Survey Request for Green Industry Professionals

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

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!

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

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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
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Cleary Turf Products Joins MLNA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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