The Buckeye, March 2014 Volume 25, Issue 2

WHY

The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

March 2014

Vol. 25, Issue 2

MATTER CENTS

MEMBERS

WRAP UP

ONLA_Full page 12-12-10 10:32 AM Page 1

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The Buckeye is published 10 times per year by The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 72 Dorchester Square Westerville, OH 43081 p 614.899.1195 f 614.899.9489 www.onla.org info@onla.org

CONTENTS

EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING ISSN 1536-7940 Subscriptions: $75/year amandadomsitz@onla.org, editor

March 2014

Vol. 25, Issue 2

THE FINE PRINT The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, directors or staff and do not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as members of the ONLA does not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services.

STAFF Kevin Thompson, Executive Director Roni Petersen, Membership & Certification Amanda Domsitz, Communiciations Amy Eldridge, CENTS Manager Karen Lykins, Accounting Lisa Larson, Education Director

industry news

features

4

President’s Perspective

31

ONLA Announces CENTS

Moving Forward

University: World Class

ONLA Office Update

Education for the

The Year of Transition

Green Industry

7

9

Legislative Hotline

Nutrient Management Bill Clears the

Ohio Senate; Invasive Plant Species

Bill Passed Senate Ag Committee

35

Why Members Matter

departments

CENTS 2014

11

Why Trees Matter

Mike Dues, President-Elect Dues Nursery & Landscaping, Ltd.

Name That Plant: Part Two

Jim Searcy, Immediate Past President Hyde Park Landscaping, Inc.

PUCO Promoting Commercial

DIRECTORS Jason Bornhorst, Board Member JB Design Group, LLC

36

Vehicle Safety Across Ohio

17 18 19 21 22

In Memoriam

David Listerman, Board Member Listerman & Associates, Inc.

37

38

Safety First

Egidius M. Stroombeck Management Today / Marketing Today

ONLA Scholarship Program ONLA Career Marketplace 41st Annual Landscape Awards Program Landscapers’ Challenge ONLA Professional Awards

The Perfect Score!

Retail Roundtable Generating Traffic During Off Peak Times

Bill Mainland, Board Member Klyn Nurseries, Inc. Dr. Hannah Mathers, Board Member The Ohio State University Josh Posey, Board Member Buckeye Resources, Inc.

March 2014 Vol. 25, Issue 2

MEMBERS

MATTER CENTS WRAP UP

front cover: “Early Crocus Bloom”

Mark Reiner, Board Member Oakland Nursery, Inc.

In the spirit of land stewardship, please consider recycling this publication.

25 26

CENTS Booth Awards

WHY

Annette Howard, Board Member Gilson Gardens, Inc.

32

CENTS Wrap-Up

The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

OFFICERS David Richards, President South Ridge Farm

also in this issue

36 New Member • 41 Industry Calendar • 42 About The Buckeye • 42 Classified Ads • 42 Ad Index

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President’s Perspective

Moving Forward To begin, I would like to thank Jim Searcy, the 2014 Past President. Jim, I know that the Board of Directors & Staff of ONLA and the members of our organization truly appreciate your quiet yet bold leadership this past year. I look forward to your advice and coaching during this coming year and our work towards the fulfillment of ONLA’s Strategic Plan. It will also be great to work with 2014 President Elect Mike Dues. Mike and I have worked together before and I look forward to teaming up with him again.

I would also like to thank the Nominating Committee and Board for this humbling opportunity to serve the state and industry that I have loved for 38 years. God has blessed me by always placing key people and opportunities in my path. There are many of those people who I correspond with on a regular basis today, and I would like to thank you all for your encouragement, training, and patience with me as I developed.

4 The Buckeye

Dave Richards South Ridge Farms ONLA President sridgefarm@windstream.net

Unfortunately, there are many who deeply influenced not only my career, but also my life that are no longer with us. Their guidance, patience, and training will not be forgotten as I embark on this journey. I hope they are looking down upon us as we embark on a great year for our organization and our business. Mentors and friends are a wonderful thing and in this industry are plentiful and always willing to share their years of experience and wisdom. For the Next Generation who might be reading this, I would have never dreamed 35 years ago when I attended my first the CENTS show that I would someday have this honor and duty.

For this upcoming year I have set the following priorities: • Develop and implement CENTS University as a world class education program that benefits our members and their employees- As I stated in a letter that you should have received in late January, CENTS University’s mission is to ensure that programs and onla.org

classes are delivered by the nations’ best and brightest experts. Many of those call Ohio home and have served this role in the past. We look to also have regional events that will be more affordable for our members and their employees and help ONLA fulfill its mission and strategic plan. A taste of what this might look like appeared at CENTS this year with the Landscapers’ Challenge and Outdoor Education area.

CENTS Marketplace & CENTS University will be built for us, by us and about us.

• Grow the CENTS show in companies displaying, booths sold, and the integration of educational enhancements on the trade show floor- Education will no longer be limited to the rooms “across the hall.” It is my hope that the diversity of educational programming will increase and improve traffic on the show floor. Connecting people with exhibitors is a critical component of our organization. Many of the barriers that have been experienced in the past will no longer exist.

• Expand membership; increase the total membership and the number of firms moving up in categories- The economy seems to be expanding and opportunities exist now that should allow ONLA to expand its network of members. I will be working closely with the Membership Committee and staff to

develop specific, measurable and attainable goals in this area.

• Energize Committees by EmpowermentCommittees will be receiving new and different directives. They will be charged with playing a direct role in our organization’s growth not only this year but in future years. Several Committees have added new members. I continue to share the focus of Next-Gen in making these appointments.

I have unfortunately come to the realization that I am no longer a part of the Next-Gen (gray hair was my first clue) and look forward to fresh ideas and the enthusiasm that young people bring to an organization. Several Committees will play a direct role in the planning and achievement of the priorities listed above, and in the business of the organization enhancing the environment and quality of life for all.

In closing, I would like to thank the Staff and all of the volunteers who made this past year’s CENTS Grand New. I was able to attend several new events that will be nurtured and grown in years to come. I particularly look forward to a rematch with Steve Maddox at the pool tables. We are blessed with a renewed sprit of can do, and opportunities to make a difference now and for the future.

I challenge us all to adopt “The Warrior Mentality” and go full steam ahead. B

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March 2014 5

ONLA Membership: The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association leads, promotes, and facilitates the success and growth of green industry businesses.

Exclusive Member Benefits Credit Collection - Cash Flow Management (CFM) With CFM, a trained collection specialist is assigned to bring in your past-due accounts before they fade away as bad debts.

Credit/Debit Card Processing - Merchant Services

ONLA members can take advantage of credit and debit card merchant service processing program through Merchant Services.

Merchant Services brings electronic processing programs specifically designed to fit the needs of your business.

Energy Program - Growers Energy Solutions (GES)

Grower Energy Solutions (GES) helps manage an energy program designed to help save on your natural gas and electric bill by utilizing the strength of group buying. Average savings between 8 and 15%.

Federation of Employers & Workers of America

FEWA is an internationally recognized non-profit association which provides members with educational and informational services related to cultural and non-immigrant and immigrant labor management issues.

Fuel/Fleet Program - SuperFleet®

Payroll/Human Resource Services - Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)

(ADP) offers a range of payroll, payroll tax, and human resources services to assist ONLA members with staffing, managing, paying, and retaining employees.

Property/Casualty Insurance - Best Hoovler McTeague

Save on your property and casualty insurance with BHM. BHM’s group program is designed for ONLA members to save at least 15% with the best coverage rates for your liability, fleet and equipment.

Safety Services - American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc./American Premier First Aid

Save up to $.05 per gallon on all fuel purchases at SuperFleet® (Speedway, Marathon and Rich Oil) locations with no minimum purchase required.

American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc. (ASH) fills the growing need for professional safety and health management services for companies of all sizes. Meet requirements and reduce costs using first aid products from American Premier First Aid, Inc.

Green Industry Education

Shipping Solutions - PartnerShip

Attend ONLA educational events at a discounted rate and learn with fellow green industry professionals.

Health/Life/Income Insurance - TAH Benefits

The ONLA Group Benefit Programs has partnered with various health plans to offer a variety of plans with many optional benefits such as vision, dental, life, and disability.

Legislative Advocacy

Full-time lobbyist, Capitol Consulting Group, is employed by the ONLA to ensure green industry legislative involvement.

Long Distance/Local Telephone

First Communications provides full telecommunications services: long distance, data services, conference calling and toll free service.

Take control of your shipping costs and add profits to your bottom line.

PartnerShip delivers effective discounted shipping services to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide, save up to 20%.

Soil & Plant Tissue Testing/Ag Hort. Consulting Services CLC LABS

Through CLC LABS, ONLA members receive various laboratory services at a 10% discount off list prices including testing of soil nutrients, soilless media, soil texture, fertilizer solution, plant tissue, irrigation water suitability and dry fertilizer analysis.

Workers’ Compensation - CareWorks Consultants, Inc.

The ONLA Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Program has saved its members over $21.4 million in the last 12 years.

Office Supplies - Friends Business Source

Friends Business Source is a leader in providing office supplies and equipment with ONLA member discounts on over 35,000 products.

Receive 30-55% off list price!

Online Safety Training- LS Training

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For more information on ONLA member savings visit onla.org or call 614.899.1195

ONLA Office Update

the year of

Transition Each year at the ONLA Annual Meeting held during CENTS, I give the Executive Director’s report. In case you missed it this year, as the majority of you unfortunately did, following is the abridged version, updating you on many of the 2013 association highlights: 2013 was a busy year full of challenges and accomplishments, while also was a year of transition.

We began the year with CENTS & OSU Nursery Short Course taking place earlier in January than ever. While still faced with a sluggish economy, and the challenges that many conventions continue to face, it was another successful event, financially for the association, and in customer satisfaction responses and trade show floor commerce. As many other trade shows continued to struggle, we knew we had something we could continue to build upon by implementing change and introducing new features to this year’s event. So we made that a major focus of our activities throughout the year, which led to our theme of something “Grand. New.” We hope you’ve noticed and liked some of the changes this year’s CENTS has brought.

At last year’s annual meeting I announced the recent launch of a new online Nursery Stock Survey called Nursery Stock Select. This led to the return in 2013 of our consumer website at BuckeyeGardening.com.

Utilizing the success of these two new websites, we applied for and secured another USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant that will help us launch a consumer-based industry marketing campaign as part of a national Plant Something campaign.

In conjunction with the OSU Extension, Nursery, Landscape, and Turf Team or ENLT Team, we offered a series of subscription-based “Green Industry Fix” webinars that we continued to build upon. We also onla.org

Kevin Thompson ONLA Executive Director kevinthompson@onla.org

partnered with the ENLT Team in offering several, popular Diagnostic Walkabouts at various parks around the state. We launched a new Certification Training manual on CD for landscape contractors with huge success. We look forward to continuing and expanding these programs in 2014.

The past year was another positive fiscal year for the association, once again showing a modest profit while continuing to provide funding in support of the association’s mission.

The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Scholarship Endowment within PLANET’s Academic Excellence Foundation, already by far the largest endowment within the AEF, grew to more than $325,000, the interest of which led to a $13,000 return that will go towards the scholarships in perpetuity.

In donating $10,000 we continued our support of industry research through the Horticultural Research Institute, growing the Ohio Research Endowment to close to $550,000, the largest state association endowment within HRI. Additionally, we contributed nearly $10,000 to the ANLA Lighthouse fund, continuing our support of the ANLA’s legislative efforts in Washington DC on behalf of our members.

And, finally we provided $6,500 in support to our partners on the OSU - ENLT Team.

In addition to this continued financial support: We achieved over 90% membership retention while adding new members, thus exceeding our dues income budget and ending the year with nearly 1,300 total members. please see page 8

March 2014 7

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continued from page 7

The CENTS trade show floor boasts more exhibiting companies, occupying more exhibit space, than last year – thus halting, and hopefully ending, a nearly 10-year slide in those areas.

Among many legislative and regulatory accomplishments, we continued to maintain and build relationships with the members of the Ohio General Assembly. In February, we held a very successful Green Industry Advocacy Day, taking the lead by bringing together more than 10 state and local green industry associations at the Ohio Statehouse.

This is a real credit to all of you. The ONLA has a long history of interfacing with the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate. These relationships are invaluable but, due to term limits, they are ever changing. So, I urge all of you to continue to work with the ONLA Leadership, the Legislative Committee and our legislative consultants at Capitol Consulting Group to get engaged in the process and get to know your legislators. I’d like to thank Belinda and Dan Jones, from Capitol Consulting Group, for your invaluable legislative representation this past year.

I also want to thank our friends at The Ohio State University for our partnership and for the research, education and extension outreach services you provide that benefit our members and Ohio’s green industry as a whole.

I mentioned transition. We survived 2013 CENTS without a trade show manager, having lost ours to resignation shortly before the show. So finding the right CENTS show manager was a priority heading into the year. We found that person in Amy Eldridge, who began in May and has done an excellent job managing and selling her first CENTS show. We also saw a change in our Accounting Department, with the hiring of Karen Lykins, and by transitioning and upgrading our accounting software. Karen has also done an excellent job since starting with us in September.

I also mentioned challenges. One of the more significant challenges was presented in November when longtime employee, Communications Director, Associate Executive Director, and friend, Jennifer Gray left the ONLA. We’re glad she’s remained in the industry and know she’ll be a great asset to the HRI. We thank Jennifer for all she’s done for the ONLA and for the industry.

I’d like to recognize and thank the rest of our remarkable staff, including Amanda Domsitz, who’s done a fabulous job assuming many of Jen Gray’s Communications responsibilities, including editor of The Buckeye, and of course our Membership and Certification Director, Roni Petersen. This is a talented, dedicated

8 The Buckeye

group of individuals who I am fortunate to work with each day.

I am especially thankful, though, for the board of directors and for all that it does for the association. This organization is blessed to have such a dedicated group of professionals serving in leadership positions.

Steve Maddox, Mike Satkowiak and Andy Harding will be leaving the board shortly. Things will seem very different without Andy Harding. He chaired the search committee that hired me nearly 4 years ago. Andy’s departure now makes me the longest tenured member of the board. All these individuals have done so much for this organization, we should all be very grateful for their service.

And finally, thank you Jim Searcy for serving as president in 2013. Through your steady manner, your ability to see things from a broad perspective, and your mentorship, you’ve represented the ONLA and Hyde Park Landscaping quite well. We thank you for your leadership.

I look forward to serving alongside Dave Richards as our new president in 2014 and to the addition of our incoming board members. I am very optimistic about the coming year and beyond. B

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onla.org

Legislative Hotline

Nutrient Management Bill Clears the Ohio Senate; Invasive Plant Species Bill Passed Senate Ag Committee Nutrient Management Bill Clears the Ohio Senate After months of interested party meetings, conference calls and negotiations among stakeholders and agency personnel as well as myriad amendments and edits, SB 150, the nutrient management bill sponsored by Senator Cliff Hite (R; Findlay) and Senator Bob Peterson (R; Sabina) passed out of the Senate Ag Committee AND the full Senate.

As you have read in past articles, the bill is a culmination of months of work by the Directors of OEPA, ODA and ODNR to address water quality concerns in the Grand Lake St Mary’s and Lake Erie regions. While all three agencies have conducted individual and collective assessments of possible contributors to the algal blooms in Lake Erie, no solitary culprit is emerging. SB 150 addresses the ways that the agricultural community can take steps to reduce phosphorous loadings in agricultural fields.

Specifically, SB 150 gives authority to the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) to establish a certification program for persons applying fertilizer on agricultural lands on parcels of 50 acres or more. While many of the details of this new program will likely be addressed in rules (the Ohio Administrative Code), generally, the certification program will be an education program based upon the best management practices for applying fertilizers. Such practices include the “Four R’s” – right source, right rate, right time and right placement. ODA plans to incorporate the certification calendar that is in conjunction with the

Belinda Jones ONLA Legislative Consultant bjones@capitol-consulting.net

pesticide applicator licensing calendar (so that you can get your fertilizer certification while you are getting your pesticide applicator licensing). While some may not believe that the bill goes far enough, it should be noted that Ohio is the first state in the country to require farmers to become certified for fertilizer applications.

The bill passed out of the Senate unanimously. It is anticipated that hearings in the Ohio House will be swift.

We will keep you posted.

Invasive Plant Species Bill Passed Senate Ag Committee Senator Gayle Manning’s (R; North Ridgeville) Invasive Plant Species bill, SB 192 passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee. As you know, the one page bill merely clarifies that ODA is the regulatory agency with the authority to regulate invasive plant species. Sounds easy and reasonable, right? In my world, “easy” is a rarity.

Specifically, two amendments were negotiated before the bill could continue on its journey to the Senate floor.

The first amendment was sought by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF). The OFBF amendment exempts “cultivated plants grown as food or livestock feed” from the definition of “invasive plant species”.

The second amendment was sought by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and it clarifies that OEPA can continue to regulate invasive plant species in their wetlands application, permitting and mitigation please see page 10

B

continued from page 9

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programs. After a “meeting of the minds” and several draft wording exchanges, all parties were able to agree on language that protects OEPA’s current authority but ultimately ties their program to the list that will be developed by ODA. Efforts of the Ohio Farm Bureau were a great benefit to the cause. OFBF designated SB 192 a “key vote” bill.

This means that legislators, who vote “yes” on SB 192, will receive a positive score on the OFBF “Friends of Agriculture” designation list. The ONLA appreciates the support and proponent testimony of the OFBF! If you are an OFBF member, please pass along our gratitude to your local farm bureau representatives.

Also, we are grateful for the input and support of the Ohio Invasive Plant Council through their president David Gorchov who made multiple trips to Columbus to ensure he was “in the loop and in the know!” Thank you, David and thank you Mark Gilson and Keith Manbeck who have been representing the ONLA on the OIPC. While we are passing along remarks of thanksgiving, we would be remiss not to thank and congratulate Willoway’s Tom Demaline, ONLA Legislative Committee Chairman. Tom has spent countless hours on this bill. THANK YOU, TOM! SB 192 still needs to clear the full Senate, and then go through the process in the Ohio House before being sent to Governor. Even so, passing out of the Senate committee is a big deal! We will keep you in the loop and in the know as the bill progresses! B

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10 The Buckeye

onla.org

W h y Tr e e s M a t t e r

Name That Plant Part Two “If you do not know the names of things, the knowledge is lost too.”

-Linnaeus, Philosophia Botanica

The Last Challenge In the last Buckeye, this column featured plant identification and posed a challenge – to identify five pictured and described plants. The challenge involved a payoff to the first green industrarian to get all five properly identified. And the winner is…Mike Epp of Acorn Farms, who correctly identified: • Plant 1 Answer: The “tree with clustered buds” as a willow oak (Quercus phellos), with its narrow leaves, and like all oaks, willow oak indeed has a cluster of terminal buds.

• Plant 2 Answer: The native small tree not in the genus Fraxinus with unusual wafer-like fruits, nevertheless has the name “ash” in its common name of waferash (Ptelea trifoliata). The proper hyphenation (or compounding as in “waferash) of the name correctly indicates it is not a true ash, and this is fortunate for this species, since only true ashes in the genus Fraxinus are susceptible to emerald ash borer.

• Plant 3 Answer: The shrub with the “wonderful combination of fall foliar color” (burgundy-red) and “fruits that mature from pink to blue” was Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur.’

• Plant 4 Answer: The tree with the very “cool fruit-tobe flower” with the undulating gumball features was sweetgum (Liquidambar styracifula). Enjoy some of the features we often miss. I took the picture at OSU’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, but if you really want to see some wonderful pictures of trees, compete in this month’s Name That Plant contest, and if you are the winner (see below) receive a copy of Seeing Trees: Discovering The Extraordinary Secrets of Everyday Trees

by Nancy R. Hugo and Robert Llewellyn.

• Plant 5 Answer: The native shrub “about to take flight” is none other than winged sumac (Sumac alata), common in Ohio woodlands and used in the magnificent High Line landscape park in Manhattan’s lower west side.

Mike named them all and receives his copy of “Seeing Flowers: Discover the Hidden Life of Flowers” by photographer Robert Llewellyn and essayist Teri Dunn Chace introduces us to the form and function of flowers through the lens of 28 plant families.

Jan/Feb Plant 1: Willow Oak

Jan/Feb Plant 2: Wafer Ash

Jan/Feb Plant 3: ‘Winterthur’ Viburnum

Jan/Feb Plant 4: Sweetgum

Jan/Feb Plant 5: Winged Sumac

please see page 12

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March 2014 11

B

Name That Plant #2: This genus in the Rosaceae with interesting sepal-bracketed fruits and yields an excellent jelly. Come try some when the College of Wooster holds its Arbor Day celebration and plants this tree come April.

Congratulations to Mike Epp, winner of “Name that Plant, Part One”

continued from page 11

The New Challenge Now, for the March Buckeye challenge. Name as many of the following twenty images as you are able (for anyone that gets them all, I will find you a prize, but the first responder with all correct or the person with the most correct, will get the grand prize of Seeing Trees. The contest will end on March 20, after which you can find all the answers on buckeyegardening.com. Then more details on these plants in the April Buckeye. Until then, send your entries to chatfield.1@osu.edu or text me at 330-4660270. Here They Are:

Name That Plant #3: Name these two plants fastforwarded into springtime for Willoway Nurseries’ CENTS display this January.

Name That Plant #1: This fruit tree is Ohio’s state native fruit and has a cool leather-colored seed and an animalbeloved fruit.

12 The Buckeye

onla.org

Name That Plant #4: Does this lone flower of a February-forced forsythia suggest that most flower buds of this springtime favorite were frozen this winter? Also, how did this plant get its name?

Name That Plant #7: Okay, so you know that this is a water lily. What family is it in, and what does Michael Dirr say in his cautionary tale about the multiple common names of the European white water lily in his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants?

Name That Plant #8: Name this plant and identify the parents of this hybrid tree shown in an alley in New York City?

Name That Plant #5: This edible landscape plant makes a colorful and tasty jelly and the cultivar name brings to mind seagoing explorers and Hagar the Horrible. Another plant in the Rosaceae.

Name That Plant #6: Ouch. A good reason to wear long pants on woodland walks.

Name That Plant #9: This mushroom is Mycena luteopallens. What is the fruit that it typically (and in this case) grows on in Ohio woodlands?

please see page 14

continued from page 13

Name That Plant #10: This wildflower will bloom this Spring at ODNR’s top-rated wildflower area, Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve near Yellow Springs and Clifton.

Check it out on one of Pam Bennett’s (OSU Extension) Friday afternoon volunteer naturalist and volunteer master gardener walks there. Identify the species.

Name That Plant #11: Monty Python would be proud.

Name this conifer. Does it make you want to go home?

Name That Plant #12: This is not a fir – the cones point downward. It is not a pine – the needles are not in bundles. It is not a spruce – the needles are not square or triangular. It is not a hemlock – needles are longer and the twig has a pointed terminal bud and there are no tiny petioles. The cones tell the tale, as do the winged seeds.

14 The Buckeye

Name That Plant #13: What a beautiful bush! That’s a huge hint. It was long considered a member of the Caprifoliaceae family (remember a family is a group of related genera) along with honeysuckles and viburnums, but our mystery plant is now considered by many taxonomists in the Linnaeaceae and viburnums in the Adoxaceae.

Name That Plant #14: The plant which sports this flower is rapidly becoming less prevalent in Ohio.

Name That Plant #15: This is one of many plants in this genus that can be found in a wonderful collection curated

by Pablo Jourdan at the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center at the Ohio State University next to Howlett Hall.

Please identify the genus.

onla.org

Name That Plant #16: But, of course, this plant is true to all of our hearts here at the Ohio Nursery Landscape Association and at The Ohio State University.

Name That Plant #19: This “paper flower” was blooming in all of its resplendence at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Ontario.

Name That Plant #17: This late winter flowering shrub in the Hamamelidaceae is not a witch hazel.

Name That Plant #20: This image portrays not only a normal bloom of this plant but also one affected by eriophyid mites on the left and aster yellows disease on the right.

Photo Credit: Joe Boggs, Ohio State University Extension

Name That Plant #18: The fruit of this plant growing at Secrest Arboretum seems to be winking at us straight out of Sesame Street.

Photo Credit David Wieenberg, Wooster Book Company

“A name is a handle by which we get to know certain people, places, and plants.” -Michael Dirr. B Jim Chatfield The Ohio State University Extension Nursery Landscape and Turf Team chatfield.1@osu.edu

onla.org

March 2014 15

Stand Out

Ohio Landscape Industry Certified Technician Test Partnership

By earning your Landscape Industry Certified Technician certification, you send a message to your clients and/or employers that you’ve met and achieved the industry standard, and have demonstrated a thorough understanding of all the facets of your job.

2014 Landscape Industry Certified Technician Written & Hands-on Test Dates Registration deadline for the hands-on test is May 20, 2014.

July 23 - WRITTEN TEST (Ohio State ATI in Wooster) July 24 - HANDS ON & WRITTEN TEST (Ohio State ATI in Wooster)

REGISTER TODAY! Deadline to register for the hands-on test is May 20, 2014. For additional information about the test, registration information or study materials, visit LandscapeCertifiedOhio.org, or call The Ohio State ATI at 330-287-7511 or 330-287-0100.

GRAND. NEW.

New motivation, new excitement and new direction found at CENTS. CENTS Marketplace 2014 brought together the best, brightest and greenest in the Green Industry. The show was full of GRAND NEW attendees, projects, emerging industry trends and ideas. More than 6,500 attendees and exhibitors took center stage at the Greater Columbus Convention Center for the 2014 show.

Over the three days, more than one hundred educational sessions took place within the ONLA Business Classes, ONLA Management Master Class, OSU Nursery Short Course, Ahlum & Arbor Tree House and the Outdoor Living Education Area. The educational experiences varied from a classroom setting to hands on learning.

Attendees and exhibitors had the opportunity to network and enjoy time with at the CENTS Opening Night party located in the concourse following the close of the show on Monday. Dancing, Music and an appearance by “Centsy the Centipede” himself were among the attractions. Tuesday night, many attended the “Time Warp Tuesday” Party at Brother’s Bar & Grill.

The party included Music Trivia, Line Dancing and friendly games of pool.

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Industries represented by the show include: • Arboriculture & Tree Care • Golf Course Maintenance • Greenhouse Management • Production Irrigation • Landscape Architecture & Design • Landscape Contracting • Landscape Maintenance • Lawn Care & Turf Management • Property & Facility Management • Retail Garden Centers • Municipalities & Public Works • Nursery Management & Production • Snow & Ice Management • Stone & Masonry Contractors • Urban Forestry Thank You to Our Sponsors!

• B.A. Heskett, Inc. • BASF • Badger Evergreen Nursery, LLC • Best Hoovler McTeague • CareWorks Consultants, Inc. • Harrell’s LLC • Monrovia • TAH Benefits For more information on CENTS, Contact ONLA at 614-899-1195. B

March 2014 17

2014

BOOTH AWARDS During the 2014 Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show (CENTS), held January 13-15, the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) hosted an exhibit contest on the show floor to reward outstanding displays. The three awards categories were Large Exhibit (greater than 400 square feet), Small Exhibit (up to 400 square feet), and Most Attention Grabbing Exhibit.

The 2014 CENTS Large Exhibit winner is Acorn Farms from Galena, Ohio. Acorn Farms is a wholesale nursery and grower. Judges noted the booth was clearly labeled, informative and had a good flow through the booth. (Pictured, Top) The 2014 CENTS Small Exhibit winner is Kelco Industries located in Milbridge, Maine. Kelco offers supplies and equipment for Christmas wreaths/trees including wreath rings, tree balers, and much more.

Judges appreciated the interactive colorful product created in the booth. (Pictured, center.)

The 2014 CENTS Most Attention Grabbing Exhibit winner is TechoBloc Corp located in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania. Techo-Bloc offers paving stones, retaining wall blocks, edges, slabs and masonry veneer. Judges enjoyed the water feature as well as the different levels of the booth with attentive staff. (Pictured, bottom.)

Judges walked the show floor and evaluated booths on booth presentation, product presentation and exhibit personnel.

Judging criteria included: Booth Presentation • Integration of company identity in booth design • Design and graphic elements • Clearly communicates message to attendee (gives a reason to stop for further consideration) • Adherence to show rules and exhibitor guidelines Product Presentation • Thoughtfulness, creativity and effectiveness of product display(s) • Informative and/or benefit focused messaging • Exhibit Personnel • Professional appearance and etiquette • Proactively engaging with visitors • Number of staff adequate for booth size. B

18 The Buckeye

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15 students, 8 schools, $15,500

ONLA Scholarships!

Phil Kozel Memorial Scholarship The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association is pleased to present the Phil Kozel Memorial Scholarships.

These scholarships are given in memory of Dr. Phil Kozel, former Professor of Horticulture at The Ohio State University. Dr. Kozel was also director of the Shade Tree Evaluation Program until his untimely death in 1979. As a long time ONLA supporter, we are honored to present these awards in his name. The 2014 winners of the Phil Kozel Memorial Scholarship are: • • • • • • • • •

Amy Day, Cincinnati State & Technical Community College Sarah Fenske, Cincinnati State & Technical Community College Jeff Fox, Clark State Community College William Queen, Clark State Community College Jared Champion, The Ohio Satte University John DiFranco, The Ohio State University Hillary Rader, The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Michelle Keip, Owens Community College Maggie Rigney, University of Cincinnati

ONLA President’s Scholarship In 2010, the ONLA became the first state association to create an endowed scholarship fund within PLANET’s Academic Excellence Foundation (AEF) by donating $25,000 to the AEF. In 2011, the first ONLA President’s Scholarship was awarded utilizing funds generated by the endowment. Each year, the student receiving the highest scholarship applicant score, is selected to receive the distinguished ONLA President’s Scholarship.

Through continued contributions from the ONLA and its members, the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Scholarship fund within the AEF has since grown to more than $300,000, ensuring scholarship funds for green industry students in Ohio long into the future and into perpetuity.

The 2014 President’s Scholarship recipient is Amy Miller from The Ohio State University. please see page 20

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March 2014 19

continued from page 19

Southwest Ohio Environmental Horticulture Association (SOEHA) Lloyd W. Kennedy Scholarship This scholarship is available through the generosity of the Southwest Ohio Environmental Horticulture Association (commonly referred to as “SOEHA”).

Although this group disbanded in 2001, they donated all remaining organizational monies to a scholarship fund in honor of Lloyd W. Kennedy, to be administered by the ONLA. Each year, one student at one of the Southwestern Ohio colleges (Clark State Community College, the University of Cincinnati, or Cincinnati State Technical & Community College) is awarded the $500 SOEHA Lloyd W. Kennedy scholarship. The money is distributed on a rotating basis, with one student selected from a different school each year. In 2014, Melissa Kichler from The University of Cincinnati is being awarded this scholarship.

The Artist in Landscape Design Scholarship

by Fullmer’s Landscaping In January 2013, in an effort to continue to grow the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Scholarship fund, the ONLA issued a challenge to its members. The ONLA pledged to match any member who became an Academic Excellence Foundation (AEF) Ambassador level member ($25,000). Kent Fullmer, Fullmer’s Landscaping Inc. accepted the challenge by donating $25,000 to the AEF. The Artist in Landscape Design Scholarship by Fullmer’s Landscaping will offer a $2,000 scholarship every two years to a student studying in the horticultural field and attending school in the Tri-State area (Ohio, Indiana, or Kentucky). The winner of the 2014 Artist in Landscape Design Scholarship by Fullmer’s Landscaping is Nall Inshan Moonilall from The Ohio State University.

and the United States of America- Agricultural Research Service to successfully solve industry issues.

In honor of Champion’s legacy and dedication to the nursery and landscape industry, donations from his peers established The Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship Fund. Each year, Champion’s legacy will be remembered when the fund provides a student scholarship to a deserving horticultural student. It is our hope that each recipient will show a similar passion for the industry as Champion exhibited throughout his life. The 2014 Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Joshua Henry from The Ohio State Universitiy.

ONLA FFA Scholarships The ONLA is pleased to present scholarships to students who are involved in the FFA’s Horticultre program, who have a desire to pursue a career in horticulture fields, and who will attend college in pursuit of a horticulture degree. The winners of the 2014 FFA Scholarships are: • Ross Clark, Mayfield High School, Gates Mills, Ohio • Jessica Miller, Lorain County JVS, Oberlin, Ohio B

The Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship On November 10, 2011, Bryan A. Champion, president of Herman Losely and Son, Inc. located in Perry, Ohio, passed away at the age of 47. Champion was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, and fought a courageous 4-year battle to try to beat the devastating disease.

Champion was a 5th generation nurseryman with a passion for the nursery and landscape industry. During his career he was involved with local, state and national associations that represent the industry. He sought to advance the industry through sound leadership, volunteer participation, and peer-to-peer networking and education events. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1987.

Champion understood the value of a quality education and the importance of industry research. During his career at Herman Losely and Son, Inc., he worked with OSU

20 The Buckeye

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Young Pros Attend Career Marketplace continued from page 21

The ONLA Career Marketplace & Job Fair took place at CENTS on January 14, 2014. The Job Fair is: • • • • • •

a one stop shop for employers and job seeker connection a networking opportunity a place to exchange information a green industry and company promotion venue a mentorship opportunity a recruiting and hiring event

Job seekers also had the opportunity to schedule an appointment for a “resume building session.” This was a one-on-one consultation with a professional HR administrator in the green industry. Attendees left with action items to improve their presentation.

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Thank you to Our Job Fair Sponsors!

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation Ameriscape Landscape Maintenance and Irrigation Brickman The Davey Tree Expert Company Dan Druffel Inc. Landscaping English Gardens Environmental Management Inc. Greenleaf Landscapes, Inc. Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc. Ironwood Landscape, Inc. Oakland Nursery Inc. Willoway Nurseries Inc. B

March 2014 21

LandscapeAwards celebrate excellence

Experience the Beauty of Award Winning Ohio Landscapes Winning projects from the 41st Annual Landscape Awards were presented and the 2014 Landscape Project of the Year was revealed.

The ONLA’s 2014 Landscape Awards Program is designed to: • •

• •

Reward skilled professionals who have executed quality workmanship.

Encourage landscape contractors and landscape architects to continue their efforts to raise the industry’s image through consistent use of quality materials and competent workmanship.

Make a concerned citizenry aware of how quality landscaping can improve our environment and property values.

Recognize citizens who have taken action through quality landscaping to attain this end.

Judges’ Choice Project of the Year Award • Miriam’s River House Designs, LLC, Meditation Pavilion Residential Installation Under $15,000 • Grand, Miriam’s River House Designs, LLC, Japanese Green Roof Arbor Residential Installation $15,001 to $50,000 • Grand, Miriam’s River House Designs, LLC, Stone Arch • Merit, Builderscape, Private Residence in Dublin, OH • Merit, Lawn Scapes, Inc, Bishop Residence • Merit, Majestic Gardens, Goldhart Residence • Merit, Riepenhoff Landscape Ltd, German Village Garden

22 The Buckeye

•

Merit, Riepenhoff Landscape Ltd, Private Residence

Residential Installation Over $50,001 • Grand, Miriam’s River House Designs, LLC, Meditation Pavilion • Merit, Architectural Landscape Design, Inc. & Witte Landscape Specialists, Inc., Gockerman Residence • Merit, Buck & Sons Landscape Service, Brandemihl • Merit, Grunder Landscaping, Sanford • Merit, Grunder Landscaping, Cheney Commercial Installation Under $75,000 • Merit, Grunder Landscaping, Caresource Commercial Installation Over $75,000 • Grand, Builderscape, Livingston Park • Merit, Buck & Sons Landscape Service, Dublin Hospital Rooftop Healing Garden • Merit, Grunder Landscaping, U.D. Alumni Center • Merit, The Brickman Group, DDR Residential Landscape Maintenance • Grand, M.J. Design Associates, Inc, Delaware Estate Use of Seasonal Color, Container Garden, or Perennial Gardens • Merit, M.J. Design Associates, Inc, Delaware Estate • Merit, M.J. Design Associates, Inc, Delaware Estate • Merit, The Ohio State University Golf Club, The OSU Golf Club

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2014 Landscape Awards

Project of theYear

Thank You to Our Landscape Awards Program Sponsors!

• Buckeye Resources of Springfield, Ohio • Cash Flow Management of Portland, Oregon • Klyn Nurseries of Perry, Ohio • LS Training of London, Ontario Canada • Millcreek Gardens of Ostrander, Ohio • Pond Supplies of Ohio of Uniontown, Ohio • Wholesale Stone Supplies of Columbus, Ohio • Willoway Nurseries of Avon, Ohio

24 The Buckeye

Miriam’s River House Designs, LLC of Mentor, OH was awarded the Judges’ Choice Project of the Year for the Meditation Pavilion. It was designed for the purpose of meditation and prayer. The surrounding areas include gardens and a patio with a relaxing fire pit area. The pavilion is constructed of South American Ipe wood; an extremely dense and heavy wood with a deep red maroon hue. It’s a wood well suited for outdoor construction and sustainability. B

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2014

LANDSCAPERS’ CHALLENGE During the 2014 Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show (CENTS), held January 13-15, the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) hosted the Landscapers’ Challenge. Teams had a seven-hour time limit and were asked to transform 400 square feet into a landscape masterpiece that showcased skill and teamwork. Participating schools showed off their work to thousands of CENTS attendees and the winner won not only bragging rights, but also a cash prize.

Contestants included Auburn Career Center (Painesville, OH), Medina County Career Center (Medina, OH), Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (Bellefontaine, OH), and Tolles Technical Career Center (Plain City, OH).

Teams had seven hours to take the blueprints, the materials, and their skills and create a 400 square foot landscape masterpiece, complete with landscape lighting, pavers, furniture, plant materials, and a water feature.

Judges (professional, certified landscape and nursery experts) walked the show floor on Monday, January 13, 2014 and evaluated the landscape displays on safety, accuracy of design, teamwork, creative problem solving, and the “detailing” considered essential by today’s top landscape design/build companies.

After careful review, the judges decided on a winner of the 2014 ONLA Landscapers’ Challenge. Congratulations to Medina County Career Center!

Special thanks to sponsors who supplied construction and plant materials for this fun event!

• Acorn Farms/Oakland Nurseries • Best Sand, Fairmount Minerals • Buckeye Resources, Inc. • Gilson Gardens, Inc. • Herman Losely & Son, Inc. • Kichler Lighting • Klyn Nurseries • Lake County Nursery • Oberfields, LLC • Ohio Stone • Tree Tyme Nursery • Willoway Nursery B onla.org

March 2014 25

Honoring Excellence in Leadership

Professional Awards !

Distinguished Contribution Award

It is with great pleasure that the ONLA Board of Directors announces the 2014 Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association’s (ONLA) Distinguished Contribution Award Winner, Peter Scarff of Scarff’s Nursery, Inc. in New Carlisle, Ohio.

The purpose of the ONLA’s Distinguished Contribution Award is to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions to the nursery and landscape industries.

Any Ohio resident, who has significantly contributed to any aspects of the horticulture field, is eligible.

2014 ONLA Distinguished Contribution Award Winner Peter Scarff (left) with presenter Bill Scarff (right).

Scarff was born in Dayton, Ohio and began working in the family nursery business at the age of 6.

He spent most summers riding his bicycle into the fields to hoe weeds for 4 hours each day. When he left home for college at Ohio University in 1978, the family nursery in New Carlisle, Ohio, had already passed through four generations, and his brother Bill seemed poised to be the fifth. His mind was on playing tennis, and he had no aspirations to return to carry on the legacy of his horticultural family. After spending a few years in the financial world he realized this life wasn’t for him and he belonged outdoors. In July of 1985, he spoke with his father, who was president of the Nursery, and his mother, who was vice president, and asked if there was a place for

him. For two months that summer, all five members of the family worked together at the Nursery.

Working in all areas of the family business, Peter built his knowledge of horticulture, propagation, and landscaping. As part of that apprenticeship, he began to contribute to The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association through committee work and was asked to lend his talents to the ONLA Board in 1992. He expanded his contributions, serving on various committees for AAN and ANLA. He became president of the ONLA in 1995 and led the organization through the first dues increase since 1981. Back home on the farm, he became the president of the nursery in 2000, and he continues in that role today.

He has also served his local community in a variety of facets. He has been elected to the local school board for two terms, sat on the Cox Arboretum Foundation Board, New Carlisle Library Board, member and past president of the New Carlisle Rotary club and a Deacon at Lake Avenue Christian Church. He married wife Cindy in 1987 and has three children Nelson, Henry and Anna.

The ONLA is pleased and honored to present the 2014 Distinguished Contribution Award to Peter Scarff.

ONLA Service Award

The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) is pleased to announce the 2014 Service Award recipient, Jennifer Gray, former Associate Executive Director of The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association. The award was presented by retired ONLA Executive Director, Bill Stalter during the Central Environmental Trade Show (CENTS) at the ONLA Luncheon & Business Meeting held January 14, 2014 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.

The ONLA Service Award, previously known as the Award of Merit, seeks to honor those people who have unselfishly given their time, resources or talents to serve the association. The Service Award is intended to recognize individual members who have served the ONLA in an outstanding manner in one or more of the following ways: officer, board of directors, committee chair, committee member or membership service provider. Eligibility includes any member of any ONLA membership classification or representative of a member firm of the ONLA. Gray is a proud graduate of Otterbein University and was hired at ONLA on January 19, 1998. Five days later, she attended her first CENTS Show as an ONLA staff member. She was hired to write the monthly magazine, The Buckeye, develop membership brochures and to assist with other association projects whenever and wherever

Legislator of the Year

needed. A few months later, she was named Communications Director.

In the nearly fifteen years she was employed by the ONLA, she held many titles. In addition to her duties as Communications Director, she was named Associate Executive Director in November 2007. She served as Interim Executive Director from August 2009 to May 2010.

From 2010 to 2013, she held the dual titles of Associate Executive Director and Communications Director. As the Associate E.D. Jennifer maintained the Political Action Committee records and reports; managing the scholarship program and job fair; acting as the ONLA Board of Directors recording secretary and assumed the role of executive director in the absence of Executive Director, Kevin Thompson.

As Communications Director, she was editor of ONLA’s magazine, The Buckeye, having won several awards for it during her tenure, from the Ohio Society of Association Executives. All together, she was responsible for producing more than 200 issues. She handled association advertising sales and sponsorships; served as art director and graphic designer for all other publications plus the two websites, ONLA.org and BuckeyeGardening.com.

Jennifer left the ONLA in November, 2013 to begin a new career and meet new challenges as Research Programs Administrator with the Horticultural Research Institute, better known has HRI. HRI is the research affiliate of AmericanHort, the name of the new consolidation of two national industry associations, the ANLA and OFA, and is based in Columbus, Ohio.

She and her husband, Ben, reside in Sunbury with sons Wyatt and Charlie. The ONLA is pleased to present Jennifer Gray with the 2014 Service Award.

It was with great pleasure that the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) announced the 2014 Legislator of the Year recipient, Senator Gayle Manning, during the Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show (CENTS) held this year January 13-15 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.

State Senator Gayle Manning is serving her first term in the Ohio Senate representing the 13th District, which encompasses Huron and Lorain Counties. Prior to running for the Senate, Manning spent 37 years as an elementary school teacher.

Prior to her time in the Statehouse, Manning served as a member of the North Ridgeville Planning Commission and on the North Ridgeville City Council from 2006-2007, where she was appointed Finance Chairwoman and Council President Pro Tempore.

For the 130th General Assembly, Senator Manning has been named Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation. With many major interchanges in her district, including the Ohio Turnpike, this prestigious appointment brings great influence to Senator Manning’s Northeast Ohio district.

In addition to other committees, Sen. Manning serves on the all-important Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. She has been a firm supporter of agricultural and green industry issues most recently through her introduction of SB 192, which clarifies ODA authority relative to invasive plant species. She is a hard worker, a tireless leader and a true friend to the industry.

The ONLA is pleased to present the 2014 Legislator of the Year to Senator Gayle Manning.

Young Professional Award It is with great pleasure that the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) announces the 2014 Young Professional of the Year Award recipient, Mark Reiner. ONLA’s Young Professional of the Year Award seeks to recognize young professionals, age 35 or under, who have contributed significantly to the success of their company of employment and have been actively involved in ONLA and/or national association activities. The ONLA wishes to not only recognize but to encourage participation, growth and achievement by young professionals involved in production, landscape, retail and/or maintenance aspects of our industry. The selection of the Young Professional of the Year is made by the ONLA Distinguished Contribution Awards Committee.

Reiner was born in Columbus, Ohio and is a graduate of St. Charles Preparatory School. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Finance. While attending CMU, he interned at Goldman Sachs in Great Britain. He was a four year starter and captain on their football team and was elected one of Carnegie Mellon University’s most outstanding players of the last 25 years. Before moving on to his next employment, he found out what a sledge hammer, shovel, and saw were all about as he spent the summer building loading docks at Acorn Farms. They still stand today.

After college graduation, he then traveled to New York City and Wall Street as a stock trader for various firms for the next six years.

He presently serves as Vice President of Operations for Oakland Nurseries and its four Garden Centers. He also serves as Oakland’s Head Buyer of Green Goods and was fundamental in developing Oakland’s Award Program. He plays a pivotal role in Oakland Nurseries business and insurance negotiations and was a motivating force in acquiring Oakland’s fourth retail site in New Albany, Ohio. He is a key component in Oakland Nurseries continued growth.

Reiner currently serves on the ONLA Board of Directors and the City of Bexley, Ohio Tree and Public Garden Commission.

This young, industry leader is married to his wife Ashley and has two daughters – Ella and Maggie. The ONLA is pleased to present the 2014 Young Professional of the Year Award to Mark Reiner.

Educator & Public Service Award The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association is pleased to announce the 2014 Educator and Public Service Award Recipient, Joanne Kick-Raack. The award was presented during CENTS at the ONLA Luncheon & Business Meeting. The Educator & Public Service Award recognizes outstanding educators and/ or public service employees. Candidates are those who have given their time and/or talents to benefit the Green Industry in one or more of the following ways: outstanding classroom teachers who have also served the adult community through outreach programs; researchers who have worked in areas of major industry needs; extension personnel who have consistently taken an active role in Green Industry activities; garden writers and radio and television personnel who have been complimentary to the objectives of the industry; government employees who have assisted the industry in preventing or solving potential problems, and arboreta and botanic garden employees who have served the industry in a variety of ways.

Kick-Raack grew up on a dairy farm in Dalton, Ohio and then moved to Loudonville in northeast-central Ohio. She then went to the Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical

Institute. Her experience and geographic range soon developed as an exchange student in Quito Ecuador and her first college major was in Spanish. Following an early internship at the FMC Company in upstate New York, agriculture returned to her portfolio. She attended Cornell, received a B.S. degree, majoring in plant pathology, working on the nematode Ziphinema americanum, an important vector of fruit tree viruses. She also processed nematode samples in the Cornell plant disease clinic. Returning to FMC after graduation, she continued research on nematodes. Her next move was to Abbott Labs in Chicago as a regional manager and technical advisor in their agricultural chemical division, then back to Ohio as technical support in Chemlawn’s Agvantage division as an agricultural consultant, before becoming the assistant manager at the Chemlawn Diagnostic Laboratory near Delaware, Ohio.

In her next invention, she worked as a project manager at AT&T, where she met her husband, Jerry. For Joanne, plants again beckoned and this time it was again the Green Industry.

From 1989 until 2013, Joanne was the State Program Director for the Pesticide Safety Education Program Ohio State, with stints as the

interim national program director for pesticide education with the USDA and with several other assignments overseas.

Joanne also pursued and received a Master’s Degree in agricultural education, minoring in Integrated Pest Management at Ohio State. Her diligent efforts at pesticide safety, working with the nursery and landscape industry and the overall agricultural community brought her the well-deserved Agriculture Woman of the Year Award from the ODA in 2013 and now this ONLA Educator and Public Service Award from ONLA. The ONLA is pleased to present Joanne Kick-Raack with the 2014 Service Award.

Legislative Advocate of the Year It is with great pleasure that the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) announces the 2014 Legislative Advocate of the Year, Mark Gilson. The Legislative Advocate of the Year Award, previously known as the Grassroots Volunteer Award, is presented annually to a deserving individual in the green industry who has shown outstanding leadership in legislative affairs. Gilson is a third-generation owner and operator of Gilson Gardens in Perry Ohio. He has lectured on nursery topics in New York, Ohio and Indiana and has written numerous articles for trade publications.

As an officer with Ohio Invasive Plants Council, he helped draft the new “Assessment Protocol” for Ohio representing nursery as well as environmental interests. He served on the board of Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association and is a past president of Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio. He holds various industry achievement awards and remains active in legislative activities.

Mark Gilson and his wife believe in community engagement, industry leadership and conscientious environmental stewardship. In 2012, they received a commendation from Lake County Commissioners for placing a conservation easement on an 18-acre farm and also for constructive involvement in county activities over the years.

Mark has received the ‘Outstanding Service Award’, a ‘Service Honorarium’ and a ‘Political Outreach Award’ from Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio, an 8-county association founded in 1927.

Mark graduated from The Ohio State University in 1973 with a BA in English, where he met his wife Kristine. After

working at Schmidt Nursery Co. in Bexley, Ohio and Veldkamps Wholesale Greenhouses in Colorado, Mark returned to school and in 1980 received a BS in Accounting from Lake Erie College. From there he became a Certified Public Accountant, and worked as an auditor with Grant-Thornton for several years. Later he returned to the family business and has managed it for over 25 years.

In 2007, Mark served as President of Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio and subsequently as co-chair of the NGLCO Summer Field Day committee. Since then, he has served terms on the ONLA Board of Directors, Lake Extension Advisory Committee, Chairperson of the ONLA Nursery Grower Committee and the ONLA Short Course Committee. He currently serves on the Perry JEDD board, the Arcola Creek Watershed Workgroup and has been active in Farmland Preservation efforts as well as local Hispanic community advocacy.

Mark also co-founded the Lake County Ag Water Coalition.

The ONLA is pleased to present the 2014 Legislative Advocate of the Year Award to Mark Gilson.

Educator & Public Service Award The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association (ONLA) is pleased to announce the 2014 Educator and Public Service Award Recipient, Tom McNutt. The award was presented during the Central Environmental Trade Show (CENTS) at the ONLA Luncheon & Business Meeting held January 14, 2014 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.

The ONLA Educator & Public Service Award recognizes outstanding educators and/or public service employees. Candidates are those who have given their time and/or talents to benefit the Green Industry in one or more of the following ways: outstanding classroom teachers who have also served the adult community through outreach programs; researchers who have worked in areas of major industry needs; extension personnel who have consistently taken an active role in Green Industry activities; garden writers and radio and television personnel who have been complimentary to the objectives of the industry; government employees who have assisted the industry in preventing or solving potential problems, and arboreta and botanic garden employees who have served the industry in a variety of ways.

A native of Dunkirk, Ohio in Hardin County, Tom earned his B.S. and M.A. degrees in Agriculture Education from The Ohio

State University. After graduation, Tom taught vocational agriculture, worked with 4-H programs and served as the Franklin County Extension Agent for 20 years overseeing the Franklin County Fair and many local programs.

Additionally he served as Executive Director of the Ohio Council of Farmer Cooperatives and the Ohio Agriculture Council.

Upon retirement from his first career in 1988 from The Ohio State University, Tom embarked on a second career with NBC-4 as their Garden Expert. Prior to his retirement from NBC in May of 2012 Tom published a book, Tom’s Green Thumb Advice to Grow On written in the witty home spun style he did his shows.

Tom lives in Hilliard with his wife Joan and has three children Tim, Tammy and Kathy. The ONLA is pleased to present Tom McNutt with the 2014 Service Award. B

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Restoring the Native Landscape Together

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Feature

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Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association Announces CENTS University at 2015 Trade Show: World-Class Education for the Green Industry The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association Board of Directors and Staff announce the rollout of CENTS University, a fresh new approach to educating the green industry at the CENTS Marketplace convention each January.

ONLA President David Richards states, “CENTS University represents the vision of ONLA to provide world-class education about the business and green issues of greatest importance, and to deliver it with unparalleled excellence, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. CENTS University will reach out not only with continuing education, new research and business-critical information, but with the passion and devotion that make what this industry does so much more than a livelihood.”

After its successful 2014 Show, the ONLA Board of Directors and Staff immediately began plans to enhance the quality of its education program, while making the process more efficient and cost-effective for participants.

Education will continue to be available to exhibitors, just as in previous years.

•

• • •

powering professionals through meaningful learning. As those whose business depends on the success of the green industry, we are fortunate to have a community of supporters that is dedicated and driven. And our mission is to grow that community. With CENTS University, we are offering a world-class green and business education program worthy of the CENTS name. We continue to be motivated to make CENTS Marketplace of even higher value to exhibitors and attendees, making CENTS the one convention they can’t afford to miss.”

The CENTS Marketplace Convention will take place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio January 7-9, 2015. B

CENTS attendees will access world-class continuing education from the nation’s best colleges and universities and green industry professionals as well as nontraditional experts, speakers, authors, business professionals and peers who offer a unique and pertinent viewpoint Coverage of topics that attendees and exhibitors such as landscape, nursery, turf, arborist, garden center, and others - see as critically important More cost-effective educational opportunities at CENTS Streamlined, tech-friendly registration and payment operations

Kevin Thompson, ONLA Executive Director adds, “CENTS University marks the next generation of emonla.org

"Ohio Grown PROUDLY for over 50 years!”

March 2014 31

SAFETY FIRST

PUCO Promoting Commercial Vehicle Safety Across Ohio

Tips for drivers to avoid top violations seen in Ohio.

Ohio’s world-class transportation system includes eight interstate highways that offer safe, fast and reliable options for all travelers. Highways are the arteries of commerce, but are only as efficient and dependable as the safe drivers that use them.

Ohio ranks fifth as one of the most highly traveled states in the country. There are also more private and commercial trucks registered in Ohio than 44 other states in the country with approximately 105,000 commercial vehicles registered to operate in the state that fall under the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s (PUCO) jurisdiction. Additionally, there are more than 1,074,000 drivers with a Commercial Drivers License in Ohio — which means an estimated one out of every eight Ohio drivers is licensed to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV).

The PUCO’s Transportation Department, Motor Carrier Division is committed to improving road safety for Ohioans by ensuring the safe operation of CMVs in Ohio.

Motor carrier companies that transport commerce and operate in Ohio, must remain in compliance with all federal and state safety regulations that are administered by the PUCO Transportation Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The PUCO and the Ohio State Highway Patrol regularly perform thorough and fair inspections of commercial vehicles and professional drivers to ensure Ohio’s highways remain safe for families. Each safety inspection follows a standard process to make sure the driver and motor carrier meet the necessary state and federal safety regulations. Drivers and motor carriers that do not meet these regulations are issued violations, and in some cases cannot continue driving until the violation is corrected.

Common Violations and Safety Tips Vehicles and drivers that fail safety inspections are

32 The Buckeye

immediately placed out-of-service and not allowed to operate until the identified safety problems are addressed.

The PUCO believes driver awareness and education can cut down the volume of violations and offers these tips in avoiding some of the most common out-of-service violations issued to drivers, motor carriers and hazardous material haulers in Ohio.

1. Record of duty status violations are often the most frequently cited violations for CMV drivers in Ohio. Federal law requires drivers to record his/her duty status for each 24-hour period. Often times driver’s neglect to fully record their duty status (as outlined in the federal safety regulations) until they reach their destination.

Tip for drivers: Keep log books inside the truck cab at all times. Remember to keep log books current as of the last time you came on-duty, and not when you first began your haul.

2. Out-of-service violations for lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps and turn signals) and tires on trucks routinely top the citation list each year and can lead to substantial fines for motor carriers. Too many violations can impact a motor carrier’s safety rating, which is available to the public and customers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. Most lighting and tire violations are easily avoidable and can be caught during a pre-trip driver inspection.

Tip for motor carriers: Practice periodic checks on your drivers to make sure they are practicing preand post-trip inspections. Self-audits and organized company reviews will save money and ensure company-wide safe practices. The PUCO provides many of these required forms for safe commercial driving on our website.

3. Shipping paper violations and improper placarding violations are other common out-of-service violations for motor carriers hauling hazardous materials. There are different rules and regulations that apply for motor carriers hauling hazardous materials — and since motor carriers typically haul items onla.org

other than hazmat more frequently, drivers tend to forget which rules apply and tend to make simple mistakes.

Tip for Drivers and Motor Carriers When Hauling Hazardous Material Participate in quarterly refresher safety courses for drivers about current rules and regulations. The rules and regulations for shipping papers and placarding rarely change and violations are easily preventable. Remember that shipping papers must be kept at arms length of the driver at all times. In case of an emergency, first responders must know exactly what the driver is hauling.

If a motor carrier is found to be in violation of a safety regulation, they are issued a civil forfeiture, or fine. The PUCO facilitates the civil forfeiture program to deter violations and encourage compliance with the federal and state rules. From 2008–2012 there was a 29 percent decrease in the total out-of-service violations issued to motor carriers and professional drivers in Ohio.

History of PUCO Civil Forfeiture Program Prior to 1988, transportation violations were issued by local courts. Because violations were issued against a driver, motor carriers had little incentive to comply with safety regulations. Additionally, violations were not included in the carrier’s safety record, making it difficult

to identify carriers with patterns of violations.

To create a consistent means to track safety violations and issue penalties, the PUCO was given authority to assess civil forfeitures for violations involving highway transportation and hazardous materials in 1988. In 1995, Ohio law authorized the PUCO to assess civil forfeitures for all motor carrier safety violations. The PUCO annually issues an average of 3,000 penalty notices and collects approximately $2.5 million in civil forfeitures.

For More Information All of us have a part to play in the safe transit of commercial goods on Ohio roadways. The PUCO wants to help motor carriers and drivers understand and practice safe procedures. By being mindful of common violations and following the tips to avoiding them, motor carriers and drivers can help keep violations to a minimum and better ensure safe operations.

For more information on motor carrier safety, the PUCO’s CMV inspection process and civil forfeiture program, contact the PUCO at (800) 686-PUCO (7826) or visit the motor carrier industry section of www.PUCO. ohio.gov. B

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onla.org

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E-Mail: Bedrock109@sbcglobal.net March 2014 33

Welcome New ONLA Members The following firms and individuals have been approved for ONLA membership, pending the completion of the application process, which includes requesting comments from the current ONLA membership regarding the qualifications and/or dues classifications of applicants within three weeks following receipt of this issue of The Buckeye.

Kurb Appeal Landscaping, LLC The following companies Finnegan Landscaping LLC Mantua, OH 44255 are applying for ACTIVE Ostrander, OH 43061 Randal Kukral, Category 5 membership: Greg Finnegan, Category 4 Advanced Industry Supplies, LLC Columbus, OH 43228 Steve White, Category 5 Caines & Associates LLC Columbus, OH 43223 Nicholas Caines, Category 5 Cotter and Sons Lawn Care Columbus, OH 43224 Michael Cotter , Category 5 Delagrange Landscaping Centerburg, OH 43011 Adam Delagrange, Category 5

Hartman Lawn Care LLC Zanesville, OH 43701 Beau Hartman, Category 5

Land Aid LLC Englewood, OH 45322 Joe Plummer, Category 5

Heasley’s Nurseries Inc. Butler, PA 16002 Linda Cranmer, Category 5

Luther Landscaping Hamilton, OH 45013 Joe Luther, Category 1

Jackson Industries Inc. Toledo, OH 43606 Thomas Jackson Jr. , Category 5

Macon Wood Works Inc. Baltimore, OH 43105 Clayton Warren, Category 5

Johnson & Roe Landscaping LLC Norwalk, OH 44857 Brian Roe, Category 5

MLH Design & Build Johnstown, OH 43031 Mindi Sileargy, Category 5

Mohler Pavescapes LLC Brookville, OH 45309 Neal Mohler, Category 5 Sherman & Sons Lawn Care LLC Valley City, OH 44280 Dale Sherman, Category 5 Spectrum Net Designs Grandville, MI 49468 Laura Kaptein, Category 4 The Buren Insurance Group Inc. Columbus, OH 43215 Justin Buren, Category 5 The Lady Bug Garden Center Canal Fulton, OH 44614 Donna Matako, Category 5 Vista IT Systems, Inc. Akron, OH 44313 Jerry Peyton, Category 4 B

Yuki Cherry Blossom™ Deutzia Pink Deutzia ‘Nikko’! It’s covered with soft pink flowers in spring, making it perfect for spring impulse sales. A neat, mounded habit and excellent fall color make Yuki Cherry Blossom a fantastic plant for landscapers, too.

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Feature

Why matter MEMBERS

Organizations like the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association exist to serve their members. When originally formed, associations typically serve the interests of a particular, often small trade group. In the case of ONLA, its legacy organization served primarily nursery grower’s in Ohio. As with any organization, membership growth is fundamental to sustainability. Therefore, membership in the organization is often solicited from closely allied trades. Just look at the diversity of members and vendors attending CENTS. ONLA has become the largest organization representing the Green Industry in Ohio, because members matter.

Educational Opportunities to Insure Your Success It is incumbent on the leadership and staff of the association to identify and serve the needs of this ever-evolving membership to facilitate your success in the industry.

That is one of the goals of the Membership Committee.

Technical and business educational opportunities abound at CENTS. In addition, ONLA sponsors technical webinars, diagnostic walk-abouts, horticultural field trial events and workshops just to name a few. The Ohio Certified Nursery Technician Program (OCNT) strives to improve the knowledge and skills of your employees in the specialty areas of Garden Center, Nursery Grower and Landscape-Design/Build and Maintenance. We are looking forward to expanding the “doing business” educational opportunities for our members. If you have suggestions in any of these areas we would like to hear from you, because members matter.

Member Services to Improve Your Bottom Line As the old saying goes “Membership has its privileges”, and this is very true for ONLA members. Members are strongly encouraged to seek out and save money by partnering with companies in our Savings Programs.

Without a doubt, one of the greatest savings for any business is to become an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) group rated company.

Through CareWorks Consultants, Inc. (CCI), your company can enjoy not only huge savings on its workers’ compensation premiums, but also have highly skilled onla.org

workers’ compensation. consultants on your side. Participating in CCI seminars means you will understand how BWC premiums impact your business, especially when you have a claim. And if you have a claim, you will have experts guiding you through the process and saving you money. On a personal note, my small company has been group rated by CCI since 1995. As a result, we have saved many thousands of dollars in BWC premiums. For many companies, your membership dues are paid many times over in saving from the ONLA/CCI group rating program. Don’t go it alone! Find out about your savings today and be prepared in case of a BWC reportable incident.

ONLA has partnered with several other businesses in our Savings Program. Significant savings in health, life and income insurance are available as well as money saving opportunities in property and casualty insurance.

Our payroll and human resources services, credit and debit card processing, telecommunication services and credit collection services partners are waiting to save you money and increase your potential for success. Several other partners in our Savings Program can be found in ONLA publications and on the ONLA website (onla.org).

Since members matter, we always want to hear your ideas on partnering with other business service providers.

Membership – Working For You The Membership Committee takes our mission seriously. Our mission is to maintain, acquire, retain and serve membership firms by reviewing existing services and implementing new services that would help increase members’ profitability. ONLA provides unparalleled educational opportunities, business services, publications and other resources to promote and help grow your business. Roni Petersen, ONLA Membership & Certification Manager, works passionately for our members. We are always on the lookout to enhance our member services.

Our board members, membership committee and ONLA Staff want to hear from you. Because members matter, your ideas matter! B

Chuck Darrah ONLA Membership Committee clclabs@aol.com

March 2014 35

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In Memoriam: Egidius M. Stroombeck Egidius M. “Gied” Stroombeek passed away February 6, 2014, in Euclid, Ohio. Mr. Stroombeek was born September 6, 1925, in Heerlen, Netherlands. Prior to immigrating to the United States in 1952, Gied was trained in Boskoop, Holland, as a propagator. Upon his arrival, he was employed as a propagator at Warner Nursery in Willoughby, where he met his future wife and eventual business partner, Johanna “Ann” Newman, who was also born in Heerlen, Netherlands.

Gied and Ann were married in 1958, and soon purchased property on Green Road in Madison and began Roemer Nursery, Inc. The name “Roemer” came from the traditional Dutch drinking glass, a sign of hospitality. Roemer still operates today and includes a nursery display garden that was well known in national and international plant circles in which he and his wife, envisioned and was later realized by he and his second wife, Carolyn (Charles) Stroombeek.

Gied and Ann designed and built their own home adjacent to the nursery property, which included their one-of-a-kind indoor garden, where they lived with their two children, Hadey and Terry.

Gied was internationally known and active in many organizations related to propagation and growing. His first love was The International Plant Propagators Society, where he was awarded the prestigious Fellow Award. He was a board member and past president of the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, where he was awarded the

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bronze medal for his contributions to the chapter, and was one of the board of directors of Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster. He was also a member of the American Holly Society and many other nursery associations.

Gied was always athletic. His first competitive sport was ice skating on the canals in Holland. In later years, he was a member of the Runners Club and won many awards for 10K’s, half marathons and marathons, where his numerous wins in his age bracket dubbed him the nickname “The Flying Dutchman.”

Gied ran his last race at age 79. He also was an avid swimmer.

He enjoyed his daily 4 a.m. swim and workouts at the Madison YMCA, up until recent years.

Gied was a gentleman, scholar, and devotee of history and world politics. He will be remembered for his roaring voice and Dutch accent, his passion for plants and his caring generous spirit with everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ann Newman Stroombeek; son, Terrance Stroombeek; and sister, Tonia Stroombeek.

Gied is survived by his daughter, Hadey Stoombeek of Columbus; “special daughters,” Kim Beitel of Columbus and Lisa Ungers of Perry; grandson, Jesse Stroombeek of Florida; daughter-in-law, Carrie Stroombeek of Florida; loving caregiver, Robin Hirsch of Eastlake; and his dear friend and former wife, Carolyn (Charles) Stroombeek and family. B

M a n a g e m e n t To d a y / M a r k e t i n g To d a y

THE PERFECT SCORE! It was the worst eight weeks of my life – basic training.

During the 8th week, it was time for the physical fitness test. For some reason, I wanted to excel on this test, which consisted of things like carrying another soldier on my back for 50 yards, scrambling across the overhead bars, crawling under barbed wire, and the final test – the one mile run.

The U. S. Army did not equip us with Nike running shoes and track uniforms – we were in fatigues and combat boots. It was late May, and extremely hot in Ft. Bragg, N.C. I had completed every step – except the one mile run. I was already exhausted, and drenched in sweat from the other events.

My Drill Sergeant, Sgt. Cornelius Brown, brought my squad together before this final event. He announced that only one soldier had a chance for the perfect score – and that was me. He told my fellow squad members that he expected them to cheer loudly as I ran this race for perfection.

I went to the starting line, with my squad members cheering me on. The starting gun fired, and I took off quickly. It was a quarter-mile track – four times around and I could complete my mission – the perfect score.

The instant that I gave up, I heard footsteps beside me, and glanced over to see Drill Sgt. Brown running beside me. “Come on, Private Mayberry, we’re going to do this!” Drill Sgt. Brown ran the final lap with me. I found energy that I didn’t know that I had, and I ran that last lap, side by side with Drill Sgt. Cornelius Brown. I finished two seconds ahead of my required time, and I had… the perfect score.

The Shazzam Challenge Who is the Drill Sgt. Brown in your life? Give them a call and say “Thank You!” Also - think of someone that you can inspire – and “run” beside them, helping them achieve their goals. B Mark Mayberry Customer Service Expert Mark works with a wide variety of organizations around the world, helping “Service With Shazzam” 815-209-1381

As I came around the first quarter mile marker, I could hear my squad, cheering loudly. There was Drill Sgt. Brown, with his stop watch, “You’re doing great Private Mayberry, you’re two seconds ahead!” Indeed, I was leading the pack.

The second quarter-mile seemed to fly by, and as I came by the stands, my team was cheering even louder than before. Drill Sgt. Brown yelled out, “You’re four seconds ahead of the pace, keep it up!”

Halfway done, my energy was at an all-time high, and I took off for the third lap around the track. My feet didn’t even feel like they were touching the ground, and I could feel the wind blowing through my hair. I thought to myself, “Not only am I going to finish in the allotted time, I may set a new record!”

As I approached the ¾ mile post, I noticed that my squad mates were still cheering, but the enthusiasm was gone. And then I heard Drill Sgt. Brown’s status report – “You’re two seconds behind, Private Mayberry. Pick it up! I know you can do it!”

One lap to go, only two seconds behind. I’m sure you’ll agree – that should have fired me up. But when I heard Drill Sgt. Brown call out that I was two seconds behind.…I…gave….up. onla.org

March 2014 37

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Retail Roundtable

Generating Traffic During Off Peak Times

Hey kids, what time is it? It’s time to play, “Let’s Ask the Retailers!” You know the rules: we ask the question and our retailing aficionados provide the answers. Are you ready? Then let’s play!

Ah, the smell of fresh paint, bagged fertilizers, and organic potting soil fills the air. Assorted potted budding spring flowering bulbs and colorful pansies are scattered on the semi-empty tables in anticipation of warmer weather and annuals galore. There is a buzz in the air at the locally owned independent garden center as the much awaited spring season approaches. A time when two days of 50 degree weather brings customers flocking to the garden store looking for those prized tomato and petunia plants, and hey, it’s only March. But right now, we want to look to the past; last winter, last summer, and those “off peak” times of the year most garden centers experience. Looking back to those “slowed down times” we ask this question: Driving traffic in to the retail garden centers during the off-peak times - what have you tried to help generate traffic during those times? What has been successful and what has been a bust? Do you think money and efforts spent to help drive off-peak times traffic is effective? Would it be better used to encourage traffic during the peak times? Give us your insights, thoughts,

38 The Buckeye

and points to ponder about generating traffic during the off-peak times.

Oakland Nursery / Andrew Bartram – “Here in New Albany after the Christmas rush has wound down so does our nursery. We do a post Christmas sale and promote our birding products with sales and advertising though the winter months. However, we mainly use the first two months of the year to recover and prepare for the upcoming season. This way we are able to clean, revamp, and reorganize to supply the best possible service and products when March rolls around with a new year’s worth of products and marketing.”

Green Vista Water Gardens / Stephen Blessing – “Cannot say I have ever found anything that we have tried off season that generated good or great customer traffic AND money, considering the time & effort expended.

Defining off-season as November 1 - March 15, our most successful events/sales have been seminars/demonstrations which can bring in a good crowd and may sell a few things during that day. However, any long term benefits are much harder to measure in terms of goodwill (seminars you offer but are not well attended) or sale promotions that generate little traffic. If we judge things based just on money generated during the time of the off-season event, then it is difficult to not think our time would be onla.org

better spent maximizing the spring and summer seasons.

In fact, the most effective sales and events we have experienced have been online promotions on our websites during the winter months. Another obvious advantage of online sales is it’s always sunny & warm somewhere...if not in Ohio!”

White Oak Garden Center / Tom Hilgeman – “Our Make & Take classes have done a good job at generating traffic during the late winter weekends. Customers have the itch to do some type of gardening and the classes give them something to do with plants in the greenhouse when the weather does not allow it outdoors. Now these same Make & Takes have not been as successful in the middle of summer as they are in Jan – March and Sept – Dec. The reason for the low turnout in the summer is probably the heat and customers just have more going on in the summer weekends. Our 2014 plan is to increase these Make & Takes to not only be held on Saturdays but also during the week likely Tuesday morning. I would say the time and effort we put in to drive the off peak events is well worth it. Almost all the marketing we do to promote the classes is with our email and other social media channels. So the cost is low or already a planned expense.”

Buckeye Resources / Tony Sciambi – “Not being a retailer, I have observed several off peak promotions.

One that was done with snow on the ground, had to do with promoting herbs. The store had ordered over 100 varieties of herbs, and had cooking demos using the herbs in the recipes along with planting of strawberry jars of mixed herbs. They also had fact sheets with the medicinal uses of the herbs. In addition to the herbs, they ordered in a large assortment of flowering plants along with tropical to help encourage and boost sales.”

Oakland Nursery / Jodi Dawson – “On the off peak times, we have tried many things. We have winter house plant and bird seed sales just so people will visit us. That always brings customers in. The greenhouse stays the same throughout the winter, so it is a nice tropical paradise to visit during the cold months. Our famous Thank You Sale is in July. That has proven to do very well for us. One down side, we have done it for so long that customers know it is coming and wait to buy. During the hot summer months we want to put on events, but everyone is starting vacations including employees. We are still brainstorming for that time of the year. I think if we come up with some good ideas, it will be worth the effort.

Oakland Nursery does a Girls Night Out event in November. It was such a slow time for us. We decided to invite the ladies. It just keeps getting bigger each year! I have to admit, we spoil everyone on that night! We have found that many new customers walk through the door with this event. When something is successful, we strive to make it better. If it fails, we don’t do it again. It is always a challenge to get people through the door during off peak onla.org

times. As long as Oakland Nursery is not afraid, then we will try it. That is what I love about this place!”

H.J. Benken Florist & Greenhouses / Tim Clark – “We have been on both sides of the fence with this issue.

I see the value and logic in maintaining a presence in front of your customer base year round; you don’t want them seeking another retailer out. On the other hand, there are definite slow periods in any garden center that you have to wonder why you are spending good money trying to attract customers when they are not interested.

Lately I have found that we are spending the available money for advertising during the periods of time when we believe people are most receptive to our message and when we have the most to sell. In the past we have tried increasing our offerings to include things that are not traditionally garden center related such as pet items, gift items, etc. These new categories did not drive the traffic we were looking for and have since been dropped. We do reasonably well in the winter off season with houseplants and blooming plants but it’s not enough. We sell a few things throughout the winter to bide our time until spring arrives.

Sharon Nursery / Darlene Cooper (Guest Contributor) – “I think this is a fun but challenging question! As I mentioned in our last go round, there has been a lot less money invested in special events, especially with a smaller than usual staff at off peak times. I like the way we’re being made to think, though as I think adversity truly sparks a higher level of creativity. I do think it’s important to focus this energy in off peak as I think most of us are burning the candle at both ends in the peak of our season. When you think that peak is really only about eight weeks out of the year, it suggests that we may be missing massive opportunities to drive sales during the other 50+ weeks. While I can’t say we’ve lived up to our potential at our nursery to host these kind of events I think anyone who has access to an extensive email list should be taking advantage of it to inspire creativity and excitement in our customers at times they may not be thinking of us. One opportunity I believe more of us should be capitalizing on is the Farmer’s Market. These are usually in high gear in July and August and that is certainly an off peak time at most nurseries. It would be a great community outreach practice to invite local farmers and vendors into your space at these times. Even if our customers aren’t dropping big bucks during these visits, they’re keeping our brand in mind. Another fun summer time event is also one which can generate a community service is a Dog Days of Summer celebration where customers are invited to bring their pets to the nursery for photo ops, treats and prizes. It’s a fantastic time to invite a local no-kill shelter to the nursery to offer pets for adoption too! It’s also a great time to offer sales and values on less than perfect looking material. Do I think these types of events are please see page 40

March 2014 39



continued from page 39

highly profitable, cost effective activities? Well, yes and no. Typically with a lower customer count, more time is  spent watering, getting water and trying to spruce up tired  looking stuff. Or it’s spent trying to stay warm and dodge  ugly weather. Why not encourage employee involve ment to some degree?

It stimulates ownership, it develops  outside the box thinking and it may just make you a few  dollars on a day you didn’t have high hopes for. I still believe the retailers who actively seek to engage their customers are the ones who will survive these challenging   times.”

 DeHaven Home and Garden Showplace / John  DeHaven – “Tough question, as our business is changing.   We are trying to bring customers in thru some new ten-

ants that are leasing from us on our Lima property. One is  a wine and beer shop (brings in a younger crowd) and we are leasing our fireplace department. They are working  diligently on bringing in customers. At our Findlay store,   we now have a Volkswagen dealership leasing on our  property.

I believe this will help drive traffic, as they are  a successful dealer, and we can ride their advertising coat tails.

I don’t believe advertising in the off times is really  worth it; costs a ton and I’m not sure we get much out of the sales. Overall, it is hard to get traffic in the store on the off times. We are and will continue working on it to hopefully generate additional business. Ultimately our 

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 

 types of business are so seasonal, I’m not sure there is any  good answer.” 

How to handle those off peak  times certainly depends  on product mix, employee status, weather, and a lot of other factors that make those off peak times what they  are. Seems if there were a way to bring in the customers without advertising costs, and you’d be able to impress  or entertain them enough to make them want to come  back in the peak times (when the store looks great and  fully stocked), then go for it. But otherwise, would the  time and money be best spent attracting customers when  the customers want and need to be there? You know;  first impressions are lasting impressions, strike when the   iron’s hot, pop the corn when the kettle’s ready, fry the fish in a hot pan, make hay while the sun shines, carpe  diem. I’m just sayin’... 

 Bill “Hot Links” Gerhardt once said, “If you see a 

turtle on a fence post, you know somebody put it there.”  Still not sure what he meant, so let me leave you with  the words of the honorable Paul Reiner, who once said,  “April showers bring May flowers, but what do Mayflow ers bring? They bring the sweet sounds of our cash regis ters ringing in my ears.” Hey Retailers, can we talk? B 

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Ron Wilson Personal Yardboy and Ghost Writer for the ONLA Retail Committee rwilson@natorp.com

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  

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     

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P.O. Box E Fairview PA 16415 Fax 800.343.6819  e-mail: info@FairviewEvergreen.com  FairviewEvergreen.com 

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40 The Buckeye

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 

onla.org

Industry Calendar

View www.onla.org for seminars, events, trade shows and more! O designates qualifying OCNT recertification events O March 7, 2014 Pond College, Springfield, Ohio, Learn the basics about building ponds and water features from the Dayton areas most experienced pond specialists.

O March 25, 2014 Free Safety Seminar, Akron/ Fairlawn, Ohio, Implementing a Basic Safety Program O March 26, 2014 Free Safety Seminar, Columbus, Ohio, Implementing a Basic Safety Program O March 27, 2014 Free Safety Seminar, Hamilton, Ohio, Implementing a Basic Safety Program March 29, 2014 Kick Butt Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, Join the ONLA and other Columbus organizations in supporting this neighborhood highway ramp cleanup! Rid the highways of cigarette butt litter!

O June 5, 2014 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Cleveland, Ohio, Join ONLA, OSU & AGI for a critical look at landscape and turf during early morning landscape walks throughout Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

O July 10, 2014 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Huron, Ohio, Join ONLA, OSU & AGI for a critical look at landscape and turf during early morning landscape walks throughout Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

O August 14, 2014 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Akron, Ohio, Join ONLA, OSU & AGI for a critical look at landscape and turf during early morning landscape walks throughout Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

O August 28, 2014 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Toledo, Ohio, Join ONLA, OSU & AGI for a critical look at landscape and turf during early morning landscape walks throughout Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

O September 11, 2014 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Westerville, Ohio, Join ONLA, OSU & AGI for a critical look at landscape and turf during early morning landscape walks throughout Ohio. Tim

Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

O September 25, 2014 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, North Olmstead, Ohio, Join ONLA, OSU & AGI for a critical look at landscape and turf during early morning landscape walks throughout Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

O January 7-9, 2015 CENTS Marketplace & CENTS University, Attend CENTS Marketplace & CENTS University, with over 225,000 square feet of exhibition space and world class education.

B

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O July 31, 2014 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Columbus, Ohio, Join ONLA, OSU & AGI for a critical look at landscape and turf during early morning landscape walks throughout Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

O August 11, 2014 NGLCO & ONLA Grower Bus Tour, Lake County, Ohio, Join the Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio and the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association for the 2014 Ohio Grower Bus Tour. More details to follow.

August 12, 2014 NGLCO Field Day, Perry, Ohio, The NGLCO Summer Field Day is a long-standing tradition for green industry professionals. Mark your calendar and attend the 2014 event!

onla.org

www.claypaver.com

800­334­8689 March 2014 41

Advertisers’ Index The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

Boulders Direct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 330.324.5336

The Buckeye is the nursery and landscape industry’s authoritative voice in Ohio.

Second to none in editorial and graphic quality, The Buckeye publishes a wide range of editorial features on the green industry’s key issues.

The Buckeye is another example of how the ONLA leads, promotes, and facilitates the success and growth of green industry businesses.

The Buckeye is published 10 times each year with a circulation of over 5,000 each issue and an

estimated readership of over 10,000. Advertisers benefit from an industry-specific audience, with distribution to professional nursery, landscape and independent garden center businesses and individuals, certified green industry professionals, educators/researchers, and subscribers.

Access Ohio’s $4.9 billion industry. Contact Amanda to learn how your business can benefit from becoming an advertiser in The Buckeye.

800.825.5062 amandadomsitz@onla.org

Buckeye Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 buckeyeresources.com Ernst Seeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 ernstseed.com Evergreen Nursery Company, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . 5 evergreennurseryco.com Fairview Evergreen Nurseries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . 40 fairviewevergreen.com Herberts Pine Hollow Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 herbertspinehollowfarm.com Hobby Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 hobbynursery.com Klyn Nurseries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 klynnurseries.com Landscape Industry Certified . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 landscapecertifiedohio.org Medina Sod Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 medinasodfarms.com

ONLA Classified Advertising: onla.org

The online classified service can be found on onla.org along with the complete postings. New ads will be added as soon as they are submitted to the ONLA. For more information, please contact the ONLA office at (614) 899-1195. The ONLA reserves the right to refuse ads. As we go to press, here are the ads posted on onla.org’s online Classified Section: • • • • • •

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Account Manager, Decker’s Nursery, Groveport, Ohio Garden Center Manager, Greenleaf Landscapes, Marietta, Ohio Grounds Mower, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, Ohio Horticulture Technician, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, Ohio Horticulturalist, Holden Arboretum, Kirtland, Ohio Landscape Crew Members & Crew Leaders, Environmental Management Services, Plain City Landscape Designer, Wilson Landscape Associates, Columbus, Ohio Landscape Foreman, Graf Growers, Akron, Ohio Landscape Foreman, Environmental Management Services, Plain City, Ohio Landscape Foreman, Barker Group, LLC, Bedford, Ohio Landscape Foreman/Maintenance Foreman, The Greensmith, Hinckley, Ohio Landscape Maintenance Account Manager, Vizmeg Landscape, Stow, Ohio

42 The Buckeye

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Landscape Maintenance Foreman, Chores Unlimited, Oakwood Village, Ohio Landscape Technicians, Graf Growers, Akron, Ohio Landscaping Production Manager, Greenleaf Landscapes, Marietta, Ohio Lawn Technician, Klamfoth, Canal Wichester, Ohio Maintenance Crew Leaders, Environmental Management Services, Plain City, Ohio Multiple Landscape Positions, Greenleaf Landscapes, Marietta, Ohio Product Manager/Merchandising, A.M. Leonard, Piqua, Ohio Product Support Department Manager, A.M. Leonard, Piqua,Ohio Program Assistant, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Seasonal Color Manager, Graf Growers, Akron, Ohio Used Trees Spades For Sale, A. Brown & Sons Nursery, Phillipsburg, Ohio Wholesale Sales/Customer Service, Scarff’s Nursery, New Carlisle, Ohio

Millcreek Gardens, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 mgohio.com Oberfield’s LLC .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC oberfields.com ONLA Publications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC onla.org ONLA Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 onla.org Pine Hall Brick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 claypaver.com Scarff’s Nursery, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 scarffs.com Smith’s Gardens, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 smithsgardensinc.om Spring Meadow Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 colorchoiceplants.com Studebaker Nurseries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 studebakernurseries.com Unilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC unilock.com

Ad Rates & Info Contact Amanda Domsitz 614.899.1195 amandadomsitz@onla.org

OBERFIELDS See Us At CENTS Booth 2543

EACH COMPANY WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF OBERFIELDS NEW DESIGN SOFTWARE!

CONTRACTOR TRAINING EVENTS Columbus, OH

Cleveland, OH

OBERFIELDS PRODUCT TRAINING February 11, 2014 Quest Business Centers 8405 Pulsar Place Columbus, OH 43240 8:30am-4pm $25 early bird/$35 after Jan. 21st

OBERFIELDS PRODUCT TRAINING February 19, 2014 Holiday Inn Independence 6001 Rockside Road Independence, OH 44131 8:30am-4pm $25 early bird/$35 after Jan. 29th

Pittsburgh, PA

Cincinnati, OH

OBERFIELDS PRODUCT TRAINING February 12, 2014 Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh 101 Mall Boulevard Monroeville, PA 15146 8:30am-4pm $25 early bird/$35 after, after Jan. 21st

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SEGMENTAL RETAINING WALL TRAINING February 13, 2014 Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh 101 Mall Boulevard Monroeville, PA 15146 9am-3pm $25 for class and $175 optional NCMA/SRW Certification Test

OBERFIELDS PRODUCT TRAINING March 18, 2014 Kings Island Resort & Conference Center 5691 Kings Island Drive Mason, OH 45040 8:30am-4pm $25 early bird/$35 after Feb. 25th

Cincinnati, OH

SEGMENTAL RETAINING WALL TRAINING March 19, 2014 Kings Island Resort & Conference Center 5691 Kings Island Drive Mason, OH 45040 9am-3pm $25 for class and $175 optional NCMA/SRW Certification Test

Register Online Now at www.oberfields.com/events

www.oberfields.com 614-252-0955 • 740-369-7644 • 800-845-7644

Get Customers dreaming about their outdoor living spaces! full color catalogs and indexed “how-to-garden” encyclopedia: • RESELL IN YOUR STORE • SUPPLEMENT YOUR CATALOG • LEAVE BEHIND WITH A PROPOSAL • STAFF TRAINING features: space on the cover to promote your brand, available in small quantities, beautiful images to inspire customers and assist staff

Visit onla.org or call 614.899.1195 to order

Choose the ONLA publication that sells the beauty of outdoor living!