CNLA Newsbrief - June 2009

CNLA Newsbrief

Newsbrief sponsored by :

May-June 2009

CNLA May-June 2009

Green Industry News!

Vol. 18 Issue 5

First in 100 years to export plants from Newfoundland Michael Murray, owner of Murray’s Horticultural Services in Portugal Cove, NL is no stranger to horticulture industry members across Canada.

As current Past President of the CNLA, and board member for Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador, Michael Murray now has one more achievement under his belt.

Murray’s Horticultural Services recently exported over 20,000 plants to wholesalers in Canada and the United States. Starbright Mockorange shrubs was the initial crop, developed in partnership with the Memorial University Botanical Gardens in St. John’s, NL. Michael’s company is the first in Newfoundland to have been allowed to ship plants off the island in nearly 100 years. Ever since the Canadian Destructive Insect and Plant Act

Look Inside: • • •

Facts about the industry then and now Ontario negotiates pesticide ban Landscape Nova Scotia HRTC push

of 1910 was passed, plants and soil from Newfoundland have not been allowed to be brought into Canada due to the presence of potato wart and nematode.

Michael Murray always had a dream to export plant material outside of Newfoundland.

“When I first started my business, I was buying plant material from around the world. I always thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they could pay an invoice to me for a change?’”. Recently, Michael developed a quarantined area at his farm, a 1,200 square-foot propagation building and 4,600 square feet of greenhouse space that met the guidelines needed to allow Murray’s to ship products off the island. Murray’s Horticultural Services is the first company in the province to meet these guidelines. While the facilities were about a $1 million investment, Michael believes that Murray’s will be able to make back this investment with the markets he’s arranged for his product. Plans

• • •

Focus on upcoming Atlantic Green Forum Employee loyalty services with RBC Pilot inspection program for garden centres

are underway to bring more varieties of plants to market soon. The project was supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program, the Agricultural Policy Framework and other government agencies.

Murray’s Horticulture Services was founded 35 years ago. The 165 acre farm situated at Murray’s Pond in Portugal Cove is headquarters for their operations. Murray’s Garden Centre operates 11,000 square feet of greenhouse space. They produce a wide range of hardy annual bedding plants and herbaceous perennials, as well as a large selection of hardy deciduous trees and shrubs, evergreens, roses, vines and groundcovers. Murray’s is also a full service landscape company that services both commercial and residential clients.

Reprinted with permission from The Telegram www.thetelegram.com

• • •

Vineland Research Centre Thinking about tomorrow for businesses Sustainable Sites Initiatives

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

1

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Industry News

Executive Board:

Facts about you and your industry (then and now) By Joseph Salemi, CAE

Cary van Zanten - BC President

Michael Murray - NL Past President

Bill Stensson - ON First Vice President

Christine LeVatte, CLP - NS Second Vice President

Rene Thiebaud, CLP - ON Treasurer, Insurance Chair

Directors:

Harold Deenen, CLP - ON Human Resources Chair

Phil Paxton, CHT, CLP - AB LANTA Representative

Terry Nicholson, CHT - ON National Certification Chair

Bill Hardy, CLP - BC Interim Environment Chair

Bruce Hunter, CHT, CLD, CLP - BC Landscape Canada Chair

Vic Krahn, CHT - SK

Government Liaison Chair, SNLA Representative, COHA Chair

Gerald Boot, CLP - ON LOHTA Representative

Doug Conrad, CHT, CLD, CLP - NS LNSHTA Representative

Paul Jensen - QC AQPP Representative

Bruce McTavish - BC NAPPO Chair

Anthony O’Neill - NL

Garden Centres Canada Chair, LNL Representative

Owen Vanstone - MB

LM Representative, Growers Canada Chair

Darrell Nameth, CLP - NB

Member Services Chair, LNBHTA Representative

TBD

BCLNA Representative

Staff: Victor Santacruz, CAE, CLP Lydia Couture-Comtois Executive Director victor@canadanursery.com

Executive Assistant lydia@canadanursery.com

Joseph Salemi, CAE

Julia Ricottone

Joel Beatson, CAE, CLP

Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., MPM

Member Services Manager joseph@canadanursery.com Professional & Business Development Manager joel@canadanursery.com

Rebecca Wetselaar

Certification Services julia@canadanursery.com Minor Use/IPM Co-ordinator peter@canadanursery.com

Michelle Brown

Provincial Relations Co-ordinator Manager of Provincial Relations michelle@canadanursery.com rebecca@canadanursery.com

Agnes Zawartka

Rita Weerdenburg

Growers Manager rita@canadanursery.com

Liz Klose, B.Sc., (Agr), CLP Landscape Priorities Manager liz@canadanursery.com

Member Services Co-ordinator agnes@canadanursery.com

Kim Burton

Communications Co-ordinator kim@canadanursery.com

Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks by: Harmony Printing, 50 Woodbine Downs Boulevard, Toronto, ON M9W 5R2

2

In March 1999 Chris Andrews, now retired CNLA Executive Director, wrote a very interesting article in Landscape Trades magazine highlighting the many economic contributions and benefits of our industry, and the work being done on industry’s behalf by CNLA.

Canada Growers. These three organizations work together through COHA to coordinate industry action, contribute to effective public policy and speak with one voice on issues of concern to the sector as a whole. The partner organizations believe that by acting together they can have greater impact and use resources more effectively than when acting alone.

COHA is the national voice for the largest and most significant sector of horticulture in Canada. COHA is a strategic alliance of three broadbased organizations: the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, the Fédération Interdisciplinaire de l’Horticulture Ornementale du Québec and Flowers

Ornamental horticulture represents the largest horticulture sub-segment, representing over 40 percent of horticulture’s $5.4 billion in farm gate receipts. In 2007, gross farm gate receipts for the ornamental sector amounted to $2.3 billion with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7 percent (2002-2007).

A 2009 economic and environmental impact assessment commissioned by COHA, The imHere’s a snapshot of the industry as of 1999: pact of ornamental horticulture on Canada’s Farmgate of Canadian nursery industry $355 economy (Deloitte & Touche LLP and affilimillion (Stats Canada) ated entities), made a number of recommendations for the sector • Canadian hortiand for COHA. The culture industry study highlighted employs in exthe importance cess of 125,000 of governmental polpeople (estiicies and programs mated) that help the sector • Industry value capitalize on its sigchain estimated nificant potential for at $7 billion growth. It suggested • No research ways for the sector dollars allocatto develop markets ed to ornamenby responding to key tals other than economic and social those funded trends and by raising by industry. public awareness of • Ornamentals the benefits of ornareceive no mentals. It emphagovernment www.theEscarpmentCompany.com sized that innovation product subsidy is fundamental to the future of the sector; • Trade associations (ie. CNLA and provinand it outlined steps to enhance environmencial associations) were small to medium tal stewardship. sized with a combined budget of $3 million, employing 20 staff Did you know this • Ten years have passed and there’s new about your industry? information to share! The Canadian Consumers spent nearly $6.3 billion at the Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA) retail level on ornamental horticultural prodcommissioned a study of the impact of ucts and another $1.8 billion on landscaping ornamental horticulture on Canada’s services in 2007, with the average Canadian economy. All of the data has been colhousehold spending $650 on the sector’s lected, tabulated, analyzed, and a report products and services. has been generated to share the results.

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

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Industry News Based on multipliers generated from Statistics Canada Input-Output (“I/O”) tables, total economic contribution of the ornamental horticultural sector to Canada is: • $14.48 billion, comprised of • $6.98 billion in output • $7.5 billion in value added impacts • Ornamental horticulture contributes to directly to 110,750 fulltime equivalent jobs. Indirect full-time employment contributes to 22,026 jobs.

• For every two jobs in this industry, another job is created in Canada’s economy.

• The sector generates $3.8 billion in employment income and another $850 million in end-user taxes generated (PST and GST). Ornamentals are the only sector of agriculture that attracts GST at the first point of transfer in the value chain, from the producer to the wholesaler, retailer or final consumer. All other agriculture is zero-rated for GST purposes at the point at which the farmer sells to the next stage in the value chain.

• Industry trade associations in Canada (ie. CNLA, provincial associations) have grown considerably over the past ten years and now employ over 60 staff and have a combined annual budget of over $14 million.

Did you know about these industry trends?

Some of the leading trends include: aging baby boomer cohort which is estimated to spend between $7.8 billion and $14.4 billion annually on garden and garden-related activities during retirement; the plausible return of ‘cocooning’ due to continued interest in renovations and a poor economic outlook; and the rising concern for the environment which encompasses regulatory changes, Gen-Y influences and attitudinal changes towards ‘green’.

Use of ornamental horticulture presents consumers with a number of natural advantages, which address some very relevant challenges of the 21st century (i.e. pollution, the Urban Heat Island Effect, rising heating and cooling costs, etc.). Moreover, well-considered investments in ornamentals have also demonstrated financial benefits to homeowners vis-à-vis appreciating resale values. Firms within the sector need to improve upon how they communicate these benefits to consum-

ers, to fully exploit this advantage — especially at consumer key purchase decision points.

The growth of the industry in ten years has grown exponentially and the work being done on industry’s behalf exemplifies

that. For a copy of the study (available in English and French), please contact: Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA) Alliance Canadienne de l’Horticulture Ornamentale (ACHO) 7856 Fifth Line South Milton, ON L9T2X8 Canada Chris Andrews, Secretary Tel: 416-817-5547 Fax: 905-875-1840 E-mail: chris@coha-acho.ca

proDUctIVIty rUnS In the famIly.

Whether your work is rock-solid, tough or needs a lighter touch, your Cat ® dealer has the broadest offering of loaders to fit your business. Skid Steer Loaders offer muscle and versatility, while the tracked Multi Terrain Loader brings brawn with a light footprint for treading over finished surfaces. The latest addition to the family is the C-Series Compact Track Loader. It features a Cat designed, fully suspended steel undercarriage and standard Two-Speed. That adds up to the smoothest ride around, more efficient movement at the jobsite and better material retention.

Only your Cat dealer can offer all these choices for purchase or rent, plus a full line of Cat Work Tool attachments to help you get the most from your machine. Be part of the legacy.™ cat . com / legacy | 1-888-own-a-cat | 1-800-rent-cat

©2009 Caterpillar Inc. Allrights reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow” and the POWER EDGE trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

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 CAT-114.indd 1

3 2/11/09 11:05:19 AM

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Industry News

Ontario members negotiate through complexity of pesticide ban

Landscape license holders are only allowed to apply products to lawns, patios, parks and school yards with active ingredients from the list of Class 11 Pesticides. These include biopesticides and reduced risk products such as corn gluten meal, Bt, horticultural vinegar, diatomaceous earth and soap.

Professional lawn care operators must post a green notice sign to advise the public of any applications. There is no longer an exemption from licensing and posting requirements for the use of products that only contain single ingredients such as soap, mineral oil or silicon dioxide (diatomaceous earth).

Land uses of commercial products that contain these ingredients require a landscape exterminator’s license and a green sign posted to give public notice of legal pesticide use. Red notification signs are still

A New Line of Natural Worm Casting Products for the Construction and Maintenance of Healthy Plants - Forterra Worm Castings are packed full of microorganisms which will feed your soil - Are rich in humic acids which will hold nutrients in the plants root zone that would otherwise be leached away - Won’t burn young sensitive plants - Are safe to use in environmentally sensitive areas such as play grounds, watercourses and around pets

4

Maintaining the health of trees

of all the Health Canada registered products that the Ontario government has banned (Class 7 pesticides).

Ontario has joined Quebec in the banning of pesticide use and other provinces are expected to soon follow in these footsteps. In the meantime, Ontario industry members are trying to negotiate their way through the legislation.

Bill 64 bans any use of chemical pesticides for cosmetic purposes on lawns, gardens, patios, driveways of residential and non-residential properties, parks and school yards. In addition, holders of a landscape class license are no longer allowed to apply chemicals to structures, in and around a dwelling. Exemptions have been made for golf courses, tree care, specified sports fields and public health and safety. Other exemptions include agriculture, forestry, research and scientific purposes, and uses of pesticides for structural exterminations (e.g., in and around homes to control insects) and uses of pesticides required by other legislation. See the online version of this article at www.horttrades.com for a list

required if applying pesticides for any of the exempted uses.

Another change to the Act is that a written opinion from a professional tree care specialist must be obtained by a landscape license holder before a commercial pesticide can be applied to a tree. The opinion must show that pesticide use is necessary to maintain the health of the tree as part of an IPM strategy.

Posting notification protocol has changed for arboriculture as well. The licensed exterminator using the pesticide must provide written notice to the occupants of all properties in the application area (all properties that abut the tree or trees) one to seven days in advance of the application.

For more information regarding the pesticide ban and specifics on: What Licensed Exterminators Need to Know What Licensed General Vendors Need to Know What Licensed Limited Vendors Need to Know What Unlicensed Limited Vendors Need to Know Provincial Government’s website on pesticide ban List of Class 7 Pesticides List of Class 11 Pesticides visit www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/ pesticides/index.php

Get a jump start on the competition with Forterra Worm Castings

Forterra Inc.

Ian Bowen, Director of Sales 905.659.8195 ext. 225 (phone) 866.955.8194 (toll free) 905.659.8195 (fax) ibowen@forterra.com

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

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Association News Interim Environment Chair

Bill Hardy was recently appointed Interim Environment Committee Chair by the CNLA Executive Committee. Congratulations Bill on this latest appointment.

Landscape Nova Scotia propels promotion of HRTC to the public Beginning in April, Landscape Nova Scotia initiated a 20-week radio advertising campaign promoting the Home Renovation Tax Credit. The ad is also posted to the LNS website. The radio station, as an extra benefit to LNS members, has offered n 10-second traffic and weather o ti va o n Home Re tags, 4 times a day, 20 times it d re C x Ta a week, during peak times, for $349/week (regular $600/week). Members can take advantage of this opportunity on a weekly basis and no long-term commitment is necessary.

To educate and inform the public more, the LNS & products s ads promoting the tax ce rvi se Landscape credit will be profiled on a local talk show called the ‘Weekend Gardener’, hosted by Niki Jabbour, from May 24th to August 30th. In addition, a large, full-colour ad was put in the provincial newspaper, The Chronicle Herald – Home Etc., promoting the tax credit and Landscape Nova Scotia. Both a printed and electronic version of the brochure, created by CNLA, was distributed to each member, allowing them to use these for their own marketing purposes. This same brochure is posted on the front page of the LNS website for easy access by members.

Stihl Ltd. Continues Support of CNLA Newsbrief CNLA and Stihl Ltd have partnered yet again to bring you, the members, the CNLA Newsbrief.

Stihl Ltd. has supported the CNLA Newsbrief since it went to its current format of a twelvepage glossy newsletter in 2003. Stihl Ltd. has recently committed to continue to support the CNLA Newsbrief for the next three years. It is because of wonderful supporters like Stihl Ltd., that CNLA is able to produce this high quality publication in both hard copy print and online versions. Every member company receives a complimentary copy of the CNLA Newsbrief.

It is also sent to every Certified Horticultural Technician, Certified Landscape Designer, and Certified Landscape Professional.

Many thanks to Stihl Ltd for their continued support!

CNLA Newsbrief

Welcome, CNLA members.

the credit, along eligible for es, d projects are ssional servic cape relate permits, profe shrubs). costs for lands as building , trees, and Renovation expenses such ses (like plants with associated s and incidental expen rmed, work perfo rental ditures for equipment expen ation 2010. The home renov February 1, s to eligible and before dwelling, or a to 2009 applie 27, tions ry altera The HRTC red, after Janua ations and enduring products! or goods acqui services and for renov be claimed es landscape HRTC can s This includ which it sits. le expenditure eligib of n the land on on the portio maximum tax be claimed ing that the t credit may $10,000, mean The 15-per-cen 0, but not more than $1,00 0. exceeding ed is $1,35 can be receiv credit that

No one makes CNLA members feel more special than your local John Deere dealer. That’s because CNLA members receive special pricing on John Deere equipment. And since John Deere offers the widest breadth of products for profes-

Lastly, the brochure, provided by CNLA, was distributed at the Ideal Home Show in March and each Landscape Nova Scotia exhibitor that participated in the Garden & Patio Show component received 50 copies for distribution to potential clients. With these efforts, Landscape Nova Scotia hopes that it has done its part to promote and inform the public about the HRTC program.

sional landscapers, you can get great discounts on virtually everything you need for your business. So give your John Deere dealer a call today. You’ll see that a CNLA membership really does have its advantages.

Nothing Runs Like a Deere.™

www.JohnDeere.com

09-5697

Vertis QCA 1300 19th Street, Suite 200 East Moline, IL 61244

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes Cyan

Magenta

Yellow

Black

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

09-5697

5

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Association News

Focus on Sustainable Landscapes Atlantic Green at the Atlantic Green Forum Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador invites you to participate in the 2009 Atlantic Green Forum, an event that will examine the issues surrounding the importance of Sustainable Landscapes.

This event will take place November 9-10, 2009 in St. John’s, NL and hopes to draw delegates from Canada and the US. The seminars offered by local, national and international experts will investigate the interaction of the environmental horticulture industry with the landscape and ways to encourage

Forum

sustainability in landscape design and installation. Prospective delegates include municipal planners, government officials, landscape architects, academics, suppliers and members of the environmental horticulture industry.

This is an excellent networking opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to share best practices for our industry.

Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are available; contact Rebecca Wetselaar at 1-866383-4711, rebecca@canadanursery.com, or visit our website at www.landscapenl.org.

Quality Plants Through Tissue Culture Technology

[products] Tissue Culture Plugs & Liners Custom Propagation Shade Trees & Ornamental Shrubs Saskatoon & Sea Buckthorn Plants Hardy Roses Clematis Hostas Tropicals & Tender Perennials Cordylines Hardy Bananas Calla Lilies Phormiums

[advantages] +Ready stock and custom propagation +Prompt delivery +Competitive prices +Disease free plants +Well branched plants with excellent root system +Salable product in shorter time +Higher survival rate 4290 Wallace Hill Road | Kelowna, BC | V1W 4B6 | Canada Tel: (250) 764-2224 | Fax: (250) 764-2224 www.agriforestbiotech.com | info@agriforestbiotech.com

6

CNLA Employee Loyalty Services A cost-effective way to provide financial benefit programs to your employees Providing programs like Group Banking packages for your employees can help you build and retain a healthy workforce. In conjunction with RBC, CNLA is pleased to launch our new Employee Loyalty Services program designed to help you provide a meaningful benefit to your employees that helps drive job satisfaction and increase employee loyalty.

With an RBC Banking package, your employees can benefit from: • Personalized investment advice from qualified investment professionals • Comprehensive investment portfolio solutions that can help meet the individual needs of each of your employees • Choice of banking packages with special offers on premium packages • Convenient payroll deductions that make investing easier • Tax advantages for registered plans As an employer, you gain: • The ability to offer a benefit program with no administrative fees for your organization • An opportunity to reinforce em- ployee loyalty and retention • Dedicated support and service to help you throughout the plan setup process and with ongoing plan management • Easy plan contribution options • The flexibility to implement a plan that meets your company’s specific needs For more information on the employee loyalty services available through your CNLA membership, please visit the CNLA website www.canadanursery.com/benefits and click on the link for Employee Loyalty Services.

Help Your Clients Finance Their Home Improvements

For RBC Commercial or RBC Small Business clients, we are developing a new CNLA RBC Personal Client lending tool. This new online service will let your clients apply for a personal loan to facilitate their home improvements. Personal loans* can range from

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

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Association News $5,000 to $40,000 with fixed term interest rates for up to 60 months. RBC has also included a handy payment calculator to help determine what amount is right for your clients.

Other features include: • 24 hour loan approval • 90 day rate guarantee from date of approval • Low bank rates and no pre-payment fees • Secure online application access

2009 CNLA Membership Directory By now all Active and Associate members should have received their complimentary copy of the 2009 CNLA Membership Directory. If you would like an additional copy or would like to order one (for those members who are not listed as Active or Associate), please contact the CNLA office and we will be happy to take your order. Hard copies of the 2009 CNLA Membership Directory are $99 plus taxes and shipping. The full version of the publication is also available online. Please visit www.canadanursery.com/benefits for more information.

CNLA would like to thank the exclusive sponsor of the 2009 CNLA Membership Directory, Kubota Canada Ltd.

Look for more details on this program throughout the summer.

*This program is for homeowners only and excludes commercial or corporate borrowers.

Garden Centres Corner GCC pilots inspection program for this summer Garden Centres Canada (GCC) is piloting an inspection program for garden centres across Canada in June and July 2009. The plan is to inspect up to 18 centres of varying sizes, in different provinces. Garden Centres Canada has commissioned Eve Tigwell to execute the garden centre inspections in Canada for 2009. Eve has over 20 years experience as a retail consultant, specializing in garden centres around the world, and has carried out inspections in the UK, Germany and Denmark for many years.

at www.canadanursery.com and click on “Garden Centres Canada”, or contact Rebecca Wetselaar (CNLA/Garden Centres Canada

The centres that are involved in the 2009 pilot program will be asked to provide feedback in order to make improvements for future years. Should the program prove to have merit to our members, Garden Centres Canada plans to hire a Canadian inspector in 2010, who can continue the program and ensure it’s long-term sustainability. The voluntary program is only available to members of the CNLA and their provincial green industry associations.

The results from the survey show that: smaller operators’ businesses are seeing increased volumes in sales; more than 85% of businesses are open for six months or more during the year; and that the average dollar sale per customer has increased on average from $77.74 (in 2007) to $98.76 (in 2008), indicating that customers have more disposable income to spend on garden centres’ offerings and suggests an encouraging outlook for 2009.

Members indicated that they plan to increase pricing across all product categories for 2009 on average between 5%-10%.

These inspections will provide garden centres with the opportunity to benchmark their operations from year to year, as well as draw comparisons to centres in the other provincial associations. This is a great opportunity for member garden centres across Canada to improve their standards and overall professionalism in our industry. For more information on the inspection program or to provide us with feedback, visit our website

staff) by phone at 1-866-383-4711 or by email at rebecca@canadanursery.com.

The future is bright for GCC members!

By Anthony O’Neill, GCC Chair, O’Neill’s Gardenland The 2008 Garden Centres Canada (GCC) survey results are in. Many thanks to the GCC Committee, who championed this initiative and compiled the data collected.

Garden centres are investing in customer service, with 97% of respondents offering ‘a money back guarantee’ on green goods

(as compared to 63% in 2007). Employment numbers have increased substantially (40 staff in 2007 to approximately 65 employees in 2008 per garden centre), and in addition, an increase in CHT retail staff employment (83% in 2008, as compared to 55% in 2007). The most successful marketing initiatives from 2008 included contests, coupons, gardening events and workshops, as well as weekly sales promotions through monthly newsletters. The majority of our members are concerned about the uncertaintly of the economic situation and the ability to attract and keep customers satisfied, while controlling costs. For the complete survey results, see www.canadanursery.com. The GCC committee of CNLA thanks everyone who took the time to complete the 2008 survey. All survey participants were entered into a draw to win a copy of the CHT Retail Study Guide. Our congratulations to the winner, Dykhof Nurseries Ltd. in North Vancouver, BC.

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

7

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Growers Corner Coin de producteurs University of Guelph and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Ink New Partnership

L’université de Guelph et le Centre de recherche et d’innovation de Vineland scelle un partenariat

“The signing of this partnership agreement with the University of Guelph is an important milestone for us at the Vineland Research Innovation Centre”, said Jim Brandle, CEO. “We’re very pleased to be able to work with the caliber of faculty scientists, researchers and staff who are on site at Vineland as we move to deliver on our industry-driven research priorities.”

The focus of the collaborative research efforts are: consumer insights and product innovation; applied genomics and horticultural systems. This will result in new breakthroughs in the food, wine and landscape horticulture sector. For the complete May 6th press release, visit www.vinelandresearch.com.

CLNA has two offices at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

«La signature de cet accord de partenariat avec l’université de Guelph est une étape importante pour nous au Centre de recherche et d’innovation de Vineland» dit Jim Brandle, chef de la direction. «Nous sommes très heureux d’être associés à des gens de qualité tels les scientistes, chercheurs et le personnel qui est sur place à Vineland comme nous nous apprêtons à réaliser les priorités de notre industrie qui sont dépendent de la recherche.»

Les points d’intérêt des efforts de recherche conjointe seront: connaissance du consomateur et innovation du produit, génomique appliquée et systèmes horticoles. On s’attend à des percées dans les domaines de l’alimentation, du vin et de l’aménagement horticole. Pour lire le communiqué de presse du 6 mai, visitez le www.vinelandresearch.com. L’ACPP a deux bureaux au Centre de recherche et d’innovation de Vineland.

Prized Perennial 2009 Perennial Plant of the Year® is Hakonechloa macra ‘Aurela’ (golden hakone grass). The foliage is bright yellow, striped with vibrant green, making it a show-stopper wherever it is planted. It is a reliable companion to shade loving perennials like hosta, heuchera and bugbane. Its one-sided swooping habit lends itself to cascading along the water’s edge, spilling over a container or along the edge of a pathway. For more information on this selection, other award winning perennials or about the Perennial Plant Association, visit the website: www.perennialplant.org

Vivace primée La vivace de l’année 2009 est Hakonéchloa macra ‘Aurela’ (graminée hakonéchloa dorée). Le feuillage d’un jaune brillant strié de vert fait de cette graminée une vedette partout où elle est plantée. Elle complémente les autres vivaces de mi-ombre telles les hostas, heuchères et cierges d’argent. Son port retombant se prête bien à l’abord des bassins d’eau, débordant d’un contenant ou le long d’unsentier. Pour obtenir de plus amples informations à propos de cette plante et autres vivaces primées ou au sujet de la Perennial Plant Association, visiter le site Web suivant: www.perennialplant.org Photo: Steven Still/Perennial Plant Association

8

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

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Certification Corner Are You Hiring?

Are you looking for employees? Did you know that you can post your job advertisement on the CNLA website? The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association provides members with the chance to post their staffing needs on an industry specific job board.

Members of CNLA can post positions on one of the most popular pages of the CNLA website. For a cost of $100 (+GST), your opening will be posted for 60 days. The industry job board at www.canadanursery.com has been viewed an average of 200-500 times per month and is a great way to advertise job opportunities with your company.

your status as a true industry professional with your Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT), Certified Landscape Designer (CLD), and/or Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) designation(s).

If you have been considering certification, don’t delay any longer. Times are changing, and certification is a great asset to have in order to distinguish yourself and your company as professional and qualified. If you are already certified, continue to spread the word. The more the good news of certification, the more valuable it becomes to you, your company, and your industry.

Don’t Stop!

By Joel Beaston, CLP, CAE Just like the Fleetwood Mac song says, “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow…it’ll soon be here”. With so much bad news surrounding us, it is very easy to buy into the doom and gloom. It is, in fact, a great opportunity to increase business.

Whether you are looking for a job opportunity, or looking to hire, the Industry Job Board on the CNLA website is an excellent resource for everyone in the green industry. Contact Julia Ricottone at the CNLA office if you have a job advertisement you would like to post on our website ~ Julia@canadanursery.com, 1-888-446-3499, ext. 8615.

The Certification Advantage With more people getting certified across the country, the value of certification is becoming greater. More companies are telling their customers about it, and more employers are requiring their staff to become certified.

The public is beginning to identify who is a professional in our industry, and if you’re certified, you are already one step ahead in the game. You are one of the many across the country, who has the ability to elevate

One of the counter-intuitive things you must continue to do is advertising. It is human nature to want to stop spending on advertising and promotion when sales dip, but this is, in fact, the opposite of what good companies do. Heading into this spring, companies that I had communicated with had boosted advertising in order to maintain the previous year’s sales figures. What many discovered was that they have actually booked more business than in previous years.

Don’t stop buying. If you need a piece of equipment for a job, then build it in to the project’s quote and make sure you have it ready. Vehicle sales are at an all-time low, along with prices; everything is on sale and deals are plenty. Overcapitalizing your business is never a good thing, nor is buying a tool you will use only once or twice, but considering the discounts available, combined with low interest rates, now is a great time to upgrade any aging pieces of your fleet.

Speaking of tomorrow, this is a great time for succession planning. Many small business owners rely on the sale of the company as their retirement plan. By starting your succession plan early, there is less pressure for final decisions and lots of time for reflection for everyone involved. Especially true with family owned firms, but applies to almost

everyone; succession planning all too often starts too late. When there is a rush to get details sorted out, feelings are hurt and deep lines in the sand are drawn. With present times owed primarily to a lack of planning, now is a great time to get people on board to planning for another future.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that these three ideas are strongly supported by the theory covered in the Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) program. As the summer stretches to long, hot days and you contemplate a few days of vacation, perhaps consider bringing along a CLP book for reading on the dock of the bay.

Keep reading as next issue I will tell what type of manager you are by what Beatle you most resemble. For more information on CLP and other industry certification programs please visit www.canadanursery.com or call 1-888-446-3499.

Recently Certified Jamie Adamson, CHT Kevin Bartlett, CHT Glenn Brady, CHT Shane Brewer, CHT Carolyn Brown, CHT Brad Cameron, CHT Brandon Cox, CHT Karen Dickie, CHT Jonathan Gallant, CHT Jordan Hoch, CHT David Jordan, CHT Troy Keddy, CHT John Keenan, CLP Serge Lachance, CHT Dave Lantz, CHT Derek J. Lippert, CLP Andrew Lovell, CHT Andrew MacDonald, CHT Adam MacKenzie, CLP Craig Matheson, CHT Yuki Matsunaga, CHT Gabriel McLaughlin, CHT John Moore, CLP Kelly Nagel, CHT Barry Paxton, CHT, CLP Jean Poirier, CHT Vic Stone, CHT Mike Telfer, CHT Phil Thebeau, CHT Steve Theibaud, CLP Gord Trempnau, CHT *as of May 2009

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

NB NB AB AB AB NS NB NS PE AB NS NS ON AB NB ON NB NS AB NS AB AB ON AB AB NB NB NS NB ON AB

9

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

Landscaper’s Corner CNLA Partners with Sustainable Sites Initiative™ CNLA just recently secured “Participating Organization” status with the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SSI) www.sustainablesites. org. There has been great interest in the guidelines and official reviews by Christene LeVatte and Frederick Hann were submitted to SSI, on behalf of CNLA. As a Participating Organization, we will inform members regarding the SSI, including publicizing calls for comments and other opportunities for review and participation.

Additionally, we will provide input and share research and data that can help the development of the SSI. To keep you informed, here is an excerpt from the SSI Spring 2009 Update: Public comments on the Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks Draft 2008 are now posted on the SSI website for review. The SSI has developed a presentation available for download on the website. The presentation, An Overview of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, provides general audiences with an introduction to the history, mission and products of the Initiative, including statistics on sustainable land practices and highlights of the latest draft report. Visit www.sustainablesites. org/presentations/ to download your copy.

More case studies have been added to the website that illustrates sustainable landscape practices at various stages of development.

The Sustainable Sites Initiative is a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden, in conjunction with a diverse group of stakeholder organizations to create a voluntary rating system for sustainable landscapes.

10

Red Seal is a BIG deal!

Landscape Horticulturist is the 50th skilled trade to achieve Red Seal apprenticeship status in the 50 year history of Red Seal certification. It means certified worker mobility across Canada and nationally standardizes the training and certification programs. That is a BIG deal!

Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSDC) hosted a contingent of professionals from coast to coast, including Dr. Abate Wori Abate, representing the Ministry Training Colleges and Universities and yours truly as the Observer for CNLA, in Ottawa in March.

Sequestered away for 5 days and under the facilitation of Lise Caron, HRSDC and her two colleagues, Pierre and Bryan, the group created competency statements for all tasks in the trade. Essentially the new program was created by industry for industry. It was a monumental task!!

Sally Harvey, CLP, CHT, Manager of Education & Labour Development, Landscape Ontario, stated: “Red Seal status will enhance the landscape horticulture apprenticeship educational curriculum, both theoretically and practically. It will be a recognized viable option for individuals searching for a second career. It is a gift for both employers and apprentices.”

Michael Murray of Murray’s Horticultural Services, NL, and Past President of the CNLA eloquently summed up the week of developments with the HRSDC. “I believe we were creating a historical moment in the development of our profession and our industry that will pay great returns to ourselves and the people who make their livelihoods from

May-June 2009

By Liz Klose BSc. Agr, CLP

the landscape industry and for our customers, communities, provinces and Canada.”

Next steps include: editing, sending it back out to the group for validation, translation then publication. It is a few months away before implementation in the trade and educational system.

On-the-Job Training (OJT) Pilots Across the Country The Landscape Horticulture OJT pilot workshops were conducted in BC, AB, ON and NS this winter and spring. The basis for the training was the National Occupational Standard (NOS) for Landscape Horticulturists, as developed by industry professionals to meet the needs and benefit the industry.

This project was made possible through the funding from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) and supported by the CNLA. So what is it? The Landscape Horticulturist OJT method is an efficient, tried and true, effective way to train new and/or inexperienced employees (including apprentices) on how to perform skills required on the job. The objective is to meet and/or exceed the standards of safety, quality and productivity. It involves 4 main steps: prepare the worker, present the operation, try out the performance and followup. Sounds easy, but just ask any of the industry professionals who participated! It is more difficult than it appears. With evaluation, feedback and encouragement from the group, each participant gained valuable insight and first hand experience.

Griffiths Sheppard Consulting Group Inc., was engaged to lead the program on behalf of CAHRC. Additionally, Jeff Griffiths and Kevin Sheppard facilitated each of the pilot work-

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

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by : work in the future.” Adan Bonin indicated, “I like how it was broken down to steps — it followed a logical path from beginning to end. It is something that will stay with me and I will be able to apply it on the job.”

On-the-job training provides the missing link between school and applying those skills in the workplace.

shops. Here’s what a few of the participants at the session in Milton had to say. Michelle Cocks, CHT, of Brian Cocks Nursery and Landscaping, said “This method gets right to the point and helps you work through instruction in a very logical process. As a result of this training, I will be more confident and calm in giving instruction to my employees. They will have a better understanding of expectations and how to do the task.”

Two second year Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship students from Humber College were also invited to participate and provided their prospective. Nadia Cantelmo remarked, “It is very applicable and combines my interest of teaching and landscaping. I enjoyed the experience and it will greatly benefit my

Jeff indicated that the teaching/mentoring system has been implemented in many other industries with great success. “We truly believe in the teaching methodology. It is the missing link in industry training. It fills in the gap between what you learn in school and what you need to learn in the work place”.

Feedback from the participants is now being incorporated into the final draft. It will be sent back out to the stakeholder group for validation. Watch for project updates in future Newsbrief issues.

Sign In & Sign Up Remember to sign in and post employment positions on the Service Canada website www.jobbank.gc.ca Click ENGLISH then click in the Employers section click on “Post a Job”. Sign up your employees or register yourself in the certifications exams offered by your provincial association, as listed in this issue and also on our website www. canadanursery.com ,click on “Professional Development”. Each certification designa-

May-June 2009

tion has its own information page, including testing dates. This is also a great time to volunteer to help with set up or judging on certification test day. Volunteering also qualifies you to earn renewal points to maintain your certification status.

Give yourself credit By now you have been handing out so many business cards that it’s time to reorder. Be sure to add your credentials! Degree, diploma, journeyman/Certification of Qualification, or industry certification, such as CLP, CHT or CLD, you earned the designation, so add the credentials to your name. Give yourself the credit you deserve. It also contributes to recognizing the image and professionalism of our industry!

Klosing Comments At press time, Skills Canada, Canadian Skills Competition is just days away in Charlottetown, PEI, May 20-23. Mike Holmes, the skilled trades star of “Holmes on Homes”, will be making a guest appearance at the competition! The next issue will feature the sponsors (including CNLA!) and highlights from the Landscape Gardening competition.

The complete Book of Treasures...where plant treasures abound

www.nurseryguide.com

To order a print version of the Directory & Buyers Guide, call

800.342.6401 ($12 shipping & handling)

Oregon Grown means: Healthy plants • Consistent quality • Broadest selection • Exceptional value • Zone hardy • Full grade material • Profit for your enterprise

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

11

CNLA Newsbrief

sponsored by :

May-June 2009

Upcoming Test Dates July July 6-7, 2009 – CHT Retail, Truro, NS July 16, 2009 – CHT, CLD, CLP, Milton, ON July 16-17, 2009 – CHT Milton, ON July 17-18, 2009 – CLD/CLP (17th), CHT Langley, BC August August 13-14, 2009 – CHT Ottawa, ON August 19-20, 2009 – CHT Retail Milton, ON September September 25, 2009 – CHT Retest Milton, ON

Discover the Greener Side of STIHL At STIHL, we invest considerable resources in producing long lasting, energy-efficient products that minimize our impact on the environment. We’re committed to developing powerful, low-vibration, fuel-efficient outdoor power equipment that uses advanced, environmentally responsible product technologies.

Maximum performance - Minimum impact. Discover STIHL’s greener products today at your friendly neighbourhood STIHL Dealer or visit us on-line at www.stihl.ca.

October October 16-17, 2009 – CLD/CLP (17th), CHT Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langley, BC BR 500

High performance, low noise Backpack Blower with reduced emissions.

FS 90 R

Fuel efficient 4-MIX® engine delivers fast acceleration in a powerful lightweight unit.

December December 9, 2009 – CHT, CLD, CLP, Milton, ON

40042205

12

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