June 2017 | Volume 38, Issue 6
FNGLA’S MONTHLY PUBLICATION: DIGITAL MONTHLY ISSUE LOCATED AT HTTP://GREENLINE.FNGLA.ORG
Commissioner Putnam to Speak at FNGLA Convention FNGLA’s Annual Convention traditionally attracts industry leaders from across the state. For 2017, the list of leaders includes Adam Putnam, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. Putnam has announced his intent to run for Governor of Florida in 2018 and will speak on Saturday evening, June 24 at the President’s Gala. FNGLA’s Annual Convention is taking place June 23 & 24 at the B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale. Although tours and meetings take place during the day on June 23, the convention officially starts with the Beach Bash Welcome Reception on Friday evening. This takes place on the hotel’s private beach-- and includes not only food, drink and important networking time-- but also an island drum show! Saturday starts with FNGLA’s Annual Business meeting. This meeting is open to all FNGLA members and includes a year-end review of FNGLA’s activities, recognition of outstanding FNGLA volunteers and industry leaders, as well as a State of the Industry presentation by FNGLA’s CEO Ben Bolusky. This is an important event! It’s where FNGLA officers are elected as well as FNGLA chapter contributions made to the FNGLA Endowed Research Fund at SHARE. Saturday afternoon promises extra fun! Not only is a garden tour of nearby Bonnet House available, but several beach games adding fun and camaraderie are offered for FNGLA convention attendees to enjoy, These include volleyball, corn hole toss and a giant Jenga game. Attendees can also take advantage of relaxing at one of the B’s two refreshing swimming pools. From 1 – 2 p.m., schedule a time for a meet up with a live mermaid – a truly unique selfie opportunity. Saturday evening’s President’s Reception and Gala brings the convention to its grand finale. Not only will Commissioner Adam Putnam share his words of wisdom to industry members, outgoing FNGLA President Rob Shoelson, Getting Green Plant Services and Betrock Information Systems, Continued on page 3
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PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Robert Shoelson, FCLC FNGLA 2016-2017 President
A Year Well Vested: FNGLA Proudly Marches Forward I wish to start my last article as FNGLA President by thanking those of you who have taken the time to read my ramblings and rants each month. My goal here was to be entertaining while providing useful information pertaining to this great association and industry. I can only hope I lived up to my goals during the past twelve months. If you are here reading this current article, I assume mission accomplished. I had the opportunity to do many different activities over the past year while presiding as FNGLA President. Yet, one of the most recent activities was without a doubt one of the most memorable. Last month, FNGLA’s four state officers - Ed Bravo, Will Womack, Billy Butterfield and I – (along with our CEO Ben Bolusky and lobbyist Jim Spratt) made the trek up to Washington D.C. to discuss the issues affecting our industry with Florida’s Members of Congress. We also had the pleasure of the company of Mary Ann Hooks (UF/IFAS Governmental Relations) who presented some issues in which both FNGLA and IFAS have a common stake. During our visit, we met with the offices of both U.S. Senators from Florida, as well as many U.S. Representatives throughout the state. We went there armed with the “hot off the press” new Economic Impact Study results which UF/IFAS conducted last year at FNGLA’s request. When your industry can claim Florida sales over $21 Billion and more than 232,000 jobs, people tend to want to lend an ear. Initially, before we even arrived, I was a little skeptical over how effective our group would be. Yet, meeting after meeting, it was clearly evident we have the support and backing of many of these Members of Congress and all were very interested in what we had to say. The biggest issue we brought to the table was immigration and labor. Availability and a stable future workforce is
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obviously a huge issue affecting our industry as well as several others. While a permanent solution is still to be figured out, it looks as if we are on several potential paths for securing a workforce for our industry. One of the more intriguing is the idea of a new blue card which would be issued to those who can prove they meet the criteria set forth and commit to work towards a legal status. It seems to me this could have the merits to be at least part of a solid solution. However, this approach does not address the need for new foreign guest workers. Probably the most interesting part of our trip was sitting in the U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing room listening to the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue’s testimony regarding budget, trade and the state of rural economies. This was an informative and educational experience I will not soon forget. It appeared both sides of the political aisle are looking forward to working with Secretary Perdue. In my previous Greenline articles, I’ve mentioned the FNGLA Annual Convention which will be held on June 23 & 24 in sunny Fort Lauderdale at the B Ocean Resort Hotel. Hopefully, your plans are in full motion to attend this fun and informative convention. During the annual membership meeting on Saturday morning, June 24 from 9-11:30, you will enjoy the opportunity to hear and see what FNGLA has been up to this past year and the future vision for the Association. During the membership meeting, FNGLA volunteer leaders are honored for their service and dedication and, last, but certainly not least, our newly elected officers will be sworn into office. Currently FNGLA’s Secretary/Treasurer Will Womack (Tampa Bay Landscaping, Tampa) will be nominated to be President-Elect. Our current PresidentElect, Ed Bravo (Big Tree Plantation, Newberry), will receive the Big Shoes as the next FNGLA President. I have known Ed and Will for some time, yet I really got the chance to get to know them even more during our Continued on page 4
Continued from page 1 will add his parting thoughts as he passes the “Big Shoes” of FNGLA to incoming President Ed Bravo of Big Trees Plantation. Included in the evening’s activities will be photo booth fun and a variety of music for listening and dancing. For those who wish to come in a day early, a community service project is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at the David Park Community Center in Hollywood. This center offers services to children, families and seniors with special needs. The service project will include basic landscape maintenance chores and enhancements. Other optional activities include an FNGLA-exclusive walking and boat tour of Anne Kolb Nature Center, a 1500acre coast mangrove wetlands preserve on Friday morning and guided tour of Bonnet House and Gardens, 35-acres of themed gardens, tropical courtyards and a historic estate house on Saturday afternoon. These are each optional activities for convention attendees with registration required. The Anne Kolb Nature Center tour is limited to the first 28 registrants. Register before June 19 for the lowest prices. The Full Package is only $170 and includes a welcome bag, the Beach Bash Welcome Reception, the Annual Meeting Continental Breakfast, beach activities and games, the President’s Gala and access to the Broward Chapter hospitality suites. Although the cut-off date for group reservations at the B Ocean Resort has passed, those wishing to reserve a room may call the hotel direct at 954-524-5551 and ask for in-house reservations. Reference FNGLA to determine availability of rooms and group pricing. For more details on the convention, contact Linda Adams, ladams@fngla.org, or see convention details online.
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FNGLA HAPPENINGS FNGLA Announces New Slate of Officers for 2017-2018 FNGLA’s Nominating Committee announces its recommended slate for FNGLA’s 2017-2018 officers. President-Elect Ed Bravo (Big Trees Plantation, Inc. in Ocala) automatically advances to FNGLA President. FNGLA’s Nominating Committee nominates Will Womack (Tampa Bay Landscaping in Tampa) as FNGLA’s President-Elect. Shawn Thomas (Southern Green Chemical Lawn Care in Jacksonville) is nominated as FNGLA’s Secretary/Treasurer. Current FNGLA President Robert Shoelson (Getting Green Plant Service in Fort Lauderdale and Betrock Information Systems in Hollywood, FL) automatically advances to FNGLA Past President for this membership year. Incoming FNGLA President Ed Bravo was born in Santiago de Cuba and immigrated to the United States one year later. His family lived in Miami until Ed was nine years old when they then moved to Gainesville. Ed earned an A.A. degree from Santa Fe Community College in 1985. His nursery and landscape career began six years earlier when he started working as a landscape laborer. Within just two years, he became the production manager at a Gainesville area nursery and was the sole proprietor of Moonlight Landscape. In 1996, Ed became the General Manager of Big Trees Nursery and in 2001, he became a partner of Big Trees Plantation in which capacity he continues. He has been a longtime board member of the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Spring Garden Festival. Ed has served FNGLA Frontrunners Chapter in many roles, including president. He represented the Frontrunners Chapter on the statewide FNGLA Board of Directors from 2009 to 2013. Ed is a member of the FNGLA Endowed Research Fund Steering Committee advising the UF/IFAS Dean of Research which industry research projects are worthy of FNGLA funding. Nominated to serve as FNGLA President-Elect is Will Womack. Will initially considered being a prosecutor and worked briefly with then line attorney Pam Bondi. In 2002, he started Tampa Bay Landscaping. Will has been active in the Tampa Bay Chapter of FNGLA and the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau serving in a variety of leadership roles. He has served on the FNGLA Board of Directors, FNGLA’s Marketing and Membership Committee, the Budget Committee, Certifications Committee, holds
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two FNGLA certifications and has served as a judge for certification exams. He is also an ISA certified arborist. Will is a graduate of the UF/IFAS Wedgworth Leadership Institute and continues to sit on many local advisory boards and committees. Nominated to serve as FNGLA Secretary/Treasurer is Shawn Thomas. A Jacksonville native, Shawn began his landscape career with B & L Landscape when he was hired by FNGLA Past President Buck Wurster. Shawn became FNGLA’s Northeast Chapter president in 2009 and chair of its Jacksonville Landscape Show in 2010 in a role he continues today. Shawn was chapter president again in 2012 when he received FNGLA’s Outstanding Chapter President Award. Not only is Shawn an active member of FNGLA’s Marketing & Membership Committee, he represents the Northeast Chapter on FNGLA’s Board of Directors. Shawn is a vice president of the Florida Irrigation Society, serves on Gateway College’s board of directors and is very involved with Duval County Farm Bureau, FFA, and 4-H programs. Running four branches throughout Florida, Shawn is the operations director of Southern Green Chemical Lawn Care based in Jacksonville. Robert Shoelson automatically moves from president to FNGLA Immediate Past President. Robert grew up in the nursery and landscape industry starting with Betrock Information Systems in 1992 and Getting Green Plant Service in 1998. He is active on FNGLA’s Certification, Knowledge College and Budget Committees. Robert has served on FNGLA’s Board
FNGLA HAPPENINGS of Directors as Woody Division and Broward Chapter Board Representatives. He was president of FNGLA’s Broward Chapter three times and is active in several industry groups, including the Landscape Inspectors Association. Robert is a Certified Landscape Inspector and has earned two FNGLA professional certifications -Landscape Contractor and Horticulture Professional. Robert is the owner and president of Getting Green Plant Services in Fort Lauderdale and the COO of Betrock Information Systems in Hollywood, FL. FNGLA officer elections take place during FNGLA’s Annual Meeting on Saturday morning, June 23 in conjunction with the 2017 convention in Ft. Lauderdale. Continued from page 2 recent D.C. trip. I must say our Association truly is in great hands. Both of these men have the fortitude and strength to keep FNGLA as strong as it ever has been. I’m looking forward to another year working with each of them as I move into the position of FNGLA Immediate Past President. The last item I wish to address in this, my final article, are the volunteers and sponsors who support and make this Association what it is today. Besides the wonderful Orlando staff we have managing FNGLA, our Association is truly driven by volunteers. These are people who have full-time jobs working in the industry and running their businesses. People who get involved in everything from Chapter meetings all way to holding positions on FNGLA’s state board. I wish to thank all of these gracious folks for everything they do for FNGLA and our industry. There are also many members who sponsor a lot of FNGLA activities whether on the chapter or state level. I recently reached out to many of my friends and colleagues asking if they would be a sponsor of FNGLA’s Annual Convention. Many of these folks stepped up to plate which they so often do - time and time again. I wish to thank all of these member volunteers and sponsors from the bottom of my heart.
Statewide, Flip My Florida Yard Shows Continue to Air FNGLA is proud to be the title sponsor for four episodes of the 2017 season of “Flip My Florida Yard!” Many FNGLA members were a huge part of the core groups to design, plan and implement each of the four flips. While much of the state has seen their initial episode airings, the Orlando market’s initial airings will take place June 11 followed by more episodes on June 18. View the season’s air dates: http://www. flipmyfloridayard.com/tv-timesdates.html We’re pleased many of Florida’s consumers are inspired to do more in their own outdoor spaces and are proud FNGLA and many of our members are spotlighted.
It has truly been an honor and a privilege serving as the President of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association during the 2016-2017 year. Robert Shoelson, FCLC Getting Green Plant Service, Inc. (Davie) & Betrock Information Systems, Inc. (Hollywood) robert@gettinggreen.com
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FNGLA HAPPENINGS FNGLA’s Landscape Awards: Which Projects Will You Enter?
The FNGLA Landscape Awards Program was established in 1970 to recognize landscape excellence in Florida. Forty-seven years later, FNGLA is still celebrating “the best of the best” and recognizing projects and businesses which excel in creating some of the best landscapes in Florida. 2017’s award–winning landscape projects will be showcased at The Landscape Show in Orlando. Four higher-level “Grand Awards” will be revealed and honored as the event’s biggest winners. Will your business be among those honored? They were the creative force (and muscle) behind the incredibly landscaped Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, located in the heart of Orlando’s world-famous theme park district --- a tourist corridor so pristinely pruned it’s hard to stand out. But even here the Resort is a horticultural wonderland.
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A new lower submission fee means you can enter even more projects. FNGLA members pay just $85, non-members pay $130. Submissions must be received by the July 10 deadline. Winners will be notified shortly thereafter. Among the many benefits to being named an FNGLA Landscape Award winner: • • • •
Establish yourself and your business as an industry elite Gain industry recognition: Be an industry superstar! Gain award credentials to showcase to potential clients Expand your participation and visibility at The Landscape Show, the industry’s main event for all things related to Florida landscapes • Earn media exposure
Yellowstone Landscape of Davenport took home a 2016 Landscape Award for the commercial landscaping firm’s design and installation of the 87-acre property, which boasts more than 15,000 annuals. The resort’s central causeway, which serves as a well-traveled connector of the two hotels, is lined with 50-foot-tall Washingtonia palms. Tropicals and vibrant perennials are also used throughout the manicured grounds to accent feature areas.
Landscape projects featuring at least 50% Florida-grown plant material are eligible and must have been installed or began on or after January 1, 2013.
Marshall Kelberman, complex director of rooms at the WDW Swan and Dolphin Report, said the Landscape Award has also since had a transformative impact not just on guests, but resort staff as well.
Various project categories and project values offer many recognition opportunities including new installations, redesign/renovations and maintenance projects in a variety of categories such as residential, commercial, public areas, etc. Check out details and submission categories at: http://www.fngla.org/recognition/landscape-awards.
“Accolades like this reinforce the quality of their workplace as perceived by guests,” Kelberman said.
Like Yellowstone Landscape of Davenport and all the 2016 winners, we’d love to see you receiving the recognition you deserve! This event is sponsored by Ewing.
FNGLA HAPPENINGS
SEPTEMBER 14 – 16
ORLANDO - WWW.THELANDSCAPESHOW.ORG
FNGLA HAP PENldÂŽ, t Disney Wor Trial Sites: Wal dens Harry P. Leu Gar Orange County and UF/IFAS ice Extension Serv
2017 Trial Pla
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See the 2017 Florida Flower Trial Plants in detail: https://issuu.com/fngla/doc s/2017planttrialbookissuupr esets
FNGLA’s 2017 Florida Flower Trials Exceeded Expectations “Flower Power” was in full bloom in Orlando on May 18 & 19 as professionals from all over Florida converged with top breeders and a panel of industry experts for FNGLA’s Florida Flower Trials. Now in its seventh year, Florida Flower Trials offered up three diverse trial sites, Harry P. Leu Gardens, UF/IFAS Orange County Extension Services and Walt Disney World Nursery, where hundreds of plant varieties were planted in order to measure each plant’s performance. Continued on page 11
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FNGLA HAPPENINGS Continued from page 9 “Whether the areas were full sun, shaded or raised beds, each trial site offered a unique growing environment along with three different levels of maintenance,” Linda Reindl, FNGLA’s director of education, said of the trial sites. “The new varieties were planted six week before the event which then allowed breeders and industry members during the event to evaluate for themselves those same varieties at their best, grown under different conditions.” The event kicked off at the B Resort and Hotel where more than 100 attendees were treated to breakfast and a panel of renowned speakers who each spoke on a variety of topics such as solutions for maintaining healthy annual beds and designing with textures, color and form. Dan Heims travelled across the country from Portland, Oregon to share his amazing array of crazy container ideas with some of the most unusual plants. Later that afternoon, attendees and trial plant breeders found themselves aboard buses headed for two of the trials locations; first Harry P. Leu Gardens, then UF/IFAS Orange County Extension Services. Attendees got up close and saw how new varieties stood up to Florida’s unforgiving heat and humidity. On the second day of the program, attendees found themselves behind the scenes at Walt Disney World’s Nursery where park topiaries come to life and thousands of reserve plants and hanging planters are stored. The day ended with a special visit to Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. “Success of programs like this really depends on industry support,” Reindl said. “A big thanks to Brad’s Bedding Plants and Speedling for their support and willingness to grow out the new varieties featured in all three locations as well as the growers who supplied their own varieties. Thanks also goes to Brightview, Orlando for the installation of the trial gardens and to our many sponsors who support this program.”
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INDUSTRY NEWS Nothing Short of “Bravo” for FNGLA’s Incoming President By Jack Payne, University of Florida senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of IFAS, jackpayne@ufl.edu | @JackPayneIFAS One thing we at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences appreciate about your president-elect is his honesty. Faced with questions from visitors to his wholesale nursery about why he doesn’t sell directly to the public, Ed Bravo was frank: “I don’t have the patience!” When asked how he became so successful, Bravo had another quick answer – 35 years of making mistakes. And to the initial dismay of some of the visitors, he acknowledged burning perfectly healthy dogwoods in his nursery. When University of Florida/IFAS Extension agent Tatiana Sanchez began planning the recent Alachua Home Grown Farm Tour, her goal was to tell the story of local agriculture to non-farmers. As the commercial horticulture agent and as the editor of the Florida State Horticultural Society newsletter, the first person she thought of was Bravo. Telling the true story of Florida agriculture is one of the central missions of UF/IFAS Extension. We do it best when agriculturalists themselves are doing the telling. Especially when it’s someone who’s as straight a shooter as Bravo is. Sanchez had asked Ed for her own tour earlier in the year. He’d shown the new agent not only his own operation but the innovative work he’d done in the new community of Tioga. He partnered with the developer and through the use of GPS helped the developer map out homes and roads around some of the stateliest trees in the subdivision. Of course, no good deed goes unpunished, so Sanchez then asked Bravo if she could come back – with 55 people who knew almost nothing about commercial horticulture. They are the audience on the Farm Tour. He couldn’t have been a better ambassador for Alachua County agriculture or for FNGLA. The association’s logo was on his cap, his lapel pin, on the window sticker of the pickup truck pulling the hayride full of interrogators. By the end of the tour, most of the participants were wearing FNGLA caps too. FNGLA supports UF/IFAS research, raises scholarship money for students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and cooperates with Extension on programming such as master gardener classes. Bravo demonstrated how valuable FNGLA is as an ally in raising public awareness of the big issues in agriculture, such as water, labor, environmental stewardship, and market volatility. Bravo also presented the challenges in context. He doesn’t burn dogwoods willy-nilly. He explained that he did so because even healthy container-grown dogwoods at his Big Trees Plantation in Newberry carry such a high risk of infectious disease. He had tried everything else short of the torch. In the end, the dogwoods posed too great a threat of huge losses for his business and small but meaningful losses in the yards of people who take a dogwood home from a retail nursery. The visitors came to understand that he had learned from those 35 years of mistakes, and that one of the legacies of that hard-earned knowledge was the rarity of a new community with grand old trees. As for his self-professed lack of patience with the public, Bravo explained that in an hour he might spend with a single shopper (who in the end might tell him he or she wouldn’t be buying without first checking with a spouse), Bravo could have a semi loaded with trees and shipped off for sale.
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This made a lot of sense to the group. In fact, one of the visitors, in appreciation of Bravo standing for an hour under a 90-plus degree sun taking questions, praised him for his remarkable patience. Then everyone got out of the sun, their faces shaded by the visors on their new FNGLA hats. Based on the evaluations they filled out at the end of the day, they left with a better understanding of the story of Florida agriculture.
Ed Bravo, president-elect of FNGLA, talks to visitors to his Big Trees Plantation on the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua Home Grown Farm Tour. At left is commercial horticulture Extension agent Tatiana Sanchez. UF/IFAS Photo by Camila Guillen.
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.
July is Smart Irrigation Month Smart Irrigation Month is an Irrigation Association initiative to promote the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation technologies, products and services in landscape, turf and agricultural irrigation. After 12 years, Smart Irrigation Month continues to gain traction as stakeholders recognize the positive impact of efficient irrigation. Ways to benefit from the effort: Leverage Smart Irrigation Month to reach out to your customers; Learn more about water saving technology and encourage smarter water usage; Promote innovative smart water technologies and practices; Promote local regulation and water schedules in a positive light. Learn more at www. smartirrigationmonth.org.
INDUSTRY NEWS Florida’s Citrus Industry: UF Scientists Make Positive Strides For quite a few years now, Florida’s citrus industry has taken blow after blow. So positive gains are refreshing: The experts at the University of Florida/IFAS have discovered a mandarin hybrid they believe obtains an increased resistence to greening thanks to metabolites. UF/IFAS professors Fred Gmitter and Jude Grosser developed and released the ‘Sugar Belle’ mandarin in 2009. The hybrid, popular with the commercial industry, is a mix of the sweet Clementine and the colorful, bell-shaped Minneola and has a rich taste and strong aroma, according to Gmitter. The sweet-tart fruit may be best described as a mandarin with a tangy punch. From field observation, scientists found the ‘Sugar Belle’ mandarin is less affected by citrus greening than other mandarins, said Nabil Killiny, an assistant professor of plant pathology. So the question is, “Why?” Killiny is conducting research to identify the variety’s resilience in the hopes the information can lead to a better understanding of Huanglongbing, or HLB, also known as citrus greening and, ultimately, varieties which can take the place of more affected citrus varieties. The UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred and its specialists are hopeful the research will contribute to a breakthrough. Since it spread to America, greening has killed millions of trees and caused a sharp decline in production in many citrus growing regions leading to reduced commercial production.
And on the Flip Side, The Latest Economic Information According to a new study, the Florida citrus industry’s major economic contributions to the state’s economy have declined by 31% in four years, including a 9% decline in 2015-16 compared to the previous season. The figures contribute to the thought Florida’s citrus industry’s decline is accelerating. The new study found the $8.6 billion economic impact included $6.2 billion from juice manufacturing, $2.1 billion from farm production and $308 million related to fresh citrus packing and sales. Christa Court, a University of Florida economist, and a lead author of the study recently told the Florida Citrus Commission the $8.6 billion contribution to the state’s economy is “not insignificant.” The study used 2015-2016 data and replaces 2012 data. In relation to employment, Florida citrus supported 45,422 full and part-time jobs, down 31.6% from the previous study, according to the report.
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INDUSTRY NEWS US Ag Secretary Purdue Sends Message to the “USDA Family” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue addressed USDA’s employees regarding the proposed 2018 fiscal year budget making clear his intentions to streamline services and reduce spending in line with the President’s objectives. “President Trump promised he would realign government spending, attempt to eliminate duplication or redundancy, and see that all government agencies are efficiently delivering services to the taxpayers of America. And that’s exactly what we are going to do at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),” said Secretary Purdue in a recently-released video statement.
"Having been the governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 – not during the best economic times – we did what it took to get the job done, just like the people involved in every aspect of American agriculture do every single day," said Secretary Perdue. (USDA, YouTube)
“Having been the governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 – not during the best economic times – we did what it took to get the job done, just like the people involved in every aspect of American agriculture do every single day. While the President’s budget fully funds nutrition programs, wildland fire suppression and food safety, and includes several new initiatives and increases for Rural Development, whatever form the final budget takes, it is my job as Secretary of Agriculture to manage and implement that plan, while still fulfilling the core mission of USDA,” said Secretary Perdue. See Purdue’s video message in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N96WdQVvPk&feature=youtu.be. And, access the USDA’s Fiscal Year budget at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-Budget-Summary-2018.pdf.
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NOAA Predicts Above Normal Atlantic Hurricane Season For the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs through November 30, forecasters are predicting a 45% chance of an “above normal” season. “As a Florida resident, I am particularly proud of the important work NOAA does in weather forecasting and hurricane prediction,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “These forecasts are important for both public safety and business planning, and are a crucial function of the federal government.” Forecasters predict a 70% likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). An average season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. These numbers include Tropical Storm Arlene, a rare preseason storm that formed over the eastern Atlantic in April. “The outlook reflects our expectation of a weak or non-existent El Nino, near- or above-average sea-surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and average or weaker-than-average vertical wind shear in that same region,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. The 2016 season was the most active since 2012, with 15 named storms, including 7 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. FNGLA offers resources for Florida’s nursery and landscape businesses and you are urged to review this information well before a storm approaches: http://www.fngla.org/ resources/hurricane/index.aspx.
INDUSTRY NEWS 2017’s Florida Zika Cases, Thus Far, Are “Travel Related” Last year’s Zika crisis exploded in July and August, and with the onset of significant rainfall across most of the Sunshine State, Floridians are encouraged to be vigilant in monitoring the mosquito-borne Zika virus and business owners can assist by keeping a tidy workspace free of standing water. So far for 2017, 50 “travel-related” cases, people infected elsewhere who brought the disease into the state, have been reported. This is lower than the amount reported at this point last year. “These types of mosquitoes like to live close to people, so some of the factors regarding precipitation and heavy rains are different,” said state Surgeon General Celeste Philip. She continued, “We are still concerned that a small amount of water, say a bottle cap, is sufficient for breeding to occur.” The warm winter may have aided the survival of many of the eggs from the type of mosquito carrying the virus. Miami-Dade County was the focus of much of the state’s efforts last year to combat Zika, which is particularly dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause neurological defects in developing fetuses. Four Miami-Dade neighborhoods- Wynwood, Little River and two areas of Miami Beach -- were the focus of last-year’s outbreak and designated as such. The designations by the Centers for Disease Control were all lifted before the year ended.
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INDUSTRY NEWS PPA Symposium: Denver, July 23-28 How high can you steppe? Find out at the 2017 PPA Symposium. Experience knowledge, tours and networking at the 2017 Perennial Plant Symposium taking place July 23 - 28 in Denver, CO. There’s 28 sessions, 6 tours, a trades how and valuable industry connections. “The synergy created with this collection of people is unmatched at any other industry event,” said Brie Arthurs (Landscape Designer & Author, North Carolina). Learn more at www.ppadenver.com.
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Free Webinar Covers New 2018 Plants Join Chris Beytes and Ellen Wells (aka “The Bobbleheads”) for a complimentary webinar series taking place July 6 and July 13 called “Best New Plants for 2018” where they will discuss the highlights from the California Spring Trials. The duo will share the pick of the trials in annuals, perennials, tropicals and other categories, plus share the best of display ideas, news, novelties and things that made them go “Hmmmmm.” Part 1 will cover the Southern stops, which includes all the Ball companies, GroLink, Dümmen Orange, Terra Nova, Floranova, Hort Couture, Florist Holland and more. Part 2 includes will be featured: Syngenta, Proven Winners, Danziger, Benary, Sakata, American Takii, Westhoff, Hem Genetics and more. Presented by Chris Beytes, editor, GrowerTalks/Green Profit and Acres Online; and Ellen Wells, editor at large, Green Profit, buZZ! and Tropical Topics, you can register to attend at http://ballpublishing.com/BallPub/Webinars.aspx.
INDUSTRY NEWS Tallying Laurel Wilt’s Destruction
US Senate Approves Agro-Terrorism Legislation The U.S. Senate approved legislation to address the threat of agro-terrorism and ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply.
Laurel wilt disease has killed as many as half-a-billion trees. And, a new study by a researcher with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences suggests it may have been spread by a single insect cloning itself. “In biology, there is no evidence of a single strain pathogen killing so many hosts in such a short period of time,” said Jason Smith, an associate professor in the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation. According to Smith, the purpose of the study was to determine the genetic diversity of the pathogen and its beetle vector, and to provide an estimate of how many trees laurel wilt has claimed. Laurel wilt is caused by a fungal organism that latches onto the redbay ambrosia beetle. Native to Southeast Asia, the beetle transmits the disease to trees in the Lauraceae family and uses wilted trees as sites for reproduction. Members include sassafras and avocado, but the chief victim has been the redbay.
The legislation was introduced by U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, in the Senate and U.S. Reps. David Young, R-Iowa, Donald Payne, Jr., D-N.J., and Dan Donovan, R-N.Y., in the House. Agro-terrorism poses a serious threat to our food, agriculture, and livestock industries across the United States. “An attack on our nation’s food supply would cause irreparable damage,” said Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.”
Research indicates that laurel wilt has killed about 320 million redbay trees since its introduction in 2002 in Eastern Georgia– or 30% of the species’ population. The disease has spread throughout Florida and beyond. “We think it could potentially get to Mexico and Central America where the Lauraceae is a dominant plant species,” Smith said. Florida has an annual $100 million avocado industry, and Central America is a world leader in avocado production, he said. The disease, which has a 95% mortality rate, is transmitted when the beetle bores into the tree and deposits spores into the tree’s vascular system. As the spores are carried along, the tree’s defense system reacts, and shuts down the vascular system. In hot weather, trees can die within weeks. Learn more from UF/IFAS on this problematic insect at http://blogs.ifas. ufl.edu/news/2017/05/11/uf-study-cloning-insect-fungus-duo-kills-500million-trees.
Creating policies in place to quickly respond to events threatening U.S. agriculture or food production systems – ultimately protecting these key industries which impact every Americans on a daily basis is the intent of the legislation, and is part of the domestic preparedness policy initiatives. Read the “Securing our Agriculture and Food Act” for more detail: https://www. congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/ 1238?q={%22search%22%3A[%22HR1238 %22]}&r=1.
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CERTIFICATIONS Landscape Technicians Advance Careers with Certification Whether to advance their position at work, or increase the number of contracts on which they can bid, the landscape technicians who took FNGLA’s certification exams this spring had one thing in common: each opened the door to greater career opportunities for themselves. Two FNGLA Certified Landscape Technician (FCLTInstallation) exams hosted these forward-thinkers at SeaWorld Horticulture in February and UF Ft. Lauderdale Research Center in April. The exam tests practicing landscape technicians in a real-world format on a variety of job skills including plant identification and layout; tree planting, staking, pruning, banding and propping; grading, drainage, job elevations; irrigation; and equipment operation. Exam applicants are scored one-on-one by FNGLA Certified Judges. The certification also seeks to set practicing professionals apart in the industry by giving them a marketable distinction among their peers. For more information on the FCLT certification, visit FNGLA’s website, www.fngla.org.
THANK YOU JUDGES! SeaWorld Horticulture, Orlando
• Gary Weitermann, FCLMT, SeaWorld, Host • Billy Butterfield, FCLC, AmeriScapes Landscape Management • Kevin Carmean, FCLC, Lake Conway Landscaping • Billy Copeland, FCLMT, BrightView • Larry Harripersad, FCLT, SeaWorld Horticulture • Herb Jimenez, FCLT, SeaWorld Horticulture • Linda Tootle, FCLC, Tootle Construction
UF Ft. Lauderdale Research Ctr • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Landscape skills tested include pruning, irrigation, plant identification and more!
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• • •
Luci Fisher, UF, Host Kim Moore, UF, Host Rob Pursell, FCLC, Getting Green, Host Robert Shoelson, FCLC, Getting Green, Host Cedric Brown, FCLT, BrightView Loretta Carey, FCHP, Atlantis Resorts Chris Cartwright, FCLT, Getting Green EvaMae Deveaux, FCLMT, Atlantis Resorts Todd Flack, FCLC, 100% Landscaping Vladimir Foursa, FCLC, BG Katz Tedd Kenny, FCLC, DeAngelo Brothers Sergio Lopez, FCLT, 100% Landscaping Robert Marshall, FCLMT, BrightView Michael Nixon, FCLT, Atlantis Resorts Fernando Ortega, FCLT, SFM Services Larry Searle, FCLC, Searle Brothers Nursery Ben Sierra, FCLMT, BrightView Ned Skiff, FCLC, Skiff & Associates Tom White, FCLC, A-1 Floridian
CERTIFICATIONS Be a Part of the Water Solution Efficient irrigation systems and well-designed landscapes are the key to saving water. Help us spread the word about Florida Water StarSM and its upcoming training to teach professionals how to have a major impact on lowering water usage. Landscape and irrigation professionals are invited Wednesday, July 19 to Ft. Lauderdale to learn more about creating water-conserving landscapes. This class is hosted by NatureScape Broward and focuses on Florida-friendly landscape alternatives and irrigation requirements, which can have a major impact on water usage. The cost is just $25 for the class with lunch provided by RainBird. Participants who complete the training can then choose to sit for the exam to earn their Accredited Professional designation. The optional exam is $50.
Professionals can make a difference by creating Florida Water StarSM landscapes.
The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) has contracted with FNGLA to administer the FWS Accredited Professional exams in irrigation and landscape. More than 300 professionals have earned one or both of these designations since testing began in 2010. For more information, contact Merry Mott at FNGLA at 800-375-3642.
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 Florida Water StarSM Names Program Partner Award Recipients Florida Water StarSM presented its prestigious Program Partner Award to FNGLA for FNGLA’s work in championing water conservation. On hand to receive the award was FNGLA’s Director of Certifications and Career Development, Merry Mott. And, we’re proud to report FNGLA member, On Top of the World (Ocala) received the Florida Water Star’s Private Builder Award. FNGLA Landscape Division Leader, Philip Hisey, was also there to receive his firm’s award. Launched in 2007 by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), Florida Water Star is now a statewide program providing water conservation Florida Water Star award recipients: C.J. Davila with Florida Green Building Coalition; Nathan Ritter with GreenBuilt Solutions; Merry Mott with Florida certification for professionals, homes, Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association; Phillip Hisey with On Top of the entire communities and commercial World; and Eileen Burke with Florida Home Partnership. developments. “The program’s legacy of water conservation is felt statewide,” said SJRWMD Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “We see water conservation as a crucial tactic for meeting future water demands, so we’re excited to recognize the work of our partners who are champions for conservation.” FNGLA is very pleased its landscape irrigation and water conservation messages are registering!
FNGLA Mourns Member Death It is with great sadness we share the passing of Gladys Joan Christmas. Known as Joan, 81, of Apopka. She passed away peacefully in her home with family at her side on May 11. The widow of past FNGLA President Jack Christmas (FNGLA President 196970), Joan was born January 3, 1936 in Estill, South Carolina. Mrs. Christmas is survived by her children Robert Christmas, Cindy Christmas, Ginger Goff, and Joan Bailey; siblings Sandra Stone, and Curtis Stone Jr.; 10 grandchildren; and, 8 great grandchildren. Cindy and Ginger are both active in Florida’s nursery and landscape industry and involved with many FNGLA happenings. Our deepest condolences to the family.
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MEMBER NEWS
Welcome New Members ACTION 3D Trees Maricel Igcasenza 6350 New Hope Rd Orlando, FL 32824 407-859-1033 Mid Florida REC - Apopka Alfred Huo (Supportive) 2725 S Binion Rd Apopka, FL 32703-8504 407-410-6963 Nufarm Chris Brown (Affiliate Member) 375 Floral Dr Winter Garden, FL 34787 630-601-8069 Palm City Sod of Central Florida, Inc. Mike Kelley 2820 Marjorie Rd St. Cloud, FL 34772 407-957-4490 Rec’d by: Alan Campbell, Kubota BIG BEND Davis Greenscapes LLC William Davis PO Box 14914 Tallahassee, FL 32317 850-712-5549 Rec’d by: Bob Le Gette, Graco Fertilizer Co. BROWARD Achsah's Delight Bakery Wayne Jones 3075 NW 19th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 954-533-1843 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck Big T Tampa St Pete Gene Stoller 2377 NE 11th St Pompano Beach, FL 33062 954-588-2525 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck Cinergy Builders Inc Barbara Joyce 10068 NW 53rd St Sunrise, FL 33351 954-397-7707 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck HIQ Services Corp Hugo Izquerdo 9213 Affirmed Ln Boca Raton, FL 33496 754-245-8422 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck Lindstrom Brothers Chris Lindstrom 3581 W McNab Rd Pompano Beach, FL 33069 954-604-5006 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck Reliable Concrete Services Clifford Maddock 2987 Centerport Cir Pompano Beach, FL 33064 954-944-0088 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck
Sur Global Trucking LLC Avinash Namchand 212 NW 2nd Ave Hallandale, FL 33009 954-585-8588 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck FRONTRUNNERS City of Ocala Suzanne Shuffitt (Supportive) 1307 NW 4 Ave Ocala, FL 34475 352-368-5521 LAKE REGION Prince Land Services Inc. Ian Prince 200 S F St Haines City, FL 33844 863-422-5207 MANASOTA CitriSun Nurseries, LLC Perry Hollingsworth Steve Bryan 1615 SW Hwy 17 Arcadia, FL 34266-7101 863-494-4022 MIAMI-DADE Juan Melo (Student) 8771 NW 108 St Hialeah Gardens, FL 33018 786-499-3709 NORTHEAST The Hubery LLC Angela TenBroeck 4920 Astoria Ct Jacksonville, FL 32217 904-386-3856 Rec’d by: Allen Skinner, Bioril, LLC The Landscape Express Laura C. Byres 310 E 3rd St Jacksonville, FL 32206 904-391-6866 OUT OF STATE BASYS Processing Kurt Woltering 15423 W 100th Ter Lenexa, KS 66219 913-649-5800 Better Bilt Products, Inc. Betsy Mostowski 900 S Kay Ave Addison, IL 60101-0559 630-543-6767 John Critser (Student) 1098 Chaseway Dr Pike Road, AL 36064 941-726-3011 Pottery Pots Danny van Kerkvoorde 1800 E State St Suite 167 Hamilton, NJ 08609 609-438-9050
The following are new FNGLA members from May 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017
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
S & J Demolition Inc Jacob Itzkhakoff 24 Maiden Ln New York, NY 10038 917-916-8345 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck
Sunshine Lawn Care, Inc. Sal Ianotta Full 235 Seminole Ct Marco Island, FL 34145 239-253-2436 Rec’d by: Steele Truck Center, Inc.
Zenport Randy Killian 11825 SW Katherine St Tigard, OR 97228 503-524-7289
SPACE COAST Brevard County Extension - Central Glen Bupp (Supportive) 3695 Lake Dr Cocoa, FL 32926-8699 321-633-1702
PALM BEACH Ken Gregory 5435 45th St Vero Beach, FL 32967 772-562-7445 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck HIQ Services Corp. Hugo Izquierdo 9213 Affirmed Ln Boca Raton, FL 33496 754-246-8422 Rec’d by: Steve Weiss, Tri County Truck Orchard Supply Hardware John Amerson (Associate) 9558 Affirmed Ln Boca Raton, FL 33496-1840 772-559-1547 ROYAL PALM Country Lakes Farms, LLC Edwin Scott PO Box 61008 Fort Myers, FL 33906 239-768-1293 Country Lakes Farms, LLC Jeff Poulton (Affiliate Member) PO Box 61008 Fort Myers, FL 33906 239-768-1293 Michael Jennings, Inc. Michael Jennings 9176 Sweden Blvd Punta Gorda, FL 33982 941-637-6686 Rec’d by: Steele Truck Center, Inc. Summit Landscape, Inc. Hugo Aguilar 185 31st NW Naples, FL 34120 239-692-8175 Rec’d by: Steele Truck Center, Inc.
Are you aware of FNGLA’s recruitment contest? It’s simple, fun and pays you $50 for each new business (full membership & up) you recruit as an FNGLA member. This contest, originally run January 1 and through June 1, has been extended for a full year-with recruitment recognition at the FNGLA Annual Convention. All monies earned are intended to be paid each June-- and you decide who gets the cash... you or your local chapter. Yup. It’s pretty simple!
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Calendar of Events
Contact Us
See and submit events at http://www.fngla.org, under calendar
June
FNGLA
11-18:
The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, Americasmart, Atlanta, GA
13-14:
The National Lawn & Garden Show, Chicago, IL
21:
Darwin Perennials Day, The Gardens at Ball, West Chicago, Illinois
23-24:
FNGLA’s Annual Convention, B Ocean Resort, Ft. Lauderdale
25-28:
GCA Summer Tour, Richmond to Virginia Beach, VA
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
July 1-5: AIFD National Symposium, Sheraton Seattle Hotel, Seattle, Washington 15-18: Cultivate ‘18, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH 19-20:
Florida WaterStar Training, Ft. Lauderdale
23-28:
Perennial Plant Association Conference, DoubleTree by Hilton Denver, Colorado
28:
Ball Seed Field & Landscape Day, Ball Horticultural Company, West Chicago, Illinois
August 1-3:
SE Green Conference, The Classic Center, Athens, Georgia
2-3:
SNA Research Conference, The Classic Center, Athens, Georgia
2016-2017 STATE OFFICERS
President Robert Shoelson, FCLC Getting Green Plant Services & Betrock Information Systems PO Box 840107 Pembroke Pines, FL 33084 (954) 680-1819
President-Elect Ed Bravo Big Trees Plantation, Inc. 104 SW 131st St Newberry, FL 32669 (352) 332-2150
Past President Billy Butterfield, FCLC AmeriScapes Landscape Management Services, LLC PO Box 568762 Orlando, FL 32856-5041 (407) 872-0855
Secretary/Treasurer Will Womack, FCLC Tampa Bay Landscaping 5821 Maple Lane Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 368-9891
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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Read the latest FNGLA news inside & visit Greenline online at http://greenline.fngla.org