Greenline, March 2012

March 2012 | Volume 33, Issue 3

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR FNGLA MEMBERS. DIGITAL MONTHLY ISSUE LOCATED AT HTTP://GREENLINE.FNGLA.ORG

2012 Floriculture Field Days Approaches April showers bring May flowers! Things are gearing up for FNGLA’s Second Annual Floriculture Field Days held in conjunction with Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival.

New varieties, container displays and an incredible slate of speakers all come together on May 9-11, 2012 at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club. See how the industry’s top breeders’ new varieties handle Florida’s heat and humidity in a trial setting. Landscape business professionals can take back innovative ideas to maximize the use of these new varieties in the landscape by viewing the all-new for 2012 landscape display areas.

LOCATION/TRIAL DETAILS

The International Gateway right outside the resort entrance of Epcot will be transformed into the 2nd Annual Performance Trials held in conjunction with this conference. Breeders will showcase exciting new colors, textures and durability. Each variety will be evaluated by Disney’s horticulture team and results will be available for industry viewing. See first-hand what will “wow” consumers in the upcoming year!

SPONSORSHIPS

Position yourself as a leader in the Floriculture Industry and take advantage of the opportunity to bring more exposure to your company’s products or services! Great Sponsorship Opportunities are available. For more information on sponsoring or conference

details, visit Floriculture Field Days on FNGLA’s website or access the sponsorship form at: http://www.fngla.org/events/floriculturefield-day/2012/sponsorship-form.pdf.

Do you have something vital to the floriculture segment of the nursery and landscape industry? Choose to have an exhibit table to display information on your products and/or services. Become one of the exclusive sponsors of the luncheons or Wednesday’s dinner.

Your company will have the opportunity to address the group and introduce the session’s speaker. Some sponsorship also included complimentary registration for your company’s representative.

MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW!

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts is an ideal setting for the conference. Reserve your room early so you can have up close and personal access to the trial gardens and Epcot®. A special rate of $159 single/double is being offered until April 12th. The resort welcomes you into a nautical world of hardwood floors, brass fittings and luxurious accommodations. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is designated by the Florida Green Lodging Program, recognizing the Resort’s environmentally responsible practices.

For more conference details, visit: http://www.fngla.org/events/ floriculture-field-day/ or contact FNGLA at info@fngla.org, 800-375-642.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Halsey Beshears FNGLA 2011-2012 President

History provides us with multiple examples of leaders who have accomplished extraordinary things under tremendous pressure. The end results of their decisions resulted in successful completion of their goals. For example, in 1519, Hernan Cortes scuttled his ships, stranding his expedition in Mexico. This was done under the pretense that the ships were not seaworthy.

Historians argue that his objective was to take away all means of escape and prevent further mutiny of his men defecting to Cuba.

The perception of these actions was Cortes was attempting to prevent mutiny. However, the truth will never be known.

Another example, on which I would like to expound more, is based on the history of the Carthaginian General Hannibal. (Before I even start, let me put in the disclaimer that Hannibal is not someone whose successes I emulate nor do I condone his actions.

By today’s standards, he was barbaric and a dictator. Yet, his methods, the history and his successes merely provide lessons in leadership). Hannibal’s successful crossing of the Alps during the Second Punic War is a military achievement of historical proportions and deserves further review. He began his march with over 35,000 men, around 8,000 cavalry, and a healthy store of resources. Facing a brutal winter, managing an army that was a myriad of cultures and languages, with a cavalry of elephants and horses ill-suited for mountain crossings, and defending guerrilla tactics of native tribes, Hannibal successfully crossed the Alps. It was during this time his famous quote was derived: “We will either find a way, or make one.” However, when he reached the foothills of Northern Italy, from all appearances, his army was diminished to a point in which it could not fight. He had less than half of his men and cavalry and only a few war elephants left.

Recognizing this, the general ordered a series of games that took place in the foothills of Northern Italy. He ordered several of his men, from lieutenants to soldiers, to fight to the death. Forcing his entire army to watch the gruesome events, Hannibal allowed the games to go on for three days. At the end of the games, he told his troops that he understood they were all tired and defeated from the crossing. However, they were at a critical moment in the campaign.

The army itself was faced with two choices. They could come

together as a unit and fight to the death, or they could lie down and die at the hands of their enemies. The Battle of Trebia ensued which turned the tide back in Hannibal’s favor against the Romans.

As an industry and as an association, we are not facing a situation even comparable to Cortes or Hannibal. However, there are parallels to be found in these stories. In each situation, the leaders were faced with perilous situations. In hindsight, how they reached their decisions and executed them was brilliant. We are going through a historical shift in our industry nationwide. There are fewer nurseries, landscape professionals, and allied suppliers, today than there were 5 years ago. Many of these companies are fatigued and just trying to hang on for existence. Trade shows are changing, programs are varying or being altered, and how we do business today is different than it was 30 years ago. One of the reasons I love our industry, though, is that people still do business the old fashioned way. They believe in face to face contact, shaking hands, physically seeing product, attending trade shows to network. Yet, business is different. We email pictures of product all over the state; we scan bids to other job sites without ever setting foot on the dirt; we are doing more with less because our resources are finite; we network online rather than in person. We are making decisions in our businesses that will improve our efficiencies in years to come.

Our Association is altering its programs and reviewing everything it does in order to adapt to current times. If we do not adapt and overcome, then like so many other things in history, we will simply become a part of history. This change is always difficult and painful. Often times, the reasons for it are not always apparent.

The perception is different than the actual reality. We are all taking an objective look in the mirror in order to determine what we as business owners do best. We are examining with what we need help, what we need to change, or what we need to get rid of in order to exist, carry on and ultimately thrive. We as an association must continue to do the same. Or like so many others, we will simply cease to exist.

Very Respectfully,

Halsey W. Beshears, FNGLA President halsey@simpsonnurseries.com

FNGLA HAPPENINGS FNGLA Celebrates 60 Years at June Convention Make plans to celebrate FNGLA’s 60th Anniversary as members meet June 29-30 in Jacksonville for an “Unconventional” Convention. A new format provides opportunity for fun, fellowship, learning and association business while keeping prices affordable so all members can attend.

“We’re very excited to be holding FNGLA’s 60th Anniversary Convention in Jacksonville,” noted Billy Butterfield, Ameriscapes Landscape Management Services, and chairman of this year’s convention. “Jacksonville is home of FNGLA’s Northeast Chapter, famous for their southern hospitality. It is an area with deep roots in our industry’s history and offers a wide variety of activities and attractions.”

The convention begins on Friday morning, June 29 with an optional tour of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, hosted by FNGLA’s Northeast Chapter. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a first-of-its-kind botanical garden inside a zoo that, unlike other zoos, is integrated among the animal exhibits. A river of color runs through the zoo and themed pocket gardens serve as forecourts to the animal exhibits. They include the AfricanSavanna Blooms Garden, South American-Range of the Jaguar Garden, the native gardens of Wild Florida and Play Park, the formal Gardens of Trout River, and the Asian Garden.

Horticulture staff will serve as guides for this 2-hour garden tour.

Friday evening offers a “Back To Our Roots” 60th Anniversary Celebration. You’ll feel you’ve gone back in time as you explore the grounds of historic Glen St. Mary Nurseries. Established in 1882, this enchanting “Old Florida” setting is complete with original houses, barn and buildings, a saw mill and a nursery museum. Houses will have a docent to provide the history and hopefully there will be industry “old timers” on hand to tell stories from way-back-then. Glen St. Mary Nurseries Co. is a founding member of FNGLA with 3rd generation owner, Lyn Taber and his wife, Magi, opening their doors to their fellow FNGLA members with true Southern hospitality. Locallygrown food will be served, including fresh-from-the-field corn, tomatoes, cakes made with persimmons from the trees at Glen St. Mary, local meats and delicious seasonal foods. Music will be provided by local FNGLA members. It’ll be a great evening to relax and celebrate the past with FNGLA friends and family.

Bus transportation will be provided to and from the host hotel.

FNGLA’s 60th Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 30 will honor the past, act in the present and plan for the future.

Industry award winners will be recognized, new leaders elected and FNGLA’s influence and activities will be showcased. Learn the industry outlook from FNGLA’s CEO Ben Bolusky and a farewell perspective from FNGLA President Halsey Beshears

as we look from the past to the future. If you’ve never attended FNGLA’s Annual Meeting, this is a great year to take part!

FNGLA’s Unconventional Convention closes in a very conventional way: Members join together to share a meal and look toward the future. Invited guest speaker, Craig Regelbrugge, VP of Government Relations and Research with the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA), will share the industry’s national perspective, both politically and in broader terms. A strong advocate for the nursery industry for more than 25 years, Craig has his fingers on the pulse of the industry and will share with you the dynamics which will most influence its future – and yours! Don’t be fooled by Craig’s conventional title. He is an engaging and humorous speaker, well versed in the topics you want to know! And while the 60th convention concludes, it is just the beginning of a New Year and new decade for FNGLA! Wes Parrish, FNGLA’s 2012-13 President, will send you home with a bright promise for a new FNGLA year!

Although all official business is completed with the membership luncheon, members may wish to enjoy this unique area of Florida for the entire weekend. The FNGLA Northeast Chapter will provide a list of places of interest for those who wish to explore the area on their own, including golf, deep sea fishing, historic communities, unique shopping districts, restaurants and more gardens.

The host hotel for the FNGLA Convention is the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Waterfront. With a reputation for superior service and quality accommodations, this downtown Jacksonville hotel is situated on a four-mile riverfront boardwalk with spectacular views of the St. Johns River and is within walking distance to The Jacksonville Landing, a popular restaurant and entertainment venue. FNGLA group room rates are only $109 at the Hyatt.

Registration details are in the works. Visit http://www.fngla.org/ events/annual-convention/ in mid-March for hotel reservation and convention registration information.

For more information about the FNGLA convention or to be a sponsor, contact Linda Adams at ladams@fngla.org.

FNGLA HAPPENINGS It’s Not Too Late for FNGLA Industry Awards Nominations!

March 15 is the deadline to submit an FNGLA Industry Award Nomination. You still have time to nominate well-deserving FNGLA members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty as industry volunteers. Help FNGLA put the spotlight on an FNGLA Hero with your nominations!

FNGLA seeks nominations for annual industry awards in the following categories: FNGLA Hall of Fame, Wendell Butler Award, FNGLA/Farm Credit Young Nursery Professional of the Year, Outstanding Chapter President, Outstanding Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, Outstanding Volunteer and Outstanding Educator.

Visit http://www.fngla.org/recognition/industry-awards/ for a description of the various awards as well as nomination forms. You can also find a list of previous FNGLA industry awards winners at this site. For more details, contact Linda Adams at ladams@fngla.org or call 800-375-3642.

FNGLA Garden at the 2012 Epcot Festival: Sign-Up to Volunteer Running March 7 through May 20, FNGLA’s Garden, Backyard Play, has volunteer garden host times available each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the 10 1/2-week festival in three-hour blocks: noon to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact Amy DiBella at adibella@fngla.org to schedule your time to host the garden!

With an estimated attendance of over 2 million consumers, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a great venue for FNGLA to reach Florida’s gardening public and to promote key consumer messages such as the FNGLA resource: www.

FloridaGardening.org.

As an official festival partner, FNGLA serves as one of two host organization to a 10,000+ square foot garden area focused on family gardening fun. The display sets a “backyard look and feel” and incorporates a variety of fun gardening elements easily recreated by virtually any home gardener such as a green roof dog house, a topiary pet yard, a soup garden, pizza garden, pie garden, a planted bamboo tunnel, a vine-covered playhouse, and a variety of garden crafts such as stepping stones and bird baths.

Many changes have been incorporated and FNGLA is excited to offer members and certified professionals the opportunity to serve as garden hosts. As in years past, certified professionals will receive CEUs for their service and all participants gain entrance into Epcot and the festival for the day they volunteer.

FNGLA HAPPENINGS

Submit New Installations; Redesign/ Renovation; and, Maintenance projects in the following categories:

• Residential Single-Family • Residential Community • Commercial • Theme Park • Institutional/Public • Interior Project • Special Project • Student Project • Environmentally Sustainable Site Special Awards include:

• FNGLA S.J. Blakely Award • FNGLA Floriculture Award • FNGLA Florida Friendly Landscape™ Award • FNGLA Roy Rood Award

Announcing the Return of FNGLA’s Landscape Awards!

FNGLA’s Landscape Awards are back! After taking a vacation for a year, FNGLA’s celebrated Landscape Awards have been re-tooled with a new emphasis on promotion of award-winning projects. We have new entry categories and the entry applications are straightforward and submitted on-line. And, you can even submit twice as many digital images of your landscape entry! Florida landscape projects installed and completed since 2009 are eligible to be submitted.

The award-winning landscape projects will be showcased on the floor of the 2012 The Landscape Show, September 27-29 in Orlando. Winners will also receive their awards on The Landscape Show floor. “Honorary Mention” certificates will be provided to all entry applicants who do not win awards. And, there are four special recognition awards (for which there is no fee), including a brand new FNGLA Florida Friendly™ Landscape Award. All entries will be judged this summer by a panel of distinguished industry jurists.

Detailed information about the exciting and anticipated return of FNGLA’s Landscape Awards, its entry categories, types, applications and fees can all be found by visiting FNGLA’s website at http:// www.fngla.org/recognition/landscape-awards/. The deadline for submittal of all entry applications is 5 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2012.

FNGLA’s Landscape Awards program is now open! Submit your very best landscape projects as this is a grand opportunity for FNGLA to help promote and position your landscape firm as one the “best of the best” our professional industry has to offer!

INDUSTRY NEWS Need to Know More About the Consumer Mindset?

Join the Agriculture Institute of Florida and the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education for: Are We Communicating Effectively? A Look into the Consumer Mindset: a look at new, cutting-edge research that shows what works — and what doesn’t — in agricultural messaging.

Taking place Tuesday, March 20 at The Straughn Center, on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, you’ll hear what focus groups throughout Florida had to say about agriculture and the way we talk about our industry. Learn how to frame your messages to be more meaningful to your neighbors, your customers, and those who impact your livelihood.

One of agriculture’s biggest challenges is helping consumers, elected officials and regulators connect the dots between Florida agriculture and the quality of life we enjoy. Communicating effectively is key, which is why the Agriculture Institute of Florida partnered with the University of Florida’s Center for Public Issues Education (the PIE Center) in 2010 on a study that yielded valuable findings about how the public perceives key words, phrases and images we commonly use to tell the ag story. That study showed that while words like “farmer” and “locally-grown” were generally perceived as positive, other concepts such as “Best Management Practices” and “food safety” were viewed with skepticism.

In 2011, AIF again partnered with the PIE Center on the second phase of this effort - “Positioning Florida Agriculture”, a ground-breaking research project with two goals: to investigate, analyze and compare ag communications efforts throughout the country and to conduct and test messages and communication styles with focus groups throughout Florida.

The presentation will include recommendations for how agricultural businesses, associations and individuals can talk about the industry in ways that make sense to the public.

The Agriculture Institute of Florida is an organization of communications professionals, individual farms and producers from a diverse blend of agricultural associations, commodity producers and ag-interested businesses working together to promote the value of Florida agriculture and raise media and consumer awarements of the benefits it provides. AIF represents Florida’s farmers who produce 280 different commodities, employ over half a million people, generate more than $103 billion in annual economic impact and provide tax surpluses. Florida is the nation’s top producer of citrus, sugar cane, winter vegetables, nursery plants and sod. Agriculture consistently ranks second only to tourism in supporting the Florida economy. For more details on Ag Institute or to register to attend this event, visit http://www.aginstitute.org.

INDUSTRY NEWS Texas Tree Loss Expected to Exceed 5.6 Million Trees About 5.6 million trees in cities and towns across Texas were killed by last year’s record-setting drought, the Texas Forest Service has estimated after studying before-and-after satellite imagery. The estimate was announced as “preliminary” as more trees continue to fall victim to the climate effects. There is fear they may be significantly undercounting the number of trees that will ultimately succumb to the drought’s effects.

This devastating toll on the state’s urban forest is “a slow-moving disaster, not like a hurricane or ice storm,” lead researcher Pete Smith of the Forest Service told Texas Climate News, a Texas-based news agency.

The Texas Forest Service plans to use aerial imagery in a more detailed analysis next spring, when trees that entered early dormancy because of the drought may start to recover. In addition, the agency said, “a more scientific, long-term study” of tree losses will be carried out through its Forest Inventory and Analysis program’s census of the state’s trees.

To read more or to view arial satellite images of Houston’s Memorial Park, visit Texas Climate News’ website: http://texasclimatenews.org/wp/?p=4318.

INDUSTRY NEWS USGBC’s LEED Program Opens Public Comment Period The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. The USGBC’s LEED program sets the trends and policies for the buildings industry. Keeping up-to-date with what’s happening, may be a key to your business’ success either now or in the future. The final Public Comment period for LEED 2012 began March 1 and will close March 20 leading up to the 2012 debut scheduled for November 2012. Both interior plantscaping and outdoor landscaping practices under the LEED program guidelines will be revised with the new 2012 program.

“LEED sits at the core of the green building movement, and is critical in realizing our collective mission,” said Scot Horst, Senior Vice President of LEED, USGBC. “LEED’s strength comes from its continuous evolution. This continuous improvement is the outcome of thousands of technical volunteers working to develop the program and the adaptability of the program to technological and market changes.”

The current draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience. The technical changes have been informed by market data, stakeholder-generated ideas, expert engagement and advances in technology.

Additional performance-based management features will help projects measure and manage energy and water usage, site and building material selection, and indoor environmental quality. “LEED 2012 is the next step towards a global, performancebased application,” continued Horst. “In LEED 2012, a project’s engagement with LEED will represent an ongoing commitment that is supported by a suite of performance management tools.”

LEED 2012 extends itself as a long-term engagement tool for organizations and projects, enabling a focus on continuous improvement. Programs aimed at helping organizations use LEED to benchmark building performance in preparation for certification and for tracking performance of their buildings In the nursery and landscape arena, proposed changes will affect irrigation and water use; the use of green walls and green roofs; acceptable containers and other materials; patioscaping, urbanscaping and hardscapes; and, other urban horticulture practices.

Learn more about LEED and its effects on Florida’s nursery indsutry by delving into the LEED program: http://www.usgbc. org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1988.

INDUSTRY NEWS Interiorscape Industry Coalition Executes Strategic Plan The Interiorscape Industry Coalition (IIC) met at the Tropical Plant Industry Exposition (TPIE) in Ft. Lauderdale, Jan. 19, 2012, to discuss and plan the execution of its three-year strategic plan.

The initial strategic planning session commenced in Columbus, Ohio, July 10 in conjunction with the 2011 OFA Short Course. The day-long session, sponsored by Hortica and OFA — the Association of Horticulture Professionals, was led by Dr. Bernie Erven, Professor Emeritus Ohio State University and founder of Erven HR Services, LLC. The session began with a review of the IIC’s current mission statement, followed by a SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, and ended with the establishment of five primary goals: 1. Develop a communications plan for the IIC, for internal

IIC members, interiorscape industry, and general

public, and create a future that includes plants in

every room.

2. Create a collaborative clearinghouse for the interiorscape industry.

3. Identify and communicate needed research on a

continuous basis.

4. Deliver a relevant certification program.

5. Develop a worldwide unified voice for the industry.

In the immediate future, the IIC will launch a webpage that will feature the member organizations of the IIC, information related to the progress of executing the strategic plan, and a listing of interiorscape industry events. In addition, the IIC plans to have a strong presence in March at the upcoming Student Career Days event where it will launch a video geared toward promoting careers in the interiorscape industry. The PLANET Interior Plantscape Specialty Group will once again cosponsor the plant

identification competition at Student Career Days.

Coalition members include Brigham Young University, FNGLA, Landscape Ontario, the National Foliage Foundation, OFA - The Assocaition of Floriculture, PIA (Plant Industry Alliance) and PLANET (Professional Landcare Network).

The mission of the IIC is to increase interiorscaping industry awareness, raise industry professionalism, and promote inclusion of plants in the interior environment through collaborative efforts of participating organizations.

Fight Soil Borne Pathogens, Improve Plant Health • No refrigeration needed • Resistant to harsh environments • Fast colonization

Non-treated plant.

Plant treated with Subtilex® NG biological fungicide.

Al Clarke • 407-474-8303 al.clarke@beckerunderwood.com beckerunderwood.com

INDUSTRY NEWS OFA and ANLA Announce New Event For 2013 Building on the joint venture announced in January, the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFA — The Association of Horticulture Professionals are introducing a new event to be held in Winter 2013.

With a target audience of business leaders and decision makers – owners, CEOs, top managers, and emerging professionals – the new event will focus on the business skills and innovations needed for sustainable success in this rapidly evolving economy. According to ANLA board member Dan Mulhall, co-owner of Mullhall’s, a retail, landscape, and growing operation in Nebraska, “This new venture will fill a need not met by any other program out there. We will deliver new thinking and innovation from within and outside our industry while creating a community of the best and brightest professionals.”

OFA president Mike McCabe, co-owner of McCabe’s Greenhouse & Floral in Indiana, states, “These two organizations have a long history of leading the industry with new speakers and innovative ways to learn, beyond just the traditional classroom setting. You bring

together the best that both groups offer, and we’ll create an incredible event.”

OFA CEO Michael Geary, CAE, responding to questions about this event said, “I can tell you it will not be on a beach somewhere – or in Louisville, KY – but we do want an accessible location. We’re tackling the important details first, like deciding what this new effort is going to look like and identifying leaders from both OFA and ANLA to help shape it. For now we want members to know that they can anticipate a significant learning and networking experience.”

Geary finished, “We’ll get back to you on the name.” Further details about the event will be released this summer.

FFA Students Ready to Compete in St. Pete For the seventh year in a row, FNGLA’s Pinellas Chapter will host the Florida FFA Career Development Events (CDEs) in Floriculture and Nursery/Landscape in St. Petersburg. The event takes place Saturday, March 17, where an expected 350 students will demonstrate their horticultural skills to see which teams will represent Florida at the FFA Nationals.

materials. For information on FNGLA’s participation in Florida FFA, contact Merry Mott at FNGLA, call 800-3753642.

These events present real-life situations found in the workplace, including plant identification, landscape management, customer assistance and Best Management Practices. They test problem-solving skills and horticultural knowledge. In addition, they are tied into FNGLA’s Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP) program, so the students get a taste of what they will encounter when they take the FCHP exam before graduation.

Help encourage the best and brightest to become part of our industry by providing for an outstanding CDE experience.

Volunteer for the day, or provide funding to cover lunch and

Nearly 350 of tomorrow’s leaders take part in the Floriculture and Nursery & Landscape Career Development Events.

INDUSTRY NEWS For All of Florida’s Ag Commodities: The All Florida Ag Show Sponsored by Florida Grower magazine and the Highlands County Farm Bureau, the All Florida Ag Show will take place April 25 & 26 at the Highlands County Fair Convention Center in Sebring. Registration is $25 and includes admission to the All Florida Ag Show education sessions, all educational materials, admission to the All Florida Ag Show exhibit halls and demonstration areas, breakfasts and lunches for both show days.

The All Florida Ag Show is the only industry gathering dedicated to bringing together members of all agricultural sectors across the Sunshine State in one place to discuss issues, exchange ideas, and learn about new techniques, products, and services to bolster and better their operation.

The program at the inaugural All Florida Ag Show will cover industrycentric topics such as addressing the big issues – like labor and water – and finding solutions, figuring future consumer trends, alternative energy and crop opportunities, how innovation and technology is transforming the farm, marketing in the information age, and more.

The All Florida Ag Show also will feature an expansive tradeshow exhibit area with industry suppliers ready to share the latest product and service innovations with growers. This unique event will take place at the brand new Highlands County Fair Convention Center in Sebring — a central location in the heart of Florida, easily accessible from all points.

All Florida Ag Show Highlights: • In-depth education sessions covering a wide array of timely, businessmanagement topics • Impressive lineup of expert speakers, industry representatives, and other ag advocates • Expansive tradeshow area for hands-on, up-close previews of the latest products, equipment, and services • The ability to network with and learn from other industry professionals across all segments of Florida agriculture For more details, access the All Florida Ag Show website: http://allfloridaag.com.

2012 Commissioner’s Ag-Environmental Leadership Award: Nominations Accepted Adam Putnam, Florida’s Commissioner of Agricluture & Consumer Services, is now accepting applications for the 2012 Commissioner’s AgEnvironmental Leadership Award(s).

The Commissioner’s AgriculturalEnvironmental Leadership Awards have been presented annually since 1994. The program spotlights the environmentally innovative farming practices of the state’s growers and ranchers. Nominees for the awards come from different parts of Florida’s agricultural industry, but they all share a commitment to protect and preserve Florida’s resources while continuing to provide a healthy product.

The nomination form is available at http://www.florida-agriculture.com/ agenvironmental/. Nominations are due April 1st. Questions should be directed to Stacey Reese at (850) 617-7911.

Winners from the past five years include: Straughn Farms, LLC, Waldo; Saturiwa Conservation Area, Elkton; 3 Boys Farms, Ruskin; Arapaho Citrus Management, Fort Pierce; Dairy Production Systems, High Springs; Loop’s Nursery, Jacksonville; Carroll Brothers Nursery, Clearwater; Brock Family Farm, Monticello; Gwinn Brothers Farms, McAlpin; Fraleigh Nursery, Madison; Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid; Butler Oaks Farms, Lorida.

CERTIFICATIONS Thanks to our January 2012 FCLT Judges

Landscape Challenge Recognized by Keep Martin Beautiful

Ed Barry, FCLT, Landscape Service Pros Steve Blackburn, FCLC, Staying Green Tony Burzo, FCLC, Atlantis Resorts Randolph Coakley, FCLT, Bahamas Landscape Assn Wade Collum, FCLT, City of Pompano Beach Carlucio DaRocha, FCLT, Landscaping Details Evamae Deveaux, FCLMT, Atlantis Resorts Todd Flack, FCLC, 100% Landscaping Jamie Hayes, FCLC, Runway Growers Kim Hoadley, FCLT, Landscape Service Pros Brian Kane, FCLT, Brickman Group Floyd Peters, FCLT, Miami-Dade County Robert Pursell, FCLC, Getting Green Luis Rivera-Montes, FCHP, Nu-Turf Bundy Sands, FCLT, Atlantis Resorts Ned Skiff, FCLC, Skiff & Associates Christopher Torres, FCLT, Miami-Dade County Gary Weitermann, FCLMT, SeaWorld Tom White, FCLC, A-1 Floridian

FNGLA’s Landscape Challenge was recognized at the 2012 Environmental Stewardship Awards in February. Terri Pinder represented FNGLA and the winning team from Pinder’s Nursery at the Keep Martin Beautiful event in Palm City. Each year, Keep Martin Beautiful hosts the Environmental Stewardship Awards as a way to recognize and reward notable efforts within the community to promote environmental stewardship and innovation through education and action. The Landscape Challenge event was nominated for its unique approach to demonstrating sustainable landscape practices by Florida’s nursery and landscape industry.

Thanks to the Community Garden Center at Pinder’s Nursery, the tables at the banquet looked like a secret garden. They donated a Butterfly Garden and an Herb Garden to be auctioned in support of the program that seeks to preserve and improve the quality of life in Martin County.

For more information on The Landscape Challenge, contact Merry Mott at FNGLA at 800-375-3642.

Second Edition of Study Guide for Irrigation Contractor Exams is Released K. Thompson and Associates, in collaboration with C. Pine Associates, announce the second edition of the popular exam preparation tool The Irrigation Contractor Exam Study Guide. This second edition includes study and sample exam questions on additional resource materials. The study guide is written to help candidates prepare to take the Irrigation Association’s Certified Irrigation Contractor exam, the state licensing exams which are based on that exam or other irrigation contractor exams requiring a broad base of business, regulatory, and technical knowledge. This study guide is meant as a companion piece to the Irrigation Contractor Workbook by the Irrigation Association, but is especially effective when used with the IA licensed two-day Irrigation Contractor Training course.

The study guide is available online at www.cpineassociates.com, the Irrigation Association at www.irrigation.org and other state irrigation association websites.

It is also available by contacting the authors directly.

CERTIFICATIONS Three FNGLA Landscape Certification Exams Scheduled FNGLA’s landscape technician certification programs will host three exam dates in Spring 2012. Applications are now being accepted for the following exams: FNGLA Certified Landscape Maintenance Technician (FCLMT) March 21st – Atlantis Resorts, Nassau, Bahamas The Bahamas Landscape Association (BLA) developed this new test site to serve its members in the islands. This exam will be the first FNGLA certification exam site established outside the state.

FNGLA Certified Landscape Maintenance Technician (FCLMT) April 14th – SeaWorld Horticulture, Orlando After a successful first-time exam in 2011, SeaWorld will once again host the FCLMT exam at its horticulture offices in 2012.

With outstanding support from SeaWorld staff, this site is centrally located and a perfect venue for the maintenance exam.

FNGLA Certified Landscape Technician (FCLT-Installation) April 21st – Pinellas Technical Education Center, St. Petersburg A successful exam site for nearly 15 years, pTEC again hosts the FCLT exam on its campus in 2012. A preparatory class prepares applicants for the exam and begins March 13th. Contact Glenn Duncan at grduncan@tampabay.rr.com for information on joining the class.

For more information on these exams, and to receive study materials, contact Merry Mott at FNGLA at 800-375-3642. A FREE study guide is included with your registration that provides information on each exam section and the knowledge and skills you will be asked to demonstrate.

Complete information about the exam – and a short 10-minute video that describes FNGLA’s certification programs – can be found on the certification section of FNGLA’s website at http://www.fngla.org/certifications/index.aspx.

Three FNGLA landscape certification exams will be hosted in Spring 2012.

FNGLA produces landscape technician certification exams for both installation and maintenance.

CERTIFICATIONS Florida Water StarSM FNGLA Administers Florida Water StarSM Exam in Lake County Program Expands The St. Johns River Water Management District’s residential water conservation program – Florida Water StarSM (FWS) – is now offered statewide, bringing the economic and environmental benefits of water efficiency to homeowners in all of Florida’s 67 counties.

The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), a nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainability, recently agreed to administer the program in the Suwannee River and Northwest Florida water management districts – the two remaining regions where FWS had not yet been available. The St. Johns River, South Florida and Southwest Florida water management districts administer the program within their respective boundaries.

Florida Water StarSM is strengthening working partnerships among Florida’s five water management districts and private entities committed to sustainable building practices, such as FGBC; the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, which administers the program’s training and certification component for industry professionals; and, the Florida Irrigation Society, which provides technical support on the program’s irrigation criteria.

For more information on the Florida Water StarSM program, contact Deirdre Irwin at the St. Johns River Water Management District or visit www.floridawaterstar.com.

The second Florida Water StarSM (FWS) training and testing with the Lake County Board of County Commissioners and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) took place in February. The event, hosted in cooperation with Florida Water Star Certification’s stature within the industry is expected to continue to rise.

FNGLA, attracted 34 local landscape and irrigation professionals. The next seminar and exam will take place May 8-9, 2012, again in Tavares.

Taught by nationally-recognized instructors Joy Dorst and Kurt Thompson, the training is a comprehensive water conservation program that focuses on Florida FriendlySM landscape alternatives and irrigation requirements that can have a major impact on water usage. Participants who complete the training and accompanying examination, have the opportunity to become either a Florida Water StarSM Accredited Landscape or Irrigation Professional.

Continuing Education Units are available: Four CEUs for FNGLA certified professionals, four CEUs for Registered Landscape Architects through DBPR, four Irrigation Association CEUs for IA certified professionals and eight CEUs for licensed irrigation contractors in both Lake and Volusia counties.

To register for the May 8th & 9th event, or for additional information, contact Steve Gladwell at 352-742-3968 or email waterstarregistration@lakecountyfl.gov.

For information on FWS testing, contact Merry Mott at FNGLA at 800-3753642.

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome New Members The following are new FNGLA members from January 22, 2011 - February 21, 2011 BROWARD Tali Ginsberg 10778 Garden Ridge Ct Davie, FL 33328 954-608-6244 Gulfshore Insurance Tim Spear, Associate 2625 Weston Rd Weston, FL 33331-3614 954-465-1569 Total Landscape Concepts Inc. Michael Cihal 5301 SW 61 Ave Davie, FL 33314-5300 954-791-6110 USDA ARS IPRL Ft. Lauderdale Tracey Wasylik, Assocaite 3225 College Ave Davie, FL 33314-7719 954-675-4293

CENTRAL EAST COAST Quality Green Specialists, Inc. Al Manassa, Associate 1216 Peak Cir Deltona, FL 32738-6819 407-470-5471 MANASOTA Earth Works Landscape Management Jeff Manning 4863 Hamlets Grove Dr Sarasota, FL 34235-2272 321-474-1746 Referred by: Robert L. Albritton, Albritton’s Nursery NORTHEAST Horizon Landscaping Brian Box PO Box 6268 Jacksonville, FL 32236-6268 904-553-0108 Referred by: Jamie Ross, The Potting Bench

PALM BEACH Butterflies Are Free Landscaping and Design Shelley Crawford 899 NW 9th Ct Boca Raton, FL 33486 561-212-7276 Wells Fargo Eddy L. Rodriguez 450 S Australian Ave 8th Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561-802-4674 Yardco Rock & Stone Chris Ebersold 7729 Lawrence Rd Boynton Beach, FL 33436-8706 561-433-4148 Referred by: Mike Kastenholz, Boynton Botanicals

ROYAL PALM Bayer Environmental Science Jason Frank, Associate 1378 Trail Terrace Dr Naples, FL 34103-2317 386-804-6768 OUTSIDE FLORIDA Age Old Organics Tom Smith 2001 W Main St. PO Box 618 Mendota, IL 61342 727-743-9055 Lee Rain, Inc. John James 2079 E Wheat Rd Vineland, NJ 08361-2594 239-860-2637

Creative wants to help the nFF! Creative is already one of the many great member benefits of FNGLA. Now they’re on a mission to help the National Foliage Foundation! For every member to sign up to receive Creative’s FNGLA coupons they will donate $5 to the NFF up to a total amount of $500. All you have to do is click the link www.creativePGM.com/FNGLA and provide them with your name and email address!

That’s not all!! By signing up your name will also be entered in Creative’s drawing to win a $50 Darden Restaurant Gift Card.

Hurry though, the offer ends on March 23rd!

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Calendar of Events

Contact Us

See and submit events at http://www.fngla.org under calendar FNGLA

March 4-11:

Philadelphia International Flower Show, Philadelphia

7:

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Opening, Lake Buena Vista

8-9:

Urban Forestry Institute, Orlando

20: Ag Insititute’s Lunch & Learn: Are We Communicating Effectively?, Gainesville

Phone: 407.295.7994 Toll-free: 800.375.3642 Fax: 407.295.1619 E-mail: info@fngla.org Web: www.fngla.org

CEO/EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Ben Bolusky

GREENLINE EDITOR Jennifer Nelis jnelis@fngla.org

2011-2012 STATE OFFICERS

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

Florida Wildflower & Garden Festival, Deland

24:

Connect with us:

April 10:

Urban Pond Management, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, Naples

25-26:

All Florida Ag Show, Highlands County Fair Convention Center

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.

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Read the latest FNGLA news inside & visit Greenline online at http://greenline.fngla.org