The Growing Concern February 2022

Growing Concern

The

F EBRUAR Y 2 0 2 2

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E O H I O L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

Foreman Training

March 9, 2022 (NE Ohio) & March 10, 2022 (Central Ohio) / PAGE 7

OLA Special Event

April 7, 2022 / Grange Audubon Center (Columbus, Ohio) / PAGE 16

Spring Training

April 12, 2022 / Secrest Arboretum Education Center (Wooster, Ohio) / PAGE 17

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

BRIAN MAURER, LIC Brian-Kyles

DEVELOPING YOUR BENCH Anyone who’s met me understands my passion for continuing education. I carry this passion into my organization, providing each member of my team with the opportunities they need to succeed in their career. In my opinion, the more opportunities I provide, the better chance that individual has to not only advance within my organization (or personally), but to make more money. Each employee who joins our organization gets the same opportunity as the other. We piggyback off the OLA, and other organizations, in utilizing their educational offerings to better our employees.

Let me paint a picture for you. At BrianKyles, we will bring someone into our organization and within his or her first 90 days of employment, they will have attended a minimum of three internal company training programs and most likely be scheduled for an external training hosted by the OLA, NALP, or SIMA. Within their first year, they will have attended

two OLA clinics, participated in our SIMA ASM training, and be in the process of getting their Landscape Industry Certification. Why do I do this? I do it because I want to see everyone who works for me succeed. If they succeed, I succeed, and the expansion of my company becomes viable.

With this in mind, in my January article, I identified two things The Ohio Landscape Association does exceptionally well. One of those things is host educational events. The other is provide timely, relevant networking opportunities.

In addition, I also identified one item that we all need to work harder at for the betterment of the association, and that is public relations.

It’s now February, and hopefully it feels a little more like spring with home and garden shows taking place across the state of Ohio. So, with spring right around the corner, I continued on page 6 The Growing Concern | Febuary 2022 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS F E B R UA R Y 2 0 2 2 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON A L G REEN I N D U ST R Y A SSOCI AT I O N OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002 Toll Free: 1.800.335.6521 Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com DESIGNER / EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Michael J. Donnellan, King Financial, Inc. Dr. Jim Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Brian Maurer, LIC, BrianKyles Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb COVER: Landscape Ohio! merit award winner, Ground Works Land Design, for their entry in the category of Garden Structures and Pavements.

FEATURES

3 8 12 18 22 28 32 34 35

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Developing Your Bench

PERENNIAL FOCUS

In the Shade: Yellow, Chartreuse, and Lime (Part 2)

FISCAL FITNESS

Famous Quotes About Money and Investing (Part 2)

FOR SAFETY SAKE

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of publication. For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, 1.800.335.6521, or email Rick Doll Jr. at rick@ohiolandscapers.org.

DISCLAIMER The Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any product(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in The Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association.

OFFICERS President Brian Maurer, LIC

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

Great Western Plant Explorers: Bernard McMahon

President – Elect Stephanie Gray, LIC

FEATURE ARTICLE

Prioritizing Women in the Workforce

Treasurer Cameron Maneri

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Immediate Past President James Funai, PhD

Pulling a Utility Trailer in the Snow

PLANT OF THE MONTH

6 Keys to Developing a Great Foreman

DIRECTIONS ADVERTISING INDEX

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

DIRECTORS Brandon Barker Ryan Drake Tina Graver Rob Morel Jeff Rupp, LIC Kate Stone

C AL ENDAR OF EVEN TS UPCO M I N G OLA MEETINGS , EDUC AT I ON SE MI N A R S, A N D OT H E R G R E E N I N D UST R Y EV ENT S

FEBRUARY

APRIL

FEBRUARY 4 - 13, 2022 OLA DISPLAY AT GARDEN SHOW

APRIL 7, 2022

This is a great opportunity to help promote the industry, our association, and your company. If you are interested in volunteering to help staff the garden during show hours, please contact the OLA at 440.717.0002 as soon as possible. Spots fill up quickly.

Joshua Gámez, CEO of East Coast Facilities, Inc., leads one of the market’s most dynamic facility maintenance firms in the US, an organization that serves Fortune 500 clients in multiple states. As such, Joshua is a champion of blue-collar workers, offers living wages, health care, and retirement benefits to his employees, which directly leads to sustainability and excellence within his company.

MARCH MARCH 3, 2022 OLA MEETING Denise Kestner / The Ohio State Univ.

Denise Kestner, Adjunct Professor at OSU a will discuss how your HR provider, or department can operate as an employee retention tool, so that you don’t have to worry about losing your top talent. See page 27 for more information.

MARCH 9 & 10, 2022 FOREMAN TRAINING CLINIC Foremen work side by side with employees while having to direct and motivate them. They will learn how to effectively manage their team, handle tight deadlines, all while increasing customer satisfaction. Held at Indiana Wesleyan University in Independence, OH on March 9th & the Wolfcreek Company in Columbus, OH on March 10th. Sponsored by WolfCreek Co. See page 7 for more information.

MARCH 24, 2022 WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE MEET-UP OLA’s Women in Landscaping Group is being created for the purposes of connecting, empowering, and advocating for women in the landscape industry, while amplifying the voices of our current & future women leaders. See page 31 for more info.

OLA SPECIAL EVENT (CENTRAL OHIO)

Joshua will be speaking at our upcoming Central Ohio event (April 7, 2022) covering the topics of the Secrets to Operations Success and The Recruiting Game.

See page 16 for more information. Register online at ohiolandscapers.meetings.

APRIL 12. 2022 SPRING TRAINING CLINIC Safety is the key to a running a successful company. This class features sessions on proper equipment utilization & operation, basic first aid, safe hauling and loading procedures, and more. Take this opportunity to get your crews ready for the 2022 season! See page 17 for more information.

ALSO COMING IN 2022 JUNE 2022 25th ANNUAL AWARDS GALA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MEET-UP JULY 2022 PLANT I.D. CLINICS AUGUST 2022 OLA GOLF SCHOLARSHIP CLASSIC SEPTEMBER 2022 SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC NEO FACILITY TOUR OCTOBER 2022 CENTRAL OHIO FACILITY TOUR

ACTION ALERT: H-2B PROGRAM HITS RECORD HIGH DEMAND: HELP US PUSH FOR RETURNING WORKER EXCEPTION The Department of Labor has received 136,555 worker requests through the H-2B program while there are only 33,000 visas available, meaning there is a less than 25 percent chance for seasonal businesses to access these much-needed guest workers.

Now more than ever we need to push for co-sponsors on H.R. 3897 so that we can make a push to insert a returning worker exception into any legislative vehicle that moves prior to the Feb. 18 Congressional funding deadline.

Congress needs to hear from us over the next several weeks. Please, take action by joining our grassroots effort to make this happen. If you have existing relationships with your Congressional office due to previous engagement with a specific staffer please use the template located at www.greenspacevoices.org/take-action/ alertid/17/ to send an email. If you receive feedback, please contact Sandy Munley at 440.717.0002 to let her know. Thank you!

The Growing Concern | February 2022 | 5

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N continued from page 3

ask you this; What plans do you have to educate your staff this coming year? And, how do you plan on promoting our industry beyond just promoting your company?

I’d like to suggest that – in the interest of not only bettering your company, but the industry as a whole – you take advantage of some of your ‘downtime’ by developing your bench. At my company, we’re doing this by identifying all of the employees who have come into our organization over the past year and matching them with opportunities that will allow them to succeed in not only their current role, but in any future role they may be interested in pursuing. I encourage you to take this time to do the same by scheduling your staff for some of OLA’s upcoming events. Both our Education Committee and Programs Committee have been hard at work scheduling out our entire year ahead of time, so that you are in the best position to take advantage of these opportunities.

Upcoming Opportunities On March 3rd, the OLA welcomes Denise Kestner, Vice President of Human Resources for CollisionRight and Adjunct Professor at OSU. She will discuss how your HR provider, or internal HR department, can operate as an employee retention tool so that you don’t have to worry about losing your top talent. I guarantee each one of us runs into an issue with this, especially in the current labor market.

This event is part of our NE Ohio Evening Meeting Series.

On March 9th and 10th, the OLA will be hosting its annual Foreman Training Clinics in both NE and Columbus Ohio.

If you look at your organizational chart, I bet you can identify a few individuals who have shown a willingness to learn and want to better themselves over the past year. That’s who should be in attendance – in addition to those foremen who may need to brush up on their current skills. This fullday class will help prepare these employees for the necessary challenges ahead in becoming leaders on your team.

On April 7th, we will be holding another free evening meeting, this time in Columbus. This one is a can’t miss event. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet or hear Joshua Gámez (CEO of East Coast Facilities), you are missing out. In just a few years, Joshua has created one of the fastest-growing family-owned businesses on the east coast. He will be speaking to our members about Operations Success and Effective Recruiting.

6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Last but not least, yet perfectly timed for just before the season’s craziness commences, I cannot think of a better way to get your teams trained-up than to have them attend our annual Spring Training Clinic (April 12), where industry leaders will teach your employees industry best practices from start to the finish.

Training your staff and bettering our industry begins with us, the owners. Regardless of the position, one of these four events will benefit them. As an industry, we can’t afford to turn a blind-eye toward employee development, else we will be stuck with mediocrity and will continue to lose our employees to industries willing to invest in their employees’ futures. As I said, investing in their future is investing in ours.

Finally, we all know a company near us who would certainly benefit from being an OLA member, yet for whatever reason they are not. I’m again encouraging you – our members – to reach out to anyone you know who is not a current member and invite them to one of our upcoming evening meetings, as your guest. As such, we will comp the cost of their first meeting so that they can see firsthand what our organization has to offer. Have a great February!

COURSE INFO MARCH 9, 2022 INDIANA WESLYAN UNIVERSITY 4100 ROCKSIDE ROAD INDEPENDENCE, OH 44131 MARCH 10, 2022 WOLF CREEK COMPANY 6700B HUNTLEY ROAD COLUMBUS, OHIO 43229 AGENDA REGISTRATION / BREAKFAST 8:00AM - 8:30AM CLINIC 8:30AM - 4:00PM LUNCH 11:30AM - 12:15PM COST MEMBERS BEFORE 02/24/22 - $169 AFTER 02/24/22 - $199

FOREMAN TRAINING DAY Preparing Your Crews for 2022

Production and maintenance landscape foremen have unique needs as they have to wear two hats: a worker and a leader. Foremen have to walk the fine line in working side by side with the employee and having to direct, motivate and critique at the same time. Managing former peers and friends can be especially difficult, dealing with problems and obstacles can take skills that can only be developed by stepping out of the work environment for a few days, learning best practices, applying it in a learning environment through role play, and then going back and applying it on the job.

In this dynamic seminar, foremen will learn: • The central role of the “worker-leader” • How to supervise friends, peers, and former equals • How to communicate with their superiors • How to generate accountability from their team • How to motivate and delegate at the same time

• How to implement and follow work schedules • How to budget and complete jobs on time • How to manage problem behavior • How to produce client focused work • And more....

INSTRUCTED BY

ARMANDO ACTIS / PROFESSOR Professor Actis provides management, inside sales & public relation training based on his education & experience in the landscaping & construction industry at Rendel’s Inc, where he is currently the Training & Project Manager for the Joliet Branch. He provides end user operation, application and maintenance training - training anyone from the casual user to the professionals in OSHA, safe & correct usage of landscaping and construction equipment He was Equipment Manager and judge for ILCA’s (Illinois Landscape Contractors Association) Certified Landscape Technician exams at Joliet Junior College.

NON MEMBERS BEFORE 02/24/22 - $199 AFTER 02/24/22 - $229 SPONSORED BY

2022 FOREMAN TRAINING / REGISTRATION CLOSES 03/02/22 Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)

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REGISTER ONLINE AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/EDUCATION

PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb

Heuchera: ‘Pistache’

IN THE SHADE: YELLOW, CHARTREUSE, AND LIME (PART 2) A few months ago, I wrote about what an asset perennials and sedges are that keep their yellow color in the shade. This time, I am going to suggest some others that you could use to brighten up an otherwise green scene.

The first one that comes to mind is the genus Heuchera. There are several cultivars that are either yellow or lime. I keep trying to stretch the parameters for the amount of sunlight they can tolerate but inevitably they scorch in full sun so I tend now to plant them in beds that face either north or east. Even if a west or south facing bed is partially shaded by tree branches in summer, inevitably Heuchera in the bed can still be scorched by winter sun. My favorites are ‘Pistache’, ‘Citronelle’, and ‘Lime Marmalade’.

8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

‘Pistache’ is a robust grower with large, light lime green to chartreuse-yellow leaves depending on the sun exposure.

The color is a perfect foil for blue Hostas or purple-leaved Heucheras. However, since the leaves are so light in color, this variety appreciates more shade than some of the other Villosa hybrids. ‘Pistache’ may develop a red edge in fall.

‘Citronelle’ is a robust hybrid with citron yellow leaves and silver undersides. When planted in heavier shade, the leaves will be more chartreuse. Since the leaves are so light in color, this variety appreciates more shade than some of the other Villosa hybrids, as well. ‘Citronelle’ is a sport of the popular ‘Caramel’ and has the same great compact habit. continued on page 10

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS continued from page 8

The first Heucherella I ever grew was ‘Stoplight’, chartreuse foliage with red veins that echo the nearly sterile Berberis ‘Concorde’.

Heuchera ‘Citronelle’ serves as a strong contrast to the dark leaves of Cimicifuga ‘Brunette’ and a Hosta but does echo the fading blossoms of Hydrangea ‘Annabelle.’

This photo of Ajuga ‘Golden Glow’ was taken at a garden center but I have planted it between stepping stones in my front yard.

‘Lime Marmalade’ is a clump-forming, coral bells hybrid. It originated as a sport from Heuchera ‘Marmalade’. It is most noted for its ruffled lime green leaves that retain good color throughout the growing season.

Friends Series are much more yellow and the leaves appear to be smaller. I haven’t grown any of them yet but my friend Stephanie Cohen says they are fabulous. All still sport the traditional blue flowers in spring.

It is not surprising that Heucherella cultivars resemble Heuchera since they are a hybrid of Heuchera and Tiarella.

The foliage tends to be smaller and more divided while the flowers are denser. Like Heuchera, Heucherella are evergreen (or ever-colorful). Some cultivars cascade and can be used as groundcover but most are clumpers as are Heuchera.

Don’t let anyone tell you that shade is boring. It doesn’t have to be if you brighten it with shades of yellow.

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance writer, and lecturer whose specialties are perennial gardens and four season landscapes. In addition to

Heucherella forms an expanding mound flowering in late spring into early summer with strong leaf colors and great flowers. Heucherella is also very versatile – excelling in the north, as well as the heat and humidity of the South. If grown in full sun, it will need more moisture.

Most groundcovers for shade are green but happily, some Ajuga (Bugleweed) cultivars are variegated with tones of yellow. ‘Golden Glow’ is a mélange of green, very pale yellow, and burgundy. The newest cultivars of the Feathered

10 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

being an Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) member, she is an active member of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) and Perennial Plant Association (PPA). Bobbie is a Past President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD).

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F I SCAL FI TN ESS

FAMOUS QUOTES ABOUT MONEY AND INVESTING PART TWO “The big money is not in the buying or selling, but in the waiting.”

– Charlie Munger Charles “Charlie” Thomas Munger (born 1924) is vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and, next to Warren Buffett, the greatest investor in America. Under the teamwork of Munger and Buffett, the value of Berkshire Hathaway has increased by a factor of 20,000. Here are some more of Munger’s quotations:

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN M3 Wealth Management

“People say that money is not the key to happiness, but I always figured if you had enough money, you could have a key made.”

– Joan Rivers Joan Alexandra Molinsky (1933–2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an iconic American comedian and TV host whose comedic persona usually turned her acerbic wit on herself. Other quotations by Joan Rivers include:

“Take a simple idea and take it seriously.”

“It takes character to sit with all that cash and to do nothing.”

“I always say I want to know where I would die so I can never go there.”

“I was smart enough to go through any door that opened.”

“Listen. I wish I could tell you it gets better. But it doesn’t get better. You get better.”

“The four most dangerous words in investing are, ‘this time it’s different.’”

– Sir John Templeton

“While money can’t buy happiness, it certainly lets you choose your own form of misery.”

– Groucho Marx

Sir John Templeton (1912–2008) is widely considered to be one of the greatest investors of the 20th century. He is perhaps best known as an early proponent of contrarian investing, betting on growth opportunities beyond the United States.

Other Templeton quotes include:

Julius Henry Marx (1890–1977), known worldwide as “Groucho,” was known for his quick and acerbic wit as a comedian and actor. A book could be filled with his witticisms about money:

“I never ask if the market is going to go up or down because I don’t know, and besides it doesn’t matter.”

“Share prices fluctuate more than share values.”

“Invest at the point of maximum pessimism.”

12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

“Money frees you from doing things you dislike. Since I dislike doing nearly everything, money is handy.”

“Blood is not thicker than money.”

“Money will not make you happy, and happy will not make continued on page 14 you money.”

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F ISCAL FI TN ESS continued from page 12 “Know what you own and know why you own it.”

– Peter Lynch Peter Lynch (born 1944) is a highly regarded investor, mutual fund manager and philanthropist. As the manager of the Magellan Fund at Fidelity Investments between 1977 and 1990, Lynch averaged a 29.2 percent annual return, making The Magellan Fund the best-performing mutual fund in the world. In his many books such as One Up on Wall Street, several Lynch money quotes pop out, including:

“I made money the old-fashioned way: I was very nice to a wealthy relative right before he died.”

– Malcolm Forbes Malcolm Forbes (1919–1990) was most prominently known as the publisher of Forbes magazine. An ardent collector of quotations, he is credited with many original thoughts, including:

“Remember, things are never clear until it’s too late.”

“The trick is not to learn to trust your gut feelings, but rather to discipline yourself to ignore them. Stand by your stocks as long as the fundamental story of the company hasn’t changed.”

“A lot of money doesn’t make anyone more often right. It just makes him harder to correct.”

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”

“Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs.”

“A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.”

– John Maxwell

“The function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.”

– John Kenneth Galbraith

John C. Maxwell (born 1947) is an author and speaker who is primarily known for dozens of books on leadership, including The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, and its many spinoffs.

Maxwell is a top management and leadership expert and a popular keynote speaker. Here are two more of Maxwell’s money quotes:

John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) was an economist and author who wrote The Affluent Society, one of the most influential books of the 20th century. Unlike most economists, his writing was fluid and creative, giving the world such phrases as “conventional wisdom,” a quality that he distrusted. Galbraith had a way with quotations that revealed his skepticism about the rationality of humans:

“Given the choice, would you rather save time or money?

Most people focus on dollars. But how you spend your time is much more important than how you spend your money.”

“The only thing we can control is what we do in the present.

The more we replay yesterday, the further we get from today’s opportunities.”

“Money often costs too much.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) was a philosopher, essayist and poet who had a profound influence on American letters. He was a leader of the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. Today he is best known for his essay “Self-Reliance.” Emerson’s most celebrated quotes include: “A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles.”

“It requires a great deal of boldness and a great deal of caution to make a great fortune, and when you have it, it requires ten times as much skill to keep it.”

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

“Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everybody gets busy on the proof.”

“The process by which banks create money is so simple that the mind is repelled.”

The M3 Wealth Management Office does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Trust services are provided by third parties. Neither our firm nor our financial professionals can serve as trustee.

Michael J. Donnellan specializes in stock selection and retirement planning. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments at the M3 Wealth Management Office at: 17601 W. 130th Street, Suite 1 in North Royalton, Ohio.

Phone number (440) 652-6370 Email: donnellan@m3wealthmanagement.com

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Prioritize workplace flexibility. Workers prefer jobs that provide more flexibility over those that offer more vacation days. To the extent possible, give workers a say in their schedule, work conditions, work organization, work location, and work tasks.

Match tasks to abilities. Use self-paced work, selfdirected rest breaks, and less repetitive tasks.

Avoid prolonged, sedentary work. Prolonged, sedentary work is bad for workers at every age. Consider sit/stand workstations and walking workstations for workers who traditionally sit all day. Provide onsite physical activity opportunities or connections to low-cost community based options.

Manage hazards. Including noise, slip/trip hazards, and physical hazards – conditions that can challenge an aging workforce more.

Provide and design ergo-friendly work environments.

Workstations, tools, floor surfaces, adjustable seating, better illumination where needed, and screens and surfaces with less glare.

Utilize teams and teamwork strategies for agingassociated problem solving. Workers closest to the problem are often best equipped to find the fix.

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Provide health promotion and lifestyle interventions including physical activity, healthy meal options, tobacco cessation assistance, risk factor reduction and screenings, coaching, and onsite medical care. Accommodate medical self-care in the workplace and time away for health visits.

Invest in training and building worker skills and competencies at all age levels. Help older employees adapt to new technologies, often a concern for employers and older workers.

Proactively manage reasonable accommodations and the return-to-work process after illness or injury absences.

Require aging workforce management skills training for supervisors. Include a focus on the most effective ways to manage a multi-generational workplace.

This article first appeared on the The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) website, located at www.cdc.gov/niosh. NIOSH’s mission is to develop new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and to transfer that knowledge into practice. Their vision: Safer, Healthier Workers.

The Growing Concern | September 2021 | 23 The Growing Concern | February 2022 | 15

F E AT UR E

EVENT INFORMATION DATE & LOCATION APRIL 7, 2022 GRANGE INSURANCE AUDUBON CENTER 505 W WHITTIER ST. COLUMBUS, OH 43215

AR TIC L E

FOR CENTRAL SAFETY SAK E OHIO MEETING

OLA SPECIAL EVENT

Secrets to Operations Success & The Recruiting Game

In business, there is no magic bullet for success. In every recipe though, some of the main ingredients are recruiting, planning, hard work and confidence.

AGENDA REGISTRATION / NETWORKING FOOD / CASH BAR 6:00 PM TO 7:00 PM PROGRAM 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM

Joshua Gámez has full confidence in his company, East Coast Facilities (EFC), and their business model. It is insulated from competition for one major reason; it is so difficult to copy based on the know-how that goes into recruiting, training, and staffing his operations. This know-how allows EFC to offer competitive services in their markets at competitive prices, while delivering near bullet-proof services to their clients. In the end, EFC wins 90% of the jobs they estimate. Game over!

Join us, Thursday April 7, 2022, as Joshua Gámez (CEO of East Coast Facilities & prominent industry expert) discusses his Secrets to Operations Success and how he has mastered The Recruiting Game.

COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $30

GUEST SPEAKER

JOSHUA GÁMEZ / CEO OF EAST COAST FACILITIES, INC.

NOTE: MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INVITE NON-MEMBERS TO ATTEND. A CODE WILL BE SENT TO MEMBERS’ E-MAILS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REGISTER GUESTS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT THE OLA OFFICE TO REQUEST THIS CODE.

From very humble beginnings, Joshua Steven Gámez started his own landscape business at the age of 16. At the age of 22, he became the first franchisee of US Lawns (Valley Crest) in the state of Pennsylvania. Within two years, he exceeded $1M in sales, quickly outgrowing the US Lawns model. He knew he could do more.

Thus, Joshua left US Lawns in 2014, and while honoring his non compete with US Lawns, spent the next two years building the framework for his next venture.

REGISTER TO ATTEND BY MARCH 31, 2022

Now CEO of East Coast Facilities, Inc., Joshua Gámez leads one of the market’s most dynamic facility maintenance firms in the US, an organization that serves Fortune 500 clients in multiple states. As such, Joshua is a champion of blue-collar workers, offers living wages, health care, and retirement benefits to his employees, which directly leads to sustainability and excellence within his company.

Additionally, Joshua is viewed as an industry expert amongst his peers, having been featured in numerous magazine articles and on social media outlets, alike.

ABOUT EAST COAST FACILITIES

East Coast Facilities, Inc. was founded with a simple goal, provide specific facility maintenance services to a niche clientele base who are located in key markets. As such, they provide comprehensive facility maintenance services for their clients’ owned or managed locations. Their self-performed services set the industry standards for quality and deliver consistent results, on-time and on-budget.

The industry segments they service include, commercial, industrial, government and institutional clients. They work with asset, property and facility managers. East Coast Facilities utilizes state of the art technology, which manages their fulfillment process for projects through a fully automated system.

Currently, East Coast Facilities has branch locations in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, with further expansion on the horizon.

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SPRING TRAINING DAY

Preparing Your Crews for 2022 As winter comes to a end, Mother Nature shifts her focus towards spring - and so must our crews! This year’s Spring Training Clinic will teach your employees industry best practices from start to finish, as well as how to be safe while performing them - all in effort to get them ready for the 2022 season!

This year’s topics of dicsussion will include: • Stretching: Starting Your Day Off Right • Travel Safety: Pre-trip Inspections & Proper Loading/Hauling Practices • Equipment Utilization, Operation & Safety - Mower & Small Equipment - Tree & Shrub Work - Chemical Applications & Pesticides - Small Engine Equipment.

• First Aid: ‘What to do in Emergency Situations’ & ‘How to Deal with Cuts, Lacerations & Heat Stroke’ • Post Trip Work: Dumping, Cleaning & Equipment Maintenance Best Practices Having a trained crew is the key to fostering a culture of safety within your company. Owners, Crew Leaders, Crew Members - anyone working in the Green Profession - is encouraged to attend!

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The Growing ConcernREGISTER | FebruaryONLINE 2020 | 17 AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/EDUCATION

F OR SAFETY SAK E

PULLING A UTILITY TRAILER IN THE SNOW Winter driving takes extra care, even without a trailer. If you need to use your utility trailer when the roads are snow-packed or it’s icy, you may find it challenging to drive safely. It is possible, but you need to remember the three keys to winter driving, stay alert, slow down, and stay in control. Here are some tips for hauling a trailer when the road is slippery and cold.

MAKE SURE YOUR VEHICLE IS PREPARED The tow vehicle needs to be able to drive on the roads safely and effectively. Your tires need to be in good condition for winter driving. Use snow tires or tire chains if the conditions allow. Make sure the brakes work well. The lights and electrical system need to be in good working order. Check the fluid levels before undertaking a long drive. The last thing you need is to have your vehicle break down when you’re hauling a trailer.

GET YOUR TRAILER IN GOOD SHAPE Not only does your vehicle need to be winter-ready, but your landscape trailer also needs to be in top condition, too. If the trailer is open, you need to tie down the cargo securely to prevent it from shifting while you’re driving. Unsecured

cargo can affect your ability to handle the trailer when you’re on any road, much less one that is covered in snow and ice.

You want the heaviest part of the cargo in the front of the trailer. Check the tires on the trailer and all the connections to make sure everything is in good working order.

PLAN YOUR TRIPS Although it is possible to tow in the snow or ice, it’s safer to avoid the worst of the weather. You should also avoid heavy traffic or icier back roads. Do some planning before you get on the road to take the best route. You’ll want to be able to take it slow and easy. Know where you can pull over safely to ride out a storm or wait for traffic to diminish. Allow extra time for any trip when you’re hauling a trailer. continued on page 20

18 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

FOR SAFETY SAKE continued from page 18

MAXIMIZE VISIBILITY

HOW TO AVOID JACKKNIFING

Clear off the snow from your vehicle and trailer. Make sure all the lights are connected and working effectively. Think about your visibility to see your surroundings, but also consider that other drivers need to see you too. Consider adding reflective tape for extra caution when the days are gray and grim.

Jackknifing occurs when the towing vehicle skids. If the driver is unable to correct it in time, the trailer pushing from behind will continue to push the towing vehicle until it spins around.

BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST Carry a winter emergency kit that includes an extra set of gloves, a blanket, ice scrapers, a shovel and traction aids.

You should always have a first-aid kit, flares and emergency rations with you. If you get stranded or stuck, you want to be prepared to wait for help. Start with a full gas tank to make sure you get to your destination.

KNOW HOW TO HANDLE YOUR VEHICLE & TRAILER When you hit the winter road, you should have an understanding of how to drive in winter conditions. The trailer adds to the difficulty, so don’t assume anything. Follow all the basic driving guidelines. Use your blinkers. Wear your seat belt. Know how to turn out of a skid. Leave more room for braking in wintry conditions. Do not use your phone.

Focus completely on the road and the other drivers.

If you’ve never driven a trailer in the snow, try to find a place to practice before getting out on the road with a lot of traffic. Drive slowly in wintry weather. If you get next to an aggressive driver, plan to pull over to let him/her get by you.

Pull over when visibility is low. Getting to your destination safely is more important than getting there quickly.

This article appeared on the Millroad Trailer website at www. millroadtrailers.com. Millroad dedicates 100% of their energy to ensuring their trailers meet & surpass global industry standards.

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

1. When towing, spread your braking over the longest possible distance, braking progressively and reducing your speed gradually. It helps to drive a safe distance behind other vehicles and to try to anticipate what may happen ahead, allowing yourself plenty of time to pull up, especially on slippery roads, taking turns and when you’re going downhill.

2. Avoid having to brake or decelerate on a curve, or while descending. Apply your brakes while the vehicle is traveling in a straight line as you approach a curve. Slow down a little more than necessary, then release your brakes before you begin the turn. Apply a little power as you turn.

This should prevent the drive wheels from losing traction.

If you approach slowly enough, you’ll find that you’ll be able to speed up as you negotiate the curve.

3. If you ever need to avoid action (i.e. another vehicle, or something in the road), don’t brake and swerve at the same time. Brake first to slow the vehicle down as much as possible, then release the brakes in order to swerve. In this way, you’ll remain in control of the vehicle. Once you’ve swerved, you can re-apply the brakes if necessary.

4. Jackknifing starts as a skid. If your vehicle starts to skid, take your foot off the brake immediately and correct the skid as you would with a rigid vehicle. If the skid isn’t corrected, it will be aggravated by the trailer pushing from behind and the vehicle will jackknife.

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The Growing Concern | February 2022 | 21

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, PhD

Cuyahoga Community College Mahonia aquifolium: Oregon Grape Holly

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

GREAT WESTERN PLANT EXPLORERS BERNARD MCMAHON & MAHONIA Most of us think of Oregon Grape Holly when we see the name Mahonia, as it’s the most common of the genus planted here in Ohio. However, there are over 70 species within the genus, a handful of which are useful in Ohio’s landscapes (depending on your location in the state).

If you ask a taxonomist – which is never a good idea – they would argue that there is no genus Mahonia, as they are all included in Berberis (Barberry). While it might make sense to include Mahonia in the family of Berberidaceae, there are certainly plenty of morphological differences justifying a separate genus.

The genus Mahonia was coined by English botanist Thomas Nuttall in tribute to his friend and fellow botanist Bernard McMahon. Born in Ireland, McMahon emigrated to the US in

the late 1700s and settled in Philadelphia. Here, he established a nursery and seed selling business, quickly establishing his name among prominent plant nerds of the time.

In 1806, Thomas Jefferson chose McMahon to catalog and preserve most of the specimens sent back from the Lewis and Clark expedition. Thus, he become a specialist in American native species. It’s interesting to note that Jefferson and McMahon were close friends, with hundreds of letters between the two of them being preserved in the National Archives. These letters are fascinating to read, as they are basically two plant-nerds discussing all sorts of new plants, as they trade the plants back and forth.

McMahon is most known for his publication of The American Gardener’s Calendar. Jefferson once called it his “horticultural continued on page 24

22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

THINK

AVON | BROADVIEW | HILLIARD | February 2022 | 23 W W W . P R E M I E R P L A N T S O L U T I The O Growing N S . Concern COM

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

continued from page 22 bible.” As we read through McMahon’s writings, it became clear he was one of the first champions of native plants in the ornamental landscape, here in America. At the time, the trend was to import and plant species common to English landscapes while rejecting the native plants. He argued that while the English plants were beautiful, they did not adapt well to our continental climate. He introduced landscape elites to hundreds of plants which were native to America.

In a letter dated February 28th, 1812, McMahon introduced Jefferson to a plant he named Symphoricarpos leucocarpa. He wrote, “I have given it the trivial English name of Snowberry Bush.” Today we know this native plant as Symphoricarpos albus (Common Snowberry). It was renamed by Sidney F. Blake, a taxonomist with the US Department of Agriculture, who was known for renaming plants discovered by others and taking the credit for it – typical taxonomist.

Now, let us explore a few of the plants named in honor of Bernard McMahon.

Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon Grapeholly Native to the West Coast of North America, this suckering shrub forms a thicket just under 10 feet tall with evergreen compound leaves resembling the individual leaves of English Holly (Ilex aquifolium). In early spring, there are spikes of

24 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Mahonia japonica: Japanese Mahonia

bright-yellow flowers, followed by purple/blue fruits on red stems which look like little grapes. The best use of this plant is in shadier sites where you want a mass of broadleaf evergreen to serve as a background to other ornamentals.

Mahonia japonica – Japanese Mahonia Some species of Mahonia are native through Asia, including this one. This plant is wild in texture, with erect stems reaching up to 5 feet. It features compound leaves that are up to 12” inches long and leaflets that feel like cardboard with sharp points. Its flowers are more upright, bright-yellow, and are visible in late winter to early spring. They are followed by larger grape-like fruits. This plant certainly isn’t for every garden, but a small mass makes an impressive statement, serving as a beautiful background to flowering perennials in the summer. Depending on the source, it can also be found listed as M. bealei, or considered a separate species. Some growers list M. japonica ‘Baelei.’

Mahonia repens – Creeping Mahonia This groundcover version stays below 18 inches and creeps along the ground with softer leaves than mentioned above.

Native to the West Coast, this plant is hardy in zone 5, though it will experience leaf burn if not under snow cover when we hit the teens on the thermometer. We have found this plant to be very popular through the Carolinas and Virginia.

Mahonia nervosa – Cascades Mahonia This is another low growing, ground cover Mahonia, with finer-texture, serrated leaflets that are a deep, glossy-green accented by new red growth and red stems. It is also native to the west coast and can perform well in our zone 5 gardens.

Flower spikes are smaller – as are the fruit – but still come with the beautiful blue/purple grapes on red stems. It is really hard to find in trade, but a fun plant for collectors.

Use caution when you are selecting a Mahonia for the landscape. There are less-hardy species on the market, such as ‘Soft Caress’ (M. eurybracteata), which won’t survive below 10 degrees. This makes it unfit for most our landscapes. Some of the non-cold hardy Mahonia are beautiful, but best enjoyed while traveling and not in our own gardens.

Jim Funai, PhD is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program. He has a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care.

The Growing Concern | February 2022 | 25

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F EATURE ARTI CLE

PRIORITIZING WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE

by Jenn Myers, Senior Director of Workforce Development at NALP

It is no secret that the industry has had and continues to have a major workforce shortage. It is the number one challenge cited by landscape businesses; now, lawn care contractors are struggling as well. There is a way to embrace, welcome and grow an under-tapped sector of our workforce — and that is by prioritizing, recruiting and retaining women in the industry.

In the recent 2021 NALP Foundation Workforce Demographic Study, the data showed that women fill a fraction of the landscape and lawn care roles (8%) compared to the jobs filled by women in the workforce at large (47%).

That is a huge disparity between the numbers of women working in our industry and in the workforce at large — and it is also a huge opportunity if attitudes and behaviors change to welcome women into our industry. I know this from personal experience.

Early in my landscaping career, after a recent promotion, I had a senior male manager tell me I wasn’t qualified for

the role because I was: 1) too young, 2) too inexperienced (hadn’t paid my ‘dues’) and 3) a woman. This man said to me, nonchalantly in the office kitchen, that one of the reasons I wasn’t ready to lead was because I was a woman.

I was so very fortunate to work for a manager at the time who I felt comfortable sharing this episode with and who supported me in my role (and assured me I was very much qualified). Like the majority of management professionals in our industry then and now, my boss was male. He was willing to speak out for me, encourage me and help develop my skills as a leader — but that isn’t always the case. While continued on page 30

28 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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F EATURE ARTI CLE

continued from page 28 women in our industry can cheer and advocate and inspire each other to greatness, we need the support of all, including male advocates, managers and business owners, who are willing to do the hard work with us.

How do we fix things? Let current and potential female employees know that they are welcome. Provide uniforms that fit comfortably; clean bathrooms at the office and offer solutions to identify and utilize clean bathrooms on or between jobsites. Create communities within the organization that help women to connect and bond and tap into the experiences of women on your team to help lead and drive this continuous change.

Call out inappropriate behavior by employees, subcontractors and customers. Don’t dismiss inappropriate jokes as locker room talk, or something that ‘comes with the territory.’

Support women who choose to have a family...and those that don’t. Encourage mothers-to-be, and be understanding of the needs of mothers (and other primary caregivers).

Recognize that women can be integral and essential to your business’ success at all levels. Ensure that female

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

candidates are presented with a career path that includes upper management and doesn’t assume or push them into certain roles. Many of the college programs we work with continue to see strong gender shifts in their enrollment, with some programs reaching 70%+ female students. Are your interviewing, hiring and onboarding practices ready to tap into this talent?

Women are more than qualified, capable and ready to lead.

Female employees are in the workforce. It’s up to us to show them the door is open, they have a seat at the table and we’re ready and willing to hear their voices.

PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING EVENTS Starting in 2022, The OLA will commence its plan to provide more networking opportunities to our members.

These opportunities will take place in the form of reoccurring meet-up groups, beginning with a Women in Landscaping Group, scheduled for March 24, 2022, followed by a Young Professional Group in June of 2022 (TBD). Our ultimate goal is to have these groups meet on a reoccurring basis, 4 times per year, and use the information gathered to help guide the future of our organization. For more information, email us at info@ohiolandscapers.org.

F EATUR E

EVENT INFORMATION

DATE & LOCATION MARCH 24, 2022 OLD RIVER TAP AND SOCIAL 19245 DETROIT RD, ROCKY RIVER, OH 44116 AGENDA NETWORKING & DISCUSSION 6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM

AR T IC L E

FOR SAFETY SAK E NETWORKING EVENT

WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE

Professional Networking Event Women started owning landscape maintenance companies 40 or more years ago. At the time, society was slowly changing toward respecting women working. However, the green industry has been slower towards embracing these gifted women - a group that shares strong qualities, such as tenacity, determinism, and the strength to rise above any discrimination they receive in the landscaping industry.

COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: NO CHARGE

The OLA’s Women in Landscape Group is being created for the purposes of connecting, empowering, and advocating for women in the landscape industry. We want to help drive the change necessary to recruit and retain female professionals while amplifing the voices of current & future women leaders.

NOTE: MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INVITE NON-MEMBERS TO ATTEND.

Our first meeting, scheduled for March 24th, 2022, will be a very informal event used to determine future topics of conversation for the group.

REGISTER TO ATTEND BY MARCH 17, 2022

INAUGURAL GUEST MODERATOR

MARIE MCCONNELL / LAKE COUNTY NURSERY

When it comes to women working in and around the Green Industry, Marie McConnell has been in it for the long-haul. She started off working for her family in Perry, Ohio, at Lake County Nursery - one of the leading nursery growers of shade & ornamental trees and shrubs in the country.

As a graduate of The Ohio State University’s Agriculture Technical Institute (ATI), Marie earned a degree in horticulture and went on to work at North Coast Perennials, Roemer Nursery, and Cottage Gardens, all before returning back to the family business, where she has been now for over a decade.

In addition to her work in the industry, Marie is also helping to shape its future. From 2013 - 2019, she served on the Ohio Landscape Association’s Board of Directors, where in 2018, she was named OLA Board President. Marie currently serves as an adjunct professor at Cuyahoga Community College, in Plant Science Technology, where she shares her passion for plants with the future of our industry, teaching Garden Center & Nursery Management along with Plant Production.

ABOUT OLD RIVER TAP & SOCIAL

Old River Tap and Social transformed a former long-time bar/restaurant into a cool industrial modern spot with two distinct spaces. The Tap Room, upfront, is perfect for your lunch or night out with comfortable seating spread across our bar, tables and open drink rails. And our Social Room in back provides just the right amount of fun to enjoy a game of cornhole, some table games or grab a seat at our open air bar to watch the games on TV.

1.5 CEU’S

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS EVENT ARE STILL AVAILABLE. CALL 440.717.0002 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

REGISTER ONLINE AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/MEETINGS

F EATURE ARTI CLE

2020 OLA Foreman Training Clinic

6 KEYS TO DEVELOPING A GREAT FOREMAN

by Nanette Seven, Vice President at Include Software

Do you find it easier to choose entry-level employees than you do good crew leaders? If you do, you’re not alone. Most landscape companies say that finding crew members who would make good crew leaders is a major challenge. The biggest reason for this is the fact that leadership takes both hard and soft skills. Your crew members might be great at doing their work but when it comes to managing people, you suspect they’ll fall short.

While the hard truth is that some people may simply never have what it takes to be a leader, the good news is that soft skills can be honed and developed in the right people. Some of your crew members might just require some extra attention and training to develop the skills they need to succeed. Here are 6 ideas that may help your business develop successful crew leader or foreman.

1. MAKE SURE YOUR LEADER “FITS THE BILL” There’s no question that there are certain characteristics that make an employee fit to be a crew leader, or foreman. Some of those characteristics include the following.

• •

Proficient in equipment operation.

An ongoing ability to be and care about efficiency.

32 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

• • • •

Showing up for work every day, on time.

Demonstrating a strong work ethic.

Having a desire to “move up” and continually improve.

Setting a positive example.

Arden Urbano, president of GREENIUS, knows a lot about training and says, “The workers who ultimately become crew leaders are your best crew members. It’s not a job for just anyone. It’s for those who work the hardest, care the most, and set the best example for the rest of your team.”

Of course, that’s not everyone. Some people just aren’t a good fit to be a leader—even if they have the skills. It’s important to note that skills alone do not make a leader. There’s so much more to it than that.

A crew member who is really good at operating the machinery or doing the work, but who never shows up on time nor is attentive to detail, is never going to make a great leader. It’s important that you seek out your employees who will set the best possible example for everyone else.

2. CREATE JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR LEADERS

“In order to be most effective, you should give team members an idea of ‘how to get there,’” she says. In other words, set goals that are attainable and provide the support that is needed to reach them. This may involve asking questions, such as; • • • •

Did you hit your numbers for the week?

Did you have to engage in a lot of overtime?

Were there any customer complaints?

Were crews consistently timely?

Urbano says that job descriptions are vital because, without them, you can’t really expect your foreman or crew leader to know exactly what they should be doing. A job description is a communication tool that not only conveys what you expect your leaders to do on a daily basis but also what qualifications and capabilities they should possess within that role.

4. CREATE A REWARD SYSTEM

The biggest mistake that landscape business owners make is failing to create thorough and detailed job descriptions. A proper job description should help set expectations and set your crew leader or foreman up for success.

Urbano adds that she is a big believer in rewarding crew leaders, and their crews, for meeting their goals. It encourages them to “keep up the good work.” Research indicates that reward systems absolutely play a role in keeping morale high and that’s important for continued success.

Urbano says, “A job description should essentially say, here’s what we expect you to do and here’s what we’ll be measuring you on. It should include key performance indicators (KPIs) which are used to evaluate how your people are doing. You need to be clear with your team about what you’re evaluating.”

3. DEFINE ACHIEVEMENT BENCHMARKS Along with measuring how your employees are doing, Urbano says that you should also be setting benchmarks for your leaders.

This is important data to keep track of, as time goes on.

“Reward programs are very important and something that you see a lot of great landscape companies doing,” Urbano says. “You have to come up with a reward system that works best for you.”

Urbano says that she has seen some companies have a ‘Crew of the Week’ contest where the entire crew wins a weekly award. Measuring crews against one another can be another unite the team as they work together toward a common goal. continued on page 35 The Growing Concern | February 2022 | 33

D I RECTI ON S

H2B VISA UPDATE For those of you that don’t use H2b visas, I’m sure that you’re tired of hearing about them by now. Please understand, workers that are brought into our country to work in the landscape industry help free up potential workers in the local market for you to hire in this incredibly tight labor market. Every industry and every type of business is suffering from the lack of an available workforce.

We know that there are some amazing students in our high school and college programs that will some of the positions, but the truth of the matter is, there just aren’t enough of them!

Additionally, many of those students have the skill set and desire to move up in the workforce; to become crew leaders, foreman, account managers, designers, company owners, etc. We need to make sure there are enough technician level workers available to allow for a strong career path for those students.

In the second half of the government’s fiscal year - April 1 to September 30 - there are only 33,000 H2b visas available for the entire United States. These visas are intended to help businesses across all industries qualified to use the program, not just the landscape industry. The demand for these visas grows every year.

This year, DOL announced that it received 7,875 H2b applications, requesting 136,555 worker positions for the second half of the 2022 fiscal year. This is more than four times the number of visas permitted under the statutory cap!

That means that only about 25 percent of those companies that applied will get visas in the initial allocation for an April 1st start date. A lottery system is used to determine which employers are fortunate enough to continue the process of qualifying for visas.

34 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

SANDY MUNLEY

Executive Director / OLA

Luckily, at the end of 2021, we were successful in getting congress to slap another band aid on the program which allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) to issue supplemental visas, at their discretion. So now, the remaining 75 percent of the applicant companies await a decision by DHS and DOL. The problem is - whatever number of visas are issued - it will not be enough to cover the full request. Additionally, these workers will arrive later in the season once work has already commenced.

All of this being said, whether you use the program or not, it is in your best interest to ask your U.S. Representative to cosponsor H.R. 3897. This bill will allow for a Returning Worker Exception (RWE). A RWE will not count workers against the cap if they have successfully used the program within the last 3 years. This, in turn, increases the number of workers that are issued visas.

Special thanks go out to Congressmen Dave Joyce and Steve Chabot for being the original co-sponsors of H.R. 3897 and to Bill Johnson, Bob Gibbs, Anthony Gonzalez, and Troy Balderson for also co-sponsoring this bill. If any of these are your congressman, thank them! If your Representative is not listed, please contact their office to ask them to co-sponsor the bill, today!

I would like to close this month’s article by thanking all of you that snowplow. You are a very under appreciated group of people! Winter seemed to take its time getting here this year, but when it came, it came with a vengeance! We appreciate the long and unpredictable hours you put in to keep the general public safe by plowing and salting! Stay safe out there!

ADVERTI SI N G I N D E X

F EATUR E AR TIC L E continued from page 33 Plus, a little bit of friendly spirited competition can drive crews, and crew leaders, to perform better. This helps set benchmarks to compare the company’s success, as a whole.

5. UTILIZE TRAINING RESOURCES Training resources can also be utilized in order to develop great leaders. Seminars and courses provided by trade associations and other industry experts is a great place to start. There are often topics focused on leadership training that your new crew leaders could benefit from. Training videos are also a great tool to help hone soft skills or provide some framework.

Of course, you could also develop your own in-house training program with classes that your leaders are required to take.

6. PROVIDE TRAINING AFTER PROMOTION The initial period when your crew member is moving into their new leadership role is not the only time that you should provide training. Keep in mind that this person may very well have questions or require help long after assuming the role.

Your crew leaders need to know that you’re there if they need you. They shouldn’t feel as though they’re totally on their own if they have a question or require some additional support.

A well-supported crew leader is going to be a successful one.

A great way to provide ongoing support to your new crew leaders is with one-on-one meetings. One-on-one meetings are exactly what they sound like—an opportunity to sit down face-to-face with one of your leaders and communicate. You should be keeping notes from your one-on-one meetings and plan to store that information so that you can track your new crew leader’s progress and address concerns that arise.

Having a place to store all of this data and easily retrieve it in real time is key. With landscape business software you can not only track various pieces of data, but you can store and retrieve the information at any time.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE At the end of the day, Urbano says that she hopes landscape business owners will recognize that they don’t have to do it all on their own. Training and developing great leaders is a daunting task but one that can be achieved with a little bit of help.

Registration for our Foreman Training Clinics in both Central and Northeast Ohio is now open. Visit www.ohiolandscapers. org/education for more information.

21

A-1 Power Equipment

29

Abraxus / Royalton Landscape Supply

21

Acme Fence & Lumber

2

Botson Insurance Group, Inc.

29

Cascade Lighting, Inc.

11

Davis Tree Farm & Nursery, Inc.

36

Ditch Witch Mid-States

11

Frank Brothers Landscape Supply

13

Green Velvet Sod Farms

19

Kurtz Bros., Inc.

15

Lakeside Sand & Gravel, Inc.

25

NEOWeather, LLC

6

O’Reilly Equipment

23

Premier Plant Solutions

15

Sohar’s / RCPW, Inc.

9

VanCuren Tree Services, Inc.

25

Zoresco Equipment Company The Growing Concern | February 2022 | 35

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