Fall 2019
The Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association Magazine
Highlights from VNLA Field Day 2019 Plus, Celebrating 50 years with MANTS
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Capable, reliable, legal labor from the national leader in H-2A and H-2B services, based right here in Virginia.
25,000+ workers 1,100+ employer labor certifications 45 states 1 goal: 100% satisfaction
Visit us online at maslabor.com, or call (434)-263-4300 to request our full information & enrollment package.
You work hard for your clients…
Isn’t it time you join an organization that will work just as hard for you? Membership Benefits:
Our Activities:
• Free Pesticide Recertification training • Free Certified Fertilizer Applicator training • Free entry to the Turfgrass Tour at Field Day in Virginia Beach • Subscription to a bi-monthly journal • Discounts for our various educational programs
• Government Relations • Representing the Industry to Elected Officials • Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo • Come to the Bay • Come to the Valley • Field Days • Environmental Outreach
• On-Site Pesticide/ Fertilizer Recertification • On-Site Pesticide/ Fertilizer Certification • Regional Seminars • and much more
In addition to the benefits listed above your membership provides you access to an organization that fights hard for your rights in Washington, in Virginia’s General Assembly and at the local level.
For more information or to become a member visit www.vaturf.org or call 757.464.1004
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CONTENTS | Fall 2019 DEPARTMENTS
6 Feature Story MANTS Celebrates 50 Years
10 Cover Story Highlights from VNLA Field Day
4 • VNLA News • Fall 2019
13 Index of Advertisers 14 Resource Corner 15 Congratulations, New VCHs!
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association 5101 Monument Avenue, Suite 203 Richmond, VA 23230 Tel: (804) 256 2700 • Fax: (804) 709 0288 Email: info@vnla.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street • Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 • Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com 2019 Officers and Directors Year indicates start of volunteer service to VNLA Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Brent Hunsinger 2015 Brent’s Native Plantings • Fredericksburg, VA Vice President Christopher Brown, Jr. 2013 Lancaster Farms • Suffolk, VA Secretary Treasurer Legislative/Policy Chair Seana Ankers 2017 Meadows Farms • Chantilly, VA Past President Aaron Williams 2014 Board Recruitment Williams Landscape & Design • Williamsburg, VA Executive Director Shellie Archer Richmond, VA DIRECTORS Matt Deivert 2017 MANTS Board Rep., VNLA South Riding Nurseries • Bristow, VA Jeffrey Howe 2016 Windridge Landscaping Co. • Afton, VA Mitzi Marker 2017 Research Foundation Chair Sandy’s Plants • Mechanicsville, VA Cecilia Palmer 2017 Continuing Education Chair West Winds Nursery/Shade Tree Farm • Sudley Springs, VA Scott Price 2016 David Scott Price Design • Earlysville, VA Jim Hassold 2018 Membership & Communication Chair SiteOne • Richmond, VA Jason Stern 2018 Eastern Shore Nursery of VA • Melfa, VA Neal Beasley 2019 Certification/VCH* Chair Timmons Group • Richmond, VA Marshall Saunders 2019 Saunders Brothers • Piney River, VA EX-OFFICIO, VIRTUE OF OFFICE: Non-voting Laurie Fox, Ph. D. VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC • VA Beach, VA Jim Owen, Ph. D. VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC • VA Beach, VA David Seward J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Montpelier, VA * VCH = Virginia Certified Horticulturist
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
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FEATURE STORY
Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show CELEBRATES 50 YEARS Registration Now Open for Leading Green Industry Trade Show to be Held in Baltimore in January 2020
The
Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) recently announced that registration is open for its 50th annual event that will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center in January 2020. Green industry companies and businesses
Snapshots from MANTS
6 • VNLA News • Fall 2019
interested in exhibiting or attending The Masterpiece of Trade Shows™ may register online at www.MANTS.com. MANTS 2020 will be held from January 8–10 in Baltimore, MD, where it has been hosted for 40 consecutive years. For the show’s 50th year, horticulture vendors from across the
world will come together for the premier green industry marketplace. Since its inception in 1970, MANTS has grown into one of the largest trade shows in the country serving the ornamental horticulture industry. MANTS is where the industry comes to buy, shop, meet, see and be seen every January. “It has been an honor to follow in my parents’ footsteps and lead the team that brings MANTS to life each year,” says Vanessa Akehurst Finney, Executive Vice President of MANTS. “Since 1970, our goal has been to connect professionals throughout the country, and around the world, in order to facilitate industry commerce and networking. We work hard to make sure that MANTS is the place to buy, shop, meet, see and be seen every January.” In 1970, the Mid-Atlantic Nurserymen’s Trade Show, Inc. was established by the Maryland and Virginia Nurserymen’s Associations. Two years later, the West Virginia Nurserymen’s Association joined in as the third and equal sponsor of the show. The first trade show was held in Williamsburg, Virginia in January 1971 with 64 exhibitors and the second in 1972 at the Hunt Valley Inn in Cockeysville, Maryland with 79 exhibitors. During the ensuing years, the show continued to grow and move between venues in Maryland and Virginia before finding its home in the Baltimore Convention Center in 1980 where it has stayed for 40 years.
In 2019, MANTS welcomed more than 11,600 registrants to the Baltimore Convention Center, the largest number of registrants since 2008. These industry professionals had the opportunity to visit 956 exhibiting companies, spread throughout more than 1,550 booths. The exhibiting companies and event attendees traveled from 48 states and 16 foreign countries — all of whom represented a wide variety of products, services and trends on the show floor. For all those interested in attending or exhibiting, please find more details and registration information at www.MANTS.com.
Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS):
The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, MANTS®, is known as the Masterpiece of Trade Shows™ and is sponsored by the State Nursery and Landscape Associations of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. MANTS is the place industry leaders gather every January because MANTS means business. The show covers over 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space at the Baltimore Convention Center and draws exhibiting companies and attendees from throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. MANTS 2020 is scheduled for January 8–10 at the Baltimore Convention Center. For the latest information visit www.mants.com or call us at (410) 296-6959. •
Facebook.com/MANTSBaltimore | Twitter.com/MANTSBaltimore | Instagram.com/MANTSBaltimore #MANTS2020 | #MANTSBaltimore
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
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8 • VNLA News • Fall 2019
Pleasant Ridge Farms T/A Professional Landscapes of Virginia, Inc.
Contract Growing Nursery Stock Sales
Serving Tidewater for 40 Years
Shade Trees Ornamental Trees Native Trees evergreens
Fall Specials Zelkova 2.5" – 3.0" Amalanchier 8' – 10' MS
Scarlet Oaks 2.5" – 3.0" Nuttal Oaks 2.5" – 3.0"
london plane 2.5" – 3.0"
Call for Availability & Pricing – Office: (757) 426-3081 TeRMS AVAilABle wiTh CReDiT AppliCATiON • DeliVeRy AVAilABle
Paul H. Dondero – Vice President, Certified VA Nurseryman Office: (757) 426-3081 • Mobile: (757) 449-9435 plva1@msn.com • 3840 Dawley Road • Virginia Beach, VA 23457
COVER STORY
VNLA 2019 FIELD DAY Gardener Tour at Eyre Hall
In the garden at Eyre Hall
Inside the greenhouse at Tankard Nurseries
MANY THANKS TO EASTERN SHORE NURSERY FOR HOSTING THIS YEAR’S EVENT!
10 • VNLA News • Fall 2019
AND SUMMER TOUR FIELD DAY HOST:
FIELD DAY NURSERY TOUR HOSTS:
EYRE HALL
FIELD DAY SPONSORS:
FIELD DAY SOCIAL SPONSOR
FIELD DAY EXHIBITORS VIENNA BOTANICALS
VIRGINIA TECH HAMPTON ROADS AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EXTENSION CENTER (AREC)
Over 100 people took time away from their busy schedules and gathered CONTINUED at Eastern Shore Nursery in Melfa, Virginia for this annual event.
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
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Where agriculture and nature meet
434.842.8733 email@bremotrees.com www.bremotrees.com
12 • VNLA News • Fall 2019
COVER STORY • continued It was a great day! Under the shade of a large tent there were enlightening talks, a lively panel discussion and the ever informative Craig Regelbrugge sharing the latest news on his end. Nursery tours on tractor-pulled hay wagons were very popular. Eastern Shore’s fruit tree production area was particularly impressive. What fun to ride through their thousands of fruit trees just a few feet above foliage level. New vendors this year included Ernst Seeds, Laufer Insurance Solutions and Vienna Botanicals. Thanks to all who came to show and tell about their products! After Field Day, most folks headed over to the Island House Restaurant and enjoyed gorgeous waterside views, socializing and delicious food. There were some delectable crab cakes, shrimp and ham biscuits to be had. Tour day brought everyone to David’s Nursery, Eyre Hall and Tankard’s Nursery. David’s Nursery outdid themselves with a knock out tour of their impressive nursery and immaculate blocks of plants. The gardener of historic Eyre Hall led us through the gardens filled with ancient boxwoods, crepe myrtles and magnolias. It was very interesting to see the restored ruin of one of the few Orangeries in the United States. Tankard’s Nursery rounded out the day with digging demonstrations, potting demonstrations, and, a tour of their “small” 4.2-acre greenhouse with retractable roof and sides used to speed and extend the growing cycle. •
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
continued
• COVER STORY
Alliance Material Handling, Inc......12 www.alliancemat.com
Bennett’s Creek Nursery.................15 www.bcnursery.com
Bremo Trees...................................12 www.bremotrees.com
Cam Too Camellia Nursery, Inc.....14 www.camtoocamellia.com
Fairview Evergreen Nurseries............5 www.fairviewevergreen
masLABOR............Inside Front Cover www.maslabor.com
Professional Landscapes of Virginia Inc...................................9 www.plvainc.com
Richey Nursery Company, LLC......14 www.richeynursery
T.D. Watkins Horticultural Sales....13 Tidewater Tree Transplanters.........13 www.tidewatertrees.com
Turtle Creek Nursery........................5 www.turtlecreeknurseryaboutus.html
Top Quality Grower of B&B and container, shade, evergreen and flowering trees Since 1986 We use root-pruning containers to produce better root systems.
Virginia Turfgrass Council................3 www.vaturf.org
Wellmaster Carts..............Back Cover www.wellmaster.ca
To discuss advertising opportunities, contact Leading Edge Communications:
615-790-3718 888-707-7141 (TOLL FREE)
sales@leadingedgecommunications.com www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, VNLA News, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2019 by the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. VNLA News is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: VNLA News allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.
www.TidewaterTrees.com Info@TidewaterTrees.com 1900 Munden Point Road • Virginia Beach, VA 23457
T.D. Watkins Horticultural Sales Representing numerous, diverse, wholesale growers Tscharner D. Watkins III 3907 West Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23221 Cell 804-929-1982 tscharnerwatkins@comcast.net Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
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RESOURCE CORNER Many companies and organizations provide information and support to nursery and landscape professionals, from national trade organizations to local educators. VNLA members have access to a vast array of experts who can advise and provide tools to help bolster the Virginia Nursery and Landscape industry and its workforce. VNLA encourages all members to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge, information and expertise available from the organizations listed below.
AmericanHort www.americanhort.org Virginia Agribusiness Council (VAC) www.va-agribusiness.org Mission H2O Virginia www.missionh2ovirginia.com
Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) www.mants.com Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers www.arec.vaes.vt.edu
International Plant Propagators’ Society www.ipps.org Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course www.mahsc.org The Virginia Horticultural Foundation www.vahort.org Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) www.deq.virginia.gov Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) www.vdacs.virginia.gov National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) www.landscapeprofessionals.org Landscape Contractors Association VA MD DC www.lcamddcva.org Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) www.cblpro.org Central Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (CVNLA) www.cvnla.org Northern Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (NVNLA) www.nvnla.org Piedmont Landscape Association (PLA) www.piedmontlandscape.org Southern Nursery Association (SNA) www.sna.org Virginia Native Plant Society (VA NPS) www.vnps.org Virginia Society of Landscape Designers (VSLD) www.vsld.org International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) www.isa-arbor.com
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Congrats NEW VIRGINIA CERTIFIED HORTICULTURISTS! VNLA would like to congratulate the newest Virginia Certified Horticulturists on completing the training, education and examination for this distinction. VNLA commends their commitment to growing their knowledge and advancing the green industry as a whole. Molly Austin VT Student Will Shelburne VT Student Joe Mills VT Student
Anna Blasdell Academies of Loudoun County Student
Kailash Suresh Academies of Loudoun County Student
Daniel Costanza Academies of Loudoun County Student
Jared Swainston Truetimber Arborists
Stephanie Brock Associate member
Marshall Eanes Academies of Loudoun County Student
Victoria Bac Academies of Loudoun County Student
Ria Shah Academies of Loudoun County Student
Anna Maly Meridian Landscapes Tate Chucales Dos Amigos Humberto Pantoja J.W. Townsend, Inc.
Duncan Pfaehler J.W. Townsend, Inc. Adan Alvarez-Palma J.W. Townsend, Inc. Brandon Ellis J.W. Townsend, Inc. Ashby Perrow Southern Landscape Group Karen Olson Weaver Olson Weaver, LLC
Smithfield, Virginia Locations in Smithfield, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Currituck, NC Local: (757) 483-1425
www.bcnursery.com
Toll Free: (800) 343-4611 Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
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