MLNA Matchmaker connects you to the plants and green industry services you need to make your business grow

University of Missouri Plant Clinic

Cool wet weather may result in an increase in plant disease problems this spring, particularly fungal and bacterial diseases that thrive during these conditions. After last spring’s unusual freeze, as well as droughts, flooded soils, ice storms and other stressful environmental conditions over the past few years, we may also see an increase in other plant stress related problems including root rots, cankers, insect infestations such as bark beetles and borers, and other issues. Recently in the diagnostic clinic we have received an influx of samples that have been submitted from severely stressed pines and other conifers that have turned yellow and brown over the winter. In some cases the problems are related to environmental conditions and little can be done to save the tree. In other cases treatable diseases are present. Proper disease identification and careful timing of treatment applications can make a difference in protecting susceptible plants from damage, especially in a year with favorable conditions for disease development. The time for treatment applications for some of these diseases may occur within the next few weeks.

Sample submission to the diagnostic clinic can provide you with an accurate diagnosis of your plant problems and management recommendations. Please refer to the sample submission section of our website http://soilplantlab.missouri.edu/plant/index.htm or contact us for more information on sample submission. See Pest Alert for weekly "pertinent posts"
Simeon Wright, MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic 573-882-0623

MLNA member, Powell Gardens celebrates Missouri Arbor Day by partnering in “Go Green” carbon conscious initiative with KMOS TV and 90.9 the Bridge

For Immediate Release:

MLNA member, Powell Gardens celebrates Missouri Arbor Day by partnering in “Go Green” carbon conscious initiative with KMOS TV and 90.9 The Bridge April 4th, 2008.

MLNA Executive Director, MaryAnn Fink joined Powell Garden staff, volunteers and this year’s honorees , the members of KMOS TV and 90.9 The Bridge to celebrate Missouri Arbor Day. The day was celebrated by planting a grove of 27 lindens (Tilia spp). KMOS TV and 90.9 The Bridge. By harnessing the support of contributing members, the stations have join forces with Powell Gardens to finance an innovative project that will create an ongoing effort to reduce the “carbon footprint” of the stations. “KMOS-TV viewers and 90.9 The Bridge listeners are being given the opportunity to chip in an extra $5 with their membership contributions,” said Donald W. Peterson, director of Broadcasting Services at UCM. “Each contribution will be used to plant trees, under the supervision and direction of the experts at Powell Gardens.”The “Go Green” initiative kicks off in August during KMOS-TV’s membership drive. “We’re happy to be partnering with UCM’s public broadcasting stations,” said Eric Tschanz, president and executive director of Powell Gardens. “The additional funds will be used to incorporate more seedling and sapling planting projects in Powell Gardens’ educational programs. This will have the added benefit of teaching children the value of reducing carbon in the atmosphere.” Lindens are wonderful choice for carbon banking in Missouri because linden trees also have very nectar rich flowers in late spring-early summer when there is a lull of flowering. The flowers are important for our declining honeybee populations as well as for a plethora of other pollinators and beneficial insects. (Remember how important these creatures are to pollinating our fruits and vegetables that we all too often take for granted!) They make a fine honey and the blossoms are listed as edible, especially used for teas. Powell Garden, MLNA Green Leader has taken an active role planting carbon-reducing trees which will help maintain the natural environment for generations of viewers and listeners. Powell Gardens' Director Eric Tschanz (right) and Senior Gardener Janet Heter place the first shovel of soil. Janet led the program with her

"Top Ten Reasons to Celebrate Arbor Day:"10. Trees are TREEific. 9. Trees provide a cool and beautiful place to live, work and play. 8. Trees improve our air and water quality. 7. Trees are renewable resources for paper, fuel and countless wood products. 6. Trees reduce heating and cooling costs. 5. Trees increase property values. 4. Trees provide habitat for wildlife. 3. Trees are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. 2. Trees enrich our lives. 1. PLANT a TREE! Janet closed with this poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes:"When we plant a tree we are doing what we can to make our planet a more wholesome and happier dwelling place for those who come after us, if not for ourselves."
For more information about Powell Garden visit http://www.powellgardens.org/

The Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association, founded in 1921, is a not-for-profit professional trade association representing the green industry throughout Missouri. Its mission is to enhance the success of its members through knowledge, advocacy and communication. It promotes horticulture education, professionalism, integrity, and environmental stewardship.

Welcome New MLNA Member Dr. Mark Goodwin Let us know if we can help

The University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO is currently in the process of establishing an arboretum on the Warrensburg campus. Funds have been secured to establish a marked tree and shrub trail. Over 100 different species of trees and woody shrubs have been identified on the campus which will be marked with signs identifying both the common and latin names. A brochure is also being developed to give additional interesting information about each woody plant. The purpose of the arboretum is to enhance the beauty of the campus, to provide educational and research opportunities for both students and faculty, and to educate the public regarding woody plants suitable for Missouri landscapes. Work on the initial tree trail is expected to be completed this summer.

The HortClubPlantSale Picture is from the Plant Sale which the UCM Horticulture Club Sponsored this Spring. The funds raised from this plant sale are used for educational and social trips and service learning projects. The service project the Horticulture Club has chosen this year is to install landscape plants at the first Habitat Humanity House built by the Johnson County Habitat for Humanity.
The second picture is of Students from the Residential Landscape Design Class at UCM. Students not only learn how to design landscapes but they also install what they design which helps them learn what works in a landscape and what doesn't work.

Becky Homan MLNA member and Green Leader reaches out to publicl

The Missouri Gardener’s Companion: An Insider’s Guide to Gardening in
the Show-Me State
Author: Becky Homan
Pages: 198
Publisher: Globe Pequot Press
Price: $14.95
Reviewer: MaryAnn Fink

While some gardeners checked their yards for the birth of new plants
and other’s browsed the quickly filling tables at retail garden centers
for nursery news and spring surprises, I have been expecting the
arrival of my friend’s first book, sure to be a horticulture treasure.
When the moment finally arrived, I felt like a family relative,
welcoming this slightly overdue but finished project with a happy
heart. And the book didn't let me down.
Becky Homan’s gift with words shines through in her new, "The Missouri
Gardener’s Companion," as she proceeds with a check list of gardening
challenges in the state. Her honest assessment of this transitional
area would be daunting if not followed by an almost simple-sounding
collection of good advice, useful strategies and cultural instructions
for successful lawns and gardens.
With GPS accuracy she guides the reader through challenging topics such
as Missouri’s many soil types, with easy-to-grasp scientific sources
for help. Midwest climate and water issues get addressed, too, with
information on how some areas have managed their water
priorities. Statistics showing that rain gardens absorb as much as 30%
more water than comparable parcels of flat turf are followed with the
story of Kansas City’s 10,000 Rain Gardens initiative.
Nuggets of other shared wisdom such as St. Louis master gardener Alma
Reitz’s advice on how to "be ruthless" when managing an overgrown or
faltering garden are tucked generously among twelve, easy to read
chapters, filled with specific plant selection information, cultural
details, a basic glossary of terms, an assortment of resource lists and
a useful index.
This is a great plant-specific primer -- larger than pocket size but
not overwhelming -- for the newbie gardener as well as for those who
want to compare notes with garden gurus across the state. Reading this
book is the best of all worlds because it's like catching up with all
my favorite gardening experts while also getting tips from them and, in
the bargain, taking an inspiring trip across Missouri.

Becky Homan will sign her book, "The Missouri Gardener’s Companion," at
various events across the state. In St. Louis, there's a signing
on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Missouri
Botanical Garden's Garden Gate Shop, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, during the
St. Louis Herb Society's popular, annual herb sale. And on Saturday,
May 10, from 2 to 4 p.m., just before Mother's Day, at Bowood Farms,
4605 Olive Street (between Euclid and Taylor avenues) in the Central
West End. For more information, go to http://www.beckyhoman.com.

[MaryAnn Fink is a garden writer, conservation specialist,
environmental horticulture consultant and ambassador for the National
Wildlife Federation. A St Louis native, she speaks on a variety of
subjects including butterfly gardening, natural gardening and
horticulture plant research. Her own Web site is http://www.maryannfink.com.

MLNA New Member Invites Industry Support

Spring 2008

Mueller & Co., LLP, a leading financial services company in the Fox Valley announced recently their support of Habitat for Humanity during 2008.David Nissen, CPA/ABV, CVA, the Managing Partner explained, “2008 is a very special year for Mueller & CO, LLP as we are celebrating our 40th anniversary. The Fox Valley community has been very good to us and we consider ourselves fortunate to live and work here. In celebration of our anniversary, we want to show our appreciation by giving back to this wonderful community. In doing so, Mueller & Co. has partnered with Habitat for Humanity. Our goal is to raise $75,000 and supply volunteer labor for 10 build days.”The whole firm is very excited about the possibility of turning a dream into reality for a local family. They plan to refurbish an existing home one foot at a time. It costs about $60 per square foot to build an affordable home in the area and their goal is 1,250 square feet.For those wishing to donate to this worthy cause please send checks to:Habitat for Humanity, NFV Supported by Mueller & Co., LLPFirst American Bank218 W. Main StreetWest Dundee, IL 60118
About Mueller & Co., LLP Mueller & Co, LLP, is a certified public accounting and management consulting firm in the Chicagoland area with offices in Elgin, St. Charles and Oakbrook Terrace, IL. For the past 40 years, the firm has provided accounting, tax, audit, business management and payroll services to privately held businesses and individuals. Please Contact Authur Bradley at abradley@muellercpa.com for latest MLNA member to member benefits
Posted by MaryAnn Fink - Coordinator at 12:24 PM 0 comments
Labels: Support our Member's Interest in Humanity and the

MLNA Member Survey Requesting Response

Read these new blog postings by WESTERN University professors and add your comments to our blog and theirs! https://www.wnla.org/blog/index.php
Are You Ready to Adopt Root Washing?
With B&B nursery stock, the installer is never quite sure where the trunk flare and first-order roots are, and consequently, digging a hole to the proper depth can be a significant challenge. Jim Flott of Community Forestry Consultants in Spokane, Washington, has offered a workable but somewhat controversial solution … root washing. That’s right, whether B&B or container-grown, Jim suggests washing all of the soil from the roots. So what do you think?
What's got you WIRED?
Wire baskets … do you remove them or even alter them at all during planting? The wire basket is approximately 30 years old. While there is little question that their usage has vastly improved the handling of mechanically dug nursery stock, their long-term effects on tree health frequently are debated. When planting a tree with its root ball secured in a wire basket, there are three options for dealing with the basket: do nothing, remove the basket entirely or alter the basket in some manner. So … what do you do with the basket?
Robert Sinclair, Managing Publications Editor for Western's Blog

H-2B hearing on Capitol Hill set for April 16

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Commentary from the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET): The U.S. House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law will hold a hearing on the H-2B program next Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at 2 p.m. in room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
On April 1, the Southern Poverty Law Center held an H-2B briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building to present a negative view of the H-2B program with shocking stories from mistreated H-2B workers. An outcome of that meeting is a House Subcommittee Hearing planned for next Wednesday.
While there will be some witnesses testifying about the benefits and importance of the H-2B program, another purpose of the hearing is to allow opponents of the program to discuss the alleged abuses and what they perceive as the program's shortcomings. Subcommittee members are Chairman Lofgren (D-Calif.), Gutierrez (D-Ill.), Berman (D-Calif.), Jackson Lee (D-Tex), Waters (D-Calif.), Delahunt (D-Mass.), Sanchez (D-Calif.), Davis (D-Ala.), Ellison (D-Minn.), Weiner (D-N.Y.), ranking Republican King (R-Iowa), Gallegly (R-Calif.), Goodlatte (R-Va.), Lungren (R-Calif.), Forbes (R-Va.), and Gohmert (R-Tex.). Of these members, only Reps. Delahunt, Ellison, and Sanchez are co-sponsors of the "Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007" (H.R. 1843). Some members of the committee are entirely focused on increased enforcement against employers employing illegal workers, without support for programs such as H-2B that provide access to legal labor.
While there will be hand-picked witnesses from both sides of the H-2B debate, we know this hearing is not necessarily a positive development in the fight for passage of H-2B legislation. We need to make as many of our points about the far more positive aspects of the program for the H-2B workers, employers, American employees, and the economy. There will be limited space in the hearing room for attendees, and a line will probably form outside the hearing room, as is common for many hearings. If you can come to support those testifying on our behalf, it would be great, but be warned, you may not get into the hearing. You can always stop by your members' offices and tell them about the hearing and your vital need for H-2B workers.
Since the committee chair determines who gets to testify, we encourage you to call (202) 225-3121 and ask for your U.S. Representative. Please ask him or her to reach out to members of the committee to ensure our side gets a fair chance to make our points. It's important for us to show that these are isolated abuses that should be individually punished, but that should not result in any restrictions on an overwhelmingly beneficial program for both workers and employers. We can hope for positive, quick action on the program but must recognize that there are groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center that want to change the program in a way that would basically make the program unworkable.
If you can't attend but can get us testimonials, we can use them to show the positive nature of the program. We need two types of testimonials (please note that these will be entered into the record and publicly available, just as the testimony from the others will be entered). From H-2B employers, we need letters covering the following areas:
How you feel about your H-2B workers
How much you pay your H-2B workers
Benefits you provide to your H-2B workers (transportation, housing, meals, time off)
Living conditions of your H-2B workers while they work for you
Any personal stories that you have of your H-2B workers
Anything extra you may do for your H-2B workers (letters on birthdays, gifts, letters in off season, etc.)
From H-2B workers, we need handwritten testimonials detailing the following topics:
Why the H-2B program is important to them (support family, learn job, etc.)?
How much they are paid?
Problems they face if they can't get an H-2B job?
What their living conditions are like while they're employed?
What are their working conditions like?
How they feel about their employer?
Please send your testimonials to Tom Delaney at tomdelaney@landcarenetwork.org or via fax to 703-736-9668.
The H-2B issue continues to gain attention on Capitol Hill, as evidenced by legislation (S. 2839) introduced late today by Sen. Cornyn (R-Tex.) and others, that includes a temporary H-2B returning worker fix, provides H-1B relief, and would also reauthorize the E-verify program.

Important Interview on KMOX-1120AM on Monday, April 14 Concerning the State of Landscaping in Missouri for 2008

ATTENTION GREEN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS!!!
Important Interview on KMOX-1120AM on Monday, April 14 Concerning the State of Landscaping in Missouri for 2008!
KMOX's top-rated weekday mid-morning talk show host Charlie Brennan will interview American Landscape & Nursery Association's Vice President for Government Relations& Research, Craig Regelbrugge, Monday April 14th, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. Central Daylight Time (1120 AM dial). Mr. Regelbrugge will be discussing with Brennan the state of landscaping in Missouri this year, particularly now that the H2B Program hasn't been extended for some Mexican workers.
"We are pleased that our on going effort to convey the difficult situation the landscaping industry is in with the H2B program has been able to reach this interest level and be carried to the public via Charlie Brennan," Says MaryAnn Fink, Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association's Executive Director.
Brennan has been named one of America's top 25 "most influential radio talk show hosts" in USA Today. The American Society of Landscape Architects presented Brennan with its 2002 Civic Stewardship Award and the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis recognized Brennan for his outstanding job of community service in 2002. "We are thankful to those in the green industry that have made an effort to seek out voices that can bring this topic into focus and create opportunities such as this to discuss its impact," Says Fink.
Tune in to KMOX 1120 AM - Charlie Brennan's Radio Show on Monday, April 14th, 9:20 a.m.

Pest Alert Posted for April 14, 2008

Downy Mildew
There are many types of Downy Mildew, some are very specific- infecting only one type or Genus of plants (such as Peronospora sparsa on Rose), others are have a broad spectrum of hosts. This time of year is especially important in recognizing the symptom
Downy mildew is being found commonly in the nursery trade on roses, perennials, some annuals and shrubs, brambles, vegetables, grapes, and other vines. It is a form of water mold fungus. Sporangia are produced on the undersides of leaves under humid conditions (like this spring weather or in covered greenhouses) at cool-moderate temperatures, and in some cases has caused defoliation or dieback to plants when left untreated. For more information click here

We can create a positive impact as a team!

KC GREEN SUMMIT will be held:
WHERE: Bartle Hall Ballroom, 16th and Wyandotte, Kansas City's first certified LEED Silver Building
WHEN: Friday, April 25, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN: Learn effective green solutions for residential and commercial applications and hear about innovations from across the country. Meet key influencers from our region and have the opportunity to network with other professionals and concerned citizens. If you have a related business, consider hosting a booth to increase your networking opportunities!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Professionals and homeowners--anyone concerned about creating cleaner water through green solutions in Kansas City or elsewhere.
WHO YOU WILL HEAR: Majora Carter, Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx, a group that has developed a formula to empower communities to clean up the urban core and bring prosperity through green-collar jobs and other means. Recently recognized as one of the 25 most influential African-Americans of 2007, Carter is a visionary who is inspiring community groups, businesses and governments to create green-collar jobs and sustainable infrastructure. In addition, there will be presentations by:
City Manager Wayne Cauthen
Council members from Kansas City, Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II Bob Berkebile, Facilitator Invited experts from EPA
COST: $50/person
Questions? Please call (816) 500-7090
or go to http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=156952 to register NOW.