July - August 2011
Volume 32, Issue 3
Lite A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR FNGLA MEMBERS. FULL MONTHLY ISSUE LOCATED AT HTTP://GREENLINE.FNGLA.ORG
It’s Full Sail Ahead at The Landscape Show M
ark your calendar now to attend Florida’s premier trade show for the nursery and landscape industry, September 29 – October 1 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Everyone’s business is changing and evolving in the new economy. There’s no better place than The Landscape Show to gain the resources and information to move your business Full Sail Ahead. The Landscape Show offers the most convenient, affordable venue to meet vendors, take classes, get new ideas, network with colleagues and keep up with the latest trends and forecasts. Take advantage of The Landscape Show’s complimentary opening session to meet Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and hear how this bright and dynamic state leader is working to move Florida agriculture and, consequently, Florida’s economy forward. If you’ve heard Adam Putnam speak before, you know this is a session not to miss! If you haven’t heard him speak, this is your opportunity to be engaged and encouraged by Commissioner Putnam’s real-world views and the exciting opportunities he sees for Florida agriculture, including the nursery and landscape industry.
THE
LANDSCAPE SHOW SEPT. 29 OCT. 1, 2011
ORLANDO
FFull Sail Ahead C H A R T
A
N E W
C O U R S E
Sponsored by:
New this year at The Landscape Show will be outdoor exhibits for equipment dealers who wish to demonstrate their machines! Here’s your chance to not only see the latest landscape equipment, but actually try it out. Located near the parking area of the convention center, a limited number of exhibitors will have equipment available to test ride. Try before you buy! Education excels at The Landscape Show with a multi-track program available through the FNGLA Short Course, as well as product and informational demonstrations. See the newest products and meet new exhibitors who are eager to learn about your business needs. Online registration opened July 1! Register early for best pricing and convenience. For more details visit www.TheLandscapeShow.org.
www.FNGLA.org
ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER, ORLANDO, FL
W W W. T H E L A N D S C A P E S H O W. O R G
This publication hig highlights the latest FNGLA news. The full Greenline publication can be found at http://greenline.fngla.org There, you’ll find additional articles, industry news and more.
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Halsey Beshears FNGLA 2011-2012 President
Time flies when you are having fun. It seems like yesterday that I first attended our Big Bend Chapter Meeting in Quincy at May’s Nursery. Looking back, the institutional knowledge and the people that were there amaze me. I can still see faces today: Fount May Senior and his wife, Carolyn who attended every meeting our chapter had; representatives from Imperial nursery, Clinton Nursery, Fernlea Nursery, Wight’s Nursery, Ray Bracken, Graco, Luchenbach Nursery, and Marty Ard Landscaping. A young man named George Hackney had started a nursery in Greensboro a few years back. The owners of Skinner’s Nursery had just passed through Monticello and mention of who they were and what they were about was brought up. There were over 58 full members in our chapter then. We were still the Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association. Our members were nurseries, some allied members and some landscapers. Now today our chapter only has 30 full memberships. Out of the list mentioned above, 4 are still operating as they were then, 5 have been sold and are either consolidated or going out of business, and 2 of them no longer exist. Our landscaper members numbered over a dozen at one time are now less than 5. The reason I bring this up is to show that change is inevitable. I know, I know, this is earth shattering news and you have never heard this before. It is important though to know and understand that no one company or association is too big to fail and everyone must adapt, change and overcome their own challenges in their industry or become a part of history. Our association today is different than it was 15 years ago. It continues to see a shrinking membership due to multiple reasons: the economics of supply and demand continue to go through a correction period; housing starts continue to decline and remain unimpressive; the eminent challenge of immigration is finally coming to a head and resolutions are being attempted on a state level rather than federal. The culmination of these factors is that our members continue to migrate due to the inability to pay their dues or they are going out of business. I wish I had better news or a more optimistic tune to hum. However, simply stated, these are difficult times and an immediate end to them is still very uncertain. These times will continue to shape our members as well as our association. It is how we react in these difficult times and also how we can be proactive that will define our association in the years to come. We all know that every one of our members has had to make sacrifices over the past three years in some shape fashion or form. Some companies had to sacrifice more than others, some made changes early, while
some made changes late. Some companies were doomed from the beginning no matter what sacrifices or changes they made. If you are reading this today, then more than likely you have learned to change, adapt and overcome. What does all of this mean to us as members today? What does this mean to our association? It means that we will continue to fight the good fight. All of us are doing more with less. This is the nature of business today. However, it does not mean you do not work less, it just means that the quality of work we do will continue to improve as we all strive to work smarter with fewer resources. It means that as members we have to continue to rally and support each other, as well as look for new potential members. United we stand, divided we fall. It means as an association we have to get lean and mean yet never falter in our mission. This will require more sacrifice on all of our parts. We will not shy away from making the difficult decisions, but will do our best to make the best educated decision that is in the best interest of the member and the association in the long run. I am proud to be a member of FNGLA. We have a great staff and an excellent group of volunteers and officers. Our association is politically strong and fiscally sound. Past President Monty Knox, continues to give his time, energy and efforts to FNGLA. To say that Carolan Mahr represented this association as its President this past year well would be a monumental understatement. She made some extremely difficult decisions that will influence the course of FNGLA in the years to come, all in the best interest of you, the member. Wes Parrish will continue to lead and strengthen this organization during his time because of his strength, character and solid ability. His level-headed, common sense approach to problems will only benefit and strengthen the association. My fellow Wedgeworth Alumni, Mike Marshall, whom I am as proud to serve with as anyone, is a business savvy person and a natural leader. We are lucky to have him on board. I look forward to serving with these people the following year. Lastly and most importantly, do not forget the staff that does the heavy lifting. They continue to do the work and giving their best to making our association great. If you get a chance, call the office and talk with any of them. A sincere encouraging word sometimes goes a long way to those that bear the brunt and wield the stick of policy change that you the member chooses. It is my honor and pleasure to serve you the member and this association the next 12 months as your President. I sincerely look forward to seeing and meeting as many of you as possible. Halsey Beshears FNGLA President
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www.everris.us.com © 2011 An ICL Fertilizers Company, Worldwide Rights Reserved.
Thank You Convention Sponsors Presidents’ Gala
Sunset Soiree
Annual Business Meeting
Membership Luncheon
Useppa Level
We’re Moving Forward Together at FNGLA’s Annual Convention FNGLA’s 2011 Annual Convention took place June 23 – 26 at the LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort in Naples. Located on Florida’s beautiful gulf coast beaches, this year’s program provided FNGLA members a chance to network, take part in association business and enjoy an idyllic southwest Florida setting. The convention kicked off Thursday evening with a welcome reception overlooking Vanderbilt Bay where members were able to reconnect and enjoy a relaxing evening together. Some early risers took to the LaPlaya Golf Course on Friday morning while others enjoyed the Naples Garden and Estate Tour. The tour encompassed a visit to Driftwood Garden Center, a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful, tropical gardens of a private estate and a guided tour of Naples Botanical Gardens.
Photo Courtesy of Ron O’Connor/Farm Credit
Friday night’s Sunset Soiree celebrated the famous sunsets on Florida’s west coast! Sponsored by ProAg a large southern-style buffet dinner was enjoyed while steel drum music provided by Sun-Fire Nurseries added to the beach experience.
Boca Grande Level
Captiva Level Farm Credit Syngenta Sanibel Level Action Chapter B & L Landscape Company Big Sky Growers Creative Printing Creel Tractor Frontrunners Chapter Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc Northeast Chapter Simpson Nurseries Treasure Coast Chapter Cayo Costa Arborbrace Staking Atkinson Realty & Auction, Inc. Big Bend Chapter Cauthen & Feldman Ferlita, Wash & Gonazalez Florida Potting Soils Integrity Merchant Solutions Nurserymen’s Sure Gro Parrish Nursery Paul Polomsky Pinellas Chapter Wyld West Annuals Photo Sponsor Closson Insurance
Members gathered Saturday morning for FNGLA’s annual business meeting where Halsey Beshears of Simpson Nurseries was installed as the 2011–2012 FNGLA President. Thank you to Sun-Fire Nurseries for sponsoring the meeting and breakfast. During the meeting, the annual report was unveiled, new FNGLA officers elected and the Industry Awards were given out. Over 100 members attended Saturday evening’s Presidents’ Gala, sponsored by Stallings Crop Insurance. During the Gala, Jim Knox and the late Joe Shaw were inducted into FNGLA’s Hall of Fame. Sylvia Gordon was awarded the prestigious Wendell Butler award. The evening was a success with a crowded dance floor, music courtesy of the Naples Jazz Syndicate. FNGLA members had a final chance to mix and say good byes at a Sunday morning continental breakfast overlooking Vanderbilt Bay. Thanks to Ted Mahr Supplies for sponsoring the Farewell Breakfast.
Images from FNGLA's 2011 Annual Convention
FNGLA HAPPENINGS Free Marketing: Maximize Your Member Experience with the FNGLA Locator Showcasing FNGLA Members’ plants, products and services, the Online FNGLA Plant & Product Locator reaches top buyers from all regions. As an FNGLA Active Member or Affiliate Firm member, you can enjoy FREE listings for your company. GETTING STARTED Go directly to the Locator. Look to the bottom right for access to the FNGLA Online Plant & Product Locator. Select “List in the Locator.” Follow the on-screen directions to log in or utilize the password recovery to obtain the necessary information for log in. VERIFY OR CREATE LISTINGS Once logged in, if you have plants, products or services already in the system they will appear on the screen. You can alter these listings here. If we have no listings for you, this area appears vacant. In both cases, use the menu to the right to provide details for your company: My Profile, My Listings, Create New Listings, Add/Edit Logo to My Profile, Purchase/Edit Banner Ads, My Cart. To add a new listing for your firm, go to “Create New Listing” from the menu. Select your listing type and search the selected items. Before you determine you need to “add” a plant or product, please be certain the item is not already included in the provided list. BE READY FOR THE PRINTED LOCATOR LITE The production of a Locator-Lite featuring Florida Garden Select is in the works. FNGLA will publish details from your firm’s profile, your GPS map location and any Florida Garden Select plants you have indicated you grow. The printed version will undoubtedly spark use. Be certain your firm’s details are up-to-date! Contact FNGLA for more information or for assistance with your listings.
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NEWS & CERTIFICATION The Landscape Show 80% sold out: Don’t Wait to Reserve Remaining Booths! It’s “Full Sail Ahead” at The 2011 Landscape Show taking place September 29 - October 1, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando! Business waters have been choppy the past couple of years, but the tides are changing and you can ride the new wave of business at The 2011 Landscape Show. Exhibit at The Landscape Show to make sure your customers and potential customers know your company is ready to serve them in a new economic tide. With more than 6,500 potential buyers under one roof in a three-day period, how can your business afford not to have this exposure? Reach developers, home builders, landscape architects and designers, landscape contractors and management companies, garden center professionals, plant brokers and re-wholesalers, resort and facility managers, golf course superintendents, wholesale nurseries, city/municipality landscape professionals, chain store garden centers, industry educators, garden writers and more at The Landscape Show! The Landscape Show celebrates its 28th year this September 29-October 1, 2011 in Orlando, FL at the Orange County Convention Center. The Landscape Show is the premier green industry show in the Southeast. Sponsored by the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, proceeds are turned around to serve the industry. The Landscape Show is one of the most affordable trade shows and marketing opportunities you will find. Don’t miss this opportunity to increase your sales and move Full Sail Ahead! This year’s floor plan is already 80 percent sold out, so don’t delay in making your decision to exhibit. Contact Sabrina Haines or Clay Archey to reserve your booth today at 800-375-3642. For details, go to www. thelandscapeshow.org to view available booths.
Get CEUs and Networking at The Landscape Challenge The 3rd Annual Landscape Challenge takes place in Citrus County on September 22nd. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and FNGLA will once again team up to host this fun, competitive and educational demonstration of landscape management skills – that focus on Florida Friendly Best Management Practices. This brings a great educational and fun opportunity to industry professionals in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Marion and Sumter counties. Bring your team, or create one on site, and show what you know about best management practices for the proper utilization of our water resources. The Landscape Challenge is free and CEUs are available to FNGLA Certified Industry Professionals. You can participate on a team, join the program as a spectator or be an industry sponsor. Although there is no cost to participate, registration is required. For more information, contact Merry Mott, FNGLA’s Director of Certifications & Career Development at mmott@fngla.org or call 800-375-3642.
Teams toss beanbags into pots to determine the value of the questions asked about fertilization.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome New FNGLA Members
The following are new FNGLA members from April 25, 2011 - June 20, 2011 ACTION Agrinos Inc. Darrell Thorpe 410 S Center St Eustis, FL 32726-4805 352-357-5606
BROWARD Broward County Public Schools Gary Hines, Supportive 3200 Dockside Dr Hollywood, FL 33026-3729 954-540-6004
BASF Corporation Frank Fornari 22520 Will Murphy Rd Umatilla, FL 32784-7944 352-669-6573 www.betterplants.com
Tamara Bain-Stuart, Student 13349 NW 47th Ave Opa Locka, FL 33054-4316 954-495-4571
New Horizons of the Palm Beaches, Inc. Brenda Amerson 13308 47th Ct. N Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411-8125 561-662-2733
COASTAL SPRINGS Crystal Swartzfager, Supportive 5729 N CR 470 Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538-3135 352-461-6798
QuinCo James Quinn 17882 35 Place North Loxahatchee, FL 33470-3623 561-432-1234
Wildwood Middle High School Susan Swartzfager, Supportive 5729 N CR 470 Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538-3135 352-461-6121
Matthew Scott, Student Palm Beach Gardens, FL
ColorBurst, Inc. Toni Turton 2317 Winter Park Rd Winter Park, FL 32789-6106 407-628-1825 Referred by: Kathy Dubel, Valleycrest Landscape Maintenance Creative Printing & Graphic Design Randy Pearce 1009 Pine Street Orlando, FL 32824 407-855-0202 JustPerfectPlants.com Jonathan Paul Squires 1910 Lewis Rd PO Box 493216 Leseburg, FL 34749 352-504-2481 Referred by: Jennifer Batson, Mount Dora Plant Company North American Office Solutions Tony Guadalupe 6314 Kingspointe Pkwy #7 Orlando, FL 32819-3619 407-264-0283 Rush Enterprises of Florida Ben Bennett, Affiliate Firm 12475 W Colonial Dr Winter Garden, FL 34787-4218 407-877-3636 Sprayer Depot Dan Rose 7800 N Orange Blossom Tr Orlando, FL 32810-2637 407-409-3601 Referred by: Jennifer Batson, Mount Dora Plant Company Walt Disney World Tanya Peak Smith, Associate Member PO Box 10000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000 BIG BEND Florida Dept of Environmental Protection Kenneth A Kuhl, Supportive 1611 E Windwood Way Tallahassee, FL 32311-8797 850-245-7561
DADE Jay Hegland, Student Marathon, FL Mesis Landscape Services Inc. Edward Mesis 18950 SW 139 Ave Miami, FL 33177 305-254-5500 Siegel Gas/Metro Lawn Marty Sweet 7400 NW 30th Ave Miami, FL 33147-5904 954-444-3927 MANASOTA Florabundance, Inc. Micky Lindberg 1379 Georgetown Cr Sarasota, FL 34232-2053 941-266-0384 Referred by: Robert Albritton, Albritton’s Nursery KeyPlex Jim Shuford, Associate Member 4611 San Siro Dr Sarasota, FL 34235-3644 941-350-6223 NORTHEAST Clark Leishman, Student Lake City, FL PALM BEACH Be Green Outdoor Services, LLC Craig Lewis 7712 Colony Palm Dr Boynton Beach, FL 33436 561-248-7261
Horizon Jon Kilpatrick 7700 High Ridge Rd Boynton Beach, FL 33426-9326 480-337-6700
Vega and Sons Tree Farm, Inc. Jose A Vega 1034 B Road Loxahatchee, FL 33470-4247 561-795-5977 www.vegaandsons.com PANHANDLE George Stone Technical Center Harley R. Collinsworth, Supportive 2400 Longleaf Dr Pensacola, FL 32526-8901 850-941-6200 x 2178 www.escambia.k12.fl.us Gulf Coast Property Services Patrick Farrell 209 7th St Port St. Joe, FL 32456-1785 850-527-6090 www.gcpsflorida.com
ROYAL PALM Anchor Tree Service Tyson Payne 905 SE 29th St Cape Coral, FL 33904-2927 239-354-0973 Woods and Wetlands, Inc. David J. Quinlan 18731 Durrance Rd. North Ft. Myers, FL 33917-5254 239-567-1857 www.woodsandwetlandsinc.com SPACE COAST Clint Adams Lawn Service Clint Adams 3864 Backwoods Ln Micco, FL 32976-8014 772-633-1829 TAMPA BAY Tampa Electric Company Margaret Covello PO Box 111 Tampa, FL 33601-0111 813-630-7413 www.tampaelectric.com ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance Scott R Stinson, Associate Member PO Box 5229 Sun City Center, FL 33573-5229 813-641-3672 www.valleycrest.com TREASURE COAST Sloan Management Corp. Jason Sloan 734 SW Myakka River Trace Port St Lucie, FL 34986-2059 561-718-8785 www.sloanmgmt.com
PINELLAS Ball Seed Joyce Jones, Associate Member 7551 Cumberland Dr Seminole, FL 33777 303-909-3322 www.ballhort.com Nathan Bowden, Student St. Petersburg, FL Melco Arthur Abbo 13200 40th St N Clearwater, FL 33762-4266 727-573-1822 Referred by: Stephanie Finney, TempleInland
Stephanie L Langel, Student 6006 Citrus Ave Ft. Pierce, FL 34982-3311 772-418-1814 OUTSIDE FLORIDA Exotic Plant Luc Pieters Koewegstraat 4 9270 Laarne, Belgium 329-231-7044 www.exoticplant.be Oldcastle Lawn & Garden Scott M. Salmon 375 Northridge Rd Ste 250 Atlanta, GA 30350 678-731-8010 www.oldcastleapg.com
Mark your calendars... for December 1-2, 2011 and plan to attend the Great Southern Tree Conference at the Hilton/UF Conference Center in Gainesville, FL. FNGLA and University of Florida (UF) have enjoyed a longstanding partnership and continue to provide quality education for the nursery and landscape industry.
Read the latest FNGLA news inside & visit Greenline online at http://greenline.fngla.org
Lite 1533 Park Center Drive Orlando, FL 32835-5705 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ORLANDO, FL PERMIT #2041
Calendar of Events
Contact Us
See all event information at http://greenline.fngla.org/calendar
July 14-16:
Florida ASLA Annual Meeting, The Breakers, Palm Beach
15-17:
Florida Small Farms & Alternative Enterprises Conference, Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee
20:
Green Industries Best Management Practices (BMPs) Training, UF St. Johns County Extension, St. Augustine
26-28:
2011-2012 STATE OFFICERS
FNGLA
2011 IPM Dubai, Airport Expo Dubai
August 2:
Osceola County Master Gardeners’ Training Class, Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee
16-18:
IGC Show, Navy Pier, Chicago
18-21:
Nursery & Landscape Expo, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas
25:
Green Industies Best Management Practices (BMPs) Training, UF-IFAS Putnam County Extension Office, East Palatka
26-29:
Garden Writers Annual Symposium, Indianapolis
Phone: Toll-free: Fax: E-mail: Web:
(407) 295-7994 (800) 375-3642 (407) 295-1619 info@fngla.org www.fngla.org
CEO/EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Ben Bolusky
GREENLINE EDITOR Jennifer Nelis jnelis@fngla.org
President Halsey Beshears Simpson Nurseries P.O. Box 160 Monticello, FL 32345 (850) 997-2516
President-Elect Wes Parrish Parrish Nursery 5900 SW 185th Way Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33332 (954) 680-3544
Past President Carolan Mahr Ted Mahr Supply, Inc. 407A SW 2nd St Cape Coral, FL 33991 (239) 574-2214
Secretary/Treasurer Mike Marshall Marshall Tree Farm 17350 SE 65th St Morriston, FL 32668-4508 (352) 528-3880
Connect with us: About FNGLA This publication is produced by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) as a service to its members. The statements and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Association, its staff, Board of Directors, Greenline or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers or their identification as members does not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services. The mission of the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association is to promote and protect the success and professionalism of our members.