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

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

Pest Alert Posted for April 14, 2008

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

We can create a positive impact as a team!

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

One thing in life is certain and that is change.

March 27, 2008

After working 20 years as a territory sales representative for Bailey Nurseries Inc., I have resigned effective Monday, March 24. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work for a fine company as Bailey’s and help create the territory that will continue to thrive. I wish Bailey’s well.

A new representative will be in place soon. Until then, customers will continue to receive excellent service and quality plants. That will not change. Please call Bailey’s main office at 1-800-829-8898 and ask for Jill Bergeson, your capable inside sales assistant.

My goal is to continue in the nursery industry. To my customers, peers and friends, thank you for the memories, experiences, laughs and knowledge shared. I look forward to seeing you soon. Please keep in touch.

May you have a successful and happy spring.

Sincerely,

Anne E. McKinstry
Cell # 636-542-1234
Email annemckinstry@gmail.com

Bailey Job Opening

Territorial Sales Representative
Central United States


Bailey Nurseries Inc. has an opening for our territorial sales position covering Missouri, Southern Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The successful candidate has experience and knowledge of the nursery trade, including but not limited to growers, garden centers, landscapers, and horticultural distribution centers. This position manages existing accounts as well as developing existing and potential business within their assigned territory. for additional information contact:
Michael Marsh (651) 459-9744

Weekly Pest Alert Update

Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malscosoma americanum)

The ETC commonly emerges when Forsythia is in bloom, or as Cherry buds open in the spring. They emerge from a small metallic egg mass laid on host plant twigs and prefer to feed on the genus Prunus (cherries, sandcherries, other similar fruiting and ornamentals) and Malus (crabapples).

The larvae construct a white web (tent) in the crotch of a branch, leaving the tent to feed during the day on the leaves (leaving the midrib), then returning to the tent in the evening. Full grown caterpillars are 2-2 ½” with a black head and long brownish hairs.
It has a light colored stripe on the back with black, blue, and white spots on the sides of it. Moths are non-descript, and difficult to distinguish between other yellowish-brown moths.

Generally, the ETC is considered an aesthetic pest, because the damage is very early in the year, and the plant quickly adds new leaves after damage, so control is not usually needed. While chemicals can be used to protect fruiting or highly valued trees, removing the tent and disposing of it in a closed bag (preferably later in the day while most caterpillars are in it) is a useful alternative to chemical control.

St. Louis Arborist Association Invites Green Industry Professional to April Meeting

Attention Green Industry Professional:

The St. Louis Arborist Association invites you to join them for their spring meeting and program April 15, 2008, at Power Valley Nature Center inKirkwood, MO at 6:30 pm. This program will feature our State of Missouri entomologist and pathologist, Bruce Moltzan and Rob Lawrence. Come meet these industry professionals as they bringing their expertise and answers to our questions. Many thanks to the professional experts who contribute to our MLNA website. Watch for our weekly Pest Alert updates!

(Certified Arborists attending this meeting will recieve 2 ceu's!)

MLNA Member Hillermann Nursery and Florist in the News

For Immediate Release:
MLNA member, Hillermann Nursery & Florist receives 2008 "Revolutionary 100" Midwest Regional Award from Today's Garden Center
The Revolutionary 1OO Garden Center Awards honors independent retail garden center owners for creating and implementing innovative and profitable business management practices into their operations.
The awards spotlight garden centers that stand out for their commitment to leadership and serve as positive role models that others will follow and benchmark their own operations against as a measure of success. MLNA is pleased to announce Hillermann Nursery & Florist has received this year's Midwest regional award!

For more information visit: http://www.todaysgardencenter.com/revolutionary100/winners/midwest2008.html

St. Louis Community College Position Opportunity!

Take pride in your horticulture career career choice and value staying connected by working at St. Louis Community College @ Meramec in the Horticulture Department. It is a valuable expereince and opportunity to use your skills in a very visable way. It is a dynamic and beautiful place to work!

If your interest in horticulture equals your interest in assisting with education, see job description and full information @ http://www.stlcc.edu/Jobs/Job_Postings/Educational_Assistant_II_Meramec.html

Pest Alert Updates; Weekly Feature

Recently a letter was sent by USDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) to all licensed nursery stock growers and dealers in the state of Missouri. The purpose of the letter was to bring attention to the federal emerald ash borer quarantine that now includes the entire states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, portions of Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and the lower peninsula of Michigan and parts of the upper peninsula of Michigan.

The emerald ash borer (EAB) has NOT been found in Missouri to date. Since the initial discovery of EAB in Michigan in 2002, USDA, MDA and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) have conducted extensive surveys throughout the state in search of EAB. In 2008, these agencies will continue these extensive surveys including the use of a newly developed EAB detection trap that USDA will deploy in high risk areas.

Furthermore, contrary to some sources, there are no effective treatments available for emerald ash borer at this time. If you suspect you have emerald ash borer you may call Collin Wamsley, MDA State Entomologist at 573-751-5505 or Collin.Wamsley@mda.mo.gov for assistance in identification. You may also contact Robert Lawrence, MDC Forest Entomologist at 573-882-9909 ext 3303 or Robert.Lawrence@mdc.mo.gov. The following website has information on EAB http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

MLNA’S GREEN LEADER, FORREST KEELING NURSERY WILL FEATURE LIVE BROADCAST ON KTRS 550 “On Air” INSTALLATION OF DISPLAY RAIN GARDEN May 3rd, 2008 !

Contact information: MaryAnn Fink, Coordinator/Executive Director of MLNA (636-939-9079) 6209 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. Suite 128 Saint Charles, MO 63304, March 17th, 2008

For Immediate Release:

As part of Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s stewardship commitment, Forrest Keeling Nursery, MLNA Green Leader, will educate the public and professionals on ways they can conservation water in the landscape at their nursery in Elsberry Missouri.

Forrest Keeling Nursery, MLNA Green Leader, will educate the public on ways they can conservation water in the landscape during an on air broadcast with KTRS’s popular” Inside Out” gardening and home improvement show. Co-hosted by Rolling Ridge Nursery’s President, Jim McMillan and John Shea, President of Callier, Thompson, Shea Construction & Design, the Inside Out show will broadcast during the actual rain garden installation process.
Kim Lovelace Young, Vice President/General Manager of Forrest Keeling will be featured during the radio show discussing how residential and commercial property owners can create an attractive garden while the reducing water run off. “This is a way for MLNA members to be role models for our professional industry as well as examples for homeowners!” says MaryAnn Fink, Inside Out’s green industry expert and weekly KTRS Inside Out guest. I know this will be a fun challenge. We want listeners to come, meet the radio personalities and watch during the show and come back to Forrest Keeling Nursery to visit the garden. We want them to see for themselves how much easier it is to work with site challenges”.

This rain garden will also be a featured part of the education displays at Missouri Landscape & Nursery’s Professional Field Day, June 26th, 2008 . A free event for MLNA members, horticulture and allied professionals interested in connecting with product suppliers and service providers, it will be a full day of spotlighting sponsors, visiting vendors, networking with industry associates, BBQ and fun. (Field Day Vendor Registration)
MLNA has challenged all of its members to become green leaders, active professionals in their community. "Currently we are promoting MLNA’s “Water as a Resource” initiative. as part of our stewardship commitment” states MaryAnn Fink, Coordinator/Executive Director of MLNA. (Contact MLNA for Plant List for Rain Gardens @maryannfink@mlna.org) Says Fink, “We are creating and sharing horticulture success stories to demonstrate and educate each other and the homeowner". For more information about this MLNA Green Leader and that day’s event contact them directly.

“Sustainability defines our success, so we are showcasing MLNA members as GREEN LEADERS. These members are creating opportunities, presenting workshops and offering programs to educate the public and our industry about stewardship in the lower Midwest. Pretty thriving plants are in investment in our property, the future, and our environment. Landscaping is not a luxury but a necessity", says Fink. For more information about MLNA, its members, their workshops, programs and events visit http://www.mlna.org/ or call 636-939-9079. Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association 6209 Mid Rivers Mall Drive Suite 128 St. Charles MO 63304 636-939-9079

IMAGE: Hibiscus lasiocarpos / Rose Mallow, image credit Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

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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.
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Forrest Keeling is a family-owned and operated nursery that has been growing quality stock for over 50 years. They welcome visits in person or contact them from their Web site. Use this map to locate us.
Forrest Keeling Nursery specializes in seedling liners and is the originator of the RPM® (air-root pruned) liners. Forrest Keeling has worked closely with conservation and private organizations to develop ways to utilize root production method technology in Wetland Restoration. Forrest Keeling Nursery

MLNA Member Judy Allmon keynote at "Beautiful Environment, Beautiful Habitat" Event

Judy Allmon, Jefferson City, Missouri, will be featured as keynote speaker at the "Beautiful Environment, Beautiful Habitat" symposium. The symposium will be held April 23, at the Cox Arboretum-Metro Park, Dayton, Ohio and is the inaugural event for the Arboretum's 10-week Earthwise Celebration.
Allmon consults regionally to commercial and government projects on native plants for working landscapes and visual management and on communication strategies for improved landscape success. She is currently consulting to Kansas City's 10,000 Rain Gardens regional initiative on education and outreach. Her company, Bluestem Landscapes www.bluestemlandscapes.com, is a State of Missouri WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise).