Director’s Corner

And so it begins.

We are making preparations for legislative battles in 2025 - last year’s General Assembly Session was anything but quiet for our industry. Bills affecting our industry include those allowing unpaid and unlicensed volunteers to apply herbicides in certain areas; allowing non-state entities to control pesticides; and restricting use of gas-powered leaf blowers.

Legislation similar to last year’s ban on gas-powered equipment will likely reappear. Where does the industry stand on that very important issue? We are following the lead of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (N.A.L.P.) on the conversion to battery powered equipment. Many manufacturers have already stopped making gas-powered push mowers, leaf blowers, and such. If that trend continues, battery equipment will soon be the only available option. We have a problem—business owners repeatedly tell me the current generation of batterypowered leaf blowers is not up to the task of removing tons of wet Autumn leaves. Following N.A.L.P.’s lead, we seek to steer the transition as we continue to oppose legislation that mandates conversion ahead of technology.

Legislation seeking to transfer regulatory power away from Richmond to localities will likely reappear. Their presence has become an annual tradition. Why are we concerned who sets the rules? Look at states where cities and counties currently have that regulatory right. Inevitably, pesticides and fertilizers become controlled on a micro scale with different rules set in each locality, creating a patchwork of enforceable regulations across the state.

How do we fight for you, the green industry professional? We take the highly successful long-term approach of education and alliance building. Educating decision makers and influencers is a year-round endeavor that requires sacrifice. Our work is paying off! Frequently now, we are perceived as an industry dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment. That perception is totally opposite from where we were just a few short years ago.

Alliances with local and regional river-keepers and other environmental groups is one of our most satisfying and rewarding endeavors. After all, although we may differ on specifics, our end goals of protecting and preserving the environment are the same.

The work to protect your rights is challenging and never ending. We need your support! Please renew your membership (or join!) and donate to the VTC Environmental Institute. Much of our outreach to environmental groups and educating law makers and other decision makers is through the Environmental Institute. Your donations enabled us to contract with Beck Stanley to assist our legislative efforts – those efforts are already paying great dividends!

Because the VTC Environmental Institute is a 501c(3) corporation, your donations are tax deductible. Go to https://vaturf.org for more information.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

Executive DirectorVirginia Turfgrass Council