Volume 19
Issue 3
May/June 2014
Cover photo courtesy of Eric Triplett, The Pond Digger
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35 42 The Spice of Life
With a history spanning over a century, goldfish have come a long way from their humble beginnings as a cheap food source in China. And while their American legacy began as a “five-and-dime” product at Woolworth, today’s goldfish are anything but ordinary. Joe Pawlak of Blackwater Creek Koi Farms sheds some light on the many colorful varieties of the fish you only thought you knew.
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46 Contractor Crackdown
Many pond companies use independent contractors to cut down on labor costs and get projects finished. But thanks to new legislation, the IRS has much different standards for what constitutes a “nonemployee” than you might realize — and miscategorizing your workers could cost you a pond-load. Is worker misclassification putting your company at risk?
52 Best Practices
The pond industry has long been a “wild west,” with few governing bodies and regulations to control or police it. But are we really better off without them? In the first installment of a multi-part series, Kent Wallace explores the ramifications of the legislative freedom pond builders enjoy — and suggests some best practices to protect the industry’s future.
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May/June 2014
New Association The Irrigation Association has introduced a new Water Features and Lake Management Common Interest Group. With training and certification opportunities and a forum to discuss best practices, the new CIG is sure to give your pond business a boost.
25 Departments 6 56 60 53
Upcoming Events Trade News Marketplace Advertisers’ Index
Columns 7 Publisher’s Perspective 49 The Round Table
POND Trade Magazine
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