Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association Blog

Events for Professionals & MLNA Members

2009-02-10T15:13:00.010-06:00

Attention: MLNA Event Open to All Green Industry Professional:Summer Business Meeting & Field Day MLNA Welcomes Members & Guests
Date: Jun 25, 2009

Location: 2400 South Scenic Springfield, MO

Many events are planned throughout the day:
~A presentation on the replanting of Greensburg, KS by Tim McDonnell, Community Forest Coordinator with Kansas Forest Service.
~Springfield's Friends of the Garden will be giving guided tours of the park as well as the future site of Springfield/Greene County Botanical Center.
~We will have areas for sponsors and vendors to display their products and services to our members and guests. More information soon!

~We are tentatively planning to offer our STAR Certification Testing and Review Workshop. We have enrollment minimums and maximums so complete certification entrollment today so we know you are interested in certification testing.

~We will also be co hosting a 9 hole golf tournament across the street at Horton Smith Golf Course from 7-9 that morning.

Please contact:

Bryan Stringer, Vice President of MLNA for more information

Phone: 417-529-2073

Fax: (417)359-9254

Company: BWI Companies, Inc.

Email: bryan@acs.bwicompanies.com

The 27th Perennial Plant Symposium

2009-02-09T14:27:00.001-06:00

The 27th Perennial Plant Symposium - 2009, presented by the Perennial Plant Association, will be hosted in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, July 19 thru Friday, July 24th, 2009 at the Marriott Hotel located in the historic St. Louis Union Station. The PPA Symposium includes 5 specialty tours, a featured Wednesday tour, two days of professional multi-track seminars and numerous networking opportunities. For more about Symposium schedule and registration details, visit http://www.perennialplant.org/. For more, contact the Perennial Plant Association at (614) 771-8431 or ppa@perennialplant.org.

The 2009 St. Louis Garden Symposium

2009-02-09T14:25:00.002-06:00

The 2009 St. Louis Garden Symposium, presented by the Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis, features “Your Garden, Your MASTERPIECE,” Saturday, March 7, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the campus of St. Louis Community College-Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd. in Kirkwood. Registration is just $ 45.00 and includes all presentations and a light lunch. The keynote speaker is Susan Appleget Hurst, Sr. Assoc. Editor, Better Homes & Gardens magazine, presenting the topic: “What Makes a Picture-Perfect Garden.” The event also features local experts leading workshops, classes and hand-on demonstrations regarding such timely topics as Rain Gardens, Sustainability in the Garden, Edible Gardening, Lawn Care, Ideal Trees for the Midwest, Butterfly Gardening and more. For details, visit http://www.hortco-op.org/ or call (314) 487-4995 or email info@hortco-op.org

More info on the 2009 Gateway EXPO of Regional Wholesale Flower Growers March 4

2009-02-09T14:19:00.003-06:00

The 2009 Gateway EXPO of Regional Wholesale Flower Growers, presented by the Greater St. Louis Flower Growers Association, is set for Wednesday, March 4, 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Columns Banquet Center, 711 Veterans Memorial Parkway, St. Charles, MO. This grower exhibit and educational event is FREE (including a hot lunch!) and open to all retail and landscape professionals. You must RSVP on or before February 20 for this FREE event (for the purpose of accommodating lunch preparations). RSVP to Chris Nejelski at chris.nejelski@mobot.org. For more information, visit http://www.hortco-op.org/ and find the event in the “Industry Calendar” section.

Statewide Program offers Green Industry Professional Training on Landscape Design

2009-01-23T16:00:00.002-06:00

ALLIED State-wide Industry Events: Attention ALL Green Industry Professionals Interested In Expanding Your Knowledge of Missouri Natives!
Landscape Design With Missouri In Mind / A Practical Application Workshop
For Landscape Professionals
Friday, January 30, 2009
330 Commerce Drive, Highway 179
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102OR
Friday, February 20, 2009
MDC Northeast Regional Office
3500 South Baltimore
Kirksville, Missouri 63501 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Fairchild at 573-522-4115 ext.
3833 or http://barbara.fairchild@mdc.mo.gov./

Greater St. Louis Flower Growers Association presents annual EXPO

2009-01-23T15:12:00.003-06:00

The second annual "GATEWAY EXPO of Regional Wholesale Flower Growers: Local Alliances = Success & Profits", presented by Greater St. Louis Flower Growers Association, offers a forum for retail merchants and landscape professionals to meet wholesale growers of the region and discuss their specific plant material needs. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th, 8:45a.m. - 3:00p.m., will include exhibits by growers of the region. The EXPO provides an excellent opportunity to satisfy the growing consumer trend to be "locavores" and buy products produced locally. For more informantion visit: Hort Co-op of Metro St. Louis

Bayer AdvancedTM Scholars Program

2009-01-22T13:50:00.007-06:00

In challenging economic times, making an investment in your people and staff is an even more critical necessity than in prosperous times. In a year where some independent garden centers might be tempted to cut training budgets, The American Nursery & Landscape Association is proud to work in conjunction with Bayer AdvancedTM to launch the innovative BAYER ADVANCEDTM SCHOLARS program in 2009, a fund created to offset education/training costs for more than 75 independent garden centers this year – including scholarships to the 2009 Management Clinic, the 2009 Retail Roadshow, and the 2009 Legislative Conference.

To launch the program, 40 full scholarships ($729 value) to the Management Clinic were awarded. Scholarship package included a full registration to the upcoming Management Clinic (Louisville KY, Feb 6-9), a Muggets networking badge, and a private evening networking reception with ANLA leadership. (Attendee is responsible for transportation to/from and housing at the event.)

The Management Clinic is an unparalleled conference experience, featuring 60 educational programs in 3 days. The 2009 event highlights sessions targeted specifically at creating business success in challenging times. A full program can be viewed at: http://www.managementclinic.org/

MLNA invites members to support St. Louis Hort Coop Silent Auction

2009-01-06T08:53:00.002-06:00

We hope that you will consider submitting an item (or more!) for the silent auction part of the Spring 2009 St. Louis Garden Symposium to be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 (see http://www.hortco-op.org/ for details). It can be a plant, a book or a favorite tool...whatever.The silent auction is always popular with the attendees and we are looking to connect the gardening public with area horticulturists by having this segment…by putting a face and a voice with each item offered in the auction. Proceeds from the auction go towards student scholarships, etc.

Thank you,

Cindy Gilberg,

HorticulturistDesign and Consulting

2906 Ossenfort Rd.Wildwood, MO 63038

cindy.gilberg@gmail.com

GREEN INDUSTRY NEWS

2008-12-18T13:49:00.002-06:00

International Agriculture Interns

Cultural Homestay International is a non-profit organization that places international college graduates on one year internships in the United States. The company is generally asked to pay $8.00 an hour and the interns come with their own insurance. They have candidates in all fields including business, marketing, web design and agriculture. The Agricultural interns can work in farms, nurseries, or within companies. CHI does all of the visa paperwork and sponsorship and there is no charge to the company. You can get more information by going to their website at http://www.chinet.org/ or by contacting Dayna O'Brien, Cultural Homestay International.
Toll free 877.845.2889
Local 636.677.2573
Fax 636.677.2574

MLNA Meet Me at the Western Details

2008-12-18T12:33:00.008-06:00

We Can't Wait to See You!

We look forward to seeing you at our annual MLNA Business Meeting at the Western Nursery & Tradeshow, Sunday January 4th from 2-3pm on the OPCC Courtyard Level - Meeting Room 3. Please check Western schedule to confirm location as last minute changes are possible.

Also please join Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association sponsored Hospitality Reception for MLNA, Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis and Hort NetWORK members & guests. This event will be held Sunday evening from 5:00 to 6:00 pm on the OPCC Courtyard Level - Meeting Room 1.

The Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association is co-host to this gathering with the Horticultural Co-op of Metro St. Louis and the Hort NETWORK. All three groups traditionally attract approximately two hundred industry professionals at this reception, and enjoy their time together. The purpose of this gathering is to allow our members and guests to network and socialize together in an informal setting with each other and members of the local professional organizations.

We extend our appreciation to our four generous sponsors and their invaluable assistance to our non-profit organization and the expenses associated with this event. Sponsorship of Hor d'erves includes: Forrest Keeling Nursery Home Nursery Loma Vista Nursery BWI Companies, Inc.

To find out more about the Green Industry Star Certification Program and testing, click here

2008 MLNA Green Leader Recipients Please Take a Bow

2008-12-18T11:58:00.003-06:00

Congratulation to the following recipients of Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s Green Leader Recognition for 2008!.

Sustainability defines success in all aspects of our personal and professional lives. MLNA showcases businesses that make a significant effort to educate themselves and others about environmental stewardship.
MLNA is committed to creating educational opportunities, workshops and programs to educate about stewardship in the lower Midwest. Attractive, functional landscapes are a growing investment in home, business, the community, the environment and our future. Greening our environment is necessity not a luxury.

MLNA’s incoming president Kim Lovelace-Young of Forrest Keeling Nursery has selected “Protect and Promote Our Environment” as her presidential platform theme for 2009.

Missouri Landscape & Nursery applaudes these MLNA Green Leader Association Members:
Forrest Keeling Nursery for Rain Garden / Water Conservation Education
Loma Vista Nursery for Sustainable Business Practices
Greenscape Gardens for Green Team Participant / Habitat for Humanity
Pharm Solutions, Inc. for Environmental Awareness / Pesticide Product
Grow Native for Environmental Education
Hansen’s Tree Service for Green Waste Recycling

Special thank you also to these Green Leaders who were considered for Missouri Botanical Garden & the St. Louis Business Journal’s “Hero of the Planet” Award:

Sustainable Visionary

Kay and Leo Drey

Sustainable Communities

Alberici Constructors

Boa Construction Company Inc.

Clayco Inc.

Sustainable Employee Programs

Gallop, Johnson & Neuman

HOK

RideFinders

Sustainable Operations

Hansen’s Tree Service

Nestle Purina Petcare Company

Saint Louis Brewery Inc.

Sustainable Products

EPC

Pedro’s Planet

Sage Homebuilders

Sustainable Alliances

American Lung Association

Energy Solutions

U.S. Green Building Council-St. Louis Chapter

Giving Green

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Monsanto Company

William A. Kerr Foundation

Local Expertise Q and A

2008-12-14T15:30:00.005-06:00

Q: I have a small business. I have reduced my cost, compared my activites to my goals, reviewed my budget and what I enjoy most in my career and what I struggle with to do well or in a timely fashion. After doing all of that, I am again faced with more decisions that include cutting cost, moving my business in a different direction, or perhaps even downsizing both my services and my staff. And it seems whatever I do to cut cost will still have a negative impact on the economy. Where should I look for advice on cutting cost? It looks like this is a must for 2009.

A: According to the Drucker Institute, cutting cost is not the only answer. In a recent article featured at http://www.druckerinstitute.com/ this very topic was discussed.
Peter Drucker was very aware of the need for keeping a lid on costs. He taught that enterprises big and small should always be asking themselves not how to make a particular aspect of the business more efficient but whether it should exist at all. The question should be: “Would the roof cave in if we stopped doing this work altogether?"
And if the answer is “probably not," you should consider eliminating the task, product or service. This line of questioning should be a regular part of your business plan and reviewed often- not just when finances are tight.
It is a mistake to think that all of what we do in business is noteworthy. In fact some activities need to be measured with a satisfaction scale in mind. If the only enjoyment is relief when it is over, reconsider other ways to export, eliminate or replace the activity with another method.
I suggest that you consider what the original intents was for that particular activity, and then consult with others professionals who have similar goals and see how they are meeting those needs.
Always remember, your business is unique and your company may have different skill and abilities but many activities-regardless of the business must be completed to run a business.
Once you know what you want to accomplish, investigate specialized training for you or someone on your staff to become the expert at that task or consider hiring or contracting out those tasks to those already proficient and can make your business run smoother. If someone is already offering the service or product, meet with them, discuss your situation and see if there is a cooperative opportunity.
That can be boost for you, other businesses and the economy. Not everyone has the same gifts or abilities-accept that. Your best financial move is to recognize what you are great at doing and find people who are great at what you need help with, and then find a way to work as a team!

Favorite quote: "Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things." Peter Drucker

You never really find it- you can take it! Everyone loses it, seldom does anyone find it and no one can make it for you- time! Pause please and thank someone for their time!

Goals for 2009- enjoy some sand-somewhere , other than in your truck or the bottom of your stored away vacation suitcase!

Collin Wamsley to be at MLNA meeting at Western

2008-12-14T13:39:00.006-06:00

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently kicked-off a campaign to raise awareness about the potential impact of moving firewood. The advertising campaign was launched in 10 states known to have the emerald ash borer, which includes Missouri. The fall campaign included mobile billboards, radio ads, and newspaper articles.

Collin Wamsley, State Entomologist for the Missouri Department of Agriculture/Plant Pest Control Bureau will be at the Western and attending the Missouri Landscape & Nursery's Members Business Meeting to introduce himself and to answer questions. He can be reaches @
PO Box 630/1616 Missouri Blvd
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
voice: 573.751.5505/5507
fax: 573.522.1109

Missouri's EBA Action Plan is also posted on line @ http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/18323.pdf.

MLNA Reseach & Results

2008-12-14T13:23:00.002-06:00

Get ready to wet your whistle for 2009 ‘s Diervilla sessilifolia ‘Cool Splash’Often referred to as Northern bush honeysuckle, Diervilla sessilifolia ‘Cool Splash’ is a new variegated form of Diervilla from the Landscape Plant Development Center. It will be available wholesale through Bailey Nurseries in 2009.

The panicles of yellow trumpets that rise above its variegated foliage will be only one of the reasons it will be popular. It is also attractive, compact, durable, non-invasive and adaptable!

“Cool Splash is a densely branched deciduous shrub that creates a focal point as it establishes. A natural colonizer, it is hardy to USDA Zones 4-9. It reaches an average height of two to three feet and tolerates a wide range of soil types. It performs best in the lower Midwest with light afternoon shade and moist, well-drained soil.

[Established in 1990, the Landscape Plant Development Center is the brainchild of Executive Director Dr. Harold Pellett. who served as a professor of Horticultural Science for over 36 years at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Pellett envisioned an organization that would organize and focus the scientific research and resources in universities and arboreta and so developed the Landscape Plant Development Center to realize the great potential in plant breeding.
To date, Dr. Pellett's plant research and breeding at the University of Minnesota has produced over 25 shrub and tree varieties. His work has earned him numerous awards for his contributions to the field of landscape horticulture.]

For more information about Cool SplashTM or the Landscape Plant Development Center, please contact:Landscape Plant Development CenterP.O. Box 444Mound, MN 55364(952) 443-1505 (telephone)(952) 474-9440 (fax)

Cindy Gilberg offers addition information about Hort Co-op Silent Auction items

2008-12-12T16:09:00.005-06:00

St Louis Horticulture Co-op Spring Gardening Seminar is planned for March 7, 2009.

A popular part of the program is the silent auction which includes many garden items, plants as well as the entries from the creative container garden contest.

A new category for the silent auction will be “My Favorite Things”. They are contacting professional horticulturists in the area to submit a plant, book, tool or any other horticultural item and a description of why it is their favorite. With the auction items - and with any sponsorships as well - there is always a letter of donation/thank you from the Hort Co-op that can be submitted for tax purposes. Please consult your tax person for eligibility details.

This is an opportunity to promote yourself and your company. The submission form includes an area for the donor's name as well as company affiliation. This will be posted with every item at the auction...you can include a biz card etc to go with the item. If it is a gift certificate...you can include a catalog ...all the typical good stuff for conducting a silent auction!

They do want to show their appreciation by promoting the person/company who donates. The proceeds go to the scholarship fund as well as offsetting some of the costs of the symposium.

Don't you have a favorite think you want to send??? One option might be to donate a gift certificate towards the purchase of your favorite thing, especially if the plants are not yet available by March 7th. If you have more than one favorite, then by all means submit more than one entry!

If you would like to participate, please contact Cindy Gilberg @Cindy Gilberg, HorticulturistDesign and Consulting2906 Ossenfort Rd.Wildwood, MO 63038cindy.gilberg@gmail.com

MLNA NEW MEMBER BENEFIT SHELL OIL FLEET PLUS CARD

2008-12-12T15:58:00.003-06:00

MLNA MEMBERS SPECIAL FLEET OFFER

EARN 3%
Start saving money
• Save 3% off your fuel purchases!
• Monthly minimum requirements waived.
• Monthly program fee waived.
• No fees for additional cards.
Track expenses and control costs.
• Easy-to-use management reports.
• Track purchases by vehicle, driver and department.
• Optional odometer prompt.
• Purchase restrictions: fuel only; fuel & oil only; fuel, oil & maintenance or no restrictions
• One-station cards - a convenient option for Shell stations you visit frequently.
Enjoy added convenience.
• Driver prompts limit access to authorized users.
• Drivers can pay at the pump and get back on the road quickly.
• Accepted at thousands of Shell locations nationwide.
• Accepted at participating Jiffy Lube® locations.
• Manage your account and monitor unbilled transactions online 24/7.
CONTACT Shell Fleet Center for an application today!
Fax the completed application to 1-800-767-1325 or mail to:
Shell Fleet Card Center
P. O. Box 340
Layton, UT 84041-9990
Questions about the Shell Fleet Plus Card? Call 1-972-653-3127
* Maximum diesel rebate is $300 per month ($10,000 in purchases x 3%).

GREEN INDUSTRY STAR MODULE REQUIRMENTS

2008-12-10T13:20:00.006-06:00

The Missouri Green Industry Business Star module is the nationally recognized PLANET’s Professional Landcare Network’s certified landscape professional program (CLP) PLUS the MLNA’s General Knowledge module.

All study material and testing for the CLP portion of this module is administered through the national program. Proof of CLP Certification required before sitting for the general knowledge module. If you already have your CPL you will still need to enroll for the General Knowledge module.

To recieve credit for this "star" you must be accredited through PLANET— Professional Landcare Network. Proof of CLP Certification is required.

For information about PLANET certifications or their partnership with Lasergrade/PSI, visit them online or call the PLANET certification department at (800) 395-2522 today!

Thank you to James Johnson, PLANET Director of Certification, for offering this option to our MLNA Green Industry Business STAR certification candidates!

ANLA Offering Special Book Store Pricing to MLNA members

2008-12-10T12:01:00.003-06:00

Santa gives more gifts when they’re 75% off
Visit the store at www.amerinursery.com today!

No Air Orders, U.S. Orders only

American Nurseryman carries Horticultural Books, Software, DVDs and Videos. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add us to your address book.
*Some titles excluded. Visit the store at www.amerinursery.com today for details. While quantities last. All sales final.

Annual MLNA Reception during the 2009 Western Nursery & Landscape Association Tradeshow

2008-12-02T07:00:00.005-06:00

We Can't Wait to See You!

We look forward to seeing you at our Annual MLNA Reception during the 2009 Western Nursery & Landscape Association Tradeshow. Our reception this year will be on Sunday evening from 5:00 to 6:00. The purpose of this gathering is to allow our members and guests to network and socialize together in an informal setting.
The Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association is co-host to this gathering with the Horticultural Co-op of Metro St. Louis and the Hort NETWORK. All three groups traditionally attract approximately two hundred industry professionals at this reception, and enjoy their time together.
We extend our appreciation to four generous sponsors and their invaluable assistance to our non-profit organization and the expenses associated with this event.
Sponsorship of Hor d'erves includes:

Forrest Keeling Nursery
Home Nursery
Loma Vista Nursery
BWI Companies, Inc.

Additional refreshments and a cash bar are available.

Do you know MLNA sponsors Scholarships? Every year the MLNA raises funds, separate from our membership dues, to award several college students financial assistance, including the MLNA/FFA College Scholarship. To assist our fundraising efforts, MLNA will host a Silent Auction during the 2009 Western.
We are seeking donations and contributions for this event. All proceeds from the Silent Auction will go toward the MLNA college scholarship fund and the MLNA/FFA College Scholarship. Contributions and donations can include products and services through your company, or gift items including ipods, industry books, hunting jackets, etc. (Grow Native is offering an assortment of GN! logo items for the auction.)
Visit our website http://www.mlna.org/ and let us know of your donation/contribution, or contact one of our Board of Directors.
Sincerely,

MLNA Board of Directors

Horticulture Co-op of St. Louis requesting auction items

2008-12-01T07:05:00.002-06:00

We hope that you will consider submitting an item (or more!) for the silent auction part of the Spring 2009 St. Louis Garden Symposium to be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 (see http://www.hortco-op.org/ for details). Please contact me for details regarding this. The silent auction is always popular with the attendees and we are looking to connect the gardening public with area horticulturists by having this segment…by putting a face and a voice with each item offered in the auction.
Thank you in advance…
Cindy G.-- Cindy Gilberg, HorticulturistDesign and Consulting2906 Ossenfort Rd.Wildwood, MO 63038cindy.gilberg@gmail.com

MLNA News and Events

2008-11-25T10:57:00.001-06:00

ENROLL NOW FOR GREEN INDUSTRY STAR CERTIFICATION. TESTING DATES ARE SET FOR JANUARY 2009
Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s Green Industry Star Certification Program: Modules 1 & 3 Testing Scheduled

Date: Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 3-5 p.m.

Location: Overland Park Convention Center (Courtyard Level) Meeting Room 2

Registration Information: In order to participate in Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s new Green Industry Star Certification’s testing, you will need to register for BOTH the 2009 WESTERN Annual Meeting and Trade Show AND with the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association.

Please contact the Western directly for details on regristration for their conference and for hotel information visit the Western Nursery & Landscape Association

If you are registering for the certification testing, we have a limited number of discounted regristration fee passes to the Western that are being offered to those enrolled for certification testing.

There is a limited number available on first regristered basis- inquire about avaiability through MLNA treasurer Bryan Stringer at 417-725-3223. Your payment for certification testing must be recieved to qualify for these special discount passes.

For more information about our new state and nationally recognized professional Five Star certification, the various specialized module options and the Green Industry Business Star qualification if you are already PLANET CLP certified click here

Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association Registration Deadline: December 5, 2008

To register online or print application : Click here

Mail: 6209 MidRivers Mall Drive Suite 128

St. Charles, MO 63304

Minimum Registrants: 10

Maximum Registrants: 40

MLNA News& Events

2008-11-25T08:56:00.007-06:00

Did you know Hortica offers medical group coverage as well as individual health insurance? Contact them directly to find out about their newest offering for our MLNA membership and the green industry!

Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s Growing Together benefit program is looking to expand and strengthen our member to member program.

If you are a MLNA member like Hortica Insurance and would like to grow your business by offering special business incentives, packaging- bundling options, fleet or professional discounts, or member only service options to other MLNA members, please contact us so we can add you to our Growing Together benefit advantage program.

Or if you provide service or product to the green industry in our region and are interested in doing business with Missouri Landscape & Association’s members, please consider offerinf a special package opportunity to our state-wide membership. Please contact us so we can discuss your options.

Here are just a few other benefits of MLNA Membership:

Green Pages listing
Business profile page on MLNA website
Green Industry STAR Professional Cortication Opportunity
Educational & Trade Show and Event discounts
Networking Opportunities at MLNA Events10% OFF Large Equipment - From John DeereFleet Rates on Lawn Care Equipment - From Club CadetCommerce Bank offers a special banking package for MLNA MembersBookstore discounts - From PLANET
And Special Insurance Rates for MLNA members from Hortica Insurance

Pest Alert Update

2008-11-24T15:46:00.000-06:00

Missouri received a Special Local Need Registration of TREE-age (emamectin benzoate) for control of emerald ash borer last week, Nov 17, 2008 . We are not recommending preventative treatments for EAB unless it is found at least in the county adjacent or closer. Please contact me for the label details and for any questions about the treatment or recommendations- thank you

Collin Wamsley
State Entomologist
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Plant Pest Control Bureau
PO Box 630/1616 Missouri Blvd
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
voice: 573.751.5505/5507
fax: 573.522.1109

Research & Results

2008-11-23T09:17:00.002-06:00

How Plants Fight Back Against Pathogens Using Complex Counter Attacks

Plants are not only smart, but they also wage a good fight, according to a University of Missouri biochemist. Previous studies have shown that plants can sense attacks by pathogens and activate their defenses. However, it has not been known what happens between the pathogen attacks and the defense activation, until now. A new MU study revealed a very complex process that explains how plants counter attack pathogens. This discovery could potentially lead to crops with enhanced disease resistance.
"There is a chemical warfare between plants and pathogens," said Shuqun Zhang, associate professor of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the College of Medicine. "Normally, plants put effort into growth and development. However, when plants sense pathogens, they have to use some of their energy and resources to make secondary metabolites to fight disease. Until now, very little has been known about how this process is regulated."
According to the study, plants first sense the attack of a pathogen, and then activate defense responses by triggering a complex signaling cascade in plants. One of the defense responses is the induction and accumulation of anti-microbial defense chemicals, known as phytoalexins.
In his study, Zhang found the specific signaling path, known as a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, in the plants that ends when the defense chemical camalexin is created. Camalexin is essential for resistance to some plant diseases. Zhang used Arabidopsis, a small flowering plant and the first to have its entire genome sequenced, and Botrytis cinera, a fungal pathogen that causes grey mold disease in a number of plants including grapes and strawberries.
"By understanding at the molecular and cellular levels how plants protect themselves under adverse environmental conditions, such as pathogen attacks, we could eventually improve the disease resistance of crops," Zhang said.
The study will be published in the March 31 online early edition publication of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Adapted from materials provided by University of Missouri-Columbia.

Local Expertise Q&A

2008-11-22T09:27:00.002-06:00

Car and Truck Deduction Reminders

Q: How do I know what I can deduct for my gas expenses this year. Gas prices are up, now down- It is crazy!

A: Always seek the professional advice from a reputable tax consultant. Here are a few tips and links that may be helpful you you know what to track and what information you need. Be reminded that the Internal Revenue Service recommends that taxpayers become familiar with the tax law before deducting car- and truck-related business expenses.
Overstated adjustments, deductions, exemptions and credits of all types account for more than $30 billion in unpaid taxes annually, according to the IRS. In an effort to educate taxpayers regarding their obligation to file accurate tax returns, this fact sheet, the fifth in a series, explains the rules for deducting car and truck expenses.
http://www.missouribusiness.net/news/irs_news_102606.asp
It is important to keep complete records to substantiate items reported on a tax return. In the case of car and truck expenses, the types of records required depend on whether the taxpayer claims the standard mileage rate or actual expenses.
To claim the standard mileage rate, appropriate records would include documentation identifying the vehicle and proving ownership or a lease and a daily log showing miles traveled, destination and business purpose.
For actual expenses, a mileage log helps establish business use percentage. Taxpayers should also retain receipts, invoices and other documentation to show cost and establish the identity of the vehicle for which the expense was incurred. For depreciation purposes they need to show the original cost of the vehicle and any improvements and the date it was placed in service.
Here are some valuable links:
Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift and Car Expenses
Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home
Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records
The Tax Gap
Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource Center
Online Learning and Educational Products
Abusive Home-Based Business Tax Schemes
http://www.missouribusiness.net/news/irs_news_102606.asp

Also you may be eligible for tax IRS gas mileage credits if your business has four or less vehicles. In addition, if you do any business mileage in your own car you can also claim a tax rebate. Hydrogen fuel cell cars attract substantial tax credits as do alternative fuel conversion kits. Tax IRS gas mileage credits for electric hybrids is, however, dependent on the numbers of that particular model sold by the manufacturer.
To get further information on how your standard vehicle gasoline or diesel can be modified, at very low cost and within 45 minutes, so that you can benefit from tax gas irs mileage credits of up to 4000 dollars and at least halve the money you are currently spending on your vehicle fuel costs, visit hydrogen for cars and trucks

MLNA Member GROW NATIVE recieves Green Leader Recognition

2008-11-22T07:03:00.000-06:00

MLNA member Grow Native is a cooperative program sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. It recieves this Green Leader recognition for its recently held informative workshop and membership meeting held at Jefferson City's beautiful Runge Conservation Center.

Over 80 participants from all over the state were able to benefit from this Grow Native workshop. Attendees walked walk away at the end of a full day with valuable updates on the current focus with native plant use in Missouri, including growing information and supply contacts. It also featured green industry recycling options.

The speakers presented with passion the importance of promting and protecting Missouri's valuable resourses. There was vision sharing as well as factual data that was inspiring and encouraging including the proposed draft form and plant list details as it applies to the new MSD native plant recomedations.

Partnerships like these need to be recognized as shaping the future of our land and industry.

Congratulations and a special thank you to Tammy Bruckerhoff and Barbara Fairchild of Grow Native and Scott Woodbury of Missouri Botanical Garden's Shaw Nature Reserve for their percerverance and their cooperative efforts with so many stakeholders that are striving to protect our water and land while encouraging the future of the green industry.

We need the valuable participation and assistance Grow Native provides. MLNA is very proud to have Grow native as a active participating member in our association- congratulation GROW NATIVE- MLNA's GREEN LEADERfor Novemeber 2008- keep up the great work!

GREEN INDUSTRY STAR CERTIFICATION. TESTING DATES ARE SET FOR JANUARY 2009

2008-11-20T11:09:00.004-06:00

ATTENTION ALL GREEN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ENROLL NOW FOR GREEN INDUSTRY STAR CERTIFICATION. TESTING DATES ARE SET FOR JANUARY 2009

Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s Green Industry Star Certification Program: Modules 1 & 3 Testing Scheduled

Date: Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 3-5 p.m.

Location: Overland Park Convention Center (Courtyard Level)

Meeting Room 2

Please contact the Western directly for details on registration for their conference and for hotel information visit the Western Nursery & Landscape Association If you are registering for the certification testing, we have a limited number of discounted regristration fee passes to the Western that are being offered to those enrolled for certification testing. There is a limited number available on first regristered basis- inquire about avaiability through MLNA treasurer Bryan Stringer at 417-725-3223. Your payment for certification testing must be recieved to qualify for these special discount passes.

Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association Registration Deadline: December 5, 2008

To register online or print application : Click here

Mail: 6209 MidRivers Mall Drive Suite 128 St. Charles, MO 63304

Minimum Registrants: 10Maximum Registrants: 40

EAB new advertising campaign

2008-11-20T09:24:00.002-06:00

USDA-APHIS-PPQ’s national EAB program is hitting multiple markets nationwide this week, including St. Louis with some mobile billboards, radio spots and newspaper articles. See email from Sharon Lucick below. I’m not going to forward the sound files since they are 3MB. You can go to http://www.stopthebeetle.info/ for more detail. I just got the info today.

Collin Wamsley
State Entomologist
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Plant Pest Control Bureau
PO Box 630/1616 Missouri Blvd
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
voice: 573.751.5505/5507
fax: 573.522.1109

EAB new advertising campaign

Just wanted to give you all a brief overview of the new advertising campaign for EAB. It was launched last week in the 10 states known to have EAB - - note, we targeted selected geographic areas versus entire states therefore enabling us to stretch resources and the time line of the campaign. Included in this fall campaign are mobile billboards, radio ads and newspaper articles. In the spring we anticipate adding television to the mix. here is the web link to the micro site http://www.stopthebeetle.info/ (take the promise to see the state counter) and the billboard designs.

Sharon Sharon LucikPublic Affairs SpecialistUnited States Department of AgricultureAnimal & Plant Health Inspection Service5936 Ford Court, Ste. 200Brighton, MI 48116-8511810-844-2713 telephone810-844-0583 fax

New Trees for the 21st Century Program

2008-11-11T14:36:00.002-06:00

You and your colleagues are cordially invited to attend the next NETWORKSHOP, co-hosted by KAT Nurseries and plantright, on Thursday, November 20th, from 5:00p-9:00p. The NETWORKSHOP will, again, be held at the Lenexa Conference Center in Lenexa, KS. As always, NETWORKSHOP is FREE and includes dinner, drinks and a fantastic opportunity to mingle with others in our industry...

Our keynote speaker will be noted plantsman Earl Cully of Heritage Trees, Inc., Jacksonville, IL. His work over the past 50+ years has brought our industry such GREAT trees as Heritage River Birch, Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress, Debonair Pond Cypress, Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia and a number of outstanding Oaks (Regal Prince, Heritage, Kindred Spirit) just to name a few. Many of you had the chance to visit with Earl when he joined us for our NETWORKSHOP event back in February, but for those of you that missed out on that opportunity, you won't want to make the same mistake twice!

For the NETWORKSHOP program, click this link or cut and paste into your browser...
http://www.plantrightplants.com/plantright_NETWORKSHOP_Program_Invite_Fall_08.pdf

They are anticipating our largest turnout yet for this NETWORKSHOP, so DON'T wait until the last minute to reserve your seat. Call or e-mail them as soon as you can .

Earl Cully can be reached at: Earl Cully Heritage Trees Inc.
846 Hoagland Rd., Jacksonville, IL 62650-6340, United States

PLANET News features MLNA as State Partner With Certification

2008-11-10T15:09:00.003-06:00

MNLA has launched its newly revised, eco-friendly
Green Industry Star module certification program.
The MLNA Board of Directors is very excited about the association’s efforts in assisting the industry to identify green industry professionals. “It makes
managers’ and owners’ jobs easier when hiring staff, recognizing an employee’s
abilities, and building achievement-based incentive programs with an educational
platform,” says MaryAnn Fink, environmental horticulture project advisor/ MLNA certification committee member.
The objectives of the program are to:
• Raise the standards of the green industry’s professional
horticulturist in the state of Missouri.
• Assist the public in identifying certified green industry
horticulture professionals who have been tested on
basic principles of horticulture, environmental stewardship
ideals and best management practices as they
apply to the state of Missouri.
• Improve performance within the profession by
encouraging participation in a continuing program of
professional development.
The program has five separate stand-alone modules,
including one on business management. MNLA’s certification
comprises of both the MLNA and a university based
general knowledge test, and PLANET’s Certified
Landscape Professional (CLP) certification. CLPs can
now become Green Industry Business Stars.
“As members of PLANET, we have benefited from belonging to such a professional-oriented national and international organization,” notes MLNA member MaryAnn Fink. “MLNA wants to continue that support by encouraging green industry professionals to participate in both the PLANET certification program and the MNLA Green Industry Star program.” She concludes, “Please encourage all green industry members to be professionally involved in their associations, their communities, and the future of our industry!”

Interested in becoming PLANET certified? LaserGrade computer-based testing centers
nationwide now offer PLANET Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) testing. Candidates for both the exterior and interior CLP certification designation can take advantage of the convenience of immediate unofficial results. Certified Landscape Technician-Interior (CLT-I), Certified Turf Professional-Cool Season Lawns (CTP-CSL), and Certified Ornamental Landscape Professional (COLP) exams are also offered at the testing centers. For more information about computer based testing as well as a complete list of scheduled exams, visit the Certification section of PLANET’s Web site, LandcareNetwork.org. y

Five Green Industry Action Items for President Obama By Heather Wood Taylor

2008-11-10T14:44:00.002-06:00

While campaigning, President-Elect Barack Obama named several issues as priorities for his first months in the White House. A few of those items also happen to be on the green industry’s list of priorities for the new commander-in-chief’s agenda.
Here are some of the industry’s top action items for Obama come Jan. 20.
No. 1: The Economy
As everyone knows, when the presidency changes hands it also will change parties, and the already Democratic Congress gained even more seats in the controlling party. By far, the biggest issue swaying voters toward change this election was the economy, says Tom Delaney, director of government affairs for the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).
“Voters were so afraid of the economy and thought (the Democratic candidates) might have a better idea or a fresher idea,” Delaney says. “Unfortunately, they didn’t give a lot of thought to the Democratic Congress that didn’t do a lot so far.”
Delaney does agree with voters that the first order of business should be to take action to help boost the economy and consumer confidence.
Terry Duran also says adding jobs and getting the economy back on track should be a top priority.
“I’m a commercial contractor who specializes in shopping center maintenance. When the economy is down, shopping is down and the store owners feel the pinch,” says Duran, owner of Preferred Property Maintenance in Pleasanton, Calif. “Some even shutter their doors, as Circuit City has recently announced. These types of situations plus bankruptcies put an extra burden on the landlord, which filters down to us, the service provider.”
A major source of the economic slowdown came from the housing sector, says David Frank, president and CEO of David J. Frank Landscape Contracting in Germantown, Wis. His region -- southeast Wisconsin -- has experienced at least 33 straight months of declining housing starts - a significant drop from just a few years ago.
"It's a more competitive environment and there has been a sliding demand for new installation services," Frank says.
Any plan to fix the economy should include a plan to boost the housing market, he adds.
"Housing can’t be ignored," he says. "You can’t send everyone a check for a hundred bucks and make economy correct."
The other essential step to making things right is balancing the budget, professionals say.
"It is time for our government to tighten its belt and not overspend, just like the rest of the country," says Sandy Munley, executive director of the Ohio Landscape Association.
Politicians can't promise to decrease taxes while also vowing to increase spending on several programs, Frank adds.
No. 2: Labor
While stabilizing the economy is priority No. 1, the fix should include a solution for the H-2B problem, Munley says.
“That will aid in taking some uncertainty out of the future for businesses,” she says.
Delaney points out that employment issues go hand in hand with the economy.
“You don’t need H-2B workers if you’re not going to have work, and you’ll have some front line people you might have to lay off,” he says.
The guest-worker program accepts 66,000 workers – 33,000 each half of the year – a number that hasn’t been enough to meet employers’ demand. A provision exempting returning workers from counting against the cap expired in September 2007 and Congress hasn’t been able to pass a new extension.
Delaney defends the program against those who say there are so many unemployed workers already in the U.S. that we shouldn’t be looking elsewhere for workers.
“The people who are out of work don’t want to do that kind of work,” he says.
This is an issue Delaney hopes will be solved before Obama even takes office. The next filing day for the H-2B program is Dec. 1. Those who need workers starting April 1, 2009 can apply then. There is a chance Congress could look at it during a possible lame-duck session, which would start Nov. 17.
No. 3: Immigration
Jaime Rios voted Nov. 4 for the first time after recently becoming a U.S. citizen. While he works in Waukegan, Ill., as a landscape contractor, his family remains in Mexico, he told Progress Illinois. His hope is that Obama puts immigration reform at the top of his to-do list. Currently, stacks of paperwork separate Rios from his family.
Activists in the green industry make it a point to separate the H-2B issue from immigration talk when they meet with representatives, arguing that guest workers only reside in the country part of the year before going back to their home countries, meaning they’re not permanent citizens as immigrants are. Plus, H-2B activists fear the H-2B issue will scare members of Congress away if they think it’s tied to the mammoth task of immigration reform.
No. 4: Industry Standards
Ryan Holt, owner of Driftwood Lawn Care and Landscaping in Rising Sun, Md., is disheartened by unlicensed contractors who bring unfair competition to the market. There doesn’t seem to be enforcement of the state law that requires contractors who do work beyond mowing to receive a license. He would like to see industry-wide standards adopted.
“Of course, everyone would still be different because of the quality of their work, and if you want to mark up materials, so be it,” Holt says. “But in terms of general overhead cost, I wish there was a level playing field.”
No. 5: Healthcare
Holt also identified healthcare as an issue that concerns him. He fears Obama’s plan to require companies to provide healthcare would cause him to pay more, which would then mean he would have to raise his prices and become less competitive.
Whatever happens, he would like to better understand what goes into the ever increasing healthcare costs as the system stands now.
“You would hope the private market would be more competitive, but they almost seem to be in collusion with one another,” he says.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
» Post your comments on this story on the Lawn & Landscape Message Board

MLNA awards new member Hansen’s Tree Service as MLNA Green Leader and congratulates them for being finalist is the Hero of the Planet Awards!

2008-10-24T15:19:00.003-05:00

MLNA awards new member Hansen’s Tree Service as MLNA Green Leader and congratulates them for being finalist is the Hero of the Planet Awards!

Hansen’s Tree Service was founded by Jeff Hansen in 1988. The company performs residential and commercial tree services, including diagnosis, treatment, pruning, tree removal and stump removal. In addition to 100 percent green waste recycling, Hansen’s also stands out because of its dedication to professional certification programs and staff development. Hansen’s is the first and only tree care company in Missouri to be accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and employs nine ISA certified arborists. For more information, visit www.hansenstree.com.

ANLA and the Lighthouse Program

2008-10-24T11:46:00.002-05:00

Dear Green Industry Voter,

This November 4th, as voters head to the polls across the country, the future public policy direction and fate of the green industry will be determined by candidates who prevail in the national general election. While media outlets are saturated with coverage of the Presidential race, receiving far less attention are down-ballot races where 435 U.S. House seats and over a third of the U.S. Senate seats are at stake.

Do you really know where your local candidates for federal office stand on issues of importance to the industry?

ANLA and the Lighthouse Program are pleased to present the 2008 ANLA/Lighthouse Voter Guide. This non-partisan, informational guide will help you better understand where some of the hot races are throughout the country in Lighthouse states, the voting record for your Representative or Senator on issues of importance to the green industry during the 110th Congress, and a review of industry champions that have received approval and contributions by and from your peers on the ANLA-PAC Advisory Committee. This information is available to the industry thanks to the Lighthouse Program and our state association partners.

Regardless of your political affiliation or philosophy, make sure to review the ANLA/Lighthouse Voter Guide on issues as they pertain to our industry. Remember that an educated voter is the best voter. One last thing…don’t forget to vote on November 4th!

To view the voter guide, click here.

Best regards,

Corey Connors
Director of Legislative Relations
ANLA

Pest News Kansas City, MO does preemptive strike against EAB

2008-10-16T08:42:00.001-05:00

Kansas City gets money to replace ash trees downtown before dreaded bug arrives Kansas City Star, Kansas City, MO
10-15-08
by Matt Campbell, mcampbell@kcstar.com

Kansas City will get $10,000 from the state conservation department to replace 53 of the most susceptible ash trees downtown with other species before the dreaded emerald ash borer gets here.
Actually, the metallic green beetle, which has killed an estimated 100 million ash trees in other parts of the country, may already be here but just hasn’t been detected yet, said City Forester Forest Decker. But if it’s not, it soon will be.
And there will still be plenty for the destructive bugs to eat. Decker says there are more than 42,000 ash trees in the public right of way in Kansas City alone.

News and Events MLNA Salutes Heroes of the Planet Award Finalists with MLNA Green Leader Recognition

2008-10-15T16:06:00.005-05:00

MLNA salutes Heroes of the Planet Award Finalists with Missouri Landscape & Nursery Green Leader Recognition. MLNA recognizes each of these finalists as winners within the green industry because of their high standards. "They each have set a positive example of environmental sustainability. We are so proud to have them here as an influence on our region" says MaryAnn Fink, Executive Director of MLNA, the statewide professional green industry association.
Congratulations to each of you!

St. Louis Business Journal and Missouri Botanical Garden will present this first annual award Oct 23rd, 2008. It is proudly sponsored by UMB Bank, Veolia Environmental Services and Oracle.

MLNA thanks these sponsors for recognizing environmental stewardship.

SUSTAINABLE VISIONARY

Kay and Leo Drey

Sustainable Communities

Alberici Constructors Boa Construction Company Inc. Clayco Inc.

Sustainable Employee Programs

Gallop, Johnson & Neuman HOK RideFinders

Sustainable Operations

Hansen’s Tree Service Nestle Purina Petcare Company Saint Louis Brewery Inc.

Sustainable Products

EPC Pedro’s Planet Sage Homebuilders

Sustainable Alliances

American Lung Association Energy Solutions U.S. Green Building Council-St. Louis Chapter

Giving Green

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Monsanto Company William A. Kerr Foundation

For more information about these finalist and their accomplishments visit these links and read the St. Louis Business Journal. Please send a note of thanks to each for their sustainable stewardship.

Low Impact Development Practice -A practice worth perfecting

2008-10-15T14:07:00.004-05:00

Storm water runoff continues to be a concern in communities large and small across Missouri and throughout the United States. Currently there are a number of cooperative public outreach education programs, professional training seminars and conference opportunities and an increasing number of incentive programs that introduce various aspects of Low Impact Development (LID) practices to assist with management of targeted pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and total suspended solids. and storm water
MLNA wished to encourage its members to review these topics and consider promoting these practices as a business as well to the public. Become informed and create your niche based on any or all of these practices that protect our environment

Ten Common LID Practices
1. Rain Gardens and Bioretention
2. Rooftop Gardens / Shield Systems
3. Sidewalk Porous surface & Storm Water Filtering
4. Vegetated Swales , Buffers, and Strips; Tree Preservation
5. Roof Leader Disconnection
6. Rain Barrels and Cisterns
7. Permeable Pavers
8. Soil Amendments; Organic
9. Impervious Surface Reduction and Disconnection
10. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping
http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/storm/chap12.asp

Pervious Paving Research

2008-10-15T12:43:00.002-05:00

From RMC Research & Education Foundation:
The RMC Research & Education Foundation has released a pervious concrete research report. The study Portland Cement Pervious Concrete Pavement: Field Performance Investigation on Parking Lot and Roadway Pavements was conducted at Cleveland State University over a three-year period. Field observations and testing were conducted at sites in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Colorado, and Pennsylvania with results validating that pervious concrete has performed well in freeze-thaw environments, with little maintenance required.
Notable points Comment: Little Maintenance required - music to our ears, if it holds up. Inclusion of freeze-thaw climate areas should answer some questions that have been lingering for some.
(Firestone is marketing a pervious paving product made from recycled tire material. Applications for vehicular use seem sketchy, but a sweet specification for hardscapes and walks. Check it out at http://www.firestonesp.com/sustainable_products.asp)

Grow Up Green Roof Tour Announcement Scheduling Change

2008-10-09T15:41:00.002-05:00

MLNA is pleased to announce a rescheduling of the Grow Up –Green Roof and Wall tour for late May 2009. Not cancelled but delayed to make it a bigger and better tour! This will be a better time frame to see these wonderful projects that showcase our MLNA members and this “growing “trend”. It will be hosted by Jost Greenhouse and Green Roof Blocks.
Missouri Landscape & Nursery members, all Allied Industry Organizations (AIO) Members including the St. Louis Regional Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects as well as any interested green industry professionals and will be invited. Watch for the date and further announcements as the MLNA 2009 calendar year is filling fast!

Growing with you,

Vic JostJost Greenhouses
12340-48 Eckelmann Lane
Des Peres, Mo. 63131

sales@jostgreenhouses.com

http://www.jostgreenhouses.com/

phone: (314) 821-2834

fax: (314) 821-4950

MoTOC sponsored events St Louis and Kansas City

2008-10-07T05:02:00.000-05:00

MoTOC sponsored event

“Good To Great” December 3-4, 2008

If you are a part of the Green Industry, the Missouri Turf and Ornamental Council (MoTOC, formerly MVTA), Gateway Chapter Sports Turf Managers Association (GCSTMA) and the Gateway Irrigation Association (GIA) would like to invite you to the Missouri Green Industry Conference to be held December 3-4 at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, MO (just west of St. Louis. The knowledge you gain from just one session may be what it takes to get you and your company over the top from “Good to Great.” Educational tracks include Irrigation, Category 3 Pesticide Applicator Recertification, Sports Turf, Lawn/Landscape and Business. The topics are what you need to get ahead and the speakers are some of the best in the industry. For more information, click here.

Kansas City Area

Heartland Green Industry Expo, “Common Ground” in Overland Park, KS. December 16 and 17, 2008

Missouri Turf and Ornamental Council, MoTOC, (formerly MVTA) is partnering for the third year with Mid America Green Industry Council (MAGIC), and Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents Association to provide an outstanding conference and equipment expo. There will be Educational Tracks in Sports Turf, Lawn/Landscaping, Business, and Golf.

For more information go to the MoTOC website at http://www.motoc.org/ or contact Mike Krone, President, Missouri Turf and Ornamental Council (MoTOC) at (314)392-2328, mkrone@motoc.org.

ALNA Event Notice

2008-10-07T04:04:00.003-05:00

The Department of Homeland Security announced its final rule regarding how employers must handle mismatch letters from the Social Security Administration. Since an estimated 65-70 percent of nursery field work is done by undocumented workers, this new rule should rock the industry.

Federal Wage & Hour, Migrant Act and Immigration Compliance Seminar
Lead by Monte B. Lake

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 10 am-2 pm

With Lunch Speaker: Craig Regelbrugge

Cahaba Grand Conference Center
Ballroom J & M
3660 Grandview Parkway
Birmingham, Alabama

Department of Labor wage & hour and Federal Migrant audits and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immigration audits and raids are on the rise. Monte B. Lake is well-positioned to guide green industry employers on how to avoid compliance traps and common and costly mistakes with I-9’s, Social Security no-match letters, wage & hour and MSPA violations. This will be a hands-on session allowing plenty of time to have your questions answered.

Monte B. Lake is a nationally renowned agricultural labor attorney with the Washington DC based Siff & Lake, LLP. He is an expert consultant on employment law and immigration for the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and serves as a legal counselor and advisor to the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform.

Craig Regelbrugge is the Vice President of Government Relations and Research for the American Nursery & Landscape Association. He will be presenting a snapshot view of where we are on immigration reform and what the upcoming election may bring us.

Participating Partners:
Alabama Farmers Federation
Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association
Alabama Turfgrass Association
America Nursery & Landscape Association
Georgia Green Industry Association
Mississippi Nursery & Landscape Association
In Cooperation with the Risk Management Agency

For more information contact: Craig J. Regelbrugge
Vice President for Gov't Relations and Research
American Nursery & Landscape Association
1000 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
202/789-2900; 202/741-4851 direct; 202/425-4401 cell
cregelbrugge@anla.org

MLNA members invited to join Grow Native Program

2008-10-01T07:43:00.002-05:00

Become a GN Member now so you can attend membership meetings and learn more about promoting "home" while protecting Missouri's native flora!

The Grow Native! Membership Meeting and Workshop will be held Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at the Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City. (Meeting and workshop open to GN members only)

Guest speakers will include:
Alan Branhagen, Powell Gardens
Rob Didriksen, Missouri State Recycling Program
Sheri Bohrer, Forrest Keeling Nursery
Frank Oberle, Pure Air Native Seed
Amy Hamilton, Hamilton’s Native Outpost
Jim and Betty Grace, Grace Native Seed
Tammy Bruckerhoff, Grow Native! MDA
Barbara Fairchild, Grow Native! MDC

Grow Native! members may reserve a FREE exhibit space to display price lists, catalogs, business cards, flyers and product samples.

The meeting and workshop will be 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Registration fee for the workshop will be $10. Lunch included in registration.

Grow Native! 2009 Membership Kits and more information about the Membership Meeting & Workshop will be sent out soon via postal mail.

In the mean time, make plans to attend November 19 and mark your calendar today!

Hope to see you there!
Tammy

Tammy Bruckerhoff
Grow Native! MDA
P.O. Box 630
Jefferson City, MO 65102
P: 573-522-4170
F: 573-751-2868
www.grownative.org

IDOT offers plan to fight ash borer beetle

2008-09-30T10:55:00.002-05:00

(PEORIA, Ill. — In an effort to stop the spread of invasive emerald ash borer beetle, the Illinois Department of Transportation says it won't plant ash trees in any more of its landscaping projects.
Craig Mitckes is a maintenance manager for the department. He says IDOT would like to be proactive in stopping the beetle's spread across Illinois. He also says department crews will remove any ash trees that are infested.

Juliann Heminghous is the emerald ash borer outreach coordinator for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. She says any help from IDOT would provide significant help in fighting the beetles.
Emerald ash borers feed on ash trees, eventually killing them. The insect has been blamed for killing millions of trees in the Midwest.

Green Industry Star Certification Program: Modules 1 & 3 Testing

2008-09-26T10:10:00.001-05:00

Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s Green Industry Star Certification Program: Modules 1 & 3 Testing
Date: Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 3-5 p.m.
Location: Overland Park Convention Center (Courtyard Level) Meeting Room 2
Registration Information: In order to participate in Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s new Green Industry Star Certification’s testing, you will need to register for BOTH the 2009 WESTERN Annual Meeting and Trade Show AND with the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association. For more information about our new state and nationally recognized professional Five Star certification, the various specialized module options and the Green Industry Business Star qualification if you are already PLANET CLP certified click here
Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association Registration
Deadline: December 5, 2008
Register By:
Phone: Call MLNA at 636.939.9079
Online: Click here
Mail: 6209 MidRivers Mall Drive Suite 128 St. Charles, MO 63304
Minimum Registrants: 10
Maximum Registrants: 40
2009 WESTERN Annual Meeting and Trade Show Registration
Deadline: None
Register By:
Phone: Call WESTERN at 888.233.1876
Online: Click here

State and federal quarantines have been established for Wayne County

2008-09-26T08:06:00.002-05:00

Both state and federal quarantines have been established for Wayne County by the MO Dept. of Agriculture and USDA-APHIS Plant Protection & Quarantine, respectively. See these web sites:
http://www.mda.mo.gov/news/2008/PR09032008.htm
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/emerald_ash_b/quarantine.shtml

- A recent one-hour webinar discussing the status of EAB in Missouri can be viewed online. It's hosted by MU Extension and can be viewed at this web site:
https://admin.na3.acrobat.com/_a799913848/p87216095/

- Current EAB information for Missouri can be obtained at these web sites:
http://mdc.mo.gov/forest/health/ashborer/
http://www.snr.missouri.edu/forestry/extension/emeraldash.php

- If folks think they might have EAB in their trees, we recommend that first they check the above Missouri EAB web sites or the national site ( www.emeraldashborer.info/ ) to learn exactly what signs and symptoms to look for. Then, they can report suspect trees by either calling the EAB toll-free phone: 866-716-9974 , or reporting via the web with the online form at:
http://mdc.mo.gov/forest/health/ashborer/

---------------------------------------------------
Rob Lawrence
Resource Scientist - Forest Entomologist
Missouri Department of Conservation
1110 S. College Ave.
Columbia, MO 65201

Voice: 573-882-9909 ext 3303
Fax: 573-882-4517
Email: Robert.Lawrence@mdc.mo.gov
---------------------------------------------------

February 5th 2009

2008-09-18T17:02:00.023-05:00

SAVE THE DATE - Note New Location, more room -beautiful facility!

February 5th, 2009

MLNA Annual Winter Short Course New location: Holiday Inn Select Executive Center / Convention Hotel, Columbia, MO.

We are working on the program to coordinate with our Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association's Sustainability Platform. The year long focus for 2009 Protect and Preserve; Planning For the Future

Date To Be Set In October

2008-09-18T17:02:00.022-05:00

”Green Roofs & Walls Are Growing” Tour –Hosted By Jost Greenhouse and Green Roof Blocks
MLNA ends the traveling workshop series on a high note with our Green Industry Pro Tour. Missouri Landscape & Nursery members, industry professionals and Allied Industry Organization (AIO) Member, the St. Louis Regional Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects are invited. If you are interested be sure to contact me @636-939-9079. More information will be sent out in an e-mail blast as soon as we tie up the details! We are working on a full day of touring green walls and roofs in the St. Louis area. This is a great networking and educational opportunity. The date looks to be after Oct 7th, 2008. Watch for details coming soon!

Watch for our Ads

2008-09-18T17:02:00.021-05:00

Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association has taken the next step with their 2008 Green Industry Professional Awareness Campaign.

Already connecting members to members and members to the public with the MLNA "Green Pages," they will now also run informational ads in The Kansas City Gardener and The Gateway Gardener.

"This will increase recognition for our members, the green industry professional and support these important regional publications that provide valuable communication links between the public and the green industry community" said MaryAnn Fink, Excutive Director of MLNA. "Both magazines will also be a special feature on MLNA's new website @ http://www.mlna.org/"

MLNA offers Butterfly Host Plant List on Request

2008-09-18T17:02:00.017-05:00

Do you need a list of Missouri’s butterfly host plants?
The MLNA has it. MaryAnn has a list of native plants that support our native butterfly population. Please Contact her if you'd like this list of plants sent to you.

Membership Special For New Members

2008-09-18T17:02:00.008-05:00

Pre- Calendar Year MembershipSpecial for New Members
This Pre-January Membership special is available to first time members only!
(returning members not included in this promotion)Don’t wait till January to join MLNA. Begin enjoying MLNA Membership advantages now!
- Membership Discount Programs, Marketing & Advertising on the MLNA website Green Pages
- Monthly E-Newsletters/ Communication
- Ongoing Education and newly revised Green Star Certification Program
- MLNA Member Products and Service Benefits
- MLNA Member to Member Network Listing / Contact Information File (requests to be added or removed are honored)
We look forward to welcoming you into our organization.

G.R. Robinson Seeds & Service New Member

2008-09-18T17:02:00.007-05:00

Featured New Member:
G.R. Robinson Seeds & Service Co.
8674 Olive Street
St. Louis MO.
63132
314.432.0300
314.432.0388
Contact Person: Glenn Kraemer
gmmseed@sbcglobal.net
Years in Business 9
Business Category Horticulture Supply for landscapers, municipalities and homeowners-specifically for turf grass and landscape.
Key products are: Grass seed, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides & herbicides for turf and landscape. Turf grass consulting for commercial & residential clients
Glenn Kraemer is owner/operator of the G.R. Robinson Seed & Service Company, home of "George’s Magic Mix." This grass seed mix is specially formulated for St. Louis-area lawns, and is available in three types: sun, shade and heavy traffic. A native of St. Louis, Glenn specializes in practical, hands-on advice for residential, commercial and athletic fields. St. Louis lawns present particular challenges, Glenn says, because of our hot and humid summers. Glenn can assist landscape professionals as they encounter difficulties in controlling diseases and turf management. St. Louis typically has a range of weather situations and a challenge, as a Best Management Practice Counselor, Glenn specializes in appropriate chemical use, mowing issues and water application technique. Glenn draws on his horticulture degree and years of experience in teaching at Missouri Botanical Garden. Many landscapes have become top rated examples of well managed turf following his recommendations including for an extended period, The Lang Family Bird Garden at the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at Missouri Botanical Garden. He has taught at the Missouri Botanical Garden since 1998, and has been featured at their Spring Educational Events. He has also taught turf grass classes at St. Louis Community College- Meramec. You can reach him by email at gmmseed@sbcglobal.net.

EAB Update

2008-09-18T17:02:00.006-05:00

MLNA Pest Alert
Update on the Emerald Ash Borer
MLNA is advising the public, communities /municipalities to update their tree inventory and take notice of their number of ash trees and consider making adjustments to long term planting programs. Click here for a short and long list of tree alternatives that are recommended to perform well in Missouri.
How to identify an ash tree and ash borer damage- click here How to identify lilac borer which also attacks ash trees and is much more common ( there are several borers that can damage ash trees but none have the same traits or have as serious potential) click here. There will be continued monitoring of the traps in place but no more traps will be installed this year.The traps in use are still being modified and improved for production. Due to this evolution they are not available for purchase.There has been an emergency permit applied for the use of Tree-age for control. It is not currently approved for use in Missouri. For information on Michigan’s effort to control EAB with this pesticide click here

EAB Update

2008-09-18T17:02:00.003-05:00

MLNA is advising the public, communities /municipalities to update their tree inventory and take notice of their number of ash trees and consider making adjustments to long term planting programs. Click here for a short and long list of tree alternatives that are recommended to perform well in Missouri.
How to identify an ash tree and ash borer damage- click here How to identify lilac borer which also attacks ash trees and is much more common ( there are several borers that can damage ash trees but none have the same traits or have as serious potential) click here. There will be continued monitoring of the traps in place but no more traps will be installed this year.The traps in use are still being modified and improved for production. Due to this evolution they are not available for purchase.There has been an emergency permit applied for the use of Tree-age for control. It is not currently approved for use in Missouri. For information on Michigan’s effort to control EAB with this pesticide click here

MLNA Member Hortica Insurance announcement

2008-09-17T10:20:00.000-05:00

CONTACT: Amy Burger
(314) 265-1372
amy@amyburger.com

HORTICA ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIR
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill., September 16, 2008 – Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits announces that, effective immediately, former chairman of the board M. James Leider will re-assume the role of chairman until the company’s February 24, 2009 policyholders meeting. He replaces Todd Bachman, who was killed tragically in Beijing last month. Leider had served as chairman of the board from October 1997 to February 2008.
Jim Leider is Chairman & CEO of Leider Horticultural Companies, Inc. Based in the Chicago area, the company operates a commercial greenhouse operation and seasonal retail garden centers in Buffalo Grove, Ill., a nursery and farm in Knox County Ill., and a foliage plant nursery in Boynton Beach, Fla. He has served as past chairman for several industry organizations including the Society of American Florists and the American Floral Endowment.

About Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits
Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits, a 120-year-old mutual insurance company, specializes in providing business insurance, employee benefits and personal insurance to the horticultural industry. Since 1887, Hortica has grown its customer base to include all types of businesses in the horticultural industry. Hortica is a member of numerous state and national industry associations, including the Society of American Florists, American Nursery & Landscape Association and Professional Landcare Network. For more information about Hortica, call 800-851-7740 or visit hortica-insurance.com.

Flash Flooding In Missouri

2008-09-17T05:02:00.000-05:00

Major disaster assistance requested of FEMA following September 14th’s flash flood by
St. Louis County Executive, Charlie Dooly. More than 720 residents and over 100 private businesses were affected, many of which do not have private insurance coverage to insure property restoration. Click these links for more information: http://www.co.st-louis.mo.us/index.cfm?ViewMe=11875 and http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=576 Affected MLNA members please share your experiences over this event, what advice, suggestions or directions you would like to share and let everyone know what can be done to help!

Missouri Native Plants Cultivating Care and in the Commercial Landscape

2008-09-16T13:02:00.001-05:00

MLNA Traveling Workshop Programs for 2009. Members are invited to submit requests now or any time during the year. Several topics are in the planning stages including “Missouri Native Plants; Cultivating A Care & Management Plan in the Commercial Landscape” (St. Louis Area) and Tree Inventory Basics (Kansas City area) More details available soon.

2009 Summer Meeting and Field Day In Springfield

2008-09-15T17:02:00.000-05:00

June 2009
Summer Field Day Springfield Missouri - Plans are underway for next year's summer event which will include a tour of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden · Botanical Gardens at Close Memorial Park. Details Soon!

MLNA Green Leaders Pharm Solutions In the News

2008-09-11T23:08:00.000-05:00

MLNA Green Leaders In the News
Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s Member, Pharm Solution’s Products receives USDA Organic Certification
National Organic Program Certification: The Company says its Rose Pharm, Veggie Pharm, Indoor Pharm, Flower Pharm, Fungus Pharm, Oil Pharm, and Soap Pharm are the only pesticides to qualify as USDA Certified Organic. The Pharm Solutions line of patent-pending organic pesticides has been available since 2004. "The process has been challenging," said Susan E. Lewis, founder and president. "We believe we have set a new standard for pesticides and hope this accomplishment motivates other pesticide manufacturers to follow suit”. For more information about this new MLNA member visit: http://pharmsolutions.com/
Please use the Event News Release Form or send an email to let us know what you are doing in the news and for our communities. Your event will be included on the MLNA website, the MLNA blog and enewsletter when space allows!)

Revises EAB Quarantine to include Houghton and Keweenaw Counties in the U.P.

2008-09-11T14:54:00.002-05:00

For Immediate Release: September 11, 2008
Contact: James Bowes, 517-373-1085
Michigan Revises EAB Quarantine to include Houghton and Keweenaw Counties in the U.P.
LANSING - Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) today announced an amendment to the state’s Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) interior quarantine to help prevent the further spread of the exotic insect in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.).
Effective immediately, Michigan’s EAB interior quarantine has been revised to include all of Houghton and Keweenaw counties in the U.P. In August 2008, an EAB infestation was discovered near the Village of Laurium in Houghton County.
"Michigan’s natural resources continue to be at risk," said Ken Rauscher, MDA’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director.
"Over the past several weeks, MDA staff, including EAB response partners, has conducted surveys around the Laurium site to determine the extent of the infestation. The current quarantine revision continues to prohibit the movement of ash material or hardwood firewood from quarantined areas in the U.P. or from the Lower Peninsula."
The Houghton County quarantine is divided into two levels: the City of Hancock and the townships of Calumet, Franklin, Hancock, Osceola, Quincy, Schoolcraft, and Torch Lake are quarantine Level II; and the remaining portions of Houghton County are quarantine Level III.
Keweenaw County is designated as quarantine Level III due to its geographic location to the EAB infestation in Houghton County. The movement of hardwood firewood and other regulated articles out of quarantine Level II and III areas of the U.P. is prohibited except regulated articles may move from Level III into Level II areas.
EAB is an exotic insect native to Asia that attacks ash trees. In its larval stage, EAB feeds undetected under the bark of ash trees, disrupting water and nutrient flow - ultimately killing the trees in three to four years. First discovered in 2002, the borer is responsible for the death or damage of approximately 25 million ash trees in the Lower Peninsula.
The movement of hardwood firewood is still prohibited from leaving the Lower Peninsula as it is the leading cause of spreading EAB. The inspection station at the Mackinac Bridge will also continue to prevent hardwood firewood and other regulated ash material from entering the Upper Peninsula.
Individuals or businesses found violating the state’s EAB quarantine are subject to fines ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years for moving regulated ash materials, including firewood.
Additional information about EAB, quarantine details and a map of the quarantine boundaries are available at http://www.blogger.com/www.michigan.gov/eab or http://www.blogger.com/www.emeraldashborer.info.
###

Robin M. Usborne
Communications Manager
Michigan State University
312 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
ph: 517-432-1555 x 169
fax: 517-355-1804
http://www.blogger.com/www.emeraldashborer.info

Membership Meeting and Hospitality Reception at Western

2008-09-10T20:02:00.001-05:00

Join MLNA Members at the 2009 Western Annual Meeting and Trade Show
January 4 - 6, 2009, Overland Park, KS.
MLNA will have our 2009 Business Meeting, followed by a Missouri Landscape and Nursery
Association sponsored Hospitality Reception for MLNA, Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis and Hort NetWORK members & guests. The Hort Coop of Metro St. Louis and The HortNetWork of the Kansas City Metropolitan Region are our local allied organizations. MLNA encourages membership in local, state and regional associations. All Green Industry Professionals Welcomed!
Also the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s Green Industry Star Certification Program Modules 1 & 3 Testing will be Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 3-5 p.m. Overland Park Convention Center (Courtyard Level) Meeting Room 2 . In order to participate in Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s new Green Industry Star Certification’s testing, you will need to register for BOTH the 2009 WESTERN Annual Meeting and Trade Show AND with the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association.
For more information about our new state and nationally recognized professional Five Star certification, the various specialized module options and the Green Industry Business Star qualification if you are already PLANET CLP certified click here.

Compost Helps Manage Water Runoff

2008-09-10T09:02:00.000-05:00

Compost Helps Manage Water Runoff
The Iowa Department of Transportation provided funds for Dr. Thomas Glanville, professor at Iowa State University, to conduct a study to determine how compost blankets would control erosion and sediment runoff at highway embankment sites.
The study compared subsoil compaction, a 6” topsoil cover and a 2-4” compost blanket.
What they found in the study was that the highway embankments blanketed with compost stopped erosion to a significantly greater degree than the Iowa DOT’ conventional methods of compacting the subsoil or adding topsoil. For more information, click here.

Survey Request for Green Industry Professionals

2008-09-09T21:02:00.002-05:00

Special Feature: MLNA Member Survey sponsored by Lewis Evergreen.

Which way is your business headed? Good busineses need to know what they are looking for and where to find it to be successful. Please take this short and interesting survey to help MLNA and Bert Lewis know if you are his future customer. This survey will also help idenify who else might be able to help your buisness "grow"! We will share back the results with you to help you find customers, materials and service sources.

Visit Bert Lewis at http://www.lewisevergreen1.blogspot.com/ and watch for his new website this month!

Calculating Materials Is Easy

2008-09-09T19:02:00.001-05:00

MLNA Local Expertise Q & A
Q: I need a fast and easy way to figure product for my job particularly my mulch and top soil needs.
A: If you have internet access, there are several websites with calculator functions including this easy one that was recommended to me at Soil Builder’s website. Here is the link: http://www.soilbuildingsystems.com/CubicYard.php. If anyone has other favorite sites for this type of help please send them to us and we will post them on the blog!

In the Kansas City Area - Don't Miss This!

2008-08-18T17:17:00.000-05:00

Professional Evening at Powell Gardens

August 21, 2008
4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Co-sponsored by
Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association
HortNet Work
McHutchinson Horticultural Distributors

MLNA “Green Table” opportunity! Showcase your company/organization/distributor brochures. Special Eco-friendly introduction table sponsored by MLNA.

Whether you are attending or not you can send your business information for distribution! Please call Powell Garden for shipping and delivery instruction details.

Powell’s Pick Book Sale featuring Sponsor’s Selections!

Powell Gardens
1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50
Kingsville, MO 64061
http://www.powellgardens.org/

Cost $15 - RSVP to Emalie Hunt (ehunt@powellgardens.org)

816.697.2600 x 234

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schedule of Events:

4:00 p.m. Tours of Powell Gardens – refreshments
Specialized tours for your area of interest with Powell Professionals: Woodies, Natives, Annuals, Perennials, Water plants, Edible plants, Greenhouse, General tour

5:30 p.m. Slide presentation – Multi Purpose

"What’s New? Annuals, Perennials and Tropicals!" – Vaughn Fletcher

"Plants of Merit – the Program the Plants" – Chris Nejelski

“Safe & Sustainable Professional Pest Management Practice”
- Andy Seckinger / Olympic Horticultural Products, Inc – OHP

6:30 p.m. Dinner – Bates City BBQ – Gallery and Terrace/multipurpose

7:15 p.m. Slide presentations – Multi purpose I & II

Natives – How to Use and Sell – Alan Branhagen
Or
What’s New – Part II – Vaughn Fletcher

8:15 p.m. Closing
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cleary Turf Products Joins MLNA

2008-08-18T11:05:00.000-05:00

Thank you Brad for your membership enrollment with the MLNA

We welcome Cleary Turf Products as a 2009 member of the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association.

As a new member registering now till the end of the year at the full membership price, you receive the pre-calendar benefit of having all membership benefits starting now! This includes your own profile page on our newly updated MLNA website, our full membership’s contact information, press release distribution assistance and any special members’ only benefits including special pricing. Also let us know what your company is doing to be green! “Sustainability: MLNA’s Green Leaders Support Membership, Clients and Community” This is the title to MLNA press release going out to media soon. Be sure to let us know what your efforts are for the environment. We want to be able to have Cleary mentioned in the text with what you are doing for a sustainable future!

Missouri Noxious Weeds

2008-08-17T15:37:00.002-05:00

Noxious weeds are those for which control measures, to some extent, are required by law. Across the United States, more than 500 weeds have been designated as noxious by either weed or seed laws. In Missouri, 11 weeds carry that designation: Canada thistle, field bindweed, johnsongrass, kudzu, multiflora rose, purple loosestrife, common and cutleaf teasel, musk thistle, Scotch thistle and marijuana. Noxious Weeds of Missouri provides descriptions and one or more photographs of each weed to aid in their identification. Included is a brief discussion of biological control of musk thistle by its natural enemies. See full infoormation in downloadable PDF format at http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/agguides/pests/ipm1014.pdf

for more information on weeds of Missouri visit: http://weedid.missouri.edu/

Quarantine of Emerald Ash Borer Announced for Wayne County

2008-08-15T16:02:00.001-05:00

Missouri Department of Agriculture
Agriculture News

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 15, 2008
Media Contact: Misti Preston, (573) 751-8596/ Collin Wamsley, state entomologist, (573) 751-5505

Quarantine of Emerald Ash Borer Regulated Articles Announced for Wayne County

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has quarantined ash wood and ash products and hardwood firewood in Wayne County, effective immediately, as part of an attempt to prevent the further spread of the emerald ash borer. MDA and USDA confirmed the identification of the emerald ash borer in late July at a campground near Greenville in Wayne County – the first detection of the plant pest in Missouri. The emerald ash borer is an invasive wood boring pest that is responsible for the death and decline of over 30 million ash trees across the U.S. “This quarantine of Wayne County is a necessary step in doing everything we can to prevent movement and a further infestation of the emerald ash borer,” said Collin Wamsley, state entomologist with MDA. “Missouri has participated in a nationwide early detection effort since 2004. The arrival of the Emerald ash borer, although a disappointment, was not a surprise. We will continue to do everything we can to protect Missouri forests and landscapes from further infestation.” The quarantine is issued under the regulatory authority provided by the Plant Protection Act which authorizes the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant part, or article if the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the dissemination of a plant pest in the U.S. MDA and USDA-APHIS continue to carryout delimiting surveys around the initial detection site of the emerald ash borer. The first U.S. detection of the Emerald ash borer occurred in Michigan in 2002. Since then, it has been detected eight other states including Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Virginia. Missouri is the furthest south and west of any other known infestations. For more information regarding the emerald ash borer, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/firewood or call Collin Wamsley at (573) 751-5505. To learn more about the Plant Protection Act, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_phproact.html.

Small Business Invited To Testify

2008-08-13T08:48:00.003-05:00

The Missouri Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board ensures that Missouri state agency rules and regulations do not create an unfair burden for small businesses. SBRFB, working with small business owners throughout Missouri, ensures that the voice of small business is considered when state rules and regulations are created. The SBRFB will hold a public hearing from 1-4 pm, Wednesday, September 3, at the Bill Foster North Room of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, 202 S John Q Hammons Pkwy, Springfield. Registration will begin at 12:30pm. The Board has invited Professional Registration within the Missouri Department of Insurance to testify at the hearing.

The board will receive testimony with regard to the state agency's efforts to include small business in the development of their rules and regulations. Small business owners who wish to comment on how state agency rules and regulations affect their operations are invited to attend. Comments may be given orally or by written testimony.

Registration forms may be found on the board’s website (http://www.sbrfb.ded.mo.gov/); by sending an e-mail request to mailto:sbrfb@ded.mo.gov?subject=Comment%20for%20the%20SBRFB or by calling 1-866-719-1401. Opening for testimony will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-in testimony will be allowed if time permits. Should small business owners be unable to attend, written testimony may be sent in advance of the forum to be included in the public record. Written testimony forms can be found at www.sbrfb.ded.mo.gov/comments.htm and should be sent to Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Missouri Department of Economic Development, P.O. Box 118, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or e-mailed to SBRFB@ded.mo.gov.

Small business owners, as well as organizations are encouraged to provide comment to the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board on issues related to how state agency rules and regulations impact small business operations.

If you have any questions about the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board or the public hearing on September 3rd, please feel free to contact me at (573) 526-3606 or by email at krista.zurkamer@ded.mo.gov.

MLNA planning our Summer Field Day In Springfield for 2009

2008-08-12T11:05:00.004-05:00

MLNA already in planning stage for our Summer Field day for 2009-Here is a brief note from MLNA Treasurer Bryan Stringer/ MLNA Field Day 2009 Planning Chairman

At this time the MLNA board is looking into having our annual summer field day in Springfield, MO at Close Park. Close Park is located in the south west part of the city across from Horton Smith golf course. Plans are currently in the works to establish a botanical center in Close Park to act a central hub to the various gardens throughout the park. We would look to hold the event around the third week in June similar to this years field day. I am looking forward to having the MLNA host an event in southwestern Missouri. It has been several years since the presence of the MLNA has been felt in this part of the state.

Growing together,

Bryan Stringer
MLNA Treasurer

Very Active Board Members showcase MLNA at various venues across the state

2008-08-12T10:08:00.013-05:00

Invitation To all MLNA members and Green Industry Professionals to attend Field Day at The Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. This research arm of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri-Columbia is celebrating their 49th Year of Science in the Public Service Friday, Sept. 12, 2008. Located
4 mi. southwest of Mt. Vernon, Missouri on Hwy. H, Field Day is co-sponsored by the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri-Columbia, and Ozark Electric Cooperative, Mt Vernon, Missouri.
Tours start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.
(Ozark Electric’s annual meeting begins at 1pm)

TOPICS WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON HORTICULTURE! Special Topic: Viticulture
PLUS: As always: "Ask the Experts" Clinic
(Diseases, Insect, Weeds, Horticulture Problems)

Free Lunch Friday to First 1,000 Visitors Who Sign In
At The Registration Booth

For more information: http://aes.missouri.edu/swcenter/fieldday/08flyer.pdf

or contact Carla Rathmann at mailto:RathmannC@missouri.edu

Invitation to Green Industry Professionals to Join MLNA

2008-07-25T11:43:00.000-05:00

We have Great News! We are extending a special invitation to you and your company to be a part of Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association, the statewide green industry’s professional trade organization.

The Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association (MLNA) provides valuable services through electronic communications, business connections and linking opportunities. Networking and special member benefits with associate businesses, green industry affiliates and service providers are available to MLNA members.
Visit our website http://www.mlna.org/. It is transforming with a total renovation We are making grand efforts to provide MLNA members special savings, service benefits with associated businesses information and education for both you and your customer, including our "share with our members" MLNA Member to Member Network Listing / Contact Information File (requests to be added or removed are honored).

Our membership year is progressing quickly and so much is happening. Wonderful educational events clinics and networking opportunities are planned for fall of 2008 (working on traveling workshops- if you are a member and would like to take advantage of this "education at your door" opportunity- contact us. Next - a wonderful green roof and wall tour sponsored by Jost Greenhouses!)

Our state certification program has been revised and is one of the first green industry certification programs to have both state and national recognition. Be involved in future marketing and advertising programs and promotions.

Plan to attend our Powell's Professional Evening August 21st, 2008. This year is the first time we will have this opportunity with "behind the scene" tours, several wonderful educational programs and a delightful meal. We plan to "grow" this event in the coming years.

There are many advantages to becoming a member of a professional trade association such as the MLNA. The most prominent is the exposure and recognition extended through local and regional affiliates. Plan to join us at the Western Convention in Kansas City next January. Attend our 2009 Nuts&Bolts Winter Short Course at our a new location in Columbia in Feb and of course we welcome all professionals to next year's Summer Field Day in Springfield Missouri!

We are working to build strong ties to our communities and its leaders. (See our recent press release with MLNA members and St. Louis Mayor Slay! ) We are positioning the MLNA as a collective voice to represent the industry in our communities and politically. We are continuing our support of ANLA’s Lighthouse Program and are proud members of PLANET.
Now is the perfect time to join MLNA, complete and return our Membership Application and let us show you the benefits MLNA provides.

First time ever offered - special half rate Mid -Season Introduction Membership available to first time members only! You must mention you are a "MLNA BLOG BROWSER" -returning members not included in this promotion.

MLNA Membership advantages include:

Membership Discount Programs, Marketing & Advertising on the MLNA website Green Pages
Monthly E-Newsletters/ Communication, Education and newly revised Green Star Certification Program
MLNA Member Products and Service Benefits
MLNA Member to Member Network Listing / Contact Information File (requests to be added or removed are honored)

We look forward to welcoming you into our organization. Post Missouri Landscape & Nursery’s Flowering Dogwood Logo and let your customers and associates know you are a proud member of MLNA. Thank you for your consideration of our offer. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to answer your questions.

Growing Together Since 1921,

Rob Johnson, R& L Supply/ MLNA President
Kim Lovelace Young, Forest Keeling Nursery/Vice President
Bryan Stringer, BWI Springfield Sales Representative/ Treasurer
Anne McKinstry/ MLNA Secretary
Luke Young, Grass Pad, Inc / MLNA Member at Large

Pea Ridge Invites GI Professionals to Meet New Sales Rep at Annual Open House

2008-07-21T13:40:00.000-05:00

Pea Ridge Tree Farm 8/13/08 Annual Open House offers a mid-summer break. This is a chance for green industry professionals to get together for a relaxing and enjoyable day without feeling guilty about leaving the office.

Learn about new introductions. Commentary provided by Pea Ridge Staff and green industry tree expert and hybridizer Earl Cully / Heritage Trees. For directions and more information visit http://www.pearidgeforest.com/

RSVP by August 6th at pearidge@socket.net or call 636-932-4687 -All are welcome

Professional Landscaping Workshop Series at Alberici

2008-07-20T09:50:00.000-05:00

This ongoing series of indoor/outdoor workshops will be held at Alberici’s headquarters at the intersection of I-170 and Page Avenue. The professional landscaping series is designed for professionals in landscape management, horticulture, and landscape architecture. Each four-hour session will include lecture, discussion, Q&A, and a site tour. Audience participation is encouraged. RSVP to Alberici at 314-733-2000.

All workshops are from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and are Free
Friday, August 1Rain Garden, Bioswale, and other Storm Water Alternatives
Michael Buechter, St. Louis MSDScott Woodbury, Shaw Nature Reserve
Friday, September 26Landscape Planning and Design for Prairie and Savanna
Jon Wingo, DJM Ecological ServicesScott Woodbury, Shaw Nature Reserve

MLNA Welcomes Kansas Nursery and Landscape Association to Missouri

2008-07-15T05:47:00.015-05:00

Dear Kansas Nursery & Landscape Association Members (www.kansasnla.org),

I am excited to welcome you as you across through Missouri on your KNLA Summer Tour.

I am sure you will have a great time. If you haven’t been to Hillermann’s-Nursery & Florist yet- you are in for a treat! Visit their website for a virtual tour http://www.hillermann.com/ but be sure to bring your camera and some spending money. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t find a special gift in their gift shop for my gardener friends. They have a full line of plant material, a helpful and professional staff and they carry several of my favorite natives and woody ornamentals. They have done such a nice job with landscaping around the Garden Center; it is hard to leave without a head full of ideas and a camera full of pictures! (Now that I am thinking about it –bring extra batteries and memory cards)

Pea Ridge Forest has some of the highest quality material available. We had our summer Field Day last year at their Open House and Scott Rood is our recent MLNA Past President! Their inventory is full of unique and wonderful selections- many of which are cutting edge! Well connected with industry leaders and breeders, Pea Ridge Forest brings knowledge with the best of the best to their customers. I hear Earl Cully will be there to help tour you around. Earl, of Heritage Trees, introduced Magnolia virginianna MOONGLOW in the POM program. I am proud to consider all of them good friends. Did I mention how pretty it is there too? There are several great spots to sip a beverage and enjoy the scenic views. Visit their website at http://www.pearidgeforest.com/.

As the founding coordinator of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plants of Merit Program which showcases reliable hardy plants for this region, I hope you enjoy your visit to Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center For Home Gardening. Besides the birthplace of the Plants of Merit Program, it is the stomping grounds and second home to my dear friends Chip Tynan and June Hutson- tell them I said “hello”. To feel like you really know them you can read their fun and informational blog entries.

If you are wondering how the Plants of Merit will do for you, consider joining MLNA at Powell Garden’s Professional Evening Aug 21. You can visit MLNA’s website for information about that event http://www.mlna.info%20or/or just call me- I am always excited to share information.

Powell Gardens is a partner in the POM program with the MOBOT, The University of Missouri-Mizzou Botanical Garden, The Illinois Green Industry Association and MLNA. Plants of Merit are incorporated throughout Powell Garden’s displays with many exciting strong performers and many regional natives their upcoming new addition The Harvest Heartland Garden is sure to be my favorite place to be. In August we will have several tours and professional horticulture and eco- oriented educational programs. If you don’t know much about Powell Gardens, visit Powell Gardens in person. It is located right on the outskirts of Kansas City. I invite you to start your day with me by reading Alan Branhagan’s very conversational blog http://www.powellgardens.blogspot.com/. It is great for information and for me pure enjoyment.

To The Landcare professionals at PLANET

2008-07-14T15:33:00.001-05:00

We are excited about our newly revised eco-friendly Green Industry Star module certification program.

We realize that many professionals in our industry specialize in a particular area of interest. And, it takes all of us with a variety of backgrounds and knowledge to manage the green industry’s broad scope.and needs.

To assist our industry, MLNA has put in place a way to identify a Green Industry Professional. It makes managers and owner’s job easier when hiring staff, recognizing an employee’s abilities and building achievement based incentive programs with an educational platform.

We feel we have done that with our new Green Industry Star program which has five separate stand alone modules including BUSINESS! CLP’s can now become a Green Industry Business Star. Our certification is comprised of both our MLNA / university based general knowledge test and PLANET’s Certified Landscape Professional Certification.

We feel as members of PLANET that we have benefited from belonging to such a professional oriented national and international organization. MLNA want to continue that support by encouraging Green Industry Professionals to participate in both the PLANET’s certification program and our Green Industry Star program. And if all five modules are pursued , we will have a stewardship oriented, sustainable workforce of Five Star Green Industry Professionals!

(Proof of active CLP status must be provided to qualify to completing the business module)

Please encourage all PLANET members to be professionally involved in their associations, their community and the future!

MLNA... Growing Together!
MaryAnn Fink

www.mlna.org
636-939-9079
blocked::mailto:maryannfink@mlna.org

Legislative Action Alert

2008-07-14T14:59:00.001-05:00

According to a July 7, 2008, H-2B cap estimate released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS has approved or is in the process of approving more than half of the H-2B petitions it believes it needs to reach the first half of the fiscal 2009 H-2B cap. The fiscal year begins on October 1, 2008. DHS plans to announce that the first half cap will be reached when it receives 40,000 H-2B petitions. As of July 7, DHS has approved some 11,761 petitions and is in the process of reviewing 8,629, putting it a little over the half-way mark (20,390 petitions to be exact) toward the first half cap for fiscal 2009. You can view the latest cap count on the DHS’s Web site.

SNOW Magazine submissions for the upcoming 2008 Top Contractor list

2008-07-14T09:01:00.000-05:00

I was wondering if the MLNA could assist GIE Media’s SNOW Magazine, the leading business management publication focused on the professional snow and ice removal industry, by helping to get the word out that, even though the initial deadline has passed, we are still actively accepting contractor submissions for the upcoming 2008 Top Contractor list. Our annual list highlights the top 100 snow removal professionals based on revenue from winter services.

So, how can you help? Can you please suggest any contractors whom we should be contacting to get their information? Or could you, on our behalf, forward a copy of the attached form to any of your members who engage in snow removal activities and encourage them to apply?

For those snow removal professionals who are uncertain whether they are big enough in size and scope to make this year’s list, we’d encourage them to still consider filling out an entry form. We’re looking for ways to recognize contractors of all sizes, and we’re always looking for great companies to profile in future issues. In addition, association with the Top Contractor is a great marketing tool for contractors to assist with sales and client development.

To have a submission form sent to your members, if your members have any questions or if you’d like to know more about SNOW Magazine, please let me know and please visit http://www.snowmagazineonline.com/magazine/

Thank you for your time, assistance and consideration.

Mike Zawacki
Managing Editor, Lawn & Landscape
Editor, Snow Magazine
4020 Kinross Lakes Parkway #201
Richfield, Ohio 44286
(main) 800/456-0707
(direct) 330/523-5381
(fax) 330/659-0824

2008 Missouri Green Industry Conference

2008-07-08T15:55:00.002-05:00

The Missouri Green Industry Conference, produced jointly by Missouri Turfgrass and Ornamentals Council (MoTOC), Gateway Chapter Sports Turf Managers Association and Gateway Irrigation Association is coming to St. Charles, MO on December 3rd and 4th, 2008. This collaborative trade show and series of educational seminars includes:
Certified Irrigation Classes (both days)
Pesticide Applicator Training/Recertification (first day)
Sports Turf, Lawn/Landscape and Business Track Seminars (both days)
Equipment and Materials Expo (both days)
For more information, click here.

Mayor Francis Slay visits MLNA Member Event

2008-07-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, July 1st, Mayor
Francis Slay presided over
the ribbon cutting celebration
of MLNA member Shield Systems
and their new CETCO
GREENSCAPES Garden
Roof located at their office at
5205 Bischoff Avenue,
St. Louis, MO 63110.
The Mayor spoke about the many
benefits of their garden roof,
such as savings in energy
costs, storm water retention
as well as the wonderful
space it has provided for their
building tenants. In addition,
the Mayor cited the
enhancement it has made to
the local neighborhood and
the excellent use made of a
100 year old building. Mayor
Slay has taken several
measures to encourage area
residents and businesses to
go "GREEN".

MLNA Field Day was a great day for all...

2008-07-02T19:19:00.005-05:00

Thank you again to our sponsors, our vendors and especially our members and guests who joined us for the MLNA Field Day on June 26th at Forrest Keeling Nursery in Elsberry, MO. It was wonderful!

Click the play button below to enjoy some great photos taken by Kim Young of Forrest Keeling Nursery and Robert Weaver of Gateway Gardener.

The Raker Trial Gardens Invites MLNA Members To Visit

2008-07-02T09:31:00.000-05:00

The Raker Trial Gardens are all planted and they will be ready to open on Wednesday, July 16. With over 3 acres of row comparisons, combination planters, colorscapes, AAS Bedding Plant and Flowering trials and Breeder beds, The Raker Trial Garden promises to be and unique and valuable trials destination.

http://trialgardens.raker.com//

It's just a day away: MLNA Field Day

2008-06-24T21:20:00.003-05:00

It's going to be a beautiful day in Elsberry Missouri at Forrest Keeling Nursery for the MLNA Field Day. Everything is just about ready. The vendors start arriving tomorrow (Wednesday, June 25th.) We're very excited about all the people who will be attending.

The fastest and driest route from St. Louis metro area to Forrest Keeling Nursery is Hwy 61 North to Route B. East on Route B to Elsberry (watch your speed!) to Hwy 79. Go South 1 mile to the nursery. Print out your directions here:

Google Map
MapQuest

To let us know you are coming or If you have any questions please feel free to call 800-356-2401 or Kim Young's cell phone at 636-358-0132.
Remember: We will have drawings for door prizes!

Check Out MLNA Field Day Vendors

2008-06-20T16:51:00.005-05:00

AMERICAN EXCELSIOR Company
http://www.curlex.com/

APPLIED TURF PRODUCTS
www.appliedturf.com

BACK TO NATURE, INC.
http://www.backtonaturecompost.com/

BAILEY NURSERIES
http://www.baileynurseries.com/

BIOWORKS, INC
http://www.bioworksinc.com/

BOBBEX, INC
http://www.candysgardenproducts.com/

Bradfield Organics
http://www.bradfieldorganics.com/

BWI COMPANIES
http://www.bwicompanies.com/

CENTRAL FIBER CORPORATION
http://www.centralfiber.com/

DANNER MANUFACTURING
http://www.dannermfg.com/

EQUIP SALES & RENTAL
http://www.equiprentalsales.com/

FAFARD
http://www.fafard.com/

FOREST LAWN NURSERY
http://www.forestlawnnursery.com/

FORREST KEELING NURSERY
http://www.fknursery.com/

GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL POWER

GEORGE'S KAWASAKI AND ATV
http://www.kawasaki.com/

GREENLEAF NURSERY COMPANY
http://www.greenleafnursery.com/

GREENLEAF NURSERY COMPANY
www.greenleafnursery.com

GROW NATIVE
http://www.grownative.org/

HOME NURSERY, INC.
http://www.homenursery.com/

HUMMERT INTERNATIONAL
http://www.hummert.com/

INSULATION SOLUTIONS, INC
http://www.insulationsolutions.com/

International Society of Arborists

JACKSON & PERKINS, INC.
http://www.jproses.com/

KIRCHNER BLOCK & BRICK
http://www.kirchnerblock.com/

LOMA VISTA NURSERY
http://www.lomavistanursery.com/

MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
http://www.mobot.org/

MISSOURI MULCH
http://www.missourimulch.com/

MPR SUPPLY COMPANY
http://www.mprsupply.com/

MULCH MULE
http://www.mulchmule.com/

NATIONAL NURSERY PRODUCTS -ST. LOUIS
http://www.rupehort.com/

OHP, INC.
http://www.ohp.com/

PEA RIDGE TREE FARM
http://www.pearidgeforest.com/

Plant Diagnostic Lab Univ of MO
http://www.missouri.edu/

PLANT HEALTH CARE
http://www.planthealthcare.com/

RIVER CITY LANDSCAPE SUPPLY
http://www.oldcastleagp.com/

Semco Distributing, INC
http://www.semcodist.com/

SHERMAN NURSERY
http://www.shermannursery.com/

Shield Systems, Inc
http://www.shieldsystems.com/

SYMMETRY LANDSCAPING
http://www.symmetrylandscaping.com/

THE SCOTTS COMPANY, LLC.
http://www.scotts.com/

MLNA 2008 FIELD DAY - June 26th - FREE

2008-05-31T10:43:00.023-05:00

The Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association has been busy planning our summer Field Day event for Thursday, June 26th from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm at Forrest Keeling Nursery in Elsberry, Missouri (directions click here.) We will feature industry sponsors and over 75 vendors. Plan to participate in the many events throughout the day, including horse shoe competition, our pond building workshop sponsored by Danner MFG and a eco-patio building demonstration sponsored by Kirchner Block & Brick and Symmetry Landscaping!

FREE Box Lunch - For all MLNA members and their guests. Please RSVP on line today!

Interested in being a Vendor or Sponsor? Download the vendor form now to reserve your space. We will have areas for you to set up and display your products and services.

Forrest Keeling will host this year, demonstrate the installation of a Rain Garden and offer guided tours of their facility!

Thank you to our MLNA FIELD DAY Sponsors: Please visit their websites!

GEORGE'S KAWASAKI AND ATV
HOME NURSERY
DANNER MFG.
FORREST KEELING
GREENLEAF NURSERY
KIRCHNER BLOCK & BRICK
SYMMETRY LANDSCAPING

SAVE THE DATE!
POWELL GARDENS PROFESSIONAL EVENING

August 21st-more information soon!

Container Garden Contest April 1 through October 15, Jefferson City MO

2008-05-28T15:24:00.004-05:00

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

Show off your small garden in a big way by entering the Grow Native! Container Garden Contest.

It’s easy. Send your name, address, e-mail address, telephone number and photos of your container garden (taken throughout the growing season—no more than three) to Grow Native! P.O. Box 630 Jefferson City, MO 65102.
Or enter electronically by sending the same information to grownative@mda.mo.gov.

Also include a list of plants used in the container and their source (retail garden center, neighbor, specialty shop, wherever).
All entries must be postmarked by Wednesday, October 15, 2008.
Three winners will be selected. Each winner will receive a bundle of prizes that include:

a $100 gift certificate for use at a Grow Native! retail garden center (provided by Kansas City Gardener and The Gateway Gardener),
copies of Tried and True: Missouri Native Plants for Your Yard, Seedling ID Guide for Native Prairie Plants and Native Landscaping for Wildlife and People
a Grow Native! gardening wardrobe (hat, apron, t-shirt and vest)
four free admissions to Powell Gardens or Shaw Nature Reserve
a profile of you and your container garden in the Kansas City Gardener or The Gateway Gardener and on the Grow Native! Web site.

Containers will be judged on visual appeal, length of bloom time and plant selection (color combinations, textures, heights).
For more information click here

STLCC, Missouri Botanical Garden Partner to Offer Scholarship Program in Horticulture

2008-05-28T13:56:00.003-05:00

In an effort to attract a more diverse pool of job seekers to the field of horticulture, the Missouri Botanical Garden has partnered with the St. Louis Community College Foundation to establish a scholarship program in horticulture
The scholarship is renewable each year as long as a student maintains a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher, demonstrates satisfactory academic performance and satisfactory internship performance at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Additionally, the Missouri Botanical Garden will provide a paid part-time internship to allow students to gain hands-on experience.
"We are delighted to be partnering with the Missouri Botanical Garden," said Paul Pai, STLCC-Meramec president. "St. Louis Community College is committed to providing accessible education to all who can benefit from it. As affordable as we are, many students still need financial assistance, and this new scholarship provides a great opportunity for them to pursue their goals through work and study."
STLCC-Meramec’s program teaches students the science and art of horticulture through a combination of classroom theory, laboratory practice and on-the-job training. Students are trained in the college’s greenhouses, outdoor nursery facilities, laboratories and lath houses.
"Our program graduates find challenging careers in a variety of areas that are both locally and globally relevant," said Paul Roberts, director of Meramec’s horticulture program.
Students may specialize in nursery management, interior landscape design and maintenance, greenhouse management, horticulture retail sales, commercial grounds management and urban forestry. Graduates are trained for jobs with state and city park departments, nurseries, landscape contracting firms, golf courses and retail sales.
For more information click here

Pest Alert: Euonymous scale

2008-05-21T10:17:00.002-05:00

Adult females are about 1-2 mm –grey-brown in color, and oystershell in shape. Adult males are smaller, elongate, and white. Crawlers are yellowish-orange and difficult to see clearly without a magnifying lens. Infestations are first visible as yellowish-white spots on the leaves, and heavy infestations can cause a whitewashed appearance on the plant.

All varieties of Euonymous (including Burning Bush, Wintercreeper, and the Variegated Eounymous bushes) are attacked by this insect. Other known hosts are hollies, camellias, privets, honeysuckle, and others. Damage is caused to the plant by piercing-sucking mouth parts of crawlers (nymphs) and adults, and often infest heavily enough to cause leaf drop. Continuous leaf drop leads to the death of the plant.

Fertilized adults will overwinter on the stems, eggs beneath the female shell hatch over several weeks (usually late May-early June) and nymphs disperse by crawling or being blown in the wind. They mature in about 6 weeks, adults produce eggs again, and the second generation crawlers appear in late July-mid August.

Control is best when applied during the crawler stages. Prune and destroy heavily infested plant parts, or remove the entire plant (including roots).

There is also a Winged Euonymous scale which are darker in color, and more closely resemble the oystershell scale. This scale can be found more commonly on E. alatus, E. fortunei, Pachysandra, Salix and Cornus; and had been found attacking the same plants as the Euonymous scale, making identification and control more challenging.

2008-05-20T14:04:00.004-05:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) announces that President Bush signed H.R. 1268, the "Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act," which provides funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This bill also contains the "Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005," which would provide cap exemptions for service sector guest workers who participated in the H-2B visa program in any of the last three years.
"This legislation was made possible by the tireless grass roots efforts of ANLA members and other service sector employers," said John Meredith, ANLA's director of legislative relations. According to Meredith, "this legislation rewards those firms relying on the only legal channel to obtain seasonal help." The passage of the H-2B legislation means that employers will have access to a foreign labor "safety net" despite the 66,000 worker cap being hit in January of 2005. Employers depend on these seasonal workers to make up shortfalls in the domestic workforce.
Chick here for more information or visit Save Small Business- www.savesmallbusiness.org

MLNA GREEN LEADER Loma Vista accepts the challenge

2008-05-20T07:54:00.005-05:00

Ottawa, Kansas - This spring, Loma Vista Nursery launches a company wide “green initiative” with the goal of implementing more sustainable business practices. Spear heading their “green initiative” is Loma Vista Nursery’s Pot Return Program. This program encourages local customers to recycle their empty plastic container pots by returning them to Loma Vista in one of two ways. Loma Vista has set up collection bins at their Landscape Distribution Center in Olathe, KS for customers to drop off empty container pots during normal hours of operation.

In addition to the drop off location, Loma Vista Nursery offers a collection service to select local customers. To date, the participating businesses include Kokopelli Nursery, Curby’s Lawn and Garden, and Northstar Garden Center.

The majority of containers collected will be reused. Those that aren’t will be recycled. Loma Vista has joined forces with a company that collects their unusable container pots and their used greenhouse plastic and turns it into usable plastic for various items.

Loma Vista’s commitment doesn’t end at plastics. They have put into practice a company wide recycling program that includes recycling of paper products, cardboard, and aluminum in addition to plastics.

Loma Vista Nursery is a wholesale nursery specializing in high quality, cold hardy plant material. They produce containerized plants and field grown trees for retailers, wholesale distributors, and landscapers across the Midwest.
Founded in 1991 by Mark Clear, Loma Vista Nursery is family owned and operated. Their 310 acre container production nursery is located in Ottawa, Kansas, just 40 minutes south of Kansas City. They have over 650 acres of in ground tree production just 20 minutes west of the container nursery in Baldwin City and Willow Springs, Kansas. Loma Vista Nursery also maintains a full service Landscape Distribution Center in Olathe, Kansas, to meet the needs of their local customers.

Bailey Nurseries, Welcomes MLNA Past President As New Sales Representative

2008-05-20T07:37:00.003-05:00

St. Paul, Minn. (Spring 2008) Bailey Nurseries welcomes Bill Harbstreet as sales representative for AK, KS, MO, Southern IL, and the Quad Cities area. Bill comes to us with over 20 years of experience in the nursery industry. Bill’s experience includes retail sales, wholesale purchasing and operations/senior management. Bill has been very active in the Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association, serving on the board as well as President n 2004. We are excited at the experience Bill brings to Bailey’s. Bill can be reached at: Office 660-638-4514, Fax 660-638-4515, Cell 816-813-6661.

Bailey Nurseries is a family-owned wholesale nursery with home offices in St. Paul, Minnesota. It is among the top wholesale nurseries in the United States and provides industry members throughout the U.S. and Canada with a full line of bareroot and container-grown plants from Bailey’s properties in Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington.

For more information on Bailey Nurseries, log on to our web sites at: http://www.baileynurseries.com/, http://www.endlesssummerblooms.com/, http://www.easyeleganceroses.com/ and http://www.newgrowthmarketing.com/

###

Why professionals hire an Arborist for projects

2008-05-15T11:27:00.006-05:00

An arborist is a specialist in the care of individual trees and are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Hiring an arborist shows you have considered the best management practice for your customer. Tree care decisions should not be taken lightly. Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns. Well-cared-for trees are living advertisement o f your quality of work that will add considerable value to your client's property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees.

http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/hire_arborist.aspx

Invitation extended from Bowood Farms to MLNA members and friends

2008-05-15T11:04:00.006-05:00

June Hutson, one of our all-time favorite container-garden experts, is giving two wonderful workshops on containers this Saturday afternoon at Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive Street in the Central West End.
Come hear her talk about container-gardening trends, about container tricks of the trade and about her own container work in and around the Kemper Center for Home Gardening as well as on grounds of the U.S.
Botanic Garden last year. Meanwhile, June will help you design your own special container, with seven annual plants of your choosing from the Bowood supply, plus potting soil and a deep, 10-inch plastic drop-in pot for popping into your own favorite container. The cost of the workshop is $48.
To register, please call Bowood at 314-454-6868. And go online -- to http://www.blogger.com/www.bowoodfarms.com -- for more information or for a map to the garden center!
Spread the word! June's dynamic wisdom on the topic should not be missed!

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

2008-04-17T18:30:00.007-05:00

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

2008-04-17T15:02:00.004-05:00

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

2008-04-16T22:22:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-16T07:42:00.004-05:00

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

2008-04-15T14:41:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-14T17:11:00.004-05:00

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

2008-04-14T09:51:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-12T21:32:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-09T20:55:00.003-05:00

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