The Buckeye - January/February 2022 by OGIA

the

BUCKEYE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 Vol. 33, Issue 1

MAGAZINE

THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 1

presents

midwest GREEN CONNECT

November 1 - 3, 2022

LEARN

THRIVE

Greater Columbus Convention Center

Midwest Green presented by the Ohio Green Industry Association is now accepting proposals for speaker presentations and exhibitor inquiries. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge or exhibiting at Midwest Green to be held November 1 - 3 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, please email info@onla.org. We are looking for seminars that feature state-of-the-art topics, offer new looks at classic elements or provide handson-training.

WE’RE

HIRING

OGIA has announced that it has opened its search for a new Education & Events Manager The Education & Events Manager’s primary focus will be developing and implementing high-quality interactive learning experiences for in-person, virtual and hybrid educational events for Ohio’s green industry professionals. For a full job description please contact Tracy Schiefferle | tracy@onla.org

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CONTENTS

J a n u a r y | Fe b r u a r y 2 0 2 2

VOLUME 33 • ISSUE 1 onla.org THE BUCKEYE is the official publication of the Ohio Green Industry Association and is published six times a year.

EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING ISSN 1536-7940 Subscriptions: $75/year sara@onla.org OFFICERS Molly John President M.J. Design Associates, Inc. Devon Stanley Immediate Past President Benchmark Landscape Construction, Inc. Genevieve Reiner-Mills President-Elect Oakland Nursery, Inc. DIRECTORS Patrick Greeson W. A. Natorp Corp. Michael Hall Harrell’s LLC Fred Higginbotham Millcreek Gardens LLC Scott Knowles Wolf Creek Company Steve O’Neal Columbus State Community College Ron Schultz Premier Plant Solutions Matt Turner Turner Landscaping LLC STAFF Tracy Schiefferle Executive Director Roni Petersen Membership & Certification Sara Cantees Communications 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 OGIA does not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services.

COLUMNS

President’s Perspective

Executive Director’s Message

Advocacy Update

Human Resource Spotlight

F E AT U R E D S T O R I E S

The Fireside Reader

The New OGIA

OGIA Member Profile

Meet the Board

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Midwest Green, We’re Hiring!

New Members

Classifieds, OGIA Calendar, Advertiser Index

THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 3

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

appy New Year!! Can it really be 2022? I still feel like it was just yesterday we were worried about Y2K. They say as we get older, time goes faster. Unfortunately for me it is so true.

MOLLY JOHN

M.J. Design Associates, Inc. 2022 OGIA President mjohn@mjdesignassociates.com

I am excited to be representing this wonderful industry as your Board President in 2022. It is the beginning of the new year with lots of opportunities. I am hopeful that we will continue to get back to our pre-Covid lives, where we can gather regularly in person without masks. We were fortunate to be in an industry that saw increased sales growth and a public audience that has grown to appreciate being outdoors, gardening and understand the value of sustainability. I think we will continue to benefit from this newfound audience in the coming year. I would like to thank my predecessors Devon Stanley, Immediate-past President and Emily Showalter, Past President. Both of whom lead us through some of the most challenging times we have seen globally. Thank you both for your leadership during some uncharted waters. If you have not had the opportunity to meet Tracy Schiefferle, our Executive Director, you will enjoy her enthusiasm. She has a lot of ideas to move our organization forward into the future. And along with the rest of our staff, Roni Petersen, and Sara Cantees, they have a busy year ahead. I am also excited to be a part of the next chapter of our organization. We are now officially the Ohio Green Industry Association, OGIA. The organization was originally founded in 1908. In 1958, the organization adopted the name Ohio Nurseryman’s Association, ONA. In 1994, it was decided that we needed to change the name to include who were already part of the membership, the landscapers, when we became the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, ONLA. This past year, the board decided it was time to make a change to fully represent our industry. Ohio Green Industry Association grew from the mindset that we needed a more unifying and inclusive name that represented everyone. There have been many partners over the years who work alongside our “Landscapers and Nurseries.” We felt it was important to make the change to reflect the entire ‘Green’ industry from; Greenhouse Growers, Nurseries, Turf Grass, Garden Centers, Arborists, Lawn Care, Irrigation, Lighting, Pest Management to Landscape Installation and Maintenance companies. In addition, including all the suppliers and distributors of the materials and equipment we use. While some may say, “We all know it by the ONLA, it will just confuse people.” I hope we can all embrace the change. We are the ‘Green’ industry.

We are not any different than other organizations that have merged or changed names in recent years; Lazarus to Macy’s, Brickman to Brightview, Indians to Guardians. Habits can be hard to break, but over time OGIA will roll right off our tongues. As the new year begins, I encourage all of you to get involved. Whether you are an owner, manager, designer, salesperson, supervisor or a team member, there are opportunities everywhere to help build and improve our industry. There are roughly 650 companies and 200 individual members of OGIA. And yet, it always seems to be about the same 60100 people at events. As the old saying goes, an organization is only as strong as its members. We are a strong organization, but we need more people to get involved. We are all busy and time is precious, but the more people involved the less time required by each of us. Think about participating in an interest group or attending an event. There is a lot to be done in workforce development, but an area that can be very rewarding. We have many high school level programs around the State. Join their Advisory Boards. Help develop the next generation of industry professionals. Be a mentor to a high school or college student or someone who needs guidance in your own organization. If you know of an up-and-coming leader in your organization, encourage them to get involved. Lastly, as we look forward to 2022 keep an eye out for returning and new programming events. We will continue to have the diagnostic walk-abouts, the clay shoot and golf outing. One thing we have learned from the last two years is that we can provide a mix of in-person and online programming events. Mark your calendars, we will be bringing back our Annual educational and show event Nov. 1 – 3, 2022 in Columbus. Keep an eye out for more online training and management classes. Plans are in the works to provide some bilingual classes for our many Hispanic team members as well. We hope to host some statewide facility tours, so we can learn from each other. In addition to the many existing preferred vendor services, the Staff is also working on some new member resources that will help all of us. Our Board of Directors and myself look forward to leading the Ohio Green Industry Association and meeting many more of you throughout the year. Please do not hesitate to give me a call or email with any suggestions or questions. In closing, I just want to encourage all of you to GET INVOLVED!

THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 5

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E X EC U T I V E D I R EC TO R’S M E S SAG E

uch like many of you who look at the beginning of a new year as a time to start again, make new plans, and resolve to get things done – so are we here at the OGIA. Although this organization has been around since 1908, we look to 2022 as a sort of fresh start as well. TRACY SCHIEFFERLE

OGIA Executive Director tracy@onla.org

We start off 2022 with a new name – the Ohio Green Industry Association. In November of 2021, our membership approved the change to better reflect the reach of our organization to include all the professionals within the industry. We also start the new year under the leadership of our new President Molly John and welcome new Board members Ron Schultz and Matt Turner. We look forward to their input and guidance. The OGIA Board has committed to growing the association. Not just in members but in what the OGIA does to better the green industry within Ohio and the resources it offers to our members. To set our course forward we have a talented team to help get us there working along with the Board’s guidance and member input. Sara Cantees leads OGIA’s communications and soon you will see a revamped and enhanced website. The Buckeye will also have a new feel. Our email and social communications will be more resourceful. We will also be creating online collaborative networking groups allowing our members to interact with others to discuss items of mutual concern. There will also be an enhanced member profile to direct the consumers. Roni Petersen leads OGIA’s membership and certification areas. You will be seeing more opportunities to engage with OGIA on a more localized basis as well as more resources and benefits coming your way. One new benefit kicking off in 2022 is OGIA’s Human Resources assistance. OGIA members will have direct assistance on HR related questions such as well as updates, product, and educational programs. OGIA will also be working on strengthening the OCNT certification program.

OGIA will also be focusing on enhancing our current educational and networking programming to be of most benefit. We will look to add online programming resources so that our members have educational options when it is needed and when it is convenient. OGIA is also excited to host our annual educational and trade showcase November 1-3 at the Columbus Convention Center. There is a lot of exciting programs and resources we plan to bring forth in the new year. To create a solid organization, it is critical to develop an ongoing solid strategic direction that compliments the work of the industry and bridges that work with the needs of our membership. Our new year’s resolutions: We will spend time developing and reviewing our priorities and focus areas and how we structure our offerings to match these priorities. We will develop internal processes to shape an organization that allows us to effectively implement our plans. We will develop our message to our members so that they are aware of the good work we are doing and, as another goal, see value in belonging to the OGIA. As green industry professionals, we align ourselves and our strategies to shared goals. Above all, everything we do depends on partnership. I want this letter to be the start of a new dialogue with our members and partners about the inspiring challenge of creating the path to the possibilities ahead. With much optimism about what lies ahead and a great 2022.

Tony Seegers leads OGIA’s advocacy. Tony will be providing updates on legislative and administrative actions of importance to our membership and diligently working to push the importance of our industry to Ohio’s leaders and decision makers. In the new year, you will see more communication about legislative and administrative issues and opportunities to help advocate for the industry.

THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 7

The Fireside Book Review by Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD

The Prairie Gardener’s Go-To for Small Spaces Janet Melrose & Sheryl Normandeau

reader New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden Kelly D. Norris

The premise of this book, by two Canadian gardeners, is that small space gardening is about much more than cramming lots of plants into a smaller space. They offer gardening knowledge and advice as well as specialized techniques. The smallest space is often a container. The authors discuss the pros and cons of each type of container, the ideal soil mix, why garden soil shouldn’t be used, the necessity and process of cleaning containers annually, best watering practices, why not to use hydrogel crystals, fertilization and many other aspects of container gardening. They also supply lists of plants by type that do particularly well in containers. Raised beds are just larger containers. There is an extensive discussion of materials for creating them, soil mixes for them, and the square foot gardening method for edibles. I was fascinated by an explanation of hugelkultur as a higher and, usually, even larger raised bed. This method of gardening utilizes what we often call garden waste and has several assets such as warming earlier and not needing as much water. Moving on to the “postage”-sized garden, the authors discuss microclimates and how to take advantage of them, utilizing espaliers (vertical gardening always increases gardening space), planting catch crops (a new term for me), succession planting, underplanting, straw bale gardening, and pallet gardening as well as herb spirals. The subject of the last chapter is vertical gardening: the benefits and the drawbacks, suggestions for training plants to grow on walls, types of supports, which vegetables are suitable, and suggestions for great climbing plants to use as privacy screens. Both authors speak from years of gardening experience on the Canadian plains. While this is a book meant for home gardeners rather than landscape designers, there are always invaluable tidbits to be garnered.

Kelly Norris, the author of this book, is one of those people whose enthusiasm for plants infuses his body and soul and inspires other gardeners and designers to listen carefully to everything he says. I loved his opening statement: “Nature has had a seemingly uncomfortable association with gardening for centuries, even as gardeners have remained in earnest pursuit of naturalistic landscapes. It’s a curious paradox…..We’ve not followed nature as much as we’ve tried to lead it.” As landscape designers, we attempt to beautify a home’s surroundings, thus putting the emphasis on aesthetics but Kelly would maintain that we need to see planting beds as more, as ecological systems that can support positive environmental change, increase plant and animal diversity, and create more resilient spaces. Instead of using plants as furniture, we should be creating spaces with a number of life cycles that repeat themselves year after year. Most of us think only of the space above the ground but Kelly encourages us to understand what is happening below the ground and how plants interact with each other. He emphasizes starting with knowing our soil and lessening the need for fertilizer by choosing more plants that are nitrogen-fixing legumes and by allowing surface organic matter to remain in the garden and decompose (instead of putting it yard waste bags or the compost bin), thus cultivating the microorganisms in the soil. I had to laugh when Kelly discussed how flowering plants attract more than pollinating insects; it means accepting that something will eat their beloved plants. The Phlox paniculata in my front garden is pruned annually by the visiting deer, thus saving me the trouble of doing so in order to keep them shorter and bushier. In a diverse garden, the effects of one herbivore usually go unnoticed. In addition, if we do not add fertilizer, the leaves are usually not as succulently attractive to herbivores. In creating functional gardens, defined as those that are selfperpetuating, Kelly recommends starting with natives and near-natives and then adding some non-natives. That combination results in an optimal abundance of floral resources throughout the growing season. Plant selection should involve more than the particular features of a plant; it should definitely include its aptness for the site so that it will thrive. This somewhat wild garden will be densely planted initially but we need to think of it as an evolution that involves constant evaluation and tweaking. Wild plant communities have layers and visual patterns that relate to the ecological conditions of the site and that is what we want to emulate in our home gardens. Those layers are the matrix, the structure, and the vignette. Kelly defines each of them and then demonstrates how to combine them. If you accept Kelly’s description of the matrix layer, you may never need to mulch again. His detailed plant lists and charts are invaluable. Once you absorb the information and advice in this book, you will be on your way to creating more naturalistic but differently beautiful, ecologically vibrant landscapes.

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The Thoughtful Gardener Jinny Blom

Adventures in Eden: An Intimate Tour of the Private Gardens of Europe Carolyn Mullet

The cover of this book has a quote from Piet Oudolf that made me decide I needed to read this book. He said: “The most romantic, creative person in garden design I know.” It quickly became apparent that the author, Jinny Blom, usually designs for large properties, often in the country. She is quite aware, however, that designing for smaller properties in a city is more about microclimates and the effects of neighboring buildings than geology and history. All too often, such designs have kept nature out and ornamental planting in. The designer’s dilemma is how to create a more natural setting for ornamental plantings. She is quite emphatic about the need to evaluate the existing landscape and to destroy much of it. All of us have seen how volunteer shrubs and trees have overtaken property lines and created really ugly landscapes. Such destruction, however, enables us to create a landscape that enhances the home and the property. This designer is well aware that garden wildness has become fashionable but she maintains that you still need a lot of structure. In her discussion of orientation, I was struck by her comment that “terraces need careful siting in order that they stay clement and warm without either baking or being plunged into perpetual slimy shade.” Therefore, when designing for a client who want an outdoor dining area, she recommends choosing a site that is warmed in the morning but becomes more protected as the day progresses. It definitely takes the right client to work with such a designer because she brings the wildness right up to the house. Her designs are quite romantic, using copious quantities of roses and perennials. However, she is also full of practical advice on several elements of design and the photographs and drawings illuminate them beautifully. When dealing with a flat site, she stresses the necessity of creating a foreground, middle ground, and distant view. She also suggests using architectural elements to give focus to plantings. On large projects, she creates buildings and tall hedges but, following her line of thought, for smaller properties, I suggest incorporating vertical elements like obelisks or tall statuary that might be found in a salvage yard. Once the hardscape and bed lines are established, then the designer can finally think about the planting design although establishing what type of soil one is working with is essential. Then comes thought to layering, starting with the tallest layer, i.e. trees, first. Good choices, says the author, will give enjoyment in each season. She also begs us to consider how large the mature tree will be. I would agree with her that blending shrubs and perennials is the tricky part. It takes a combination of knowledge and daring. When adding ornamental grasses, she uses them sparingly and carefully but plants bulbs in great profusion. It is a natural segue to read Kelly Norris’ book first and then this one. While Jinny Blom is an English designer, her combination of structure and wildness is very insightful. I made several notes about possibilities for gardens that I will be designing this winter. Although this book was published in 2017, it is still relevant and will be for many years.

Carolyn Mullet, a landscape designer turned garden tour entrepreneur, has visited many of the private gardens of Europe and, with her company, has provided a way for garden enthusiasts to find inspiration by visiting these gardens. Most of the gardens in this book are not familiar to us. The historic English gardens like Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, Hidcote, etc. have been written about extensively so they are not included. The range of gardens is flabbergasting. From Great Britain to Scandinavia to Germany and the Lowlands to France, Spain, and Italy, there is an amazing desire to mingle structure with elements of wildness. Although most are about twenty or thirty years old, some are restorations or reworkings of much older gardens. The garden philosophies of the owners and designers differ greatly but all focus on the site itself. Many of the owners are dedicated gardeners who do not fear the time consuming and labor-intensive creation of the gardens nor the necessary maintenance while others have full-time help. All have design ideas and planting combinations to ponder. Carolyn begins her portrayal of each garden with its location, its history, the philosophy of the client and the designer, and a detailed description of the gardens. All of this is accompanied by outstanding photographs that illuminate the written description. Fortunately, most of the descriptions include information about the soil and climate (moisture level) of each garden. Otherwise, it would be difficult to evaluate whether the plantings would be successful for us. One of the few gardens that I have visited, the one by Dina Deferme, is exactly as I remember it. Her gardens are very structured but also very floriferous. I was struck by a quote from her in the book: “I never lay patios directly against the house. It is much more pleasant to sit on a patio that is completely surrounded by plants and fragrant flowers.” I was charmed by her patio that was surrounded by sheared hedges and colorful perennials. It’s too bad that a photo of it was not included in the book. Although most of the gardens are quite large, there are take-aways for all. Most of us have neither the time nor the funds to go on these tours but this book enables us to take armchair tours. Blom, Jinny, The Thoughtful Gardener, Jacki Small LLC, London, 2017, $50. Melrose, Janet and Normandeau, Sheryl, The Prairie Gardener’s Go-To for Small Spaces, Touch Wood Editions, Victoria, BC, 2021, $15 (Canadian). Mullet, Carolyn, Adventures in Eden: An Intimate Tour of the Private Gardens of Europe, Timber Press, 2020, $40. Norris, Kelly, New Naturalism,: Designing and Planting a eR silient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden, uQ arto Publishing Group, Beverly, MA, 2021, 3$ 0.

THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 9

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n November of 2021, our membership voted to changed our name from the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association to the Ohio Green Industry Association. The change is meant to be more inclusive and reflect our commitment to those working within the industry and those professionals that fuel its growth, development, and success. With this name change comes signigicant adjustments and additions to the association. Here are a few new changes you can expect to see soon: ONLINE COLLABORATIVE GROUPS We want to make it easy for you as our member to interact and engage with other members of the association. Connect with those who do similar work or have complimentary interests within the industry. ENHANCED MEMBER PROFILES Looking for the perfect plant or a professional to design, install, or manage your landscape? Do business with a member company listed in the OGIA directory. We will also be optimizing our search criteria for consumers who are looking for green industry professionals. HUMAN RESOURCE ASSISTANCE

to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday to get an answer to any HR related question. You will also be able to access webinars and newsletters with timley information regarding hot HR topics. REVAMPED COMMUNICATIONS We are collecting company information from all of our members. This vital information will help us better serve you through our new initiatives and communications. UPDATED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS The OGIA will be developing certfication programs and materials along with new opportunities for education in person and online. NEW EVENTS Both new and familiar events are being developed and scheduled for 2022. One event we are excited for is our annual educational and trade showcase which will take place November 1-3 in Columbus. We are also revamping our Landscape Awards Program for its 50th year! AND MORE! Keep an eye out for new announcements to come regarding all things new at the Ohio Green Industry Association.

OGIA members can now call in to our new Human Resources Hotline from 8:00 a.m.

THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 11

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

The following companies are applying for ACTIVE membership:

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11/16/18 9:32 AM

Melissa Sturges Hens and Chicks 4234 W 222nd St Fairview Park, Ohio 44126 Brian King Precision Landscape Design 9234 Page Rd Streetsboro, Ohio 44241 The following individual is applying for Professional Individual membership: Dennis Miller Western Reserve Group

A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E

ote: This article is not presenting a position on the use of vaccines or vaccine mandates.

UPDATE ON FEDERAL COVID VACCINE REQUIREMENTS

TONY SEEGERS

1803 Consulting, LLC tony@1803consulting.com

After several weeks of discussion, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) finally released its 490 page emergency rule mandating all employers with 100 or more employees ensure their workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing (at the employers’ expense). This was one of several vaccine mandates rolled out by the Biden Administration, with the others being for healthcare workers and federal contractors. OSHA’s proposed rule purportedly left the door open to apply the mandate to all employers at a later date. However, the rule was stopped before it went into effect. Employers and states filed lawsuits across the country against OSHA’s rule and on Nov. 12 the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an order staying the rule’s enforcement. As a result of this ruling, OSHA suspended “activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the ETS [the emergency rule] pending future developments in the litigation.” https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2 What’s next? Because of the multitude of lawsuits in the federal district courts across the country, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation conducted a lottery to determine which of the thirteen circuit courts would hear the consolidated cases, picking our very own U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (the Sixth Circuit covers Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee). All of the challenges to the OSHA rule will be consolidated and heard before a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati. Whether the Sixth Circuit reaffirms the stay by the Fifth Circuit or not, the case(s) will likely be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. OHIO VACCINE MANDATE UPDATE As I wrote in my last article, the Ohio House of Representatives was considering legislation to do the opposite of the OSHA proposal. House Bill 435 was introduced to prohibit employers from requiring a vaccine. It also prohibited the use of vaccine passports to deny entrance into a business or a building owned by the state or local government or service from a business or state or local government. The bill failed to garner support and stalled in committee in mid October.

However, HB 435 has been reincarnated in a new bill, HB 218. Originally drafted to temporarily extend bar hours and exempt bars from a statewide curfew, that language was replaced with nearly identical language from HB 435 in the House Commerce and Labor Committee on Nov. 18 and passed by the committee and the House that same day. It currently is being heard in the Senate General Government Budget Committee. The bill has been roundly opposed by many business trade associations as an infringement on the internal management of employers. Others have said the bill does not go far enough to prohibit vaccine mandates in the workplace. It is unlikely that HB 218 will be passed by the Senate before the end of the year. For employers, HB 218 prohibits an employer from requiring an employee receive a vaccine, drug, biological product, or a form of genetic immunotherapy that utilizes “messenger ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, or any other genetic vaccine technology and for which the United States food and drug administration has not issued a biologics license or otherwise granted full approval”. So far, only Pfizer’s vaccine has been issued a biologics license and under the bill, can be required by employers. For purposes of the bill, an emergency use authorization by the FDA (what all the vaccines originally were authorized under) is not a biologics license nor full authorization by the FDA. Under the bill, if an employer requires a COVID-19 vaccination that has been issued a biologic license, like the Pfizer vaccine, the employee may satisfy the employer’s vaccination requirement by either taking the vaccine or taking a COVID-19 vaccine available under an emergency use authorization. HB 218, like HB 435, provides employees the ability to seek an exemption from the vaccine for: • • •

Medical contraindications; Natural immunity; Reasons of conscience, including religious convictions.

The bill also creates a cause of action for unlawful discriminatory employment practice if the employer violates the provisions of the bill summarized above.

THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 13

OGIA MEMBER PROFILE

I N N O V AT I V E EARTHWORKS & DESIGN Passion comes in all forms. For Michael Goodrick with Innovative Earthworks & Design, his passion began at a young age, and he aimed for success within the landscaping industry. Q: Tell us about yourself. Michael Goodrick: I own and operate Innovative Earthworks & Design. We focus mainly on hardscape and irrigation, and we service the greater Cleveland area. I started the company when I was fifteen years old in 2017. I have always been a go-getter, and this is the industry I’ve always had my sights set on. Q: What attracted you to this industry? Michael: I grew up around in this environment. My father does commercial fence installation. However, one of his best friends was a landscaper and I had worked with him since I was around eight years old. Unfortunately, he passed away and I ended up taking over some of his accounts. He was a significant mentor to me, teaching me about the landscaping industry and how to do things the right way. I believe that led me to where I am currently.

Photos taken from Innovative Earthworks & Design Instagram @innovative_earth

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Q: What has been your favorite project you’ve worked on? Michael: There is one big project that my team and I just finished. We worked on a huge pavilion with an outdoor kitchen using a variety of stone materials with irrigation aspects as well. It was a blast to have the opportunity to work on that. This job was a big challenge, but my team loves a challenge. My guys have great knowledge when it comes to this industry, and some have upwards of 30 years of experience. All the knowledge that we have collectively as a company really pays off. Q: Do you have any industry insights or advice? Michael: I know there is a lot of competition in this industry. However, with my colleagues and those that I work with, I know that we are all here to help each other. We’re all in it together and there is plenty of work here for everyone. Iron sharpens iron. To be proffled in The Buckeye, please contact Sara Cantees | sara@onla.org

SHARE YOUR EVENT Are you hosting an open house, an educational workshop or webinar, or a networking event? Email info@onla.org with details! OGIA member events will be promoted in the Buckeye and online at onla.org

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937-848-2501 | 614-396-7247 | 937-247-9144 | GreenVelvet.com THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 15

MEET THE 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OGIA PRESIDENT

OGIA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

OGIA PRESIDENT-ELECT

NAME: Molly John

NAME: Devon Stanley

NAME: Genevieve Reiner Mills, Esq.

COMPANY: M.J. Design Associates, Inc.

COMPANY: Benchmark Landscape Construction, Inc.

COMPANY: Oakland Nursery, Inc.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IN 2022?

2022 is a new start and branding for OGIA and the green industry. I am excited to be a part of the next chapter of our association. I look forward to helping the association grow with new members, increase participation in the Ohio High School Landscape Olympics (OHLO) where we can have a profound impact on encouraging young adults to join our profession and make it a career.

Since I am not serving this year as president I am eager to dedicate more time to exploring the options for and development of our certification program.

I’m looking forward to continuing to build our membership and to demonstrate the great value the OGIA is to the diverse array of green industry businesses in Ohio.

NAME: Pat Greeson COMPANY: W. A. Natorp Corp. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IN 2022? I hope to help guide the organization as it continues to evolve and develop into an even more relevant source for the green industry.

NAME: Michael Hall COMPANY: Harrell’s LLC WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IN 2022? I’d like to have a trade show back on the OGIA schedule.

16 | onla.org

NAME: Scott Knowles COMPANY: Wolf Creek Company WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IN 2022? I serve our leadership and staff. They serve our industry. I will do my part to help leadership make good choices. NAME: Fred Higginbotham, III COMPANY: Millcreek Gardens LLC WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IN 2022? I hope to bring new and creative ways to help our current members connect and share info, while also attracting new members to the association. I’d love to focus on the career development of younger people in our industry as they will be the one’s down the road who we’ll need to be innovative and continue to push our industry forward.

NAME: Steven C. O’Neal COMPANY: Columbus State Community College WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IN 2022? I’d like to bring a better understanding of the importance of all education to our members including continuing and college degrees. I hope to contribute to our continuing changes and improvements as an organization. We are on a new threshold of exciting opportunities.

NAME: Ron Schultz COMPANY: Premier Plant Solutions WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IN 2022? I’m looking to help create greater awareness of this newly re-branded association by sharing everything OGIA has to offer when becoming a member. If you are currently a member, working to develop more value-added engagement opportunities/workshops to help grow your existing business.

NAME: Matt Turner COMPANY: Turner Landscaping WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IN 2022? I want to be a voice for the small green industry companies. I feel the small companies sometimes get lost in the mix because they may not have the resources and help to grow like the larger companies. We have a new generation of young men and women starting green industry companies and we need to make sure they are connected into the industry. THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 17

HUMAN RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT OGIA ANNOUNCES NEW MEMBER BENEFITS

he Employers’ Association (EA) is very pleased to begin a partnership with the Ohio Green Industry Association (OGIA) to provide human resource related services to the membership of the OGIA. The EA is an organization located in Northwest Ohio that has been providing HR services to its member companies since 1950 and, through this partnership, will now be providing many of those services to members of the OGIA. Most of these services are included as part of your membership in the OGIA. The EA is staffed by experienced HR professionals that can meet your HR needs quickly and thoroughly. Included in these free OGIA member services is access to our HR Hotline, which can be used to ask questions about HR best practices, sample policies, employee disciplinary issues, compensation, benefits, job descriptions, incentives, recordkeeping requirements, performance appraisals, and any other HR issues with which you are faced on a daily basis. We know that many members of the OGIA may not have a person dedicated to handling HR challenges, but those duties are often delegated to an accountant, an office manager, an operations manager, or even an owner. Even if you have an HR professional on staff, you will have a ready resource that you can call during the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. that will provide an answer right away and always within 24 hours. The EA will also provide three HR related webinars per year to OGIA members. These webinars will provide practical information about issues that are important to you, including understanding employment related laws, how to conduct effective and legal interviews, how to recognize and respond to substance use in the workplace, and best practices in performance appraisals. Should you want or need to provide training to a group of your supervisors, we can arrange to provide that training at a reasonable cost to you. The EA will provide a monthly newsletter to members of the OGIA that includes the latest updates on employment law, safety, training, and leadership development. The EA will also provide HR Hot Topic emails with the latest employment law or other HR hot topic updates. Do you need updated copies of employment law posters at your facility? You can order those posters 18 | onla.org

FREE HUMAN RESOURCE and enroll in an update service that ensures that you will always have the most up to date posters. Is your handbook outdated? The EA will provide a handbook template suitable for customizing by OGIA members. Updating or drafting a complete handbook for members is available at an extra cost. To access these services, you can call the EA at (419) 893-3000 or submit a question through the following link: https://theea.org/hr-answers-support/hrhotline-question. Just identify yourself as a member of the OGIA when calling or submitting a question or request. For more information about the EA, visit our website at https://theea.org. We help you do your job even better. We empower excellence. You are constantly busy and expected to know everything. When you need help answering the tough questions or tackling timeconsuming projects, The Employers’ Association has you covered. Our experts in Human Resource Solutions and Professional Training can meet your needs today. We look forward to partnering with you.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Ads listed here were current as of press time. For details, or to place a classified ad, visit onla.org/careers.

Landscape Crew Member Green Girl Garden, LLC Cincinnati, Ohio

ADVERTISER INDEX

Design Salesman Greenleaf Landscapes Marietta, Ohio

Cascade Lighting, Inc.

Groundskeeper

Methodist Theological School in Ohio Delaware, Ohio

Head Gardener

Kingwood Center Gardens Mansfield, Ohio

Business for Sale Sauter Landscaping West Chester, Ohio

OGIA EVENT CALENDAR

Contree Sprayer & Equipment

Ernst Seeds

Fa i r v i e w E v e r g r e e n

G r e e n Ve l v e t S o d Fa r m s

M i l l c r e e k G a r d e n s L LC

Spring Meadow Nursery

Subject to change. Visit onla.org/events for more information. January 27 February 1 March 1

September 13

Legislative Lunch Update 12:00 p.m. Webinar HR Hot Topics: What to Expect in 2022 1:00 p.m. Webinar The ABC’s of Employment Compliance: Understanding Employment Laws and Regulations 1:00 p.m. Webinar OGIA Golf Classic Safari Golf Club

October 12 & 13

Ohio High School Landscape Olympics Ohio State ATI

November 1-3

Midwest Green 2022 Greater Columbus Convention Center

A D R AT E S & I N F O Contact Sara Cantees sara@onla.org

OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST February 3

February 28 & March 7

Tri-State Green Industry Conference Stop by the OGIA Booth! Sharonville Convention Center Cascade Lighting Annual Lighting Expos Akron, Ohio THE BUCKEYE | January/February 2022 | 19

BECOME AN OCNT The OGIA is proud to offer the Ohio Certified Nursery Technician (OCNT) program for Green Industry Professionals. Certification is the key ingredient for increasing your knowledge, credibility, and professionalism. WHY? •

Improve your skills and increase your worth as an employee

•

Gain recognition from the public, colleagues and competitors

•

Provide professional development for your employees

For more information, visit onla.com/Certification

The Buckeye - January/February 2022

Articles inside

Meet the Board

The New OGIA

The Fireside Reader

OGIA Member Profile