Landscape Ontario - January-February 2024

January | February 2024

INVESTING IN

EMPLOYEES THE SECRET TO SUCCESS FOR BURCH LANDSCAPE SERVICES PAGE 4

A TRIBUTE TO BOB TUBBY

MENTAL HEALTH FOR LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS

INTRODUCING LO’S NEW PRESIDENT

PAGE 10

PAGE 14

PAGE 20 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 1

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January | February 2024 • Volume 42 - No. 01

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Features 4

Member Profile: Burch Landscape Services

8 10 14

Green Trade Expo Returns Remembering Bob Tubby Mental Health Strategies

Departments 18 22 24 24 26 29 31

Stronger together

Association News Volunteer Profile Scholarship Profile New Members Awards Profile Professional News Columns

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I

am excited to offer this President's Message for the first 2024 issue of Landscape Ontario magazine. LO holds a very special place in my heart, embodying a spirit of innovation, collaboration, community and growth.

When I hear the words "Landscape Ontario" or proudly mention my affiliation as an LO member and volunteer, I am flooded with emotions. I envision a dynamic community of passionate individuals dedicated to nurturing the environment, shaping breathtaking outdoor spaces and fostering sustainable practices. The words that resonate include professionalism, excellence and a commitment to the beauty of the earth and enhancing communities.

The essence of our association lies in its dedication to advancing our profession. Collectively, we are stewards of green spaces and advocates for sustainable landscaping practices. Through collaborative efforts and shared knowledge, LO cultivates an atmosphere of continuous learning, community and innovation, inspiring us to push boundaries and elevate standards.

Reflecting on our collective journey, LO has undertaken remarkable initiatives that have left a legacy. Our chapters have

spearheaded community projects, promoting environmental awareness and educating the public on the transformative power of landscaping.

These efforts have not only enhanced the landscapes we touch but also fostered a deeper appreciation for our profession among communities, government bodies and individual clients.

As we move forward, our focus is on fostering inclusivity and promoting the value of our profession. By raising our collective voice, advocating for industry recognition and emphasizing the positive impact of landscaping on everyone’s lives, we will ensure that whenever LO is mentioned it evokes feelings of admiration, trust and appreciation. You don’t just want to be involved; you feel you need to be.

As we step into the new year, let’s keep strengthening our bonds.

My goal is to continue to build a space we all need to be a part of. We are stronger together: by sharing where we are strong, and by relying on others to assist where we need development and understanding.

Together, we can shape a future where Landscape Ontario is synonymous with innovation, inclusion and excellence in all we do.

I am ready for our collective strides as we make this journey together.

Ed Hansen LO President

ed@greensideup.com

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 3

Member Profile

Member Profile

INVESTING IN CREWS MAKES

A LEADER

By Julia Harmsworth

4 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

T

he first thing you notice when entering Burch Landscape Services’ office in Waterloo, Ont., is a wall of framed certificates.

“With our crews that have been here for a year, we start sending them for different certifications,” said owner and president Richard Burch, who believes investing in his staff and promoting careers in landscaping and horticulture is a key to business success.

Burch started Burch Landscape Services in 2001 with the purchase of a Kwik Kerb franchise. He began with decorative concrete edging, but quickly moved into snow removal, property maintenance and landscaping services, which is the company’s main focus today. The company services properties in the Kitchener/Waterloo area.

The company originally served mostly seniors, who Burch said struggled to find a reliable, honest landscaping business to fit their budget. As the years went by, the company progressed to higher income areas and projects, but has kept many of its original customers. One woman in Kitchener, for example, has been a client for 20 years.

“That’s where we thrived: with that generation. As we grew, people saw our work and it just started to take off,” Burch said. “Like most landscape companies, it started off with a truck, a mower, a blower and a trimmer. Then you get a trailer, you get bigger equipment, and you hire people. It’s just grown from there.”

This origin story gave Burch Landscape Services its identity, reputation and values: to be honest, fair and reliable. Through these qualities, it strives to be a leader in work environment, quality of work and industry support.

“Our values are just to be fair with our customers, with our pricing,” Burch said. “We’ve always tried to be that type of company, and do quality work.”

A TEAM CULTURE

At the height of the season, Burch Landscape Services has 10 employees — and Burch strives to foster a positive company culture and work/life balance to support them.

His crews are a team; they join forces to complete projects and lend a hand to each other to meet deadlines, but they also have each other’s backs in a bigger way. For example, if a large snowfall occurs on Christmas, crew

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 5

members agree that those with young children need to be home first thing in the morning, so those without get up for the early shifts.

“Work is important, and they all understand that, but family is also very important,” Burch said. “When I was starting my business, I went eight years without a vacation. My family life suffered.

I missed some important memories. I don’t want the same for my staff.”

EARNING CERTIFICATES

To retain qualified employees, Burch invests in them. He guides younger staff through the ranks by giving them more responsibilities, and frequently sends them to educational courses and programs, most of which are through Landscape Ontario (LO).

Last year, two long-time staff members participated in LO’s GROW program, which

6 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

helps professionals build on their skills.

The staff have also taken small engine repair classes with Conestoga College, and courses run by industry vendors including Unilock and Techo-Bloc. This winter, three staff members are also embarking on LO courses.

“I always think it’s a good day when you’ve learned something new,” Burch said. “If you can’t keep learning stuff, you get stale. If you can learn something and teach it to other people, everybody gets better along the way.”

Constant investment in building his team’s knowledge and skills motivates the crews to do better work. It also makes the company an industry leader in not only workplace dynamics, but quality of work.

Burch said his crews are inspired to look at their work and think, “Is this the best we can do? How can we make it better?”

“When you demand quality from your people, you need to give them something

that they can build on,” Burch said. He often gets compliments from customers on his staff, who he firmly believes are the root of the company’s success.

Completing courses also allows crew members to educate customers on horticulture matters and assist them on design projects. For example, if a customer wants a specific kind of tree, but it’s unlikely to thrive in their yard because of the sunlight or soil, a crew member can clearly explain why it may not be the best choice and offer a productive solution.

SUPPORTING THE WATERLOO CHAPTER

Burch has been a member of LO since 2008. He said the association has helped the company greatly — not only through offering certifications and seminars, but through its community, advocacy work and networking opportunities

gives the customer the names of a couple of colleagues who can.

Burch is inspired by his peers’ projects. He particularly enjoys celebrating them at LO’s annual Awards of Excellence ceremony. He hasn’t missed a Congress trade show in over 10 years; his badge from the 2022 event hangs behind him at his desk.

“You always get to see some new things, new equipment, innovative equipment,” he said. “And then, seeing everybody. It’s a good way to reconnect, and it gets you thinking about spring.”

FINDING MOTIVATION FOR THE FUTURE

with other members.

“We’re all in the same industry, and we all have the same problems. We have the same goals; we have the same successes. It’s neat to converse with everyone and bounce ideas off each other,” he said.

Burch sat on the Waterloo Chapter Board from 2010 to 2016, where he was a director and, later, vicepresident. He helped organize baseball tournaments, golf tournaments, school greening projects, a family fun day, and the annual Fall Freeze Up dinner and dance, which he cited as a highlight of his board experience. He was “voluntold” to emcee the event, a role he’s now filled for 14 years.

“You get more out of LO than you put into it,” he said. “You meet new people [and] you feed off of them. Sometimes they’re mentors, sometimes they’re colleagues, sometimes they’re competitors, but you all work together.”

This sense of community not only made his career more fulfilling, but helped his company grow.

When fellow members get calls about jobs that aren’t in their wheelhouse, they send them Burch’s way.

Likewise, if he gets a request for a job he can’t do, he

Aside from meeting people through jobs and LO, Burch finds satisfaction in creating things. He enjoys the quick gratification of the work — how the curbs or gardens his crews install can transform a property in a matter of days.

“You can see what you’ve accomplished in a short period of time. From tear-out to the final drop of the mulch, it’s fairly quick. I like that satisfaction when you’ve completed those jobs,” he said. “I enjoy when we get to use our skills and make a beautiful garden.”

Looking forward, Burch wants to see the landscape and horticulture trades be given the same respect as skilled indoor trades, like plumbers or electricians, and be held to the same industry standards.

“I think the general consumer needs to know there’s a lot of knowledge and training that goes into our industry,” he said. “You can’t cut all plants back at the end of the year; you have to know which ones you just prune the dead blooms off of, or that you leave until spring. There’s knowledge behind all of it.”

Burch said it’s difficult for educated, trained professionals to command a higher pay rate when there are unqualified companies out there charging cheaper rates — which he said is inevitable, because certification is not required by law.

Burch predicts that coming off the COVID-19 boom, the economy will dip in the next year or two, resulting in fewer jobs for landscape professionals. He believes this hiccup will separate good companies from the “notso-good,” in terms of management, quality of work and level of expertise. Then, business will climb again.

“Our industry’s always growing,” he said. “Grass never stops growing, shrubs never stop blooming.

People want their places to look nice.”

Burch also expects more people to invest in the outdoor appearance of their homes. Given the colossal cost of houses and mortgages, people are less likely to spend on a cottage or vacation, so they’ll want their homes — their new weekend retreats — to be a personal oasis.

As for his own future, Burch is preparing for retirement and working on a succession plan. He’s enjoyed his time in the profession, especially the people he’s met, and is almost ready to put his feet up.

Until then, he wants Burch Landscape Services to keep growing, improving its company culture and being a leader in the industry — and maybe adding a few more certificates to the wall.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 7

OTTAWA CHAPTER’S ESTEEMED TRADE SHOW

RETURNS FOR 2024

By Julia Harmsworth

E

astern Ontario’s premier landscape and construction show is back after a three-year pandemic hiatus.

Green Trade Expo will run Feb. 14-15, 2024, at the EY Centre in Ottawa, Ont. Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa Chapter has run the event since 1993, giving landscape and horticulture professionals access to over 100 exhibitors, as well as professional development opportunities to help their businesses grow.

Registration is completely free and includes two-day access to the trade show, Live Stage educational opportunities, a networking lounge and lunch on the show floor. Register online to attend or sponsor at greentradeexpo.ca.

Introduced in 2020, the Live Stage offers

8 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

access to a series of free professional development opportunities. Industry leaders and business experts will give talks to help grow your business and keep you up to date on industry matters. Some highlights: Vanessa McQuade of Intrigue Media Solutions will share the latest marketing strategies, and Carla Bailey of Solutions by CB will speak about HR and employee retention.

New this year is a lead retrieval service for exhibitors, which elevates the event’s networking opportunities. Name tags will come equipped with a QR code that exhibitors and attendees can scan, generating a list of contacts to make following up after the show a breeze.

GET INSPIRED AT FEATURED EVENTS

WHAT YOU’RE SAYING ABOUT GREEN TRADE EXPO

Green Trade Expo has several featured events leading up to and throughout the show so you can level up your trade show experience with additional educational, networking and community-building opportunities.

The Plant Symposium — a key event for horticulture professionals and enthusiasts alike — will open at 9 a.m. on Feb. 13. Free for students, it will feature a panel of expert growers who will share the latest on plant science and care, including soil health and the use of indigenous plants. Visit horttrades.com/plantsymposium-2024 to register.

Kick off your first day at Green Trade Expo with the popular MTO Contractor’s Breakfast at 7 a.m. on Feb. 14. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation will present the latest regulations for commercial motor vehicle operations to ensure drivers know what to expect when heading out on the road in 2024. It’s a great opportunity for attendees to ask questions about compliance in order to not only stay safe but to also avoid potentially costly fines and vehicle downtime.

Tickets are $40 per person.

On Feb. 14 at 6 p.m, the Ottawa Chapter will hold its annual Awards of Distinction to recognize top suppliers and contractors who have made outstanding efforts over the past year. The evening event includes a reception and dinner, offering landscape professionals the opportunity to celebrate with peers, energize their teams and get inspired for the year to come. Individuals are nominated and voted for online by Landscape Ontario members. Tickets are $95 each or $700 for a table of eight.

Finally, don’t miss your chance to reconnect with Ottawa Chapter volunteers and board at the Annual General Meeting on Feb. 15 from 7-9 a.m. Landscape Ontario members can enjoy a complimentary breakfast, hear what the association and chapter have accomplished over the past year, find out about future initiatives and events and ask questions.

Green Trade Expo is a homecoming for members of the Ottawa Chapter and a much-anticipated opportunity to see what’s new in the industry. Longtime exhibitors shared why they keep coming back and their recommendations for making the most out of your event experience.

HOW DO I GET THERE? The EY Centre offers on-site parking for $10 per day with convenient access to the event. The venue is easily accessible by public transit or taxi service. For those travelling in for the show, the designated hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn at 2400 Alert Road, Ottawa.

Greely Sand & Gravel has been exhibiting at Green Trade Expo since it was co-founded by owner Brent Pyper 30 years ago. In the company’s experience, exhibitors can maximize the event by making networking a priority and updating their booth every year to keep things fresh and exciting.

“We keep coming back to maintain our presence as we have been a long time member of Landscape Ontario,” said Tara Hall of Greely Sand & Gravel.

“We enjoy meeting existing customers as well as new customers. The industry has become like a family where everyone knows everyone.”

Greenlife Wholesale Nursery has been an exhibitor since 2012. President Sarah Johnston suggests fellow exhibitors reach out to their clients ahead of Green Trade Expo to let them know they’ll be there, and what’s being featured at their booth.

“It’s an excellent venue to meet with clients during the winter months and discuss the coming season and plant availability,” Johnston said. “I enjoy the fact that it is local to the Ottawa area. You can meet with your clients and suppliers in one place and chat with those new to the industry.

There are many horticulture students who attend to introduce your services to. The coffee is pretty good too!”

Cohen and Cohen Natural Stone began exhibiting at Green Trade Expo in 2009. Cohen and Cohen president Andrew Colautti says one of his favourite things about exhibiting is “feeling the energy and excitement of an upcoming season.” He encourages attendees to speak to as many exhibitors as possible and explore what’s new.

“It’s a great way to connect with many peers in the off-season. You are exposed to so many new products, local suppliers and contacts that can be valuable resources moving into a busy season,” Colautti said. “We also feel it is important to be present and supportive of an industry and group that has been so supportive of us.”

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 9

10 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

REMEMBERING

BOB TUBBY

By Tony DiGiovanni

R

obert (Bob) Tubby, a long-time contributor and past president of Landscape Ontario, passed away on Oct. 15, 2023. Bob was one of those rare individuals who exudes light, positivity and goodwill in every experience and every relationship. In the 48 years of our friendship, I have never heard one negative comment about Bob. He was a man of integrity and honesty. He was a man you could trust unequivocally.

I first met Bob and his wife Mitzi in 1975, when all three of us were enrolled in the Landscape Technology Program at Humber College. I observed the wonderful romance brewing between Bob and Mitzi. My wife Maxine and I attended their wedding in Ottawa, Ont. Their marriage was a blessing.

Even as a student, Bob was conscientious and positive. I remember his excitement at purchasing a very large and comprehensive landscape construction textbook. He enthusiastically organized study groups. Bob was also an excellent hockey player and golfer. He loved running. He was athletic.

After graduation (if my memory is correct), he worked briefly at a landscape architecture firm. Shortly thereafter, Mitzi and Bob managed a nursery and landscape supply business. I remember visiting them when they lived above the garage on the nursery property.

After the nursery job, Bob started Arbordale Landscaping.

He purchased a customer list from a company started by a fellow graduate and grew Arbordale into one of the most prosperous and highly regarded firms in the industry. Bob was detail-oriented and loved the finance side of business.

A few years later,

he started Moonstruck Lighting and again worked his magic formula for success. I would describe the formula as something like this: integrity + trustworthiness + value + honesty + goodwill + caring for employees, customers and suppliers + character + skill = success. Many companies experience great difficulty retaining employees. Not Arbordale. The staff was excellent and loyal.

Bob was first and foremost a family man. He cared deeply about Mitzi and his children Shannon, Blake, Kurtis and Geneva, and his grandchildren and extended family. He was so proud and grateful for them all. If you wanted to schedule a meeting with Bob, it could not interfere with his and Mitzi’s date night. We were blessed that he shared the family ethic with his industry family. Bob was a contributor by nature. He was always ready to mentor others and share his financial knowledge.

Bob was a lifelong contributor to Landscape Ontario. He served on many committees. He was elected president of the Toronto Chapter and soon after that (2006-2007) served as president of the association. During his presidency, Bob noticed that many companies were working very hard for little profit and decided to do something about it.

He created a prosperity task force with the goal of developing a common chart of accounts in order to better track profitability. This eventually became LO’s Prosperity Partners program. It focused on helping members thrive. Bob also shared his financial acumen with students at Humber College. He taught the estimating course for years, mentoring an entire generation of new landscape professionals.

Bob was a mentor by nature. Along with many others, Bob encouraged and nurtured Lindsay Drake Nightingale, who recently concluded her term as president of Landscape Ontario, in her professional journey.

One of the highlights of Bob’s presidency was bestowing Honorary Life Member awards on John Wright and Paul Olsen. It was an emotional experience as their sons, Dave Wright and Jeff Olsen, participated in the ceremony. Family transcends business. In 2016 Bob received his own Honorary Life Member award. It was another emotional and memorable family experience, with tears of appreciation.

Continued >

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 11

Golfing at the Toronto Chapter Tournament with Paul Day, Gerald Boot and Phil Charal.

Honorary Life Membership presentation to John Wright.

Bob receiving his Honorary Life Membership.

Volunteering at a Highway of Heroes tree planting with Mark Cullen.

12 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

At the presentation, LO past president Gerald Boot said, “On the Arbordale and Moonstruck website it says that their vision was to build a quality landscape firm based on a foundation of integrity, value and service. Many websites say the same thing. However, in Bob’s case the foundation of integrity, value, service, trust, contribution, leadership and care defines his character as well as his business.

"Bob was one of those people others aspire to become. He was a smart and respected businessman with a sense of mission and purpose that goes beyond business. He was focused on making the lives of those around him better. Bob was also humble, thoughtful and fun. He elevated the membership by being who he was and what he stood for.

"I always enjoyed a personal conversation and discussion in a meeting with Bob in the room. He had an ability to articulate his opinion extremely well — an opinion that was always highly respected.”

At his Honorary Life Member award presentation, Jacki Hart said, “Bob has spent a lifetime serving on many committees and boards of Landscape Ontario dedicating thousands of hours to our organization and industry.

"His daughter Geneva once asked him why he dedicated so much of his free time (of which he had so little) to Landscape Ontario. He responded, 'because of the importance of the industry as a whole and the necessity to improve standards and industry practices together.'

"His vision of Landscape Ontario was an organization that brought together like-minded, contribution-oriented individuals focused on helping each other prosper — financially, socially and professionally.

"His greatest achievement as president was the development of the Prosperity Partners concept, which has left a legacy of benefit and goodwill to this day. Bob's selfless vision and perseverance provided the leadership and momentum to create a lasting legacy.

"One of the most special career accomplishments we can aspire to is to be a highly respected mentor to your peers. Bob’s passion and vision for supporting the success of his LO community is simply second to none, and embodies our association's values of creating a community for mutual improvement that is respected, prosperous and ethical.”

Bob also had a spiritual side. He was a seeker. One day, I anonymously received a video called "The Law of Attraction." The theme of the video was that positive thoughts attract other positive thoughts. I knew immediately that Bob sent the video. Bob’s positive thoughts about his family, his friends and even those he did not know will leave a legacy of light that will live on in all those fortunate enough to have known him.

About 14 years ago Bob developed Parkinson's. He was a fighter to the end. Assisted by Mitzi and his family, Bob did what was needed to ensure a smooth succession. He tried the latest medical treatments. As the disease became worse he still volunteered with LO. One day he called me to ask if I could drive him to a Highway of Heroes tree planting event. He volunteered to revive St. James Park in Toronto. He was on the LO Building and Communications committees until the end. When he could no longer attend meetings he would send helpful comments. He was always a mentor and contributor.

One day I anonymously sent Bob a book called Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl. He guessed it was from me. The book suggests that no matter how bad circumstances get, we always have the freedom to choose our attitude and response. Bob chose love, he chose responsibility, he chose encouragement and he chose dignity. He chose to leave a legacy that will continue to make the world a better place through all of us whom he inspired.

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Mental healt

FOR A HAPPY, 14 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

th strategies A CONVERSATION WITH JIM PALUCH Interview by Julia Harmsworth

H

eading into the new year, it’s more important than ever to have a mental health check-in — with ourselves, to see how we’re doing and what we need to address, and with our employees and peers, to understand how we can support them.

Jim Paluch, a long-time friend of Landscape Ontario, author and motivational speaker, is passionate about dissolving the stigma around mental health to help individuals grow their businesses and excel as professionals. He released his book The Depressed Motivational Speaker in 2022, drawing from his own personal experiences with mental health.

Paluch is bringing his insights to Landscape Ontario’s Peer to Peer Network workshop on Jan. 8. The event will help landscape and horticulture professionals build resilience under stress and leverage community support.

We spoke with Paluch about his perspective and approach to promoting mental health.

How did you get involved in the mental health sphere?

I have battled the challenge of depression all my life. I’ve always read about it, and I’ve always studied it, and I’ve always observed. Over the 30-plus years of working with companies in the landscape profession, I heard lots of stories about what people were battling themselves, or in their family or [grieving for] someone close to them that they lost to mental health issues. And I thought, “I’ll write a book, and I’ll use my experiences.” It gave me a chance to put out some ideas and thoughts on how we can get better at beating this demon — this depression — by trying different approaches.

I am not a mental health professional. What I’m doing is putting some ideas out there that make us think, “What if I did try thinking in that way, and using that strategy? What could it do to my ability to battle depression, and help others learn?”

Continued >

HEALTHY 2024 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 15

WE ASKED OUR MEMBERS HOW DOES BEING IN THE LANDSCAPE/ HORTICULTURE PROFESSION AFFECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH OR INFLUENCE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGIES? “A walk in nature is the first step toward joy and mental peace for me. At work, each day I look forward to immersing myself in the outdoors, allowing our green space to refresh my mental energy and health. It’s a form of distraction theory. Being outdoors allows me to be one with nature and come alive outside. Our landscapes, whether they’re expansive natural settings or small green backyard gardens, have a profound impact on mental wellness.”

— ROHAN HARRISON, grounds department lead at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto “The positives are also the negatives. The fact that it’s seasonal is a positive for me because I get that light at the end of the tunnel where I get to reboot and refresh, and be with my family more. The negative is that nature doesn’t wait, so if it’s going to rain tomorrow, you need to cover up everything today.

It pushes you beyond your comfort zone, and you’re going to be overstretched.”

— JONAS SPRING, Toronto Chapter rep and owner of Ecoman in Toronto

WHAT STRATEGIES DO YOU USE TO PRIORITIZE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH? “Definitely one of them is scheduling time [to check in on myself]. I find in this industry whether we’re landscapers, landscape designers or horticulturists, we don’t have [a lot of] time. So actually scheduling in a mental health afternoon — I like Mental Health Mondays — where it’s just a check-in: What’s going well, what’s not going well? What should I focus on?

But then having some regular schedule, so daily, whether it’s journaling, meditating — there’s so many things.”

— HEATHER JERRARD, landscape designer and owner of My Landscape Artist in London, Ont. “My strategies are really to make sure I’m checking in on myself. I have to be aware of some key indicators that I’m experiencing more stress, or I’m feeling more anxious or I’m feeling more unsettled.

For example, if I’m being very, very indecisive — I know that for me, that’s one of those indicators.”

— GUINEVERE KERN, horticultural therapist at Homewood Health in Guelph, Ont.

What do you see as the biggest mental health issues facing landscape and horticulture professionals right now?

I think at the owners/managers level, it’s such a wonderful profession, while at the same time, it’s a grueling profession.

There are so many elements, from weather to finding employees, to dealing with customers, to weather, and weather, and weather. I believe every person that gets into the landscape profession and goes on to start their own business or move up in the organization battles something of significance.

We get into the profession because we love getting our hands dirty and creating beautiful spaces and growing things. Then as the business grows, we have to move away from that first love and fight the battles of running a business. It causes this loss, and wondering, “Hey, this used to be fun.” That starts to create worry or thoughts in our head that can take away the joy of landscaping. So it is a challenging business.

In your experience, how can landscape and horticulture professionals prioritize their own mental health?

The priority we all need to work towards is realizing that this is a real challenge. [Mental health issues] can affect our health, our life, our family, the people around us, our business, and we have to believe it’s real. We have to see that. We have to be willing to talk about it. And I think that’s happening more, as sports figures and famous people are talking about their mental health.

The challenge is, we don’t need to just accept it. The priority is realizing, “Okay, this is something I’m battling, now what’s my strategy?” Just like, what’s my strategy for creating more sales? What’s my strategy for managing my finances?

Depression can be a response to something, and if we can learn to manage that response in a more positive way, then we

live happier, healthier lives.

How can business owners prioritize the mental health of their employees?

There certainly has to be a culture of trust. How can you create a culture of trust? I talk about all of us getting better as a team. Consistency in staff meetings and reviews and oneon-ones and communicating and training — all of those things that build that culture of trust — are important. So, mental health just becomes something that we can talk about, like we can talk about safety on a job site or proper horticulture techniques.

That first strategy is for business owners to build their own resilience enough to create trust. I used to say, every time I got on an airplane, I would get the greatest motivational speech from the flight attendant up front: in case of an emergency and the oxygen masks come down, put it on yourself first before you help someone else. We have to make sure that we are doing the things that keep us healthy and in a place where we are able to have an impact on others.

How does prioritizing mental health benefit a business as a whole?

It seems like it should be an obvious answer, but if it were an obvious answer, we’d probably do more of it. If we are feeling good about ourselves, if we’re being honest, if we’re having that communication, we are naturally going to perform better in our roles, whether it’s the designer, or the foreperson or the owner.

We can come in with a facade, pretending to be strong while inside we’re feeling weak, and that’s going to come through in different ways. But if we are proactively working on our mental health, it’s going to help us perform better in everything — as a better parent, a better spouse and a better business partner.

Anything that we do to improve ourselves, whether it’s mental or physical, is going to reflect in our day-to-day performance.

Why is it so important to prioritize conversations about mental health?

Misery loves company. If we prioritize conversations, we learn to talk about it. It’s going to take practice, so prioritizing it helps us to get better at it. It helps us to realize that we’re not alone, and maybe to help another person realize that they’re not alone.

Sometimes it’s just being a good ear to somebody and listening to how they’re feeling. Having the conversations can challenge ourselves and others to say, “What are you going to do about it?” That’s where the strategies come into place.

Can you give me a sneak peek at the conversation you’ll be facilitating at the Peer to Peer Summit in January?

The conversation I hope we’re able to bring out at the event is about those strategies of moving forward.

I’ll present those strategies in a conversational way to the group, and then I’ll step back and allow the tables to talk about what’s something they need to do next, in their business or in their personal life. I’ll ask, “What do you need to do next to move you a little further to where you want to be in your mental health and the mental health of your team?”

It’s about getting information, discussing it, understanding it, creating knowledge, having confidence, taking action and moving forward.

It's a pretty special thing that Landscape Ontario is willing to do to create this day, because what’s already been created in the Peer to Peer Network is that sense of trust. It’s going to be an exciting, great day.

WHAT STRATEGIES DO YOU USE TO PRIORITIZE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUR EMPLOYEES? “It’s very important to give your employees time to reflect, learn and express themselves. Give them options and opportunities so that they aren’t just performing a task; they’re contributing, learning and growing, because if they’re not doing that, they will stagnate and be very frustrated. And then, treating them as a human being. The simple questions in life — “how are you today?” and “what’d you do on the weekend?” — create community conversation.”

— ED HANSEN, LO president and chair of TEC Canada “Some advice is to consider mental health as part of workplace health and safety, from a preventative standpoint — as well as one that is about creating that really important workplace culture that we want to continue to foster, and be able to attract folks and support them in the workplace. It’s something that affects every single person in varying degrees at varying times, and opening up the conversation is the first step.”

— GUINEVERE KERN, horticultural therapist at Homewood Health in Guelph, Ont.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Upper Canada Chapter helps habitats thrive

Landscape Ontario’s Upper Canada Chapter made gains for habitat, green space and environmental education in Kingston, Ont. Members of the chapter unveiled their finished landscaping project at the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Gardens on Highway 15 in October 2023. Stewarded

by Walking the Path to Peace and other Indigenous- and community-based groups, the gardens provide a naturalized habitat for ecosystems to thrive.

The chapter sought to promote these efforts, and make it safer and easier for visitors to access the space. Volunteers created a gravel road and gravel parking

18 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

space to improve vehicular access from the highway. They added a front gate at the entrance and an eagle’s nest platform, which welcomes visitors into the space.

Volunteers hope an eagle family will consider the platform home next season.

The chapter also created a soil berm between the parking area and highway, and planted sumac, serviceberry trees and white pine trees. Along with the eagle’s nest, the trees will provide more habitat for birds and create an acoustic barrier from the highway.

At the back of the property volunteers created a flagstone patio with chairs adjacent to existing food gardens. The

overall effect is a welcoming meeting place for gatherings and ceremonies, making the space a hub for Indigenous teaching, culture and community.

The main goal of the project was to re-invigorate the land, create habitats for wildlife, increase biodiversity and mitigate climate change through carbon capture and reforestation. It also sought to engage the community — especially youth — in the natural environment, giving them access to green space and encouraging them to think about their own relationship to the land.

“Creating that habitat for life to thrive is the focus, and education — making

people aware of [Indigenous peoples’] culture and their attitude of reverence for growing spaces, and that we are all a part of the web of life,” said Rhonda Derue, owner of Derue Designs and organizer of the project.

The chapter also hoped to heighten awareness of the meaningful work Indigenous communities are doing for the environment. Derue noted these groups have a lot of the same priorities as landscape and horticulture professionals: protecting green space, educating youth about land stewardship and mitigating the effects of climate change.

“There were a lot of boxes to tick with this, and I feel that we’ve definitely met our goals,” Derue said. She added the project has already gained traction;

Global News covered the raising of the eagle’s nest platform while the project was in progress.

Giving back to the community on an annual basis is important to the Upper Canada Chapter. The chapter would like to thank all the members who donated their time, talents and equipment to the project: Drake’s Landscaping Clermont Landscaping Mark of Excellence Landscaping Lamer Landscaping Nature’s Way Landscaping Western Landscaping Lavish Gardens Derue Designs

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 19

ED HANSEN BECOMES LANDSCAPE ONTARIO’S NEW PRESIDENT

Ed Hansen, president of Hansen Lawn & Gardens in Ottawa, Ont., is the 32nd member to serve as president of Landscape Ontario as the association embarks on its 51st year.

A Nova Scotian whose family relocated to Ottawa when his dad left the navy, Hansen got his start in the profession at a very young age. “There’s a picture of me cutting my grandfather’s lawn on an old ride-on Case tractor,” Hansen recalls.

Not only did he love the experience, but he also loved that when he was done, his grandparents would inspect it and would tell him where he could improve. ”At a young age, I had that entrepreneurial brain and I always wanted to do things around the neighbourhood,” he says.

In high school, Hansen started working for a friend's older brother who owned a landscape business. “I loved the hard work, I loved the physicality of it. I loved the fact you were an artist creating things and working in a team, but at the time, that wasn’t considered a real world job.” So, Hansen continued to work summers while going through university.

In 1988, he started Hansen Lawn & Gardens, feeding his passion for helping others and working outdoors. He cites the ability to be creative and work with other people to enhance their lives as one of the best parts of his career.

As a young, confident entrepreneur, Hansen originally felt he didn’t need anyone or any organization like Landscape Ontario to help him realize his business success. He dismissed nursery owner 20 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Joan Johnston’s constant advice to join the association. Hansen now gives Johnston, a past president of LO, full credit for planting the seed that would soon come to fruition.

Eventually, he decided, “instead of fighting, why don’t I join?” and became a member of LO in 2003.

“I got pulled into the Ottawa Chapter

Meet your new executive board Landscape Ontario’s Provincial Board of Directors is a committed group of volunteers dedicated to promoting and elevating those in the landscape and horticultural sector and helping to direct the future of association. In addition to welcoming Ed Hansen as incoming president, we welcome the following individuals to this year’s executive: LINDSEY ROSS, First Vice President As president at Living Green Landscaping Inc. in Ottawa, Ont., Lindsey has been an active part of the LO board for several years, starting as a director of the Ottawa Chapter board. He looks forward to continuing to push the industry forward and support LO members through thoughtful decision making and a lot of hard work.

JEFF OLSEN, Second Vice President Following a successful term as treasurer, Jeff brings strong leadership and financial acumen to the table. Jeff is president and CEO of Brookdale

Treeland Nurseries in Schomberg, Ont., and is also part of the CNLA board and co-founder of a cancer research charity.

PAM COOK, Treasurer An account representative at Clintar Commercial Outdoor Services in London, Ont., Pam has an extensive background in sales and service in the green industry and teaches horticulture at Fanshawe College. She looks forward to representing those in the trade and elevating women in horticulture. Read more about Pam on page 22.

LINDSAY DRAKE NIGHTINGALE, Past President Following a productive two-year term as president, Lindsay will stay on with the LO board as a mentor and leading voice. The proud owner and president of Yorkshire Garden Services in Concord, Ont., she is a huge believer in the power of the LO community to affect positive change in the industry and in the world.

by Bruce Morton. He was my absolute mentor at the Ottawa Chapter and actually, I was lucky enough to follow him to the provincial board and have him be my mentor the whole way through,” he says of his nearly 10-year involvement as a volunteer.

Over that time, he has been involved in many chapter initiatives, including work at Ronald McDonald House, numerous fundraising efforts for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), the annual Ottawa Day of Tribute and more. Prior to these, he founded a memorial golf tournament in memory of his father Herman Hansen, who passed away from colon cancer in 2003.

Of the countless chapter projects he’s been involved with, Ottawa’s Cancer

Survivor’s Park, built in 2008, is by far his most memorable. Hansen has been chair of the park for about 16 years and is especially proud of how the private and public sectors, industry volunteers and educators continue to come together on the project.

More recently, Hansen became chair of Landscape Ontario’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee at the request of Dave Wright, who was association president at the time. Hansen says the goal of the committee is to be forward thinking and create an environment where everyone has a voice and can be open about where they come from and what their vision is.

In his downtime, Hansen spends time at the cottage to recharge his brain.

“That, for me, is a way to be in nature

without any modern stuff around. I spend a lot of time there just being outdoors.”

In his new role at Landscape Ontario, Hansen says he would “like us to talk about the sticky things that bring us together, not always the things that tear us apart.” Over the past few years, members have come together to tackle issues like COVID-19 and skyrocketing snow insurance rates, but Hansen wants to strengthen chapters and sector groups to collaborate and share the things they have in common.

“The growers don’t have the same issues as the people in the snow removal industry,” Hansen explains, but notes they do share things like hiring, paying taxes and maintaining equipment. “To really go far, you really need to do it together.”

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VOLUNTEER PROFILE Geeking out about the green industry

By Julia Harmsworth Pam Cook, account manager at Clintar Commercial Outdoor Services in London, Ont., and LO's incoming treasurer, said horticulture has “always danced” in her life.

Cook has worked in horticulture for 20 years. She grew up in Thunder Bay, Ont., got her Bachelor of Applied Science in Horticulture from Olds College and completed the Horticulture Technician program at Fanshawe College. She worked in maintenance and plant healthcare before her love of customer service brought her to working with clients.

When asked what prompted her to pursue horticulture as a career, Cook said the lightbulb came in the form of her grandmother’s cactuses.

“My grandma was the greenest thumb you’ve ever met. She would be the lady

walking around the store picking up cuttings off the floor and rooting things in her apartment,” said Cook. “When she passed away, I was like, ‘I’m going to grow grandma’s plants.’ I kid you not, I killed them in the first month of owning them and thought, ‘Oh no, I should learn more about what to do.’”

Cook has been involved with Landscape Ontario since the beginning of her career.

She joined the London Chapter Board in 2012 after encouragement from her boss, Curt McCallum at CLC Tree Services, who emphasized the importance of giving back to the industry. In 2018, she became the London Chapter representative for the association’s Provincial Board of Directors.

In November 2023, she was elected to the provincial executive as treasurer.

Within the London Chapter, she helped organize the Plant Symposium and build a community garden at Indwell Commons in London. She is particularly enthused about her involvement on the 2023 Congress Committee, given her long-time admiration of the annual trade show and conference, which takes place in Toronto each January.

“To come full circle and be part of what I looked at 20 years ago and said, ‘That would be cool to be a part of’ — that’s a pin in my hat,” said Cook.

Cook said being a part of the landscaping and horticulture community is “absolutely fantastic.” Her favourite part of volunteering is the opportunity to connect with different groups of people from across Ontario and build community.

“There’s something to be said about

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participation and meeting people.

Really, the best thing you can do in your career is meet as many people as you can and learn more about everybody’s perspectives. I think it makes you a better, more well-rounded person in the end.”

In 2018, Cook co-founded Women in Landscaping, a community group that seeks to build a community of women in the profession who inspire and support each other. The group hosts networking events and engages in community outreach to build connections. Cook and co-founder Carla Bailey spoke about it on the Landscape Ontario Podcast in March 2022.

“We watched a lot of women not have a lot of support within their community.

There’s a lot of times when you might be the only woman on a crew, you might be the only woman who works in the business, and there weren't a lot of places where you could get together and have conversations.”

She also spoke to a lack of resources for women in the profession. For example, many women do not know where to get a good quality pair of women’s work pants.

“The other thing we noticed is a lot of women leaving industry early on because they didn’t see anybody that reflected

themselves in a workplace. So, they didn’t see a future or potential for themselves within industry,” added Cook.

When asked what she would like to see in the profession’s future, Cook spoke of maintaining a high level of professionalism, bringing more awareness to the trade, and recognizing the scientific research that backs up sustainability efforts.

“We are the next step to fostering all the green industry and the green infrastructure within Ontario. I think we can all relate to the conversations of climate change and carbon reduction,” said Cook. “I think our industry is one of

the forefront industries that will make changes and can help other industries and other people make changes.”

When she’s not working or volunteering, Cook teaches horticulture courses at Fanshawe College, spends time outside with her partner, Greg, and two kids, Greyson (9) and Waverly (5), and talks to people about the green industry.

“I’m the biggest geek you’ll ever meet.

I love gardening, I love flowers, I love growing things, I love learning from season to season,” said Cook. “What do I do outside of work? I grow more plants. I plant more trees.”

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SCHOLARSHIP PROFILE Saying ‘cut’ to television and ‘action’ to landscaping career. She spent 18 years working in live broadcast television, but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit.

“I decided I wanted to make a change and do something that wasn’t so sedentary,” said Deveros. “During COVID19, I started liking gardening since I was outside so much. I bought a house and it was the first time I had a garden to tend to for myself.”

Angelica Deveros was awarded a $1,000 Post-Secondary Scholarship from the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation in 2022. She graduated from Humber College’s Landscape Technician program this past April and looks forward to making her mark in landscaping design.

For Deveros, landscaping is a second

Did you have any exposure to horticulture before Humber?

Nothing in a business sense, just myself doing it and playing around in the garden. Aside from watering plants for my parents when I was younger, I didn’t have any exposure otherwise.

What was your favourite part of studying landscaping and horticulture?

I really loved plant studies. We had to

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What are your plans post-graduation?

A friend of mine — who’s another recent graduate from Humber — and I decided to start a little garden design business called No Place Like Home Garden Consulting. We started in May 2023.

Basically, we work with residential homeowners who want to do the work themselves but don’t know where to start.

We go in and help them out and consult with issues they’re having. Mostly what we’ve done is design, so we’ve designed

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memorize over 400 plants and learn the characteristics, the common names, the scientific names, the families, and be able to recite them and write them out. There’s something really cool about walking along the streets and being like, “Hey, did you know that’s that?” We barely scratched the surface of the plants that are out there, and I thought that was really cool.

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gardens to fit their needs. Afterwards, we give them a package that tells them what to do to winterize and how to take care of them.

I’m now trying to look into more design. I’m trying to decide what I want to do that’s more full time.

Are you planning on pursuing more education?

My plans right now are not to. I’m always up for learning more — I have been looking at some jobs that require a little more education if I want to go further — so it’s not out of the cards. I’m 38, so I don’t know if I want to spend any more time in school right now. You don’t know what the future holds, right? I’m not opposed to it if it would help my career.

How did you hear about the Foundation scholarships?

Our teachers told us about them. One of our teachers was always looking out for his students and really cared and would tell us about all these things. We also had a lot of speakers talk to us — we had someone from Landscape Ontario speak to our class.

How did receiving this scholarship benefit you?

It was really helpful because I was working two or three television shifts a week while in school, which could be stressful and take away from what I want to focus on. It gave me a chance to take two shifts instead of three, and then focus my attention more on school and give

it all I could and take everything I could from it.

Do you have any advice for people considering a career change?

If you can afford to give it the time you should try. If it doesn’t pan out, it doesn’t matter. You gave it a try, and you learned something. Honestly, I really enjoyed learning again, and using my brain in a way that I hadn’t done in 17 or 18 years. You’re always learning, but there’s something about opening a book and testing your knowledge. Don’t be afraid to be the oldest person in the class.

There’s something powerful about doing something different. If you’re not happy, what’s the worst thing that could happen?

What is your biggest goal or dream for your future career in the profession?

I really like design, so it would be cool to do something on a larger scale where you could design for a park or for a city.

I don’t know if that’s feasible, but it’s a dream. In 20 years, who knows what could happen? For me, the dream would be to design gardens all day long.

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AWARDS PROFILE Award-winning entrepreneur puts crew members first

By Julia Harmsworth Sean Christie, owner of Rugged Earth Landscaping in Huntsville, Ont., puts his employees first. It has paid off — he was awarded with Landscape Ontario’s 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year award thanks to their nomination.

Christie grew up in Huntsville and went to university for teaching. In 2015, while working as a supply teacher, he started a

26 | LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

small lawn care business out of his Hyundai Elantra to better control his hours and spend more time with his now-wife, Ali. “Eventually the business started to get busier and busier and required more and more of my attention,” Christie said.

“I had to make a choice. I had to choose whether I was going to take on more landscaping and property maintenance

work or take on more teaching.”

Now, Christie is the president of a company with a design division, a hardscaping division and two maintenance crews: one for gardening, one for lawn care. He said Rugged Earth Landscaping is “growing quickly” and is on track to have 14 employees in 2024, up from eight employees in 2022.

Prior to opening his own business, Christie worked for a few landscaping companies doing odd jobs. He took his experiences as an employee as critical lessons of how to be a great boss, with a focus on employee satisfaction and retention.

Rugged Earth Landscaping rarely loses employees; it only gains them. Christie focuses on cultivating the highest quality of work rather than packing his crews’ schedules to an unsustainable level. When his employees aren’t rushed, they do better work and clients come back for more.

“I’m employee-centric. I don’t focus on the clientele as my highest priority; I focus on my staff as my highest priority and making sure they’re enjoying coming to work,” he said. “In turn, they focus on the client to make them happy because they’re happy coming to work.”

Christie’s favourite part of the job is his staff. He loves playing on a baseball team with one of his drivers — they recently won the Ontario Championship — and connecting with them at staff-wide events like barbecues, holiday parties and trips to the Blue Jays games in Toronto. He works hard to cultivate genuine friendship in the office.

“I love coming in and hanging out with them,” he said.

“They love coming to work. It’s a fun business to come to, and everybody enjoys that.”

When asked what winning Entrepreneur of the Year meant to him, Christie said it reflects his positive, fun, nonstressful approach. He didn’t know his crew nominated him for the award, adding it was “a complete shock” when he was highlighted at the awards ceremony.

“I was having a glass of wine and some hors d’oeuvres, and all of a sudden, I heard my name, and I looked up at the board and there’s my head on the projector screen,” he said.

“I’m like, ‘What did I do wrong? I have no idea what’s going on right now.’ It was completely surreal.”

Christie first attended the Landscape Ontario awards ceremony as a guest when he became a member in 2020. He made it his top career goal to win one Award of Excellence, which he did in 2021 for construction. Rugged Earth Landscaping won a second construction award in 2023, in addition to Entrepreneur of the Year. For Christie, it was “incredibly rewarding” and “humbling” to see his work — and his team's work — recognized in this way.

Christie hopes to win one award per year and be recognized for his team’s design and maintenance work, in addition to construction. He says such recognition is also a comfort to his clients, who know they’re putting their trust in a company that cares deeply about their work. His past client was “over the moon” when their house got a construction award.

“When we step foot on the site, we’ve got our designers [telling clients], ‘How do we get your house a gold plaque?’” he said.

For young entrepreneurs just starting out, Christie offers three pieces of advice. First, do your homework when pricing so you do not charge below the industry average. Second, be reasonable when formulating project timelines and don’t make false promises to clients about when you can finish work on their property.

Third, focus on the staff as the backbone of your business, because if no one shows up to work, your business can’t function, let alone grow.

“It’s kind of an emotional thing,” Christie said, reflecting on receiving the award. “I don’t really know how to describe it. It’s one of those things where I feel like I’ve done the right thing.”

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Fall dinner unites growers on issues Ontario nursery growers gathered at Piper’s Heath Golf Club in Milton, Ont. on Nov. 21 for the annual Landscape Ontario Growers’ Group fall dinner meeting.

LO Executive Director Joe Salemi updated attendees on the association’s meeting with the provincial government regarding snow and ice removal insurance, upcoming events including Landscape Ontario’s Congress Trade Show and Conference, as well as details about a major renovation planned for the Milton home office.

Cassie Russell from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) presented the unfortunate state of established habitats by the spotted lanternfly in upstate New York and Pennsylvania, and shared tips on identification and prevention. Russell also urged all growers to be vigilant and to thoroughly examine all imported items for signs of hitchhiking spotted lanternflies.

Jennifer Wright from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) closed the night with a presentation on labour market challenges. Wright also highlighted the CAHRC’s HR Toolkit, which can help employers streamline HR operations and manage their workforce more effectively. Visit hrtoolkit.cahrc-ccrha.ca to get access.

Next event: the annual Growers Short Course will take place Feb. 7 at the Arboretum at the University of Guelph.

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LO members can save on Lenovo products In October 2023, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and computer maker Lenovo partnered to provide an exclusive benefit for CNLA member businesses and their employees. The partnership allows members of each provincial trade association, including Landscape Ontario, to access discounts of up to 45 per cent on select Lenovo technologies, accessories, software and more.

CNLA is a national association representing over 4,200 businesses in the horticulture industry. Its mission is to promote the growth and development of the industry through advocacy, education and networking opportunities.

“We are excited to offer our members this exclusive partnership with Lenovo,” said CNLA Member Services chair Kevin Nauss, CLHM. “Access to cutting-edge technology is essential for businesses to remain competitive in today’s market, and this partnership will provide our members with the tools they need to succeed.”

LO members can access the discounts by logging into the membership portal at www.cnla.ca/login. If you require more information on this program, reach out to the member services department at memberservices@cnla-acpp.ca. To learn more about Lenovo and its products and services, visit www.lenovo.com/ca/en/cnla.

PROFESSIONAL NEWS Federal government launches new crisis helpline: 9-8-8

WARNING: This story contains mentions of suicide.

Canadians now have access to a three-digit suicide crisis helpline. The federal government launched the helpline in November 2023 to provide suicide prevention support for people who need it, when they need it most. 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is available to call or text, in English or French, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, across Canada.

Suicide continues to be a serious public health issue impacting people of all ages and backgrounds. An average of 4,500 people across Canada die by suicide each year — approximately 12 people per day. This is why the Government of Canada has provided $156 million over three years to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to implement and operate 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.

“As a psychiatrist, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of connection. Even just one conversation can help someone reconnect with their strengths and forge new ways of coping,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, chief medical officer of the helpline and psychiatrist at CAMH. “If you are feeling hopeless, our message to you is: you are not alone. 9-8-8:

Suicide Crisis Helpline can offer you a non-judgmental space to talk. Whatever you are going through, please know you can always reach out to us.”

An experienced network of partners has trained responders ready to answer 9-8-8 calls and texts. Responders will provide support and compassion without judgment, and are there to help callers and texters explore ways to keep themselves safe when things are overwhelming.

“Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. There is hope and resources available for people in need,” said the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, minister of mental health and addiction and associate minister of health. “While we celebrate the launch of 9-8-8, we must also acknowledge that this is just the beginning. We will continue to work closely with CAMH, provinces and territories and other important partners to ensure 9-8-8 continues to meet the ever-changing needs of Canada's diverse populations.

There is no health without mental health, and I look forward to the contribution this service will make.”

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 29

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Vineland Research and Innovation Centre recently released its latest report, updates and findings from a number of research projects dedicated to horticultural science and innovation.

The 2023-2024 Innovation Report contains features on: • B ridging the innovation gap with discovery and commercialization.

• B reaking ground on a new kind of nutrient source: insect frass fertilizer.

• D elivering global innovation genetics and intellectual property to Canadian growers.

• E xpanding the reach of bred-in-Canada roses.

• C ase study: understanding Canada’s urban tree value.

• Searching for solutions against different thrips species affecting Ontario greenhouse crops.

• V alidating and de-risking horticultural technology for growers.

The full report is available in both English and French at vinelandresearch.com.

GISC 2023 deemed a great success

Stam Nurseries Inc. 593836 Hwy 59, Burgessville ON N0J 1C0

Growing quality shade trees and evergreens P: 519-424-3350 F: 519-456-1659 info@stamnurseries.com

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Landscape Alberta hosted the Green Industry Show and Conference (GISC) in Red Deer, Alta., on Nov. 15 and 16.

GISC was packed with over 1,600 attendees, beating last year’s attendance by almost 30 per cent. With 110 exhibitors showcasing their latest product and trends, the event buzzed with industry professionals greeting familiar faces and making new connections.

A greenhouse bus tour built some early excitement, and was followed by the Landscape Alberta Nursery Producers Annual Auction and Dinner. The auction was lively, with generous bidders being cheered on for their donations that will help fund horticultural research programs and projects.

The conference featured knowledgeable speakers covering a wide range of topics, including garden trends, slip and fall readiness, the effects of climate change on urban trees and integrated pest management (IPM) research updates. Those attending qualifying conference sessions earned Continuing Education Units (CEU) credits.

The Landscape Alberta board is currently considering location options for future years of GISC. As part of this review, they are surveying members from allied organizations regarding the preferred location(s). You can provide feedback by completing a quick form that can be found with the online version of this article at gfl.me/hbFA.

EXECUTIVE DESK The power of leaning on your peers in challenging times

W

ith tough economic times upon us, including higher interest rates, and business and regulatory challenges, it’s easy to feel down as the weight of these pressures settle on our shoulders. We all encounter moments of challenge and adversity. Whether in our personal or professional lives, navigating these challenging times can be daunting. One of the most powerful resources during these moments is the support of our peers through the Landscape Ontario community. The power of leaning on those who share similar experiences and understand our struggles cannot be overstated.

STRENGTH IN SHARED EXPERIENCES When facing any challenge, it's easy to feel isolated — as if you are the only one grappling with a particular issue.

The reality is that others within our professional and social circles are likely going through something very similar.

By opening up and sharing our challenges with our peers, we create an environment where shared experiences can provide profound insights and new solutions.

COLLECTIVE WISDOM Every individual brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the table. When we lean on our peers, we tap into a collective wisdom that goes beyond our own understanding. Through collaboration and discussion, ideas and solutions to problems we haven’t considered on our own often emerge, as different perspectives come together to layer in moments of clarity and vision.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Challenging times often come hand-inhand with emotional strain, stress and pressure. Leaning on our peers allows

us to express our feelings openly and honestly in a safe space. Knowing we are not alone in our struggles and that others have gone through what you may also be experiencing can create a sense of camaraderie and shared strength.

Emotional support from our peers can be a powerful motivator, helping us find the courage, fortitude and resilience needed to overcome challenges.

Ed Hansen, says in his message (see page 3) — as we face the uncertainties of the future, let us remember that, together, we are stronger.

Joe Salemi CAE

LO Executive Director jsalemi@landscapeontario.com

NETWORKING AND MENTORSHIP Building strong connections with our industry peers also opens the door to valuable networking opportunities. In times of challenge, these networks are crucial for getting advice, mentorship and seeing new and different perspectives.

The guidance of someone who has navigated similar challenges can serve as a source of inspiration.

FOSTERING A CULTURE OF SUPPORT As leaders within our respective organizations and fields, it's essential to foster a culture where leaning on peers is not only accepted but encouraged. By normalizing the act of seeking support, we contribute to a community where individuals feel comfortable sharing their struggles and victories, ultimately strengthening the collective resilience of the group.

The power of leaning on peers during challenging times is real. By embracing the strength found in shared experiences, tapping into collective wisdom, seeking emotional support and fostering a culture of mutual benefit, we not only navigate challenges more effectively but also contribute to the growth and resilience of our families, our organizations and the communities we are a part of. Just as Landscape Ontario’s new president,

Tillsonburg, ON Specializing in field grown and potted cedars along with perennials, trees and shrubs of both deciduous and evergreen varieties.

519-688-0437

info@pottersroadnursery.com

PottersRoadNursery.com JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 31

MEMBERSHIP

Save big on vehicles and equipment in 2024

H

appy New Year, Landscape Ontario! If your resolution involves growing your business, your association is here to help.

Many LO members may be looking to purchase vehicles or equipment for the year ahead. Those folks will want to read all about the member-exclusive discounts below. But before we get into that, I’d like to tell you a little about what your membership team is working on in the first part of 2024.

For any trade association to be effective, they need to understand their members. LO is no different, and with a number of fresh faces on staff (your membership team gained six amazing people in the past year) now is the perfect time to invest in data that will help us serve our members better. LO is working with RKI Insights to survey our members.

Not too long after this issue of Landscape Ontario Magazine is published, you will receive an email from LO asking for your input. Please take the time to participate.

You will be providing crucial feedback that will help LO provide services that matter to members, as well as data that will support essential government relations work on behalf of the industry. It will also give us insights into the broader issues affecting our members, which we will share with you. All that for only 10-15 minutes of your time. Not a bad deal.

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR 2024 Your LO membership carries some incredible benefits: community, advocacy and information. All of these provide outstanding value for your money, but let’s be honest — nothing hits the bottom line like our member-exclusive discounts.

All members of LO are automatically members of the Canadian Nursery

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Landscape Association (CNLA), which negotiates discounts on a variety of products and services for members of every provincial trade association.

Most members are aware that LO membership includes discounts on vehicle purchases. “What’s the GM discount?” might be one of the top questions we get asked at membership renewal time. We’ll get to those, but don’t forget discounts on light and heavy equipment from Echo/ Shindaiwa, Wacker Neuson and Caterpillar.

Contractors looking to purchase dozers, loaders, excavators and telehandlers will want to tell their CAT or Wacker Neuson dealers they are LO members; they’ll save 10 per cent and five per cent, respectively. Landscapers in the market for gas or battery powered blowers, mowers, trimmers, chainsaws and other power equipment can realize some budget relief from ECHO/Shindaiwa with a 10 to 20 per cent discount. With big ticket items, those percentages can quickly outweigh your annual membership dues.

Truck and fleet discounts are important member benefits. In some cases, they are the initial motivators for joining the association. 2023 was a challenging time for vehicle purchases. Many dealers are still experiencing inventory shortages.

Supply chain disruptions have led to long wait times and higher prices while climbing interest rates have made financing more expensive. At the same time, and to some extent as a result of these factors, vehicle discounts through CNLA are lower than we’ve seen in the past. Higher prices and lower discounts.

Where’s the silver lining?

Keep in mind that the discounts you access through CNLA are fleet discounts on factory-ordered vehicles. With recent inventory shortages, dealer prices are high

and their discounts are low. If you factory order a vehicle under the CNLA fleet plan, most dealers will sell the vehicles at invoice minus discount — potentially ending up at a lower price than buying a vehicle off the lot. In this way, the value of the member discounts on GM, Isuzu and FCA Canada vehicles remain strong.

Of course, all of these vehicles and equipment need maintenance. How about some rust proofing for those new fleet vehicles? Krown offers members special pricing on rust proofing and lubricants. Do your older vehicles need new tires? Open a fleet account with Michelin to access special pricing.

No matter where your vehicles come from, they’ll need fuel. Retail gas discounts are available at Esso with an Esso business account, and Petro Canada with a Superpass credit card. At Parkland gas stations (Ultramar, Pioneer, Fas Gas, Bluewave Energy and Chevron) discounts on bulk and cardlock fuel are available as well as retail.

Your Landscape Ontario membership includes some impactful savings designed to help your bottom line. Be sure to explore all the options available to make every dollar count.

To review all of the available Member Savings Program discounts, visit horttrades.com/member-savingsprograms. To access some discounts, or if you have any questions, contact CNLA at 1-888-446-3499 or memberservices@ cnla-acpp.ca. Their knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you.

Evan Dickson

LO Director of Membership Services edickson@landscapeontario.com

PROSPERITY PARTNERS

The essence of a legacy

E

very now and then, I think about how many hours I’ve spent writing business columns and blogs since 2006. My guess is that I’ve written over 200 columns in this one publication alone. Let’s just say it’s been a lot of hours at the keyboard. But that’s WHAT I’ve done, not WHY. Since 2006, I’ve developed and led Landscape Ontario’s Prosperity Partners program — two full-day workshops on running a business every year — which I have delivered to well over 800 business owners across the province. Three years ago I took on the curriculum overhaul and continuous improvement delivery for LO’s Employers of Choice program, now a community of over 300 business owners and managers working hard to implement that robust tool box for better HR management and employee engagement. But again, these things form a part of WHAT I’ve done, not WHY. UNCOVERING MY WHY The essence of my ‘WHY’ as a consultant has always been to connect hard working business owners with fresh ideas and business tools, meaningful discussions and new perspectives. I hope these ideas and words build confidence and curiosity, making the path forward a bit easier, more rewarding and more hopeful. That’s WHY. Because I believe there’s always improvement to aspire to, and in the importance of being on a shared journey, together.

I know from my 24 years as a landscape business owner that it's easy to feel alone and become overwhelmed with all of the responsibilities of running a business.

Speaking of that landscape business of mine, we won 20 LO Awards of Excellence over the years. In support of

my ‘WHY’ I’ve spoken at the Congress Conference almost every year since 2005 — to thousands of attendees, on topics ranging from engaging the team, business systems, setting goals, leadership and more. I also sat on LO’s Provincial Board of Directors and was part of the Executive Committee.

FOCUS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING THROUGH YOU, NOT TO YOU I recently read The Depressed Motivational Speaker by industry consultant, facilitator and long-time friend to LO, Jim Paluch.

If you are heading to Congress this year, he will be my co-facilitator at this year’s LO Peer to Peer Workshop on Jan. 8 (see interview page 14). His book is a mustread for business owners. One of the most striking themes for me in Jim’s story is “focus on what's happening through you, not to you.”

This one simple phrase is so powerful.

Without realizing it, I believe that's what I've managed to do, through lots of challenges and adversity in my own journey: always do my best to show up with authentic advice, separated from my own stresses. I’ve focused on what happened through me rather than to me.

LEAVING YOUR LEGACY I never thought of my role writing blogs, or building and leading the Prosperity Partners, Peer to Peer or Employers of Choice programs, or speaking at conferences, as creating a legacy. That is until now. I don't think that we typically start our careers with the intention of legacy. I didn’t.

When you look back on the lives that your career has touched, I'm guessing that you too are building your own legacy, perhaps without realizing it.

From the people you've worked with, to the landscapes you've designed, built, planted, pruned, enhanced, watered, fertilized, supplied or illuminated, your legacy lies within.

There are transformational, watershed moments in every career. But we often don't recognize them at the time. Pride is our looking glass — the filter through which we measure the success of what we're doing in the present. Legacy is our rear-view mirror.

Perhaps you have heard the phrase, “it takes a community to raise a child.”

I've been thinking a lot about the LO community in the past few months, and the 'children' (businesses) it has raised, both of mine included (Water’s Edge Landscaping and Consulting By Hart).

The LO community has raised tens of thousands of 'children' in its 50 years. I’m proud to have been a part of that.

A FOND AND GRATEFUL FAREWELL I am wrapping up my work with LO and this is my last Prosperity Partners column so I can focus more on my business coaching clients. I hope all I’ve shared over the past 15+ years has offered my readers solutions or inspiration to try something new — and that through my ‘WHY’ I helped many of you realize that you’re never alone if you’re engaged in all Landscape Ontario has to offer.

I am grateful to have had this space to inspire others to challenge the status quo and share hard-earned wisdom on running a business and a team, for your business and your team. That’s ‘WHY’ I’ve done what I’ve done in my coaching career.

So to my friends, a fond farewell with deep gratitude and thanks for trusting me to nurture so many careers and businesses, and to leave a proud legacy of coaching and mentorship.

Onwards.

Jacki Hart CLM

President, Consulting By Hart

jacki@consultingbyhart.com

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 33

SOCIAL SNAPSHOT

Instagram carousel post by Niagara Outdoor promoting their awards.

Show off your award-winning projects on Instagram

By Charlotte Guena

I

n January 2023, Landscape Ontario member Niagara Outdoor won five Awards of Excellence, including the Casey Van Maris Award for the project with the highest marks for execution of unique and innovative design.

Two days after the awards ceremony, they posted a carousel on Instagram that received a lot of engagement. Here are some tips to help you show off your success on social: 1. START WITH FACES Show who is behind all the work you do and grab people’s attention with a smile or a cheerful team shot in front of the awards backdrop.

2. SHOW THE HARDWARE Show your award(s) on the next photo, and consider having another close-up photo highlighting your big accomplishments.

3. CAPTION Be genuine and don’t be afraid to show your feelings.

Thank your team and fellow landscapers who helped you on this project and tag them along the way by using the @ symbol with their handle. Include the hashtag #LOAwards.

4. COMMENT Take the time to answer people congratulating you — even better if you can throw in a few personalized words.

MORE TIPS Add a wide-angle photo of the event (people at a table, clapping, hugging), or anything lively to connect with the community.

Add a beautiful picture of one awarded project.

You can prepare this one in advance.

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