FNGLA's April 2016 Greenline

April 2016 | Volume 37, Issue 4

FNGLA’S MONTHLY PUBLICATION: DIGITAL MONTHLY ISSUE LOCATED AT HTTP://GREENLINE.FNGLA.ORG

NFF & FNGLA Showcase Interior Plants at Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival The 2016 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival is another exceptional event and another great opportunity for FNGLA to showcase the industry and Florida’s gardening offerings to the expected audience of over 2 million consumers. 2016 marks FNGLA’s 18th year of participation. For 2016, FNGLA is offering a new volunteer opportunity for members and FNGLA Certified Professionals.

IN THE FESTIVAL CENTER

NFF/FNGLA serve as a host organization to the festival center, anchored at the 700 square foot interior plant area focused on sending the message “houseplants are good.” The festival center is also center-stage for the Flower & Garden Festival’s education sessions and other industry organizations and, therefore, is a hub of activity. You’ll also find official festival gear and lots of activity in this area.

FESTIVAL CENTER HOST OPPORTUNITIES

FNGLA is seeking members and FNGLA certified professionals to serve as FNGLA festival center hosts and to assist park guests. Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival through May 29, 2016, Volunteers can pick from two different 3-hour shifts: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 1 – 4 p.m.

While we are able to allow garden-qualified friends and spouses to serve as FNGLA volunteers, they must be able to fulfill the host duties inclusive of gardenspecific questions. We cannot allow volunteers under 18 to participate. All FNGLA volunteers gain entrance to

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Special Thank You to those whose plants and installation efforts contributed to the interior houseplant showcase: Ameriscapes Landscape Management, LLC (Orlando) Bernecker’s Nursery (Goulds) Boyd Nurseries, Inc. (Loxahatchee) Capri Farms, Inc. (Homestead) Castleton Gardens (Homestead) Costa Farms/Angel Plants (Apopka) Flori-Design, Inc. (Eustis)

Florica Farms (Eustis) Foliage Design Systems (Orlando) Heart of Florida Greenhouses, Inc. (Zolfo Springs) LiveTrends Design Group, LLC (Apopka) Penang Nursery, Inc. (Apopka) Quality Foliage, Inc. (Florida City) Silver Krome Gardens, Inc. (Homestead)

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Billy Butterfield, FCLC FNGLA 2015-2016 President

FNGLA Leaders Bring Much Experience: Join Us at the Annual Convention: June 16 - 18, Orlando!

As I’ve traveled around the state these last couple of years, I’ve seen FNGLA is blessed to have a really good group of leaders: at the chapter level; with our divisions and committees; on the state board; and, with our staff at the FNGLA office in Orlando. At the chapter level, there is always someone who steps up and takes on the tasks and responsibilities of leading the chapter, sometimes for multiple terms, and they are always backed up by a good group of board members.

Under Director of Industry Certifications Merry Mott’s leadership, FNGLA’s professional Certifications have grown over the years with a succession of strong industry leaders who continue to update and improve our Certification programs. Under Committee Chair Gary Weiterman’s current leadership, they are putting together a set of videos to help recruit contractors to the certification programs and, at the same time, help train certified judges how to uniformly evaluate the field testing conducted all over the state.

The Knowledge College Committee, under Director of Education Linda Reindl’s leadership and with a dedicated group of industry professionals, is already planning the next set of educational programs for The Landscape Show. With committee chair Debbie Mola Mickler’s idea of bringing in landscape trailers on the show floor a couple of years ago, and having attendees “5S” them in a hands-on session, attendance has grown to the point where it has reached its capacity. This year, the committee is talking about bringing in more trucks and trailers to continue to grow and improve the educational programs offered to our members on the show floor.

The industry leaders who sit on the FNGLA/FDOT Liaison Committee are working with the Florida Department of Transportation on ways to better manage and maintain the landscapes being installed on Florida’s highways. FDOT is the largest purchaser of trees and plant material in the State of Florida. The new FNGLA Landscape Division Leaders have brought together a group of strong leaders to address

the concerns of this ever-expanding landscape segment of FNGLA. One of the first initiatives arising from this new group was to work with both the certification and education arms of FNGLA to address the training, education and certification needs of the managers and employees of the growing number of landscape member firms throughout our state.

At our last FNGLA state board meeting (held at Farm Credit of Central Florida in Lakeland), FNGLA staff presented the board with a session on leadership. While we have a great group of industry leaders who serve on the FNGLA board, we all always need to learn and grow.

This presentation ended with the question of “what characteristics make a good leader” which will be the topic of our next board leadership training session at the FNGLA convention. With such a diverse group of leaders at FNGLA, with so many different personal and professional characteristics, it got me thinking what makes good leaders.

I grew up in North Florida at the Boys’ Club where I met Gary Cain. Gary came from a very humble background living with an alcoholic stepfather who did occasional odd jobs and a mom who did her best on what she could make to support Gary’s brothers and sisters. Gary came to the Boys’ Club every day and we all played billiards, ping pong, basketball and whatever else 8 to 14 year old boys do to keep busy and out of trouble. We never left the club until it closed every day. Gary is two years older than me and, at 10 years old, I could out run him pretty easily, and he was one of those people who I just seemed to irritate.

One time, I did something to Gary in the game room and he came after me with that look in his eye which made me think I’d better get out of there. Unfortunately, the only way out was an open window through which I quickly climbed and jumped to the ground. Gary was also a little bigger than me then so he didn’t quite get out of the window before Errol Sewell, the club director, came in to see what all the ruckus was about. He caught Gary midway going out the window. Of course, by that time, I was half way across the basketball court with a big grin on my face, and Gary was in the game room getting scolded.

Errol Sewell went on to become a national director for the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of America and one of Gary’s Continued page 4

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FNGLA HAPPENINGS Continued from page 1

the park for the day of their commitment and are free to enjoy Epcot and the festival before and after their volunteer time, however please refrain from rides as they are reserved for paid park guests.

FNGLA Certified Professionals will also receive 3 CEUs for their volunteer service.

FNGLA is delighted to partner with the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival to spotlight plants as an everyday enjoyment, a family–centered activity, part of the indoor air quality solution, and an element of sustainability.

NFF is the National Foliage Foundation. For the past 29 years National Foliage Foundation has been an innovator in enhancing the Foliage Industry through Research and Education.

Comprised of an esteemed team of contributors and board members dedicated to seeing the industry grow and thrive well into the future, NFF is partnering with FNGLA in this effort to spotlight houseplants to Epcot’s national audience of consumers and gardening enthusiasts.

We hope you will consider volunteering your time to be a part of FNGLA’s consumer outreach efforts. Limited spaces remain. Contact Amy DiBella, adibella@fngla.org for open dates.

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life-long mentors. Gary went to college on a Boy’s Club scholarship and worked with Errol at several clubs around the country before finally settling back in Orlando where he is now the President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida, one of the largest and most successful Boy’s and Girl’s Club organizations in the country. Gary leads an organization with hundreds of employees who work with tens of thousands of young people at 38 clubs. For many years now, Gary has been recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Central Florida and is one of the finest individuals you could meet.

done there, called the director of the convention center to ask all sorts of pointed questions about why it looked that way. Two months later, the maintenance contract was put out for bid with a whole new set of maintenance and plant specifications meant to improve the landscape around the facility. The mayor is a mover and shaker, while always keeping the people of Orange County in mind. She is undoubtedly the strongest political leader in Central Florida.

Leaders come in many different shapes and styles. I don’t believe leaders are born. I believe leadership qualities are formed over years of experiences, some of them unexpected.

Teresa Jacobs was raised in Miami where she and her family lived on their 24’ cabin cruiser, and she spent many days with her family on the water and at the beach. Teresa attended FSU where she majored in economics and joined FSU’s Flying Circus where she met her husband, Bruce. After graduation, they moved to Atlanta where Teresa worked as a banker. Bruce ended up getting a job in Orlando and they moved there in 1991. Teresa stayed home to raise their four children. She got to know her neighbors very well, becoming involved in Cub Scouts and other activities revolving around her children and neighborhood.

We are fortunate to be able to get together from time to time to pick new sets of leaders to look after our interests.

We are putting together the FNGLA nominating committee right now to propose to the board and the Association the next set of individuals to lead us. It’s always a hard thing to look at people with different backgrounds, characteristics and ideas, to choose from among a very qualified group of people and determine who the best person is to take us into the future. We are fortunate to have a large group of qualified and willing people from whom to pick. The nominating committee will do its job and vet the individuals qualified and willing to serve FNGLA for the next couple of years. The board has proposed expanding this future group to consider a larger group of active members with a more focused set of criteria. All members received by email last month this proposed by-law change asking for your vote due no later than April 10.

In 1996, Orange County decided to widen and realign a road which backed up to Teresa’s neighborhood. With her neighbors, she put together a presentation for the Orange County Commission which they believed would better serve the people living in that area. Their suggestions were summarily dismissed. This is what got Teresa interested in politics. She ran for the Orange County Commission in 2000 on the premise that people should be able to affect change on the local level. She was elected as the District One county commissioner and re-elected in 2004. In 2010 she ran for Mayor of Orange County where she won with 62% of the vote. She was re-elected unopposed in 2014.

The Mayor and her husband, Bruce, are very interested in the beauty which good landscaping can make. They both rode with me in my pickup truck over to Rockledge Gardens to look at and pick out plants, flowers and trees for their yard at home. They sit on their deck in the back yard to relax, look at the bamboo, the flowers and watch Bruce’s bee hives. A couple of years ago, they both attended The Landscape Show walking the show floor talking to growers and others about what would grow where, what landscape lighting to use in their landscape, and in how many colors does this flower come?

Upon leaving her county’s convention center, Mayor Jacobs commented about the landscaping and maintenance being

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The FNGLA Convention is fast approaching. This is the place to network with your fellow industry leaders, and many of FNGLA’s past, present and future leaders. Come and meet this diverse group of people and vote in your next set of association leaders. Gary Cain will be one of our keynote speakers at Convention this June at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. Get to meet with one of the strongest leaders in Central Florida and see what characteristics help make him such an effective leader. I’ll try not to irritate him too much while he’s there with us. He’s a lot faster now than he was at 12 years old, and he can probably get through a window a lot quicker than I can now. Plus Errol won’t be here to save me this time.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Billy Butterfield, FCLC AmeriScapes Landscape Management Services, LLC (Orlando) ameriscapes-landscape@att.net

FNGLA HAPPENINGS FNGLA Legislative Wrap-Up This spring, both the Florida House and Senate got along swimmingly, agreeing early on controversial issues such as water policy and the budget.

Here is a summary of FNGLA’s highly successful legislative priority agenda:

TAXES

While a lot of agricultural sales tax exemptions didn’t make it across the finish line, this includes a sales tax exemption on manufacturing machinery and equipment, as well as “post-harvest” machinery and equipment used in agricultural processing. PASSED!

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

Most notably, this omnibus Building Code revision exempts landscape businesses from the electrical contractor licensing requirements which had precluded landscape professionals from installing low-voltage landscape lights. PASSED!

WATER POLICY

This comprehensive statewide approach to water policy addresses our state’s water shortage issues and takes the first steps to ensure Florida’s springs and precious water sources are protected. PASSED!

GENERAL AG BILL

In part, this revises the period during which certain agricultural lands in eradication or quarantine programs continue to be classified as agriculture. PASSED!

FARM VEHICLES

This brings Florida law into compliance with Federal law regarding “covered farm vehicles.” It exempts certain drivers of “covered farm vehicles” from Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements. PASSED!

AGRITOURISM

This prohibits a local government from enforcing a local ordinance, regulation, rule or policy which prohibits, restricts, regulates, or otherwise limits, an agritourism activity on agricultural lands. The bill revises the term “agritourism activity” to include additional types of events. PASSED!

FIRE SAFETY

This revises provisions relating to certain structures located on agricultural property which are exempt from Florida Fire Prevention Code. It creates three classes of agricultural structures and provides certain structures be subject to annual inspection. It also exempts pole barns from any fire code provisions. PASSED!

SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS: AG LANDS

This prohibits counties & municipalities from levying special assessments on agricultural lands for fire protection services.

Pole barns located on agricultural lands are now exempt regardless of their size or just value. PASSED!

FUMIGATION

The bill results from an unfortunate residential fumigation which left a child brain damaged. It strengthens FDACS ability to govern and discipline the fumigation industry and specifies how to dispose of unused chemicals. PASSED!

CITRUS GROVE REMOVAL

The Florida House and Senate did not see eye-to-eye with Governor Scott on how to pay for removal of diseased and damaged citrus groves. This issue was struck from legislation in the very last week of session.

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FNGLA HAPPENINGS

JUNE 3RD AND 4TH 2016 1/6/2016 4:35:57 PM

FOR DETAILS, CONTACT:

THE

SUNTORY速

CHRIS OPPENHEIMER 305-345-3529

COLLECTION

WALTER HOFFMAN 305-458-4257 JUNE 3RD AND 4TH 2016

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Dick Fuhr Memorial Fishing Tournament Postcard.indd 1

1/6/2016 4:35:57 PM

FNGLA HAPPENINGS Florida Flower Trials Takes Place May 12 & 13 in Orlando Mark your calendars for May 12 & 13 to get an intimate look at over 100 new color varieties showcased at the Florida Flower Trials, held in conjunction with the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival. Florida Flower Trials, previously known as FNGLA’s Floriculture Field Days, features new varieties at three locations: Walt Disney World’s nursery; Harry P. Leu Gardens; and, the University of Florida/Orange County Extension Service. The two-day event will offer educational seminars, tours and open houses for landscape professionals, garden center retailers and growers.

Thursday’s educational program kicks off at Leu Gardens with an opening session, breeder showcase and general session.

Translating the Language of Flowers to Today’s Market Kate Santos, PhD, Dümmen Orange, Columbus, OH Much like a landscape, the horticulture industry and those interacting with it are constantly changing. Understanding each generation’s similarities and differences allows us to be active participants in their purchase decisions as they relate to plants. Kate Santos shares what Dümmen Orange is doing to understand who those customers are and their preferences, how they are impacting activities within their organization, and what Dümmen Orange is doing to reach them.

Through campaigns such as Luxflora and Seed Your Future, Kate will also share how the industry can play a greater role in introducing young people to fulfilling careers in horticulture as well as building networks for those who are already a part of the industry.

Breeder Showcase This is a fast-paced session! Breeders are pulling out all the stops to show attendees what they have to offer. Whether they are highlighting their new varieties from the trial gardens or something new that has never been seen… each company has just 7 minutes to pack in as much information as they can about their new varieties. This is a session not to miss!

Building Your Marketing Toolkit – 4 Pillars of Marketing Success Ken Countess, The Countess Group, Orlando, FL Finding the right strategies to make your small business as effective as possible is no easy task.

Barraged with many different marketing activities and opportunities, there are often important marketing concepts missed. Ken will help attendees understand which activities are of key importance and how they apply to their businesses. This presentation is designed to uncover core concepts and show a little bit of marketing knowledge can go a long way.

Spend two days with national breeders and learn how to make your business bloom. Breeders bring their newest releases and challenge their durability against the heat and humidity of Central Florida’s climate. As attendees come together to learn all they can about the new varieties, design, and the ever-changing landscape of our industry, they will also have the opportunity to examine new innovations for their businesses.

After a day filled with educational sessions and viewing the trial gardens at Leu, attendees are invited to see the second trial gardens, located at the UF/IFAS Orange County Extension Services, and relax during an evening reception. Friday’s program starts with a behind-the-scenes open house at Walt Disney World’s Nursery, the location of the third trial garden site, and then on to the Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival for a self-guided tour of the festival to see first-hand all of the magic created by Disney’s Horticulture team.

Find more details online at www.floridaflowertrials.org. Mark your calendar now and plan to be a part of this great event and register to attend! FNGLA Members pay $165; Nonmembers pay $185 prior to the May 9 early registration deadline.

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FNGLA HAPPENINGS “Flower Power” Tours at FNGLA Convention FNGLA’s Convention takes place June 16-18 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando.

Although well known for its theme parks, Orlando is also home to impressive gardens, landscapes and natural areas. This year’s convention offers an opportunity to see three of the area’s unique horticultural sites, guided by the experts who manage and know them best. These are optional activities solely for paid registrants of the FNGLA Convention.

If you wish to enjoy breakfast in the garden, FNGLA has set up an exclusive breakfast in the outdoor kitchen pavilion at Harry P. Leu Gardens with Robert Bowden, Garden Director, serving as chef and host. This event takes place Friday, June 17 at 8 a.m. and is limited to the first thirty people who register. Cost is $25 if registered by June 6.

A unique tour of Leu Gardens begins at 10 a.m., led by Robert Bowden and his horticulture team. You’ll hear insider tips and antidotes on managing one of Florida’s premier gardens. Leu Gardens is a 50-acre botanical oasis located within a few miles of downtown Orlando. Each garden area is designed specifically to inspire visitors to appreciate and understand plants. The Leu House Museum, located in the heart of the gardens, reveals turn-of-the century living for the families who once called this home. The gardens and historical home were donated to the City of Orlando in 1961 by Mr. Harry P. Leu and his wife. Transportation to Leu Gardens is on your own and preregistration is required although there is no fee for the garden tour.

Later on Friday, FNGLA convention registrants have a unique opportunity to take a backstage tour of SeaWorld’s horticulture facilities. SeaWorld’s horticulture team leaders will provide a look at what it takes to maintain show-quality landscapes at its three theme parks, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica. SeaWorld’s horticulture facility also serves as the Central Florida FNGLA Certified Landscape Technician and Maintenance Technician exam site, so you’ll have a chance to test your plant ID skills, as well as check out other stations of the exams.

Transportation is on your own and preregistration is required although there is no fee. Following the tour at the horticulture facility, the convention’s Welcome Reception takes place nearby at SeaWorld’s Port of Calls Center. This includes access to see SeaWorld’s 79-acres of extensive landscaping.

The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort adopted its name from Shingle Creek which runs through the resort property. In the early 1800s, settlers logged cypress trees down the creek and used them to make shingles for the roofs of the settlers’ homes. Thus, the settlers gave the creek its name “Shingle Creek.” Shingle Creek is known as the headwaters to the Florida Everglades. On Saturday afternoon, June 18, hotel staff will lead FNGLA attendees along nature trails to “take a peek at the creek.” This will be an opportunity to see Central Florida flora and fauna in a natural setting and will be interesting to both plant seekers and bird watchers.

In addition to access to these unique horticulture tours, the FNGLA convention offers a full schedule of social and business meetings where the best ROR (Return on Relationships) takes place. Not only does FNGLA’s convention offer a valuable and diverse program, it does so at exceptional pricing, thanks to our many convention sponsors. Registration options provide for single event purchases, yet the best option is a Full Package for only $175 if registered by June 6.

Reservations for the Shingle Creek Resort are accepted at the FNGLA group rate of only $139. Use the online reservation system or call 866-996-6338 before May 25 for group rate.

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Access more convention details online, or contact Linda Adams, ladams@fngla.org, or call 800-375-3642 for additional information, including how you may sponsor the event.

FNGLA HAPPENINGS FNGLA Announces Industry Award Winners FNGLA has many valuable resources, the most significant of which is its talented members who generously give their expertise, time and passion for the industry.

With many deserving members nominated for consideration, the Industry Awards Selection Committee has the challenge and the honor to select the best of the best for FNGLA’s top six industry awards. The winners for 2016 are as follows:

Outstanding Chapter Leader

Heather Blake, Chestnut Hill Tree Farm, Inc., Alachua, FL | Frontrunners Chapter Heather is the current president of the FNGLA Frontrunners Chapter and has done an outstanding job of planning and organizing new and different monthly chapter meetings. She has championed two community landscape projects which she and her fellow chapter members executed with great enthusiasm and success.

Outstanding Chapter Leader

Jenn Helms-Shelley, Railroad Nursery, Inc., Homestead, FL | Miami-Dade Chapter Jenn has served in several board positions of the FNGLA Miami Dade Chapter including president in 2013-14. Jenn has been very effective connecting the FNGLA Miami-Dade Chapter with several other local groups in which she is involved, including Farm Share and Homestead Chamber of Commerce.

Outstanding Educator

Cindy Griffin, Broward County Schools, Sunrise, FL Cindy is a Resource Teacher for Agriscience for Broward County Public Schools, serving as a conduit between county education resources, Ag teachers and students. She has been a driving force in helping students prepare for the FCHP exam, as well as generously volunteering on the local FNGLA and Farm Bureau boards.

Outstanding Volunteer Member

Julie Forrest, Stallings Crop Insurance Corp., Lakeland, FL When someone is seeking volunteer help, particularly in the FNGLA Royal Palm and Manasota Chapters, Julie, aka “Hootie,” Forrest is the go-to person. Whether it is helping with a fishing tournament fundraiser, serving on the state convention committee, or delivering survival supplies following a natural disaster, Hootie is the first to say yes and get the job done.

Farm Credit/FNGLA Young Nursery Professional

Tristen Bowen, Marriott Vacation Club, Orlando, FL A 2004 UF horticulture graduate, Tristen made her mark early as horticulture manager at the Gaylord Palms Resort and now oversees the landscapes of several Marriott Vacation Club properties. Tristen not only is a regular at FNGLA conferences and Continued page 10

How Do You Nominate a Peer For Industry Recognition?

As a member-based and member-valued association, FNGLA honors a select group of individuals each year. Some awards are based upon one’s service to FNGLA, whether it be specific chapter-level involvement or state-level activities. Some awards are given based upon industry service in general, and yet there are others designed to highlight actions benefiting the industry/association. Each award has specific criteria for which nominees are evaluated.

The awards committee, which determines the winners, looks at each nominee’s level of involvement and contributions before deciding which nominees are selected as honorees for each particular year. While FNGLA begins to seek nominations each February, we are always happy to accept a nomination!

For more details on FNGLA’s Industry Awards program, visit http://www.fngla.org/recognition/industry-awards/index.

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events, but is often helping behind-the-scenes or sharing her knowledge as a speaker or group leader. She currently is treasurer of the FNGLA Action Chapter and is an integral part in the planning of the chapter’s monthly meetings.

National Foliage Foundation

Hall of Fame Inductee

P.J. Klinger, Brantley Nurseries, Longwood, FL P.J. Klinger is considered one of the industry’s foremost plantsmen. Not only does he have extensive knowledge of a wide range of plants, P.J. developed several new cultivars including Florida City Series Coleus, Syngonium ‘Red Butterfly’, Viburnum ‘Halfabuki’ and Loropetalum ‘purple zirconium’. During his 31-year career at familyowned Brantley Nurseries, P.J. has been active on several industry boards and generous in sharing his expertise and passion for plants with all who have interest.

Wendell E. Butler Award Winner

Bob Cook, Southern Agricultural Insecticides, Inc., Ft. Myers, FL Bob Cook has spent most of his adult life in Southwest Florida as both a student and teacher of plants and landscapes. A true plant geek, Bob shares his horticulture passion and expertise in every area of his life. He has taught the FCHP program with two sessions a year since 1999, as well as master gardener classes. He was host to a live gardening radio show for several years, writer of articles for the local paper as well as gardening magazines, and currently writes a horticulture blog and maintains an instructional website. He has been an active member of FNGLA’s Royal Palm Chapter since the early 1990s, serving as president twice and as the chapter’s representative to the FNGLA Board of Directors. Bob also served on FNGLA’s Marketing Committee, Budget committee and was one of FNGLA’s Outstanding Educators.

FNGLA’s Industry Awards are presented to the winners on Saturday morning, June 18 during the FNGLA Annual Membership Meeting, as part of the FNGLA Convention at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. The FNGLA Annual Membership Meeting is open to all FNGLA members and does not require registration.

The FNGLA Industry Awards Committee is comprised of the eight most recent recipients of the Wendell E. Butler Award and were: Janice and Roger Brooks; Buck Wurster, FCLC; Jerry Frye; Sylvia Gordon; Gary Hennen; Nancy McDonald; Chet Peckett; and, Theresa and Kevin Riley, FCHP.

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Educating Future Leaders Every day there is an opportunity to change someone’s life.

Whether it is just a kind word said to a stranger or a lesson taught to your children. Sometimes it is the extra financial support needed to help realize a student’s dream.

Every day we have the opportunity to shape the future around us. National Foliage Foundation (NFF) believes in the future of the nursery and landscape industry and knows it plays a part in building future leaders.

On an annual basis, NFFs scholarship program continues to establish pathways for qualified students in need of financial support. It allows students to gain experience and expertise, earn post high school degrees and become active members and leaders in the horticulture industry. Scholarships are available through the James H. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund and NFF’s General Scholarship Fund.

Do your part today! Contribute to the National Foliage Foundation and you, too, can start making a difference.

www.nationalfoliagefoundation.org

NFF is administered by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association. For more information contact Linda Reindl, lreindl@fngla.org

FNGLA HAPPENINGS Maximize Opportunities for Industry Visibility & Promotion via FNGLA FNGLA members are eligible for an array of discounts and benefits on services essential to a successful business. If you’re a member, maintain your membership and take advantage of these benefits. If you’re not yet an FNGLA member, use FNGLA’s online ROI calculator to see how you can benefit: http://www.fngla.org/membership/roi.aspx/.

For Growers, Landscape Pros and Retail Members:

• Looking for an affordable and reliable credit card processing solution? Transaction Services (TRX) offers huge savings and excellent service. The program was designed to maximize savings, eliminate hidden fees and offer excellent, U.S.-based service. TRX offers a free virtual terminal, next day funding, mobile options, processing of all card types, EMV Chip terminals, ACH, Level 2 & 3 processing and more. This program is designed specifically for the nursery & landscape industry. Call 407-883-2246 or toll free 888-933-8797 ext. 207 or email rich.kling@trxservices.com.

• Group Life Insurance is available from LPL Financial. The plan offers discounted Rates negotiated by FNGLA for all members, spouses, employees and family members; guaranteed Issue Amounts up to $50,000 with no medical exams required, eligible members can elect up to $300,000 of coverage (simplified underwriting); and, easy online enrollment available. The program is offered by LPL Financial: Matthew J. Antos, CFP®, Wealth Management Advisor. Reach Matt at 888-652-6468 or matthewj.antos@lpl.com.

• Outsource your company’s payroll without giving up the flexibility and personal attention you need. MasterPay USA will keep you in compliance and make payroll easy. FNGLA members are eligible for an exclusive 15% discount on published payroll processing prices. The discount is immediate and on-going, not an introductory rate and includes free Direct Deposit and Web Access; automated payment of all Federal, State & Local payroll taxes; and, garnishment administration with electronic Child Support Payments. Contact Debbie Sonntag at MasterPay USA: 407-374-1665.

Grower Members:

• The FNGLA Locator powered by PlantANT places your product online where buyers search for plants and services every day. FNGLA Members can advertise 5 listings at no cost: http://www.fngla.org/locator.

• Take advantage of your “Fresh From Florida” membership, provided to you by FNGLA. Your business qualifies to take advantage of customized Fresh From Florida benefits. As one example, Customized Business signage with Fresh From Florida logo. Qualified members may be reimbursed up to $1,500 in printing costs when using the Fresh From Florida logo on retail packaging, plant sleeves, and automobile signage/wraps: More details at: http://www.bit.ly/FNGLAFFF. • PlantFinder, brings together both print and online advertising opportunities. FNGLA members can choose both print and online advertising with member discounts or up to 5 free online listings. FNGLA members and loyal PlantFinder advertisers also receive free PlantFinder banner ads and an additional 5 listings, over $70 monthly value, free to FNGLA members. Call PlantFinder at 800-627-3819 for more information.

Landscape Members:

• Add an Isuzu to your fleet and utilize your FNGLA member benefit. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. provides all FNGLA members a special FNGLA-only discount on the purchase of any new Isuzu commercial vehicle from any Florida Isuzu dealership. The member benefit provides an additional discount above any published retail assistance that may be in effect at the time of purchase. The discount is off the selling price of the vehicle before applicable taxes. The discount is immediate, and no rebate coupons are needed. Contact Matt Messick at 678-763-3537 for more information.

• Take advantage of your Fresh From Florida membership, provided to you from FNGLA. Your business qualifies to take advantage of customized Fresh From Florida benefits. Members may be reimbursed up to $1,500 in printing costs when using the Fresh From Florida logo on automobile wraps. Other Fresh From Florida benefits: http://www.bit.ly/FNGLAFFF. Access FNGLA’s complete Member Benefits Flyer at: http://www.fngla.org/membership/benefits/PDFs/make-most-ofmembership-flyer.pdf.

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FNGLA HAPPENINGS 350 Florida FFA Students Compete in Floriculture and Nursery/ Landscape Events It was the mid-1990s when renowned Pinellas County horticulture instructor Greg Charles approached FNGLA with a novel idea – inviting FFA students from across Florida to a competition hosted by industry professionals. In early 1997, students were introduced to real-world activities in Florida’s nursery and landscape industry at Pinellas Technical College.

Fast forward to 2016. The program endures, now hosted by Diane Mealo at the University of Florida Mid-Florida Research Center in Apopka. Floriculture and Nursery/Landscape are now the premiere FFA Career Development Events that more than 350 students look forward to each spring.

Industry professionals from FNGLA’s membership, FNGLA Certified Professionals and UF Master Gardeners volunteered two days of their time to set up and present a variety of activities. Members and FNGLA Chapters donated money, plants and supplies to make it happen. And it was a roaring success.

Congratulations to the winning schools!

Floriculture: Tomlin Middle School and Apopka High School Nursery & Landscape: Barrington Middle School and Williston High School The top 5 teams will be recognized at the Florida FFA Convention in Orlando in June. The winning high school teams represent Florida at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October.

Students were moved through 4 rotations of activities that included Plant, Pest and Tool Identification, Plant Disorders, Pricing, Creating a Dish Garden, Customer Service, Plan Layout and Landscape Job Evaluation. The events tie into FNGLA’s certifications and represent what industry professionals face in their dayto-day jobs. Contact Merry Mott at FNGLA at 800-375-3642 or mmott@fngla. org for more information.

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Thank you Sponsors!

Broward FNGLA Chapter BWI Florida Cactus Frontrunners FNGLA Chapter Knox Nursery Manasota FNGLA Chapter Mercer Botanicals Miami-Dade FNGLA Chapter Penang Nursery Pinellas FNGLA Chapter Stewart’s Greenhouse Treasure Coast FNGLA Chapter

Thank you Volunteers!

Diane Mealo: Host Lourdes Almonte Roberto Baez Bob Bomia Steve Brown MaryK Buranosky Billy Copeland Katie Gilbert Marilu Gonzales Peggy Green Rob Kocol Nancy Megill Brenda Miller Susan Pfeil Nicole Pinson Diane Sappington Robert Sanford Karen Schafer Don Schoonover Lloyd Singleton John VonMutius Jr. Gill Wadell Jackie Wildey

INDUSTRY NEWS Florida’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.9% Florida’s unemployment rate continued to drop to an eight-year low of 4.9% for the month of February. This is a welcomed contrast to the 10.7% reported in December 2010-- shortly after Governor Rick Scott took office. Professional and business services leading the job-creation pack with 52,200 new jobs.

Florida also continued its private-sector job growth of 3.4% for February, continuing its 37th month above the national average for private-sector job growth. The numbers are welcomed news for Scott, who has made job creation a top priority during his time as governor-- and whose recent tax cuts were wide-spread and done in a non-traditional manner.

“We have cut taxes over 55 times since 2010, including more than $1 billion in taxes cut over the last two years, which has saved Floridians $5.5 billion,” he said in a statement. “This has resulted in our private sector adding more than one million jobs in only five years.”

He continued, “While these are incredible accomplishments for our state, we will continue to do all we can to support economic growth so Florida can be first in the nation for jobs.”

See more at: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/unemployment-rate-dips-49-percent?utm_source=Constant%20 Contact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=News%20Alert#sthash.8W2dOe9O.dpuf

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INDUSTRY NEWS University of Florida, IFAS Positioned to Thrive Thanks to Florida’s Legislative Actions

By Jack Payne, University of Florida senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of IFAS jackpayne@ufl.edu | @JackPayneIFAS It was a terrific year in the Legislature for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association deserves some of the credit.

The recently-passed state budget includes an increase in UF/IFAS funding of $4 million for what we call “workload” – money we use to meet increasing demands for research and Extension activities that benefit the state’s foresters, farmers, fisheries, and foliage and flower producers.

There are two reasons I value your support so much. First, you’re the voice of the landscape industry, and if that voice is echoing that of UF/IFAS, it tells us we’re serving stakeholders well.

Second, your calls and emails carry clout with policy makers because they’re representative of Florida’s $148-billion-a-year agriculture and natural resources industry.

Thanks go to Ben Bolusky and every FNGLA member who supported our funding request.

We’ll be figuring out which critical needs to address first with the workload money.

With last year’s workload increase, I was able to authorize four faculty positions affiliated with the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology (which Ben supports as chair of its advisory board).

They’ll work as a team on what we call environmentally resilient, resource-efficient land use. The state funds approved in 2015 allow us to hire in clusters so that we can address big challenges with a team approach, and our team will include experts in geospatial analytics, urban water resource engineering, urban soil and water quality, and utility analytics for urban planning.

The first of the four has recently accepted the geospatial analytics position. Dr. Basil Iannone, currently at Purdue, starts on July 1. At the risk of oversimplifying his work, Basil will help convert complex data sets into maps that help us make sense of that data, to unlock it so we can put it to use.

You’ll be hearing from us in coming months about how you’ll benefit from the new resources the Legislature is providing to UF/ IFAS in 2016. We’ll also continue to tell the story of Florida agriculture and natural resources as we communicate about our scientific breakthroughs, our teaching, and our outreach.

Ultimately we aim to repay your support in Tallahassee with scientific support for your operations.

Jack Payne is the University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

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INDUSTRY NEWS UF-IFAS Releases Water Conservation Study Results

Ag Literacy Day Scheduled: April 26 The 13th annual Florida Agriculture Literacy Day is scheduled for Tuesday April 26, 2016 and the second in a series of new non-fiction children’s books has been developed that will highlight Florida’s vegetable industry.

The book, Drive through Florida: Vegetables, features an animated red truck named ‘Ole Red’ that takes students on a tour of Florida’s tomato, squash, snap bean, sweet corn, lettuce, bell pepper and potato industries, among others.

In a study of 932 Floridians, UF/IFAS researchers sought to identify characteristics of so-called “high-water users,” based on residents’ perceived importance of plentiful water and their reported water behaviors.

Researchers were most interested in the 24% of the respondents who saw water conservation as important yet take little action to do so – for example, people who take long showers and those who may use excessive water to irrigate their lawns. Researchers want residents, homeowners associations, Extension agents and the media to target their water conservation measures to these water users.

Homeowners associations can play a key role in helping or impeding residents in water conservation efforts, said Lisa Lundy, a UF/IFAS associate professor of agricultural education and communication. “They can also educate residents about issues like how soapy water from washing cars ends up in storm drains, affecting our drinking water.”

In such situations, HOAs can ensure that residents choose certain landscaping companies that use water- conserving strategies,” she said.

HOAs can require certain types of turfgrass, plants and more. They also might not allow xeriscaping — even if a homeowner wants to change his or her landscape.

Some people in the survey said they understand the need to conserve water, they just don’t feel personally responsible citing numerous “barriers.” “It’s easy for citizens to look at big issues like water and assign blame to forces larger than themselves,” Lundy said.

In honor of Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s (FAITC’s) 30th anniversary this year, it’s asking volunteers to read to at least 30 students each. FAITC was founded in August 1986, and the Ag Tag which funds FAITC came along 10 years later in 1996.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and FAITC invite farmers, growers, ranchers, Farm Bureau members, Florida cattlemen and cattlewomen, University of Florida IFAS extension and 4-H agents, master gardeners, FFA teachers and students and agriculture industry representatives to read in elementary classrooms around the state as part of the event.

Readers are asked to schedule their classroom visits first, and then register for materials. The deadline to register is Tuesday, April 12. For more details, visit FAITC online at www.AgTag.org.

Taken from a report by Brad Buck, UF|IFAS.

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INDUSTRY NEWS H-2A & H-2B Woes H-2A and H-2B program processing delays have begun to impact growers and landscapers who rely on these programs for legally authorized seasonal workers.

Labor certification processing delays at the Department of Labor and visa petition processing delays at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services could delay worker arrivals by 30 days or more.

FNGLA supports AmericanHort’s leadership efforts with other industries who are similarly effected and are working to implement emergency measures and streamline processes on this topic. Access AmericanHort’s comment submission: http://americanhort.theknowledgecenter. com/library/Americanhort/docs/ government%20relations/health%20care/ ANLA_RIN1545-BL33%203-15-2013_ ACA-H2A-B.pdf.

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Nominations Sought for Class X Wedgworth Leadership The Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture & Natural Resources (WLIANR) is accepting nominations for Class X participants in one of Florida’s premier agricultural leadership programs. The two-year comprehensive program, which will begin in September 2016, is designed to develop the leadership skills of participants involved in agricultural and natural resource enterprises in Florida through various training sessions, workshops and travel to Washington, D.C. and abroad.

Ideal candidates for this program are 25-45 years of age and are involved in Florida’s agriculture and natural resources industries and demonstrate strong leadership potential. Additionally, participants should like to travel; there are twelve study/travel seminars across the state, which are typically 3-5 days each in alternating months, one national trip to Washington, D.C and other states of interest, and a three-week international trip.

Visit the WLIANR website, www.wedgworthleadership.com, to access the nomination form. The deadline for nominations is May 13, 2016.

INDUSTRY NEWS SNA Launches SEGreen Conference: A Regional Marketplace The Southern Nursery Association (SNA) has announced plans for SEGreen, a new event, debuting August 30 – September 1, 2016 at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. SEGreen will look to the future for Southeast growers, landscapers, and retailers through a regional marketplace, education, and garden, nursery and retail tours. A host of the region’s top experts will participate, sharing their expertise and perspectives on the road ahead.

This year’s event will kick off with garden, nursery and retail tours on August 30. Included on the agenda is the SEGreen Marketplace, SEGreen Plant Conference and the SEGreen Landscape Conference (August 31 & September 1). SNA will be conducting annual business as well during SEGreen with the 61st SNA Research Conference (August 30 & 31), the 118th Annual SNA Business Meeting (September 1), and the SNA State Officer’s Conference (September 2).

SEGreen will enable participants to see more green in their future by providing a platform for learning about and sourcing new and innovative products, gaining knowledge about near and long-term industry dynamics, and cultivating new business relationships. SEGreen will attract all industry segments across the Southeast – breeders, growers, landscapers, retailers, researchers, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. The event is expected to draw more than 2,000 industry professionals.

The SEGreen Marketplace will feature the best plants and related landscape products. The product mix will include ornamental trees and shrubs, color, equipment and related landscape and outdoor living products, garden gifts and accessories, seasonal products, and more – all from the region’s top growers and suppliers.

Education for the grower, the landscaper, and the retailer will be divided into major areas of focus offering breakthrough concepts and hands-on training to further develop careers and expand business. The SEGreen Plant Conference will unveil some of the hottest new plants coming to market and offer a unique opportunity to learn from leading industry plant experts.

The SEGreen Landscape Conference will feature estimating, design, and installation workshops for the novice or master alike.

The SNA Research Conference will offer cutting-edge content of the latest horticultural research. Plus, on-floor education will feature new product demonstrations and reviews.

For further information, contact the Southern Nursery Association at 678.809.9992, mail@sna.org, or at www.sna.org.

Agriculture Education Funding Dispersed: UF Receives Funds The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded more than $4.5 million to support college and university faculty who develop innovative projects that advance agriculture and science education, including nearly $700,000 to the University of Florida. An additional $4.5 million will also be available for new projects that will prepare the future agri-science workforce. These awards are made through the Higher Education Challenge (HEC) grants program, administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

“With more than 60,000 jobs opening up in the agriculture industry in the next five years alone, funding higher education projects and programs that increase the skill and preparation of students is an essential step to filling those jobs with the next generation of agriculture professionals,” said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director.

Projects and research that receive HEC funding address a state, regional, national, or international educational need; involve a creative or non-traditional approach that may serve as a model; encourage and facilitate better working relationships in the university science and education community and the private sector; and result in benefits that last beyond the project duration and USDA support.

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INDUSTRY NEWS National Landscape Trends & Issues Brought to Life Through Infographics The National Association of Landscape Professionals has released a series of industry-related infographics to help promote the size and scope of the nation’s top landscape industry trends and issues:

Opportunities include: Improving housing and construction market; Increasing per capita income; Companies are charging more for service; and, Growth in specialty services. Threats include: Low barriers to entry; Increasing material and overhead costs; Unpredictable weather patterns, and High competition.

Information was comprised by the National Association of Landscape Professionals via https://www. lawnandlandscape.com/articles/stateofindustry.aspx and https://www.greenindustrypros.com/article/12133896/ landscape-industry-putlook-for-2016.

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INDUSTRY NEWS Florida Everglades Restoration Price Tag More Than Doubles

Consumer Outreach Program Launches: LoveYourLandscape.org The National Association of Landscape Professionals has launched a new website, LoveYourLandscape.org, which is the cornerstone of its new national consumer outreach program.

The new website has nearly 150 articles, inspiration galleries and videos to educate and inspire consumers, and new content will be added each month.

“LoveYourLandscape looks and feels like major consumer websites but the difference is that ours has the strength of industry messaging behind it, touts the benefits of lawns and managed landscapes, and highlights the need to hire a professional,” said Sabeena Hickman, CAE, NALP CEO. “This site is the first project produced by the IGI which is tasked with growing and protecting the industry.”

In a five-year update from the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers recently released, federal officials estimated that the cost of the massive restoration effort launched in 2000 and expected to cost $8 billion has doubled to $16.4 billion.

The LoveYourLandscape social media platforms include Facebook, www.facebook.com/loveyourlandscape, Instagram www.instagram.com/loveyourlandscape, and Pinterest www. pinterest.com/loveyrlandscape.

Inflation is cited as the culprit for much of the up-charges, although changes in design and the addition of some projects also were considered a factor.

Issued every five years, the report updates Congress on progress on work shared by the Corps and Florida. In the latest installment, Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy found efforts satisfactory, while Interior Secretary Sally Jewell praised “significant progress” in a sprawling plan that “tests our science, our engineering capacity, and our ability to work well with our intergovernmental partners.”

Initial cost projections, the report notes, were fairly generic because many design details were unknown. The plan covers about 68 projects in an 18,000 square-mile region that reaches from the north end of the Everglades above Lake Okeechobee south to Florida Bay. It is intended to restore, as best as possible, the natural flow of water that once replenished the Everglades and today, under growing threats from increased demand and sea rise, provides fresh water to more than 8 million people.

Learn more about the everglades restoration at http://www. evergladesrestoration.gov. Read more on this news: http:// www.bradenton.com/news/state/florida/article69161352.

The Florida Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of Florida’s professional arborists and tree-care consumers.

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MEMBER NEWS FNGLA Chapters’ Spring Plant Sales Coming Up Get in the spirit of greening up Spring by taking part in or supporting any of the upcoming spring plant sale events hosted by FNGLA chapters.

Here’s are the two sales still-to-come in April:

Action Chapter Plant Sale

Spring Fever in the Garden Saturday and Sunday, April 9 – 10, all day Downtown Winter Garden Contact Jennifer Parrish for more information.

Pinellas Chapter Plant Sale

Green Thumb Festival Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Walter Fuller Recreation Center, St. Petersburg Contact Wesley Hall for more information.

Lawmakers Call for Review of Syngenta Sale Citing Food Safety: Flower & Garden Division Not Sold U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., ranking member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, today led a bipartisan letter co-signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa -- members of the Senate Agriculture Committee -- calling on the U.S. Department of the Treasury to review China National Chemical Corporation’s proposed acquisition of Syngenta for any potential effects on U.S. national security and the American food system.

“While this Committee has not reached any conclusions regarding the proposed purchase of Syngenta by ChemChina, we believe that any foreign acquisition of an important U.S. agricultural asset should be reviewed closely for potential risks to our food system,” the Senators said. “It is not unreasonable to suggest that shifts in company governance; operational strategy; or financial health—particularly in light of the magnitude of this leveraged transaction—could have consequences for food security, food safety, biosecurity, and the highly competitive U.S. farm sector as a whole.”

Syngenta responded they do not believe the proposed transaction raises any food safety or significant national security issues” and welcome full review of the deal by the U.S. government.”

Meanwhile, Syngenta has pulled back from its previous plan to sell its flower and vegetable seed divisions -- however there is speculation they will sell their Bioline biological controls division to InVivo, a large French pest management cooperative. The company will be renamed Bioline Agrosciences.

Bioline Agrosciences will join InVivo’s existing biologicals subsidiary, Biotop, which produces beneficials in France, particularly ephestia eggs for raising other beneficials, as well as trichogramma, a micro-wasp used to combat corn borers.

Bioline specializes in the production and marketing of biological control agents, particularly beneficial insects for fruit, vegetable and flower crops. They have a strong presence in northern Europe.

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MEMBER NEWS The Mission of FNGLA

1. Action 2. Big Bend 3. Broward 4. Central East Coast 5. Coastal Springs 6. Miami-Dade 7. Frontrunners 8. Highlands Heartland 9. Polk

10. Manasota 11. Northeast 12. Palm Beach 13. Panhandle 14. Pinellas 15. Royal Palm 16. Space Coast 17. Tampa Bay 18. Treasure Coast

FNGLA’s mission is to promote and protect the interests of Florida’s nursery and landscape industry. The following core principles guide the governance and management of FNGLA: Organizational Excellence; Member-Focus; Collaboration and Partnerships; Leadership in Agriculture; and, Continuous Improvement. Don’t just read the

Welcome New Members The following are new FNGLA members from February 22, 2016 - March 21, 2016

ACTION Lourdes A. Almonte (Supportive) 1501 New Abbey Ave Leesburg, FL 34788 352-343-9985 Florida Irrigation Supply, Inc. Mark Payton 300 Central Park Dr Sanford, FL 32771-6671 407-995-9095 Rec’d by: Russ Mueller, Bolling Forest Products, Inc. Landform of Central Florida, Inc. Maureen Haggerty 398 N Dobson St Orlando, FL 32805-1004 407-298-3036 Rec’d by: Jason Platzer, Landmark Plastics Rob Kocol (Suppoertive) PO Box 620129 Oviedo, FL 32762 407-797-6724 Adolfo Gonzalez Landscaping Inc. Adolfo Gonzalez 15300 W Colonial Dr Apt 904 Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-952-8817 BROWARD ValleyCrest Jimmy Beaver (Associate) 440 Sawgrass Corporate Pkwy Sunrise, FL 33325 954-817-7587

LAKE REGION City of Haines City H. Lamar Cliett (Supportive) 305 S 6th St Haines City, FL 33844 863-421-9967 Division of Plant Industry Peggy Jane Sieburth 3027 Lake Alfred Road (Hwy 17) Winter Haven, FL 33881 (863) 298-3046 JSM Services Inc. Chris Coscia 414 Lake Millsite Rd Bartow, FL 33830 863-533-6850 MANASOTA West Bay Landscape, Inc. Ed Coil 6009 15th St E Bradenton, FL 34203-6963 941-753-8225 MIAMI-DADE Rock & Rose Lawn Care, LLC Omayra Guedes PO Box 771270 Miami, FL 33177 786-879-0832 Miami Dade Water & Sewer Dept.

Wilfredo Ortega (Supportive) 3071 SW 38 Ave Miami, FL 33146 786-552-8569

ValleyCrest Jean M Vargas (Associate) 16795 NW 23rd St Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 954-789-2816

KOBA Jennifer Weisbecker 60 Baekeland Ave Middlesex, NJ 08846 732-469-0110

FRONTRUNNERS University of Florida - Entomology and Nematology Adam Dale (Supportive) 1881 Natural Area Drive PO Box 110620 Gainesville, FL 32611-0620 352-273-3976

PANHANDLE Creative Dreamscapes Plus, LLC Ken Mathis 5508 Navahoe Dr Pensacola, FL 32507 850-643-6228

HIGHLANDS HEARTLAND EcoTech Environmental David Bek PO Box 1541 Bowling Green, FL 33834 863-767-0991 Rec’d by: Darryl Tackoor, PlantAnt

Clegg Construction, LLC David Clegg 1706 Wahoo Cir Panama City Beach, FL 32408 850-626-4947 Rec’d by: Keith Sylvest, Coastal Machinery

Narrow Gap Tree Farm William Brown 1475 Finley Dr Pensacola, FL 32514-4924 850-476-8291 All N Clusive, LLC Kenneth Robinson 12869 Island Spirit Dr Pensacola, FL 32506 850-554-3338 Gulf Coast Site Prep, Inc. Ashley Adams 952 TR Miller Rd Defuniak Springs, FL 32433 850-978-1362 Potts Grading and Landscaping Justin Potts 360 Ranger Rd Defuniak Springs, FL 32433 850-333-1409 PALM BEACH Botony On B, LLC Lawrence Corning 2728 B Rd Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470 PINELLAS Nicholas Disparte (Student) 1516 1st St Unit C Indian Rock Beach, FL 33785 727-789-5538 ROYAL PALM Pat Rohaley Landscaping Pat Rohaley 9010 West Ridge Ct Fort Myers, FL 33912 239-433-0104 Rec’d by: John Schwind, Steele Truck Center Lutgert Insurance Jay Roth 5076 Annunciation Cir #101 Ava Maria, FL 34142 239-354-4343 Rec’d by: Christine Raber, American Farms, LLC Evergreen Landscaping Eric Prather PO Box 770639 Naples, FL 34107 239-784-1471

Juniper Landscaping Inc. Mike Duke 5880 Staley Rd Ft. Myers, FL 33905 239-561-5980 Rec’d by: Matt Fleming, Steele Truck Center S. Mendoza Complete Lawn Care Sandro Mendoza 4870 20th St NE Naples, FL 34120 239-455-7419 Rec’d by: John Schwind, Steele Truck Center SPACE COAST Tropic Greenery, Inc. Ben Alf 3185 New York Ave Melbourne, FL 32934 321-745-7428

As an integral part of Florida’s $15.3 billion environmental horticulture industry, FNGLA is a vibrant network of professionals who strive to make Florida’s nursery industry successful. Through FNGLA, growers, landscape professionals, brokers, retail garden centers, allied suppliers and other industry members are provided an avenue to work together to strengthen the future of the nursery and landscape industry.

Not already a member? Join now at www.fngla.org.

Want to recommend your friends for membership? Do so at https://www.fngla.org/ membership/make-a-referral/ index.aspx

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Calendar of Events

Contact Us

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

FNGLA

April 8:

FNGLA Certified Landscape Technician Review Class, Two locations, Miami & Davie

9-14:

California Spring Trials, Various California Locations

19:

Chemical Spill Response Training, Hilton Garden Inn, Ft. Myers

20:

Green Industries Best Management Practices (In Spanish), Sarasota County Extension Office, Sarasota

20-21:

Interior Plantscape Symposium, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA

22:

Chemical Spill Response Training, Hampton Inn, Ft. Pierce

22:

Earth Day!

25-26: Palm Management in the Florida Landscape, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando 27: Right Plant, Right Place, Pinellas County Cooperative Extension, Largo

May 4-6:

National Hardware Show, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

10:

Right-of-Way Pesticide Training Class & Exam, John D. Campbell Ag Center, Homestead

12-13:

Florida Flower Trials, 3 Locations across Orlando

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

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ben Bolusky

GREENLINE EDITOR Jennifer Nelis jnelis@fngla.org

2015-2016 STATE OFFICERS

President Billy Butterfield, FCLC AmeriScapes Landscape Management Services, LLC PO Box 568762 Orlando, FL 32856-5041 (407) 872-0855

President-Elect Robert Shoelson Getting Green Plant Services & Betrock Information Systems PO Box 840107 Pembroke Pines, FL 33084 (954) 680-1819

Past President Sandy Stein The Jungle Nursery 29100 SW 162 Ave Homestead, FL 33030 (305) 246-5324

Secretary/Treasurer Ed Bravo Big Trees Plantation, Inc. 104 SW 131 St Newberry, FL 32669 (352) 332-2150

Connect with us: About FNGLA This publication is produced by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) as a service to its members and the industry at large. 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 interests of Florida’s nursery and landscape industry.

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1533 Park Center Drive Orlando, FL 32835-5705

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