CNLA Newsbrief | April 2010 by Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

2010 Canada Blooms a Blooming Success!

March-April 2010 Vol. 19 Issue 2 What’s inside: • Uncoupling Fertilizer/Pesticide Combination Products

Funds for New Employees

Dress for success

• The Value of Vineland • Accolades for BC members • AgriForest Receives Award for Innovation • Strategic plans and survey results

The partnership between CNLA and Mark’s Work Wearhouse is proving to be a big hit. One just wasn’t enough, it seems, as many members have contacted the CNLA office to request additional cards for all of their employees. Now, with a 15% discount on the Mark’s merchandise, our members will not only be the best professionals in the industry, they’ll be the best-dressed as well. The discount is offered to our members and their employees on Carhartt and Helly Hansen merchandise, as well as tops and bottoms from Dakota, Denver Hayes and Wind River. Casual and CSA footwear are also included with this 15% discount, along with winter and safety accessories. Imagewear, a division of Mark’s Work Wearhouse, is also ready to provide your company with clothing and uniform items that are specifically branded with your logo, also at the 15% discount. As well, Imagewear

offers logo applications on promotional products to further promote your company. Visit them at www. imagewear.ca or call 1-800-663-6275 to obtain bulk order pricing and to take advantage of this great offer. Email the CNLA office at info@canadanursery.com should you require additional cards or to find out more about our endorsed supplier program. *this program is not available to members of Landscape Alberta due to a pre-existing relationship with Mark's Work Wearhouse

Photo courtesy Imagewear

Green Industry News

Garden Centre Survey Results

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INDUSTRY NEWS EXECUTIVE BOARD: President Past President First Vice President Second Vice President Treasurer

Cary van Zanten - BC Michael Murray - NL Bill Stensson - ON Christine LeVatte, CLP - NS Rene Thiebaud, CLP - ON

DIRECTORS: LOHTA Representative, Insurance Chair LNS Representative BCLNA Representative Human Resources Chair Environment Chair Landscape Canada Chair Government Liaison, COHA Chair, SNLA Representative AQPP Representative Planning & Governmen, NAPPO Chair LNB Representative Member Services Chair Garden Centre Canada Chair National Certification Chair Landscape Canada Vice Chair, LANTA Representative LM Representative, Growers Canada Chair LNL Representative

Gerald Boot, CLP - ON Jeff Morton, CLT - NS Michael Kato - BC Harold Deenen, CLP - ON Bill Hardy, CLP - BC Bruce Hunter, CLT, CLD, CLP - BC Vic Krahn, CHT - SK Pierre Lavallée - QC Bruce McTavish - BC Darrell Nameth, CLP - NB Anthony O’Neill - NL Terry Nicholson, CLT - ON Phil Paxton, CLT, CLP - AB Owen Vanstone - MB Don Barry - NL

STAFF: Executive Director Victor Santacruz, CAE, CLP victor@canadanursery.com Member Services Manager Joseph Salemi, CAE joseph@canadanursery.com Professional and Business Joel Beatson, CAE, CLP Development Manager joel@canadanursery.com Manager of Provincial Relations Rebecca Wetselaar, CAE rebecca@canadanursery.com Growers Manager Rita Weerdenburg rita@canadanursery.com Landscape Priorities Manager Liz Klose, B.Sc., (Agr), CLP liz@canadanursery.com Certification Services Julia Ricottone, CEPIT julia@canadanursery.com Minor Use/IPM Co-ordinator Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., MPM peter@canadanursery.com Member Services Co-ordinator Agnes Zawartka, CAE, CLP agnes@canadanursery.com Communications Co-ordinator Kim Burton kim@canadanursery.com Executive Assistant Cheryl Gall cheryl@canadanursery.com Bookkeeper Sheena Falzon sheena@canadanursery.com Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks by: Harmony Printing, 50 Woodbine Downs Boulevard, Toronto, ON M9W 5R2

Uncoupling of Fertilizer-Pesticide Combination Products for Lawn & Turf Uses The regulatory action by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to uncouple fertilizer-pesticide combination products is focussed on the following types of turf: • Lawn turf planted in or around residences, as well as public and commercial buildings including schools and cemeteries • Sports and recreational turf such as turf in parks, playgrounds, golf courses, zoos, botanical gardens and athletic playing fields *These types of turf are collectively known as fine turf, which may be maintained by homeowners or by professional applicators. This regulation does not include the agricultural uses of fertilizer-pesticide combination products (turf farms), or products that have a single active material with both fertilizer and pesticidal properties. Pesticides should only be used where there is a need, with broadcast applications of pesticides warranted only for severe pest infestations that are widespread. Spot applications of pesticides are often sufficient to ensure adequate control, as infestations are typically patchy. Further, fertilizer should be used only if the turf requires additional nutrients. Broadcast pesticide applications should only be used if the pest densities are sufficiently high across the area. Based on consultation, the PMRA has concluded that fertilizer-pesticide combination

products for lawn and turf does not support the goals of best practices for pest management in turf. The PMRA, in conjunction with Canadian Food Inspection Agency, will uncouple the fertilizer-pesticide combination products intended for lawn and turf uses, with December 31st, 2012 being the last day for sale. This provides adequate time for replacement products to be made available for lawn and turf use. The PMRA’s decision to uncouple fertilizer-pesticide combination products is to provide more flexibility for spot applications of pesticide. Turf fertilizers will continue to be available for broadcast application when needed. Pesticide-only products will also continue to be available for lawn care use to homeowners and commercial applicators for either spot treatments of localized weed patches or for use as broadcast applications to severely infested turf areas when warranted. For complete details on this evaluation, please visit Health Canada’s website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/ _decisions/rev2010-01/index-eng.php

Green Wave

The is a global campaign that encourages children and youth to make a difference – one school, one tree, one step at a time. The Green Wave engages youth from around the world to raise awareness about biodiversity. The Green Wave contributes to the Plant for the Planet Billion Tree Campaign. How industry can get involved: • Nurseries can offer their tree expertise to local schools by inviting students to visit a nursery or donate a tree seedling. • Encourage a school or other groups near you to get involved in the green wave. Offer a short presentation on local species or tree planting & caring techniques. • Register a tree you will be planting on May 22, 2010 on the Green Wave website and notify your provincial association. Provinces can contact local media on how the industry is getting involved. For more information, visit http://greenwave.cbd.int/en/home

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS

The Value of Vineland The following is the first in a series on the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) at the Vineland Research Station – its value and importance to the nursery and landscape sector. As a supporting partner, CNLA has developed a working relationship with this leading-edge, Canadian horticulture research and innovation facility.

History

The Vineland Research Station was created through a gift in 1906 by Moses F. Rittenhouse, giving rise to the emergence of a competitive tender fruit industry, and more recently, wine and greenhouse industries, in one of Canada’s most unique geographic regions, the Niagara Peninsula. The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre was established approximately two years ago as a not-for-profit corporation.

Vision

The Ontario government has invested $25 million in support of the Vineland vision and similarly, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has provided $15.5 million in support. Under the federal-provincial Growing Forward agreement, both levels of government will also be contributing $15 million over a four-year period, for development of sectorspecific, research programs in ornamental and edible horticulture. Vineland is hoped to be an internationally recognized centre of horticulture research, innovation excellence and a significant force in the delivery of horticulture technology. The research is cuttingedge; guided by market demand and driven by the needs of industry. Alliances with academic institutions, and provincial and federal government departments enable an assimilation of ideas and expertise. The result is an incorporation of the priorities and needs of horticulture through an innovation pipeline that is continuous from scientific discovery to market application. Former CNLA Past President, Paul Olsen, CEO and Chairman, Brookdale Treeland Nurseries (BTN), is on the Vineland Board of Directors. Several CNLA members also serve on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, including board members: Bill Stensson, President, Sheridan Nurseries, CNLA 1st Vice President, and Co-Chair, Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance; and Past President Michael Murray, President and

CEO, Murray’s Landscape & Horticultural Services, Ltd and Director of Landscape Newfoundland & Labrador. The Stakeholder Advisory Committee is national in scope and addresses sector-specific opportunities and the quality of knowledge transfer.

Progress Towards the Vision

Here are a few accomplishments: • Established key advisory committees including a Scientific Advisory Committee made up of renowned international scientists from industry and academia. • Established a business development office. • Entered into negotiations with AAFC and

•

the University of Guelph for the continuation of current research programs under Vineland Research and Innovation Centre management. Built key relationships with industry and have signed agreements with the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Flowers Canada (Ontario), Landscape Ontario and the Wine Council of Ontario.

For more information on Vineland, visit: www.vinelandresearch.com (Information in this article is published herein with permission from Vineland)

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Photo courtesy of Jodi DiLong

A sad loss for our industry Captain Richard (Dick) Steele, a retired naval captain, became a premier breeder of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias for over 50 years. Dick, as he was known to friends, a skilled propagator, plantsman and mentor to the horticulture industry, passed away quietly on March 14th, 2010. He shrugged off any praise he received for his plant breeding, "I don't run around taking credit for breeding this plant or that. The plant does all the work, but I had a lot of fun with helping them." Friends and colleagues admired Dick for his boundless energy in gathering seeds and seeking out new plants. He had a willingness to share his knowledge of plants, as well as his cuttings, and had a love for entertaining those around him with humourous stories of his adventures and travels. He helped to create a world of beauty and will be sadly missed.

New Employment Insurance Help Save Foreign Special Benefits for Worker Programs Self-Employed With proposed changes currently under As of January 31, 2010, self-employed individuals can register for Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits. The four types of special benefits are: maternity benefits*; parental benefits*; sickness benefits; and compassionate care benefits. Visit www. servicecanada.gc.ca to register online using a My Service Canada account or for more information. You can also call the EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800206-7218. If you register after April 1, 2010, you will have to wait 12 months before you can apply for benefits. * Self-employed people in Quebec are already eligible to apply for maternity and parental benefits under the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan.

consideration for the temporary foreign worker program, Deputy Minister Rick Dykstra has requested the industry to share success stories and assist the government defend the program. We’ve heard many positive stories over the years and have often described the temporary foreign workers program as Canada’s best foreign aid initiative. CNLA hopes to collect success stories from our members, who have used the foreign worker programs, and share those with politicians and bureaucrats to better enlighten them of this an essential service for Canadian companies; which benefits workers as well. Please forward your success stories to Joel Beatson at joel@canadanursery.com or by fax to 1-866-833-8603.

landscape industry

certified Certification Corner

Leaders in the Nursery Industry Dedicated to Service

Horticultural Assistant Grower

Full-time, permanent lead-hand position in a Greenhouse environment. Must have training and/or experience in grafting, integrated pest management and irrigation. Must be physically fit. A diploma in horticulture or equivalent of 5 years on-the-job experience an asset.

Fruit Tree Sales Person

Permanent position providing in-house sales and service for Fruit Tree line. Must have basic horticultural knowledge with a focus on Fruit Trees. Must be highly organized, accurate in taking and maintaining orders and shipment schedules. Must be proficient in word, email and excel. Excellent customer service skills essential. Send resume to:

Mori Nurseries Ltd.

R.R.2, 1695 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S1J0 Fax: 905-468-7271 or email:resumes@morinurseries.com

Recertification Reminder If you earned your certification in 2008 or earlier, you were due to recertify on January 1, 2010. The process has undergone some changes this year, and in order to recertify, you need to submit a form, with 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and payment of $78.75. This will keep your Landscape Industry Certified Status active until January 1, 2012. If you feel that you do not have enough CEUs to recertify, please contact the CNLA office. There may be some activities you can include that you may not have considered. You can also be granted an extension by submitting a fee of $25 and a written explanation on how you intend to earn your CEUs in the next couple of months. You can avoid having to retest by sending in your recertification form today. This will maintain your active status and give you access to the new Landscape Industry Certified brand. If you have not submitted your forms to CNLA yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Recently Certified Peggy Wright, CLD Janet Mott, CLP Alex McLeish, CLP Carmine Filice, CLP David Wright, CLP Eric Brooks, CLP

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Spring’s Arrival Heralded with 2010 Canada Blooms Canada Blooms and the official start of spring arrived together; perfect timing. Just like the buds beginning to emerge, gardeners gathered to herald spring’s arrival and the beauty of the gardens created by various landscaping companies. This year’s Blooms was held at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto. The show offered more than 2.4 hectares of gardens, with 100,000 sq. ft. of shopping, seminars, workshops and demonstrations, making it Canada’s largest flower and garden festival. “For 14 years, Canada Blooms has been one of the first signs of spring for Canadian garden-lovers,” said festival general manager Gerry Ginsburg. Garden expertise was on stage throughout the show with wellThe scents and colours known experts such of the gardens ushered as Mark Cullen, Sonia in spring. Day, Lawson Oates, Paul Zammit and Frank (Frankie Flowers) Ferragine. Saturday even welcomed Martha Stewart to the stage to share her garden know-how and tips with visitors to the show. Landscape Ontario’s Green For Life Garden featured 20 companies from across Ontario who partnered to create a garden filled with new plants, a waterfall, planted circular Eager gardeners looked for walls and a rare new ideas and inspiration. Wollemi pine, all in an effort to represent the elements of plants, water and hardscaping materials that are part of our industry. As well as inspiring gardeners, the festival promotes horticulture awareness to comsumers, with more than $500,000 having been donated to community horticultural projects over the years.

Landscape Ontario’s Green for Life booth boasted cascading water, beautiful plants and an intricately mastered stone wall.

Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia Gives Accolades to Two Members The Invasive Plant Council (IPC) of British Columbia celebrated two BCLNA members with “Leading the Way” awards for their voluntary commitment to stop growing and selling invasive plants, while offering noninvasive exotic and native alternatives.

John Zaplatynksy of GardenWorks accepts the award for leading the way in discontinuing identified invasive plants.

Rod Nataros, owner of award-winning N.A.T.S. Nursery says, “N.A.T.S. Nursery is proud to be associated with the great work of the Invasive Plant Council. From native plantings to green roofs projects, we always strive to supply quality plants that will help create attractive landscapes, while limiting the opportunity for invasive plants to establish.”

10 plants have been more than made up by the sale of the many wonderful alternatives that are available,” he added.

For discontinuing the sale of 10 invasive plants from their shelves in 2009, as a key step to mentor responsible gardening, GardenWorks was also lauded.  “  Our garden centre staff first raised the issue because of comments we were receiving from customers. When we did further investigation, we looked at a series of plants identified as invasive species. We then made the decision to stop the sales of the 10 most problematic plants and have had very positive response from our customers,” said John Zaplatynsky.   “  Any sales we have lost by stopping the sale of these

“From grower to retailer, these companies are demonstrating leadership in a growing and critical industry, and are excellent

Rod Nataros receives the award for his company, N.A.T.S. Nursery and the steps it has taken to fight invasive plants.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS examples of how individuals can make a powerful difference,” said IPCBC chair, Duncan Barnett. The horticulture industry is a known pathway of spread for invasive plants; about 58% of invasive plants arrived in Canada as agricultural crops, landscape plants, ornamentals, and plants for medicinal and research purposes.   The IPCBC is a non-profit society working to coordinate invasive plant management in BC. For information, visit www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca.

AgriForest receives $100,000 award from the BC Innovation Council AgriForest Bio-Technologies Ltd. of Kelowna, BC was one of the winners of the Commercialization of Agriculture Technology (CAT) competition organized by the BC Innovation Council. Designed to bridge the gap between research and industry by transforming innovation into real world solution, the award ceremony for the CAT competition kicked off BCIC’s Innovation Summit 2010 in Vancouver.

recycled greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, and by using natural sunlight instead of artificial light. The $100,000 prize from BCIC will transform the research results into a commercial scale production facility, expected to cost about $300,000. AgriForest recently completed a two-year feasibility study on the commercialization of photautotrophic micropropoagation, funded in part through a research grant from the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program, in collaboration with scientists from Chiba University, Japan.

AgriForest’s Dr. Ashish Dave and Dr. Faiq Khan, both of whom have extensive experience in the area of commercial plant tissue culture, will work as research scientists in the present project. Dr. Patel will provide overall management of the proposed project. Dr. Patel has been with AgriForest for the past 25 years, first as a research scientist, then research director and now as the President and CEO. Prior to joining AgriForest Dr. Patel worked as research scholar at Yale University and the University of Calgary. Dr. Patel was also a recipient of ‘Innovator Of The Year’ award from the Okanagan Science and Technology Council.

proDUctIVIty rUnS In the famIly.

AgriForest Bio-Technologies Dr. Patel proudly accepts the award for his company’s innovative plans for a new facility.

“We are honored to receive this award which will help AgriForest build an environmentally-friendly photoautotrophic micropropagation facility. The creation of this facility will not only help AgriForest increase its productivity and profitability but will have sector-wide benefits for agriculture and horticulture,” said Dr. Kamlesh R. Patel, President and CEO of AgriForest. The new technology and facility will not only allow the company to produce economically important plant varieties at a competitive price, but will also reduce environmental pollution by using

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National Awards of Landscape Excellence The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is proud to announce the results of the National Awards of Landscape Excellence. During the gala evening at the Sheraton Ottawa Hotel in Ottawa, CNLA presented three awards: the John Deere Award of Excellence for Landscape Maintenance; and the Caterpillar Award of Excellence for Landscape Construction and the 2009 JVK Garden Centres Canada Inspection Program Award. Co-hosted by Harold Deenen and Liz Klose, here are the highlights of the evening:

John Deere Award of Excellence for Landscape Maintenance

Congratulations to Koos and Anthony Toorenvliet of Environmental Design and Landscaping Contractors Ltd., and members of Landscape Ontario, for the “Sophisticated Retreat” Project.

Caterpillar Award of Excellence for Landscape Construction and Installation Congratulations to Koos and Anthony Toorenvliet of Environmental Design and Landscaping Contractors Ltd, and members of Landscape Ontario for the “Urban Classic” Project.

JVK Garden Centre Inspection Award

Congratulations to Tim and Wayne Chichak of Greenland Garden Centre in Sherwood Park, members of Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association. Thank you to our sponsors: Hugh Barry, Market Development, John Deere Limited; Judy Matthews, National Marketing Man-

Anthony Toorenvliet (left), Environmental Design and Landscaping Contractors Ltd., accepts the John Deere Award of Excellence for Landscape Maintenance from Hugh Berry.

Judy Matthews presents the Caterpillar Award of Excellence for Landscape Construction and Installation to KoosToorenvliet, Environmental Design and Landscaping Contractors Ltd.

ager Caterpillar; Melanie Hill, Royal Bank of Canada; Tim Miotto, JVK, Eastern Region, Sales Manager.

Thank you to our Guest Speaker, Mark Burleton, Manager of Grounds and Greenhouses with the National Capital Commission in Ottawa. Mark manages the 6 Official Residences Division horticulture and landscape portfolio, and is responsible for ‘landscape excellence’ for the Prime Minister and Governor General at Rideau Hall and 24 Sussex Drive. Mark delivered a very passionate address, “Keep your passion for plants and the landscape growing; it is what makes our work different, interesting, to be able to beautify or protect a landscape is something very special. Like an Olympian it takes belief, dedication, enthusiasm, and tenacity.”

Thank you to the National Awards of Landscape Excellence Judging Team: Ken Rech, MB; Don Chase, ON; Jeff McMann, ON; Joe Bidermann, NS; and Jeannette French, NL. Each judge received the book, The Group of Seven and Tom Thomson, authored by David P. Silcox for their volunteer efforts. Silcox wrote, “we define ourselves as citizens and as a country by the images we think of when we describe our place in the world”. Thank you to our Special Guests: Ron Girauld, Director of Horticulture and Special Crops Division on behalf of Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz; Honourable Jack Harris, MP, Newfoundland and Labrador Christianne Scholfield, Director of Pan-Canadian Partnership Development, Skills/Compétences Canada; and Liliane Loya, Labour Relations - Embassy of Mexico in Canada. Thank you to our Presenters: Cary van Zanten, CNLA President; Tom Intven, Landscape Ontario President; Victor Santacruz, CNLA Executive Director; Bruce Hunter, Landcape Canada Committee Chair; Sarah Johnston, LO Ottawa Chapter President; Marie Pratt, Ottawa Botanical Garden Society “Dare to Dream” project; Terry Nicolson, CNLA Certification Chair, and Anthony O’Neill, Garden Centre Canada Committee Chair.

Tim and Wayne Chichak (centre) of Greenland Garden Centre, flanked by Anthony O’Neill, GCC (left) and presenter Tim Miotto, JVK.

Thank you to the Green for Life decorating team. Tim Kearney and his team from Garden Creations and both the Ottawa Chapter and the Upper Canada Chapter created a “Green for Life” theme. A bouquet of thank you’s to the display set-up volunteers: Grace Poljanec, Landscape Display Designer/Installation; Tim O’Bryan; Ryan Kelly; Lindsay Ross; Linda Blackburn; Jason Robinson; Ryan Kearney; and an avid, dedicated volunteer from the Upper Canada Chapter, and its President, Paul Doornboss. A special thanks to the Ottawa and Upper Canada Chapter of Landscape Ontario for providing the “For the Love of Trees” books to the CNLA Board of Directors. The National Awards of Landscape Excellence is an initiative of the Landscape Canada Committee of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association. In order to qualify for the National Awards of Landscape Excellence, applicants must have entered and won in their respective provincial association awards of excellence. The provincial association submits respective entries they feel to be worthy of national recognition. The awards are sponsored by John Deere and Caterpillar and are presented at the award gala held in conjunction with the CNLA Winter Board meeting in February each year.

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Growers Corner/Coin de producteurs BY RITA WEERDENBURG

Strategic Planning for Growers It is part of CNLA’s mandate that all commodity groups engage in a Strategic Planning session approximately once every five years to enable the association to keep abreast of current industry issues and to set a direction for future initiatives on behalf of the sectors. The Growers’ Canada Strategic Planning was held in conjunction with the CNLA’s annual winter meetings in mid-February. The industry was well represented by growers from every province, who lent their considerable expertise to this important process. At the conclusion of this one-day, professionally facilitated session, growers had determined a large number of issues, with the following as their Top 10 list: • Look for opportunities to make plants a health or lifestyle issue to gain funding from Health Canada, Education, or the Environment for new initiatives • Ensure that funding is put in place for Vineland and for the endowed chair at Guelph. Establish research priorities for Vineland Research Center and the Guelph Chair, where our research dollars are multiplied by their funding • Continue to use government funding to assist in export market development with interested members • Explore a cooperative marketing program with NGO’s like the David Suzuki foundation/ Evergreen Foundation to help promote sale of our product or sale of native species • Develop a Lobbying Strategy – Fund an external lobbyist on CNLA / Growers issues or Greater funding of COHA as a potential political advocate for our industry • Continue to offer and support adoption of DPCP for interested members • Ensure that CNLA Staff works with Provincial staffs to address emerging and regulatory and phytosanitary issues. CNLA should work with the Provinces on issues and regulations with respect to water. CNLA should be a clearing house for information to our members and to assist each Province in obtaining the best results • Pilot and assess market demand for the Nursery Workers Skills CHT • Growers Staff should work with HR staff and committee in CNLA to; ensure access to labor, Domestic/International, Unskilled/Low Skilled/ High Skilled • We should investigate the potential to issue carbon credits. A copy of the complete report is available by contacting the CNLA office at 888-446-3499 or by visiting www.canadanursery.com

Perennial Plant of the Year™Baptisia australis

This exceptional perennial grows across a wide range of zones and is one of the most adaptable native species, growing 3’-4’ tall. Newly emerging shoots produce violet-blue, lupine-like flowers in erect 10- to 12-inch racemes atop flower stems extending well above the foliage mound of clover-like, trifoliate, bluish-green leaves. The common name, blue false indigo, refers to the use of this perennial by early Seed pods Americans as a dye. Plants thrive in full sun Photo by Liz Klose with well-drained soil. Hardiness - USDA zones 3-9. Photo courtesy Steven Still/Perennial Plant Association

Secteur des producteurs Compte rendu de réunion Le mandat de l’ACPP demande que tous les groupes de secteurs procèdent à une session de planification stratégique une fois tous les cinq ans afin que l’association se tienne au courant des enjeux actuels de l’industrie et pour décider des initiatives futures pour les secteurs. La session de planification stratégique des Producteurs canadiens a eu lieu de pair avec les réunions annuelles d’hiver de l’ACPP à mi-février. L’industrie était bien représentée par des producteurs de chaque province; ceux-ci ont contribué de leur expertise à ce processus important. A la fin de cette session d’un jour qui était guidée par un animateur professionnel, les producteurs ont identifié des nombreux enjeux. La liste des dix enjeux les plus importants se retrouve plus bas: • Identifier des raisons pour faire des plantes une question de santé ou de style de vie afin d’obtenir du financement de Santé Canada, Éducation, ou Environnement Canada pour de nouvelles initiatives. • S’assurer que le financement pour Vineland et pour la fondation à Guelph sont en place. Établir les priorités de recherche pour le centre de Vineland et la fondation Guelph, où nos dollars sont multipliés par leur financement. • Continuer à se servir du financement gouvernemental pour aider au développement de marchés d’exportation avec les membres intéressés. • Évaluer l’idée d’un programme de marketing coopératif avec des ONG comme la fondation David Suzuki/la fondation Evergreen pour promouvoir la vente de nos produits ou la vente d’espèces indigènes. • Développer une stratégie de groupe de pression – Financer un lobbyiste externe pour les enjeux de l’ACPP/Producteurs ou obtenir un financement accru pour ACHO comme défenseur politique potentiel de notre industrie. • Continuer d’offrir et d’appuyer l’adoption de PNCP pour les membres intéressés. • S’assurer que le personnel de l’ACPP travaille de pair avec le personnel des gouvernements provinciaux pour adresser les questions phytosanitaires émergentes et législatives. L’ACPP devrait travailler avec les provinces sur les questions et les lois touchant l’eau. L’ACPP devrait agir en tant que centre d’information pour nos membres et assister chaque province à obtenir les meilleurs résultats possibles. • Tester et évaluer la demande du marché pour les compétences du technicien en pépinière CHT. • Le personnel du secteur Producteurs devrait collaborer avec le personnel en RH et le comité de l’ACPP pour assurer l’accès à la main-d’œuvre domestique/internationale, sans compétences/ avec peu de compétences / très compétent. • Nous devrions nous informer sur le potentiel d’émettre des crédits pour les gaz à effet de serre. Une copie du rapport complet peut être obtenue en contactant le bureau de l’ACPP à 888-446-3499 ou en visitant www.canadanursery.com

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Garden Centres Corner 2009 Garden Centres Canada survey results The Garden Centres Canada Committee of CNLA championed this initiative, which provides information on retail trends and overall GCC members’ performance. The committee thanks everyone who took the time to participate in the 2009 survey.

Positive outlook

An emerging trend shows an increased volume of sales in the ‘medium category’ totaling between $1,000,000-$2,000,000 and that the majority of garden centres are now open almost 12 months of the year. In addition, the survey results show that the average dollar sale per customer has increased from $77.74 in 2007, to $98.76 in 2008, and to $108.42 in 2009, ensuring a more positive outlook for the 2010 season. This suggests that customers have disposable income to spend on garden centres’ offerings, despite the current economic situation. In addition, approximately 72% of garden centre members indicated an increase of 5% in their number of customers. Another encouraging trend is an increase in profits for 2009. 22% of respondents indicated a 5-10% increase. About 84% of garden centre members operate websites, and the number of businesses looking to capitalize on sales from e-commerce has grown from 10% in 2008, to 18% in 2009.

Marketing Directions

Considering variances from province to province, based on seasonal weather, some provinces, such as BC and AB, saw an increase in sales of ‘big containers’, ‘large planters’, ‘value items’ and an overall increase in business. However, the same wasn’t the case in Ontario, where ‘smaller purchases’ were more popular and ‘large ticket items did not sell’. Successful marketing initiatives for member garden centres over the last season included: ‘customer appreciation day’, ‘give away of bulbs in the fall’, ‘extended hours of business on the weekends and evenings’, ‘offering

weekly sales promotions through monthly newsletter’ and ‘e-mail campaigns’. The greatest challenge for the year 2009, shared by the majority of our members, was the uncertainty of the economic situation and controlling costs. This challenge will continue for 2010, although members are looking to ‘increasing sales’, ‘keeping sales even with 2009’ and ‘staying focused on growing sales’. Have a great season. Anthony O’Neill, Garden Centres Canada Chair O’Neill’s Gardenland, NL

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Professional Development and Environmental Concerns

The 92% of our garden centre members employ certified staff. Garden centres’ dedication to professional development and continued improvement is reflected with over 57% of members interested in participating in the national Garden Centre Inspection Program. As well, over 68% of our members are interested in offering primary school-aged children educational visits to their garden centres. With environmental stewardship in the forefront for retail operators, this survey reveals that over 78% of our members are interested in a national Plastic Recycling Program, and see the Garden Centres Canada Committee as a key player in providing national programs, benefits, information on trends in the industry, education and government representation.

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CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by:

March-April 2010

Landscapers Corner Landscape Canada Committee Strategic Plan – 2010 and Beyond The Landscape Canada Committee (LCC) held a strategy session this past February 2010 in Ottawa, coinciding with the CNLA Winter Annual Board and Committee Meetings. The focus of the session was to review and confirm the key strategic areas of the LCC Strategic Plan and further synthesize the proposed business priorities, identified during the August 2008 Landscape Summit, into strategic and tactical objectives. Carol Gover Smith, of Meeting Facilitators International, facilitated the session. Labour and professional development (including public image) were again identified and confirmed as priorities and will remain the primary focus of the Landscape Canada Committee. Similar strategy sessions were conducted with the other two commodity groups within CNLA – Growers Canada and Garden Centre’s Canada. All strategy session plans will be subject to committee review and further prioritizing to integrate the plans into a cohesive CNLA organization-wide Strategic Plan. Thank you to the following landscape sector professionals who contributed their experience, ideas and suggestions for the Landscape Canada Committee: President, CNLA Cary van Zanten Landscape Canada Committee (LCC) Chair Bruce Hunter LCC Past Chair Rene Thiebaud LCC Labour Portfolio Phil Paxton LCC Public Image Portfolio Brian Cocks LCC Professional Development Portfolio Doug Conrad LCC Membership and Standards Portfolio Christene LeVatte

LCC General Portfolio Mark Bradley LCC former Chair, present CNLA HR Committee Chair Harold Deenen LCC former Professional Development Portfolio Gerald Boot Executive Director, Landscape Ontario Tony DiGiovanni Certification Chair Terry Nicolson Certification Vice Chair Cable Baker Certification Committee Member Brent Ayles Certification Committee Member Jeannette French Certification Committee Member John van Roessel Certification Committee Member Jeff Foley Staff Victor Santacruz, Joel Beatson, Julia Ricottone, Rebecca Wetselaar, Joe Salemi and Liz Klose

Landscape Canada, and the survey says… Landscape Canada invited members of the landscape sector to share their expertise and input on the latest trends, knowledge of the sector and satisfaction with various association offerings. By the deadline date of Feb 26th, we received 209 responses – one of the best results in recent survey history! Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate. It clearly shows your dedication and commitment to the industry. The survey was anonymous, however respondents had the option to include their contact information to be entered into a draw for an iPod. Congratulations to Rick Hofstetter of Hofstetter Landscaping! Rick is a member of Landscape Ontario and will receive a new (CNLA engraved and green!) iPod. The survey goal was to demonstrate the importance and contribution of the landscape sector to the Canadian economy; identify the needs and trends of the industry and help us as an association to better address prior-

BY LIZ KLOSE BSC. AGR, CLP

ity issues and opportunities. Strategically, our landscape industry survey contains vital information from our members, which will serve as basis for enhancing the industry. The survey results are presently being analyzed, and suggestions and comments tallied for consideration and implementation. A full report will be sent to all members and will be posted on the CNLA website in the near future. In the meantime, here are a few key highlights from the survey: • Skilled Labour: 73% (135) indicated difficulty in finding skilled labour (ie: 135 of the 209 respondents = 73%). • Labour (general): recruiting and retaining skilled and unskilled labour: 51.3% (101) ranks at the top of the list with 101 of the 209 respondents (51.3%) indicating it is always a challenge. • Sustainable profit margin: 44% (88) indicated it was the second most prevalent business challenge next to labour. • Recruitment: 53.8% (66) indicated employee referrals as their best source, followed by local newspaper job postings and emailing job descriptions to educational institutions and associations. • Benefits: 60% (112) provide bonuses (monetary or goods) based on performance. • Uniforms: 57.5% (107) provide uniforms at no cost to the employee. Now with CNLA’s new member benefit program, a 15% discount with Mark’s Work Wearhouse, provides members with added incentive to take advantage of this program and enhance their public image. Your employees will thank you and so will your clients. Visit www. canadanursery.com for further details on this new program.

Climate Change Adaptation Workshop By invitation from the Integrated Natural Resources Division, Agri-Environment Services Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), CNLA sent a delegation to Windsor, ON to participate in the two-day session held in February. Twelve regional Climate Change Adaptation Workshops were held across Canada. Each had a program of group discussion and interchange among the stakeholders from the various

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by:

March-April 2010

sectors across the country, speakers from AAFC, government environment departments and international climate change experts. During the roundtable discussions held throughout the speaker programs, Victor Santacruz, Chris Andrews, Mark Williams, Alan White and Liz Klose had the opportunity to share the many benefits of the sector, and the moderating affects that landscaping has on climate extremes. The purpose of the workshop was to get advice from participants that will form the development of a Canadian Roadmap for climate change adaptation in Canada, including: • an explanation on current Government of Canada (GOC) and AAFC thinking on climate change adaptation and a draft AAFC climate change strategy • identification of regional adaptation issues and opportunities, and actions or solutions required regionally and sectorally • consideration of a coherent and comprehensive set of adaptation activities is undertaken and clarification of the roles of government and other industry members in implementing solutions so that AAFC climate change adaptation activities complement existing activities and meet sector needs. The final session will occur in late April with respective federal government departments. A report will then be compiled by AAFC and be distributed to the participants by mid-summer. Highlights will be shared in a future issue of the Newsbrief. Visit the CNLA website www.canadanursery.com under Benefits of Green Spaces, and click on any of the titles for more information, including an online tool to evaluate environmental practices. As well, there are posters that can be downloaded to promote the benefits of the green industry.

Career Focus Program – Funds for New Employees The Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council (CSCSC) www.supplychaincanada. org recently adopted a new wage subsidy program called “Career Focus”, just in time to hire new employees for the upcoming season! This is a wage-subsidy program that assists in creating work experience to help supply employers with post-secondary graduates. This offers employers the benefit of gaining employees with cutting-edge skills, and

gives participants valuable real-work experience. Often, companies will retain graduates as full-time employees upon completion of the work-experience period. Through this program, if an employer hires a new employee in a supply chain role, they can receive up to $12,750.00 from the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council to help pay the employee’s wages for the first year. The employee must have a university or college degree or diploma, and be between the ages of 15 and 30. Does the Ornamental Horticulture Sector qualify? Sheryl Keenen, Project Manager of Career Focus, said, “Yes, as long as the positions fall under the 26 qualifying NOC Codes of the program. Companies must register and receive approval first. Approval of companies, positions and new hires rests with Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Typically applications are processed within 48 hours.” Participation Steps: • Go to the program website link: www.supplychaincanada.org/en/career-focus where there are two direct links: Information and Company Application (see page 6 of this document for the list of jobs according to the qualifying NOC Codes of this program) and Participation Application. • Enroll in the program. Please note that in order to be eligible to participate, companies must register and receive approval before taking advantage of this program. • Select a candidate (in accordance to the applicable NOC Codes associated with this program) • Complete the short application form and, if approved, submit proof of wages paid in each pay period. Approval of applications takes just one or two days. To find out more, go to www.supplychaincanada.org/en/career-focus or contact Sheryl Keenan Project Manager, Career Focus, at 905-897-6700 Ext. 301 or 1-866-616-3468 or by email at: skeenan@ supplychaincanada.org

It’s Time!! It’s time to post jobs on the Service Canada website. The Landscape Canada Survey indicated that 46.6% of the respondents register job offerings on the Service Canada website.

That means that many employers are missing out on potential employees searching for employment. Got jobs? Post them for a wider audience to see – and it’s free!! Go to www.jobbank.gc.ca select language, then click in the Employers section, then click on “Post a Job”. By completing this process it also helps in the data collection of salary ranges for government statistics, and is a great way to meet the requirements of the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) application process. By now, your phone is ringing with returning and new business, employees are coming back to work and new hires are arriving. That means it’s also time to start into a routine of “refreshers” for experienced employees and orientation for new hires. The Landscape Canada Survey revealed that only 25% of respondents are using CNLA’s Landscape OnSites OnSites; a series of training sessions for crews of all skill levels on the job cape site. Whether it’s before Lands s the crew starts the day, e t i OnS during a break, or at the end of the day, each topic has a 10-15 minute training session meant to keep crews up-to-date on over 75 landscape related skill sets. Delivering a review on proper job procedure may save an em employee from a workplace injury. Available online at the CNLA website or in hardcopy by completing the online order form, it is a resource tool that, for those who use it say it has “increased employee productivity and my bottom line”! Trained, well-educated employees are safer, happier, more confident and more efficient. Direct link to Landscape OnSites: www.canadanursery.com/Page. asp?PageID=122&ContentID=1027 on the

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Klosing Comments Earth Day celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. “Every day is Earth Day” and no other industry lives that motto than our industry. Celebrated every April 22, Earth Day is the largest, most celebrated environmental event worldwide. What a great opportunity to feature the great work that is done everyday by our industry in greening the environment. Donate a tree and go to a local school to help them plant it or volunteer to help landscape a community garden. Better still, invite the local media to share the experience and inspire others to do the same. The possibilities are endless.

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by:

March-April 2010

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Industry events

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August 3-5, 2010: PANTS1O, Philadelphia, PA: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. www.pantshow.com August 26-28, 2010: The Farwest Show 2010, Portland, OR: Oregon Convention Center www.farwestshow.com September 29-30, 2010: CANWEST Hort Show, Vancouver, BC: Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building: www.canwesthortshow.com October 19-20, 2010: EXPO 2010, Toronto, ON: Toronto Congress Centre. www.loexpo.ca November 22-24, 2010: HORTEAST 2010, Halifax, NS: Cunard Centre www.horteast.ns.ca

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