News

Mission Landscape Cos. earns awards for excellence
IRVINE, Calif. – Mission Landscape Cos. received three awards for excellence by its industry peer group, the California Landscape Contractors Association. 

Mission received the awards for work on the Metro Pointe property in Costa Mesa, Calif.; the Court of Appeals in Santa Ana, Calif. and Nutrilite, located in Buena Park, Calif.

The Metro Pointe site won the Best Overall Entry in the CLCA Beautification Award category. In addition to the high-end landscape design at the site, Mission Landscape recycles all of the green waste at Metro Pointe.

The Court of Appeals site in Santa Ana won first place for the Office Category. The company installed a smart-water drip irrigation system and recycles all of the green waste at the site, saving the town money, reducing run-off and not contributing any waste to the local landfill.

Finally, Mission won the Landscape Renovation to an existing commercial site award for its work on the Nutrilite site. Mission provided a design to renovate an existing landscape, and created an ecological outdoor space where employees and visitors could meet. Mission’s team-design aligned with the Nutrilite brand by using green and sustainable principles that reduced water usage, waste and run-off.

All five Mission Landscape Cos. integrated operating units, which include landscape architecture, landscape development, landscape maintenance, tree care and environmental services were involved in the award winning sites.
 

New scholarship available for outstanding green industry students
RICHFIELD, Ohio – Lawn & Landscape magazine, along with the rest of the GIE Media Horticulture Group, has launched a scholarship program for students studying environmental horticulture and structural pest management.
“Students at the top horticulture programs in the United States are the future of the green industry,” says Richard Foster, CEO and founder of GIE Media. “Our contributions – and those from companies and suppliers across the industry – will help support the academic and business education of these students and ensure their continued success.”

The program will launch at the GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky., this month. Visitors to Lawn & Landscape’s booth – No. 1084 – can pick up a green wristband that says “Founding Contributor: GIE Media’s Horticultural Scholarship Fund, Louisville, KY 2010.” For every wristband worn, Lawn & Landscape will donate $1 to the scholarship fund.

If you’re spotted wearing your wristband by Lawn & Landscape’s roving photographer, you could win a hot air balloon rides, a Caribbean cruise or a week for two in Molokai, Hawaii.

Academic scholarships and business internships will be awarded at major industry events throughout 2011.

Scholarship, internship and donation applications can be picked up at Lawn & Landscape’s booth. Industry companies and suppliers are encouraged to support the scholarship fund; any donations will be matched by Lawn & Landscape.

For more information, contact Editor Chuck Bowen at cbowen@gie.net or 330-523-5330.
 

Boss Snowplow launches Snowcare for Troops
IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. – This year marks the nine-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and the start of the War on Terror.

Nearly a decade later, Americans are still very much engaged in this conflict, and we continue to call upon the courage and commitment of citizen soldiers – regular, hard-working people – to do their duty and preserve our safety and freedom. And as the years have worn on, the daily dispatches from the frontlines in Iraq and Afghanistan have moved from being headline news to, many times, only brief mentions and footnotes in our daily lives.

As a way to help the families of those in the armed forces serving overseas, Boss Snowplow, in partnership with Project Evergreen, has launched SnowCare for Troops. 

The SnowCare for Troops program brings together snowplow professionals and volunteers to provide free snow removal services for military families with a spouse or family member serving in our armed forces. For the professional snow removal industry, SnowCare for Troops is a way the industry can say thank you to our military personnel and their families.

Those of you who work in the landscape industry are probably already aware of Project Evergreen’s four-year-old GreenCare for Troops initiative.  That program, which serves as the template for SnowCare for Troops, has more than 10,000 military families in its database and is supported by nearly 3,000 green industry professionals and volunteers. 

Lawn & Landscape and its sister publication, GIE Media’s Snow magazine, are asking snow fighters to sign on as goodwill ambassadors in their communities and lend a helping hand – or plow – this winter. 

Contractors can adopt military families locally by providing snow removal services throughout the winter; loan snow removal equipment to volunteers or groups; or donate money, transportation or gas cards to offset snow removal and maintenance costs.

For more information on how you can get involved with SnowCare for Troops, check out projectevergreen.com or www.bossplow.com/snowcarefortroops or call 888-611-2956.

Duo wins award for pest newsletter
ITHACA, N.Y. – Dawn Dailey O’Brien and George Hudler won an Excellence in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Award from the New York State IPM Program for their newsletter, “Branching Out,” an IPM newsletter used by arborists, landscapers and growers.

“Branching Out” connects the research community with landscape professionals, supplying information to keep ornamental trees and shrubs from being ruined by insects or diseases. The newsletter not only helps arborists and landscapers identify pests, but also predicts their arrival in locations across the state. Since many insects can only be kept in check when very small, timing of when to take action is critical.

“We not only provide details of when to look and potentially treat problems, but when the window of opportunity has passed,” says Hudler, chair of the department of plant pathology and director of the Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network.

O’Brien and Hudler focus on other tenets of IPM too. Selecting the optimal site for plants, using resistant varieties and paying close attention to soil health and fertility are all critical tools. Naturally occurring predators can keep destructive insects at bay, and “Branching Out” includes strategies to protect and maximize the benefits from these free, safe and battle-ready allies.

Hudler says “Branching Out” helps customers understand that some pests and pathogens, while present, pose no threat. In these cases, treatments are not required.

There is never a dull moment for O’Brien, an extension plant pathologist. She fills the role of writer, editor, layout designer, webmaster and, most recently. videographer for “Branching Out.”

To read the newsletter, go to branchingout.cornell.edu.


Ambius wins big at plantscape banquet
BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – Ambius received eight awards at the 18th annual PIA Interior Plantscape Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet.

The awards celebrated Ambius’s work for a diverse array of clients which included malls, commercial buildings, cruise ships and hospitals.

Mark Hawry accepted four awards on behalf of the Ambius National Projects Team, bringing the best of land to sea with Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas’ Central Park initiative which showcases a design in which the center of the ship opens to the sky and features tropical grounds. Hawry accepted three Award of Excellence citations for Oasis of the Seas, including oversight of the Exterior Garden, the installation of Central Park and the design and provisioning of the ships’ silk replica and preserved foliage. Central Park on Oasis of the Seas also picked up the Judge’s Award, which was awarded for the most outstanding overall project in 2010.

Jon LaDow’s work at San Francisco’s Tishman-Speyer building was recognized as an outstanding Holiday Display.

A silk replica and preserved foliage display, managed by David Baughman, at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lutz, Fla. received an Award of Merit. An additional Award of Merit was given to Laura Burns Lambert’s silk replica installation at San Francisco’s Northgate Mall.

Chris Karl’s design picked up an Award of Excellence for his horticultural work in the Beckman Coulter lobby.

“Our talented team consistently demonstrates exceptionally high standards of excellence and skill in the innovative design and execution of landscaped installations,” said Jeff Mariola, divisional managing director for Ambius.


FMC receives federal registration for SquareOne
PHILADELPHIA – SquareOne herbicide has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use on lawns, golf courses, sod farms and athletic fields.

SquareOne herbicide can be applied just one day before seeding or as early as seven days after emergence on most cool- and warm-season grasses. This means weed populations are reduced from the start, allowing for maximum turf density with fewer herbicide applications or the need to reseed the following spring, thee company says.

“Many herbicides have restrictions for use around seeding, typically seven to 30 days prior to seeding or 30 days or three mowings after emergence. SquareOne shortens this window significantly, allowing turf professionals to apply up to one day before seeding or as early as seven days after emergence,” said Adam Manwarren, FMC product manager for turf and ornamental products. “This means turf will grow in faster and healthier, and renovations have a better chance of success.”

Designed for newly seeded turf, including interseeding and overseeding, SquareOne is a patent-pending dispersible granule formulation that features a dual-action combination of active ingredients that works primarily through foliar contact and uptake, but also continues to hold back weed competition until the new turf is established.

A non-ionic surfactant is recommended, but not required. It is labeled for crabgrass and many small broadleaf weeds, and can be used in both spring and fall turf projects on lawns, athletic fields, sod farms and golf courses.

SquareOne will be available from distributors as soon as state registrations are received. The product will be sold in a one-acre package with a measuring device that assists with proper measurement for small or large application turf renovation projects.

Residex and Turfgrass to join forces by December
ROSELLE, N.J. and NOVI, Mich. – Residex, a structural pest supply distributor based in Roselle, N.J., and Turfgrass Inc., a distributor of turf and ornamental products and services based in Novi, Mich., announced plans to merge in late September.

The distributors reported they have reached an agreement in principle and plan to conclude the merger by Dec. 1. The new company will operate under both the Turfgrass and Residex names using all the same facilities, personnel and operations of each company.

In the combined company, Chris Donaghy will serve as CEO, and Todd Griebe will serve as president.

Valent unveils 2011 Early Order Program
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Ornamental growers, lawn care operators (LCOs) and arborists looking to get a jump on next year and get more mileage from their chemical budgets can do both with the 2011 Early Order Program (EOP) from Valent Professional Products.

The program runs until Nov. 30. Rebate offers apply only to qualified purchases and include a double bonus program for qualifying purchases of Safari and SureGuard.

“Ornamental growers, LCOs and arborists are already planning for 2011, and we understand that budgets will again be tight in many cases,” said John Johnson, national sales manager for Valent Professional Products. “The Early Order Program provides growers, LCOs and arborists with a value-added incentive – a great value for quality, best-in-class solutions that will yield high-quality, healthy plants and happy customers.”

EOP invoices must be submitted by Dec. 8,. Rebates will be distributed within 60 days of the program’s close.

2010 NTEA Truck Handbook now available
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – The National Truck Equipment Association recently released the 2010 edition of its Truck Equipment Handbook.

The guide features technical information on the selection of commercial vehicle components and equipment. You can learn formulas involved in matching chassis and bodies, center of gravity, wheelbase and fifthwheel location, as well as weights of commodities, metric conversion charts and illustrations of federal lighting standards.
NTEA members pay $10; non-members pay $20. To order, visit www.ntea.com or call 800-441-6832.

Ohio Turfgrass conference scheduled for December
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 2010 Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show will take place Dec. 6-9 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Approximately 200 turfgrass suppliers will display the latest technology, products and services available in turf management. In addition to the two-day exhibition, more than 100 hours of educational sessions covering a broad spectrum of turf management topics will be offered.

This year’s keynote presentation “Be a Difference Maker,” will feature former Ohio State basketball and NBA player Clark Kellogg.

In addition to seminars for lawn and grounds maintenance, this year’s program includes sessions for lawn care business management, LCOs and also covers environmental issues and a mechanic’s workshop.

For information about the conference or trade show, contact the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation at 888-683-3445, info@OhioTurfgrass.org or visit www.OhioTurfgrass.org. 
 

Irrigation Association launches computer-based certification testing
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Candidates seeking Irrigation Association certifications will now have more flexible and convenient testing options with the launch of computer-based testing.

“Available through hundreds of testing centers across North America, the new format allows candidates to select a nearby testing center and schedule a time that suits their needs,” said Wayne Eckas, chair of IA’s Certification Board. “This will eliminate the need to wait months to take an exam or travel long distances, which will also reduce the time commitment required to test.”

All certification exams are now available with the exception of the step four exams for certified irrigation designer (both agriculture and turf/landscape). These final exams are expected to be released in the following 30 days.

Scheduled to gradually replace pencil-and-paper testing, the computer-based tests will also expedite results reporting, and streamline and secure the testing process.

While IA will continue to partner with members, other associations and trade shows to offer education classes to prepare certification candidates, exams will be given at these sites only on a limited basis. The Irrigation Show will continue to offer certification testing.

The move to computer-based testing will also make the Select Certified program easier to administrate and advances its long-term goal of accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

Gehl expands equipment fleet financing options
WEST BEND, Wis. - Gehl Co. and De Lage Landen Financial Services have agreed to provide equipment finance services throughout the U.S. The agreement will provide retail financing and dealer rental fleet financing programs.

Effective, Oct. 1, De Lage Landen Financial Services will offer tailored loan and lease financing directly to registered U.S. Gehl and Mustang brand dealers and to end-user customers seeking equipment finance solutions. Gehl has used De Lage Landen and its subsidiary AgriCredit to provide finance solutions to its dealers and customers in Canada for many years. The newly announced program will be communicated to all U.S. dealers in mid-September.

“De Lage Landen’s unique global footprint offers the potential for future expansion to include equipment finance solutions to our dealers and customers outside of North America,” said Daniel L. Miller, Gehl president and CEO.

“De Lage Landen values this newly developed relationship with the Gehl Company and is confident the partnership will support their equipment sales throughout the United States.  We look forward to the opportunity for future program expansion and growth with Gehl Company,” said Rod Versteegh, president of De Lage Landen’s Construction, Transportation and Industrial global business unit.


National Green Centre offers free entry to exhibit hall
ST. LOUIS – The 2011 National Green Centre will offer a free exhibit hall-only pass to attendees.
Presented by the Western Nursery and Landscape Association, will be Jan. 9-10, 2011, at the America’s Center in St. Louis.

Educational events, including panels, discussions, presentations that touch on all facets of the green industry start at $65.

Keynote speakers and topics include: Michael Dirr, “Making sense of the new plant clutter: strategies for successfully marketing trees and shrubs”; Jeffery Bruce, “Opportunities for the landscape industry”; John Stanley, “Identify retail trends as they are incubating”; and Anna Ball, “Industry trends.”

For more information, visit www.nationalgreenecenter.com.