In-Time delivery continues to be a growing trend. This allows the customers in the horticultural and grower markets to better utilize large areas of retail space by not needing to stockpile materials.

Description of company and its products/services: Plaisted Companies is a specialty soil company providing high quality sands, soils, and horticultural materials. We have been leading the “green” movement by supplying the five-state area with rooftop garden soils, rain garden mixes, and CUStructural Tree Soil for more than 10 years. We recycle yard waste, we compost pine bark and recycle concrete that previously ended up in landfills. Our major product lines include: horticultural and peat products, golf and athletic field

In what ways has MNLA helped you and your business? MNLA has provided a platform for Plaisted Companies to acquaint landscapers and the growers industry in general, with our new and more than 200 existing products.

We think the hands-on experience at the Northern Green Expo and consistent message in the Scoop magazine help maintain our message to our customer. We have utilized the MNLA mailing labels to send out targeted information with great success as well. q

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!

SHOOTOUT

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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KEEP THEM COMING BACK! YARD AND GARDEN PLANNER Give your customers a place to start when they are planning a do-it-yourself landscape project.

They can use the grid contained in this publication to make an outline of their property prior to visiting the garden center. They can then return to the garden center and pick out all the plants they need to fill in their property.

PLANTING & CARE GUIDE This pocket-sized brochure will help your customers understand proper site selection and preparation for their newly purchased tree or shrub.

It will also teach them how to care for the plant once it is in the ground.

Educate your customers with this handy owner’s manual and they will become repeat customers!

Order yours online today at MNLA.biz, or contact Sue at 651-633-4987 for more information.

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www.MNLA.biz | MAy 2010

LEADERSHIP PROFILE | The Scoop

Nothing Better Than Springtime in the Nursery Industry Name: Samuel R. Drahn Company Name: Bailey Nurseries, Inc. Positions at Company: Research & Development Director Company description and your duties: Bailey Nurseries, Inc. is a wholesale Lilly, Cami, Sam and Maggie nursery headquartered in Newport. Diverse product offerings include: bareroot trees and shrubs, containerized trees, shrubs and perennials and traditional annual crops. Operations exist in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Oregon and Washington. My role within the organization is to seek out new ideas and technologies that can help improve our products and the processes along the way.

Family and background: Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, before moving to the Twin Cities to attend the University of Minnesota. I graduated in 2007 with a degree in environmental design and a minor in horticulture. Currently, I live in Saint Paul with my wife and two daughters, 1 and 4.

Years in green industry: Two at a retail garden center in high school, three as a member of the grounds crew at the University of Minnesota in college and almost 13 here at Bailey Nurseries Inc. I won’t even begin to tell you about all the shoveling, mowing and raking I did for money as a kid.

Years at current company: 13 in September.

Current MNLA position: Chair of the Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers Committee (formerly the Commercial Flower Growers Committee).

Current and past MNLA committees/volunteer activities: Have been a speaker, moderator and room helper at the Northern Green Expo. This is my third year on the Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers Committtee.

Why do you volunteer your time to MNLA? To meet and remain connected to the people within industry. It is a great place to seek and share ideas relevant to my job.

What part of the green industry do you find most difficult / challenging / disappointing? The seasonality of growing and selling and the windows in which we try to do everything at the same time can be challenging. With that said, there is nothing better than springtime in the nursery industry!

What’s the best part of working in the green industry?

Being outdoors and working with something that is always changing.

I absolutely love the process of growing plants and figuring out solutions to the different challenges that come our way. My job is a constant learning experience and I find it very rewarding. q MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | PLANT OF THE MONTH

Wild Quinine

By Rick Riemer, Dundee Nursery & Landscaping Co. know many of us anticipate acquiring and planting the newest and greatest perennials each year, but we often tend to overlook good plants that have been available for years. Wild Quinine, or Parthinium integrifolium, is one of those overlooked plants.

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Wild Quinine is a native perennial that grows in most states east of a line running from Minnesota to Texas. It is found in heavy, but dry soils in prairies and rocky woods.

Wild Quinine has many reported medicinal qualities, but it's most well known quality dates back to World War I. Quinine, an anti-malarial drug became in short supply as its source, the bark of the Cinchonal tree, became unavailable.

Wild Quinine was used as a substitute.

I don’t grow Wild Quinine for its anti-malarial properties, however. I grow

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it for its ornamental qualities. Wild Quinine is a coarse textured perennial that grows three to four feet tall. It has small white flowers that are arranged in wide, flat clusters at the top of the plant.

The bloom period is very long, lasting from June into September. Wild Quinine grows best in full sun, and is very adaptable to soil type, as long as it is well drained. It is not prone to any insects or diseases, and is deer resistant.

Plant of the Month Wild Quinine combines well with any number of perennials. A combination that I’m fond of is Liatris or Purple Coneflower, with Wild Quinine. With white flowers that combine with anything, long bloom period, and ease of culture, I believe Wild Quinine should be used more often. q ________________________________ Rick Riemer is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at nursery.dundee@embarqmail.com.

CLASSIFIED FOR SALE Dansplants.com your one stop source for great container grown nursery stock from Northland Farms, Alta, Kraemer's, Stockdale, Barr Evergreen and Van Meter Nurseries. dflotterud@aol.com, P:612-867-5728 or F:888-396-8733

651-633-4987 Executive Director Bob Fitch • bob@mnla.biz Membership Director & Trade Show Manager Mary Dunn • mary@mnla.biz Education & Industry Advancement Director Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz Communications Director Jon Horsman • jon@mnla.biz Executive Assistant Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Accountant Norman Liston • norman@mnla.biz Receptionist Jessica Pratt • jessica@mnla.biz Advertising & Sponsorship Sales Pierre Productions & Promotions 952-903-0505 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Manager, betsy@pierreproductions.com Erica Nelson, Advertising Sales, erica@pierreproductions.com Government Affairs Consultant Boland & Associates John Boland, Legislative Affairs McGrann, Shea, Carnival, Straughn & Lamb Doug Carnival, Regulatory Affairs

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Over 2,000 industry professionals receive THE SCOOP each month. Put your message in their hands!

Display ad as low as $190.

Classifieds $3 per word ($30 min). Call Betsy today 952-903-0505 ext 1 or betsy@pierreproductions.com

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In addition to association activities, the MNLA staff provides management for:

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Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association 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.GardenMinnesota.com www.TheLandLovers.org www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

Order forms or links for many of the services listed below can be found at www.mnla.biz Companies endorsed by MNLA:

BBS – Better Business Solutions 651-330-9804 877-272-0741 (Toll Free) Business Legal Services (Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC) 651-331-6500 Business Succession (AgStar) 507-386-4620 Credit Card Processing (Approval Payment Solutions) 763-521-7851 Fuel Discount Card (Speedway/SA/Marathon) 651-454-7776 ext. 203 Fuel Savings (Holiday Stationstores) 952-830-8889 Horticultural Books (MN State Horticultural Society) 651-643-3601 Small Business Resource Group 651-783-5754 Workers Compensation Insurance (The Builders Group) 651-203-6793 Contact the MNLA office at mnla@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987 or toll-free 888-886-6652 for information on the following products or services.

Catalogs/Outdoor Living publication series Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge Fleet Program Educational Programs/MNLA Academy Employee Recruiting/ Greenworks On-Line Job Board Employee Training Manuals (PLANET) Garden Center Plant Posters Garden Center Carryout Trays Irrigation References. (“industry references” at www.mnla.biz.)

Northern Green Expo Trade Show Booths MNLA Certified Professional manuals, exam Sales Tax Rules / Nursery-GreenhouseLandscape (“industry references” at www.mnla.biz.)

Spanish Pocket Reference Guide

MAy 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

“More Than a Name Change”

By Joe Schaffer, Minnesota Native Landscapes s you may have heard, we have changed our committee name to “Sustainable Environment Committee.”

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After more than 10 years as the “Environmental Concerns Committee” we have been charged with not producing enough tangible results, and have been urged to refresh our plan of attack, or be dissolved. The committee has decided to forge on and look closely at how we can positively impact the MNLA members we serve. With the name change comes a whole new mission statement and a fresh set of goals. Our new mission statement reads “The Sustainable Environment Committee helps MNLA businesses operate more

successfully by educating members and their clients/customers about sustainability and the environment. The purpose of this education is to promote understanding of our collective impact on the environment, to inspire a move toward sustainable solutions, and to generate opportunities for MNLA member companies.”

It seems kind of crazy that a committee like this that serves the industry we are in could struggle to find projects that produce tangible results for our members, but the fact is, it is. A lot of “sustainable” practices, whether it be in the way we run our business, the kind of equipment we use or even the plant materials we choose to use on our projects tend to seem less cost efficient than the “easier” or more traditional ways. This is sometimes true and

problematic, but there are increasingly more and more sustainable things we can do at traditional costs, or in some cases, even cheaper than what we are used to paying for things.

The “sustainable” world is a swiftly moving one, with new ideas that come about regularly. Our committee will do our best to identify these things, and more importantly, try to relay them to you, the members we serve, in a practical manner. At the same time we also look to you for good ideas that we can convey to other members of our association. We intend to make these types of ideas available to the association members via an online resource guide for sustainable practices that we can all implement to help us do business better, while also protecting the living environment that we have to live in.

Our committee will try to bring these things to the forefront for the association, and remember; we are always open to hearing about any “sustainable” ideas we can promote to all members.

Good luck to everyone with the upcoming season! q ________________________________ Joe Schaffer is a member of the MNLA Sustainable Environment Committee and can be reached at joe@mnlacorp.com.

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