B&B - 2023 Issue I - Growing Your Workforce

Growing Your Workforce Spreading the word . Building pathways . Developing resources .

Plant Something for Pollinators

WSNLA’s garden space at the NW Flower & Garden Festival highlights how to be purposeful with plants to protect & create habitat for pollinators.

2023 | VOL 75. NO. I

Editor Breanne Chavez

Published Quarterly By: Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association. PO Box 219 Sumner, WA 98390-0040 253.661.6055, info@wsnla.org

Deadlines: News, Classified ads, Advertising 5pm on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. To place an ad, contact Breanne at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@ wsnla.org. WSNLA reserves the right to refuse any ad which is misleading, unethical, contrary to WSNLA policy, or does not pertain to the industry.

Comments to the Editor:

Interested in sharing your opinions and comments with B&B readers? If you take the time to share your thoughtful comments, WSNLA will be sure to share them with B&B readers. Please submit to breanne@wsnla.org.

Executive Director Breanne Chavez e-mail breanne@wsnla.org

Finance & Operations Director Holly Osborne, CPH e-mail holly@wsnla.org

© 2023, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association

(Above) The 2023 GardenWashington Guide debuted at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. The Guide, pictured above, includes ideas and tips for gardeners to plant with purose for pollinators. Learn more about this year’s garden designers on page 15.

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Message from the President ]

Katie Miller

WSNLA President

Retail Ready Sales Manager

Skagit Horticulture/Skagit Gardens

I am excited to serve as your WSNLA President for 2023, I have been in the industry for 23 years and the last 15 have been spent at Skagit Gardens in sales.

To say I love horticulture is an understatement. It started out as a love for flowers that evolved into a passion for growing things. Alongside that passion for growing things, I learned that I really liked my role in sales and business. I have been privileged to work and learn alongside some incredible people, I have also been able to share what I know about the plants we offer with people who were interested in them, and I have made more than a few friends along the way. As I have grown into roles with more responsibility and decision making at Skagit Gardens, I get to share what I have learned with my sales team to help them grow, as I continue to learn and grow myself.

Several weeks ago, one of my Account Managers shared an anecdote about his time at a Fraternity during college “Sell Yourself, Sell ATO, Sell Greek.” I loved the phrase although it needed a little adaptation to suite my tastes:

Sell Yourself, Sell the Plants, Sell the Industry

It seemed to define where I am in my career perfectly given the following week was spent sharing what our industry has to offer to a couple hundred college students over 3 days. During that week we had 29 job listings on the WSNLA Career Center to share with them, true to our membership those job listing included a wide array of skillsets and interests. We also shared scholarship resources, let them know about student membership, and shared the professional certification options in ecoPRO and CPH. You’ll see later in this edition of B&B a snapshot of the survey results that we got from all the students who participated, I was most surprised by the number of students interested in membership! There is a shared passion and interest in plants even if they only stopped to take the survey because they wanted a free plant.

To me this is a signal of change, a new group that isn’t just interested in gardening, they are eager to share their passion for plants and the planet. One particular young man studying Chemical Engineering stopped and sincerely asked if what he studied had a place in horticulture? You better believe I told him “YES!”

As owners, operators, managers, and employees we fell in love with plants, but we run businesses with business challenges like logistics, production, labor, human resources, marketing and sales; after the career fair experience last month it is clear that a whole new generation is falling in love with plants and they are ready and willing to learn everything we can teach them about our businesses if we put ourselves out there and meet them halfway.

So, I am excited to serve as your WSNLA President for 2023, to share my passion, to share what others have taught me, and to learn more about how we can better connect ourselves as members, employers and students to represent, promote and educate our horticultural community.

Serving the green industry since 1937!

Industry Spotlight Peer to Peer Insight

Meet Your Grower Representative Kate Domoszlay, T&L Nursery

As the WSNLA Grower representative, I hope I can make an impact and contribute to the future by listening, learning, pitching in, and sharing experience.

Tell us about your professional background and how it has shaped yoru current work.

After leaving the medical field, I decided to go back to school. While in school studying landscape planning and design at Pierce College in Woodland Hills CA, I worked at a small family owned nursery, Sheridan Gardens selling any and all plants.

After moving to Washington, I started to work at Molbak’s in the tropicals department, and became the Buyer after about a year. I helped to open our University Village store, and also serviced our store at Pike Place Market for 5 years, before moving on to our Farm where I became the Information Manager handling crop planning, product development and buying. After 12 years, I returned to the retail store in Woodinville, and helped them transition from being a Grower/ Retailer to Retailer while working with many outside growers to supply the store with annuals, perennials and poinsettias.

After 11 years, I decided to make the move to contracting with local growers, and started working for T&L Nursery as a Product Developer. Here, I work with the planning team to forecast and provide the newest coolest plants for our market of Independent Garden Centers and Landscapers. Having all the experience on the retail side as well as the production side of the business, working with many Growers and Breeders, I have a good grasp on what is needed to succeed in the world of ornamental horticulture today. I love the industry that has allowed me to learn, and grow professionally, as well as gaining so many lifelong friends.

What do you love most about the work you do currently?

I love the ability to draw on past experience to problem solve and dream up new ways to meet the consumer demand, while being efficient and profitable. I’ve forged new relationships, met new interesting people, and learned so much.

Through the eyes of a wholesale grower, what opportunities are you most excited about for the Spring 2023 season? What are you most concerned about?

I am excited to help us streamline our selection, and be relevant to

the current trends for our customers. It’s exciting to be part of a team that is thinking ‘outside of the box’ to achieve more during challenging times. Of course the economy is a source for concern, and I would like to think that in a downturn, we will help those spending more time at home, to improve the nature that surrounds them.

As you join the WSNLA Board of Directors, what initiatives are you most interested in working on behalf of the industry?

I would have to say that ‘industry promotion to new audiences about the benefits of plants & trees, and value of landscapes’ is at my core the reason why I work in this industry. To plant the planet, to share the love of nature and the wellbeing that comes with it is my north star.

That said, I would also be interested in growing our industry workforce through promotion of careers and career development tools. Since it has been rewarding in every way to me. We also need more young people coming into this industry to be the next stewards for the future.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Message from the Director ] WSNLA

2023 WSNLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Katie Miller WSNLA President Skagit Horticulture katiemiller@skagithort.com

Trevor Cameron, CPH WSNLA President Elect Sunnyside Nursery trevor@sunnysidenursery.com

Kirsten Lints, CPH WSNLA Vice President Gardens ALIVE Design kirsten@gardensALIVEdesign.com

Megan Pulkkinen, CPH, EPC WSNLA Treasurer Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design megancph@hotmail.com

Tim Gray WSNLA Past President Pacific Stone Company timg@pacificstoneco.com

CHAPTER & CAUCUS LEADERSHIP

Peter Van Well North Central Chapter President Van Well Nursery 509-886-8189 | pete2@vanwell.net

Kate Domoszlay Wholesale Grower Caucus Chair T&L Nursery Kate@TandLnursery.com

Jami Burke Horticulture Supplier Caucus Chair

Walrath Soil Technologies 253-531-7499 | jami@tewalrath.com

Open Positions:

Mt Rainier Chapter President

Olympic Chapter President

Seattle Chapter President Retail Nursery Representative Landscape Representative

WSNLA cultivates its mission and at its core - Plants, People & Passion!

The first quarter of the year has been a hurricane of WSNLA activity with its eye on supporting the success of your business and growing our industry. At the core of all of it all making it happen are people!! People passionate about protecting their industry. People passionate about promoting their industry. And, people passionate about cultivating the professionalism in our industry.

A great example of this is the WSNLA General Membership Meeting & Celebration. This year, we brought members together in person for the first time in 3 years. It was so nice to see all the familiar faces and meet the many new ones. Your Executive Officers highlghted the initiatves WSNLA is advocating on behalf of the industry. The energy that happens when peers take time to gather is so exciting to be a part of. In a world where we are all so busy, this annual event is your prime opportunity to learn, and provide input, on how your dues are being invested to target promote, advocate and advance your business. If you were not able to attend, please be sure to join us next year!

In this issue, you will meet your 2023 WSNLA Executive Officers and your new Grower Representative on the WSNLA Board of Directors. I hope you enjoy learning more about them and their vision and excitement for serving their industry. If this is something that interests you, the board currently is seeking a Retail Nursery Representative and Landscape Representative. You are encouraged to consider serving or nominate a peer.

Your WSNLA President Katie Miller (Skagit Horticulture) and Vice President Kirsten Lints, CPH (Gardens ALIVE Design) literally traveled the state to spread the word about the breadth of jobs that make up our industry. They attended 5 events in 3 days and connected with over 100 students. A huge thank you to Cascade Tropicals for their partnership in promoting horticulture and floriculture careers. The task force’s work does not end here. Turn to page 12 to learn about what they are working on next and how you can get involved.

Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director

You all carry the torch to protect, advance & grow your industry.

social media, direct to industry professionals and at career and networking events with emerging professionals. While the Career Fair may have ended, the WSNLA Career Center is open all year making it easy to promote your job openings, target professionals, and leverage connecting with emerging professionals via the work of the WSNLA task force.

Let’s talk about the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. This event is literally a benchmark that spring is on its way and for those five shows days it is Spring in Seattle at the Washington Convention Center. WSNLA’s garden team, sisters Maria Bertucci, CPH, and Juliana Bertucci, The None Such, LLC, did a stellar job designing and installing our space on the garden show floor. The space is filled with plants and ideas to protect and create habitat for pollinators. Thank you to T&L Nursery, NW Nurseries & Watson’s Greenhouse for supporting the WSNLA garden and helping to promote professionalism and showcase that plants are purposeful.

Another task force is focused on industry promotion with the message of Plant Something Pollinator Friendly. They are set to work with a creative firm to create point of sale signage, to be used universally by retail nurseries looking to identify pollinator plants, and develop a marketing toolkit for nursery and landscape businesses to use for social media and e-communications as you educate your customers.

People are truly the strength and vision of this Association. You all carry the torch to protect, advance and grow your industry. Please consider sharing your time and talent.

Plant a Career in Horticulture

• Build & strengthen relationships with colleges, universities & high school horticulture programs.

• Bring awareness to the large variety of horticulture careers.

• Create pathways for employment and career development.

• Add exposure for WSNLA Career Center job listings

Plant Something Pollinator Friendly

1. Drive business to your nursery or landscape business.

• 3-year advertising campaign

2. Content & resources for staff training and to use for consumer education.

2. Working with creative firm to develop materials.

WSNLA’s business membership includes a diverse community of large and small growers, garden centers, landscape professionals and suppliers. It is the intent of WSNLA Board of Directors to ensure legislative activities focus in on overarching WSNLA member needs, while effectively balancing the diversity in business scale and location. To that extent, the following priorities have been identified, with member input, to guide and strengthen WSNLA legislative and regulatory activities throughout the State.

WASHINGTON STATE NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Washington Nursery and Landscape Association supports stewardship of the land and the plants and trees that grow upon it.

Our priorities include:

• Promoting a positive business climate for growing and marketing plants and landscape services.

• Protecting our industry from burdensome regulation, taxes and fees.

• Working in a bipartisan manner and focusing on results.

• Ensuring policies are reasonable and based on sound science.

WSNLA will coordinate with other affiliated professional organizations to support our members on agricultural and environmental issues such as:

• Water availability, management & quality

• Urban planning and the inclusion of green spaces

• Pesticide regulation

• Open space taxation

On general business issues, WSNLA will focus on impact to members. Such issues include but are not limited to:

• Labor: availability, training, minimum wage, workers comp, health care, benefits

• Simplifying business regulation including streamlining local jurisdiction business licensing

• Taxes

Legislative Update Protecting & Advocating for Your Business

The 2023 legislative session is in full forward motion as of the time of this writing, with the first major milestone behind us. Over 1600 bills have been introduced for consideration this legislature but February 17th marked the first “cutoff” day. Cutoff is the final day for bills to be passed out of policy committee. The “cutoff” marks the first sifting of the bills from “alive” to “dead” for the rest of the session. More than half of all bills introduced have now been sidelined until the 2024 session.

Riparian - HB 1720 - This bipartisan piece of legislation dealing with a voluntary riparian habitat program is making its way through the process this year. This is a volunteer riparian habit development grant program that is a Voluntary Stewardship Program under the State Conservation Commission. This is a bill that stemmed from a joint cooperation of the tribes, agriculture, ecology, WCC and other stakeholders. WSNLA has publicly supported this bill the entire way and will engage as necessary to see it through the upper chamber when the Senate gets this bill. The Senate Capital Budget committee heard this bill on January 20th to the start the process through that deliberative body.

Transportation

Mileage Tax – HB 1832 – This piece of legislation was a late drop in the session and has been referred to the Transportation committee. The bill is a voluntary road usage charge program that places a per mile fee on motor vehicle usage of public roadways in the state. The target date for implementation of a comprehensive, mandatory road usage charge program is January 1, 2030 within this bill. The road usage charge rate for the voluntary road usage charge program is 2.5 cents per mile. We are opposed to this in its current form without changes to current tax code. This bill had its first public hearing in the House on February 21st.

Odometer Bill – HB 1736 – This is another late drop and part of the per mile taxation effort by the legislature. This bill requires the department of licensing to collect vehicle odometer readings at the time of original vehicle registration and registration renewal. Our opinion is this is the starting point of a broader discussion on this for the 2024 short session. HB 1736 had its first hearing on February 15th

Jesse Taylor Taylor Consulting, LLC WSNLA Lobbyist

SB 5251/HB1058 – Commercial Drivers Licenses. This is a good bill that we have been publicly supporting to help the authors of the bill get it passed. This bill streamlines the licensing process for a commercial driver’s license by allowing the department to waive requirements for applicants that previously surrendered the license, allowing the license to be renewed online, and modifying the license test fees. This bipartisan Senate bill has already cleared policy committee well ahead of the cutoff and is in the Rules committee awaiting a floor vote. The House companion version of this bill has already made it off the House floor by a vote of 49-0.

Farm Internship

Senate Bill 5156 passed off the Senate Floor earlier in the session. This is a bipartisan bill that extends the farm internship pilot program to all counties. It also removes the expiration of the program and adds a requirement to obtain the special certificate that the interns will perform work that encourages the interns to participate in career and technical education or other educational content with courses in agriculture or related programs at a community or technical college. This is a nice good faith bill that we hope will result in expanding the agriculture workforce. The freshman Senator from Pasco, Nikki Torres, is responsible or authoring and ultimately passing this bill off the Senate floor 49-0.

Greenhouse Production SB 5508

-promoting local agriculture through greenhouses. The WSNLA publicly supported this bill as it provides that the State Building Code does not apply to any temporary growing structures used solely for the production of horticultural plants. It also establishes that a temporary growing structure is not considered a structure under the State Building Code. This is a no-cost bill with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, this bill was scheduled for a vote on 2/17 but no action was taken. Based on the cut-off calendar this bill may be done for this legislative session. This bill will be back up for reconsideration in 2024.

Pesticide

Representative Tom Dent’s HB 1019 –Establishing a pesticide advisory board – is still making it’s way through the process with much support. His bill’s intent is to create a formal and permanent advisory board to advise the Washington State Department of Agriculture (Department) on pesticide-related actions that are not considered by the Pesticide Application Safety Committee. We continue to publicly support this bipartisan work.

Fuel Tax

Nearly halfway through the legislative session and we still don’t have answers from the Governor’s office or Ecology regarding the carbon fee fuel cost increase. These increased costs to the end user (producer) in 2023 have stemmed

from anticipated costs from the new cap-and-invest carbon credit purchase, swap and auction program. The language of the program exempts producers from this increase in fuel costs. The first of these auctions took place in the second half of February 2023. Negotiations are happening between ecology and cooperative fuel suppliers to figure out an equitable remedy to the problem.

Budgets

The House and Senate budget will be released in the coming weeks as the two bodies face off over how to spend a record $70 billion. The Governor released his $70B budget proposal in December and the two chambers will consider aspects of that proposal with their own to finalize a new two-year budget.

sales@urbanforestnursery.com

Meet Your 2023 WSNLA Officers Shaping, Leading & Serving Their Industry

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Katie Miller WSNLA President

As President, I am looking forward to being the change I want to see in the industry.

As President Elect I will continue to learn from this great group and be here to listen to all concerns from our membership - in particular from the retail members. I will serve you on the Urban Forestry Council with pride and continue to work towards pollinator health in our environment.

How did you become involved with WSNLA and what has your involvement looked like over time?

KM: I was first introduced to WSNLA after finishing college in 2008, I was looking for my first horticulture career and found a customer service role at Skagit Gardens on the WSNLA Career Center. As an employee of Skagit Gardens, I started attending the WSNLA Annual Meeting in 2010. We often set up vendor booths at events as another way of gaining exposure to local customer sales. It was in late 2018 when I was approached about joining the board in the Grower Caucus position and got more deeply involved in the organization.

TC: I first became a CPH (or back then WCN) in 1993 and have been involved as a member of the Executive Board for the last two years. I look forward to continuing to serve and trying to help

As Vice President, I believe that there are many others coming from unconventional paths looking for a place to land. It is my hope to get to know you better and introduce you to a fabulous industry filled with dedicated, interesting, and amazing people. Please send me a email at kirsten@gardensALIVEdesign.com and we’ll set up a time to meet so we can get to know and serve each other better!

the WSNLA for all they have done for me personally and our industry.

KL: It was the Certified Professional Horticultural certification that first drew me to WSNLA. As a new landscape designer coming from an unconventional path, I wanted to ensure that my knowledge was on par with industry standards. It was then that I posted sticky notes of Latin names around my home, printed pictures and flash cards of all of the plants on the test list and dove into additional books and classes about landscape design principles. I was grateful for the rigors of the test, for the classes offered to prepare and to the WSNLA for the professional endorsement. Over time, this gratitude evolved into action with volunteer efforts in chapters and committees from which meaningful business relationships and friendships evolved. Thank you, WSNLA, for a

I will be a good steward of our associations resources and continue to ask questions and listen to our membership on their most important needs going forward.

supportive start into a fabulous second career.

MP: I got involved with the Olympic Chapter after moving here from Californa. I passed the WCN certification in 1999. At our chapter meetings there was always an issue that was of interest to me, or that I had some previous experience with, so naturally I was roped in to getting more involved. It was my pleasure to move through the executive board positions serving as President in 2014.

TG: Just like the Borg of Star Trek, I was slowly assimilated into WSNLA somewhere after starting my company in 1999. I chose WSNLA and my thenbusiness partner chose WALP to be highly active with. I’ve slowly increased my responsibilities when there was a ‘need’ or something interested me.

Retail Ready Sales Manager Skagit Horticulture

Trevor Cameron, CPH WSNLA President Elect General Manager Sunnyside Nursery

Kirsten Lints, CPH WSNLA Vice President Gardens ALIVE Design

Megan Pulkkinen, CPH WSNLA Treasurer Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design

Come join us!

How would you describe the work of the Board? And, how does it work to shape our industry?

KM: The work of the board is driven by passion for the industry and the people in it. Everyone serving on the board sees a future in Horticulture, many have made horticulture their life’s work in one capacity or another. Because of the advocacy, education and outreach that is sponsored and promoted by WSNLA it helps connect the member businesses with resources and evolving information within our state, it connects businesses and organization and ties it all together by connecting us with the consumers we serve.

TC: The work of the Board is critical in both sustaining our industry and providing for its future. The Executive Director, Finance Director and the Board continue to strive to meet all challenges

that come our way. From lobbying for important legislation that affects us all in this industry to promoting plants, gardening, and current pertinent issues - the WSNLA is essential to protect our industry as a whole. Our group serves all members and is absolutely proactive in setting standards, goals, and the future of nursery/landscape businesses state wide.

KL: When you peek behind the curtain of an organization, you see the Oz-like magic and the real function. Sitting amongst growers, retailers, suppliers, and educators has given me the privilege to participate in a broader end game for our industry. It isn’t just, “who can help guide me through the permit process” or “have you used this product to solve this issue?”. The conversations have to do with involving a younger generation in our industry, promoting pollinators and urban trees in a time of climatic alarm, supporting legislation for growers to retain their fields and still support wildlife needs and encouraging internships in our industry. With voices spanning the landscape industry sitting at the table, a deeper understanding is gained for everyone in attendance in order to take a balanced approach in moving forward in which member interests are at the forefront.

MP: The work of the board is to listen to members needs in regard to protecting and promoting their businesses, educating our workforce and many others whose actions affect our industry. With this information, and staff input, we decide which programs and actions

should be prioritized. It is not always easy with the time and resources available. Our staff is amazing and WSNLA has been successful in so many areas responding to the changing Industry dynamics, not the other way around.

TG: ‘Work’ might not be the best word, it’s more like a quarterly gathering of both personal and industry friends. We come together to look at events taking place in our horticultural community and decide how can we, as an Association, support changes and represent our members.

During your tenure on the board, what has been the organization’s greatest achievement?

KM: The advocacy arm of our organization served its greatest purpose in 2020 by providing clarification and direction during the early days and weeks of COVID Lockdowns to define nursery and greenhouse businesses as essential and advocate for a clear path for all horticulture businesses to continue to operate during an incredibly uncertain time.

TC: What is our greatest achievement the last couple years? I will have to pick two. Lobbying for us to stay open during the pandemic as essential businesses allowed for record business volume and a myriad of new gardeners for us retailers. Personally for me, the pollinator promotion to save the bees is extremely

For more from your WSNLA Executive Officers turn to page 20

Timothy Gray WSNLA Past President Pacific Stone Company

As Past President, I… look forward to the expanded return to in-person events for our members!

2022 WSNLA President Tim Gray administers the oath of office to your 2023 Executive Committee the WSNLA General Membership meeting.

Cascade Tropicals is a Supporter of Promoting Careers in Horticulture! In support of this industry effort, Cascade Tropicals donated 100 2 inch plants to distribute to students interested in horticulture careers. Their contribution created buzz and enthusiasum throughout the WSU and University of Idaho events. Thank you Cascade Tropicals for supporting and helping to promote the awesome careers that make up your industry!

Plant A Career In Horticulture

WSNLA is spreading the word about hort jobs

Plant

a Career

in

Horticulture! Most people, including students studying horticulture, have a limited view of careers available in the horticulture industry. The WSNLA Careers task force is taking steps to change this.

Last month, your WSNLA President Katie Miller (Skagit Horticulture) and Vice President Kirsten Lints, CPH (Gardens ALIVE Design) attended career fairs and networking events at WSU and University of Idaho to promote horticulture careers and connect students and emerging professionals with your WSNLA career center listing. Reflecting on their involvement, here are a few thoughts from their participation in these initial five career events that spanned their 3 day visit.

At all events, students were fully engaged and asked pointed questions to learn more about the horticulture industry. In all, 2500 students attended with 250 students directly contacted about careers in horticulture. While networking events provided a targeted approach to connect with agriculture students, the general career fairs provided an opportunity to connect with a broader group and expand our reach to tell the story of careers in horticulture.

The Future of Horticulture.

The plants provided by Cascade Tropicals helped to play a key role engaging with students. Plants are the centerpiece of what connects us all to the industry. In order to receive the free plant, students were asked to complete a survey. Data collected from 190 student survey’s has already helped inform the task force’s future outreach strategies. The two graphs to the right highlight some of the information collected. The graph on the top right breaks down which parts of the industry interest students most. Located on the bottom right, this graph displays the variety of student majors interested in careers in horticulture.

The diversity of study outside traditional horticulture degrees was an unexpected, but pleasant, takeaway. Conversations with engineering, data analyst, marketing and computer science students were especially noted by the task force. Kirsten Lints observed it was apparent students were seeking knowledge about how their skillsets can be used in non-traditional industries. Maybe even more specifically how they can connect their professional skills to their personal interests and passions. This provided a perfect opportunity for Katie Miller to share about the robotic innovation needs for the greenhouse industry with engineering students, and all the ways data analysts can help revolutionize how business is managed by growers, retail garden centers and landscape companies.

Student connections were not the only ones made. The task force connected with a variety of department faculty. Follow-up with these contacts will create opportunities for virtual career panels to connect directly with students in the classroom and open conversation about the needs of the industry to electrical engineering and crop and soil sciences.

Overall, general enthusiasm for plants is high! Students and faculty were seeking out the WSNLA table, among 330 other professions represented at all events, were seeking out the WSNLA table to learn more about the industry and to share their horticulture stories and passion for plants. The task force’s take away being that even the students that were not seeking careers in horticulture are still connecting with our industry as customers!

If your passionate about this work, find out how you can get involved on the next page.

Help Spread the Word! Share Your Voice & Professional Experience

Here’s How You Can Help:

Now is the time for our industry to tell its story - to reshape society’s perception of horticulture careers through real stories told directly from professionals doing the work everyday. The WSNLA careers task force is working with a video production company to develop 3 videos that will take center stage in a social media campaign. But, we need more content to amplify this message and shine a light on the wide array of horticulture careers. That means we need you - here’s how you can help:

Hort Career Video

Capture a short video (:15 to :30 seconds) of you, your staff and colleagues sharing what you love best about your career in horticulture. Next share it with WSNLA to include in our Plant a Career in Horticulture social media campaign.

Or, plan to attend a WSNLA event this year and we will capture a video testimonial for you!

Career Profile Interview

Your story will help shape perceptions and inform individuals interested in entering the field about the broad careers available in horticulture. Take a few minutes to share your career experience and bring awareness to horticulture careers. Career Profiles will be included on the GardenWashington career page..

Connect with Students

Connect directly with students in the classroom by participating on a career panel session. WSNLA will be coordinating various sessions throughout the State for colleges, universities and high school students. Add your name to the list of professionals willing to share their professional experience. (In person and virtual options.)

Join the Task Force

Have a passion for promoting horticulture careers?

Join your peers working to create and implement strategies to promote careers in horticulture!

Join us in speading the word about the fulfilling careers that make up the horticulture industry. Contact WSNLA at 253.661.6055 or breanne@ wsnla.org.

WSNLA’s participation in career events and the development of career videos is made possible through funding provided by a Washington State Department of Agriculture Nursery Research Fund grant.

Planting With Purpose

WSNLA’s Garden Space at the NW Flower & Garden Festival Highlights Planting for Pollinators. Find out more on the next page.

Photo by Jayce Knerr @Jayce.Knerr

Q&A

WSNLA garden leads, Maria Bertucci, CPH, Watson’s Greenhouse & Juliana Bertucci, The None Such, LLC, share their experience planning and installing this year’s garden space.

What have you enjoyed most about the process of leading the design and installation of the WSNLA Garden Space?

MB: There was a lot to love about doing this garden. I really enjoyed designing within the pollinator theme and working with all the wonderful vendors to pull the materials together—you never really know how things will look together until you have them all in the same space and businesses that we normally work with were very supportive and generous.

And of course, working on a big project with my sister! We’ve been trying to find a way to do a big collaboration together for awhile and this was the perfect opportunity.

JB: The opportunity to work with my sister Maria and the WSNLA on a design with such high visibility was so exciting! And I always enjoy doing the installations themselves; we had such a great team of volunteers and I loved watching the design come together

What was your inspiration for the garden space? Do you have a favorite element of the garden, and why?

MB: We really wanted to make a garden that was lovely and carefully designed but also looked comfortable and lived in. We had certain elements we wanted to incorporate, the idea of herb spirals, really large pottery, edible plants tucked in and of course, the pollinator homes.

I love the heck out of the fairy queen chair and the large green jars from Washington Pottery are my favorite series of containers that they

Photo by Jayce Knerr @Jayce.Knerr

Photo by Jayce Knerr @Jayce.Knerr

carry. But, I might have to go with the willow trees themselves, I always love the plants better than the stuff.

JB: The theme ‘Plant something pollinator friendly’ provided by the WSNLA was a huge inspiration for our plant choices and so many pieces of the garden. I love creating pollinator friendly gardens in my own work so I was thrilled to have this as a central theme.

I had an absolutely fabulous time creating the small pollinator houses and other details with Maria as we prepped for the show, but overall, I think my favorite part of the finished design is that we managed to make a relaxed space that also has this lovely flowing movement to it. It was so cool to see people moving through the space to find all the details hidden within.

Have you honed any specific skill(s) and/or gained new ones?

MB: I think I got a bit better at trusting my instincts when ordering supplies—normally I’m able to see the elements all together before I install projects. For the show, I had to estimate more carefully and trust what I know about plants and color as everything was arriving from different sources sight unseen.

JB: Most of my design work is a solo project so it was such good practice for me to coordinate and work with others as a team on this. Specific skills… more proficient at teamwork and more able to trust the process!

Would you encourage others to volunteer fo this WSNLA project? If so, what would you say to encourage their involvement?

MB: I would indeed; it’s an exciting opportunity to showcase your creativity in a highly visible venue with a lot of support from the WSNLA, businesses in the industry and great volunteers!

JB: Definitely! The WSNLA made the whole process really smooth and I am hugely appreciative of everything they did to promote our work and show off the garden.

WSNLA would like to thank our volunteers that helped set-up and teardown this year’s garden space: Jerome Kosman, CPH, Denise McDonough, Lynette Stair, Nicole Waring, Maria Bertucci, CPH, Juliana Bertucci, Scott Pringle, CPH and Holly Osborne,

volunateers that staffed the garden and handed out

CPH; and, a huge thank you to all the

the GardenWashington Guide!

Thank you to our plant partners in helping to promote the industry & inspire PNW gardeners.

Photo by Jayce Knerr @Jayce.Knerr

Photo by Jayce Knerr @Jayce.Knerr

WSNLA Members Bring Spring Vibes to the NW Flower & Garden Festival

Counter clockwise from left:

SHADED FROM REALITY

West Seattle Nursery

Best in Show Founders Cup Award

Fine Gardening Beyond Beautiful Award

JOY

Lucinda Landscapes

Kent Easy Hill Nursery, Kent

Urban Earth Nursery, Seattle

Clockwise from right:

BEAU CHATEAU | Little Prince of Oregon

Awarded Best Use of Color and People’s Choice.

VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS | Fancy Plants Gardens (Garden co-creator Royal Design Finishes.)

Christianson’s Nursery, Mount Vernon Sunnyside Nursery, Marysville

SAVVY CITY LIVING | Savvy Garden & Home

Pictured, owner Rachel Zuetenhorst, CPH & Eric, her husband.

Your WSNLA Executive Officers Share Thoughts on Service.

Continued from page 14.

important - without them we have minimal food and gardening - period. Planting some of these and saving the bees to me says it all!

MP: Our ability to respond to the many challenges that have come along that could have been devastating to our members. From the pandemic to all that mother nature and the legislature have thrown at us, we have been able to respond quickly. We communicate effectively with the right people and let them know how an action, or inaction will affect our members. This would not be possible without the longstanding relationships, industry knowledge, and open communication our staff has across the state and nation wide. People might not think they need a trade association, until they really do.

TG: With the perseverance of our executive director, Breanne Chavez, our organization worked with state government that allowed independent retail nurseries and garden centers to remain open during the 2021 Covid-19 shutdown of our state. Pacific Stone was able to stay open because of our license as a retail nursery. Yes, I called two fellow WSNLA members to sell us a bunch of food-producing plants, trees, and vines in order to meet the requirements!

What have you learned, personally or professionally, from your service on the WSNLA Board?

KM: I have known for a long time that our industry is unique and tight knit, it is also diverse and wonderful, but as a whole, the challenges are often a shared frustration and if we work together and collaborate we can make more progress to address whatever we are facing. WSNLA also provides an amazing platform for shared information and shared information becomes education so we can help the next generation be successful as they find their place in the industry.

TC: In just two years on the executive board it has opened my eyes to all the WSNLA does for all of us. I have learned about lobbying in our legislature on issues for our industry absolutely helps. There are some great people involved with WSNLA and I appreciate the chance to both learn from them and offer a fresh perspective from the retailer level. If you are considering joining a committee, task force or even Board please do. You will not only be challenged but also meet some great industry peers and help shape the future of the WSNLA.

KL: It was with great conviction that some of my only words offered at the first board meetings I attended were to involve students in greater and new ways. Of course, it takes time to see change happen. I’ve learned that the overwhelm that can come from goals or projects that seem unsurmountable or unachievable can be obtained best through small steps, perseverance,

patience, and collaboration. Should you also feel the need to incorporate new voices, diverse backgrounds, and unconventional ideas into our industry, please join me.

MP: Meeting and learning from others in all areas of the industry was very helpful for my business. The people in our industry are generous and friendly. I became connected to other designers, contractors and suppliers which made it easy to ask for assistance from those with experience when I needed it. Going forward being able to return the favor to others has been very rewarding.

TG: Each year is another confirmation that being in our industry was the right choice for my career. I still go to work with a positive outlook and later wonder just a bit how the day went by so fast.

What would you say to someone thinking about or interested in serving on the WSNLA Board, committee or task force?

KM: If you have passion for what you do and you are ready to share that with others who are like minded please consider getting involved. WSNLA is as great as the effort we put forward as members, to get more out we must put more in.

KL: If you have ideas, share them with us. If you are challenged by something in our industry, let us try and help you. If you need help, reach out to us. If you have a victory, let’s celebrate together. By stepping forward, I assure you you will get more than you give. If you are a joiner, join us.

MP: Jump in the water is fine! You might think you don’t have something relevant to offer. You do, and we value it. You can help shape the industry going forward in whatever areas you find interesting. I would love to chat with you about any of the programs or committees we have or you think we should consider.

TG: You will definitely learn new things and there’s no doubt you’ll gain new industry connections and gain new friends!

In Memory Of

Mark E Cairo, Certified Professional Horticulturist and longtime volunteer at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show for WSNLA passed away August 14th, 2021. Mark was passionate about plants and especially trees. He was known for donating and planting trees in his home of Brier and Bobcat Park in Brier.

He often planted trees for neighbors. He was one of our dedicated professionals at Home Depot in Bothell. He had worked in the nursery industry all his life and was a resource for gardening to everyone he came in contact with. He is missed.

Dennis Gilbert Bahr

On January 31, 2023 Dennis Gilbert Bahr passed away at his home in Addy, Washington. At the time of his passing Dennis was 69 years old. Dennis was born on February 19, 1953 in Glendale, California to Lydia (Koerner) and Gilbert Bahr.

Dennis attended school at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California. He graduated from Lynbrook Highschool in 1973. After high school he moved to west side of Washington and worked at a plant nursery in Bellevue, Washington and would become self-employed with his own landscape maintenance business.

Dennis was married to Julie Wells and had two children, Ben and Aimee Bahr. In 1985, Dennis married Christine “Chris” Lambert living in Bothell, Washington. Dennis and Chris worked side by side in his landscape maintenance business.

Dennis and his wife Chris owned and operated Machias Nursery in Snohomish, WA from 2004-2015. He was an avid plant collector and especially enjoyed rare conifers and Japanese Maples. Their home in Snohomish was an absolute Arboretum which both Dennis and Chris took pride in working in and adding to year after year. Since owning Machias Nursery and “retiring”, Dennis worked at Sunnyside Nursery in Maryville. He has many friends in the industry, and will be sorely missed.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Barbara Villhard.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Christine Bahr, his son; Ben Bahr of Issaquah, WA, one daughter; Aimee Bahr of Issaquah, and 2 step-children who look to him as their dad, Step-son Doug Lambert of Addy, WA; step-daughter Toni Wessar of Marysville, WA, eight grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

www.BIRINGERNURSERY.com

WA State Nursery & Landscape Association

MARKETPLANT

FOR SALE: PLANTS, TREES, LANDSCAPE & NURSERY SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND MORE!

Specimen Street and landscape Trees in large Root Control Bags. Year around availability, easier shipping, handling and establishment. Mount Vernon. (360) 428-5810. Fax (360) 4281822. www.urbanforestnursery.com.

WSNLA MEMBER.

OREGON TURF AND TREE FARMS SPECIMEN SHADE TREES AVAILABLE in 25 gallon containers and B&B. Availability online at Oregonlawn.com or 800.426.1335

WSNLA MARKETPLACE posts begin at $30. Email your copy to breanne@wsnla.org.

WA State Nursery & Landscape Association

EVENTS

GROW YOUR KNOWLEDGE. FIND SOLUTIONS. CONNECT WITH PEERS. GAIN INSPIRATION.

July 18, 2023 | Certified Professional Horticulturist Exam - Plant Identification Section. Location: Snohomish County. Visit www.wsnla.org/events to reserve your seat at the Plant Identification section of the Certified Professional Horticulturist Exam. Other sections will be offered virtually.

July 19, 2023 | Certified Professional Horticulturist Exam - General Knowledge & Landscape Practices. Location: Offered Virtually. Visit www.wsnla.org/events to reserve your seat at the CPH General Knowledge & Landscape Practices Exam.

October 23 - 27, 2023 | ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Training & Certification. Reserve your seat at www.wsnla.org/events.

Get Started @ WSNLA.ORG/Events

WA State Nursery & Landscape Association

CAREER CENTER

POST OPEN POSITIONS. FIND EMPLOYEES. SEEK EMPLOYMENT. SHARE YOUR RESUME.

Be sure to post your job openings in the WSNLA Career Center by February 1. The WSNLA Virtual Career Fair will run the entire month of February! Members: Free | CPH, EPC: $25 | Non Members: $50.

Listings Are Promoted

WSNLA Career Center listings will be promoted at career events hosted by WSU, University of Idaho and UW during February; shared with horticulture professionals and students across the state; and advertising on social media will help drive traffic to your listing.

Post Your Job Openings

Advertise to over 2500+ nursery and landscape professionals.

Post Your Internships Internships are an opportunity to gain practical experience in the field. Share your internship opportunities on the WSNLA Career Center and connect with students and emerging professionals.

Get Started @ WSNLA.ORG/Networking

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

PO Box 219 Sumner, WA 98390-0040

Address Service Requested