vnla apr/may/jun 2014 vnla newsletter

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VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2014 3

OFFICERS

President MATT SHRECKHISE Communications ‘08 Shreckhise Nurseries PO Box 428 Grottoes, VA 24441-0428 540-249-5761 [email protected] Vice President SONYA L. WESTERVELT Public Relations ‘10 Saunders Brothers Inc 2717 Tye Brook Highway Piney River, VA 22964 (434) 277-5455 [email protected] Secretary/ Treasurer Bill Gouldin ‘12 Strange’s Florist/Garden Ctrs 3313 Mechanicsville Pike Richmond VA 23223 804-321-2200x331 [email protected] Past President MATT SAWYER - Research Bennett’s Creek Nursery ‘07 5635 Shoulders Hill Rd Suffolk, VA 23435-1807 757-483-1425 [email protected]

Executive Director JEFFREY B. MILLER Horticulture Management Associates LLC 383 Coal Hollow Road Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 1-800-476-0055 Fax: 540-382-2716 [email protected]

1 YR DIRECTORS

CHERYL LAJOIE Certification ‘09 Lancaster Farms 5800 Knotts Neck Rd Suffolk VA 23435-1353 757-484-4421 Fax: 7575-686-8637 [email protected] CHRISTOPHER BROWN ‘13 Lancaster Farms 5800 Knotts Neck Rd Suffolk VA 23435-1353 757-484-4421 [email protected] VIRGINIA ROCKWELL Legislation ‘12 Gentle Gardener Green Design PO Box 418 Gordonsville, VA 22942-0418 540-832-7031 (cell) 434-531-0467 [email protected]

MANTS’ Directors JOHN LANCASTER‘02 Bennett’s Creek Nursery 3613 Bridge Road Suffolk, VA 23435-1807 757-483-1425 [email protected] TOM SAUNDERS ’96 Saunders’ Brothers Inc. 2508 Tye Brook Hwy Piney River, VA 22964-2301 804-277-5455 [email protected] DANNY SHRECKHISE Shreckhise Nurseries ‘12 PO Box 428 Grottoes, VA 24441-0428 540-249-5761 [email protected]

2 YR DIRECTORS

TOM THOMPSON, Environmental Affairs ‘10 Natural Art Landscaping 3540 S Belmont Rd Richmond VA 23234-2912 (804) 674-5703 [email protected] DOUG HENSEL Beautiful Gardens ‘08 Great Big Greenhouse & Nrsy 2051 Huguenot Rd Richmond, VA 23235-4305 804-320-1317 [email protected] CRAIG ATTKISSON ‘13 Grower Guide Green Side Up Landscaping PO Box 2026 Glen Allen, VA 23058-2026 804-514-4610 [email protected] AARON WILLIAMS ‘14 Education Committee Williams Landscape & Design Inc PO Box 7001 Williamsburg VA 23188-7001 757-564-7011 [email protected]

Educational Advisors

DR. ROGER HARRIS VA Tech Horticulture Dept. Head Saunders Hall (0327) Blacksburg, VA 24061-0001 540-231-5451 [email protected] DR. JIM OWEN HARAREC 1444 Diamond Springs Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-3804 [email protected]

REGIONAL

ASSOCIATIONS Central Virginia Nursery & Landscape Assoc. Greta Bjorkquist Hoyt 804-339-3661 [email protected] Eastern Shore Nurserymen’s Association Stuart Burnley 757-442-3548 [email protected] Hampton Roads Nursery & Landscape Assoc Wes Bray (757) 422-2117 [email protected] Northern Virginia Nursery & Landscape Assoc Chuck Wood (703) 641-4790 [email protected] Piedmont Landscape Assoc Jessica Primm 434-882-0520 [email protected] Shenandoah Valley Nursery & Greenhouse Assoc Matt Shreckhise 540-249-5761 [email protected]

Directors at Large MIKE HILDEBRAND ‘12 James River Nurseries 13244 Ashland Rd Ashland VA 23005-7504 804-798-2020 mchildebrand@ jamesrivernurseries.com

2014 VNLA Officers & Directors

VNLA Newsletter 3April / May / June 2014

4 April/May/June 2014 VNLA Newsletter

Ad - Bennett’s Creek Nursery ...................................... 75 Ad - Bremo Trees ......................................................... 76 Ad - Carolina Bark Products ........................................ 57 Ad - Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia ....................... 53 Ad - Fairview Nursery ................................................. 57 Ad - Farm Credit .......................................................... 76 Ad - Goodson & Associates ......................................... 71 Ad - Gossett’s Landscape Nursery ............................... 55 Ad - Guthrie Nursery ................................................... 23 Ad - Hanover Farms ..................................................... 9 Ad - Hardwood Mulch ................................................. 59 Ad - Hawksridge Farms ............................................... 25 Ad - JOCO Plants ......................................................... 56 Ad - John Stanley ......................................................... 44 Ad - Lancaster Farms ................................................... 45 Ad - Mid-Atlantic Solutions ........................................ 43 Ad - OHP - Marengo .................................................... 2 Ad - Pender Nursery .................................................... 73 Ad - Plantworks Nursery.............................................. 41 Ad - Shreckhise Nurseries............................................ 15 Ad - SiteLight Id .......................................................... 33 Ad - Turtle Creek Nursery ........................................... 14 Ad - VA Tech Masters in Ag and Life Sciences Online ......................................................... 19 Ad - VSLD ................................................................... 61 Ad - Waynesboro Nurseries ......................................... 11 Ad - Willow Springs Tree Farms ................................. 63 Events Calendar ........................................................... 74 Event - Hahn Garden Gala at Virginia Tech ................ 64 Events - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden .................... 73 Events - North Carolina Summer Green Road Show ... 49 Events - SNA ............................................................... 65 Legislation - How to Contact Congress ...................... 7 Legislation - Virginia Agribusiness Council General Assembly Wrap Up ......................... 64 Letters - Thank You IPPS Conference ........................ 9 Letters - Virginia Agribusiness Council ..................... 8 Letters - Virginia FFA ................................................. 8 News - Battlefield Farms Recognized f or Environmental Achievement .................................. 14 News - EPA Proposed Revisions to the Ag Worker Protection Standard (WPS) ............................. 24 News - HRAREC New Research Associates .............. 72 News - MANTS 2014 Stats ........................................ 45 News - Mike Hildebrand recipient of the “Alumni of the Year” ......................................... 15 News - Mobile ID for Invasive Pests ........................... 63 News - Mobile Weed Alert App .................................. 72 News - Mobile Weed Manual ...................................... 50 News - New VA Tech College of Agriculture & Life Sciences building creates scientific synergy .... 16 News - Up All Night: Robots Working ....................... 47

News - USDA 2012 Census: Market Value of Production up Almost $1 Billion ................. 40 News - VDACS Announces Delay of Lawn Fertilizer Use Reporting ............................... 18 News - VDOT implementing (3) new Certifications ... 42 News - Virginia Cooperative Extension Day marks Extension's Centennial ................................... 22 News - Virginia Tech CALS awarded conservation innovation grants ....................... 24 Obituary - Don Adams, 1989 VNLA President ........... 13 Research - Unraveling the mystery of how plants store energy ....................................................... 53 Tips - Garden Center 2020.Engaging for Consumers . 44 Tips - Horticulture the Gardening Revolution ............. 42 Tips - Marketing for Growth ....................................... 52 Tips - Can You Dig It? Safety Guide Young Workers ....................... 31 Tips - Sun or Shade? Don’t Ask! ................................. 69 Tips -What Do You Remember ................................. 45 Tips - What Is a Watershed? ........................................ 36 VNLA - 2014 Virginia Certified Horticulturist ........... 70 VNLA - Antitrust Compliance for Association: Policies and Procedures ........................................... 60 VNLA - Certification Quiz Info .................................. 38 VNLA - Certification Quiz Article .............................. 36 VNLA - Certified Horticulturist, New in 2014............ 70 VNLA - Environmental: Septic or Compost? .............. 10 VNLA - Login to Your VNLA Account ..................... 7 VNLA - Membership Survey Results .......................... 26 VNLA - Member Profile - Nicholas Swanson ............. 20 VNLA - Photo Contest Rules ...................................... 17 VNLA - VCH Quiz Certification for CEUs ................ 39 VNLA - VCH seal for your landscape plans ............... 74 VNLA - LEAN Program, Field Day & Summer Tour 34 VNLA - Profile:The Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind .............................................. 20 VNLA - Update - Legislative & Policy ....................... 60 VNLA - Website login ................................................ 7 VNLA - Welcome to these New VNLA Members! .... 66 VNLA - Photo Contest Winner: Michele Fletcher ...... 17

Table of Contents

4 April / May / June 2014 VNLA Newsletter

Can you do a copy of the logo with no background that I can use to insert over a color background?

Delete the white background

SAVE THE DATES! LEAN Management Seminar – Wed., August 13

FIELD DAY, Thursday, August 14

SUMMER Tour, Friday, August 15

At Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA

Keynote Speaker: Doug Tallamy


VNLA Mission, Vision and Objectives for 2014

Mission Statement: To Enhance and promote Vir-ginia’s nursery and landscape industry.

Vision: to become the leader and resource for the Virginia nursery and landscape industry.

Objectives Educated, Available Skilled Labor Force - Goal: VNLA will continue to promote programs that will education, train and provide an available skilled la-bor force.

Effective Communication and Advocacy GOAL: VNLA will effectively communication among staff, board, members, partners and the community.

Maximizing and Allocation Resources - GOAL: VNLA will secure increased funding from diverse sources and secure the necessary staff, board and committee members to run a dynamic organization.

Membership and Outreach - GOAL: Expand and communicate the value of membership.

Stewardship - GOAL: VNLA will promote adoption of Best Management Practices.

Strategic Marketing - GOAL: VNLA will promote itself as the leader and resource of the green industry.

What are members problems? How are we going to help them become

more successful?

Classified Ads

Support VNLA

Member Growers! Online at www.VNLA.org New Native Plant Section!

For a print copy call 1-800-476-0055 email [email protected]



President’s Message “If it was easy, everyone would be do-ing it!” This phrase was mentioned more than once at our nursery this past spring. Every spring has its challenges but the extended winter weather cer-tainly made it more challenging. Our industry is resilient, however, and hopefully everyone will end the spring with strong sales.

I have heard over the last several months from numer-ous sales people that they believe our industry is on the rebound. While I tend to agree, I still encourage eve-ryone to proceed with cau-tious optimism. This eco-nomic recession has proved that nothing is certain or predictable. What I hope we’ve all learned over the last 10 years is that rapid growth can be as detrimental to a business as no growth at all, if not managed properly. Luckily, our industry does have a lot in its favor because; simply put, gardens and plants bring people happiness. But our industry is chang-ing - demographically, economically and environmentally - and growers, landscapers, and retailers need to be aware of the changes taking place around us. This is why it is so im-portant to be a member and stay con-nected to the VNLA.

The VNLA also recognizes that we need to adjust to the changes and be more responsive to our mem-bers’ needs. Early in 2014 the VNLA conducted a member satisfac-tion survey to gather information that will help the board make our associa-tion more reflective of our members. A summary of the results are on page 26 and can also be found online with

all the comments to the questions at http://www.vnla.org/Mem

bership/Membership-Survey-Results-2014

While this information is invaluable to the board, I know the more active our members become; the more pleased they will be

with their association. If you’d like to be more involved with the VNLA Board of Directors, please contact me, Jeff Miller or any board member. Also, feel free to visit one of our meetings. Members do not have to be on the board to attend a meeting and we would love to have you!

As part of our strategic plan, the VNLA will be partnering with Access Communications of Roanoke, VA to update our marketing materials and create a marketing campaign. Anoth-er marketing benefit to our members is the Plant Something™ ad cam-paign. For more information on how

your business can take advantage of this ad campaign, please contact Jeff Miller or visit www.plant-something.org

We have several exciting events for our members this summer and two opportunities for members to visit one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. On June 14, the Virginia Tech Horticulture Department will have their annual Hahn Horticulture Garden Gala. This is always a fantastic event and it’s the perfect setting to celebrate horticul-ture. For more information visit http://www.hort.vt.edu/hhg/gala.html.

Later this summer the VNLA will be hosting our signature event, Field Day, on August 14th at Virginia Tech. The Field Day is sandwiched between a LEAN Production work-shop geared toward nursery and greenhouse production to be held on August 13th and our popular Summer Tour on August 15th. We’re still in the planning stages as I write this so stay tuned as more detailed infor-mation becomes available. I hope to see you there!

The line between success and failure can be pretty thin and I think the VNLA’s efforts to keep our members informed on the latest business trends and technologies and new government regulations contributes to the success of many in our indus-try.

Above all, the educational and net-working opportunities we provide are, I believe, essential to achieve-ment in our industry. So, please stay connected and involved and thank you for your continued investment in the VNLA.

Matt Shreckhise

By Matt Shreckhise,

President VNLA 2014

Vol. 84, No.2; April/May/June 2014 Editor: Jeff Miller

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc.

383 Coal Hollow Road; Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 Internet E-mail Address: [email protected]

www.vnla.org (Association Info) www.VirginiaGardening.com (Consumer Info)

Telephone: 540-382-0943 or 1-800-476-0055 Fax: 540-382-2716 Disclaimer: Published for your information, this newsletter is not an

endorsement for individual products or editorial comments.


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VNLA Website Login

Update Your Contact Info

Pay Your Dues

Re-Certification now on line.

See Your CEU’s

Read Previous Newsletters

The VNLA website has had a complete overhaul with a new design, re-organized info tabs and updated information.

You can now log in, activate your account and set up your user name and password. Access and update your contact information See the CEU’s that are recorded for you Virginia Certified Horticulturist

Use the online store to order Certification supplies Renew your membership Additional capabilities will be added on an ongoing basis

How to Log in Go to www.vnla.org/

Click on “login” top right Click on “Activate” in the left column Enter your email address. If you have an email address in the database, it will email your login info and let you setup a user name and password.

Return to the main screen and login with your user name and password.

Go to “My VNLA” and you can see your contact information, sales history, CEU’s etc.

If you do not have an email in the database, contact the VNLA Office for

your Member Account Number at [email protected] or 1-800-476-0055

How to Contact Congress

To contact your con-gressman and senator, go the www.vnla.org and click in the legis-lation tab/button, and

then click on the “Legislative Up-date” or go directly to: www.votervoice.net/ANLA/home

Here, you can find your congressman and senators’ contact info and can email them directly from this link. There are also summaries of current issues and sample letters.

“The squeaky wheel gets the oil!”

Login to Your VNLA Account



Letters - Virginia FFA [Editor’s Note: The VNLA do-nates $1,000 to

the Virginia FFA Nursery Profi-ciency Award

each year] On behalf of the

Virginia FFA Foundation and the 2013-14 Virginia KFFA officer team, I ex-tend sincere gratitude for your financial support over the years. Holiday reflec-tion allows us to thank and remember those who are closest to us.

For me, the pest part of serving as state officer is watching as FFA members grow from the first time we meet at FFA Camp to when we reconnect at a chapter visit. Thank you for helping to make these moments a reality

Whitney Bowman, Virginia FFA Secretary

Letters - Virginia Agribusiness Council

On behalf of the Virginia Agribusi-ness Council, we want to thank you again for your support of our An-nual Membership Meeting and Luncheon. Thanks in large part to the outstanding support of members like you; the Council has continued to excel in representing our industry's interest with the legislature. Our An-nual Membership Meeting and Luncheon is one opportunity for us to collectively celebrate these successes.

Our Chairman, Bill Hayter of First Bank and Trust, and I focused on the growth of the Council in 2013, par-ticularly through new memberships and sponsorships, a new logo design, legislative and solution-building suc-cesses, and new team members in-cluding Director of Government Af-fairs Brad Copenhaver. They also unveiled opportunities for members to assist in the future growth of the Council, including the 2014 Member-

ship Recruitment Drive to kick off in February of next year.

We were joined by President and CEO of CropLife America, Jay Vroom, who delivered a keynote address that stressed the need for unity among lead-ers in agriculture in order to enhance agricultural competitiveness and pro-gress. Vroom pointed to areas within public policy that threaten to diminish agricultural progress within the U.S., including uncertainty surrounding the passage of new, permanent farm bill legislation and attempts to weaken the science-based regulation of agricultural

technology. He also called on us as agribusiness leaders to redouble our communications outreach efforts with the public. He noted that simply talking and listening to friends, colleagues and neighbors about issues related to mod-ern agriculture can make a difference.

Thank you for attending the luncheon. Your sponsorship of the Annual Meet-ing supports our efforts to promote and defend the business interests of our members.

Katie K. Frazier President


VNLA Newsletter July/August 2006 7

LettersThank you for supporting our 7th An-nual Legislative Golf Tournament on June 12 at Mattaponi Springs Golf Club. We had a terrific response with 112 players including a number of elected and appointed state officials, 18-hole sponsors, three food and bev-erage sponsors and numerous spon-sors of gifts and prizes. This is a sub-stantial increase from past years thanks to your efforts.

This event is not only a very enjoy-able way to promote agribusiness to all participants, but it also contributes to the Council’s ability to represent our industry’s interest throughout the year with the General Assembly, Governor’s office state agencies, congressional delegation and the gen-eral public. Our significant accom-plishments are attributable to the sup-port you provide. Thank you.

We look forward to your joining us

again nest year for out 8th Annual Legislative gold Tournament. Sincerely, Virginia Agribusiness Council

Editor’s Note: The VNLA was a team sponsor, prize and give away contributor

and a hole sponsor.

Arbor Day Thanks Many thanks for the wonderful Swamp White Oak that was donated to Lorton Library for Arbor Day this year. It’s doing well and sprouting new growth even as I write.

An article about the ceremony was featured on the library website www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/lo/oaktreeplanting.htm. It was a lovely day and I know our neighbors will enjoy the tree for many years.

Sincerely, Lorton County Library

Editor’s Note: Vice-Presiden,, Lou Kobus, provided the tree

on behalf of VNLA.

VNLA –Summer Board Meeting Minutes

Friday, June 23, 2006; 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Virginia Room, Hampton Inn, Front Royal, VA

9:00 a.m. Call to Order – Richard Johnson, President called the meeting to order with the following people present: Lizzy Pine, Lesley Pine, Jeff Miller, Bonnie Appleton, Duane Shumaker, Butch Gaddy, and Billy Crigler.

Guest Introductions – Bill Dutcher, President of the CVNLA, was intro-duced and welcomed to the meeting.

Secretary’s Report, Butch Gaddy reported that the minutes had been printed in the VNLA Newsletter and emailed to the Board. A motion was made to accept the minutes, seconded and passed.

Ad – Hanover Farms

VNLA Newsletter 9April / May / June 2014VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2014 9

(Letters Virginia Agribusiness Council continued)

Thanks so much to the VNLA for sponsoring our 2014 National Poli-cy Meeting. We truly appreciate all that you and the VNLA does to sup-port the Council’s events and mis-sion. Thanks, Jennifer Chambers

Many thanks to the VNLA for your support of the Council and Sponsor-ship of our April Board of Direc-tors meeting at Battlefield Farms & Graves Mountain Lodge. We had an outstanding tour of the nursery busi-ness and a great meeting - thanks in part to your support. - Katie Frasier

Thank you again for your presenta-tion at our National Policy Meeting last month. We’ve heard from many of our members in attendance how valuable each of the commodity presentations was and that the insight they gained was very beneficial.

Best, Brad Copenhaver

Thank you for your lead-ership gift to the Flora of Virginia Pro-ject. Such support is

especially welcome now as we embark on our post-publication mission, education and outreach. This includes develop-ment of our Flora App.

You will be receiving a copy of the Flora of Virginia in recognition of your gift. I know you will get a lot of use out of it as more gardeners ask for native plants and more landscap-ers and nurseries help make them available. We are having an energetic response from garden clubs and Mas-ter Gardener groups around the state, which is strongly tied to increased interest in our natives and in siting plants with an eye to ecological re-quirements. It's an exciting ti me.

Thank you again for your generosity. Sincerely, J. Christopher Ludwig, Presi-dent, Executive Director, and Co-Author

www.floraofvirginia.org

Letters - Thank You IPPS Conference

Scholarship Winner

This past November, I was awarded a scholarship by the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association to attend the 2013 International Plant Propaga-tors Society Southern Region Confer-ence. The conference was held at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. While at the Conference, I was able to participate in tours of local nurse-ries and greenhouses, learn about ex-citing new techniques being used throughout the industry and meet growers and researchers with a wide variety of expertise.

Ad - Hanover Farms


During the conference I was provided the opportunity to tour large nursery operations including McCorkle Nurseries where I observed demon-strations of new automated robots that were able to move containers around via the use of laser sights. [see additional article on the robots on page 47]

Next, we toured R. A. Dudley Nurse-ries, an extensive container nursery production facility where I could ob-serve the magnitude of applications and processes that go into such a large production facility. Then we were shown examples of new orna-mental plant releases by First Edi-tions as well as how these plants are evaluated, propagated and grown for wholesale.

After that, we toured James Green-houses where we observed plug pro-duction facilities. The tour group then visited the Center for Applied Nurse-ry Research where we were able to

see and hear about research being conducted at the center. We then toured a very interesting specialty nursery and spent time in the Univer-sity of Georgia trial gardens. During the tours I was able to enjoy things I have not experienced before as well as learn more about the nursery in-dustry, which will help apply my re-search to the industry, and ensure that my research is applicable to the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions.

Another aspect of the conference that will aid in my knowledge of nursery production was the presentations made by both growers and research-ers. I learned about topics ranging from propagation techniques, breed-ing ornamental crops and water man-agement. I gained several new ideas to apply to my future research at Vir-ginia Tech while listening to the array of presentations. I was also able to meet many growers and researchers interested in all aspects of ornamental crop production. I found this aspect of the trip to be very fulfilling. The opportunity to sit down and discuss current research with a colleague or talk to a grower about their current practices was a particularly valuable experience, not only in my continuing education, but for my future work the horticultural scientific community.

I would like to formally thank all the members of VNLA and everyone in-volved with the organization for this opportunity that was bestowed upon me. It was truly a wonderful experi-ence and an honor to be sponsored to attend.

Jeb S. Fields a graduate student at the Virginia Tech

Hampton Roads AREC under the direction of Dr. Jim Owen.

Environmental - Septic or Compost?

How Removing Invasive Plants from my Property

was a Big Mistake - Almost

I don’t know how it is with nursery-men and I can’t speak for all land-scapers, but after working in other people’s gardens, I have little time (and sometimes less desire) to work in my own - by the end of the season, I’m beat - so last summer when I was walking around my property just tak-ing stock of things, I was a little sur-prised at how many invasive species of plants I discovered not only grow-ing but thriving there. I’ve heard it said that auto mechanics always drive the worst cars, cobbler’s kids always need new shoes and doctors are al-ways in worse health than their pa-tients, but this was more than just a little embarrassing.

Lately, for obvious reasons, I’ve be-come a little more aware of invasive plants so I found it more than a little ironic that right in my own yard I found Ailanthus, Paulownia, Japanese honeysuckle, English ivy, Chinese wisteria and about 4000 square feet of the healthiest bamboo in the City of Richmond. Those were just the major infestations; there were a bunch more but they don’t have a place in this story.

1334082 by Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife

Action Plan, Bugwood.org ; tree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissima


48


1119516 by Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org

Chinese wisteria Wisteria sinensis

The feeling of embarrassment was stronger than the fatigue of a busy spring so I “sucked it up” and went to

war. The Ailanthus and Paulownia went down pretty easily and even though the ivy put up a fight, we (I drafted Elizabeth for this fight, too) were able to push it back.

5497538 by Frank Jurcik,

Bamboo Invasions, Bugwood.org

Things got real when we went after the bamboo because the honeysuckle and wisteria had grown into it in places and formed a thicket of vine and broken bamboo stalks. By now it’s August and rather than risk di-vorce from a wife simmering in her own juices, I was working alone.

Now, 4000 square feet might not be a very large area in the greater scheme of things, but bamboo is incredibly sharp and by the time late summer rolls around the yellow jackets are a little testy - and did I mention the poison oak that had wound its way around the bamboo stalks? Yep, that was a pleasant surprise. I decided that a little R and R was in order - I’d take couple days and heal up, then finish it off. Never went back; I’ve still got a couple hundred square feet to cut down. Elizabeth has been VERY un-derstanding.

Ever heard the old cliché that “the grass grows greener over

the septic tank”? Yep, you were faster on the uptake than I was. That’s why that bamboo was the healthiest bamboo in Rich-mond! Up until a couple of months ago, the extent of my knowledge of the plumbing trade was hot is on the left, cold is on the right and it doesn’t

Ad - Waynesboro Nurseries



run uphill. That’s changed. Ever dug up the roots of a grove of bamboo?

In retrospect, I never should have cut that bamboo down. Actually, I never should have let it grow where it did, but I did and then I made the mistake - although an honest one - of cutting it down. I bet y’all are all thinking that the roots of that bamboo clogging the lateral lines of my drain-field are the reason that very drain-field is failing. At first I thought so too, but I was wrong and so are you. The roots of that grove of bamboo were the reason my drainfield was still working! It’s just dumb luck and pure laziness that I left a couple hun-dred square feet of bamboo standing - and the difference between having to make some very quick and very ex-pensive choices and having the time to do the right thing, but more on that later.

I won’t get into details of how I fig-ured out that the bamboo was ac-tually “keeping us in business” - suffice it to say that the reasons are much, much more important to me than they are to you, but I did discov-er something interesting. Just out of curiosity I did an internet search for bamboo and septic systems. I was expecting to read all sorts of warn-ings from plumbers along with ads for drainfield repair or drain cleaning or septic tank cleaning - didn’t find any of that. What popped up were dozens of reports on research into using bamboo and Phragmites(!) for phytoremediation. It seems that, in Europe, they have been experiment-ing with bamboo and Phragmites to treat waste water, including blackwa-ter, successfully, for quite some time. It seems that the more invasive a plant is - the faster it grows the more crud it will clean from the environ-ment. Who’d of thought it - I had been cutting edge for years and didn’t even know it. I hope the Native Plant Society understands and the Invasive Species Working Group and Adviso-ry Committee don’t throw me off their respective committees, but I’m

going to let that bamboo grow back this year, but only temporarily. I need a little more time to gather some ma-terials.

You see, I had originally planned to establish a pollinator’s garden where that bamboo was/is and maybe bring in a couple of bee hives. It’s one of the sunniest spots on my prop-erty and apparently the soil is quite fertile there. It should make a very nice perennial garden - that’s kind of part of doing the right thing. The oth-er part is taking a BIG step toward sustainability (there’s that word again) - we’re going to install com-posting toilets (the city has already given its blessing) and abandon the drainfield altogether. I have been try-ing to talk Elizabeth into composting toilets for a while now - the technolo-gy has come a loooong way in the past few years, and faced with the expense of either digging a new drainfield and putting in a modern septic tank or hooking up to the city sewer system, she has finally given in. Of course, it probably helped when I told her that since we were putting in composting toilets, we might as well remodel the bathrooms completely, but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do, right?

So, this year, composting toilets and a pollinator’s garden, along with the complete removal of the bamboo grove, and since I have to remodel the bathrooms I might as well re-plumb them right? I’m thinking plumbing the bathrooms for grey water irriga-tion. But that’s another story. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Tom Thompson, VNLA Environmental Affairs Chair

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ADAMS, Donald Thomas Sr., 88, has gone home to be with the Lord on April 22, 2014. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 63 years, Ann C. Adams; his daughter, Robin Howell (Howard); his son, Donald Adams Jr.; his daughter, Jen-nifer Ward (Andrew); grandsons, Jonathan Howell (Daniella) and Wil-liam Thomas Ward; and granddaugh-ters, Megan Adams, Lauryn Howell, Madison Ward and McKenzie Ward. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Ann Adams.

A devoted servant of the Lord, Don was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church for the past 60 years, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teach-er until recently. Don loved the Lord, his family and his country.

He fought proudly in WWII from 1945 to 1947.

Donald retired from Watkins Nurse-ries at age 84 after 35 years.

He was a past president of the Vir-ginia Nurseryman's Association and worked in the nursery business for nearly 60 years. Above all his accomplishments, Donald loved and adored his family. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, his legacy of love and faith will live on in his children and grandchildren and all those who knew and loved him.

Visitation was held Friday at Woody's Funeral Home on Huguenot Road from 5 to 8 p.m. Services were held on Sat-urday, April 26, at 11:30 a.m. at Beth-lehem Baptist Church, on Midlothian Turnpike, with graveside services to follow at Westhampton Memorial Park on Patterson Avenue.

Home Address: 1305 Knollwood Dr, North Chesterfield, VA 23235-4560, (804) 272-1556

(from the Richmond Times Dispatch)

Highlights during the tenure of Don Adams as VNA President in 1989 Funded $10,000 for the Horticul-

ture at the State Fair of Virginia for its second year, after contrib-uting over $35,000 the previous year to for permanent additions to the grounds

Member lapel pins were intro-duced.

Started an industry appropriate video loan library for members.

Nursery Products named the First “Virginia’s Finest” commodity in VDACS new Trademark Program, receiving certificate #0001 at a press conference by Governor Gerald Baliles Appointed a committee to pro-

ceed with plans for a planning meeting of horticulture industry Presidents and/or Executive Di-rectors to plan for the future of the Horticulture Pavilion (begin-ning of the Virginia Green Indus-try Council).

The General Assembly passed Tree Replacement and Tree Con-servation Ordinances with plant-ing to be done in accordance with the Standardized Landscape Specifications by the VNA, VSLD and VA ASLA.

The Research Foundation passed the $100,000 level.

Advanced Woodies Certification program initiated.

The first 2-day long range strate-gic planning meeting was held in Charlottesville.

The Bylaws were updated to change the Board from 4 to 7 di-rectors and an Executive Com-mittee was established.

Comments from members: Thank you very much for the news of Don’s death. I got to know him dur-ing the 80s and early 90s when I was at IPN. Would see him 1st Tues of the month at the then Richmond Nsy Assoc. What a great person he was and I was fortunate to get to know him.

Thank you for your notice on Don's passing. My prayers go out to his family. We lost a good man and a significant, meaningful contributor to our V.N.L.A. family! - Thank you.

Highlights by Jeff Miller

Obituary - Don Adams, President of the VNLA in 1989

Support VNLA Member Growers!

Online at www.VNLA.org New Native Plant Section! For a print copy call 1-800-476-

0055 or email [email protected]



News - Battlefield Farms Recognized for Envi-

ronmental Achievement

Photo, left to right: Bobby van Hoven, Vice President of Battlefield Farms;

Jerry van Hoven, Founder and CEO of Battlefield Farms; Anthony van Hoven,

President of Battlefield Farms

Company Honored for Long Commitment to Environmental

Stewardship (Rapidan, VA) Battlefield Farms, of Orange County, has been awarded the

Virginia Agribusiness Council’s 2014 Agribusiness Environment Award. Council Board Chairman Danny Shreckhise, of Shreckhise Nurseries, presented the award as the Virginia Agribusiness Council Board of Direc-tors toured the company’s facility on April 9.

The company was awarded the Agri-business Environment recognition, presented annually to recognize a person, business, or industry’s out-standing achievements and practices that benefit both the agribusiness and the environment. Battlefield Farms has grown from a small hydroponic plastic range into a 65 acre nursery operation, with both indoor and out-door production, where plants are produced year round for shipment throughout the Northeast. First founded by Jerry van Hoven and now owned by his two sons, Bobby and Anthony, Battlefield Farms is an in-dustry leader in both plant growing and environmental stewardship.

The facility’s computer system con-stantly monitors and adjusts the greenhouse environment, and the company custom mixes soil on-site. Furthermore, Battlefield has the abil-ity to provide drip line irrigation, ebb and flood flooring, and boom water-ing, and captures all runoff from the operation for storage and reuse. The company has also installed a custom biomass boiler, which produces ener-gy to heat both their buildings and water system through self-sustaining, environmentally-friendly energy pro-duction.

“Battlefield Farms in an outstanding operation. They have always gone beyond what is expected to protect the environment through installing best management practices,” said Or-ange County Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Steve Hopkins. “They are the gold standard when it comes to their management of pesti-cides to protect their workers and the environment.”

Ad - Turtle Creek Nursery



Even after the family had to rebuild their operation after a devastating fire nearly 15 years ago destroyed nearly all of their facility and their produc-tion, Chairman Shreckhise said, “The van Hoven family has carefully built the business with a commitment to quality products and sound environ-mental practices.”

According to the company’s website, they feel they “have a social respon-sibility to foster a sustainable future and make tomorrow a better place to live.”

About The Virginia

Agribusiness Council The Virginia Agribusiness Council is a non-profit organization committed to representing the interests of the

agriculture and forestry industries in the Commonwealth through effective governmental relations efforts and initiatives. Its membership includes farmers, foresters, and other agricul-tural producers; industry suppliers; marketers and processors; and com-modity and industry associations. It is headquartered in Richmond. For more information, please visit www.va-agribusiness.org .

Attached Contact: Brad Copenhaver,

804.643.3555 ([email protected])

News - Mike Hildebrand is the recipient of the “Alumni of the Year” award for the VA Tech

Horticulture Dept!

(l-r) VA Tech CALS Dean Alan Grant, Mike Hildebrand, Roger Harris, Horti-

culture Department Head

Mike earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture in 1974. His horticulture concentration was Orna-mental Horticulture and Landscape Design. However, his interest in hor-

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ticulture was cultivated in advance of attending Virginia Tech. While in high school, and even during his col-lege years, he worked at DeHaven Nursery in his home town of Win-chester Virginia. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he worked for Lairds Nursery in Richmond as a landscape foreman; Mike quickly moved up to the landscape designer and salesman positions. In 1983 he founded James River Nurseries with his business partner Al Jones in Han-over County. Several years later, Mike co-founded James River Irriga-tion and James River Grounds Man-agement. These are premier land-scape-related companies that are highly regarded in the trade. Mike takes pride in the fact that these com-panies have employed and still em-ploys many Virginia Tech Horticul-ture and Landscape Architecture graduates. Mike’s other business ven-tures include Glen Allen Nurseries and James River Cellars. Mike’s con-tributions to the landscape industry go well beyond his business; he is involved in industry organizations such as the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, the Profes-sional Landcare Network (PLANET), and Agriculture in the Classroom. Mike is a true Hokie. He is an avid supporter of the Virginia Tech Horti-culture Department and the Hahn Horticulture Garden. He and his wife Susie are members of the Virginia Tech Capital Campaign and members of the Agricultural and Life Sciences Steering Committee. The Department of Horticulture is very proud of Mike’s professional and personal achievements. His generous support of the Department of Horticulture and Virginia Tech are very much appreci-ated. On a personal note, Mike has been married to his wife Susie for 36 years; she’s a graduate of the Univer-sity of Virginia but Mike tells us that their enduring love overcomes any intercollegiate rivalry! Mike has two sons who are both employed at James River Nurseries. Brian is a Radford

University graduate with a Business degree and Dan is a Virginia Tech graduate who upheld his Dad’s tradi-tion and earned a B.S. in Horticulture in 2007. Mike’s hobbies include coaching/attending sports activities; he has a special interest in Virginia Tech athletics and attends all the events that his schedule will allow.

News - New Virginia Tech College of Agricul-ture and Life Sciences

building creates scientific synergy

BLACKSBURG, Va., March 17, 2014 - In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences http://www.cals.vt.edu/ new Human and Agricultural Biosciences Bldg 1 http://www.cals.vt.edu/facilities/calsconstruct/index.html, researchers and students from multiple disciplines are collaborating on issues ranging from fermentation and food safety to bio-processing and biofuels.

These synergistic relationships are allowing the college to expand its scientific reach to address critical is-sues concerning agriculture, food se-curity, human health, and climate change that will impact people the world over.

"The research activities and discover-ies made in the new building will be-come the cornerstone of programs that will directly benefit the citizens of the commonwealth and the agricul-ture, food, and health industries," said Alan Grant, dean of the college. "The work that is happening in the new building will bring the promise of a healthy planet, healthy food, and healthy people."

Among the many new technologies in the building are state-of-the-art sensory pan-els, modern kitchen facilities, and a bi-

osecurity level 2 food processing labora-tory.

The $53.7 million building at the inter-section of Duck Pond Drive and Wash-ington Street is the first of four planned for the Biosciences Precinct where fac-ulty members and students from vari-ous departments within the college will work together and further research, academic, and Extension efforts.

Watch a video about the new building: https://vimeo.com/88087446

In the new building, scientists from the Department of Biological Systems En-gineering http://www.bse.vt.edu are developing new sources of energy to power the world, building water deliv-ery systems that ensure people have clean water, finding ways to combat addiction through novel vaccines, and creating new targeted drug delivery systems to fight diseases.

At the same time, researchers from the Department of Food Science and Tech-nology http://www.fst.vt.edu are find-ing ways for industries to provide healthy food for the world through pas-teurization, fermentation, packaging, emulsion stability, probiotic culture viability, ingredient technology, and product and process development.

The 93,860-square-foot building that is home to some of the most cutting-edge and advanced technologies available was constructed with common areas and shared spaces to increase creative collaboration.

[continued on page 18]



VNLA - Photo Contest Rules

1. The contest is open to any photographer (amateur and professional) except members of Board of Directors of VNLA and their families. Entries are limited to VNLA members and their staff. 2. Each photographer may enter up to three (3) digital images per Newsletter deadline (see #6). E-mail images to [email protected]. Include your name, phone number and occu-pation. One 3. winning entry per photographer per year. You may re-enter non-winning entries. 4. Please e-mail images separately. Feel free to elaborate on any story surrounding the photograph. Photos should be 300 dpi high resolution. 5. All photographs sub-mitted must have been taken within the past five years. 6. All photographs must be related to the Green Industry. The subject can be located in a nursery, back yard, or in a land-scape--just so it is obviously related to the green industry profession. 7. Deadline for submis-sion is 5:00 p.m. on the News-letter Copy Deadline, which is the 15th of January, April, July, and October. All submissions become the property of the VNLA. 8. Model Release forms are required with each photo-graph which contains a clearly identifiable person. Release forms are available from the VNLA office, on request, and are also available for download from the VNLA website at Model release in MS Word for-mat or Adobe PDF format.

Judging done by the VNLA Communication Committee.

All decisions are final.

Winner of the April/May/June 2014 Photo Contest

Photo Winner: Michele Fletcher Michele Fletcher Landscape Designs

Rockbridge Baths VA 24473-2518 Camera- Nikon D7000 Woodland Phlox blooming in the spring. Sadly this area is being im-pinged upon by invasive plants such as garlic mustard and Eleagnus

Win $50, submit your photos! Good Luck and Happy Photographing!



[continued from page 16]

"By having two departments, re-searchers, graduate students, and un-dergraduate students under one roof we will be able to create a synergy among scientists where ideas are shared, hypotheses are debated, and the challenges of the world are tack-led," said Saied Mostaghimi, associ-ate dean of research for the college and director of the Virginia Agricul-tural Experiment Station www.vaes.vt.edu.

Among the many new technologies in the building are state-of-the-art senso-ry panels, modern kitchen facilities, and a biosecurity level 2 food pro-cessing laboratory that will allow food science and technology re-searchers to work on issues that jeop-ardize safe, reliable food production, including E. coli and Salmonella out-breaks.

The new building will help scientists be more competitive as they apply for grants and funding. It will also help the college recruit top-notch students and faculty whose research requires state-of-the-art labs and equipment to solve the world's most pressing prob-lems.

Both the biological systems engineer-

ing and the food science and technol-ogy departments have seen tremen-dous growth in recent years as stu-dents choose disciplines that are re-warding and offer promising career paths. U.S. News and World Report ranked the biological systems engi-neering graduate curriculum eighth in the nation among biological and agri-cultural engineering programs in 2013.

The building will be LEED-certified, a designation given by the U.S. Green Building Council for structures that utilize the very best in energy and environmental de-sign. From the first day workers broke ground on the new building, a host of sustainable methods and tech-nologies were incorporated to support a high-performance, cost-effective, and environmentally sound project.

Asphalt from the old parking lot was recycled. Building materials were pro-duced from renewable materials and wood used in the project came from a certified source to reduce the impact on forests. Low-emitting paints, sealers, and carpeting ensures clean air inside, and windows provide warm, natural light to reduce the amount of energy needed. The building's placement on the lot was chosen to minimize harsh western sunlight while maximizing passive daylight via large bay windows. A complex network of computers mon-itors the temperature and environment, and water-saving fixtures and applianc-es are installed throughout. The flexible laboratory design of will allow for mul-tiple uses over the years, saving on ren-ovation costs and materials.

The grand opening of the Human and Agricultural Biosciences Building was, March 21, at which time prominent members of the academic community spoke in honor of the event and tours of the building's facilities were given.

"This is an exciting time for the col-lege," Grant said. "This new building and future Biosciences Precinct is go-ing to help the agriculture and life sci-ences disciplines and industries thrive while looking ahead to the future to

solve emerging challenges."

Nationally ranked among the top re-search institutions of its kind, Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (http://www.cals.vt.edu) fo-cuses on the science and business of living systems through learning, dis-covery, and engagement. The college's comprehensive curriculum gives more than 3,100 students in a dozen academ-ic departments a balanced education that ranges from food and fiber produc-tion to economics to human health. Students learn from the world's leading agricultural scientists, who bring the latest science and technology into the classroom.

Zeke Barlow 540-231-5417 [email protected]

News - VDACS Announces Delay of

Lawn Fertilizer Use Reporting

In 2011, the Virginia General As-sembly amended the Virginia Ferti-lizer Law to require certain business-es and government agencies to submit an annual report to VDACS indicat-ing the total acreage or square footage by zip code of nonagricultural lands receiving lawn fertilizer and lawn maintenance fertilizer. The first an-nual report for calendar year 2013 was to have been submitted during February 2014 using an online report-ing tool.

However, due to implementation problems with the online reporting tool, the submission of the annual report is delayed until further notice. VDACS anticipates the online report-ing tool being fully operational later this spring and will notify businesses and state agencies once online report-ing is available. Contact us for addi-tional information about the reporting requirements. From the Virginia Agribusiness Council

3/15/14


Encourage your employees to complete an online Masters of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. Students can study from anywhere with the flexibility and support they need!

Who should take this program?

An online masters is a great choice for Green Industry Professionals looking to enhance their current knowledge and take their career to the next level. Online courses are convenient for working professionals because they allow 24/7 access to course materials, so students can study and complete assignments according to their own schedule.

Students learn from top-notch faculty according to their own schedule and needs.

We have your business goals in mind with courses that will address your management needs and increase production efficiency. Courses are taught by Virginia Tech faculty who also teach on-campus courses. Each student works with an advisor to tailor the program to their professional ambitions. The Online Masters of Agricultural and Life Sciences program is an excellent opportunity for employers to get employees the training they need with enough flexibility that they can still continue working.

The Plant Sciences and Pest Management Concentration

This concentration will give your employees the comprehensive understanding of the scientific principals underlying plant sciences and managing ornamental and crop pests. They will learn to implement management schemes that maintain and/or increase your production while conserving soil and water resources to preserve the delicate balance in the agro-ecosystem.

Take your business to the next level-

Contact InformationDr. Holly Scoggins Green Industry Contact Associate ProfessorDepartment of Horticulture

(540) [email protected]

http://www.cals.vt.edu/online/

email Holly now


The Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind

STAUNTON — In the early 1900s, the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind had its own produce gar-dens that supplied food for students and staff. They had cows and dairy production. Students would learn to farm while boarding at the school, often year-round.

“That’s just how things were done back then,” said Superintendent Nan-cy Armstrong. “In about the mid-1900s that all went away.”

In the same fields that cows used to roam in, there will be about 2 acres of vegetable gardens in the next few years.

Three fellows from the Allegheny Mountain School — a fellowship program in Highland County that fo-cuses on food systems — have begun cultivating the land on VSDB’s cam-pus for food production.

The idea is that, during the 12 months that the fellows are at the school, they will create a sustainable garden for the school to grow produce for the cafeteria. It’s also an opportunity for students at the school and in the Val-ley to learn about food systems and for teachers to learn how to use horti-culture and gardening in the class-room for learning.

Ben Samuelson and Emily Melvin are building on a project that began last year between the Allegheny Moun-tain School and VSDB. They are also working with Trevor Piersol, a for-mer fellow and now staff member and project manager at AMS.

Last year, a fellow from the school worked full time at VSDB and with students to plant gardens, vegetable patches and raised flower beds. The fellow worked with horticulture pro-ject manager Nicholas Swanson to teach students about growing produce and help them take care of the gar-dens. This year, the three fellows will complete the second phase of their

training at the Allegheny Mountain School by spending a year working on a large-scale project at a nonprofit organization, the VSDB Educational Farm.

Through the gardens at VSDB, they will reach out to other school divi-sions to host seminars, workshops and programs at the campus for stu-dents and teachers to learn about sus-tainable gardening.

“We want it to be more of a commu-nity project rather than a VSDB pro-ject,” Armstrong said.

Piersol has been helping research fences and track down supplies at a lower cost, to get the gardens started. VSDB is not paying to have the fel-lows cultivate the gardens and the fellows are not leasing space at the school either; it’s a cooperative agreement that benefits all parties, Armstrong said. As part of the AMS program, fellows work for communi-ty groups at no cost to the groups. At VSDB, plants and seedlings are growing in the greenhouse before they are planted in the raised beds or the larger garden. They will grow garlic, herbs, tomatoes, lettuce, kale, radish, beats, peas, corn, peppers, cucumbers and many more fruits and vegetables.

Swanson said that last year they grew herbs and used them in the cooking club for Thai dishes. This year, the club is focusing on Latin cooking, and they are planning to grow many herbs focused on those flavors.

Students and fellows will grow plants that are both visually interesting as well as interesting for other senses — plants that have different smells and tactile feels for students who are blind and visually impaired, Swanson said.

Member Profile - Nicholas Swanson



As the warmer months roll in, the planting season will begin. By the end of this growing season, the edu-cational farm should be well under way, Piersol said. They hope to have a quarter-acre of vegetables growing by the end of the year.

While planting and harvesting the produce, the fellows will share with students and teachers the history of VSDB and agriculture in this area.

“We want to bring history into gar-dening as well,” Piersol said.

Reprinted with permission, Megan Williams Education reporter,

The News Leader, www.newsleader.com

Nicholas Swanson Nicholas Swanson is Horticulture Project Manager for Virginia School for Deaf and Blind. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2002 with a BS in Horticulture.

(r) Nicholas Swanson working

with students to plant vegetables

Scholastic honors and activities: Spent one year on National Student Exchange at Fresno State University studying viticulture

“I grew up in Midlothian. I attended Virginia Tech to study engineering; however, I switched majors to Horti-culture halfway through my first year. My mom, Claudia Swanson, owned Dirty Hands Garden Center in Powhatan and I had worked there in high school. In college I became interested in grapes and wine produc-tion. I studied viticulture for a year at Fresno State University. Following

college I worked as a vineyard man-ager for wineries around Char-lottesville. In 2004 I suddenly and unexpectedly lost some of my central vision. This lead to a move to Staun-ton and subsequent work at the Vir-ginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. My wife, Casey Cook and I had a daughter, named Anja in 2007. They are both amazing people.”

“VSDB provides an environment which fosters self-confident students who are contributing citizens and life-long learners and serves as a resource of excellence for the communities of Virginia who serve students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/vision im-paired and deaf/blind.

One of the oldest schools in Virginia and the second of its kind in the world, the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB), located in historic and scenic Staunton, VA, was established by an act of the Vir-ginia General Assembly on March 31, 1838.

In 2012 CROPS, a horticulture and garden based educational program, was started at VSDB. CROPS is an acronym which stands for Cooperation, Respect, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Skills. CROPS aims to reinforce

these concepts and values to its stu-dents with garden based activities and hands on learning. The mission of CROPS is to develop the students' abil-ity to make connections between the natural world, their community and themselves CROPS has worked with teachers and classes, such as science, math, Spanish, and Independent Living Skills, to reinforce the academic les-sons being presented in school. VSDB teaches students from pre-K up to 22 years old and thus a wide spectrum of students with different ages and abili-ties have the opportunity to get their hands dirty in the garden.

Students helped to construct wooden raised garden beds on campus, as well as establishing fruit tree plantings and a perennial sensory garden. VSDB has a 400 square foot greenhouse which serves as lab space as well as a produc-tion center for the plant starts that get planted in the gardens. In May 2014 CROPS will host its second annual Spring Garden Festival and Plant Sale, helping to raise money for the program.

Most of the focus in the program is on food-based plants. One of the goals is to help the students make connections between the source of their food and the importance of mak-ing healthy food choices. We find that students are more willing to try vegetables if they have been a part of growing them and are often surprised when they discover something new that they enjoy.

Students also get very excited about flowers. Just mention or sign that word to a group of kids and their fac-es light up.



One of the benefits of having a gar-den at the school is that students get a chance to experience the growth and transformation of the plants and the garden spaces over time. This helps them to more fully understand con-cepts, such as the life cycle of a plant, from a seed germinating to its flower-ing stage. Additionally, for our popu-lation of students, hands on experien-tial learning is crucial to the overall education that they receive.

CROPS has been able to provide the school cafeteria with salad greens and herbs at times. The kitchen staff is extremely supportive and they also save pre-consumer compost waste, such as vegetable and fruit peelings and salad bar leftovers for the students to compost. There is a 3 bin compost unit by the green-house which actively composts this material along with school coffee grounds, leaves, and garden waste. The students get a lesson in sustaina-bility and decomposition.

There is a great confidence gained by the students when they are able to be the caretakers for a living plant. I be-lieve that this pride and confidence gets transferred back to themselves and helps them to grow as individu-als.”

Hobbies

Playing music, (guitar, electric bass or the upright bass) Listening to vinyl records and music in general, hiking, cooking

Favorite Plant Camelia sinensis

Favorite Flower Color: Black, though they are hard to find.

Best Habit: Walking

Hero: The Dude

Favorite Quote: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.” -Lao Tzu

Aspirations: Always aspire to be happy

Hardest Part of Your Workday: Procuring supplies and materials is a difficult task. We are always in need of growing supplies, material, equip-ment, seeds and plants.

Best Part of Your Workday: It is wonderful to witness children being excited about learning and discover-ing plants.

Helpful Hint When Handling Em-ployees: Don't. You really should not be lifting your employees.

Hottest Upcoming Trend: Farm to school

Best Advise Ever Received: Don't eat that.

Where do you think the green in-dustry is going in the next 10 years? “There is certainly a movement to-wards sustainable living. And there is a desire on the part of people to learn more about where their food is coming from and how they can take a more active role in the process. There is also a focus on educating young people about food and coming up with ways to demonstrate the importance of making informed choices when it comes to food. There is a certain power given to people with the transfer of knowledge. You can look across the state and across the country and find more and more examples of schools and commu-nities where children and youth are being exposed to gardening, horticul-ture, farming, sustainability and food.”

Edited by Sandy Miller

Send your news to the VNLA Newsletter

VNLA members are encouraged to send in relevant news items, such as

new hires, new products, acquisi-tions, honors received and upcoming

events.

Send news and photos to Jeff Miller at [email protected]

or fax to 540-382-2716

News - Virginia Coop-erative Extension Day

marks Extension's Centennial

BLACKSBURG, Va., May 2, 2014 - Virginians celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Virginia Cooperative Extension (http://www.ext.vt.edu) and the important service it provides to the people of the commonwealth, following Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s declaration of May 8, 2014, as Vir-ginia Cooperative Extension Day.

Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act on May 8, 1914, creating the Cooper-ative Extension Service, a state-by-state national network of educators who extend university-based knowledge to the people.

The governor’s proclamation (http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/centennial/centennial-articles/stories/cooperative-extension-day.html )

1. Acknowledges Extension as a critical component of the three-part land-grant mission at Virgin-ia Tech and Virginia State Uni-versity that works in partnership with federal, state, and local gov-ernments to bring the research-based knowledge of land-grant universities to people where they live and work.

2. Recognizes that Extension works collaboratively with research and academic programs at colleges


.


and universities across the U.S. to reach traditional and underserved audiences.

3. Acknowledges Extension's role in translating science-based research for practical application through local and online learning net-works where agents are uniquely available to identify emerging re-search questions, connect with university faculty members to find answers, and encourage the application of findings to im-prove economic and social condi-tions.

“While many things have changed over the past 100 years, we still work with people where they live and deal with the issues they face every day. We help them use the knowledge from the land-grant universities to improve their quality of life and eco-nomic prosperity,” said Edwin Jones, director of Virginia Cooperative Ex-tension.

Faculty members located on two

campuses, 107 county and city offic-es, 11 agricultural research and exten-sion centers, and six 4-H educational centers provide educational programs in everything from family financial management and nutrition to agricul-tural best practices and food safety to small business development and leadership. In 2013, Extension pro-grams reached more than 2.6 million participants statewide.

Jones acknowledges that Extension could not reach as many people as it does without the support of its talent-ed volunteers. “Our volunteers help our educators deliver research-based solutions to Virginia's homes, farms, businesses, and communities,” said Jones. “Whether they are creating opportunities for youth to learn life skills, helping families to become more financially secure, teaching citi-zens about ways to improve and pro-tect their environment, or educating young children and their parents about eating healthier, they are mak-

ing a difference in their communi-ties.”

More than 29,500 volunteers donated more than 966,000 hours of their time in 2013, valued at $23.7 million. This includes volunteers from programs including 4-H Youth Development and the Master Gardener Program that was established in Virginia in 1979.

Many special events and activities to commemorate the centennial will take place over the next several months. To see the events being held in com-munities across the commonwealth, visit the Virginia Cooperative Exten-sion Centennial Web page. (http://ext.vt.edu/news/centennial/centennial-news.html )

For more information about Virginia Cooperative Extension in your area, contact your local Extension office

www.ext.vt.edu/offices/index.html

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News - Virginia Tech CALS awarded conserva-

tion innovation grants BLACKSBURG, Va., Nov. 11, 2013 - The Virginia Tech College of Agri-culture and Life Sciences http://cals.vt.edu was recently award-ed nearly $750,000 in funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop and test new conserva-tion technologies to improve the health of two of agriculture's most valuable resources - soil and water.

The USDA Natural Resources Con-servation Service Conservation Inno-vation Grants Program is funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and is set up so grantees can work with producers to test and develop new conservation technologies.

Zach Easton, assistant professor of biological systems engineering and Virginia Cooperative Extension spe-cialist, serves as the principal investi-gator on a federal grant that seeks to improve understanding and manage-ment of drainage and ditch systems. The grant totals $748,648 and is in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University, the University of Dela-ware, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Watch Virginia Tech: http://vimeo.com/51009324 Biodigester from Virginia Tech http://vimeo.com/virginiatech on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com).

The project will seek to control nutri-ent loss using comprehensive drain-age and ditch management systems that trap sediment and nutrients from farmland and understand how nutri-ents get from agricultural fields to water bodies.

"Our first priority is ensuring that nutrients stay in the field, which is how this research can help produc-ers," Easton said. "Secondly, the drainage management systems we

develop can help address production and water-quality concerns."

Easton has conducted similar work on a smaller project to curb nitrogen and phosphorous run-off in the Chesa-peake using a bioreactor he devel-oped to filter out pollution.

At the state level, Virginia Tech re-ceived several grants including one from the Healthy Farms from the Soil Up: Finding Common Ground Pro-gram. Eric Bendfeldt, community viability Extension specialist, is the principal investigator on the grant, which was one of several awarded to Virginia Tech.

"Soil is a foundational resource so it has to be conserved," said Bendfeldt.

"We've recently seen a pretty dra-matic increase of acreage going into vegetable production."

One question that the funds will al-low Bendfeldt to answer is how to prevent soil loss in those areas as well as other agricultural fields, he said.

More and more research is going into areas that seek to understand the health of soils and how important it is to maintain a diverse microbiology in the soil.

"All of these grants allow Virginia Tech to leverage our ability to bring additional dollars into the state while helping to educate farmers on sus-tainability practices," said Bendfeldt.

Nationally ranked among the top re-search institutions of its kind, Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences http://www.cals.vt.edu/ focus-es on the science and business of living systems through learning, discovery, and engagement. The college's com-prehensive curriculum gives more than 3,100 students in a dozen academic departments a balanced education that ranges from food and fiber production to economics to human health. Students learn from the world's leading agricul-tural scientists, who bring the latest science and technology into the class-room.

Related Links

Virginia Tech partners with Smith-sonian to discover deeper link be-tween soil microbes and plants http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2013/10/101413calsoil.html

Zeke Barlow, 540-231-5417, [email protected]

News - EPA Proposed Revisions to the Agricul-tural Worker Protection

Standard (WPS) The Environmental Protection Agen-cy is seeking comments on the pro-posed changes to the agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) which are designed to increase pro-tections from pesticide exposure for the nation's 2 million agricultural workers and their families. Potential-ly effected entities may include own-ers/employers on agricultural estab-lishments that grow and harvest for commercial production of fruits and vegetables on farms; timber and trees in forests and nurseries; plants in greenhouses and nurseries; employers of researchers who help grow and harvest plants; and employers at commercial pesticide handling estab-lishments. Proposed changes include but are not limited to the following:

Increased frequency of manda-tory trainings (from once every five years to annually);

Train-the-trainer training for all trainers of workers, even if they are already certified;

Expanded mandatory posting of no-entry signs for the most hazardous pesticides;

Minimum age requirement for handling pesticides, with an ex-emption for family farms;

No-entry buffer areas surround-ing pesticide-treated fields;

[continued on page 40]


Constant Contact Survey ResultsSurvey Name: Membership Survey 12-23-13 LogicResponse Status: Partial & CompletedFilter: None3/1/2014 3:17 PM EST

TextBlock:

Please share your feedback on being a member or becoming a member of the VNLA so we can best meet your needs. (Completeyour contact info at the end of the survey to be eligible for a drawing for a $150, $100, $50 gift cards!)

Are you a current VNLA member?

Answer 0% 100%Number of

Response(s)Response

RatioYes 262 85.0 %No 20 6.4 %Previous Member 26 8.4 %No Response(s) 0 0.0 %

Totals 308 100%

How valuable do you find each of the following attributes of membership?1 = 1 - No value, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5 - Very valuable

Answer 1 2 3 4 5Number of

Response(s)RatingScore*

Newsletter 224 4.1Guide to Virginia Growers 223 3.8Virginia CertifiedHorticulturist Program

225 4.4

Access to research 225 3.8Networking 225 3.6Membership overall 223 3.9Website content 221 3.4Field Day 222 3.5Summer Tour 219 3.3*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

Page 1

26 April / May / June 2014 VNLA Newsletter26 April/May/June 2014 VNLA Newsletter

Survey response Page one, ques-tion/responses will need to be cut and pasted below the paragraph box

VNLA - Membership Survey Results Thanks to the 308 participants in this important survey!

The VNLA board will use this valuable information when making decisions that will affect our members. As VNLA members ourselves, we want to make this association the best nursery and landscaping association in the country but we need your input and feedback. Please don’t hesitate to contact a board member if you have an idea for us or if there is an issue you’d like to see us take on.

Thanks again!

Matt Shreckhise, VNLA President

See following pages for survey responses. To see all the comments to these questions go to

http://www.vnla.org/Membership/Membership-Survey-Results-2014

Please rate your agreement with each of the following aspects of your membership.1 = 1 - Strongly disagree, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5 - Strongly agree



I am getting good value forthe cost of membership

225 3.9

I am getting usefulinformation

225 4.0

Participating in events isworth my time

224 3.8

*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

Please rate your overall satisfaction with your membership experience.1 = 1 - Fair, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = Excellent

1 2 3 4 5Number of


224 4.0*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

How likely are you to do each of the following?1 = 1 - Very unlikely, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5 - Very likely



Recommend this associationto friends or colleagues

226 4.2

Renew your membership 224 4.5Attend upcoming associationevents

225 3.8


Page 2


Which ways do you prefer we communicate with you? Please rank in order of your preference.1 = Least Likely, 9 = Most Likely

Answer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Number of


Email 224 8.7Facebook 205 3.4LinkedIn 203 2.8Paper Newsletter 213 6.2Phone 203 4.3Fax 200 2.9Online Newsletter 205 6.3Text Message 204 3.5Twitter 201 1.5*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

How would you rate the VNLA's primary publications? 1 = 1 - Not useful, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5 - Excellent, 6 = What's That?

Answer 1 2 3 4 5 6Number of


Newsletter - print version 221 4.5Newsletter online flip-pageversion

204 4.1

Guide to Virginia Growersprint verison

217 4.0

Guide to Virginia Growersonline lookup version

206 4.1

Basic Certification StudyManual

211 4.1

Advanced Certification StudyManual

200 4.4

Would access to the StudyManual online be useful?

212 4.3


Please rank these issue as importance to you. 1 = 1 - Not Important, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5 - Very Important



Economy 222 4.4Environmental Issues 223 4.4Education for Employee 221 4.0Labor - Seasonal 218 3.2Labor - Supervisory 216 3.2Legislation 221 3.8Marketing toConsumer/clients

222 3.9

Professionalism in the theGreen Industry

222 4.5


Page 3









204 4.1


217 4.0


206 4.1


211 4.1


200 4.4


212 4.3






222 3.9


222 4.5


Page 3









204 4.1


217 4.0


206 4.1


211 4.1


200 4.4


212 4.3






222 3.9


222 4.5


Page 3


What suggestions do you have for us to improve the value of your membership?51 Response(s)

Would you be willing to provide your expertise to any of these activity areas?


Response(s)Response

RatioCertification program 0 0.0 %Environmental issues 0 0.0 %Legislative issues 0 0.0 %Marketing/Promotion 0 0.0 %Membership support 0 0.0 %Publications (Newsletter,Guide to Virginia Growers)

0 0.0 %

Research 0 0.0 %Totals 0 0%

How valuable, to you, would each of the following attributes of membership in the VNLA?1 = 1 - No value, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5 - Very valuable



Newsletter (quarterly 68-page 4-color magazine, printand online)

8 4.2

Guide to Virginia Growers(print and online)

8 3.6

Virginia CertifiedHorticulturist Program

8 4.1

Access to latest research tohelp your business

7 3.7

Networking with peers 7 4.1Membership overall 7 4.0Website content formembers

7 4.0

Field Day (annual event at adifferent location each year)

7 3.9

Summer Tour (annual eventat a different location eachyear)

7 4.3


Page 4


Which ways do you prefer to communicate?Please select all that apply.1 = Least Likely, 5 = Most Likely



Email 8 4.6Facebook 7 3.0LinkedIn 7 1.9Paper Newsletter 7 3.3Phone 7 2.3Fax 7 2.0Online Newsletter 7 4.6Twitter 7 1.9Other 4 1.5*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.





8 3.9


7 4.1


Would you be willing to provide your expertise to any of these activity areas?


Response(s)Response

RatioCertification program 1 100.0 %Environmental issues 1 100.0 %Legislative issues 0 0.0 %Marketing/Promotion 0 0.0 %Membership support 0 0.0 %Publications (Newsletter,Guide to Virginia Growers)

0 0.0 %

Research 0 0.0 %Totals 1 100%

Page 5

You have the right to:

• A safe and healthy workplace. • Tell your employer about unsafe or

unhealthy work conditions. • Report unsafe or unhealthy work

conditions to OSHA and do so confidentially.

You may not be fired or punished for:

• Raising concerns about workplace safety or health;

• Contacting OSHA; • Participating in an OSHA inspection; or • Refusing to work if 1) you are in serious

and immediate danger, 2) you ask your employer to fix it and he doesn’t, 3) there is no time to call OSHA, and 4) there is no other way to do the job safely.

In order to get help you must report to OSHA within 30 days of the firing or other punishment.

You have a right to work without being treated differently because of your race, skin color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or age (age 40 or older). Your employer cannot fire or punish you for reporting these concerns.

Use these tips to avoid being electrocuted:

• Check electrical cords and cables for defects and proper grounding.

• Turn off and unplug tools and equipment before you clean, check, or do maintenance on the equipment.

• Keep power tools and equipment away from water.

• Never touch a fallen power line. • Stay a safe distance from power lines

when working in trees, on metal ladders, or when carrying metal ladders.

SLipS & tRipS

ELECtRiC SHOCk

a SafE & HEaLtHy WORkpLaCE This guide is provided as a public service. For more information or to file a complaint, contact the federal agencies listed below. Their services are free.

HOW tO find HELp

COnCERnSafety & health information, inspections, investigations, & complaints

Pesticides, pest control, heat stress

Wages, hours of work, types of jobs you can do

Discrimination & harassment

Safety & health information, statistics & research

Lead-based paint, mold, allergy, asthma, or other unsafe or un-healthful conditions in homes

agEnCy COntaCtOSHA Occupational Safety & Health Administration800-321-OSHATTY: 877-889-5627www.osha.gov

EPA Environmental Protection Agency800-858-PESTTTY: 202-272-0165www.epa.gov/pesticides

ESA Employment Standards Administration, Wage & Hour Division866-4US-WAGETTY: 877-889-5627www.youthrules.dol.gov

EEOC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission800-669-4000TTY: 800-669-6820www.youth.eeoc.gov

NIOSH National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health800-35-NIOSH www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth

HUD Housing & Urban Development202-755-1785www.hud.gov/offices/lead

EqUaL EMpLOyMEnt OppORtUnity

nOiSE

a Safety & Health guidefor young Workers in Landscaping,

greenhouses, & nurseriesFor more safety and health information for young workers, please visit us at www.youngworkers.net.

Hearing loss from noise is gradual, painless, and permanent but can be prevented. Wear earplugs or muffs when working with loud equipment.

It is easy to lose your balance when land-scaping. Tips you can use to avoid slips and trips include:

• Do not run while on the job. • Remove anything from the ground

that could make you trip before you start the job.

• Wear sturdy boots or shoes with non-slip soles.

















SLipS & tRipS

ELECtRiC SHOCk


HOW tO find HELp














nOiSE








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p6+7_SummerTour.docxx

SPECIAL NOTE: Since the Summer Tour starts with a wine/beer reception and dinner. ALL Summer Tour participants will be provided with hotel van transportation to and from the Holiday Inn Blacksburg to the Hahn Horticulture Garden. The Summer Tour will also start Friday morning with the bus leaving

from the Holiday Inn Blacksburg.

If you are staying at another location or driving in for the day, you will be required to ride the bus Friday as all tour stops have limited access. You may park at the Holiday Inn during the tour.

Thursday Evening, August 14 - Beer & Wine Reception and Dinner will be held in Hahn Horticulture Dinner in the Garden

5:30 pm - Shuttle van begins departures the Holiday Inn to the Hahn Horticulture Garden

6-9:00 pm –You’ll be treated to a sumptuous Buffet Dinner. Mark Weathington, Assistant Director and Curator of Collections at the JC Raulston Arboretum, will talk about "Typhoons and Iguana Stew - The Glamorous Life of a Plant Explorer". Plant exploration sounds like a romantic, exciting adventure but the truth is always a bit more mundane. Strange foods, bad hotels, and even worse weather are the norm. We'll take a spin around the world from South America to Asia, New Zealand and back to our own corner of the world shining a light on the realities of the modern day plant hunter.

9:00 pm – Van shuttles return to Holiday Inn Blacksburg for overnight accommodations

Friday, August 15 - Private Garden Tours and lunch at Riverbend Nursery 6-7:30 am Breakfast and checkout Holiday Inn 7:45 am Buses depart for tours (see descriptions below) 4:00 pm Buses arrive back at the Holiday Inn

Private Garden Of Dr. Jerzy Nowak & Stefanie Hofer This new wrap around the house garden was developed over the past seven years. It includes mixed perennial and annual boarders, a front rock garden, fenced backyard with ‘Green Giant’ Thuja hedge, extensive hardscapes, a large gazebo, three distinct patios, a cascading pond, a French potage, and an outdoor kitchen.

Under parental/guardian supervision children are welcomed to use hammock and swing, and climb stairs, gazebo, and “Mr. Bighead”, a large rock excavated during the construction of back patio, named after the Rocko’s Modern Life character. Throwing small white rocks into the fountain is also permitted for children under four.

VNLA/VSLD Summer Tour –Friday


Thursday Evening, August 14-

Private Gardens of Elissa Steeves Elissa Steeves’ Garden: Elissa’s goal in gardening is to have something of interest or blooming year round.

Her garden is one of a plant collector, full of plant lust treasures collected over the years. The garden contains collections of tropicals, Japanese maples, bog/swamp plants & native plants to name a few. It is organized into two areas:

The oldest part is one of contemporary good taste & the newer half is of fun and whimsy. Numerous garden rooms have been created with the use of structures & color.

The garden has been featured in Southern Living & Horticulture Magazines.

Private Gardens of the Knight’s Stonewood Garden

Stonewood Garden is the two-acre private garden of Mary LaLone & Kim Knight. As you'll see, we love gardening. Mary has a greenhouse with tropicals, including orchids and carnivorous plants, and gardens outside with tropicals, heaths & heathers, and potted plants. Kim has designed, built, and gardens all the rest

of the property, including an Italian garden, arbors and terraces, a Japanese garden with pond and stream, a potager, and a cactus greenhouse/orangerie.

Tour and Lunch at Riverbend Nursery Riverbend Nursery is a progressive container grower of quality perennials, herbs, groundcovers, and ornamental grasses. A Wholesale Only grower, Riverbend sells to independent garden centers, landscapers, and distributors. Riverbend Nursery primarily services the Mid-Atlantic States. Our main facility is situated on 100 acres in Riner, Virginia. The scenic Little River surrounds the

property on three sides in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Fifty eight acres are utilized for production; 31 acres in container crops and 7 in field production. A total of over 2.5 million containers are grown annually. Over 1100 varieties are produced in both heated and unheated greenhouses and 70% of these are propagated in-house. In 2011 we added a second location 20 minutes away. The 40 acre Childress farm is primarily set up for our LiveRoof portion of the business. The addition of this farm has allowed us to move green roof production here and increase plant production at the main facility.

Riverbend Nursery is a progressive, container wholesale growing operation that sells Select BIG Tag Groundcovers, Perennials, Ferns, Herbs and Ornamental Grasses; Jeepers Creepers, Gilbertie's Herbs, and LiveRoof pre-vegetated green roof modules to retailers, landscapers, and re-wholesalers.

publication 426-041

Urban Water-Quality Management

What Is a Watershed?Traci Gilland, Extension Agent, Portsmouth

Laurie Fox, Horticulture Associate, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension CenterMike Andruczyk, Extension Agent, Chesapeake Susan French, Extension Agent, Virginia Beach

Lynnette Swanson, Extension Agent, Norfolk

A Watershed DefinedA watershed is an area of land that drains to a lake, river, wet-land, or other waterway. When precipitation occurs, water travels over forest, agricultural, or urban/suburban land areas before entering a waterway. Water can also travel into under-ground aquifers on its way to larger bodies of water. Together, land and water make up a watershed system.

Watersheds can be any size, but generally, the larger the body of water the larger the watershed. For example, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed covers 64,000 square miles and drains from six states, including Virginia. Smaller, local watersheds drain much smaller areas. Even a local stream has a watershed as-sociated with it, perhaps only a few acres in size.

Virginia WatershedsNo matter where you live in Virginia you are part of one the state’s nine major watersheds. You may have even noticed signs identifying the boundar-ies of each watershed while traveling through the state.

Virginia’s watersheds ultimately drain into three main bodies of water. Nearly two-thirds of Virginia drains into the Chesapeake Bay. Southeastern and south-central Virginia drain into the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. Rivers in Southwest Virginia flow to the Mississippi River and on to the Gulf of Mexico.

There are nine major watersheds in Virginia. Some flow to the Chesapeake Bay. Some go directly into the Atlantic Ocean. Others flow to the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. Some rivers in Virginia even flow to the Mississippi River and then to the Gulf of Mexico.

1. Shenandoah-Potomac 2. Rappahannock 3. York 4. James 5. Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay and coastal rivers

6. Chowan 7. Roanoke 8. New 9. Tennessee -Big Sandy

www.ext.vt.eduProduced by Communications and Marketing, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2009Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Rick D. Rudd, Interim Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia

Tech, Blacksburg; Alma C. Hobbs, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.

2

Why Are Watersheds Important?Healthy watersheds are a vital component of a healthy environment. Watersheds act as a filter for runoff that occurs from precipitation and snowmelt, provid-ing clean water for drinking, irrigation, and industry. Recreation and leisure are important components of watersheds, with many Virginians taking advantage of boating, fishing, and swimming in our waterways. Watersheds also support a variety of plant and wildlife communities.

Scientists and community leaders recognize the best way to protect our water resources is to understand and manage them on a watershed basis. Human activities as well as natural events that occur in a watershed can affect water quality throughout the entire system.

Human Impacts on WatershedsNearly all watersheds have something in common; they are populated by humans. With humans comes devel-opment and, unfortunately, pollution. As development encroaches on natural areas, the filtering system of the watershed is replaced by impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. Water runs off these surfaces in sheets, carrying with it a variety of pollutants. This type of pollution is called non-point source pollution because it comes from multiple sources over a large area. Anything on the impervious surface, such as automobile fluids, litter, leaves, debris, sediments, or animal feces is swept away by the run-off. It is carried directly into a waterway by storm drains and culverts. These non-point source pollutants can have devastat-ing effects on the health of Virginia waterways.

Healthy System Nutrients Sediments ToxicantsUnhealthy System

Fish, Shell�sh, and otherOrganisims Stressed

Water Column Habitat • Clear water • Algal growth balance • Oxygen levels adequate • Fin�sh abundant

Aquatic Plant HabitatFlourishes

Bottom HabitatHealthy

Human HealthConcerns

Food ChainE�ects

Aquatic PlantGrowth Inhibited

Poor Water Clarity

Low Disolved Oxygen

Algal Blooms

3

For more details about watersheds and what you can to do to help, please refer to the following agencies.

• Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

http://www.dcr.state.va.us/sw/index.htm

• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay http://www.alliancechesbay.org

• Chesapeake Bay Program http://www.chesapeakebay.net/

Virginia Cooperative Extension offers a wide variety of publications regarding proper fertilizer and pesticide use, plant selection and buffers. Please see our website, http://www.ext.vt.edu, or contact your a local Extension agent for more details.

Editorial ContributorsBarry Fox, Extension Specialist, Virginia State University

Leanne Dubois, Extension Agent, James City

Peter Warren, Extension Agent, Albemarle County

Fertilizer runoff from lawns and landscapes is an-other part of non-point source pollution. The overuse and incorrect use of fertilizers account for this type of pollution. The adage “if a little is good, then more is better” is not only false, but has serious detrimental effects on water quality. Excess fertilizer in the lawn is easily washed off by rain or irrigation. It travels into waterways, causing algal blooms that block sunlight, smother aquatic plants, and increase bacterial decay. As a result, dissolved oxygen is decreased and the water is unable to provide a healthy environment for aquatic life.

How can you help?If everyone in Virginia would do a few simple things, we can greatly improve how our watersheds function in protecting water quality. Below are just a few ways you can help.

• Reduce your daily water usage.

• Never dispose of anything by dumping into a storm drain. Storm drains lead directly to waterways.

• Use the correct amounts of fertilizer at the correct time for your grass species.

• Reduce your use of pesticides and fertilizers by re-placing grass with hardy trees and shrubs.

• Follow label directions carefully on all chemicals and use them only when necessary.

• Clean up after your pets.

• Maintain home septic systems.

• Create buffers along waterways on your property.

• Know your watershed address.

• Volunteer for clean up, restoration, and conserva-tion programs.

• Promote sustainable land stewardship throughout your community.


Page 3 What Is a Watershed?

Complete the Quiz on page 39 and get 1 CEU

for your Virginia Certified

Horticulturist re-certification!


VNLA Certification Quiz# 68

If you are a Virginia Certified Hor-ticultu33rist, answer the following

questions from the previous article, mark your answers on the card in-sert to the left and mail or fax back to the VNLA office towards your

recertification CEU’s for your Virginia Certified Horticulturist.

What is a Watershed? Prepared by: Nanette R. Whitt

1. Land and water make up a water-shed system.

a. True b. False

2. How many states drain into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

a. Three b. Four c. Five d. Six

3. Virginia has how many main watersheds?

a. Seven b. Eight c. Nine d. Ten

4. Which river is a part of Virginia’s main watersheds?

a. James b. New c. Chowan d. All of the above

5. Leisure and recreation are important components of wa-tersheds.

a. True b. False

6. What acts as a filter for runoff occurring from precipitation and snowmelt?

a. Asphalt b. Concrete c. Watersheds d. None of the above e. All of the above

7. Which is not a healthy watershed trait?

a. Finfish population b. Algal blooms c. Clear water d. Adequate oxygen levels

8. Water run offs from impervious surfaces such as concrete is called:

a. Point source pollution b. Human source pollution c. Non-point source pollution d. All of the above

9. Fertilizer runoff from lawns and landscapes is not considered a non-point source pollution.

a. True

b. False

10. Virginians can improve water-sheds by doing which of the follow-ing?

a. Know your watershed address b. Clean up after your pets c. Reduce use of pesticides and fertilizers d. All of the above 11. Excessive algae bloom in water is

partly caused by excess ferti-lization of lawns.

a. True b. False 12. How much of Virginia’s water-

sheds drain into the Chesa-peake Bay?

a. One quarter b. One third c. One half d. Two thirds

Support VNLA Member Growers!

Online at www.VNLA.org New Native Plant

Section! For a print copy call 1-800-476-

0055 or email [email protected]



[EPA & WPS continued from page 24]

Requirements that employers keep records of application-specific pesticide information as well as farmworker training and early-entry notification for two years;

Personal Protection Equipment (respirator use) must be con-sistent with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration standards for ensuring respirators are providing protection, includ-ing fit test, medical evaluation, and training; and

Availability to farm workers or their advocates (including medi-cal personnel) information spe-cific to the pesticide applica-tion, including the pesticide label and Safety Data Sheets.

Comments must be received on or before June 17, 2014 and must be submitted to http://www.regulations.gov identified by docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0184. Your comments will help EPA determine the final version of this regulation. Provided by Mr. Micah B. Raub, VDACS Program Coordinator, Office of Pesticide

Services, 804-786-4845, [email protected]

Additional information regarding the proposed changes is available at

http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/safety/work-

ers/proposed/index.html#overview.

News - USDA 2012 Census: Market Value of Production on Virginia

Farms up Almost $1 Billion

USDA 2012 Agriculture Census Provides a Snapshot of Agricul-ture in the U.S. and Virginia. Virginia Farm Land Increases; Up to 8.3 Million Acres Virginia Farm Land Increases, Up to 8.3 Million Acres. RICHMOND - Virginia’s farms saw a dramatic increase in both the market value of production and the average value of products sold per farm ac-cording to the preliminary results of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Census of Agriculture. From 2007 to 2012, market value of pro-duction sold increased 29 percent to $3.8 billion while the average value of products sold per farm increased 33 percent to $81,540.

The Virginia Department of Agricul-ture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced today the first look at state and national data from the 2012 Ag Census. The preliminary results were provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

“It is terrific to see such a dramatic increase in the value of production coming off of Virginia’s farms in the last 5 years,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry, and it is my admin-istration’s priority to continue that growth through sound policies and aggressive economic development efforts. Increasing farm production puts people back to work in our rural communities and provides the com-modities that feed our robust agri-businesses throughout the Common-wealth.”

Virginia also showed a reversal in the

loss of farm land in the Common-wealth with a gain of 3%, rising to 8.3 million acres of land held in farms. While farm land has in-creased, the number of farms has de-creased, meaning that farms are growing larger here in Virginia. Farmers in Virginia are also continu-ing to age, now averaging 59.5 years, up from 58.2 years in 2007, and a full year older than the national average of 58.3 years.

“As Secretary, I am fully committed to helping our farms generate more income through the development of markets both domestically and inter-nationally,” said Secretary of Agri-culture and Forestry Todd Haymore. “The increased value of production being sold by Virginia’s farms is an indication that our efforts are making an impact. The ability to generate greater value on the farm enables land to be kept in production rather than being converted to other uses. How-ever, we are not without difficulties here in Virginia. We continue to lose farms at the same time that the aver-age age of our farmers is increasing. My secretariat will continue to focus on these challenges through farm re-tention programs in our Office of Farmland Preservation such as the Purchase of Development Rights, the Farm Link and Certified Farm Seeker programs.

The preliminary 2012 Census data show the following key trends for Virginia. In 2012, the number of farms in

Virginia totaled 46,036, down 3 percent (1,347 farms) from 47,383 farms in 2007

Land in farms, 8.3 million acres, was up 3 percent from 8.1 acres in 2007

The average size of farm in Vir-ginia was 181 acres, compared to 171 acres in 2007

Market value of production sold was $3.8 billion, up 29 percent

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Earn 1 CEU! Contact: 800-476-0055 Email: [email protected]



from $2.9 billion in 2007

The average value of products sold per farm was $81,540 com-pared to $61,334 in 2007

The average age of the principal farm operator was 59.5 years, compared to 58.2 years 2007

There were 38,383 principal male operators and 7,653 principal fe-male operators in 2012, compared to 39,537 male and 7,846 female in 2007

At the national level, the 2012 Census reported little change in land in farms, a more diverse principal opera-tor population and several historic changes in value of sales for U.S. ag-riculture producers from 2007 to 2012.

Between 2007 and 2012, the amount of land in farms in the United States declined by less than one percent, from 922 million acres to 915 mil-lion. While continuing a downward

trend, this is the third smallest decline between censuses since 1950 and is within the margin of error.

According to the 2012 Census, prin-cipal farm operators are becoming older and more diverse. The average age of a principal farm operator was 58.3 years, up 1.2 years since 2007, and continuing a 30-year trend of steady increase. And, more minority-operated farms were also accounted for in 2012 than in 2007.

The United States had 2.1 million farms, down 4.3 percent in 2012. In terms of farm size by acres, the de-cline continued a downward trend in mid-sized farms, while the smallest- and largest-size farms held steady.

In 2012, the value of agriculture products sold totaled $394.6 billion, up 33 percent ($97.4 billion) from 2007. For only the second time in Census history, crop sales ($212.4 billion) exceeded livestock sales ($182.2 billion).

“One of the most important takea-ways to remember about the Census of Agriculture is that the information is used for decision-making by pro-ducers as well as all those who serve farmers, ranchers and rural communi-ties - federal, state and local govern-ments, agribusinesses, trade associa-tions and many others,” said Herman Ellison, State Statistician for USDA. “When we look at the data for our state, we can all use it as a snapshot in time to see how Virginia agricul-ture is changing over time and how it compared to the rest of the country.”

The release of the preliminary 2012 Census of Agriculture results is only a first look at the data and NASS will publish the final report this May. The 2012 Census was not conducted in a typical crop year, and drought had a major impact on U.S. agriculture, affecting crop yields, production and prices. NASS is still reviewing all 2012 Census items to the county level and therefore data is preliminary until

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published in the final report.

Conducted since 1840, the Census of Agriculture accounts for all U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. When available in May, the final report will provide even more detailed information for Virginia, providing data on all farm operators and data down to the coun-ty level. The publication will also provide new insights into the agricul-ture industry reporting new or ex-panded data on internet access, re-gional food systems, biomass produc-tion, agro-forestry and equine.

For more information about the Cen-sus, including access to the 2012 Census of Agriculture preliminary report and the full report when it is released in May, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.

According to a 2013 economic im-pact study conducted by the Universi-ty of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Cen-ter for Public Service, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia's largest industries, with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually. Agri-culture generates more than $52 bil-lion per annum, while forestry induc-es over $17 billion. The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. Asif Bhavnagri, Office of Governor Ter-ence R. McAuliffe, Press Special Assis-

tant, 804.971.8513, [email protected]

News - VDOT is moving toward implementing (3)

new Certifications by Jan 1, 2016

1. "VNLA Horticulturalist and Nurseryman" Certification will be required by all Landscape Pro-ject Supervisors doing work for VDOT.

2. "Advanced Crew Manager" Certification will be required by all Landscape Crew Managers on Site from day to day, whether working as a Sub for a Prime Contractor or working on a "Stand Alone" project.

3. "ISA Certified Arborist" will be required by anyone doing major tree work (trimming, shaping, up-limbing). ISA certification will not necessary for minor pruning of trees and shrubs to be installed — this will be covered by # 1 above.

4. An already existing requirement (by way of reminder) is that any-one spraying herbicide or pesti-cide will need to have their VDACS Commercial license.

Please call if you have any questions: Al Bryan, P.L.A., East Region Landscape Architect, VDOT Location & Design,

(8041 371-6737

Tips - Horticulture the Gardening Revolution

The gist... Gardening is about people—people who want to buy dynamic, kickass plants that matter. Our product de-velopment, merchandising and our audiences deserves passion.

To put the culture in horticulture, we must...

1. Be dynamic. To change the mindsets of the audience we serve, we have to change our own and our products too. Where is the wow?

2. Be passionate. It's addicting, be-cause it causes people to react with awe. Awe is a powerful component of the chemistry of how ideas catch on.

3. Be stylish. Yves Saint Laurent put it best "Fashion fades, but style is eternal." Gardeners want gardens to look like them, savvy expressions of their personalities and attitudes no matter the scale.

4. Be visible. We have to inspire an audience to want something they don't yet know they need.

5. Be compelling. The last thing new consumers want is some-thing simple. They aren't dumb.

6. Be revolutionary. We have to go to work and focus on the people who matter and give them what they want: a truly great gardening experience.

Why is this article so short?

To quote Seth Godin, "if I had worked less diligently...[it] would

have been longer." Kelly D. Norris, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Dmbotanicalgar-

den.com, Kellydnorris.com

SAVE THE DATES! LEAN Management Seminar - Wednesday, August 13

FIELD DAY, Thursday, August 14

SUMMER Tour, Friday, August 15

At Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA

Keynote Speaker: Doug Tallamey Doug Tallamy



Tips - Garden Center 2020....Engaging for Consumers

My conference presentations and workshops at present are focused on what garden centers will look like in 2020. For certain they will look com-pletely different than they do today and we are only looking six years into the future.

My view is that the large corporate garden outlets will still have a major part of the market share, but the growth sector will also be with local niche specialist retailers. The danger zone will be those that are stuck in the middle. Around the world we have already seen many of these business flounder as they do not fit into either market segment.

Garden centers have to focus on ei-ther providing the best price or the best value to the consumer. Large outlets will focus on the best price, leaving the specialist the value op-tion.

Garden Center 2020 will look com-pletely different in so many ways, the way it is designed, the way it is mer-chandised and the way the team sell. Many of these changes will be driven by the Millennium Generation who think and behave differently to the generations before and by 2020 will want to beautify their apartments and homes.

I this article I will focus on how the team at Garden Center 2020 will de-light their customers. I use the word "delight" on purpose as customer ser-vice will not be the way of the future

We will be living in the digital world and all retailers will be focused on a combination of digital and brock’s communication models.

The focus will be on developing loyal customers, not because loyal custom-ers will buy more plants, they proba-bly will not space will be limited, but

because they value the experience that you offer and are advocates for your business. We already have retail models that garden centers can model themselves on and the online retailer Zappo is already showing the oppor-tunities and how to deliver "happi-ness" to consumers.

Successful garden center’s will have entered the era of digital marketing and will be communicating with their customer base via handheld smart devices. The consumer will expect the communications to be a smooth experience, but the critical thing to remember is that research shows that 70% of "memorable" experiences involve being engaging with people. This is one reason customer service will be a thing of the part and the team engaging with the consumer in the garden center will be so im-portant. The majority of the selling process will have taken place online.

Technology will shine Although engagement will be im-portant I do not want to down play the im-portance of tech-nology .By 2020 technology will be playing a more important part in the cus-tomer experience process. Garden center’s will be conducting more business online and will be providing per-sonal recommen-dations to cus-tomers in the same way that Amazon .com communicate with me today. Since I am a buyer of man-agement books Amazon recom-

mend to me new management books I may be interested in. Garden centers will be recommending new plants online using the same format. Smart phones will have voice activation based on developments using applica-tions such as

"Lexee" or" Nina" applications and this will allow for a personal conver-sation that has been pre-programmed between the plant manager and the consumer. By 2020 we will also have "feel” screens on our smart phones and research is being carried out where smell can also be transmitted, ideal for selling plants.

This "High Tech" development also means that the garden center team will have time in the garden center to provide "high touch" as we continue to better understand what drives "de-light" in the consumers mind.

Research by RightNow reveals that 86% of consumers will pay more for better customer experiences and 89% will change who they do business

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with because of a poor consumer ex-perience.

This will provide the specialist inde-pendent garden center with a unique marketing niche

That niche will be

1. Technology will be used to make the sale.

2. The garden center will be a venue where the decision making takes place and the consumer engages with a "garden guru"

This means that the garden center will look completely different today

The garden center consumer will walk into the garden center having already engaged with the business on their smart phone, they will be check-ing on the product on offer in the cen-ter on their smart phone and looking at consumer reviews of the product, rather than just relying on the garden center team’s advice. They will be looking at videos of plants growing

and having a video conversation with their garden friends on the plants on offer whilst in the center. They will be in the garden center looking for inspiration and engagement with the team. The consumer will be making buying decisions based on what friends are saying and will be select-ing an independent garden center that inspires them

All this and it is only six years away...it is starting now

John Stanley

News - MANTS 2014 Stats

3,182 non-exhibiting (buying) companies

10,352 paid registrations, includ-ing exhibitors

967 exhibiting companies in over 1,530 booths

Tips -What Do You Remember - Memories

on Replay Someone once said, "The way you describe the events of your life could very well affect the way you live out your life."

This is a very thought-provoking statement that could certainly be ex-panded to say, "The way we replay our memories could very well affect the way we live out our life." We all know that the mind is like a great re-cording device, and we decide which scenes we will play over and over again from our memory. Unfortunate-ly, the natural response of the mind is to replay the negative scenarios rather than the positive. We are much more apt to relive a fight than to dwell on a pleasant event.

What if we could learn to fast for-ward or even erase the negative and

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develop the habit of dwelling on posi-tive things in our memory? What if we consciously "recorded" the things that we wanted to keep and go back to later? What if we became acutely aware of simple little scenes in our life that are worthy of recording and committed them to memory . . . to appreciate the sound of a parent's voice when they are thrilled to hear you on the other end of the phone, to really watch your child or grandchild take his first steps, to remember the look of pride or accomplishment or love on the face of someone you care about . . . to internalize the feeling of celebration when your company or sports team has a big win. The list is endless and as personal as each of the memories themselves.

The way the event is stored and re-played over and over again in the "Movie Theater" of the mind will affect how we approach similar events in the future. Harnessing the positive energy and growing from it produces positive results in every similar event in the future. We can't control the various scenes that will play out in our lives, but we can de-cide how we will recall them and what we will do with those memories. How did you as a leader recently de-scribe a past event to someone? What words did you use to tell about the crew that did not finish a job on time, the misunderstanding with a spouse or child, or a positive experience that happened in recent weeks? How are you storing it in your memory and

how are you playing it on the "movie screen" or the "voicemail" inside your head? If the inspiring quote above holds any truth, the way you describe it may very well be influencing the rest of your life. WOW!

Captured Memories We know that a lot of great memories are triggered by looking at old pic-tures or movies and none of them would have been possible if someone had not consciously stopped to record the experience to enjoy later. It is our awareness of the significance of the moment that prompts us to capture it for the future.

A few years ago we had a visit with an elderly lady who was walking through our gardens, and she said something I have gone back to dozens of times. At one point she stopped, looked around and then closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and then said, "I'm just taking a picture in my mind so I can come back and visit this beauty any time I like." What a fantastic reminder that we can determine what details we will capture and dwell on in the future. In fact, I wonder what can I be focusing on right now that will stir a positive emotion? What am I aware of in this moment?

As our awareness of the moments and the musical score playing behind them increases, then this upcoming year can be one that does not just slip by, but one that has significance and meaning to ourselves and the lives of those around us.

Packing Memories Memories are such an important part of our past that can actually frame the future and how we view it. I heard once from a backpacker that it isn't the distance that challenges us but the weight of the pack. Much of life's "quality" is affected by the burdens we choose to carry. Like a backpack-er who needs to pack absolutely eve-rything she will need, we can also choose to carry too much and find that the journey wears us down. We

make it, but the fatigue is overwhelm-ing and because of it, we miss some of the most splendid scenery - the special benefits of our journey. What are these weights we carry through life? Guilt, resentment, an over-whelming sense of responsibility, limiting beliefs, and fear are a few. Most of our baggage is the memory of old hurts or wrongs done to us. We think we need to keep them for pro-tection against ever letting them hap-pen again but all they actually do is get heavier as we go on. The chal-lenge we face is to begin the process of forgiving old hurts and mistakes we have made and leave them behind allowing us to move forward unen-cumbered.

The opposite is a backpacker who car-ries the minimum of creature needs and is able to look around on the journey and see the treats of the trail even when climbing. When we go through life consistently cleaning out our emotional packs and lightening our loads, oppor-tunities present themselves. Without extra baggage, side-trips are not a pain-ful diversion, but rather a special ad-venture with gifts for the taking. Our eyes are not focused only on the step before us, but the horizon spread out ahead. We have more choices to enjoy and a lightness of step that allows us to pursue them.

How much of the scenic view of your life are you missing because of the baggage you carry in the form of limit-ing beliefs, past disappointments, or misplaced anger? What if you were able to mentally dump the contents out on the floor, examine what is there, and then begin repacking with only what you want in the pack? The process of putting down some of the weights you are carrying will be liberating and mov-ing on with what you need for the jour-ney will be ENERGIZING. Remember that it's not the distance; it's the weight.

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egun as the backyard hobby of Harry H. Smith, Flowerwood Nursery was incorporated as a nursery in 1946. Today Flowerwood is a third-

generation family-owned wholesale nursery selling only to the trade with locations in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Flowerwood provides broadleaf evergreens, conifers, deciduous shrubs, grasses, groundcovers, trees, perennials, and seasonal color throughout the Southern and Mid-Atlantic states. Flowerwood Nursery specializes in improved products, including the many varieties of Encore® Azalea, offering more blooms, more often. Selections like Encore Azaleas, the Southern Living® Plant Collection, Endless Summer® Hydrangeas, the Knock Out® Rose, and Anthony Tesselaar products (along with other known industry favorites) help create a product mix designed to satisfy the needs of retail garden centers and professional landscapers. Over the years Flowerwood experienced many of the problems common to operations reliant on manual labor to complete the most difficult and repetitive tasks. Spacing plants is the most repetitive and physically

demanding task in a Nursery or Greenhouse, but it is arguably the most critical. Workers who can move plants at a rate of hundreds of pots per hour for short periods will quickly slow to a fraction of that as the day wears on. Repeatedly bending and picking up a plant that weighs up to 22 pounds for 8 hours a day under the hot sun not only tires a person, but can lead to debilitating back injuries, lost work days and expensive workers compensation claims. With tough work conditions to

offer Flowerwood found that it was difficult to both recruit and retain its manual labor workforce. And in the critical spring season when both spacing and shipping must be done,

the demand on the HR team to find and replace workers was acute. But this spring was different, thanks to the Harvest Automation HV-100 plant moving robots. Customers that have used the HV-100 to move plants have experienced a reduction in plant moving related injuries and a projected savings in worker’s compensation insurance claims, along with the added benefit of a happier, healthier workforce leading to fewer lost work days and fewer instances of workers not showing up for

B

Up All Night Harvest Automation Robots Working Night and Day at Flowerwood Nursery


TOUGH. SMART. SIMPLE.

work. But just as importantly all of the work has been completed on time. “We’re in the middle of our big spring shipping season, and the robots have allowed us to do our spacing on-time,” said Tom Meadows, Flowerwood Production Manager. “We have not pulled one person from shipping to assist with spacing.” The HV-100 plant moving robots allow growers to do spacing all day long. Flowerwood Nursery is one grower that is taking advantage of this. “Before robots, there was no way we could do spacing at night,” said Tom. Previously it would have been too dangerous for workers to space plants at night with irrigation ditches and pipes that are hard to see even with illumination. Plus spacing accuracy is difficult under low light conditions. “The Harvest Automation robots can work night and day with the same level of productivity and accuracy.” The HV-100 does not rely on the availability of ambient lighting conditions, its sensors produce their own infrared light, and can navigate just as well in darkness as in light. This capability has allowed Flowerwood to extend the workday with double shifts in order to get all their spring spacing done on-time. Ultimately for Flowerwood this has led to higher profit margins with fewer workforce headaches. For more information about Flowerwood Nursery, Inc. please visit http://www.flowerwood.com/. To contact Harvest Automation sales to find information about our free robot work offer, to arrange an on-site demo or to discuss our flexible financing, leasing and short term rental program please call Greg Timbol at (978) 528-4450 or [email protected].

For more information about Harvest Automation and the HV-100, please see http://www.harvestai.com.

Free Robot Work

Harvest Automation is happy to announce that it is now offering 100% free robot work at no obligation. We will bring robots to your Greenhouse or Nursery for multiple days and our robot operators will space, consolidate or collect plants to any configuration that meets your production needs.

For details please contact Greg Timbol at (978) 528-4450 or [email protected].

In Conjunction with the 2014 NC Urban Forestry Conference

Education & Trade Show for the Green Industry

Trade Show Partner

Raleigh Convention CenterAugust 13-15, 2014

For more information: www.ncnla.com or 919.816.9119

Figure 1. Mobile Weed Manual (www.

mobileweedmanual.com) is a new turf and ornamental

weed-control resource.

Figure 2. Mobile Weed Manual provides three options for selecting

herbicides.

Figure 3. The “Search by Weed Species” function.

Figure 4. The color- coding of herbicides

corresponds to expected levels of control.

tennessee greentimes Fall 20138

In the Landscape

Mobile Weed Manual: A New Resource for Managers

of Ornamentals and Turf

erbicide selection is an important step in effectively managing weeds throughout the landscape.

Individuals caring for warm- or cool- season turfgrasses and/or ornamental plants can face unique challenges in selecting herbicides for weed control. Weeds that persist in ornamental areas are often different from those found in turfgrass stands. Additionally, desirable ornamental plants found throughout the landscape can be quite diverse and thus exhibit variable tolerance to herbicide applications. Lastly, many herbicide products labeled for use

in turfgrass are not labeled for use in ornamentals and vice-versa. All of these factors make the process of herbicide selection in turf and ornamentals quite challenging.

What is Mobile Weed Manual?The University of Tennessee Turf & Orna- mental Weed Science Team has developed a new resource to help green-industry professionals meet this challenge.Mobile Weed Manual is a new mobile website —www.mobileweedmanual.com— to help practitioners select herbicides for use in both turfgrass and ornamental

areas (see Figure 1). The site contains weed-control efficacy data and turfgrass and ornamental tolerance information for over 2,300 different species, as well as labels for nearly 100 different herbicides, all of which are optimized to be easily accessible from the palm of your hand.

How does Mobile Weed Manual work?Mobile Weed Manual will work on any mobile device (i.e., smartphone, tablet, etc.), regardless of manufacturer or oper- ating system. Although the site will also

HBy James T. Brosnan, Ph.D., and Greg K. Breeden, University of Tennessee


Figure 5. List of herbicidesdisplayed from a Mobile

Weed Manual search.

Figure 6. Additional information on a

particular herbicide.

Figure 7. Links to herbicide label and MSDS information.

Figure 8. Mobile Weed Manual shortcut on the bottom right-hand side of the home screen on

an iPhone.

tennessee greentimes Fall 2013 9

function on a desktop or laptop computer, it was designed for use on devices with touchscreen capability.

Mobile Weed Manual offers users three means of selecting herbicides for weed control (Figure 2).

Search by HerbicideThis option is designed for individuals who are curious about which products are labeled for preemergence (PRE) or post-emergence (POST) weed control in either turfgrass or ornamentals, regardless of species. How could this be useful? Select PRE herbicides for turf, and the site will list all active ingredients labeled for PRE weed control in turf. Interested in POST weed control in ornamentals? This function will populate a list of all products labeled for such use.

Search by Desirable SpeciesThis option is designed for individuals who need to know which herbicides are labeled for PRE and POST weed control in or around the specific turf/ornamental species that they manage. For example, this option would allow a lawncare professional to view a list of all the herbicides labeled for PRE weed control in tall

fescue turf or determine products labeled for POST weed control in a species of Liriope. The opportunities are endless.

Search by Weed SpeciesThis is the most powerful function of Mobile Weed Manual. This function allows user to select herbicides to control a specific weed that is growing in a particular species of turf or ornamental planting.

The steps are simple (Figure 3):• Select a use area

(i.e., turf or ornamentals).• Select an application timing

(i.e., PRE or POST).• Select the desirable species

(i.e., the type of turf or ornamental planting in which weed control is needed).

• Select the weed type.• Select the specific weed to

be controlled.These steps serve as filters to narrow

down the 100 different herbicides and 2,300 different plant species to best fit the user’s situation. All of these filters must be completed for the site to function properly and provide correct herbicide recommend- ations. Users will be alerted in the event that they omit required information.

The site will then display a list of herbicides labeled to control the weed selected. Herbicides are color coded by the level of control that can be expected by an application made, according to label directions (Figure 4). These rankings are based on the results of research trials conducted at the University of Tennessee. It is important to note that it is impossible to research the efficacy of every herbicide for control of every weed that could possibly invade a landscape. Thus, herbicides coded gray are labeled for control of the weed selected but have not been evaluated in research trials at the University of Tennessee (Figure 5).

Users can select a particular product from the list to access additional information about how to best use this herbicide for weed management. Mobile Weed Manual will display a page that provides users information on the full array of turf and ornamental species listed on the product label, suggested application rates and remarks and precautions to adhere to before applying the product (Figure 6). Lastly, this page will contain links to each product’s label and material safety data sheet (Figure 7). It is always the herbicide applicator’s responsibility, by law, to



In the Landscape

sun045

read and follow all current label directions for the specific herbicide being used.

How to AccessMobile Weed ManualUsing the internet browser on any mobile device, simply visit www.mobileweedmanual.com. We recommend that users bookmark the site and create a shortcut to it on their home screen (Figure 8). Directions on the Mobile Weed Manual home page can guide users through this simple process. Creating a shortcut on the home screen will facilitate faster access to Mobile Weed Manual content in the future.

At the current time, Mobile Weed Manual is a free resource. Should users find value in the content provided, they can donate funding (in an amount of their choosing) to support the continued development of this new weed-control resource. Donations can be made by selecting the “Support” button on the Mobile Weed Manual main page (Figure 9).

ImpactThe University of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team hopes that Mobile Weed Manual becomes a valuable tool for all green-industry professionals. The site will be updated contin- ually to expand the database of turf, ornamental and weed species information, as well as to include information on new herbicides entering the marketplace.

Since debuting online in May 2013, the site has been used by individuals managing turf and ornamentals in all 50 U.S. states and 72 countries worldwide. Our hope is that Mobile Weed Manual use expands even further in the future.

Please send any questions, concerns or comments about the Mobile Weed Manual to [email protected]. Also, be sure to stay in touch with the Univer- sity of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team at http://tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org. C

Figure 9. Support link for users interested in donating

funding to support the continued development of Mobile Weed Manual.

“Marketing for Growth” – Presented by Virginia Department of Business Assistance & People Inc

At the VCTGA Annual Meeting, August 2013, Summary by Jeff Miller Why is Marketing important?

No customers + No sales = No BUSINESS! Marketing is the most important activity you can engage in!

Times have changed in the way we do business 100 Billion searches are conducted every MONTH

on Google Consumer spending channels are changing

Social Media Social Media is a Conversation.

People talking to each other, brands talking to fans, fans talking to brands

Technically, it’s the same thing people have been doing since the beginning of time, but now it’s instant and not face-to-face

Over 50% of consumers who use their mobile devices to locate businesses and shop online. Try some of these links to explore how to interact with them.

Facebook www.facebook.com YouTube www.youtube.com Twitter www.twitter.com Pinterest www.pinterest.com EBay www.ebay.com Etsy www.etsy.com

Mobile Marketing Text Messaging from you smart phone QR Codes www.unitaglive.com/qrcode - provide

consumers product info, and how-to info.

Marketing will not fix your Broken Business

If your product is rubbish, marketing WON’T fix it!

Don’t be afraid to try something NEW!

Be creative, find your niche and keep trying, trying and trying! Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and

expecting a Different Result. – Albert Einstein



In the Landscape

sun045

read and follow all current label directions for the specific herbicide being used.

How to AccessMobile Weed ManualUsing the internet browser on any mobile device, simply visit www.mobileweedmanual.com. We recommend that users bookmark the site and create a shortcut to it on their home screen (Figure 8). Directions on the Mobile Weed Manual home page can guide users through this simple process. Creating a shortcut on the home screen will facilitate faster access to Mobile Weed Manual content in the future.

At the current time, Mobile Weed Manual is a free resource. Should users find value in the content provided, they can donate funding (in an amount of their choosing) to support the continued development of this new weed-control resource. Donations can be made by selecting the “Support” button on the Mobile Weed Manual main page (Figure 9).

ImpactThe University of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team hopes that Mobile Weed Manual becomes a valuable tool for all green-industry professionals. The site will be updated contin- ually to expand the database of turf, ornamental and weed species information, as well as to include information on new herbicides entering the marketplace.

Since debuting online in May 2013, the site has been used by individuals managing turf and ornamentals in all 50 U.S. states and 72 countries worldwide. Our hope is that Mobile Weed Manual use expands even further in the future.

Please send any questions, concerns or comments about the Mobile Weed Manual to [email protected]. Also, be sure to stay in touch with the Univer- sity of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team at http://tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org. C

Figure 9. Support link for users interested in donating

funding to support the continued development of Mobile Weed Manual.


Research - Unraveling the mystery of how plants store energy

Anyone who has dabbled in the most basic gardening or even pondered a field of wildflowers has taken for granted that plants turn light into en-ergy. And though science has accept-ed this fact for years, researchers have only just begun to unravel the mystery of how plants regulate ener-gy to grow and thrive.

Scientists now know there is an in-nate energy-sensing system at work in the structure of plant life.

"Plants utilize some of the same en-ergy sensing and metabolic processes that we do," said Glenda Gillaspy, professor of biochemistry in the Col-lege of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Gillaspy's focus is on the main energy expenditure for plants — creating cellulose. Plant cell walls are com-posed of cellulose, which is where energy made from light, is stored. Her research builds upon what scien-tists now know, that plants don't con-tinually store energy; they go through periods of energy deprivation and surpluses, just like animals and other complex organisms, even humans.

The similarity between humans and plants lies in one of the major con-trolling proteins that occur in plant signaling — the same protein found in animals and yeast.

This protein interacts with the fuel gauge that regulates how much ener-gy the plant uses. The fuel gauge talks to the signaling network, and there is crosstalk that happens that indicates to the plant how it should spend its energy. Researchers still don't know how, they just know it occurs.

Consider the importance of the 10 a.m. coffee break for someone who hasn't eaten breakfast.

While a plant is not going to raid the break room for a donut, an intricate level of signaling that turns certain cell responses on and off means plants experience metabolic changes in much the same way as humans.

Ultimately Gillaspy's work could help engineer plants that can adapt to an increasingly warming world plagued

by drought and nutrient-poor soil.

By discovering more about how to manipulate a plant's ability to synthe-size cellulose for energy use, we'll certainly learn a lot about our own biological processes, and the concrete connection between all living organ-isms as well.

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WH O C A R E S T H A T W E ’ V E

K E P T O U R N A M E G R O W I N G

F O R O V E R 4 5 Y E A R S ?

ESN-117 45 Years/4.5x7.25 8/30/04 10:15 AM Page 1



Spring Board

Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - 10 pm - 4 pm Board Room, Department of Forestry, Char-

lottesville, VA

10:14 a.m. The meeting was called to order by Matt Shreckhise with the following present: Sonya Westervelt, Bill Gouldin, Matt Sawyer, Cheryl La-joie, Christopher Brown, Craig Attkisson, Tom Thompson, Jeff Miller, and Virginia Rockwell. (Ab-sent: Mike Hildebrand, Doug Hensel) Matt introduced Aaron Williams, who had agreed to come on the board in the vacant directors position as the Education Committee Chair. President’s Report

MANTS Directors Selection, Rotation and Re-porting Policy Procedure Development

As a result of discussions with the Doug Hensel, Tom Saunders, and John Lancaster, the consensus was to propose a rotation of VNLA representatives to the MANTS Board.

The rotation would start in 2012 with the first VNLA nominee attending the fall 2011 MANTS board meeting in October. The MANTS fiscal year

is June 1 to May 31.

Guidelines:

The 3 VNLA representatives should be repre-sentative of the retail, landscape and grower sectors of the VNLA membership, if there are qualified willing nominees.

The senior VNLA MANTS director will pro-vide MANTS reports/updates for each VNLA Board meeting and will attend the Fall VNLA Board meeting to review the MANTS finan-cial reports.

A new VNLA MANTS Director will be ap-pointed by the VNLA Executive Committee each year for a 3-year term. Current VNLA MANTS Directors can be re-appointed for successive terms.

Rotate one director on and one off every 3 years instead of every 2 years. This would make it a 9 year position. We are also fine with re-nominating a director for a second 9 year term. (Executive Committee, 7/12/13)

Matt Shreckhise will contact Tom Saunders about continuing as a MANTS director or selecting a new director for 2015.

Membership Survey - Matt Shreckhise reported that there had been a great response to the Member-ship Survey with over 300 members and non-members responding. Since the survey had just closed on 2/28/14, he only has preliminary results. Some of the top program values and issues were the Virginia Certified Horticulturist program (VCH), professionalism in the green industry, economic and environmental issues. The Board needs to be more proactive and reach out to members. The con-sensus was that a copy of the survey results should be sent to the respondents.

TASK LIST FOR NEXT MEETING from 1/7/14 1. Life time Certification status review - Cheryl

Lajoie 2. GAR addition of VCH for Washington DC

projects - Cheryl Lajoie 3. Review revised Marketing Proposal from

Kegley Communications - Executive Commit-tee

4. Establish a Search Committee - Matt Sawyer 5. Establish a “Plant Something” Committee of

VNLA members - Sonya Westervelt

VNLA Dashboard Metrics Current Membership 495 Membership 1 year ago 12/30 487Peak Membership (2008) 632 Current VCH Count 428**VCH Count 1 Year ago 5/12 549 Total Income YTD Dec’13** 446,2350 Budget Year 2013 392,225Total Income YTD Dec’12 408,701 Total Expenses YTD Dec’13 350,923 Budget Year 2013 392,100 Total Expenses YTD Dec’12 328,677

**Cert# change due to date corrections



Fund Accounts 1/1/13 12/30/13 VNA Horticulture Re-search Fndtn 672,269 696,377

VNAHRF Checking 24,108 21,775VNAHRF Beautiful Gar-dens 13,651 16,519

VNLA Money Market Fund 189,806 225,845

VNLA Rainy Day Fund 278,121 307,976VNLA Checking Account 5,465 18,073Shoosmith Scholarship Fund 195,531 217,300

Laird/Gresham Scholar-ship Fund 66,101 67,507

CW Bryant Scholarship Fund 37,980 52,055

Total Assets 1,480,929 1,623,427

Membership - Mike Hildebrand

Marketing Proposals - Matt Shreckhise discussed the three marketing proposals that had been re-ceived and the Executive Committee would have a conference call in the next week to discuss these and make a decision on which firm to proceed with.

Member signs at MANTS - Christopher Brown reported that there was a very positive response to providing the VNLA member flags at member ex-hibitors booths.

PLANET Day of Service - (April 22) (Doug and Christopher had suggested that this event be for-warded to members each year as a tool members could use to give back to their local community.

Social Events - A motion was made for the VNLA to sponsor a free social event this year for members and potential members in conjunction with regional meetings or as a separate event, se-conded and passed. Mike Hildebrand will have a proposal at the June 14, VNLA Board Meeting for a fall social event in the Richmond area.

Secretary’s Report - Bill Gouldin asked for correc-tions/additions to the January 7, 2014 VNLA Board Meeting Minutes. A motion was made to remove the “5 years” from the paragraph of Art Parkerson’s letter

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to request the Board establish a transition search committee, seconded and passed.

Financial Reports - Bill Gouldin and Jeff Miller pre-sented the financial reports as of 12/31/13.

Executive Director’s Report - Jeff Miller (emailed, see attached) Antitrust Compliance for Association: Policies

and Procedures was reviewed by Jeff Miller and a copy was given to each board member to review and use whenever they held committee meetings.

Volunteer Leadership Magazine - this publica-tion (American Association of Association Execu-tives - ASAE) was distributed to the board to re-view leadership tips. o Association Law Essentials o Fiduciary Fundamentals o Future Focus - Strategic Planning o Executive and Board Evaluations o Setup Committees for Success o Advocacy o Habits of Highly Effective Boards

Certification - Cheryl Lajoie Online manual/review classes will be done under

a contract with Dave Close, VA Tech Horticulture Department in conjunction with the Certification

Committee. When completed, it will be part of the VA Tech Scholars program with online access.

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Certification Plant Id Updates is being reviewed Life time Certification status review was discussed

with the possibility of honorary members, no future action was taken.

GAR addition of VCH for Washington DC projects was discussed

Bill Gouldin and Doug Hensel agreed to review the Retail Display Chapter for updates.

CEU Awards - A motion was made to adopt the sys-tem for awarding CEUs that is being used by LGBG/CVNLA for CEUs for Field Day and the LEAN program and to invite the VSLD and MAC-ISA to these meetings, seconded and passed.

VDOT is moving toward implementing Three (3) new Certifications by Jan 1, 2016

1. “VNLA Horticulturalist and Nurseryman” Certifica-tion will be required by all Landscape Project Super-visors doing work for VDOT.

2. “Advanced Crew Manager” Certification will be re-quired by all Landscape Crew Managers on Site from day to day, whether working as a Sub for a Prime Contractor or working on a “Stand Alone” project.

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3. “ISA Certified Arborist” will be required by any-one doing major tree work (trimming, shaping, up-limbing). ISA certification will not necessary for minor pruning of trees and shrubs to be installed - this will be covered by # 1 above.

4. An already existing requirement (by way of re-minder) is that anyone spraying herbicide or pesti-cide will need to have their VDACS Commercial license.

When engaging with any of these agencies or NGO's it's always important to let them know the VNLA VCH curriculum is - going forward from November 2011 VNLA strategic planning session in Lynchburg - an evolving product based on best management prac-tices, sound science, and a continuous improvement process not just in how the content is delivered, but the content itself.

VNLA needs to point out that there will never be a commitment to 'freeze' the curriculum content because it was approved by an agency at some point in time, thereby letting others outside VNLA or our education-al collaborators/experts at VT, Sustainable Sites or elsewhere, dictate when and if the curriculum is updat-ed.

Legislative/Regulatory Review - Virginia Rock-well/Bill Gouldin (see attached report) VAC Legislation Appreciation Banquet Gift Basket Delivery to General Assembly, Gov-

ernor, and Cabinet VAC National Policy Meeting, March 19 will be

attended by Virginia Rockwell, Bill Gouldin and Jeff Miller.

Congressional HR 2575 bill to change the defini-tion of full-time employees from 30 hours to 40 hours was discussed by Bill Gouldin.

Education - vacant position. At this meeting, Aaron Williams agreed to come on the VNLA board and work as the Education Chair. He will talk to Steve Griggs about the position past activities.

Public Relations - Sonya Westervelt Field Day and Summer Tour will be at the VA

Tech Hahn Horticulture Gardens on August 14-15 with different tours repeated in the morning and afternoon possibly including Saunders and Latham Halls, Kentland Farm and the Urban Horticulture Center. There will not be any vendors, but we will move to sponsorships and encourage sponsors to promote Field Day to their customers and encour-age donations for swags and sell ads on program

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brochure. Dinner Thursday evening will be an in-dependent event from Field Day and Summer Tour. Mark Weathington will be the guest speaker. The Summer Tour will include 3 private gardens and a tour and lunch at Riverbend Nursery. Aaron Williams volunteered to help with the committee.

LEAN program - will be on August 13 at the Holiday Inn Blacksburg, 1-5 p.m., coordinated by Jim Owen.

“Plant Something” Campaign for Spring 2014 is a membership benefit. Doug Hensel agreed to take the lead on this and a conference call will be set up to develop direction and participants.

Communications - Matt Shreckhise VNLA Facebook has over 300 people engaged and reaches over 2,400.

Newsletter - The featured member will be a horticul-ture teacher at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton. Christopher Brown suggested that new members be listed in the Newsletter and that a Young Grower of the Year Award be established. The VNLA needs to make everyone feel more involved.

Publications - Grower Guide - Craig Attkisson - Jeff noted that if there are any changes to be made in the content/format of the Guide, it needs to be decided by the end of August.

Environmental Affairs - Tom Thompson - A motion was made to have VNLA representatives at the Chesa-peake Bay Business Forum on March 27, 2014, at the Dominion Innsbrook Center at Glen Allen, seconded and passed. Tom Thompson and Bill Gouldin will at-tend representing the VNLA. A motion was made to be a $2,500 sponsor of the

Business Forum, seconded and failed. Tom will continue to monitor invasive plant is-

sues. Research

2015 Research Gala/Auction - Christopher Brown is working on possibly setting up a ‘kick off’ event on the second setup evening or a net-working event with the silent auction, light re-freshments and drinks, or selling raffle tickets on the floor for a tractor.

Jeff noted that plans need to be finalized by June 15 to develop the ad/flyer for MANTS to include in their promotional materials and mailings.

Strategic Planning - Matt Sawyer Establish a Search Committee - Matt Sawyer (the

process is defined in the VNLA Policy Manual)

Old Business

None New Business

None

3:30 p.m. - Final thoughts and adjournment

TASK LIST FOR NEXT MEETING 1. Potential Board Members - Matt Sawyer 2. Member social events proposals (Fall event in the

Richmond area) - Mike Hildebrand 3. Changes in Guide to Virginia Growers?

Summer Board Meeting, Saturday, June 14, 2014, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Virginia Tech Hahn Garden Gala, June 14, 6-9 pm

"Strategy gets you on the playing field, but execution pays the bills."

Gordon Eubanks

What are our members’ problems? How is the VNLA going to make them more suc-

cessful?

Reports

Executive Directors Report for 3/5/14 Meetings Attended

MANTS - January 6-10 Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course January

12-15 Piedmont Landscape Association Short Course,

February 20 Virginia Society of Landscape Designers Annual

Meeting and Program, February 22 Northern Virginia Nursery & Landscape Associa-

tion “Spring Jump Start”, March 10 – distributed Newsletters, Grower’s Guides,

Certification info, 50% off memberships – Many questions on certification and mem-

bership MANTS - Many positive response about the member signs



Certification Test Registrations, test revisions, CEU re-porting during January and February. We need to develop a more uniform policy/plan to work with the regional groups on somewhat standardizing the class schedule, teacher qualifications, etc. (same as last year)

2013 Financial Report - the net income looks high com-pared to the budget but the following budgeted line items were not used:

$5,000 Certification Manual and Review Online $9,000 for Strategic Plan Initiatives $2,500 for Legislative Conference which wasn’t

held and was considered for reallocation to have VNLA members attend “fly-in” with the ANLA, but was not followed through on this. The $15,000 that was transferred to the Rainy Day Fund does not show up as an expense on the P&L, as it was just a transfer from the checking account to the SunTrust Rainy Day Investment Account. Interest/Dividend Income from Investment Ac-counts was up $33,000 over budget projections.

Website - The Re-Certification Application is now available online for submission and payment. This will not actually show up on a persons’ screen unless they are really due to be recertified. Map lookup for members with VCH on staff - if dues

are not paid by 3/31/14, they automatically come off the map list

Grower Guide online now has an option to look up growers who list native plants

Membership renewal is available online Most forms have been converted to fill-in PDF files

Website upgrades in the works: - Continuing on upgrades this spring, home page layout

improvement Virginia Agribusiness Council - invited to participate, again this year, at their National Policy Meeting on March 21 on a panel to share our industry’s top three national pri-ority issues. This year, our keynote speaker will be Brent Blevins, who works for the House of Representatives Ag-riculture Committee in Washington, DC, and we are plan-ning to have a retrospective Farm Bill focus to the meet-ing. With this in mind, we would like to invite you to speak on behalf of your industry about your national priorities for 2014, including a look at how the recent-ly-passed Farm Bill will affect you. We’d really like to ensure that each of our industry segments are represented and the impacts of the Farm Bill across agriculture are pre-sented.

By Jeff Miller, Exec. Dir. VNLA for 3/5/14

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November/December 2007 VNLA Newsletter 70

Designing With Elegant Silvers, Striking Plants for

Every Garden; Saturday, January 19, 9:30 - 11:00 am

Silvers are the shimmering chameleons of the plant king-

dom. Their silvery appearance is caused by water-conserving hairs, scales, powder, waxy coatings or air

bubbles. The beauty and drought-tolerance of familiar

downy silvers such as lamb's ears and artemisias have long

made them favorites in the herb garden and perennial bor-der.

Karen Bussolini will discuss and show beautiful slides of the many inventive ways gardeners across the United

States have used these stalwart plants in containers, bor-

ders or the larger landscape. She will pay special attention to the use of silvers for our hot and humid summers, pro-

tective adaptations, and using color and texture to create

exciting combinations. She will also touch on historical

uses from medieval times to modern xeriscaping. $20 members / $30 non-members.

Copies of The Unsung Season and Elegant Silvers will be available for purchase at each lecture, and the author will

sign copies.

Down to Earth Gardening; Saturday, February 2, 8:30

am - 4:30 pm

A horticulture symposium on gardening smarter, problem solving and going green with the best new plants

Join Horticulture magazine and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for a day-long garden symposium featuring these

topics and speakers:

Gardening Smarter, Problem Solving and Going

Green: Nan Sinton

Down to Earth Gardening with keynote speaker, Ireland's

Helen Dillon -It's more than putting plants together and

making pictures in the garden. See how to rethink, re-

design and manage change in a smaller space

The Elements of Organic Gardening with David How-

ard, head gardener to HRH The Prince of Wales. Explore the process of creating an organic garden the Highgrove

way.

Conifers to Fit Your Space with Richard L. Bitner. See

how to choose conifers that fit smaller gardens, and add

year-round interest to problem sites.

Plants that Go Green with Bill Cullina

Registration fees: $129 regular rate / $119 for Horticulture subscribers and Lewis Ginter members. Registration avail-

able through Horticulture magazine only at

www.hortprograms.com or call toll-free 1-877-GDN-PROG (1-877-436-7764)

Tree Care Symposium February 15

Professionals in tree care, green industry professionals,

and advanced gardeners are invited to attend the Tree Care

Symposium, Friday, February 15, 2008, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. To receive a detailed program, email regis-

[email protected]

A Workshop for Professionals on Designing with Stone

Gordon Hayward, garden designer and author; Friday,

March 7, 9 am - 1:30 pm (9 am - 12 pm workshop, 12-1:30 pm lunch & conversation with Gordon Hayward)

Walls and walkways, terraces and steps, benches, boulders and bedrock, water and stone, standing stones and sculp-

ture - stone is at once beautiful and useful in the landscape.

In this day-long workshop for professionals, you will learn

how to design with stone to create a lasting framework as well as a wide range of stone features, ornaments and de-

tails that will add a sense of age and permanence to your

client's garden. Gordon will also discuss the practical is-sues of setting walkways, terraces, and walls, how to set

boulders and standing stones, and how to site any number

of stone garden features to underpin the garden's itinerary. $75 Garden and VSLD, VNLA, and AS LA members/ $85

non-members. Presented in cooperation with the Univer-

sity of Richmond School of Continuing Studies Landscape

Design Certificate Program. Recent Alumni and current students of this program should contact the Program Spe-

cialist, Gary Ray, for a special offer.

Small Buildings, Small Gardens, Saturday, Mar. 8, 9:30 - 11:30 am

Join acclaimed garden designer and author Gordon Hayward for this discussion about structures in small gar-

dens. Hayward looks closely at how gardeners can use

small buildings and built structures such as gazeboes and

arbors, pergolas and bridges, fences and decks to help find just the right place for new gardens. Learn how these

structures ease the design process by helping you see how

to develop new gardens in relation to existing or new structures. Built structures in our gardens are magnets for

family, guests and visitors. Learn how structures help

viewers frame their relationship to the garden. Finally,

when you see how built structures in your garden provide anchors, centers and starting places for good garden de-

sign, you will gain confidence in designing your own gar-

dens. $25 members / $35 non-members.

Gordon Hayward's book Small Buildings, Small Gardens

will be available for purchase and signing.

For more information or to register contact Phyllis Laslett at

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden; [email protected]



Antitrust Compliance for Association: Policies and Procedures

Anti-Trust annual review - anti-trust issues to avoid at meetings and committee chairs should review them with their committee members.

(Please review and retain for personal files.)

It shall be the policy of the Association to be in strict com-pliance with all Federal and State Antitrust laws, rules and regulations. Therefore:

These policies and procedures apply to all membership, board, committee and other meetings of the Association, and all meetings attended by representatives of the Associ-ation.

Discussions of prices or price levels is prohibited. In addi-tion, no discussion is permitted of any elements of a com-pany's operations which might influence price such as:

Cost of operations, supplies, labor or services; Allowance for discounts; Terms of sale including credit arrangements;

and, Profit margins and mark ups, provided this

limitation shall not extend to discussions of methods of operation, maintenance, and simi-lar matters in which cost or efficiency is mere-ly incidental.

It is a violation of Antitrust laws to agree not to compete, therefore, discussions of division of territories or custom-ers or limitations on the nature of business carried on or products sold are not permitted.

Boycotts in any form are unlawful. Discussion relating to boycotts is prohibited, including discussions about black-listing or unfavorable reports about particular companies including their financial situation.

It is the Association's policy that all meetings attended by representatives of the Association where discussion can border on an area of antitrust sensitivity, the Association's representative request that the discussion be stopped and ask that the request be made a part of the minutes of the meeting being attended. If others continue such discussion, the Association's representative should excuse himself from the meeting and request that the minutes show that he left the meeting at that point and why he left. Any such instances should be reported immediately to the President and staff of the Association.

It is the Association's policy that a copy of these Antitrust Compliance Policies and Procedures be given to each of-ficer, director, committee member, official representative

of member companies and Association employees annual-ly and that the same be read, or understood at all meetings of the membership and committees of the Association.

Field Day and Summer Tour- We held a committee con-ference call on Friday, February 21st. Sonya Westervelt, Jeff Miller, Sandy Miller, Lisa Lipsey, Jim Owen, Holly Scoggins, Maria Hudson, Roger Harris, Alex Niemiera were present. We have identified that Field Day will be held at Virginia Tech on Thursday, August 14th. There will be a dinner independent of Field Day and Summer Tour on Thursday evening. Summer Tour will begin Friday, Au-gust 15th.

The Field Day format will be a bit different this year as we will break the group in two allowing for extensive touring of the Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture facilities at Saunders Hall, Latham Hall, The Urban Horticulture Center, and Kentland Farms. All participants will enjoy lunch in the Hahn Horticulture Garden and have access to guided tours of the gardens throughout the day. Speakers will include many Virginia Tech faculty as well as Mark Weathington for a cocktail hour.

Tour sites for Summer Tour are being researched and we hope to have a full lineup shortly. We will be working to send out a save the date asap and have registration open by end of May. I have approached several individuals about stepping into my role for this event and have yet to find someone. I am looking for volunteers.

Plant Something Campaign- I have begun to reach out to retailers on this. Jeff and I agreed that I need not be lead-ing this charge as I will be transitioning off the board in the coming years. I am looking for volunteers.

Submitted by Sonya Westervelt

VNLA Update - Legislative & Policy For more information contact Virginia Rockwell virgin-

[email protected] or Jeff Miller [email protected]

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS JANUARY - VIRGINIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL DINNER - RICHMOND, VA

Both outgoing and Governor-Elect attended.

Public Relations Committee Report 2.26.14



JANUARY - VIRGINIA NATIVE PLANT MARKET-ING AND CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE CRE-DENTIAL CONFERENCE - represented VNLA at Germanna CC, Cheryl LaJoie represented VNLA at Tide-water CC. Presentation by Dot Field, DCR, on the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 15+ year effort to collect, propagate and make available for commercializa-tion local genotypes of native plants. Private sector partic-ipants included land planners, landscapers, nurseries, Vir-ginia certified horticulturalists, but comprised only about 20% of the attendees.

Collaboration via internet at both sites to provide input to the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council con-servation landscape credential; repeated VNLA position that the credential must be based on existing credentials and not a minimum, additional, separate requirement to design, install and maintain conservation BMP’s (best management practices) in VA.

Attached: BLM native plant presentation, notes on con-servation landscape credential, attendee list.

JANUARY - Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) Landscape Best Management Practices Manual and Cost Share funding program announced by 4 pioneer Soil & Water Conservation Districts. This program tar-gets non-agricultural lands with significant cost share as-sistance for landscape improvements, including planting trees. Funding available to landowners in 4 districts com-prising

Attached: VCAP Manual and Cost Share requirements pdf. .file://localhost/evernote/:::view:15768654:s143:7612652b-1d6a-4877-97b7-52bafc2f33ee:7612652b-1d6a-4877-

97b7-52bafc2f33ee:

Updates online at Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conser-vation District website.

FEBRUARY - VIRGINIA GROWN PLANT GIFT BASKETS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND EXEC-UTIVE BRANCH. Thank you again to Doug Hensel of Great Big Greenhouse for composing and delivering beau-tiful Virginia Grown plant gift baskets. This year’s selec-tion included flowering plants, native plants, and edible plants (Strawberries with buds blooms and fruit!). Thank you to Tom and Elizabeth Thompson, Matt Shreckhise of VNLA; Brad Copenhaver and Katie Frazier of Virginia Agribusiness for pointing us in the right directions; and the volunteer Pages who kept us from getting lost and declared the Virginia Grown plants “Cool!” Meet and greet with Del. Ed Scott, Eldon James of Rappahannock River Basin Commission, and aides from the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

Attached: Thank you note from Governor McAuliffe.

FEBRUARY - MISSION H2O LISTENING SESSION WITH VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRON-MENTAL QUALITY (DEQ). VNLA represented by Bill Gouldin. Mission H2O represents VNLA and other Virginia industries and localities in water policy matters in the Commonwealth and region. New groundwater man-agement policy for the VA Eastern Groundwater Man-agement Area will be promulgated by DEQ in the coming year; DEQ scheduled this listening session.

For more information: contact Ed Tankard, Virginia Rockwell or Bill Gouldin.

FEBRUARY - USDA AG CENSUS PREVIEW HIGH-LIGHTS STRONG GROWTH OF VIRGINIA AGRICULTURE. Detail will be released in May.

Attached: Governor McAuliffe’s press release.

MARCH - General Assembly wrapup from Virginia Agribusiness Council attached.

MARCH - Noxious Weeds regulations proposed final draft to VDACS Board for approval. Attached: Note from Andres Alva-rez of VDACS.

6-7 MARCH- GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE ON AGRIBUSI-NESS, RVA CONVENTION CENTER.

9 MARCH - VIRGINIA AGRI-

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BUSINESS COUNCIL NATIONAL POLICY UP-DATE ON FARM BILL - briefing on implementation of the long-awaited Farm Bill.

27 MARCH - CHESAPEAKE BAY BUSINESS FO-RUM - INNSBROOK DOMINION CENTER GLENAL-LEN, VA - recommend VNLA attend and sponsor.

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe Feb. 24, 2014

USDA 2012 Census: Market Value of Pro-duction on Virginia Farms up Almost $1

Billion

~ Virginia Farm Land Increases, Up to 8.3 Million Acres ~

USDA 2012 Agriculture Census Provides a Snapshot of Agriculture in the U.S. and

Virginia

RICHMOND - Virginia’s farms saw a dramatic increase in both the market value of production and the average value of products sold per farm according to the prelimi-nary results of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Census of Agriculture. From 2007 to 2012, market value of production sold increased 29 percent to $3.8 billion while the average value of products sold per farm in-creased 33 percent to $81,540.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced today the first look at state and national data from the 2012 Ag Census. The prelimi-nary results were provided by the U.S. Department of Ag-riculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

“It is terrific to see such a dramatic increase in the value of production coming off of Virginia’s farms in the last 5 years,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Agriculture is Virgin-ia’s largest industry, and it is my administration’s priority to continue that growth through sound policies and aggres-

sive economic development efforts. Increasing farm pro-duction puts people back to work in our rural communities and provides the commodities that feed our robust agri-businesses throughout the Commonwealth.”

Virginia also showed a reversal in the loss of farm land in the Commonwealth with a gain of 3%, rising to 8.3 million acres of land held in farms. While farm land has in-creased, the number of farms has decreased, meaning that farms are growing larger here in Virginia. Farmers in Vir-ginia are also continuing to age, now averaging 59.5 years, up from 58.2 years in 2007, and a full year older than the national average of 58.3 years.

“As Secretary, I am fully committed to helping our farms generate more income through the development of markets both domestically and internationally,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore. “The increased value of production being sold by Virginia’s farms is an indication that our efforts are making an impact. The abil-ity to generate greater value on the farm enables land to be kept in production rather than being converted to other uses. However, we are not without difficulties here in Virginia. We continue to lose farms at the same time that the average age of our farmers is increasing. My secretari-at will continue to focus on these challenges through farm retention programs in our Office of Farmland Preservation such as the Purchase of Development Rights, the Farm Link and Certified Farm Seeker programs.

The preliminary 2012 Census data show the following key trends for Virginia.

In 2012, the number of farms in Virginia totaled 46,036, down 3 percent (1,347 farms) from 47,383 farms in 2007

Land in farms, 8.3 million acres, was up 3 percent from 8.1 acres in 2007

The average size of farm in Virginia was 181 acres, compared to 171 acres in 2007

Market value of production sold was $3.8 billion, up 29 percent from $2.9 billion in 2007

The average value of products sold per farm was $81,540 compared to $61,334 in 2007

The average age of the principal farm operator was 59.5 years, compared to 58.2 years 2007

There were 38,383 principal male operators and 7,653 principal female operators in 2012, compared to 39,537 male and 7,846 female in 2007

At the national level, the 2012 Census reported little change in land in farms, a more diverse principal operator population and several historic changes in value of sales for U.S. agriculture producers from 2007 to 2012.

Between 2007 and 2012, the amount of land in farms in



the United States declined by less than one percent, from 922 million acres to 915 million. While continuing a downward trend, this is the third smallest decline between censuses since 1950 and is within the margin of error.

According to the 2012 Census, principal farm operators are becoming older and more diverse. The average age of a principal farm operator was 58.3 years, up 1.2 years since 2007, and continuing a 30-year trend of steady increase. And, more minority-operated farms were also accounted for in 2012 than in 2007.

The United States had 2.1 million farms, down 4.3 percent in 2012. In terms of farm size by acres, the decline continued a downward trend in mid-sized farms, while the smallest- and largest-size farms held steady.

In 2012, the value of agriculture products sold totaled $394.6 billion, up 33 percent ($97.4 billion) from 2007. For only the second time in Census history, crop sales ($212.4 billion) exceeded livestock sales ($182.2 billion).

“One of the most important takeaways to remember about the Census of Agriculture is that the information is used for deci-sion-making by producers as well as all those who serve farmers, ranchers and rural communities - federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations and many others,” said Herman Ellison, State Statistician for USDA. “When we look at the data for our state, we can all use it as a snapshot in time to see how Virginia agriculture is changing over time and how it compared to the rest of the country.”

The release of the preliminary 2012 Census of Agriculture results is only a first look at the data and NASS will publish the final report this May. The 2012 Census was not conducted in a typical crop year, and drought had a major impact on U.S. agriculture, affecting crop yields, production and prices. NASS is still reviewing all 2012 Census items to the county level and therefore data is preliminary until published in the final report.

Conducted since 1840, the Census of Agriculture accounts for all U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. When available in May, the final report will provide even more detailed information for Virginia, providing data on all farm operators and data down to the county level. The publi-cation will also provide new insights into the agriculture in-dustry reporting new or expanded data on internet access, regional food systems, biomass production, agro-forestry and equine.

For more information about the Census, including access to the 2012 Census of Agriculture preliminary report and the full report when it is released in May, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.

According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia's largest industries, with a combined economic impact of $70 billion

annually. Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion. The indus-tries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Common-wealth.

Asif Bhavnagri, Office of Governor Terence R. McAuliffe, Press Special Assistant, 804.971.8513, as-

[email protected]

News - Mobile ID for Invasive Pests Invasive species trackers at the UGA Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health have developed a suite of apps to help farmers, forestry personnel and home garden-ers identify strange unwanted invasive pests. They can now identify their problem invasive pests in the field. The app is one of 17 the center has developed. It provides apps for different parts of the country.

The center website generated 9.3 million users last year and 260 million hits.

http://apps.bugwood.org/apps.html

www.bugwood.org

Ad - Willow Springs Tree Farms



Legislation - Virginia Agribusiness Council

General Assembly Wrap Up All in all, it’s been a fairly uneventful session for our in-dustry- luckily!! No input needs at this point- you may want to take a copy of our most recent Cap Report (will go out on March 1) as a guide. Key items for us include:

1) n that was worked out in negotiations between legislators, environmental community, build-ers/developers, localities and DEQ. The bill will allow localities that do not have an MS4 permit (most rural localities, (Augusta county is an excep-tion to this) to turn over management of the Va. Stormwater Management Permit program to DEQ, and delays stormwater requirements for 6 months for other MS4s. It also exempts from permitting requirements (although they still have to meet the same standards) single family home construction. The bills have received broad support.

2) On-Farm Activities/Agritourism - Negotiated compromise between agricultural stakeholders to establish limits on how local governments can regulate non-production or harvest activities on agricultural operations, such as pick-your-own,

small retail, etc. The Senate bill is now before the Governor, and while local government and some conservation groups are opposed, both bills passed with bi-partisan support.

3) Local/State Taxes - no major changes this year, although tax reform/restructuring is an issue that will likely be perennial. Specifically, there is dis-cussion about 1) reviewing all existing tax incen-tives/preferences and evaluating their efficiency, 2) looking at taxes on services, and 3) possible changes to the corporate income tax and or/elimination of the BPOL tax.

You mentioned healthcare/medicaid--- the big outstanding issue of session that will likely lead the GA into overtime. The Senate (thanks to support from all Dems and 3 Repub-licans) have crafted a proposal in their budget to create a Va. Marketplace for those who are in the “gap” between federal and existing state coverage. The House republicans are almost all united against any Medicaid expansion (save for 1 republican from NOVA). Governor has said he won’t sign budget if issue isn’t settled to his liking…so we shall see.

2012 Census data for Virginia isn’t publically available yet, looks like state level data will come out in May.

Provided by Katie Frazier, VAC

Ad - Hahn Garden Gala at Virginia Tech

If you would like to become a sponsor, see sponsorship form online at www.cpe.vt.edu/reg/gardengala.

Please join us for the for the best garden party in Blacksburg – June 14th from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For our 10th Gala , the focus is on the garden. We’re celebrating established gardens, new features, new plants, and more, so please take some time during the party to stroll around!

Enjoy fabulous food and drinks by Blue Ridge Catering of Roanoke and live music by the old-time string band Farm Use Only. Be tempted by a silent and live auction with vacation destinations, plants, art, and more – visit www.hort.vt.edu/hhg/gala for a list of items.

Purchase your tickets prior to June 1st for $75 each ($90 thereafter) - online ticket sales are available through Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education - www.cpe.vt.edu/reg/gardengala or call (540) 231-5182.

Please consider a sponsorship this year – the dollars beyond the ticket price are what helps the garden grow. Visit www.hort.vt.edu/gala, or call/email Dr. Holly Scoggins for more information [(540) 231-5783, [email protected]].

Your name tag will be mailed to you the first week of June, and serves as your ticket. Attire is dressy casual, no jeans or shorts please. The gala goes on, rain or shine!

Need additional information? Check our website at www.hort.vt.edu/hhg, email [email protected], or call (540) 231-5970.

June 14, 20145:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech

10th Annual Garden Gala – “It’s all about the Garden!”


Georgia International Convention Center

www.sna.org

SNA 2014 combines a Regional Marketplace with the Southern Plant Conference, the SNA

Research Conference, the SNA Annual Business Meeting, the SNA State Officer’s Conference,

and SNA Day @ for one unparalleled industry event.

PlantsFeaturing the best ornamental trees, shrubs, and color from top growers across the region

Products Featuring the latest in retail, landscape and outdoor living products, garden gifts, accessories and more

PeopleConnect with industry’s most forward thinking growers, breeders, researchers, retailers, landscapers, manufacturers, and distributors from across the Southeast

Education and More Educational sessions for retailers, growers and landscapers by top industry experts

20 13 Connecting the Industry Across the Southeast

July 22 - 24, 2014 Atlanta Georgia

Plants, Products, People.

Marketplace, Education and More.

SNA Full Page Ad.VNLA.indd 1 2/4/14 12:30 PM


FirstName LastName CompanyName City StateShannon Adams Associate ‐ Adams Charlottesville VAJeanette Antoma‐Sey Associate ‐ Antoma‐Sey Alexandria VAMarquette Brandon Associate ‐ Brandon Lynchburg VAJason Burger Associate ‐ Burger Lynchburg VATaylor Duke Associate ‐ Duke Manassas VABobby Ezell Associate ‐ Ezell Midlothian VATodd Hagadone Associate ‐ Hagadone Fairfax VAJanice Hunter Associate ‐ Hunter Scottsville VATom Kniezewski Associate ‐ Kniezewski Sterling VAJohn McIntyre Associate ‐ McIntyre Arlington VAOre Navarro Associate ‐ Navarro Earlysville VANathan Neufer Associate ‐ Neufer Alexandria VAMark Nielsen Associate ‐ Nielson Arlington VADavid Olson Associate ‐ Olson Fredericksburg VAAlyson Petty Associate ‐ Petty Virginia Beach VABeverly Sanders Associate ‐ Sanders Springfield VAJohn Scureman Associate ‐ Scureman Richmond VAJoshua Shade Associate ‐ Shade Snell VABrian Watson Associate ‐ Watson Glen Allen VABilly Yuhase Associate ‐ Yuhase Powhatan VADebra Zajic Associate ‐ Zajic Leesburg VAJeffrey Williamson Associate Williamson Portsmouth VAMark Langan Blue Ridge Property Services LLC Warrenton VAClare Robertson Blue Skies Greenhouse Huddleston VABrent Hunsinger Brent's Native Plantings Fredericksburg VAYvonne Hansotte Brookville High School Altavista VARandy Lawrence Casey Tree Farm Berryville VAJudy Carson Colonial Williamsburg Fdn Toano VAHannah Watson Columbia Gas of Virginia Richmond VAWilliam Phillips II Custom Lawn Service Bowie MDWilliam Speidel Elizabeth River Landscape Management Driver VAPatrick Sullivan Evergreen Landscape Corp. Norfolk VAGregg Hinegardner First Class Lawn Care LLC Bridgewater VAJonathan Butrico Foundry Landscapes Richmond VACynthia Winemiller Greenleaf Services, Inc. Newport DEJoe Edwards James River Grounds Management Glen Allen VAJohn Williams John Tyler Community College Midlothian VAKaren Williams Mid Atlantic Plant Co Newark DEHenry Brown Norfolk Botanical Garden Norfolk VASteve Rossi North Stafford High School Stafford VAPhillip Maggi Philip J Maggi Landscape Design Washington DC

Welcome to these New VNLA Members for 2014!


FirstName LastName CompanyName City State


Kurt Petrich Portco Portsmouth VALaRue Powell Powell's Nursery Holly Springs NCR. Rossen Rossen Landscape Sterling VAPaul Antonne Sentara RMH Medical Center Harrisonburg VAMark Ricketts Site Improvement Associates Chesapeake VAIan McKeown State Gardens Vienna VAMatthew Cox Student ‐ Cox Fairlawn VASusan Hilleary Student ‐ Fauquier High School Warrenton VAJamesetta Walker Student ‐ TCC Chesapeake VAAaron McCann Student ‐ Virginia Tech Arlington VADale Bray Vintage Resource LLC Williamsburg VAWilliam Orr Virginia Sustainable Landscaping Richmond VAJonathan Baughn Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VARoss Giserman Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VABrandon Adkins Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VAAdam Anderson Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Roanoke VACody Barb Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VARoy Belmonte Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VABrandon Doyle Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VAMorgan Edwards Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VAWarren Gaines Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VAJake Heuple Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VATevin Howard Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VAJoel Hudnall Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VATucker Hyman Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VARobert Layne Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Newport VADerek Lynn Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VAAugustus Miller Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Forest VAJoshua Nunn Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VATrafton Parsick Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VAJustin Paybe Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VACody Pierce Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Amissville VAChaz Ramsey Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VABryan Sours Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VABrian Thomas Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Floyd VACollin Wells Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VARiley Wimer Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Blacksburg VAKendall Wolfe Virginia Tech 2‐Year Ag Waynesboro VANormand Adams Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAMimi Adams Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VASarah Auringer Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VA




Colleen Beard Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAPhilip Beethoven‐WilsoVirginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAAllison Bowden Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Check VADustin Brugler Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VASkyler Byrd Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAAlexandra Cantwell Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VALindsay Day Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAJacob Dombroski Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VATyler Edwards Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAChristopher Gore Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Sugar Grove VAChelsea Gusler Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAApril Hamilton Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAAngela Hancock Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VANed Harm Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAEthan Harris Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Atkins VACassandra Hickey Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAKaitlyn Hunter Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAIzak Khani Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAAbby Lorenze Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Millington MDAllyssa Mark Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAMark McNees Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAAmy Puckett Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAAnna Rakes Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Fieldale VAJames Rockwell Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAGregory Strosnider Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAClinton Thackston Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAHeather Truax Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Hanging Rock VAJames Ulmer Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VATravis Wagoner Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Christiansburg VAJoshua Wilson Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VAEmily Wingfield Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Ridgeway VABenjamin Harder Virginia Tech Horticulture Senior Blacksburg VACelia Clark Washington & Lee University Lexington VAGabriel Clark Washington & Lee University Lexington VAJohn Wescoat Wescoat Nursery Eastville VAHarris Wheeler Wheeler's Landscaping Services LLC Richmond VABeth Gay Yard‐nique Inc Richmond VA

Virginia Tech Horticulture Seniors and Second year 2-year Ag students were given a complimentary membership for 2014 to give them an opportunity to have interaction with VNLA members through the

VNLA Newsletter, E-News, Events and the opportunity to take the Virginia Certified Horticulturist Exam at the member rate.


Tips - Sun or Shade? Don’t Ask!

Ask the “Right” Questions By Judy Sharpton

At the recent Ball Customer Day celebration at the company’s head-quarters in West Chicago, I had the opportunity to discuss how inde-pendent garden centers and farm markets could develop their store’s unique brand. We talked about how the store looks to the custom-er - from the structure to staff dress to cash wrap clutter. We also dis-

cussed the well-documented intimidation factor surround-ing gardening, especially among young gardeners. As Dennis Snow, formerly of Walt Disney World and author of Lessons from the Mouse, told us in his recent keynote at the OFA show, “Our customers don’t know what we know.” The former Disney employee turned consultant was referring to the confusion Disneyworld customers en-counter and some of the seemingly ridiculous questions they ask - like “What time does the 3:00 o’clock parade start?” When it comes to silly questions, Disney can’t top the garden center! “You mean this has to be watered?” Or, “Why are these dead leaves on my lawn?” This from a customer who has a massive maple in full fall glory in his back yard.

The language we use with customers can quickly de-scend into pure scorn if we are not careful. That’s be-fore we start spouting Latin. So, given the wealth of re-search from reputable sources like Bridget Behe and Kip Creel about the fear factor surrounding gardening, how does a store enhance its brand with this demographic (in all age groups) without sacrificing its position of exper-tise?

A woman at the Ball event gave me the opportunity to ex-plore that question. In my presentation, I advocated not asking the customer (seemingly) innocent questions - like “sun or shade? - that the customer can’t answer. And cer-tainly not such complicated questions as “Wet or dry ar-ea?” or (heaven forbid) “Annual or perennial?” At the close of the program, we had two minutes for question. The woman put me right on the spot. “So what do I ask?” she said.

Don’t ask anything. Not even “May I help you?” She doesn’t know the answer to that one either. Instead of ask-ing a question, approach the customer as if he or she has been shopping at your store for years. Just greet the cus-tomer as you would any other familiar face and then HUSH! You can even go back to watering or dead head-ing. But only after you have said “Good morning” or Good

afternoon” or “Welcome to __________ “, or, or, or! Any-thing that does not have a question mark after it. This takes practice; staff can learn it through role playing with each other. Say hello to every person who walks by - staff or customer. When each employee engages in this greeting ritual, something happens to the uncertain garden center customer: she relaxes and becomes more confident. Some-thing happens to the store as well: the energy level in-creases and focuses on the customer, even while the staff continues to water or dead head.

At some point during her movement through the store, the customer will let some staff person know she’s ready for assistance. She will ask a question. Or, she will pose the opening “I have this area that I want to _______________ . Now you can ask some questions.

Here are some non-threatening possibilities:

What colors do you like? Do you have any favorite plants? Is that deck area hot in the afternoon (or morning) or

is it shady and pleasant? What color is your deck furniture? Do you want to dig holes and plant in the ground or

would you like to start with something easier like some nice containers?

Do you want to dig holes and plant in the ground or would you like to start your vegetable garden in a raised bed?

Are you interested in learning more about gardening or do you want some easy color (in time for that barbecue)?

What time are your guests arriving for your barbe-cue?

All these are questions she can answer, questions that al-low the staff to engage the customer in a non-threatening way.

The “What time does the 3:00 o’clock parade start?” ques-tion is really a simple request to know what time the pa-rade arrives where I and my family are standing along the route. And, that’s critical to the enjoyment of that (very expensive) experience. Our customer’s questions and the ones we use to gather information from them are equal-ly as critical in enhancing our customer service brand and our customer’s loyalty to that brand.

Reprinted from Green Profit magazine. Copyright Growing Places Marketing 2013, by Judy Sharpton, Growing Places

Marketing, 770-457-0608, [email protected]


FirstName LastName CompanyName City StateShannon Adams Associate ‐ Adams Charlottesville VAJohn Arrington RSG Landscaping & Lawn Care Inc Concord VAEsteban Asensio JW Townsend Inc Charlottesville VAEddie Baldree Associate ‐ Baldree Virginia Beach VAMichael Berlin Shipp & Wilson Mechanicsville VAMarquette Brandon Associate ‐ Brandon Lynchburg VAHenry Bray Lawns & Gardens Plus Inc Virginia Beach VARegina Brydges Ruppert Landscape Ashland VAJason Burger Associate ‐ Burger Lynchburg VAJonathan Butrico Foundry Landscapes Richmond VAMichael Carr Arborscapes LLC Midlothian VACharles Cassick Ruppert Landscape Mechanicsville VACelia Clark Washington & Lee University Lexington VAGabriel Clark Washington & Lee University Lexington VAErnesto Dovis JW Townsend Inc Harrisonburg VAKate Downey South Riding Nurseries Chantilly VAShannon Doyle Colesville Nursery Inc Ashland VATaylor Duke Associate ‐ Duke Manassas VAAngela Fink JW Townsend Inc Charlottesville VAKevin Foster RSG Landscaping & Lawn Care Inc Concord VAPat Goff Arborscapes LLC Powhatan VAWilliam Grimes Associate ‐ Grimes Virginia Beach VAApril Hamilton Southern Landscape Group Inc Evington VAYvonne Hansotte Brookville High School Altavista VAGinny Hardman Growing Habits Richmond VAJulie Hees Ruppert Landscape Ashland VATim Hess Southern Landscape Group Inc Evington VAJanice Hunter Associate ‐ Hunter Scottsville VAMatt Jones Ruppert Landscape Ashland VAThomas Kelly JW Townsend Inc Charlottesville VAJason Kennedy Southern Landscape Group Inc Evington VAMegan Lacey Strange's Henrico VARollin Larrick JW Townsend Inc Charlottesville VAJames Lilley Lilley Farms & Nursery Inc Chesapeake VASara Marks Sunrise Landscape & Design Sterling VAAaron McCann Student ‐ Virginia Tech Arlington VAMark McGinnis Campbell & Ferrara Nursery Inc Alexandria VAJohn McIntyre Associate ‐ McIntyre Arlington VAIan McKeown State Gardens Vienna VAAaron McNeil RSG Landscaping & Lawn Care Inc Concord VAGreg Moeller Colesville Nursery Inc Ashland VA

Congratulations to these new 2014 Virginia Certified Horticulturist

]70 April / May / June 2014 VNLA Newsletter


Congratulations to these new 2014 Virginia Certified Horticulturist

Patrick O'Hagan Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Richmond VARobert Poindexter Southern Landscape Group Inc Evington VAKaitlyn Poulter Lancaster Farms Inc Windsor VALuke Puglia JW Townsend Inc Charlottesville VAOwen Randolph SG Designs Richmond VANicholas Roberts Shipp & Wilson Inc Richmond VAClare Robertson Blue Skies Greenhouse Huddleston VAPhillip Rodes II James River Nurseries Ashland VAEric Schimmel Lancaster Farms Inc Suffolk VAJohn Scureman Associate ‐ Scureman Richmond VABenjamin Shifflette Chapel Valley Landscape Co Richmond VAStephen Shrout Greenleaf Services, Inc. Newport DEJoanne Shumpert Landscape Design Associates Great Falls VABrian Sutton James River Grounds Management Glen Allen VAKen Trail RSG Landscaping & Lawn Care Inc Concord VAHeather Vail Associate ‐ Vail Stanardsville VATrey Watford Williams Landscape & Design Inc Williamsburg VAHarris Wheeler Wheeler's Landscaping Services Richmond VAGreg Whetzel Williams Landscape & Design Inc Williamsburg VARachel Whitmore Chesterfield Technical Center Chesterfield VAAaron Williams Williams Landscape & Design Inc Williamsburg VABilly Yuhase Associate ‐ Yuhase Powhatan VA

2014 List of VCH through 4/30/14

]



News - HRAREC New Research Associates

Mrinalini Nikrad Dr. Mrinalini Nikrad recently joined the Specialty Crop Re-search Initiative Project team as a postdoctoral associate at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Virginia Beach. Both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees were completed at the Universi-ty of Colorado. She received her Ph.D. in marine microbial ecol-

ogy at the University of Delaware, where she studied the conversion of organic carbon into carbon dioxide gas by bacteria in the ocean. Her expertise is in applying molecu-lar techniques to study microbes and their cycling of nutri-ents in aquatic environments. Dr. Nikrad is currently ex-amining nitrifying microbes in nursery irrigation ponds. The goal of her research is to determine whether ammonia in these ponds is converted to nitrates, a process which could be beneficial for plant growth. Overall, Dr. Nikrad is looking to understand microbial activity and function in recycled irrigation water to improve plant health, quality, and production.

Herve Avenot Dr. Herve Avenot recently joined the boxwood blight research team at Virginia Tech as a Postdoctoral Asso-ciate. Herve was born in Li-breville, Gabon, and received his PhD degree in Microbiol-ogy from the University of Angers (France) in 2005. He brought diverse research ex-

perience to the team. Herve worked as a Postdoctoral As-sociate (2006-2009) then Project Scientist (2012-2014) on the epidemiology, genetic basis, and management of fun-gicide resistance in fungal pathogens of nut (pistachio, al-mond, walnut) and fruit (grapes, pomegranate) crops at the University of California in Parlier. He also worked as a Postdoctoral Associate on the detection and molecular mechanisms of fungicide resistance in fungal pathogens causing significant damage to pecan, watermelon, peanut crops in the southeastern states and on the molecular epi-demiology of gladiolus rust at the University of Georgia, Tifton and Griffin from 2009 to 2012. Herve will be con-ducting both growth chamber experiments and field stud-ies to assess the impact of environmental factors on box-

wood blight development. These studies are housed in Dr. Baudoin’s lab in Blacksburg for easy access to the univer-sity growth chamber facility and infested fields in Carroll county, southwestern VA and for biosecurity reasons. His research will produce data essential for improving the cur-rent best management practices (BMP) protocols for box-wood blight and for developing and calibrating a disease forecasting model that will aid farmers, retailors, land-scapers, historic garden managers and homeowners to use fungicide protection of their boxwood crops only when necessary.

Joining him to Virginia are his wife, Sharon, and two sons, Benjamin and Noah.

Provided by Dr. Chuan Hong, VA Tech HRAREC, [email protected]

News - Mobile Weed Alert App

PBI-Gordon Corporation has announced the availability of its new WeedAlert mobile app. The app provides en-hanced mobile functionality and access to information from the WeedAlert.com online weed identification and control resource.

The WeedAlert mobile app features detailed color pho-tos of more than 100 weeds, allowing turf professionals

to search and identify weeds by name, appearance or re-gion. Detailed information about each weed includes de-scription, non-chemical cultural practices in how to control the weed, geographic coverage maps of where the weeds grow and when they are prevalent in the various growing zones, as well as herbicide use and recommended control products. Help in identifying weeds. Visit www.weedalert.com on your mobile device to download the app.

Provided by pbi/Gordon Corp



Events - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Programs for Seasoned Gardeners and Green Industry Professionals

Looking for in-depth instruction? Try these programs aimed at individuals who want to expand their

knowledge or freshen up what they learned in school. Instructor: Dr. Douglas A. DeBerry, Research Assis-tant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at the College of William and Mary. Supported in part

by the Freas Foundation.

The course includes lecture, lab, and field practicum. Attendees should come prepared for some “off-trail”

hiking, rain or shine. Lunch is on your own.

Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes 2 Mondays, August 11 & 18, 9 am - 5 pm

Identification of grasses, sedges, and rushes is often perceived as one of the most difficult activities in the

realm of botany. This is due to many factors, the most prominent of which are that grasses, sedges, and rush-es (i.e., “the graminoids”) are usually small, narrow-leaved plants with unassuming, diminutive flowers - and they all look alike! Even more disconcerting, the “language” surrounding graminoid botany seems like

an insurmountable pile of un-pronounceable Latin words with no end in sight. This course is for the dis-

gruntled multitudes who would like to gain a better understanding of grass, sedge, and rush terminology, classification, nomenclature, and most importantly,

identification. In addition, those already proficient in plant identification will find this course to be a useful

refresher.

Emphasis is on native or naturalized species in Virgin-ia, and the use of dichotomous keys in technical plant

manuals and regional floras.

$150 / $128 member. 2 sessions = 16 hrs. GES: HL, 16

Virginia Certified Horticulturist = 16 CEUs Register at 804-262-9887or online at

http://www.lewisginter.org/events/event_detail.php?event_id=1377

Ad - Pender Nursery

VNLA Pender ad half page_VNLA pender half page ad 1/15/14 11:21 AM Page 1

Ad – Pender Nursery

NEW AD

News – Virginia Agribusiness Banquet & Town Hall Meeting

ia Green Industry Council members install plants and flowers for the Virginia Agribusiness Council Banquet.

(front) Lorene Blackwood, (l‐r) Bill Bonwell, Gwynn Hubbard, Peggy Seay, Cary Gouldin

James River Nurseries installing plans and sod from Brookmeade Sod Farm

Town Hall meeting at Grelen Nurseries, Orange, VA

VNLA Newsletter 81January / February / March 2014

V

James River Nurseries installing plants and sod from Brookmeade Sod Farm



July , 2014, Green Industry Profession-

al Field Day & Trade Show American University 7:30 am - 2:30 pm 703-250-1368 [email protected] www.greenindustryseminar.org

July 22-24, 2014, (SNA) SOUTHERN NURSERY ASSOCIATION TRADE SHOW & PLANT CONFERENCE, Atlanta, www.sna.org [email protected] 678-809-9992

July 30-31 2014, PANTS Trade Show Philadelphia, http://www.pantshow.com/

August 5-7, 2014, IGC EAST Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD [email protected], 203-682-1664

August 13, 2014, VNLA LEAN SEMINAR, Blacksburg, VA [email protected] 800-476-0055

August 14, 2014, VNLA FIELD DAY, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg [email protected] 800-476-0055

August 15, 2014, VNLA SUMMER TOUR, Blacksburg Gardens & Riverbend Nursery, Riner [email protected] 800-476-0055

August 13-14, 2014, VIRGINIA CHRISTMAS TREE GROWERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Winchester, VA www.VirginiaChristmasTrees.org 540-382-7310

August 13-15, 2014, NCLA SUMMER GREEN ROAD SHOW Raleigh Convention Center, NC www.ncnla.com, 919-816-9119

August 26-27, 2014, TURFGRASS FIELD DAY at VIRGINIA TECH, [email protected]

September 12, 2014, WAYNESBORO PLANT HEALTH CARE FOR URBAN TREES WORKSHOP Best Western Inn & Conference Center, Waynesboro 540-942-6735 www.treesvirginia.org

September 17-20, 2014, IPPS - EAST-ERN REGION ANNUAL CONFERENCE Niagra Falls, Ontario 631-765-9638, [email protected] www.ippseastern.org

October 17-19, 2014, NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING, Virginia Beach www.vnps.org

October 23-24, 2013, PLANET GIE_EXPO Kentucky exposition Center 800-558-8786 [email protected] www.gie-expo.com

January 14-16, 2015, MANTS Trade Show, Baltimore Convention Center, www.MANTS.com

January 20-23, 2015, MID-ATLANTIC HORTICUL-TURE SHORT COURSE, Newport News Marriott at City Center, www.mahsc.org

For a Current Calendar of all Green Industry Events, go:

http://virginiagreen.org/events.htm

Do you need an official seal for your landscape

plans? If you are a VA Certified

Horticulturist, order a Stamper from the VNLA Office for $65.95, includes

tax and shipping

Upcoming Events

BLOOMS

Little Richard AbeliaAbelia x grandiflora 'Little Richard'

Compact evergreen shrub with white bell

shaped flowers on arching branches in summer.

Bloom Time: Summer to FallHeight: 3-4’h Zone: 6Spread: 3-4’wABELIA3 GALLON$9.7510275-03 7 66131 03210 4

Our plants are featured based on the characteristics for which they are most appreciated. You will find the main feature of each plant listed on the top right corner of its tag.

BLOOMS

BERRIES

TEXTURE

LEAF COLOR

EDIBLES

HERBS

SHADE TREESCOLOR PICTURE TAGS

WITH YOUR PRICE & SKU!

www.BloomingAndBeautiful.com

(800)343-4611 • www.bcnursery.com

exclusively grown by

Keep growing.

One day you may outgrow your current operation. Farm Credit will be there to help you expand.

Whether you need to purchase real estate, build new houses, buy more equipment or need a revolving line of credit for plant stock, we have the financing you need.

Every business has growing pains. Give us a call and we’ll be sure your financing isn’t one of those.

farmcredit.com

800-919-FARM

Lending support to rural America™

Your Roots Are In Virginia!

383 Coal Hollow Rd.Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721

Bremo Bluff, VA

Phone: 434-842-8733 Fax: 434-842-3823

email: [email protected]

Prsrt. StdU.S. Postage

PAIDBlacksburg, VAPermit No. 107

vnla apr/may/jun 2014 vnla newsletter

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