VNLA News - Spring 2020

Spring 2020

The Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association Magazine

A Roundup on GLYPHOSATE Member Spotlight on VNLA Certification Chair

NEAL BEASLEY

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CONTENTS | Spring 2020

8 Cover Story

A Roundup on Glyphosate

13 Recent Event

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS)

DEPARTMENTS 6 President’s Letter 17 Index of Advertisers 18 Legislative Update

12 Recent Event

Virginia Agribusiness Council Legislative Appreciation Banquet

14 Member Spotlight

VNLA Certification Chair, Neal Beasley

COVER PHOTO: Shreckhise Nurseries, Grottoes, Virginia

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18 Industry News

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Contact kristin@leadingedgecommunications.com or 615.790.3718 to take advantage of this offer!

Cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts, offers or current advertising agreements. Limited to one single ad in one issue only. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. To ensure the integrity of our publications and for the benefit of our readers and advertisers, publisher reserves the right to revise, reclassify, edit or reject any Ad Material or any portion thereof at any time. Offer good through 6/30/2020.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A Running Start in 2020 It

is with great honor that I write to you all today as your President for 2020.

I want to thank the VNLA Board and Executive Director for all of their hard work and dedication in 2019. As for 2020, we are off to a running start working hard every day for our membership and the betterment of our industry as a whole.

In 2019, VNLA saw some positive changes — from simple things like online event registrations and membership renewal — all the way to our entire VCH exam being given electronically. 2019 was a jam-packed year. 2020 will be much the same as we start a new business partnership for membership software, tools and website. With the new platform, we hope to boost engagement and drive growth for now and the future.

Having listened to member feedback, we are also changing up our annual Field Day with a new fresh format, which will allow everyone to be engaged and network with our peers. This year, we are heading to northern Virginia on July 30th to Community Landscape Services (CLS) with a social event at the Farm Brewery at Broad Run. With a new, more engaging environment it will definitely be an event worth attending. Please mark your calendars and watch out for updates as they come in!

As we start 2020, please know that the entire VNLA board is working every day to enhance, promote and advocate for each and every one of you and your companies. If you ever have any questions or concerns please reach out to me and I will gladly help you with whatever issue you may have.

Have a great spring!

Christopher Brown, Jr. — VNLA President 2020 chrisbjr@lancasterfarms.com 757.484.4421

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association 5101 Monument Avenue, Suite 203 Richmond, VA 23230 Tel: (804) 256 2700 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 2020 Officers and Directors Year indicates start of volunteer service to VNLA Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President / Research Foundation Co-Chair Christopher Brown, Jr. 2013 Lancaster Farms • Suffolk, VA Vice President / Legislative Chair Seana Ankers 2017 Meadows Farms • Chantilly, VA Secretary Treasurer Jeffrey Howe 2016 Windridge Landscaping Co. • Afton, VA Past President / Board Recruitment / Research Foundation Co-Chair Brent Hunsinger 2015 Brent’s Native Plantings • Fredericksburg, VA Executive Director Shellie Archer Richmond, VA DIRECTORS Matt Deivert 2017 MANTS Board Representative South Riding Nurseries • Bristow, VA Jeffrey Howe 2016 Windridge Landscaping Co. • Afton, VA Cecilia Palmer 2017 Continuing Education Chair West Winds Nursery / Shade Tree Farm Sudley Springs, VA Neal Beasley 2019 Certification / VCH* Chair Timmons Group • Richmond, VA Marshall Saunders 2019 Membership Engagement Chair Saunders Brothers • Piney River, VA Chris Dowdy 2020 Bennett’s Creek Nursery • Smithfield, VA Jeff Riggleman 2020 Kohler Equipment • Richmond, VA Robin McCall 2020 Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service • Staunton, VA Warner Winthrop 2020 Colesville Nursery • Ashland, VA EX-OFFICIO, VIRTUE OF OFFICE: Non-voting Laurie Fox, Ph. D. VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC • VA Beach, VA David Seward J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Montpelier, VA * VCH = Virginia Certified Horticulturist

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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

COVER STORY

A ROUNDUP ON

GLYPHOSATE

HISTORY, USE, ISSUES, AND ALTERNATIVES

By Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. Professor of Weed Science, Virginia Tech

G

lyphosate has been in the news quite a bit recently.

You probably have seen the ads on television concerning glyphosate and human health. In this article I discuss some background information on this herbicide as well as scientific reports on toxicity of the chemical.

A. What is glyphosate?

The glyphosate molecule (Figure 1) is similar to the amino acid glycine. The chemical name is N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine, a relatively small molecule compared to newer herbicides. It is the active ingredient in products such as Roundup PROMAX, as well as in generic products sold under a variety of trade names. Since the chemical is off patent (patent expired around 2000), other companies besides Monsanto/Bayer can sell this herbicide under their own trade name. Some examples of other trade names for products that contain glyphosate include Accord, Gly Star Pro, Glyphomate 41, Razor, Rodeo and Touchdown, among others.

B. Formulation The initial formation of this herbicide was an isopropylamine salt of glyphosate, which is still widely used, although other salt formulations are available now, such as the potassium salt and the dimethylamine salt. This becomes important when comparing products. We need to look at the amount of glyphosate acid in products, not the amount of active ingredient, since the different salt formulations differ in their molecular weight. For example, Roundup PROMAX contains 5.5 pounds per gallon of the potassium salt of glyphosate (ai) or 4.5 lbs/gallon glyphosate acid (ae). Roundup Pro contained 4.0 lbs/gallon of the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate (ai) or 3.0 lbs/ gallon glyphosate acid (ae). So Roundup PROMAX contains 50% more glyphosate acid than Roundup Pro and applications rates in terms of fluid ounces of product per acre are lower than for Roundup Pro. Besides glyphosate, there are other chemicals in commercial formulations, usually water and a surfactant. As an example of a formulation, Roundup PROMAX contains 8 • VNLA News • Spring 2020

the potassium salt of glyphosate at 48.7% by weight, surfactant(s) approximately 9%, and water plus minor ingredients at approximately 42%.

Surfactants can aid in the absorption of herbicides by weeds. One example would be POEA (polyoxyethylene tallow amine). Concerns have been raised about the toxicity of this surfactant to aquatic organisms such as tadpoles, salamanders, and frogs. Aquatic formulations of glyphosate either do not contain a surfactant or contain a surfactant that has not shown to be an issue. That is why certain formulations of glyphosate are not labeled for aquatic use — not due to the toxicity of glyphosate but due to toxicity concerns about the surfactant to amphibians and other aquatic organisms. For glyphosate products that do not contain a surfactant, one generally needs to add an approved one for optimum weed control.

C. History Glyphosate was found to control weeds by a Monsanto scientist in 1970. The herbicide was patented in 1971 and was introduced commercially as Roundup in 1974.

Glyphosate use has increased over time, especially when Roundup-Ready crops were introduced, starting with Roundup Ready soybeans in 1996. These soybean lines, and later corn, cotton, and other crop cultivars, were developed to be resistant to glyphosate through biotechnology.

For these genetically-modified crops, glyphosate could be applied overtop for selective weed control.

D. Mode of action Glyphosate inhibits the enzyme enolpyruvyl shikimate3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase, needed for synthesis of the aromatic amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine in plants. Animals, including people, do not make these amino acids, so they need to get these chemicals in their diet. Plants have to make these amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. So glyphosate inhibits a process that occurs in plants but not in animals. Resulting in a chemical that controls plants with low acute toxicity to animals, including people.

E. Acute toxicity of glyphosate A measure of toxicity is the LD50 value, the dose required to kill 50% of the test animal, usually rats. The higher the LD50, the lower the toxicity. The acute oral LD50 for glyphosate in rats is greater than 5,000 mg/kg — practically non-toxic. The acute dermal LD50 rat is greater than 5,000 mg/kg — practically non-toxic. (taken from SDS sheet for Roundup PROMAX, http://www.cdms. net/ldat/mp8NJ004.pdf). For comparison the acute oral LD50 rat for caffeine is 192 mg/kg (https://psychonautwiki. org/wiki/Caffeine) so caffeine is a much more toxic chemical than glyphosate. The acute oral LD50 rat for aspirin is 950 mg/kg (aspirin SDS, https://www.caymanchem.com/ msdss/70260m.pdf), also more toxic on an acute basis than glyphosate. Another point to keep in mind is that risk associated with a given pesticide is based on the toxicity of the chemical along with the exposure level.

F. Use Glyphosate is a nonselective postemergence herbicide, meaning that it controls essentially all weeds. The recent development of glyphosate-resistant weeds has pushed researchers and growers to find alternative means to control these weed species. However, most weed species are still susceptible to glyphosate.

Glyphosate is systemic, so it moves into and controls underground portions of weeds (roots, rhizomes, tubers, etc.), making it the preferred product for perennial weed control in many situations. This chemical binds to soil

particles and has essentially no soil activity, so crops can be planted a week after application.

Glyphosate is used for preplant weed control/site preparation, lawn renovation, spot treatment of weeds in landscape beds, as a directed spray application in fruit and nursery production, and for noncrop weed management, such as guard rails, railroad lines, and parking lots, among other uses. It controls grasses, sedges, and broadleaf weeds, making it a broad spectrum herbicide.

G. Recent issues about glyphosate It has been suggested that glyphosate causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a type of cancer, and other diseases.

In one epidemiological report, associations between pesticides and NHL subtypes were reported, including B cell lymphoma and glyphosate (Int J Environ Res Public Health.

2014 Apr 23;11(4):4449-527. doi: 10.3390/ijerph11040 4449). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health organization, listed glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen (Group 2A) in 2015 (https://monographs.iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/ 2018/06/mono112-10.pdf), along with burning of wood, eating red meat, high-temperature frying, late-night work shifts, being a hairdresser or barber, spraying insecticides, and making art glass, among others (https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_2A_carcinogens).

In August 2018, a jury in San Francisco ordered Roundup’s manufacturer, Monsanto, to pay $289 million in damages to a school groundskeeper (Dewayne Lee Johnson) who argued that the glyphosate-based herbicide

FIGURE 1: glyphosate isopropylamine salt

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COVER STORY • continued caused his cancer. A judge later upheld that decision but reduced Monsanto’s payout to $78 million. Recently, another jury in San Francisco ruled against Monsanto, with the jury concluding that glyphosate was a substantial factor in causing non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Edwin Hardeman, a 70-year-old Sonoma County man. Bayer, which bought Monsanto, responded by saying that there is over four decades of extensive science on glyphosate and the conclusions of regulators worldwide support the safety of their glyphosate-based herbicides and that they are not carcinogenic (https://www.bayer.us/en/newsroom/ press-releases/article/?id=123290).

Harrells has decided not to sell glyphosate products (https://www.lawnandlandscape.com/article/ll-031219harrells-discontinues-glyphosate/). Although the company feels that the weight of scientific evidence strongly supports its safety when used properly, their insurance provider would not cover any claims related to glyphosate. With apparently over 11,000 lawsuits filed against Monsanto, there is a financial risk from the insurance standpoint related to glyphosate.

Another issue that has been mentioned is that glyphosate may affect bacteria in the gut microbiome. Low levels of glyphosate have been reported in certain crops, generally

in the parts per billion range, although the EPA has determined that the low levels do not pose a significant health risk to humans. Low levels of labeled pesticides can sometimes be detected in food crops, but the EPA compares these levels to the toxicity data for that pesticide to determine a no effects level and to set residue levels allowed before approving a pesticide. Certain bacteria can be adversely affected by exposure to glyphosate. A recent issue that has been reported is an impact on the gut bacteria in honey bees, resulting in adverse effects (Proc. Natl.

Acad. Sci. USA. 2018 Oct 9; 115(41): 10305–10310).

H. What does the scientific literature say about glyphosate and cancer?

As of 2016, there were 23 epidemiological studies, 15 animal carcinogenicity studies and over 90 genotoxicity studies for glyphosate. Reviews have been written summarizing the conducted studies.

A review in 2012 found no consistent pattern of causation between glyphosate exposure and cancer (Mink et al. Reg. Toxicology & Pharmacology 63:440-452).

Some conclusions of glyphosate effects are not supported by available evidence (Frontiers in Public Health 2017

Smithfield, Virginia Locations in Smithfield, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Currituck, NC Local: (757) 483-1425 www.bcnursery.com Toll Free: (800) 343-4611 10 • VNLA News • Spring 2020

continued

Vol 5 Article 316). There was no association between glyphosate and any solid tumor, including. non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Andreotti et al. 2018 J. National Cancer Institute 110 (5): 509-516). The U.S. EPA concluded in a 2013 report that glyphosate does not pose a cancer risk to humans (2013 Federal Register Notice (FR 25396, Vol. 78, No. 84, May 1, 2013).

In 2016, EPA’s office of Pesticide Programs released a report (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/201609/documents/glyphosate_issue_paper_evaluation_of_ carcincogenic_potential.pdf). In it, EPA states that “In epidemiological studies, there was no evidence of an association between glyphosate exposure and numerous cancer outcomes; however, due to conflicting results and various limitations identified in studies investigating NHL, a conclusion regarding the association between glyphosate exposure and risk of NHL cannot be determined based on the available data.” “Increases in tumor incidence were not considered treatment-related in any of the animal carcinogenicity studies.” “The overall weight of evidence indicates that there is no convincing evidence that glyphosate induces mutations in vivo via the oral route.” EPA’s overall conclusion was that glyphosate was “’not likely to be carcinogenic to humans’ at doses relevant to human health risk assessment.”

In 2017, the EPA issued a draft assessment, which also concluded that glyphosate is not a likely carcinogen to humans (Released Draft Risk Assessments for Glyphosate, https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-releases-draft-riskassessments-glyphosate). The European Food Safety Authority and the EU member states concluded in 2015 that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and the evidence does not support classification with regard to its carcinogenic potential (EFSA Journal 2015;13(11):4302).

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in a 2016 summary report concluded that “in view of the absence of carcinogenic potential in rodents at human-relevant doses and the absence of genotoxicity by the oral route in mammals, and considering the epidemiological evidence from occupational exposures, the Meeting concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure through the diet” (https://www.who.int/foodsafety/jmprsummary2016.pdf).

Why did the ARC reach a different conclusion than EPA and the EFSA and the FAO? The IARC only looked at publicly-available reports while EPA evaluated all data, including those submitted by the registrant and those not published. The IARC did not consider dose in their analysis while the EPA considered dose to be relevant to the

• COVER STORY

interpretation of data. EPA did a systemic evaluation of the quality for the studies conducted with glyphosate while the IARC did less of a quality evaluation.

There can be differing opinions on the interpretation of laboratory testing of pesticides. One cannot test chemicals on people, so scientists use a test animal such as rats.

Labs will use only a limited number of test animals and may increase the dose to levels much higher than typical exposure levels of the chemical to try to force responses that may occur at low frequency or at low dosages. If cancer develops in the test animal only at doses much higher than a typical exposure would be, what do you conclude?

Did the dose cause the response or did the chemical cause the effect? Can you extrapolate the data to lower doses?

These are questions that arise when interpreting results from lab studies.

I. Alternatives to glyphosate We do not have a ready alternative to glyphosate that provides the same level of weed control and use. The closest in my opinion is glufosinate (Finale, Cheetah Pro), another nonselective postemergence herbicide that is inactivated upon contact with soil. It works faster on weeds than glyphosate but it is not as systemic as glyphosate. So glyphosate generally provides greater control of perennial weeds, especially perennial grasses, compared to glufosinate.

There are nonselective postemergence contact herbicides, such as diquat (Reward), pelargonic acid (Scythe), and acetic acid (WeedPharm). These contact herbicides will not affect the underground portions of perennial weeds so they are more effective overall on annual weeds.

J. Decision making Read the literature cited in this article and determine for yourself the benefits and risks to use of glyphosate. Be careful about articles you read on the internet, in newspapers, and in other media. Sometimes claims are made about chemicals that are not supported by scientific research. Ask to see data from published, peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals.

If you plan to continue using glyphosate, as we plan to do here at the research station, follow information listed on the label. For example, the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Roundup PROMAX is a long sleeve shirt, long pants, shoes, and socks (http://www.cdms.net/ ldat/ld8NJ010.pdf). Read and follow all label directions.

Make sure the product you use has a label for the site to be treated. •

Acknowledgement – I would like to thank Dr. Timothy Pastoor, of Pastoor Science Communications for sharing his PowerPoint “Glyphosate — Get the Facts” with me. Some of the information listed above was taken from this PowerPoint.

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RECENT EVENT

VAC Legislative Appreciation Banquet

O

ne of the highlights of the General Assembly for VNLA Board Members and Virginia Legislators alike is the Virginia Agribusiness Council Legislative Appreciation Banquet. Attendees get to sample delicious food and beverages from the Virginia’s Finest Reception as well as a delicious banquet of food produced in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This year, we were honored to dine with Virginia 37th District Senator Dave Marsden and his lovely wife JulieAnna. In addition, we had the honor of being addressed not only by Governor Ralph Northam but also by Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, Virginia’s first female Speaker of the House.

We were proud to have one of our member companies, Phillips and Turman Tree Farm, honored as the 2020 Special Recognition as an Agribusiness for service and support to the Council and Virginia agribusinesses. While surrounded by beautiful flowers from Strange’s, we enjoyed the evening with Council updates and inspiring speeches.

Another highlight of the evening was hearing the unique and inspiring perspective of 2020 Distinguished Friend of Agribusiness, Delegate Mark Keam, who shared his appreciation for agriculture from an urban perspective and the influence agriculture has had on his life. •

Photo courtesy of Virginia Agribusiness Council (left-right) David Phillips, Governor Ralph Northam, Doug Phillips (Phillips & Turman Tree Farms)

Left to right: Vice-President/ Legislative Policy Chair, Seana Ankers (Meadows Farms); Certification Chair, Neal Beasley (Timmons Group); Senator Dave Marsden; Past President, Brent Hunsinger (Friends of the Rappahannock); Justin Ankers (Meadows Farms).

(Not pictured, Julie-Anna Marsden, Paulette Beasley, Beth Hunsinger)

Virginia Agribusiness Council’s Annual State Policy Meeting

The Market at Grelen was a stunning backdrop for the event

12 • VNLA News • Spring 2020

Jim Saunders (Saunders Brothers) took part in a Labor panel discussion at the Virginia Agribusiness Council Annual/State Policy Meeting which was hosted by VNLA members Leslie and Dan Gregg at the picturesque Grelen Nursery and The Market at Grelen.

T

hose of you who missed the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) 50th Anniversary sure did miss something special.

With 956 exhibitors and 1,534 booths, the show was at full capacity with a waiting list for exhibitors. There was definitely something for each of the over 12,000 attendees to see and to win, and no one left empty-handed! In addition to valuable networking, business opportunities and booth swag, MANTS gave out free gifts to everyone who entered. There were also prizes every 15 minutes!

Thank you to all who attended, volunteered or stopped by our booth, and to the MANTS Board. Here are a few highlights from the show and our Annual Breakfast Meeting •

VNLA Board Members were joined by 2019 Carville A. Akehurst Memorial Scholarahip Recipient, Nicholas Dzurenda, during MANTS. Nicholas is studying Environmental Horticulture with a minor in Civic Agriculture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Board members speak with potential new members at our MANTS booth.

Wes Bray, of Lawns & Gardens Plus, the 2019 VNLA Professional of the Year (left) and then President, now Past-President, Brent Hunsinger.

John Magee (left) being presented the VNLA 2019 Environmental Steward Award by then President (now Past-President), Brent Hunsinger.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON

NEAL BEASLEY Senior Project Manager Landscape Architect, VA ISA Certified Arborist VA Certified Horticulturist

Timmons Group 1001 Boulders Parkway, Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23225

How many years have you been in this position?

14 years, 3 months at Timmons Group 12 years at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden How did you decide to pursue a career in the green industry?

Lewis Ginter. These consecutive experiences in field jobs inform my daily decisions and communication now and every day. Lewis Ginter was an incredible building block for me to enhance my plant knowledge and understand the rigors of construction.

What is the best part of your job?

Quite honestly, everything I’ve ever done in my life for payment has been in the Green Industry. I’ve just been blessed with opportunities to branch out into different sectors that have built my path to who I am today. I’ve lived my passion!

Moving from Lewis Ginter to Timmons Group allowed me to reach a broader range of communities where I can make a difference, improve the lives of others and leave this world a better place. Every project, every day is different with many unexpected needs and outcomes.

What path led you to your current position?

What are some unique challenges of your job?

I started out cutting grass in my neighborhood, worked in a couple retail florists doing just about anything but mostly deliveries and making bows, installed residential irrigation and accent lighting in an affluent neighborhood in Richmond, worked in a retail plant nursery in Raleigh NC, maintained irrigation systems in the Washington D.C. area and started my post-college employment installing commercial landscapes until I landed my long term role at

Showing others what I envision! As designers, we explore the unseen world, creating the built environment in our minds and then making it visible. Fortunately, I have experts on our team that can help me with that. With sketching and computer software, we can do amazing things to show how our designs will look. What’s even more amazing is the evolution of design to a finished product and being able to look back at the visualization and compare the accuracy.

Landscape Architecture is about creating spaces. There are three design options for a street corner.

The first pays homage to a former building located in the same location as the shown façade.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT • continued How many employees are part of your team?

Our core group is 12 extremely talented designers and I also have a few hundred other experts in the field of Engineering, Environmental and Structural to help me achieve success.

What’s an example of adversity you’ve faced and how have you overcome it?

“the Artist”, Logan (18) “the Entrepreneur” and Aubrey Joy (11) “the Politician.”

What would your advice be for people entering the nursery and landscape industry now?

Be diverse in your endeavors, take advantage of opportunities afforded you and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, in the spirit of learning something.

I’ve been challenged both physically and spiritually having been handed a cancer diagnosis in the past. Thanks to a good doctor, treatment and a Christian faith, I see life through a different lens now. I love life, love people and appreciate all things around me.

Do you have a mentor in the industry?

Bryce Lane, professor at North Carolina State University.

To this day, I don’t think he understands how impactful his knowledge, spirit and love of Horticulture was for me.

How did you come to serve on the VNLA Board?

During my time at Lewis Ginter, I had an active role with the “Beautiful Gardens” plant introduction program which was supported by the VNLA. Those efforts have ceased and after many years, I wanted to get back involved. After some discussion with Shellie, our Executive Director, we found a role that I thought would be good for me and others. Chairing and overseeing the State Certification program is where I am currently, and I look forward to growing certification across the State.

What are your goals as the Certification chair for VNLA? We’ve already transitioned the exam from paper to computer which was a monumental accomplishment. Next is upgrading the tracking of CEU’s and streamlining the recording process. We have great ideas of modernizing the system and making it not only more accessible, but easier to manage.

What do you do in your free time?

No surprise here… gardening and just maintaining my yard. Athletics are behind me at my age so now I just watch the younger folks play sports. I root for my Wolfpack and the Dallas Cowboys mostly.

Tell us about your family.

Just recently celebrated my 25th anniversary to Paulette who delivered me three daughters, Bridgette (22)

16 • VNLA News • Spring 2020

NEAL BEASLEY is a licensed Landscape Architect, Certified Arborist, and Certified Horticulturist with significant project management experience both in the field and as a design consultant. Formerly the Manager of Horticulture at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA, Neal brings years of field expertise into the design community focusing on project coordination, elaborate planting design, site lighting, irrigation and administering construction support services for municipal, residential and commercial properties. Neal’s career objectives of contributing to all aspects of design and construction led him to a professional shift from the construction and maintenance environment in 2005 to the design community. As a result, Neal has worked with Timmons Group for the past fourteen years and has been an integral contributor to projects from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. With this experience, he has a broad perspective of regional design as well as site specific objectives. Combining this experience with his history gives him versatility and wisdom to propel projects to a successful completion. •

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Where agriculture and nature meet

Bennett’s Creek Nursery.................10 www.bcnursery.com

Bremo Trees...................................17 www.bremotrees.com

Cam Too Camellia Nursery, Inc.....17 www.camtoocamellia.com

Fairview Evergreen Nurseries............5 www.fairviewevergreen.com

Leading Edge Communications.........5 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

masLABOR............Inside Front Cover www.maslabor.com

Professional Landscapes of Virginia Inc........ Inside Back Cover www.plvainc.com

Riverside Nursery...........................17 Smith Seed Services...........................6

434.842.8733 email@bremotrees.com www.bremotrees.com

www.smithseed.com

Spring Hill Nursery.........................15 www.springhillva.com

The Turfgrass Group........................3 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Virginia Turfgrass Council................7 www.vaturf.org

Wellmaster Carts..............Back Cover www.wellmaster.ca 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 © 2020 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 re- printing 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.

GREENHOUSE, NURSERY, GARDEN CENTER BUSINESS FOR SALE. Well established, highly profitable, located in beautiful and progressive Roanoke, VA. 14 modern greenhouses, 6 cold frames, outdoor growing areas, 2/1 home, barn and shop areas.

Current crops include very diverse varieties of annuals, perennials, shrubs and tress.

Endless opportunities for future growth in current markets and/or diversification into landscaping, lawn care, vegetable production, hemp and others.

OWNER RETIRING. BOTANICALBRUCE@GMAIL.COM Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

INDUSTRY NEWS

DOES THE FARM WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION ACT HAVE A FUTURE?

DON’T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

By Craig Regelbrugge

A

fter the House of Representatives’ historic passage of a farm labor bill last December, is there a path forward? Maybe…

Over the course of the past year, AmericanHort has stayed in close touch with key Senate allies, keeping them apprised of the House negotiations. In December, as the House was preparing to vote, we and coalition allies stepped up Senate meetings.

As the new year and new decade get underway, we are cautiously hopeful that a bipartisan group of Senators will get down to business and craft their own expression of policy on farm labor. While it would be easier to simply take up the House bill (and Senate Democrats would prefer that approach), the Republican majority isn’t likely to do that. Rather, they will work on a Senate bill that we hope gains a little ground on the handful of areas where H.R.5038, the House version, could really use some improvement.

Finding a path forward through the thick underbrush of an election year won’t be easy. However, there may be catalysts that create openings for legislative action sometime between now and December 31. For instance, we expect a Supreme Court ruling in June that may determine the fate of the DACA program; a decision that allows DACA to be ended will create a crisis for hundreds of thousands of young people whose plight has broad public sympathy and support for a resolution. Legislators may see the wisdom of resolving DACA and the agricultural crisis together.

Meanwhile, the new H-2A “adverse effect wage rates” (AEWRs) took effect January 2. The national average increase was 5.6 percent; Illinois, Indiana and Ohio saw the largest increase, at 9.5%. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would have frozen the 2019 level for a year, and capped future increases at 3.25 percent for most states, and not more than 4.25 percent in any state.

Keep an eye out to calls for action on the ag workforce issue as Senate negotiations get underway.

CRAIG REGELBRUGGE serves as the American Horticultural Industry Association’s Vice President for Government Relations and Research. He serves in several leadership positions regarding the green industry and labor and immigration reform. He is national co-chair of the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR), working to secure an affordable and legal workforce for nursery and greenhouse growers. In 2008 he was elected vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Immigration Forum and represents agriculture and the green industry on the management team of the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign. • 18 • VNLA News • Spring 2020

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