B&B - 2023 Issue II - Ensuring the Next Generation

Ensuring the Next Generation Scholarships. Research. Resources

WSNLA Scholarship & Research Charitable Fund announces over $16,000 in scholarships and grants.

WSDA Nursery License Fund Invests in Local Industry Research. Horticulture Research Institute Announces 2023 Funded Projects.

New name. Same commitment to cash patronage.

Northwest FCS is now AgWest Farm Credit. And we’re still committed to sharing profits with our customers.

Patronage continues to be a unique benefit of our cooperative structure, providing earnings from our association back to our customer-members. This year, patronage dividends total $366.5 million to eligible customers throughout the West. It pays to be an AgWest customer.

Grounded by tradition. Inspired by possibility.

2023 | VOL 75. NO. II

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

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

(Above) WSNLA Scholarship & Research Fund is committed to ensuring the next generation of nursery and landscape professionals. Learn more about this year’s scholarship recipients on page 12.

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Message from the President ]

Katie Miller WSNLA President

Retail Ready Sales Manager Skagit Horticulture/Skagit Gardens

By the time you are reading this we are past the spring frenzy. Somehow no matter what words I use to describe it, I never feel like I capture all of the intensity that we go through for 12 weeks each year. The highs, the lows, the anxiety, the excitement, the stress, the little bit of sadness and the immense relief when it is over.

But today is another busy day in May for me, and we have been given some beautiful bluesky weather. Mother’s Day is now behind us, and we heard from many of our customers that they had record-breaking weekend sales! There is no doubt that this is going to be a May to remember when we can see it in the rearview.

Because I live in the world of wholesale, reflection on the spring season tends to inspire conversations about how we can do more (grow more, sell more, ship more) in spring. We always come back to phrases like “more with less” or “more efficient”. Our proposed solutions typically involve some kind of technology, to help streamline process, handle information, and reduce human error. Many of you reading this article probably have similar conversations in retail and landscape because there is some aspect of spring that “if we could just do X better, faster, stronger, we could achieve more!”

We so often look to technology solutions, whether we are talking computer software, robots or heavy equipment (maybe someday we will even be considering AI?!) because the intensity of spring is such a brief part of our whole year, but it sets the tone for how successful we will be financially for the months ahead. And unlike other industries there is only one spring each season. Nine months are spent prepping for three and when it is over, we take a deep breath, maybe a nap and start prepping for the next one.

The irony for me, and I am confident that I can write here that I am not alone, is that I didn’t get into this business for the technology. I did it for the plants. I love the flowers and the dirt, the way the greenhouse smells in March when all of the hanging baskets for Mother’s Day are

Serving the green industry since 1937!

freshly planted. Or the vivid colors of pansy and viola in bloom on a sunny day in August. The fresh green leaves that suddenly appear on the first warm day in spring. All of those moments are the farthest thing from technology. What we offer as an industry to the average consumer of garden products is a reprieve from technology.

So many of my days are spent behind a keyboard, crunching numbers, tinkering in spreadsheets and working out the finer points of process so we can do more next year with technology to satisfy the needs of those looking to enjoy life with less. Life is funny that way sometimes and if I’m honest I’ll be right here next year not just because I love the flowers, but I really love that because of what we do, we are able to bring more plants to people who love them as much as I do.

Retail Ready Sales Manager

Skagit Horticulture/Skagit Gardens

WSNLA President

I love the flowers & the dirt, the way the greenhouse smells in March when all of the hanging baskets for Mother’s Day are freshly planted. What we offer as an industry to the average consumer of garden products is a reprieve from technology.

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Message from the Director ]

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

Spring is full of inspiration... of course, it’s full of a LOT of work, too!

From the plants and trees you grow, to the care taken in serving your customers with quality plants and knowledgeable service, to designing, maintaining or building planted spaces, this industry provides inspiration for the world and Spring is it’s showtime!

This year it felt as if Spring weather would never arrive, but sure enough she did - and showed out big for an awesome Mother’s Day weekend. Green spaces transformed almost instantly as flowers bloomed, trees leafed out and gardens began to shine. My smartphone became a tool to capture this beauty that inspired me. Over the past few months, here are a few other ways I have found inspiration.

Visions For the Future

This annual issue of the B&B Magazine always inspires me. As I read through scholarship applications each year, I am taken by the pure excitement, passion, and outlook for possibilities each scholar has for their future career in horticulture. It brings me back to my own excitement as I explored what a career in the communications field might look like for me. Where each scholar will land will be determined by their own professional journey. One thing is clear, our industry will be stronger with their vision, passion and inspiration. Learn more about this year’s scholars on page 12.

I hope you will consider giving to the WSNLA Scholarship Fund. The Fund is built on individual donations, from donors like you, made over the years. Named scholarships can also be established to honor individuals or businesses with a legacy to pay it forward as students pursue their education and develop their skills. Your tax-deductible gift, of any size, makes a difference and goes directly to supporting students and the future of horticulture.

Inspiring Pollinator Purchases – Pollinator Week is June 19 – 25th!

The WSNLA Pollinator Task Force has been working with Rusty George Creative to create a marketing tool kit for your business to promote pollinator plants and practices designed to protect and encourage pollinator habitat. The toolkit includes signage and digital content for your use on social media, eNews, webinars or other customer and client communications. Videos are also in the works. WSNLA will be placing advertising

Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director

“... this industry provides inspiration for the world & Spring is it’s showtime!”

over the next 2.5 years to spread this message and drive customers and clients to your business. Task force members, including Aimee Damman (Swansons Nursery), Nicole Phillips (Sunnyside Nursery), James Raebel (Magnolia Garden Center), Trevor Cameron (Sunnyside Nursery), Justin Robbins (Valley Nursery), have been providing input to ensure the marketing toolkit provides relevant value to a wide array of marketing needs. I’m inspired by their contributions on behalf of the industry, especially since it has carried through a very busy May!

Peers Inspiring Peers

In early May, while you all are busy working in your business, us Association Executives, take a few days to come together at the NLAE (Nursery & Landscape Association Executives). This conference brings together state associations, our national organizations and the associations from the Canadian provinces to learn from one another, share challenges and solutions, and to work together on industry issues to strengthen the entire industry. Each year I return with new resources, new ideas, and yes... a lot of inspiration.

This year, WSNLA will be hosting opportunities for YOU to come together with your peers in August and September. I hope to see you there. Whether you’re seeking new resources, ideas, inspiration or fun. It really does fill the soul to come together with likeminded professionals. Watch for more information to be announced in the coming month.

Industry Research for Your Business

The WSDA Nursery Research Fund awards funding to local research projects each year. An advisory committee made up of your industry peers is committed to funding projects that serve the industry’s best interest. Find out more about the funded projects on page 16.

WSNLA is a conduit for your business needs. In recent months we have received several inquiries regarding industry needs for research. This is exciting as there appears to be an uptick in opportunities to innovate with research, but we need to hear from you! What kind of research would your business benefit from? Are there specific pests or diseases? Biocontrol needs? Plant trials? Efficiencies with your business, such as nursery pots, water management, or other best management tools?

Inspiration is all around us. It’s in our daily work. It’s in the stories we hear from our customers. It can be found from a conversation with your peers or from emerging professionals ready to shape their careers. Inspiration is everywhere. Seek it. Enjoy it. It fills the soul.

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 version of the Washington State Legislative Session has come and gone, officially adjourning Sine Di at about 10:00PM on April 23rd. All three statewide budgets have passed the respective bodies and as of May 18th, all budgets have been signed.

As you know the WSNLA had a legislative team transition this session, but we managed to have an impact at the legislature and take part in some important policy wins. Our presence was felt at committee hearings and bill sign-ons. The more we engage our local legislators, the more they look to WSNLA members for advice and counsel on topics as they arise. We seek to expand the legislative focus going into future biennia and sessions, with an eye toward local WSNLA member engagement with legislators as well as interim work to bring our issues into focus with local member meetings.

Because of the depth and breadth of WSNLA legislative policy, it’s sometimes believed that we can’t have an impact on any one specific issue. But like legislators themselves, we can be one-issue advocates who become a go-to expert for our local elected leaders. The more expert advice we provide to our local elected leaders, the more “juice” we have at the capitol to influence public policy.

The commencement of the 2023 session brings both wins and losses legislatively. You will find a box with a list of successful bills as they pertain to WSNLA Policy on the next page.

Budgets

The operating, capital and transportation budgets were all successfully passed this legislative session. Over the next two years in the operating budget alone our state will spend a record $69.3 Billion. Once again about half of that total will be allocated toward K-12 education with our public education system setting a new record in revenue and spending. The total operating budgets adds approximately $4.7 billion in new spending, leaves a total of $3 billion in reserve accounts and doesn’t include any broad tax increases with exception for the previously enacted carbon fuel tax and capital gains income tax.

Riparian Grant Program

This legislative session dealt strongly with the state’s Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) and Riparian zone policy. House Bill 1720 was introduced with strong bipartisan

Jesse Taylor Taylor Consulting, LLC WSNLA Lobbyist

(sometimes unanimous it seemed) support to create a Riparian VSP, directed by the conservation commission and funded through the capital budget. Even though a strong cross-isle alliance was formed from the tribes to the Farm Bureau, the Governor’s office stated strongly they would veto the program in favor of the governor’s more heavy handed and mandate-rich policy. In the end, the bipartisan group of lawmakers put the funding for the program in the capital budget and subsequently passed with a unanimous vote. Those dollars will become available for private landowners as soon as July 1, 2023. Interim

This time of year is when “rule making” and guidance begins to take shape. When bills are passed with agency mandates, the state agencies must begin to establish rules for implementing policy. Because of this, legislative advocacy doesn’t end when the final gavel drops; it’s actually a time when stakeholders have some of the most important input.

As we go through the summer months and start gearing up for fall legislative work, please feel free to reach out to me with ideas as they pertain to legislation or regulation. I am always happy to answer questions or discuss policy requests you may have.

who become a go-to expert for our local elected leaders. The more expert advice we provide to our local elected leaders, the more “juice” we have at the capitol to influence public policy

Successful Bills:

Specifics on these bills can be found by searching the bill number on this website https://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/

sales@urbanforestnursery.com

GardenWashington Connects Your Business with Customers All Year Long

Make Sure You’re Leveraging It to Maximize Visibilities & Sales

NEW! Feature Your Business Prominently on

the GardenWashington Homepage

Make it easy for customers to find your business by ensuring your nursery or landscape company is the first thing site visitors see! Featured businesses are highlighted prominently on the GardenWashington homepage and remain static throughout the year. Featured businesses will also receive two social media posts, scheduled at a time of your choice, putting your brand or event in focus and helping to drive traffic to your business.

Cost: $500 annually. 5 spots available.

Place a Digital Coupon to Help Grow Sales.

GardenWashington coupons are sought after annually by consumers in the printed GardenWashington Guide. Now, a digital version will return to bolster visibility and help reach a larger audience of potential customers and clients throughout the year. If you already placed a printed GardenWashington coupon this option is free to you. Just contact Breanne at breanne@wsnla.org to update your offer or expiration date.

The digital coupon offers:

1. Flexibility to update your offer. Offer a single promotion or various promotions throughout the year that coincide with events, seasons or other activities associated with your business.

2. Expiration dates and usage controls are determined by you! Choose between 5 different expiration options, such as a recurring expiration or identifying a specific day to redeem by, or a range expiration.

3. Protection from misuse. You also have the ability to limit the amount of views your coupon can be shown, add a background image to use as a watermark, or push business to your online storefront with a coupon code.

Cost: $295 | Members Only

Share Your Events & Blog!!

We know that many of you have adapted your events to current guidelines and we want to help get the word out! As a member, your events, sales and blogs are featured for free.

To submit your calendar of events or notify WSNLA of your blog, email breanne@wsnla.org.

2023 Scholarship Recipients

WSNLA Scholarship & Research Charitable Fund Continues to Cultivate the Future of the Industry.

Caitlin Capistron

Walters Family Scholarship & Fred Palmer Scholarship, $1500 School: Edmonds Community College

Focus of Study: ATA Landscape Design

Anticipated Graduation: September 2024

My goal is to have my own landscape design and maintenance business. I have gained so much personally from having gardens and would love to encourage other people’s connection with the natural world while creating and maintain beautiful spaces.

Alex Danieli

Olympic Chapter Scholarship, $375 School: Lake WA Institute of Technology

Focus of Study: Associates of Applied Sciences, Horticulture

Anticipated Graduation: July 2023

For career goals, I plan to start at a greenhouse then work in arboriculture, turf management and environmental engineering down the line.

Emily Magee

Leno Bassett Scholarship & Jim Brown Scholarship, $1500 School: Edmonds Community College

Focus of Study: Landscape design degree and urban agriculture certificate

Anticipated Graduation: March 2023

Through my classes at Edmonds, I have honed my perspective on landscape design and have developed a passion for ecological and restorative design. Eventually, I would like to start a business with a focus on ecological residential landscape design, incorporating edible plants.

Breanna Moravec

Marland Edwards Scholarship & George Gillett Scholarship, $1500 School: Edmonds Community College

Focus of Study: Landscape Design

Anticipated Graduation: April 2024

About a year ago I started creating and implementing small designs for a few

of my maintenance clients and have grown to produce bigger projects since then. I decided to further my education in landscape design by attending the Edmonds College landscape design program so I can continue to grow and further educate myself and the clients I work with. My goal is to specialize in sustainable and native landscape designs so I can make a positive impact on our ecological habitat within my community.

Jeffrey Oliver

Peter Van Well Sr. Scholarship & Bert Snyder Scholarship, $1500 School: Edmonds Community College

Focus of Study: Sustainable Landscape Management

Anticipated Graduation: Winter 2023

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Edmonds, and I have especially enjoyed learning about trees, with a focus on fruit trees. One possible career path would be to own or work at a nursery that specializes in grafted fruit trees. I plan

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

on becoming an arborist as well, to help protect and save the beautiful trees in our area.

Joanna Oliver

Junkoh Harui Scholarship & Ray Holmason Scholarship, $1500 School: Edmonds Community College

Focus of Study: Landscape Design

Anticipated Graduation: Summer 2023

I am very excited to start my career as a landscape designer and see the transformations in gardens and in people’s lives. My goal is to find a company who shares my goals and values in creating sanctuary and helping people heal through the power of plants. Gardening has helped me through the hardest times in my life and I would like to help others find that healing as well.

Rachel Taylor

Herbert & Marion Frost Scholarship & Windsor Bond Scholarship, $1500 School: Eastern Oregon University

Focus of Study: Bachelors of Science: Agricultural Entrepreneurship

Anticipated Graduation: June 2024

My goal for employment is to work within the tree fruit industry, whether that is at a fruit warehouse, nursery or my own orchard.

The South Seattle Community College Arboretum, Arboretum

Management Internship

Rosso Scholarship, $2750

This position was created to ensure continuity in the care and management of the Arboretum, through student participation. The student intern oversees regular maintenance of the Arboretum, volunteer work parties with the public, supervises other student interns and volunteers and assists in plant installations and garden renovations. The Arboretum is a fiveacre laboratory for South’s Landscape/ Horticulture students. It also serves as a public garden for the students, faculty, community, and the Green Industry. The collection of plants includes many used in the CPH examination and we have always encouraged and welcome candidates to browse the gardens in their studies.

The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Retail Sales Internship.

Ray Holmberg Scholarship, $2,000

This internship introduces horticulture students to the practical aspects of managing a retail nursery through their actual management of the RSBG Garden Gift Shop Nursery located near the entrance to the RSBG. The Retail

Internship is designed to augment classroom training with actual work experience. The student will work with RSBG staff to price and arrange plants available for sale, assess effective plant sale strategies, and maintain the sales areas in an attractive and professional manner. Students have the opportunity to work with unusual and rare plants and to take into consideration their care and landscape uses and to use this knowledge to assist our customers as they consider possible purchases from our extensive collection of unusual materials.

Elisabeth C Miller Library, for reference materials.

Olympic Chapter Scholarship: $502

The Plant Lover’s backyard Forest Garden by Pippa Chapman; The Good Garden: How to Nurture Pollinators, Soil, Native Wildlife, and Healthy Food by Chris McLaughlin; Gardening in a Changing World: Plants, People and the Climate Crisis by Darryl Moore; The Climate Change Garden: Down to Earth Advice by Sally Morgan and Kim Stoddart; The Container Victory Garden: A Beginner’s

Turn the page to learn more about this year’s awardees.

Over the years I have seen the huge impact that the WSNLA scholarship & Research charitable fund has made in the lives of the recipients. It has made not only a financial impact but a validation that all the hard work of their education and endeavors are worth it.

- Don Marshall, CPH Lake WA Institute of Horticultureretired & past WSNLA Scholarship board member.

Plant Myth Busting

Scholaship Fund Partners with Oroville High School to Promote Horticulture

Oroville High School students, led by a social media intern, have created Plant Myth Busting videos to promote horticulture amongst their peers. They include, clockwise from above:

1) Do strawberries grow from slices?

2) Do rose cuttings grow in potatoes & honey?

3) Can you grow saskatoon cuttings in honey?

4) Does Lettuce regrow in one day?

5) Do serviceberries only --- after digestion?

WSNLA Scholarship & Research Charitable Fund is partnering with Oroville High School students in promoting horticulture. The objective is to create high quality, engaging peer-to-peer content on social media such as TikTok and Instagram. The partnership highlights student creativity and technology skill sets to support cultivating interest in the field of horticulture amongst their peers.

Students, led by a social media intern, are creating short Plant Myth Busting videos illustrating identified horticulture concepts, using the scientific method. Students are collecting video clips showing the actual processes over time,

2023 WSNLA Scholarship Award Recipients Continued

Guide to Growing Your Own Groceries

by Maggie Stuckey; Compost Science for Gardeners by Robert Pavlis; A Gardener’s Guide to Botany by Scott Zona; The Herb Book: The Stores, Science and History of Herbs by Darling Kindersley Publishing; The Pacific Northwest Native Plant Primer by Kirsten Currin and Andrew Merritt; Tiny and Wild: Build a SmallScale Meadow Anywhere b Graham

Laird Gardner; Firescaping Your Home: A Manual for Readiness in Wildfire Country by Adrienne Edwards and Rachel Schleiger; Grasses for Gardens and Landscape by Neil Lucas; Ranunculus: Beautiful Varieties for Home and Garden

by Naomi Slade; Medlars: Growing and Cooking by Jane Steward; and Piet Oodolf at Work by Noel Kingsbury.

WSU Endowed Plant Pathology

Research Chair. $100,000

The Scholarship Board revised last year’s gift to pay $50,000 in 2023 and $50,000 in $2024.

These funds will join the $150,000 contribution made by the WSDA Nursery Research Fund that will launch a capital campaign bringing together aligning industries, individual businesses and stakeholders to pledge monetary gifts

and the social media intern is editing the clips into final short videos.

All OSD horticulture students will view the videos in class and participate in discussions and learning around the concepts, and the audience will extend to unlimited viewers once posted online.

Plant Myth Busting videos are expected to run through June 2023 and begin again when school returns in September 2023.

You can view all six videos on the WSNLA facebook page at Facebook.com/WSNLA or on the WSNLA YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/WSNLA.

over a 5-year period, with the goal of reaching $1.5M to create the Gary Chastagner Endowed Chair that will focus on plant pathology research serving the Washington ornamental horticulture and Christmas tree industries.

WSNLA, for Industry Development. Jeanne E. McNeil Scholarship, $1750

This funding is in partnership with WSNLA to ensure accessible education to the industry providing an opportunity for industry professionals from all across Washington to advance their skills and knowledge.

On average, the WSNLA Scholarship & Charitable Fund awards $20,000 annually.

The mission of the WSNLA Scholarship Fund is to support the future of horticulture through scholarships, education and research. This year, our annual fundraising goal is $10,000. We count on generous donors - like you - to help continue this important work. Please consider giving to the future of horticulture.

Your tax-deductible donation goes directly to scholarships for students studying for a career in horticulture and to support research that works to advance nursery and landscape businesses. Donations of all sizes help to make an impact. Plan to give in 2023. Give

Nursery Advisory Committee Members

Roger Canfield, CPH - Puget Sound Plants

Nursery Grower Representative

Dan Meier, Briggs Nursery

Large Scale Wholesale Nursery Representatve

Rick Longnecker, Buds & Blades

Landscape Representative

Richard Roozen, WA Bulb Company

Bulbs Representative

Jeff Van Lierop, Country Green Turf

Turfgrass Representative

Theresa Knutsen, Raintree Nursery

Online Nursery Representative

Breanne Chavez

WSNLA Executive Director - ex officio

WA State Department of Agriculture Committee Adminstrators:

Scott Brooks, Plant Inspection Supervisor

Lara Massey, Program Specialist

Open Position

Floricuture/Greenhouse Representative

Garden Center Representative

Fruit Tree Grower

Grape Grower

If you are interested in serving on the WSDA Nursery Advisory Committee, please contact WSNLA at (253) 661-6055 or email

Breanne at breanne@wsnla.org to learn more.

Nursery Surcharge Funds Industry Research

WSDA Nursery Research Fund Announces 2023 Funded Projects

The Nursery Advisory Committee was established to advise the director regarding the administration of the nursery inspection and licensing duties of the Plant Services program, and of the nursery research fund. A surcharge of 20% is assessed on fees collected by nursery retailer and wholesaler licenses for the purpose of creating a nursery research fund. These fees are used solely to support research projects which are of general benefit to the nursery industry and are recommended by the Nursery Advisory Committee. The committee consists of nine members representing the interests of licensed nursery dealers and the nursery industry. Each year the Nursery Advisory Committee awards funding to support research that benefits the Washington State nursery industry. Read on to learn more about this year’s funded projects.

Controlled Environment Production of Fruit Tree Planting Stock, $30,000 Project Manager: Nathan Tarlyn, Qualterra, Inc. (formerly NuPhY, Inc.)

Objectives: The overall objective for the project, which was started last year, is to Produce pathogen-free, true-totype apple, cherry, and pear rootstock material at an accelerated rate using our trademark MultiPHY™ propagation process and VertiPHY™ indoor cultivation system. Year 2 sub-objectives addressing the main objective, and the procedures corresponding to the activities required to complete each objective, are as follows: 1a. Optimize, and scale up, the VertiPHY™ process for each fruit tree species tested in year 1; 1b. Test the process on other nursery crops; and 1c. Test grafting in VertiPHY™ using cherry, pear, and grape as test crops.

Benefits to the Industry: Qualterra’s process for accelerated, controlled environment production of fruit tree planting stock and other high-value horticultural crops will minimize grower’s risk and cost, while producing clean planting material at an accelerated rate to traditional propagation methods. This streamlined process will offer growers and nurseries access to verified pathogen-free, true-to-type, field-ready planting material at a competitive price. The outcomes of this work can be translated additional perennial horticultural crops to enhance the sustainability and profitability of these production systems. This work will benefit the 2,500 cherry growers, 2,000 apple growers, 800 pear growers, and hundreds of growers of other high-value horticultural crops in the PNW, including grape, berry, and hops producers (please see letter of support).

Annual Tree Fruit Funding for CPCNW Operations, $80,000

Project Manager: Scott Harper, WSU CPCNW

Objectives: The goal of this project is to provide and perform ‘clean plant’ services, specifically the acquisition and introduction of commercially important public cultivars, the testing of these for harmful viruses, performing tissue culture or

thermotherapy where necessary to eliminate these viruses from the germplasm, then storing this germplasm under protected conditions for distribution. Specific objectives are: 1. Receive and propagate new or replacement accessions and perform molecular diagnostics to determine virus infection status; 2. Perform virus elimination on infected public accessions and the backlog of proprietary accessions using appropriate methodologies; 3. Complete and release qualifying G1 accessions; 4. Retain public accessions in protected foundation collections, and retest to ensure continued G1 status; and 5. Distribute propagative material to nurseries and other propagators in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

Benefits to the Industry: The CPCNW is the sole clean plant center in the Pacific Northwest, and outside of Foundation Plant Services (FPS) at UC Davis, the only viable clean plant center in the National Clean Plant network that performs diagnostics, therapeutics, and foundation services for the national tree fruit industry. As Foundation Plant Services receives significant funding from California state-administered groups such as the CFDA-Fruit Tree, Nut Tree, & Grapevine Improvement Advisory Board, FPS is California-focused and stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest have either been restricted or unable to obtain the G1 propagative material that they need. Furthermore, given that FPS’s foundation is maintained in unprotected, outdoor conditions, and as demonstrated by the loss of their grapevine foundation to a vector-transmitted pathogen, there is a high likelihood that that source will eventually be lost.

With X-disease and little cherry disease running rampant through the PNW cherry and stone fruit industry, stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest benefit from having a local clean plant center that is aware of and attentive to the needs of the local growers and producers. To ensure a viable and continued supply of propagative material, and to ensure that the CPCNW is able to maintain its staffing, capacity and capability, additional funding from local sources to support day-today operations is needed.

Evaluating New Stone Fruit Cultivars for Western Washington, $7,728

Project Manager: Per McCord, WSU IAREC

Objectives: Establish a replicated field trial for new peach, nectarine, and sweet cherry cultivars at the Northwest; Washington Research and Extension Center in Mt. Vernon, WA; Evaluate disease resistance, vigor, bloom/ripening time, and fruit quality in western Washington conditions; and Provide information on cultivar performance to nursery industry.

Benefits to the Industry: With the expertise of the NWREC staff and the experience of commercial nurseries and the WSU stone fruit breeding program, we expect that the trees will be of high quality and well-maintained during the project, resulting in reliable data. It has been many years since a public stone fruit variety trial has been held in western Washington. We expect the trial will result in the identification of new superior cultivars adapted to local growing conditions. This data will give confidence to both retail and wholesale nurseries to propagate and market these new varieties. Superior varieties increasing sales and profit margins for high-value trees.

Cryptostroma corticale survival and sporulation, $15,000

Project Manager: Chastagner/Hulbert/ Elliott, WSU, $15,000

Objective: 1. Determine when sporulation of Cryptostroma corticale occurs in order to identify high-risk times for pruning, chipping, and other activities with infested material; 2. Determine the ability of C. corticale to survive and sporulate in wood chips; Objective 3. Eradication of C. corticale from wood chips using steam treatment. Time, temperature, size of wood chips; and Objective 4. Produce a Fact Sheet relating to the utilization of C. corticale infested wood and wood chips.

Benefits to the Industry: This project will provide information about the survival and seasonal sporulation patterns of an emerging pathogen, C. corticale, which poses a potential human health risk to landscape professionals that are tasked with the removal of infected trees in in ornamental and restoration plantings. These findings will be helpful for determining the optimum time and conditions for working with infested wood to reduce the risk of maple bark disease for workers and for spreading spores to other tree hosts in landscape and restoration sites. In addition, a steam treatment method for eradicating this pathogen from wood chips from infected trees will be developed, providing a tool for mitigating the potential risk of exposure to spores of C. corticale. This research will benefit landscape professionals and arborists that are involved in the removal and handling of declining and hazardous trees that are infected with an emerging pathogen.

Advancing Puget Sound Native Plant Propagation, $10,200

Project Manager: Jon Bakker, SER-UW Native Plant Nursery

Objective: The objective of this proposal is to strengthen the SERUW Native Plant Nursery’s science communication and industry connections. The SER-UW Native Plant Nursery aims to advance native plant production and interest in these plants with a unique combination of research, education and outreach. We have identified an opportunity to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of this production process by analyzing and reporting our propagation data through online platforms that are available to the nursery industry and interested members of the public. The requested funding would provide partial support for on the job training to for nursery management, production and communication to the industry.

Benefits to the Industry: The SER-UW Native Plant Nursery has already been conducting germination trials and recording propagation success, so the potential for successfully completing this project is incredibly high. This funding will allow us to to summarize historical trials, conduct new trials, properly interpret and analyze our findings, and invest time into outreach to ensure our findings reach relevant industry stakeholders. Our project will increase the understanding of stratification and scarification requirements and the duration of growth phases, allowing nurseries that propagate native plant species from seed to scale their production, reduce inefficiencies, and meet demand for native plant material. Further, our nursery has a unique and intimate relationship with the University of Washington, thus exposing staff and students to the importance of native plant production and training folks who may join the workforce of the nursery industry.

Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) Announces Funded Research for 2023

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) announces nearly $400,000 in grant support for 11 projects working to tackle green industry issues ranging from pest management to new technologies, from developing marketing insights to battling plant diseases.

“Research is essential to accelerating business growth,” said Brian Decker, HRI board president and president of Decker’s Nursery, Groveport, Ohio. “HRI is committed to supporting research in the priority areas of quantifying plant benefits, creating innovative solutions, gathering consumer insights, and producing practical and actionable solutions. The projects selected through our competitive grants program for funding this year meet the unique needs of the horticultural industry—and will provide solutions and knowledge that can help grow businesses.”

The Horticultural Research Institute’s mission is to direct, fund, promote and communicate horticulture research. Supporting research that challenges current methods and bridges the divide between businesses and the consumer is exactly how HRI helps build prosperous businesses, advance the green industry and fulfill its core vision.

“The 2023 investment in each of these projects is intended to improve and strengthen the industry,” said Jennifer Gray, HRI administrator. “Research is critical to the future of our industry, and thanks to the support of our dedicated donors, HRI is able to fund promising research and researchers every year.”

The 2023 funded projects are:

FOCUS AREA: GATHERING CONSUMER INSIGHTS

Assessing the Effectiveness of Marketing Strategies of Native Plants. A. Rihn, University of Tennessee.

Recently, consumer demand for native plants has grown. There is a diverse array

of marketing and promotional options available to retailers who sell native plants. This project will survey a national sample of US consumers to gain a better understanding of how different marketing messages influence consumer interest in native plants. Ultimately, this information can be used to encourage native plant sales and improve the customer experience. Insights from this project could aid growers, wholesalers and retailers involved in growing and promoting native plants.

FOCUS AREA: QUANTIFYING PLANT BENEFITS

Categorizing and Summarizing the Environmental and Ecological Benefits of Plants. M. Knuth, North Carolina State University.

We are known as the Green Industry, yet how can we communicate the benefits of how green we are to our consumers? This project will be an extensive deepdive into the existing literature where we will provide ready-to-use environmental benefits of plants messaging that industry stakeholders can utilize to connect with their environmentally conscious consumers. The key findings will be presented in a four-part article series, similar to the four-part Mental Health Benefits of Plants article series published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture by Hall and Knuth in 2020.

FOCUS AREA: CREATING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Use of Drones in Nursery IPM Programs for Agro-Chemical Application and Monitoring Plant Health. S. Gill, University of Maryland.

For Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to progress towards greater efficiency including pest and disease control and economics, the green industry must continue seeking and studying new technologies. It is vital for growing operations to improve early detection of plant problems including insects, disease,

and nutrient and water stress problems. This project will expand drone application testing of new low risk pesticides, use of biological control organism releases, and determining nutrient and water deficiencies in nursery and greenhouse plants. The results will help reduce labor hours needed for pesticide applications, reduce chance of spray drift, accurately direct spray for improved efficacy in disease and insect control. Field research will enable chemical companies to explore expansion of their pesticides labels to include drone applications.

Pulse Electricity as a Fumigant Alternative Nonchemical Preemergence Weed Control in Seedling Beds. M. Moretti, Oregon State University.

Tree seedling nurseries often rely on a combination of fumigation and hand weeding to control soil pathogens, nematodes, and weeds. This practice is unsustainable due to increased regulation, costs, and environmental safety. This project will explore alternative approaches to soil fumigation using soil-applied energy pulses to control the target organisms or a continuous electrical current to heat the soil, Ohmic heating. We will identify the optimum volume of treated soil to control target species to improve the effectiveness of pulse electricity. Our goal is to identify practical alternatives to management yield-limiting soil pests while reducing labor demand and production costs.

Combating the vector of rose rosette disease. I. Tzanetakis, T. Druciarek, University of Arkansas.

We currently witness an epidemic of rose rosette disease spreading throughout North America. The disease also threatens the future of the landscape rose industry, repositories, and rosarians around the globe. This project aims to identify and characterize the most effective predatory mite species for the control of Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, the vector of rose rosette; providing the first-to-date practical solution to control the disease in the field.

Creating new genetic resources toward preventing rose rosette virus infecting roses. J. Verchot, Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

Rose rosette virus (RRV) causes one of the most devastating virus disease of roses and the symptoms it causes include witches broom, distorted growth of shoot and flowers, and hyper-thorniness. This project will identify the genetic pathways underpinning the RRV induced changes in growth patterns as a step towards developing molecular markers to advance breeding capacity to reduce the impacts of disease. We will evaluate and report the plant gene networks and gene families that contribute to the disease pathology. Such knowledge is essential toward developing novel strategies to combat RRV.

FOCUS AREA: PRODUCING PRACTICAL &

ACTIONABLE SOLUTIONS

Periodical Cicada: Study of potential controls for the Tennessee Nursery Industry. D. Airhart, M. Bowombe Toko, Tennessee Technological University.

Current research on prevention or control of cicada oviposition damage to young tree species in Middle Tennessee commercial nurseries is limited. Reducing damage or loss during the year of cicada emergence is a cause of concern for growers. During the 2008 and 2011 emergences of periodical cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada spp.) in Middle Tennessee, adult female oviposition caused millions of dollars in damage on field-grown nursery trees. The objective of this research project is more systematic knowledge through data collection on strategies to consider as control methods for female cicada egg-laying damage. This study will provide

a reference document to help nursery growers better prepare for the expected cicada emergences in 2024 and 2025.

Coordinating a National Response to Low Fertility Cultivars of Invasive Nursery Crops. R. Contreras, Oregon State University.

Modern plant breeders are developing low-fertility, seedless, non-invasive cultivars of potentially weedy, but valuable nursery crops. These cultivars represent great opportunity for growers and gardeners. However, getting them approved for production once banned can be confusing and presents a new set of challenges that require a national conversation. Each state may have different criteria and thresholds, even though our industry ships plants across many states and regions. A team of breeders, horticulturists, and industry members from Oregon, North Carolina, Florida, and Michigan, along with industry advocates from AmericanHort/HRI have joined to establish common language, evaluation protocols, and a reference document for our industry and regulators.

Beauty is only skin-deep. F. Hand, The Ohio State University.

Latent fruit rot of winterberry, caused by the fungus Diaporthe ilicicola, has been confirmed in nurseries throughout the North-Eastern and Midwestern U.S. Symptoms of the disease include early plant defoliation and fruits which fail to turn color, lack a fully formed, glossy cuticle, remain undersized, and develop necrotic spots which coalesce into complete fruit rot. This project will determine if D. ilicicola is altering development of the fruit cuticle leading

to increased fruit injury during freeze events. On fully mature fruit, this would allow opportunistic fungi to enter the fruit mesocarp and cause fast-progressing rot. Additionally, this project will evaluate cultural control methods that can reinforce the fruit’s physical barrier of protection to prevent colonization by opportunistic fungi late season.

Copper-based nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) in the management of boxwood blight. S. Kodati, University of Connecticut.

Boxwood is a very important ornamental plant in the landscape throughout the United States. Boxwood blight is the most important disease of boxwood with limited management options. With the interest in environment and human health protection, development of alternative/ sustainable management methods for plant diseases has gained interest. This research will determine the efficacy and duration of protection of copper-based nanoparticles on boxwood varieties against blight.

Assessing Mouse Ear Disorder of Emerging Nursery Crops. B. Miller, University of Minnesota.

Mouse Ear Disorder (MED) is an understudied container production issue stemming from nickel deficiency. The only nursery crop species currently documented as susceptible are river birch and the pecan hickories. However, this phenomenon is seemingly a more widespread problem, especially with emerging nursery crops. This project aims to evaluate an assortment of underutilized species to determine susceptibility to MED and to outline production solutions for growers.

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), founded in 1962, has provided more than $9.5 million in funds to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to the green industry. Over $19 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations, and associations. For more information about HRI, its grantfunded research, or programming, visit www.hriresearch.org or contact Jennifer Gray at 614.884.1155.

“Research is essential to accelerating business growth,” said Brian Decker, HRI board president & president of Decker’s Nursery, Groveport, Ohio.

New Certified Professional Horticulturists

Congratulations to the following individuals on earning their Certified Professional Horticulturist designation that represents their horticulture mastery and their commitment to industry professionalism.

Ben Lindner

Max Andrews Christianson’s Nursery

Dominic Distefano

Hobart Farms Nursery

Marco Downs

The People’s Gardening Collective

Kyle Gaines

Maple Hill Gardens

Nick Goss

Swanson’s Nursery

Carolyn Gutierrez Bear Creek Landscaping

Julia Haack

Hesperis Garden Design

Bonnie Henwood

The People’s Gardening Collective

Bre Moravec Gaia Gardens LLC

Kathryn Neumann Lush Gardens LLC

Kyle Rogers Britescape

Mary Settle Hydrangea Blue LLC

Susan Stuart

Nicolas Van Ingen-Olson Magnolia Garden Center

Danielle Vandenberg Schafer Specialty Landscape & Design

Shealyn Wallace

Jessica Weiss McAuliffe’s Valley Nursery

Industry Survey: WSU Extension Seeks Grower Input

Trichoderma is a fungus that is common in the environment. You’ve probably seen it causing green mold on decomposing wood or bark. Some strains of this fungus have been formulated into products that are used for suppression of plant diseases and for growth enhancement. WSU is doing research into the uses of Trichoderma in nursery production. Please take this short survey and let us know what you think about Trichoderma. Start the survey at: https://ppo.puyallup.wsu.edu/trichoderma-survey/

New ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscape Professionals

Congratulations to the following individuals on earning their ecoPRO Certification representing their commitment to sustainable landscape practices and providing healthy, safe and thriving landscapes for their clients and communities.

Stephanie Fry, EPC James Guerrero Architects Inc.

Jennifer Bentz, EPC Seattle Public Schools

Marilyn Edlund, EPC Edlund Associates Inc.

Adrianna Scott, EPC Eastside Environmental Pros

Lindsay Osborn, EPC Maple Hill Gardens, LLC

Gillian Dreier-Lawrence, EPC City of Kent

Haley Wiggins, EPC The Bloedel Reserve

Kyle Gaines, EPC Maple Hill Gardens, LLC

Erin Hill EPC The Bloedel Reserve

Daniel Kirschner, EPC Washington State Building & Grounds

Alex Pittman, EPC Snohomish County Surface Water Management

Ryan Sarvis, EPC Green Spaces Landscaping

Mary Settle, EPC Hydrangea Blue LLC

Galadriel Day, EPC Daydream Gardens, LLC

In Loving Memory

William (Dan) Daniel Watson February 8, 1937 - January 23, 2023

Puyallup, Washington - William Daniel Watson passed away peacefully on January 23, 2023. Dan was the rock of our family. A dedicated teacher, coach, husband, father, and grandfather who spent his life educating and mentoring the lives of many in our community. Dan was preceded in death by wife Fran Watson, he is survived by daughters Maidee Watson and husband Thom Huson, Terri Elliott, and grandchildren Sophie Elliott, Taylor Gregory, Elliot Gregory, Addison Gregory, his wife Brooke, and great granddaughter Andi.

Dan was born on February 8, 1937, to William (Bill) and Mildred Watson in Fruita Colorado. He graduated from Fruita High School in 1955 and then went on to Mesa Junior College and finished at Northern Colorado College earning a bachelor’s degree in Education. Dan met Fran while attending college in Greeley, CO. They were married on March 17, 1959. They moved to Tacoma where Dan started his teaching career, first at Baker Junior High School and then at Lincoln High School. Along with teaching, Dan coached both Cross Country and Track. He built one of the most successful track programs in the state’s history winning six state titles between 1969 and 1977. From 1961 to 1990 Dan began officiating wrestling during the winter months. He worked about 1000 dual matches and officiated at over 20 high school state tournaments. Dan’s commitment to coaching and officiating did not go unnoticed. He was inducted into the Tacoma Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, the WIAA Coaches Track and Field Hall of Fame, the WIAA Coaches Wrestling Hall of Fame and received the Doug McArthur Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

His greatest achievement during these years was the investment he made in the lives of his student athletes. They will forever be woven into the fabric of our lives. Dan’s passion for plants and entrepreneurial spirit led to the start of Watson’s Greenhouse in 1984. We often joke that Watson’s is the product of Dan’s hobby gone out of control. Building greenhouse after greenhouse and filling them as full as possible with geraniums, fuchsias, begonias and hanging baskets. He was always experimenting, the biology teacher in him unrelenting in a pursuit to learn more or find a better way to do something. Dan Watson was a family man. He infused a sense of family in everything he did, and that has become the foundation of the business today. His warmth, generosity, and selflessness will be deeply missed. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, with no expectation of anything in return. This spring, when the store is bursting with beautiful flowers, we will be reminded of his spirit and his impact on our lives. We will continue to honor his memory and carry on his legacy.

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