DISCLAIMER: The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, directors or staff and do not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements, or their identification as members of the MNLA does not constitute an endorsement of their products or featured services.
REPRINT PERMISSION: Reprints of original articles may be granted upon request. Contact info@plantingmontana.org with requests.
2024 MNLA BOARD
PRESIDENT
Peter Hiel Gardenwerks Helena, MT
1st VICE PRESIDENT
James Hoiland
Green Up Lawn & Landscape Sprinklers
Great Falls, MT
2nd VICE PRESIDENT
John Spray
The Good Earth Works Co. Billings, MT
3rd VICE PRESIDENT
Aaron Mihelish
Pro Sweep Plus Missoula, MT
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Joe Sansone Oldcastle Polson, MT
PAST PRESIDENT
Matt Watts
Pro Sweep Plus Missoula, MT
SECRETARY
Pat Appleby
Compost Happens Gardening Florence, MT
EDUCATION
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Kristi Browning, CPP Cashman Nursery Bozeman, MT
NORTHERN ROCKIES
TREE SCHOOL CHAIR
Mike Garvey
Garvey’s Urban Forest Billings, MT
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Gina Albaugh MNLA Billings, MT
Success is in the Details
Effective winter preparation requires practice and good communication
By MICHAEL WAGNER, CSP, ASM Reprinted with permission from the Snow & Ice Management Association
The name of the game in the snow and ice management industry is preparedness. With high performance comes great planning and preparation of your personnel, equipment, procedures and training programs. To ensure you meet your clients’ expected level of service, you must take the time to prepare and communicate your processes and expectations with everyone involved in snow and ice operations. We’re going to look at some industry best practices in preparing for any situation or service you may have to perform throughout the winter.
1 SCHEDULING OF WINTER PREPARATION ACTIVITIES
When creating the preparedness schedule, be cognizant of the responsibilities and seasonal work transitions for the rest of the organization.
As you plan meetings and trainings, as well as testing and site prep, work with the team so people can make the time to attend, while giving snow preparation their utmost attention. With the transitioning of activities, it can be difficult to get others in the mindset of snow when it’s 90°F and they’re trying to complete their summer/fall services. While everyone who has been in the industry for years knows the routine, there may be challenges that you must be aware of.
Communicate the importance of preparing, while respecting others’ daily responsibilities. With that said, start planning early! Don’t wait until December to start this process… too much is happening to have it all come together quickly. One of the best key indicators of designating a planning start date is the size of your organization and if you perform landscaping or construction services throughout the year.
DEVELOP A WINTER PREP STRATEGY
Your winter prep strategy should include planning procedures, processes and communication. The onset of your strategy development does not need to be a lengthy booklet or procedural guideline but rather a one-sheet plan of what you need to do and how you will achieve it. The most integral starting point is to identify key internal stakeholders who will help build your preparation plan and carry out all objectives. Include department managers,
supervisors, foremen, lead roles and any other necessary personnel who have a level of decision-making, even if they aren’t the highest decision-makers.
Next, create the list of required components within the plan by highlighting main categories such as:
• Schedule of preparation activities
• Personnel needs and training requirements
• Equipment needs
• Site planning and level of service requirements
• Event planning (categorization)
• Communication
This isn’t an inclusive list; add or change anything that is unique to your organization.
2 PERSONNEL NEEDS AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Work with your team to identify the personnel needed for snow and ice operations, and what training is to be performed. Identify snow supervisors, account managers, drivers, equipment operators, and shovelers early so you can formulate a complete training schedule.
Much of the training can be completed prior to the first snow event, but there may be situations where you need to perform live, hands-on snow and ice training. You may have to retrain to adapt if equipment, processes, materials or new sites are added.
3 EQUIPMENT NEEDS
We all know the importance of identifying equipment that is necessary to snow and ice operations. We’re going to be a bit redundant, but plan and schedule early! Create inspection lists for vehicles and equipment, a schedule for all departments, and coordinate repairs before the first winter weather event.
Ensure inspections are completed early so you have time to order the necessary parts for repairs; have time to repair all vehicles and equipment; and perform final tests before putting them into action. This is another complicated process if much of your equipment is also being used during the summer and fall for other services.
REQUIREMENTS
While some sites may be comparable, many sites are unique and pose different risks and challenges for snow and ice operations. Don’t take anything for granted; and don’t assume you know everything about your personnel, site or clients in preparing for winter. Take your time to walk all properties with the client, and look for any potential risks, hazards, property changes, alterations or damage prior to performing any services.
One of the most impactful situations to all parties is when a property change has taken place since the last snow season, and nobody accounted for it going into the next season. This could be pavement changes, drainage alterations, property damage, missing or added signage, or anything that may change how winter service is performed.
Once you’ve completed your site walk with the client, created site maps, and identified the driver, operator or personnel responsible for the site, take the crews out and perform dry runs and walkthroughs to ensure everybody knows who will be there, what services will encompass and what risks to look out for.
5 EVENT PLANNING (CATEGORIZATION)
Planning for different types of events may be challenging, especially since weather patterns, frequency and severity are ever changing. It is best to create a few scenarios of how response efforts may take place. I would recommend starting with five levels of event severity and planning that take into account factors such as:
• Snow accumulation
• Dramatic temperature fluctuations
• W ind chill factors
• Ice stor m totals and buildup
• Geographical challenges and regional spread
• Equipment and personnel mobilization
In this case, a Level 1 event is a less severe or minimal type event, working up to a more-severe Level 5. Some organizations use color-coding for easy reference since it provides visual communication triggers that wording may not. Red may be the most severe, whereas yellow can be less severe. The key items you will want to include for documentation and process include:
• Response and service efforts
• Timeframe for response or deployment
• Follow-up or revisit plans
• Communication responsibilities between parties
• How to clear or remove snow and ice under prolonged or extended events
• What to do in case of natural disaster or state of emergency situations
6 COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS
Last but most important, we want to figure out how we effectively communicate all of this. Some organizations take the proactive measure of creating a communications plan that will highlight key items such as:
• Contact names, phone numbers, email addresses
• How to contact personnel and under what circumstances
• What communication is required given the event level
• How to communicate during the planning, implementation and follow-up stages
• How to communicate with clients, the public or media
• What to do in the event of hazards, incidents, emergencies or disaster situations
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Creating a plan is only the first step. As important is documenting it and then communicating it to your team.
While these plans may take time to develop at the executive and management level, they can be an extremely useful tool for everyone in the organization as they can refer to designated procedures at any time.
Another objective is communicating early, frequently, and when necessary, and including all relevant information to streamline the process. Communication is vital in determining the schedule for personnel and equipment prep, site planning, carrying out meetings and training for your snow and ice operations.
On a final note, remember that people communicate differently, and you should identify the most effective channels. Whether it is in-person, hands-on, visual, auditory, email, phone calls or text messages, keep track of the communication preferences of those you work with, and those you have contracted with to perform snow and ice services. Communication is vital in determining the schedule for personnel and equipment prep, site planning, carrying out meetings and training.
Michael Wagner, CSP, ASM is Director of Operations at Designscapes Colorado Inc. Contact him at 303-3285554 or mwagner@designscapes.org.
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Announcing a Great Kick-off to a Great Chapter!
Kristi Browning, MNLA Education Chair
As many of you know, we started a Bozeman area chapter of the MNLA and we are off to a great start. Some of our meeting topics from this summer include:
• City of Bozeman Water Restriction Guidelines
• Detecting and Remedying Plant Diseases and Abiotic Issues Common in Montana
• Setting up your Turf to Survive the Winter and Thrive Next Spring
• Insurance Risk: Lowering Your Liability and Costs
We also had the first annual golf tournament on August 22nd at Bridger Creek Golf Course - which was a great success! We had a total of 72 players, 64 of which were members and 8 who were nonmembers. We raised over $6,200 for our local chapter and sold over $1,100 in golf mulligans to benefit the MNLA Scholarship Fund. First place went
to Forever Green Landscaping & Sprinklers, with 2M Company a close second. All-in-all it was a gorgeous day with good weather and great company. We are really looking forward to next year’s tournament.
Thank you to all the event, hole, and drink sponsors, with special shout-out to the event-level sponsors: 2M Company, Baseline, Gardening Under the Big Sky, Greater Gallatin Contractors, Montana Pump, Belgard, Rain Bird, and Vermeer Mountain West. Thanks also to the volunteers that made the day possible. We truly couldn’t have done it without you.
If you are in the Bozeman area, please come to our Chapter Meetings!
When: 2nd Wednesday of most months
Where: Bar 3 BBQ – Belgrade, MT
Why: for obvious reasons, but also to meet and greet other industry professionals in your area
Free to Attend- Appetizers Provided.
Sign up for meeting reminders by scanning the QR Code on this page. Interested in starting a Chapter in your area? Contact us: 406-755-3079.
Estate Planning Aspects of Owning Real Property as a Tenant in Common
Marsha A. Goetting, Ph.D., CFP®, CFCS Professor and Extension Family Economics Specialist
How do you have your home titled? Is it in sole ownership, joint tenancy with right of survivorship or as a tenant in common? With the tenancy in common method of ownership for real property, two or more persons hold undivided interests in the same property with no right of survivorship for the surviving tenant in common.
“Undivided interest” means they each own a part of the total value. For example, one tenant in common cannot claim to own the valuable section of land with an oil well and claim the worthless section with sagebrush belongs to the other tenant in common.
When real property is owned by two or more persons as tenants in common, each co-owner has an undivided interest in the property. The interest can be equal, 50 percent and 50 percent, because both made equal down payments on the property. Or, one owner could have 60 percent interest and the other 40 percent because one owner paid 60 percent of the down payment and the other paid 40 percent.
A tenancy in common in real estate is created by the words “to A and B” and nothing more needs to be added. If title to real estate is held by persons as tenants in common, all co-tenants have equal rights to manage and live on the property. Upon the death of a tenant in common, the interest passes to heirs by the Montana intestate succession statues, or to devisees (beneficiaries) by a written will.
Tenants in common owners have the right to transfer their proportional share by selling it, giving it away, or by transferring it to persons of their choice by a written will. The fractional share owned by a decedent is also subject to probate and settlement costs. For example, two brothers, Dan and Sam, own land they inherited from their parents as tenants in common. If Dan dies, his interest passes his written will to his wife, not to his brother Sam. If Sam dies, his interest passes by his written will to his wife, not to his brother Dan.
If the deceased co-owner had written a will leaving real property titled as tenants in common to devisees, the district count must decide if the will was valid. After the will has been declared valid as a part of the probate process, the deceased’s tenant in common interest may be transferred to designated devisee or devisees.
For example, John and his wife, Mary, owned a section of land as tenants in common. Each owns an undivided interest of fifty percent. John died with a written will leaving his fifty percent interest in the land to their son, Matt. After John’s will was declared valid during the probate process, the personal representative of John’s estate executed a new deed and filed it with the county clerk and recorder. Matt and Mary hold title as tenants in common.
If a landowner who held real property as a tenant in common died without a written will, the legal heir or heirs are decided during probate.
For example, Tim and Lucy own a vacation home on Ennis Lake as tenants in common. Together they had three children, all of whom are living. Because Tim died without a written will, the heir to his ownership of the property as a tenant in common is decided during probate by the district court.
Although Tim and Lucy have three children, the priority heir is Tim’s wife, Lucy. After Lucy provided a marriage license proving she was Tim’s wife, the Personal Representative of Tim’s estate recorded a new deed for the vacation home with the clerk and recorder transferring the property to Lucy.
MSU Extension has an interactive website you can use to discover who receives property if a Montana resident passes away without a written will (as do 7 out of 10): www.montana.edu/dyingwithoutawill. MSU Extension also has a MontGuide “Dying Without a Will in Montana.” http://store.msuextension.org/publications/ FamilyFinancialManagement/MT198908HR.pdf If you do not have access to a computer or printer, call your local County MSU Extension Office or 406-994-5695 and leave your mailing address.
Marsha Goetting is a Professor and Extension Family Economics Specialist at Montana State University. Marsha can be reached at: marsha.goetting@montana.edu, 406994-5695
Summer Tour in Review
When we decided to re-vamp the Fall Tour, moving it from September to July (and re-naming it with the appropriate season), we could have never guessed that a wind storm of historical proportions would hit the host city just as we began set-up for the event. Roughly 24 hours before the Welcome Dinner was scheduled to start, a stiff breeze began…and quickly escalated into devastating winds that toppled trees, caused a multipleday power blackout, and tested the resiliency of Missoula residents and the surrounding communities.
The morning after the storm, cell phones – the ones that managed to hold a charge from pre-power outage, were ringing off the hook. Were the tour hosts and their facilities okay? Where do we go from here? Do we need to cancel the tour with ½ days’ notice? Like a triage scene, everyone was contacted and damage assessed throughout the morning. What happened next shows the true grit of our Missoula-based MNLA members. Everyone came together, helped clean up, and offered advice on how to get water to greenhouses when the power to the well was out. And, remarkably? Through all of this, the tour hosts unanimously decided to go ahead with the tour the following day. There is strength in community and friends, and that is what we witnessed when the MNLA family came together.
Somehow, gathering under the outdoor gazebo at Caras Nursery was exactly what everyone needed - a reprieve from the devastation surrounding them.
The team at Caras Nursery came out in full force to prep everything for the Welcome Dinner – setting up hundreds of toppled plants, cleaning up downed branches, broken displays, and ultimately creating a beautiful space for everyone to gather together and relax for the evening. Always one to go the extra mile, Bill Caras even shared an original song he had written, recruiting Board Members past and present, to serenade the group. Shawn Clouse persevered through severe property damage at his own business to share his gift of music with everyone. The Welcome Dinner proved to be restorative and uplifting. We are truly grateful for everything the tour hosts did to come together and make this tour an incredible event.
Gina Albaugh, MNLA Executive Director
The following morning met us with sunshine and breakfast at the Rocky Mountain Gardens, located on the grounds of the new Missoula County Extension offices. Sandy Perrin and her team forged through power outages in the on-site kitchen to whip up a delicious home-cooked breakfast for everyone. After a mix-andmingle, we toured the Rocky Mountain Gardens (recipient of an MNLA Community Beautification Grant), and the on-site Missoula Butterfly House.
Next up, we headed to a residential site, home of a rose garden – over 300 roses that the owners have hand-grafted and cultivated, and then moved from San Antonio TX to their new home in Missoula. The owners have continued to expand their selection, branching out to include a fruit tree orchard, grape vines, and even a hobbit house for the grandkids!
Our next stop was the Montana Conservation Seedling Nursery. Despite needing to avoid a section of the nursery due to a roof that was partially blown off during the wind storm, the seedling nursery proved to be a fascinating stop. The nursery has been growing conservation
seedlings for almost 100 years! Established in 1927, it grows trees and other plants for conservation from seed that staff and community members collect across Montana. We witnessed the entire process –from seed collection and cold storage, to plugs, to the shipping process. With a mission to protect species from extinction, maintain and restore habitats, enhance ecosystem services, and protect biological diversity, the nursery plays an integral role in conservation across the state.
Botanica Orchids was the next tour site. Botanica is an orchid grower that specializes in seedgrown orchids, specifically endangered angraecoid species
that are primarily from Africa and Madagascar. Their efforts focus on taking the pressure off native populations by reducing collection from native habitats. This includes supporting the unique pollination requirements of the varied orchid species that they cultivate. In addition to endangered species, they also grow many other orchids and tillandsias.
We visited Greenbench Orchard as our next stop, an organic “U-Pick” apple and raspberry orchard. They cultivate 185 trees, including 8 varieties of apples: Honeycrisp, Goodland, Goodmac, Kerr Crab, Liberty, Spartan, Wealthy, and Haralson. Raspberry varieties include Nova and Boyne. Everyone enjoyed lunch amongst the apple trees, while learning about the history of the orchard from animated owner, Fred Stewart.
Millay and Meadowlark Cut Flower Farm was up next on the tour schedule. Nestled into the serene Clark Fork River Valley, they specialize in locally grown, seasonal flowers, using organic and sustainable growing practices. A labor of love, their business was conceived as a means of creating meaningful and engaging work for their son, Connor, who has down syndrome. They are committed to providing Connor with opportunities
to maintain and learn new life skills and to be a vibrant contributor and member of the community. They hope to extend employment opportunities to other individuals with disabilities in the future as their business grows.
Next, we wrapped up the tour at a residential landscape by Pro Sweep Plus. This design-build project, located in the historic University district, is a custombuilt work of art. Featuring an architectural slab patio, arbor, handmade ipe (Brazilian walnut) wood benches and jatoba (Brazilian cherry) wood dining table, this project displays the varied talents of the PSP team; all of the custom wood furniture was created in-house. A cedar fence surrounds all, lending an air of privacy to the backyard.
Thank you for everyone who attended, and to the wonderful tour hosts and sponsors that made this year’s Summer Tour so memorable! If you’ve never attended the tour before, I encourage you to do so – there are so many tips and tricks we can learn from each other; it’s truly one of my favorite events we put on. Mark your calendars – we’re headed to Bozeman next July!
Special thank-you to this year’s Summer Tour planning committee: Hollie & Bev Gutman of Marchie’s Nursery, Sandy Perrin of Missoula County Extension, Pat Appleby of Compost Happens Gardening, Bill Caras of Caras Nursery, John Spray of The Good Earth Works Company, and Matt Watts and Aaron Mihelish of Pro Sweep Plus. Thank you!
Over 900 varieties of trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials.
Plants suited to the rigors of Montana’s climate and synchronized to Montana’s seasons with late spring frosts and early fall freezes.
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Note from the Executive Director
Greetings, MNLA Members! It has been a busy few months since our last Leaflet. It was fun seeing so many of you at our events throughout the Summer and Fall. Special thanks to everyone who joined us for our Golf Tournament in Billings (this was our 11th year!), and our inaugural Bozeman Chapter Golf Tournament. A huge thank-you is also due to the Missoula-area members who rolled out the welcome mat, and rolled up their sleeves, to clean up from a devastating wind storm in time to host the Summer Tour only 24 hours after the storm hit the area. Be sure to take a look at the Summer Tour recap in this Leaflet to see some of the awesome tour sites. No matter how you look at it, the tour will be one we won’t forget!
As I write this, the weather has taken a steep turn towards winter, which seems fitting since we are hard at work planning the next Montana Green Expo. We are excited to once again hold the Northern Rockies Tree School conference in conjunction with the Expo. One registration for the event gives you access to all the seminars – you can hop between tracks to take any of the courses you want. There are some incredible speakers in the line-up this year! Mark your calendars for January 7-9, 2025 in Missoula, MT. Early bird registration pricing is
in place through December 1st. Check out our event page for more details: www.plantingmontana.org/ montana-green-expo.
We also have a few positions opening up on our Board of Directors. The 3rd Vice President, Member-at-Large, and Secretary positions will be opening in January, with new Board members elected during our Annual Meeting at the Expo. Do you have someone that wants to make a difference in the Association? Nominate them! The contact info for all our current Board members is in the front of this Leaflet; they can be a great resource for questions about Board service. Nominations are due by December 1st.
I hope to see many of you at the Montana Green Expo! As always, contact me with any thoughts, questions, or ideas: 406-755-3079, or gina@plantingmontana.org.
Gina Albaugh
MNLA Executive Director
Gina Albaugh, MNLA Executive Director
Community Beautification Fund Update
Gina Albaugh, MNLA Executive Director
We are excited to provide an update on one of the Community Beautification Fund projects that we recently funded. We are honored to support communityenhancement projects, and thank all of you who supported fundraising efforts for this program at the silent auction during the Montana Green Expo!
“Roundup Community Partners (RCP) would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your support of the Welcome Plaza Project. The Plaza Grand Opening was held on April 20, 2024 and had over 90 attendees. Without the support of our grantors, partners, donors, and volunteers; this project would never have come into fruition, especially with the unprecedented market during the timing of construction.
Before and After Images show the impact of this effort and partnership. The Welcome Plaza, Visitor Information Kiosk, and Roundup’s first Main Street bathrooms are used every day by locals and visitors.
RCP has achieved our project goals to be an anchor development for the intentional revitalization of our Main Street, to introduce visitors to the Roundup community and engage them in our local economy, and to serve as a gateway to welcome non-resident visitors into the community. Your partnership has enabled these goals and this success, and we are extremely thankful!”
WELCOME
TO OUR NEWEST MNLA MEMBERS!
DAVID CASTRO, RIVERS LANDSCAPING BELGRADE, MT
TODD DONNELLY, BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE BELGRADE, MT
WILLIAM (BILLY) FLESCH, PEST 1 BOZEMAN, MT
MARK GARFF SCJ STUDIO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE BUTTE, MT
BRIDGET GUNSTEN WEBBY LANDSCAPING AND MASONRY BELGRADE, MT
RON IVERSON MONTANA CHRISTMAS TREES CONDON, MT
ARIAN KAMBAKHSH GREENSPACE LANDSCAPING BOZEMAN, MT
SUZANNE MACKAY MONTANA HARDSCAPE HUB BELGRADE, MT
RYAN NOACK MCHUTCHISON- VAUGHAN’S HORT. DIST. BILLINGS, MT
Marchie’s Tree and Landscaping Service. Wayne Marchie is thinking about retiring the end of this season (after 41 years in Butte, not including the years growing up in the Missoula Nursery!). Wayne wonders, “Where did the years GO?” but is getting tired after all the years. Wayne is looking for a turn-key ambitious owner, and asks the MNLA community to contact him with any ideas. He can be reached at: 406-782-2725.
Scholarship Applications Being Accepted
Kristi Browning, MNLA Education Chair
Just a quick reminder that the next scholarship application deadline is March 31st. If you know anyone who qualifies to apply be sure to let them know. Download the scholarship application on our website (www.plantingmontana.org/scholarships). Awardees from this year’s funding cycle will be recognized at the Montana Green Expo in January.
Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am currently a high school senior, about to enter a vocational, trade school, or other 2-year program in the fall. Can I apply for the College/University Scholarship?
A: Yes
Q: I already have a bachelor’s degree and am starting graduate school. Can I apply for the College/ University Scholarship?
A: Yes
Q: I am not an MNLA Member, but I am currently employed at an MNLA company. Can I apply for a Short Course Study or College/University scholarship?
A: Yes, you can apply for whichever scholarship is suitable for your situation.
Q: I have already received a scholarship from the MNLA. Can I apply again?
A: Yes, previously receiving the scholarship does not automatically disqualify you, though preference may be given to students who have not previously received a scholarship.
Q: I am not an MNLA member, though I am currently studying in a horticulture related field. Can I apply for this scholarship?
A: Consider getting a student membership! The student rate is far lower than the standard membership and includes many benefits such as: discounted rates to MNLA events, receiving the Leaflet Newsletter and other MNLA publications, free access to an electronic version of the Certified Plant Professional Manual, as well as the financial benefit of being able to apply for the scholarship.
Q: What is the purpose of the Short Course Study Scholarship?
A: MNLA’s intent is to support continuing education for those in the industry. A class on retaining wall construction or plant pest identification/control could greatly benefit a member and improve their industry knowledge. MNLA views this as providing a benefit to its members.
Q: I am an MNLA member. Can I apply for the Short Course Study to help educate my employees?
A: Yes, if you are sending an employee to a workshop related to the horticulture business, you may apply for the Short Course Study. There may be limits to how many employees will receive the funds, and there may be a cap for each company. Therefore, we highly recommend reaching out to the MNLA prior to the workshop so you know how much funding may be available to you.
In The Board Room
June 2024 Spring recess – no meeting.
July 2024 President Peter Hiel called the meeting to order at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Missoula, MT. Gina presented the financial reports and noted the funds moved to the investment CD at the bank. Krisit reported 4 registrations for the CPP exam at Caras today, noting the staff at Caras Nursery made a heroic effort on Thursday morning after the wind storm to allow the test to happen. Our proposal for a 1-year Specialty Crop Block Grant has been accepted for inclusion in the Montana Department of Ag state plan and our application has been forwarded to USDA for funding approval. Mike Garvey provided a written report for Northern Rockies Tree School. “Wild Urban Interface & Municipalities” will be the 2025 theme, with several speakers lined up on topics of tree failure and liability, AI in arboriculture and drone use, and wildfires and wild urban interface with more topics to come. Plans for the 2025 Green Expo are coming together with speakers and booth bookings. Our new Bozeman chapter is planning their first golf tournament on August 22nd. Gina and John reviewed details for tonight’s Summer Tour welcome dinner and Friday events. Thanks to all our sponsors and tour stop hosts!
August 2024 The virtual meeting was called to order by President Peter Hiel. Frank Etzler from the Montana Department of Ag reports that nursery license numbers are on track and Carson has been making contacts on late filers. He also mentioned they are working on regulation language updates to the Montana Pesticide Act as requested by the legislature. The goal is to have regulations be more understandable to everyone. Any changes they recommend need to be approved by the legislature before they become final. Kristi reports that we had one person pass the CPP exam. Thanks again to Caras for their heroic efforts to have the exam at their site despite the storm. Gina reports membership renewals are strong and include new members from Bozeman and Billings. John and the group reviewed the events of the Summer Tour. Even considering the weather disaster we all enjoyed the unique Missoula stops and the
networking. MUCFA has included MNLA in their Advisory Committee meetings putting together a survey of questions about training needs here in Montana with survey results to be shared with stakeholders.
September 2024 President Peter Hiel called the meeting to order with all board members present. Kristi reports no scholarship applications at this time. Scholarship applications are due November 1. Joe reports strong Expo booth sales and good spots still open to fill. Gina reviewed the changes planned for the Expo schedule. Joe is planning hardscape classes for Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Gina reviewed the Best of Montana categories and plans for this year and reminded that intent to enter is due October 15th and final entry materials are due November 15th. Kristi reported the Bozeman Chapter golf tournament was a great success with 72 players registered and lots of Chapter members helping for the event. Peter led discussion on member benefit programs, with roll-out to follow.
Garden Media Group Releases 2025 Garden Trends Report
In the 2025 report, Garden Media Group highlights eight upcoming trends expected to impact consumer gardening behaviors in the coming year.
The report’s theme, “Nature’s Renaissance,” highlights the movement to reintegrate natural elements into our lives, landscapes and cities.
For example, in the U.S., 84% of newly built singlefamily homes sold in 2022 were part of a homeowners’ association often imposing strict garden standards: clean, green, tidy, mulched and weed-free. Plus, more than a quarter of U.S. cities are covered in pavement.
“This renaissance isn’t merely an aesthetic appeal — though more plants are certainly better — it’s about a growing recognition of the vital need for green spaces everywhere,” says Katie Dubow, president of Garden Media Group. “Cities are increasingly adopting strategies that weave nature holistically into our daily existence.”
The “renaissance” theme focuses on people’s desire for social communities by reclaiming barren lots and allowing nature to take hold.
“As cities adopt these green strategies amid the deepening climate crisis, they are creating better environments for both nature and humans, enhancing stormwater management, cooling, improving air quality, reducing noise, boosting mental health, reducing violence and supporting urban wildlife. This shift fosters a community affinity for living in these sustainable landscapes, marking a significant step toward integrating horticulture more holistically into our everyday lives.”
2025 gardening trends
1. Social retreat: the decline of major social platforms and the increasing consumer preference for inperson community interactions.
2. ‘Grow’ your own way: music in the garden.
3. This place doesn’t exist: the surge in artificial intelligence and shifts toward anti-reality.
4. Lived-in gardens: a genuine and seasoned aesthetic for authenticity.
5. Living fences: hedges and beyond.
6. Foraged: a rising interest in local, fresh flowers and amateur foraging.
7. Holy moly plants: more interest in plants with deep fenestrations, mirroring current fashion trends.
8. Color of the Year: teal.
Photos courtesy of Garden Media Group.
Calendar of Events
CERTIFIED PLANT PROFESSIONAL EXAM
January 7, 2025—Missoula, MT MONTANA GREEN EXPO
January 7-9, 2025, Missoula MT
NORTHERN ROCKIES TREE SCHOOL
January 7-9, 2025—Missoula, MT
SUMMER TOUR
July 24-25, 2025—Bozeman, MT
GOLF SCRAMBLE
August 2025—Billings & Bozeman, MT
38-39 Tizer Lake Road, Jefferson City MLS # 30022888 & 30024350
6.597 +/- Acres
$1,600,000
Montana Green Expo Keynote Announced
We are excited to welcome Steve Beck as the Keynote Speaker for the 2025 Montana Green Expo! Steve is recognized as an outstanding Keynote Speaker, Motivator, Instructor and Consultant. His knowledge stems from a 20-year career at the Management and Vice President level. Steve is now focused on helping Businesses, Schools, Associations and Organizations reach and sustain excellence.
This inspirational Keynote is about having participants realize that if they have a Great Day Every Day, everyone around them will benefit as a result. Participants discover that their job is not just a job, but in fact a performance on, ‘How to Be Their Best Every Day by Having a Great Day Every Day!’.
Participants are given the understanding and tools to enhance their attitude and mindset so that they make their day flow smoothly with their customers, potential customers, coworkers, family members, friends and everyone in their life. Steve’s presentation will be engaging, funny, entertaining, and educational.
Building a Container for the Winter
Kristi Browning, MNLA Education Chair
Right around the time we are getting our hard frosts I am completely over it with watering those cursed hanging baskets! Once we get past Christmas and I’ve had a little break I find myself missing that little spot of color that greeted me on my way home all summer long.
I know of no petunia that can withstand our long winters to bloom into January, so I choose to fill my baskets and containers with cut greens instead. I’ve done it in the past but didn’t get around to doing it last year and I really missed having them. I am determined to do it again this year and I thought I would take you along and share my process. Here are my top tips for getting the most out of a winter container arrangement
Use a Plastic Liner Pot
We all know that the freeze thaw cycle of water in the winter can crack and destroy those expensive prized ceramic planters, even those that allege to be frost resistant can have their lifespan dramatically decreased by introduced water. Enter our saving grace, the plastic liner pot. These cheap alternatives are flexible which can allow some grace as the water holding your greens in place freezes. Even if they break, they are quick and easy to replace the next season. If you are using a decorative plastic pot instead of ceramic, simply place a couple cheap bricks or rocks in the bottom to keep the container from blowing over in the wind.
Keep the Leftover Potting Soil as Your Medium
Why invest in expensive oasis foam for an outdoor container when really all you need is something that can freeze in place and hold your greens upright? Instead of dumping that potting soil in the fall, keep a hold of it for your liner pots and dump it in the spring. That way you send all those brown needles with it to the compost and still manage to break that annoying thrip life cycle.
Choose Pieces with Fluffy Tips to Fill out the Pot
When selecting which pieces to use, make sure they have some nice branching towards the tips. This adds some much-needed camouflage to block out
the view of that liner pot. I prefer to use Douglas Fir for the bulk of the greenery since it is a nice soft green that holds up well over the winter. I’ve even used small bits from the trunk right on the soil surface before adding my longer pieces just to make sure that everything looks full and nice.
Pine is a great textural element, but many pine pieces don’t have much branching on them. I like to add them after I have the bulk of the greenery in place.
Think “Winter Seasonal”
It may be tempting to go overboard with the Christmas theme, but a good container will last well into March. For this reason, choose elements like pinecones, dried echinacea heads, or dried magnolia leaves to add that little pop of interest. Give the dried elements a little spray of matte gold or silver to brighten up the browns. Another thing I’ve done is wrap mini presents with cellophane gift wrap to tuck around the base of the arrangement, then replaced them with some nice big pine cones after Christmas.
Add Branches
I think we’ve all seen photos of greenery with some fun birch branches or red twig dogwood stems in them. I like to use this in place of a miniature cut tree for that vertical element. It also has a very classy and modern look which lends itself well to the natural stone or wooden themed houses that are all the rage these days. Get a little more out of your birch by drilling a hole into the base and inserting a dowel; this gives you something smaller to tuck into the soil (easier to use) as well as making sure you can use the full length of the branch.
Add Outdoor Lights
There’s not much worse than coming home to a dark house at 5:30 pm when the only thing lit is maybe your security light as you pull into the driveway. Even worse you can’t see that gorgeous winter arrangement. So, add some outdoor lighting. There are lots of options for battery operated outdoor string lights that work on a timer and do not require access to an outlet. Choose white lighting, rather than multicolored, to keep with the “winter seasonal” theme. Some light strings allow you to switch between multi-colored and white lights, so shop around and let your creativity flow.
Wilt-stop for Longevity
Despite everything being on the southwest side of my house, my personal containers often look good long after my wreath has degraded into a brown and defoliating mess. I think this is because my wreath hangs right on the wall which is way hotter than the ambient air temperature around my hanging baskets and containers. With no protection, the containers at my house look pretty good until about early to mid-March. If you want them to last longer or keep that rich green color longer, consider spraying those arrangements with wilt-stop. Wilt-Stop is an antidesiccant spray which is designed to reduce winter
burn on living evergreens. It is comprised of Pinene which does give it a bit of a shiny appearance due to the wax. I’ve only ever used it on green conifers since it reportedly changes the color on blue conifers (so beware).
Do one for Yourself
If you read this article because you wanted to do this for your clients, do yourself a favor and make up a little container of joy for yourself. We spend so much time making other people’s gardens/ landscapes/ containers gorgeous that we are oftentimes burnt out when it comes to doing our own. I know the old saying goes “the cobbler’s children have no shoes”, but believe me when I tell you that you deserve a little treat too.
Entrepreneurs, Your Time is Money
Are You Being Too Generous with It?
Julie Bee is the author of “Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success.” A business owner burnout strategist, Bee has been dubbed the “small business fixer” by her clients and peers. With over 15 years in the entrepreneurial field, she has solidified her reputation as a dynamic consultant, a riveting speaker, and a leader who sheds light on the darker side of business ownership. Having been celebrated by Fast Company and Forbes, her insights are in high demand across the industry. For more information, please visit thejuliebee.com
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably done your share of pro bono work: helping a family member or friend, or volunteering to do some work for your child’s school or a favorite charity. You’re happy to help; after all, these projects crop up only occasionally and don’t take up large swathes of time.
But what about the pro bono work you do on a regular — even daily — basis? Many entrepreneurs spend countless hours doing work with no reward. The culprit? Unpaid consulting.
In order to secure new business, entrepreneurs have to do a lot of up-front thinking, strategizing and advising. While you do need to show potential clients that your business can deliver a quality product or service, it’s easy to let this stage drag on way too long — to your own detriment.
During the initial call or meeting with a prospective client, you go all out to demonstrate your value. In a week or two, you schedule a followup … then another, and another. You continue to share advice, strategies and ideas in hopes that you’ll close the business — and maybe even get a bigger commitment because of your hard work. But instead, it becomes an endless loop of calls where the prospect picks your brain, and you get nothing in return.
Too often, you’re ghosted or told that the prospect decided to go with another option. You’re left feeling resentful, tired and broke. Even when the client does sign a contract, it’s frustrating to look back on all the unbillable hours you’ve spent to get this far.
Worse, when unpaid work becomes habitual, it can lead to burnout. Constantly exerting effort but getting nowhere can make you feel demoralized and “stuck” with no end in sight. Situations like this happen to all business owners.
So, how do you stop giving away so much of your time and expertise — both on the front end and throughout the project? Here are a few suggestions:
First, practice your new mantra: “My time is valuable.” Before you set boundaries with clients, you have to change your own mindset. It’s easy to assume that if a conversation isn’t costing you materials or product, it’s not a huge deal.
Not so. How much could you have charged a paying client for that hour? How much closer could you have gotten to finishing a project or implementing a new idea? For that matter, could the prospective client take what you’ve shared with them and leverage it to make more money on their own? Never forget that your time is a valuable asset.
Set a time limit on unpaid work or initial consulting. I know a business owner who has a one-hour initial call with prospective clients. If they want to continue the conversation after that first hour, the clients have to purchase a package of this entrepreneur’s time, which she sells in five-hour increments.
If you want to follow this business owner’s example, set expectations up front and be consistent with every prospective client. Explain that you want them to get a taste of your work,
Julie Bee
and acknowledge that an initial conversation is necessary to determine if your business is a good fit. Then let the prospect know how much you’ll charge for your consulting time going forward.
Get your post-consultation budget out front. When you share your consultation fees, it’s also a good idea to give prospective clients an idea of how much the actual project is likely to cost. Being up front about the expected budget will help you weed out “tire-kickers” who may not be serious or who just don’t have the funds. Say something like, “We normally work on a six-month retainer. Our range is $X to $Y, with the average contract being $Z. Is that within your budget?”
Don’t assume that the budget has dried up mid-project. Sometimes entrepreneurs end up doing unpaid work because they think a client doesn’t have the budget to cover everything. Maybe it’s true that the client’s dollars just aren’t there, but always ask and verify!
If you believe budget will be an issue, you can ask the client, “What is your budget at this point?” or say, “This is what I usually charge for a project like this.” Then see where the conversation takes you. One more option. If there isn’t enough money to cover you, see if you can negotiate another form of payment. Maybe the client can help you out with admission to an industry conference, give you access to attendee lists, trade one of their own services, etc. If you do it for free, do it without expectations. Maybe you’ve decided that charging for your time after an initial consultation isn’t right for your business, or you believe you’re justified in making an exception. (Or perhaps you’re doing an actual premeditated pro bono project!) Whatever the circumstances, do this unpaid work without any if/then expectations.
In other words, don’t justify the work by saying, “If I do ABC, then the client will respond by doing XYZ.” This type of thinking is what fuels seemingly infinite consulting cycles. You’re working toward a hoped-for outcome that the client has not agreed to (and may never agree to). Either be okay with not being compensated, or put a payment plan in place.
Proceed on a case-by-case basis. Some prospective clients need more time than others to commit. You don’t always have to shut people down if they don’t immediately commit, but you do need to recognize when discussions are likely to drag on so you can shorten the cycle. Also, in my experience, clients who require a lot of your time and energy on the front end will continue to do so throughout the project. This isn’t necessarily a reason to end the relationship — but it is helpful to be aware of as you plan your work-flow.
Remember that you’re your best advocate. If you find yourself feeling resentful about the unpaid consulting you’ve already given to a prospective client and have
another meeting coming up with them, you can still advocate for yourself.
Send an email to the prospective client as far in advance of the scheduled meeting as possible to let them know you’ll need to charge for the upcoming, and any future, consulting sessions. But also give them an out to cancel the meeting with no hard feelings.
Do your best work, no matter what. “Free” does not equal “lower quality.” Always give 100 percent, whether you’re being paid or not. If you cut corners or deliver a half-baked pro bono service, it can hurt — or even ruin — your brand.
Dissatisfied prospects can do plenty of damage to your business with a few keystrokes. On the other hand, folks who are impressed by your work can be some of your best ambassadors — even if they don’t sign a contract! For instance, “It turned out that I needed some services Julie’s company didn’t offer, but I was so impressed by her ideas and communication. You should give her a call!”
Walk away if you need to. Not all business is good business. When you’re in the unpaid consulting stage, use your instincts. Ask yourself, is this relationship one I really want to be in? Is this person impossible to satisfy? Are they legit but slower to move … or are they consciously trying to take advantage?
Eventually the takers, time-wasters and chronic complainers will wear on you and drain your time, energy and mental health. Scout them out early and don’t be afraid to “pass” on their business if you believe it will take up too much of your professional or personal bandwidth.
For most entrepreneurs, a judicious amount of unpaid consulting is one of the best ways to build your brand and attract new business. But too much of a good thing can leave you frustrated, struggling to make ends meet or even burned out. Most clients don’t abuse the system intentionally, but if you want to end the unpaid consulting cycle, it’s up to you to set the boundaries. Very few people are going to say no to a continued stream of free ideas!
SUCCESS FROM THE ROOTS UP
CELEBRATING CELEBRATING
Thank you to all who joined us for the 11th Annual Billings Chapter Golf Tournament on August 8, 2024. It was a successful event, with a great time had by all! Huge shout-out to our sponsors and MNLA community for supporting this fundraiser.
Generously supported by our Event-Level Sponsors:
Tournament Champs (1st Place Net Score): Mike D’Hoey Lawn Service
1st Place Gross Score: Tvetene Turf
Briarwood’s Signature Black Sand Bunkers
Score:
RDO Equipment’s Marshmallow Long Drive Competition
Scholarship Recipient Helping Fundraise for Future Recipients
TRANSFORMING LANDSCAPES One drop at a time
Your trusted partner in irrigation excellence.
2M delivers comprehensive on-site service tailored to the unique needs of landscape and irrigation contractors in Montana! Our expert team is dedicated to providing you with legendary service, ensuring your projects run smoothly from start to finish!
Find your local branch!
Introducing the Newest Certified Plant Professional
Kristi Browning, MNLA Education Chair
During the Summer Tour we hosted the Certified Plant Professional (CPP) Exam and are happy to announce a new CPP. Congratulations to Kristel Wilkens of Greater Gallatin Landscape Contractors!
Special thanks to Caras Nursery, for not only hosting the CPP Exam, but also to all the staff that helped pick out the plants and set up the exam (not once, but twice, since the wind storm made quite a mess of things). Thank you so much, it was such a pleasure to work with all of you.
The Next CPP Exam will be offered at the Montana Green Expo, I look forward to seeing you there.
“I have had a passion for plants since I was very young starting with my family’s vegetable gardens and house plants. Ever since I can remember, weeding was my favorite chore! My affection toward plants lead me to get my degree in Horticulture from Montana State University. I now use my degree and community acquired knowledge to grow my own garden and while working for Greater Gallatin Contractors and beyond. I enjoy talking about plants to anyone who wants to learn or just chat.”
