CNLA Newsbrief - October 2009 Issue

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: [email protected] | www.canadanursery.com

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September-October 2009CNLA Newsbrief sponsored by :

Look Inside:Health Services NavigatorExport Market Project ApprovalGerard Fournier Honoured by ISA

BCLNA Welcomes Ann Marie WalshProfessional Development with OJTCLT at St. Clair College

Environmental Checklist for RetailersAdvance Payment Program for Nursery SectorReview of World Skills Competition

With Landscape-Horticulturist having attained Red Seal status, apprentices in the landscape industry can now take advantage of grants being offered by the Government of Canada. The Government recognizes both that certification is essential and that the need for apprenticeship opportunities to train skilled workers is high. Along with two apprenticeship grants, the Government is also offering two tax deductions – all in an effort to support the skilled trades. The first of the apprenticeship grant is the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG), a taxable grant of $1,000 per year or level of apprentice-ship, up to a maximum of $2,000 per person. This grant is available to apprentices once they have completed a minimum of their first year or first level of a Red Seal designated trade apprenticeship.

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable grant of $2,000 for a registered apprentice who has completed their training and obtained their Certificate of Qualification (CFQ).

Tax deductions are also being offered for both apprentices and

to employers. The first of the tax deductions from the Government

is the Tradesperson’s Tools Deductions, which is a $500 tax deduction to assist a tradesperson in the purchasing of tools costing more than $1000. The second tax measure being implemented is the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit, which is a tax credit for employers who hire

Red Seal Apprentices.

Apprentices who are eligible, can receive up to $4,000 in federal grants. Although these grants are taxable, the grant will not need to be repaid. These grants are available to a Canadian citizen registered with a provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority in a designated Red Seal Trade. For more information and to apply online for the grant, visit www.servicecanada.ga.ca/apprenticeship or call 1.866.742.3644.

Financial

support for

Apprentice

programs

Photo by ww

w.theescarpmentcom

pany.com

September-October 2009 Vol. 18 Issue 7Green Industry News!

http://www.servicecanada.ga.ca/apprenticeship

www.theescarpmentcompany.com


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Industry News

Sta!: Victor Santacruz, CAE, CLPExecutive [email protected]

Joseph Salemi, CAEMember Services [email protected]

Joel Beatson, CAE, CLPProfessional & Business Development [email protected]

Rebecca WetselaarManager of Provincial [email protected]

Rita WeerdenburgGrowers [email protected]

Liz Klose, B.Sc., (Agr), CLPLandscape Priorities [email protected]

Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks by:Harmony Printing, 50 Woodbine Downs Boulevard, Toronto, ON M9W 5R2

Executive Board:Cary van Zanten - BCPresident

Michael Murray - NLPast President

Bill Stensson - ONFirst Vice President

Christine LeVatte, CLP - NSSecond Vice President

Rene !iebaud, CLP - ON Treasurer

Directors:Harold Deenen, CLP - ONHuman Resources Chair

Phil Paxton, CHT, CLP - ABLANTA Representative

Terry Nicholson, CHT - ONNational Certification Chair

Bill Hardy, CLP - BCEnvironment Chair

Bruce Hunter, CHT, CLD, CLP - BCLandscape Canada Chair

Vic Krahn, CHT - SKGovernment Liaison Chair, SNLA Representative, COHA Chair

Gerald Boot, CLP - ONLOHTA Representative, Insurance Chair

Doug Conrad, CHT, CLD, CLP - NSLNSHTA Representative

Paul Jensen - QC AQPP Representative

Bruce McTavish - BCNAPPO Chair

Anthony O’Neill - NLGarden Centres Canada Chair, LNL Representative

Owen Vanstone - MBLM Representative, Growers Canada Chair

Darrell Nameth, CLP - NBMember Services Chair, LNBHTA Representative

Michael Kato - BC BCLNA Representative

Lydia Couture-ComtoisExecutive [email protected]

Julia Ricottone, CEPITCertification [email protected]

Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., MPMMinor Use/IPM [email protected]

Agnes Zawartka, CLPMember Services [email protected]

Kim BurtonCommunications [email protected]

Patricia Polo Provincial Relations Co-ordinator [email protected]

Introducing Health Service Navigator™

to Members of the

CNLA Group Insurance Plan

Health Service Navigator™ provides a unique solution in Canada that’s based on Canadian health care options and solu-tions. No other service provides the exten-sive health care navigation component in an integrated manner that leverages well respected information resources. The sec-ond opinion service is unlike that of other carrier, with a collaborative approach that uses physician specialists from world-class hospitals and institutions.

With the support of credible information, Health Service Navigator helps employees gain a better understanding of their situa-tion. This can aid them in working through personal health challenges, and relieve them of stress and distractions that may affect their performance or personal lives.

Effective August 1, 2009 this is included for all employees of CNLA member companies who participate in the endorsed CNLA group insurance plan.

If you have any questions please contact Michael Thomas at the address below. W. Michael Thomas is a partner with The Investment Guild – endorsed provider of the HortProtect Group Insurance Program and is a director of ‘Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation’:

The Investment GuildHortProtect Insurance1-800-459-899011 Allstate Parkway, Suite 100Markham, ON L3R [email protected]

The CNLA has become a member of the National Composting Council of Canada (NCCC) in an effort to forge a closer working relationship with this organization. CCC is a national non-profit, member-driven organization with a charter to advocate and advance composting and compost usage. It serves as the central resource and network for the composting industry in Canada and, through its members, contributes to the environmental sustainability of the communities in which they operate. The NCCC’s annual conference is being held in Vancouver from September 30 to October 2. For details, visit www.compost.org.

I know from experience the complexity of the Canadian health care system and the impact that a personal or family member health event may have on an employee’s productivity. Health Service Navigator™ is a unique solution that will help employees take control of the health event and resume their role as productive contributors to their organization.

An innovative service, Health Service Naviga-tor provides plan members with integrated health tips and tools, medical condition information, resources on how to navigate the Canadian health care system and access to world-class doctors for second opinions – all together, all the time. It’s easy to access, reliable, current and available with the click of a mouse or a simple phone call.

Is this just another

second opinion service?

There are currently no other offerings like Health Service Navigator™ in the Canadian group benefits marketplace. It is a unique product, offering comprehensive health information for all health-related concerns – not only serious or life threatening condi-tions, as well as a second opinion service that provides assistance for a number of serious conditions. Health Service Navigator is a valuable tool for plan sponsors who are:

Health Service Navigator™ augments our traditional health benefits program by giving plan members tools and resources to become better health care consumers. It’s an inexpensive but extremely valuable addition to your benefits program.

For All Your Insurance Needs

By Michael Thomas

http://www.hortprotect.com/

http://www.compost.org


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Industry News

Whether your work is rock-solid, tough or needs a lighter touch, your Cat® dealer has the broadest offering of loaders to fit your business. Skid Steer Loaders offer muscle and versatility, while the tracked Multi Terrain Loader brings brawn with a light footprint for treading over finished surfaces. The latest addition to the family is the C-Series Compact Track Loader. It features a Cat designed, fully suspended steel undercarriage and standard Two-Speed. That adds up to the smoothest ride around, more efficient movement at the jobsite and better material retention.

Only your Cat dealer can offer all these choices for purchase or rent, plus a full line of Cat Work Tool attachments to help you get the most from your machine. BE PART OF THE LEGACY.™

CAT . COM / LEGACY | 1-888-OWN-A-CAT | 1-800-RENT-CAT

©2009 Caterpillar Inc. Allrights reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow” and the POWER EDGE trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

PRODUCTIVITY RUNS IN THE FAMILY.

CAT-114.indd 1 2/11/09 11:05:19 AM

CNLA receives

funding for export

market development

project

The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association has received official approval from Agri-culture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for their Export Market Development Proposal to the AgriMarketing funding program. This program assists industry associations to identify market priorities and equip them-selves for success in global markets. The primary objective of CNLA’s project will be to explore off-continent export opportunities for the nursery sector. A small trade mission is attending the 7th China Flower Show in Beijing. Further missions to Scandinavia and Europe are also included as part of this year’s project. Industry will have an opportunity to participate in these trade delegations. Calls for expression of interest will be distributed via the Grower’s E-mail Updates. A buy-sell website, intended to match interested buyers and sellers, will also be developed.

The CNLA’s 2009-2010 AgriMarketing project is made up of five distinct deliverables:

This will be accomplished through various market studies, and will complement the studies that have already been completed for the Chinese and Scandinavian market-places. Future studies will be conducted in those countries where we believe there exists good potential for Canadian-grown stock including Russia, and Eastern Europe.

The AgriMarketing program stipulates that marketing programs should be integrated with the AAFC Canada Brand, unless it can be otherwise shown that this would hinder rather than promote export sales. We believe that integration of the Canada Brand for all countries other than the US will help in the recognition and promotion of Canadian-grown nursery stock.

Due to the longer-term production cycles of nursery stock, successful export develop-ment will in part be determined by the ability to match supply with demand and conversely demand with supply. This can best be achieved through a website that

will allow growers to post their avail-able inventories and buyers to post their requirements.

Once market studies determine the po-tential of various marketplaces, it will be important to make the necessary contacts that are best achieved through trade shows and other sellers’ missions. Immediate sellers’ missions have been identified for China, Scandinavia and Europe/Eastern Eu-rope through the IPM trade show in Essen, Germany. Calls for expression of interest will be posted as the details of these mis-sions become available.

to develop an LTIS

The AgriMarketing program stresses the need for all sectors to be engaged in long- range export programs through the development of Long Term International Strategies. The funding received through this year’s project allows for consultation with industry across the country to develop a multi-year industry-specific strategy.

More detailed information on this exciting new initiative can be accessed at www.canadanursery.com or by contacting growers’ manager Rita Weerdenburg ([email protected]).


mailto:[email protected]


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working in one of the 100 positions available with ELCA member firms. ELCA’s Committee of the Firms looks forward to a closer work-ing relationship with CNLA to promote this program.

To learn more about ELCA’s Committee of Firms and their education excursions, landscape gardener exchange program and the profes-sional training passport, visit www.elca.info.

ELCA Presents to CNLA

The European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA) was founded in Europe in 1963 and has grown to include 20 participating coun-tries (73,000 firms, 330,000 employees) as national members of their association. CNLA has been a member since 2007. We had the honour of connecting with ELCA’s President Mr. Antoine Berger and ELCA member Dr. Michael Henze, who both made a special visit and presentation to the CNLA Board Meeting.

In his presentation ELCA’s President Mr. Antoine Berger explained the goals of the Committee of Firms are, “Increasing the exchange of information and experience between landscape gardening companies on an international level; intensifying specialist and personal knowl-edge and experience through international study trips, seminars and further training courses; pioneering and developing new work areas and skills/methods; and promoting the international exchange of young qualified landscape gardeners.” ELCA issues passports to young landscape professionals who have completed their training and are interested in broadening their professional qualifications by

Victor Santacruz, CNLA Executive Director; Bruce Hunter, Landscape Canada Committee Chair, Liz Klose CNLA Landscape Priorities Manager, Mr. Antoine Berger, ELCA President, Dr. Michael Henze, ELCA member.

both unemployed individuals who have been determined to be non-EI clients, and for employed individuals who are low-skilled as defined by the Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development. Such candidates may not have a high school diploma or a recognized certification, or may have low levels of literacy, numeracy, oral communication, thinking, computer use, and continuous learning.

Ann Marie comes to the BCLNA with excel-lent program and project management skills, and a background in adult education and educational leadership, making her an ideal fit for this program. Known for her ability to recognize diversity in the workplace, she offers optimum learning opportunities through training, workshops and professional development.

BCLNA is pleased to bring back the Prosperity Partners workshop. This exciting workshop will open the gateway for improving your work-life balance, financial prosper-

Industry News

Gerard Fournier:

A True Professional

of Arboriculture

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) honoured Gerard Fournier, owner and Board Certified Master Arborist of For Trees Company in Didsbury, Alberta as one of

seven “True Professionals of Arboriculture” in July.

“’True Professionals’ was de-signed to highlight a group of today’s arborists who represent our profession in the most positive light,” says Lauren Lanphear, ISA’s past president and panel judge. “By recog-nizing someone like Gerard

Fournier and his accomplishments within the community, his actions can be modeled by other arborists as we strive to better our world one tree at a time.”

For over 25 years, Fournier has been helping homeowners grow healthy trees by offer-ing advice through ‘Treevia’ on his web-site and radio show. Fournier created the

student internship program, spearheaded the Alberta Arborist Safety committee that lobbied to have arborists included in the Workplace Health and Safety legislation, for which he received an award from Landscape Alberta. He also participates as Tree Canada’s Community Advisor for Southern Alberta, overseeing the planting of tens of thousands of trees in the region.

“Being recognized as one of ISA’s ‘True Professionals’ is humbling,” says Fournier. “During my career as an arborist, I’ve always done my best to serve and help educate the people of Didsbury and throughout greater Alberta. I think every year we progress fur-ther in understanding the importance of trees and proper tree care.”

training gets boost

BCLNA welcomes Ann Marie Walsh, who joins the association to manage, coordinate and assist in the delivery of its 15-month Indus-try Skill Training Pilot Program, an initiative funded in total by the Governments of British Columbia and Canada. The pilot project is designed to offer training opportunities for

Gerard Fournier, CHT

Association News

http://www.elca.info/en/


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proactive approach to issues such as water usage, green communities and best practices for sustainable landscapes, LNL will be host-ing the “Atlantic Green Forum” on November 9-10th, 2009. The goal is to investigate how the environmental horticulture industry can best interact with the landscape and collaborate with our provincial government and municipal partners to encourage sustain-ability and environmental stewardship in our communities. Seminars from local, national and international speakers include Sue Sirrs from Outside Planning & Design Studio in NS, Gerhard Weiland with Tract Consulting Inc. in NL, Daniel Roehr with the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia, and Roel van Dijk with Plant Publicity Holland in the Netherlands. Fred Hann with Frederick Hann Associates in NB and NL will also be present-ing, along with Wilf Nicholls with MUN Bo-tanical Gardens in NL and a seminar by Shane Mahoney with the Department of Environ-ment and Conservation in NL. Exhibit’s will also be available along with panel discussions, meals and networking opportunities. Visit www.landscapenl.org for more informa-tion on registration or sponsorship/exhibit opportunities.

The BC Landscape & Nursery Association Board of Directors announced the depar-ture of Executive Director, Werner Knittel,

ity and career development. You will identify potential gaps within your company in the areas of finance, leadership, customer loyalty, sales management, and operations. Mem-bers who took part one last March came away with a renewed sense of purpose and drive for their businesses. For details, contact Krista Manton at BCLNA: [email protected] or (604) 574-7772.

Scholarship to

honour Jane Stock

In a wonderful example of the grass-roots ac-tion by industry, a group of BCLNA members has joined to introduce the Jane Stock Excel-lence in Horticulture Scholarship. The inau-

gural contribution of funding was donated by Rod Nataros of N.A.T.S. Nursery, responsible for the award’s conception.

Said Jane Stock, “I can’t imagine a higher honour than being as-sociated with excellence in horticulture through education. I feel privi-

leged to have served the horticulture industry where so many BCLNA members take pride in being highly skilled, support new environ-mental standards and volunteer their time to strengthen our industry. Encouraging and supporting horticulture education is of course the way for us all to achieve these traits in new industry participants.” Members inter-

ested in contributing to this worthy cause are asked to make their wishes known to Renata Triveri: [email protected] or call (604) 574-7772.

Ramor to serve on

Common Ground

Alliance board

BCLNA member, Brian Ramor of Think Green Landscaping, has been elected to the Stake-holder Board of the BC Common Ground Alliance, and holds the Landscaping/ Fencing portfolio. Ramor has already initiated talks between the Common Ground Alliance and BCLNA in which the two associations may work together to ensure worker safety when digging. Working with Blair Veitch, BCLNA’s director in charge of safety, Ramor and rep-resentatives from the CGA and BCLNA staff will look for ways that seminars and other information can be delivered to members.

Atlantic Green Forum

to provide solutions

and best practices

Urban landscapes across the country are facing very real threats. Landscape New-foundland and Labrador (LNL) is committed to finding long- term, environmentally-conscious solutions for urban landscapes and for our industry. In an effort to take a

For more information, contact Rebecca at 1-866-383-4711 or visit

www.horteast.ns.ca

November 23-25, 2009

Moncton Coliseum Complex: Moncton, NB

Atlantic Canada’s Premier Horticulture

Trade Show and Conference

2 0 0 9

For more information, contact Rebecca at 1-866-383-4711 or visit

www.horteast.ns.ca

November 23-25, 2009

Moncton Coliseum Complex: Moncton, NB

Atlantic Canada’s Premier Horticulture

Trade Show and Conference

2 0 0 9

Jane Stock received the Outstanding Service Award in 2008.

Association News

continued on page 6

http://www.landscapenl.org/






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from the organization, effective August 7. A hiring committee will be convened this fall to review the position’s requirements and begin a posting and selection process; it is anticipated that new executive leadership be placed by January 2010. Said President Ruth Olde of the transition period, “The member-ship should not be concerned. The BCLNA staff is exceptionally talented, knowledge-able, dedicated and professional. They are more than worthy of our confidence and trust.” The board wishes Knittel well in his future career endeavours.

Member recognized

Michael Bjorge, CHT, Kwantlen landscape design alumnus and BCLNA member, has received Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Dis-tinguished Alumni Award. Principle designer and owner of Pacifica Landscape Works and the Pacific Design Group, Bjorge graduated with a Diploma in Horticulture Technology Landscape Design and recently established a bursary for Landscape Design and Installation Diploma students who have maintained a GPA of 3.0 and are in financial need. Bjorge’s projects have earned numerous accolades, including the National Award for Landscape Excellence in 2008, and his stellar photogra-phy adds credit to his company.

The Environmental Checklist for Garden Centres & Retail Nurseries, an invaluable tool for implementing environmentally-friendly policies and practices in garden centres and nurseries, funded by the Agriculture Environmental Partnership Initiative — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Investment Agriculture Foundation, BCLNA’s Industry Development Council and the CNLA, is now available to all members.

Taking into consideration that ‘Green industry’ retailers are in the unique position of being able to develop, implement and promote environmental and other practices and to thereby influence the practices of the gardening public, the checklist and its accompanying workbook aim to:

operating in an environmentally friendly way, and

thereby increasing traffic and profitability.

Garden Centres CornerEnvironmental checklist to serve retailers

All garden centre owners are encour-aged to share the Environmental Checklist with their staff and look for ways to enhance their company’s sustainable practices over the fall and winter’s slower periods. Watch for more information about the project coming soon, along with details of a Retail Commodity meeting.

Any CNLA member retailer can obtain a complete copy of the workbook and checklist free of charge, and should contact their provincial association for a copy.

some of these people have toured either gar-dens all around the world, or at least Canada, and this is very impressive.”

The plantation is a 20-acre Elizabe-than Garden filled with more than 9,000 perennial flowers and 3,000 shrubs, offering a mix of varieties, techniques, and presentations. Says Bob Osbourne of Cornhill Nursery, “It gives people access to all kinds of different plant material, and the way it is planted, the design work, so it gives you an overall view of what’s possible.” Osborne says visiting the garden is as helpful for professionals as it can be for amateur gardeners. “This is a first-class botanical garden. It is one of the most complete arboretums in the area. A lot of the people here

are tree people and they enjoy looking at the various species.”

Jean Irving spoke of how proud she is that the plantation is open to the public as an acknowledgement to Bouctouche and previ-ous generations. Says Irving, “It has evolved over the years. We plant about 100 trees each year.” We’re to the point now where I think we’ve arrived and now we want to enjoy it.”

Landscape professionals took time away from their busy August schedules to discover the breathtaking Jean Irving Plantation in Bouctouche, NB.

Association News

The Irving Plantation in Bouctouche, NB is a tribute to 35 years of hard work and love.

Photo courtesy www.timestranscript.canadaeast.com

For 35 years and under the direction of Irving, more than 5,000 trees and shrubs of almost every species have been planted on the plantation’s 100 acres. The Evergreen Gardens staff, who manage the gardens, experiment to see what trees and shrubs can grow in this Zone 4 area. Their latest experiment is a tulip tree. “It’s certainly a treasure,” said Jim Landry, Landscape New Brunswick’s Executive Direc-tor. “I think people are highly impressed, and



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receive a copy of the training standards, method outline, quick-review cards, and training moment templates. This is training method is sure to make training faster and more efficient. Start at the top of your company and work your way down through supervisors and crew leaders.

Local provincial associations will be setting dates and locations in the near future, so please keep your eyes open for this exciting opportunity.

Nothing Runs Like a Deere. ™

No one makes CNLA members feel more special than your local John Deere

dealer. That’s because CNLA members receive special pricing on John Deere

equipment. And since John Deere offers the widest breadth of products for profes-

sional landscapers, you can get great discounts on virtually everything you need for

your business. So give your John Deere dealer a call today. You’ll see that a CNLA

membership really does have its advantages.

www.JohnDeere.com

Welcome, CNLA members.

09-5697

On-the-Job. That is where most of the learning in our industry happens, every day, on-the-job, working side-by-side with a more experienced or knowledgeable person. There is no doubting the skills of the trainer, but how many people have ever had training on how to train? Just because you are able to do something very well, does not mean you are able to teach to others. Wayne Gretzky would then be the greatest teacher/coach of all time.

That is why CNLA is pleased to offer you, through support of HRSDC and CAHRC, a custom tailored system for our industry that focuses on teaching people how others learn and the best methods for improving skills of trainers. These improvements will lead to quicker training, more effective and produc-tive trainees, improved safety and quality, and overall will improve return on invest-ment for your human resource dollars.

The method employed was originally used in World War II to train people to work in the jobs vacated by soldiers. The training needed to happen immediately (instant productiv-ity) with no loss to quality or safety. Gen. MacArthur passed this training along to the Japanese following the war and it became the system that Toyota still uses today to train one of the most productive workforces in their industry. This ultimate train the trainer method has been adapted for use in the landscape horticulture industry through a se-ries of workshops and pilot test sites through the spring of 2009.

Starting early in 2010 the On-the-Job Train-ing seminars will be available across Canada. It is designed as a two-day session held on consecutive weeks. Each session has a very strict limit of 15 attendees to maintain a strong personalized experience. Role-playing through the training scenarios will consume most of the seminar days, this will be broken in up with short in-class sessions. This will be hands-on training just like the real thing. Participants will act as both trainees and trainers throughout the day. Near the end of the first day attendees will be assigned homework – to practice the method in the week between and prepare several training moments. During week two participants will

Professional Developmentreview the method again, use the training mo-ments they have prepared and learn from their experience in putting it in to action over the past week.

All partici-pants in the session will

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ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

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OJT flyer.indd 1

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CLT Integrated School

St. Clair College’s Horticulture Techni-cian – Landscape program is the latest school to integrate the Certified Land-scape Technician program into their curriculum. Following an application to the CNLA office, a site-visit team went, in late spring, to Canada’s southern-most/hottest college.The daylong visit included meetings with faculty, admin-istration, students as well as in-depth facility tour and class observation.

This impressive campus is partially maintained by students from the techni-cian program, and has the space and facilities to easily host CLT testing. These mini-tests will generally be held in the students’ second and fourth (last) semesters, in the 3-5 station integrated model. Students have a very good chance of graduating with the additional credential of being a CLT; proving their knowledge and skills are honed in accordance with the practical nature of the test.

Testing will begin in 2010, supported from the local chapter of Landscape Ontario, with one of the largest classes in program history. With economic conditions in Canada’s auto centre being so discouraging, enrollment for this fall’s program has more than doubled. The good news for industry is that it means a large pool of talent will be ready for harvest in two-years.

increase in pay to those who are certified. Recognize certified people in your company at staff meetings or events. Any of these simple steps gives your employ-ees reasons to participate and give them a sense of pride in their achievements and a reward for growing as individuals and employees.

CNLA and its provincial associa-tions continue to offer more op-tions for training and develop-ment to ensure your employees can improve their skills. Even if your participation does not lead to a certification, taking advan-tage of these opportunities will

improve your company, and help raise the level of professionalism for all of industry.

Certification Corner

*as of September 2009

All current certified people will be receiving official notice of their renewal in early October. There is still plenty of time and opportunity to earn your continuing education and/or service credits. Call your local association to find out more and keep an eye on your mail.

Like many companies across the country, you might be one that employs certified people, and you might hold a certification yourself. But how do you pro-mote certification and training within your company? It is one thing to encourage your em-ployees to get certified, but it is another to offer them incentives to participate in training and certification programs.

Consider creating a policy with-in your company that encour-ages professional development. Offer to pay partial or full costs of training seminars, manuals, or certification exams either up front or upon successful completion. Encour-age certification with a policy that offers an

Jason Pond from CAT took part as a judge in certification testing.

Recently CertifiedLynda Blackburn, CHT ONRobyn Boniface, CHT BCAdam Bonin, CHT ONDerrick Boyd, CHT ONDianna Dawson, CHT ONAndrew Donaldson, CHT ONRyan Donohoe, CHT BCJeff Foley, CHT, CLP BCNicholas Funke, CHT BCRejean Gervais, CHT ONRuben Gomez, CHT ONTodd Gowan, CHT ONJared Hansen, CHT ONSpencer Hauck, CHT ONRyan Hill, CHT BCJacqueline Hohmann, CHT BCGillian Horsfield, CHT BCSerena Hubbs, CHT ONShawn Ihamaki, CHT ONVincent Janzen, CHT BCKennedy Johnston, CHT ONRyan Kearney, CHT ONScott MacInnes, CHT ONKevin Marshall, CHT ONRobert McLelland, CHT ONLesley Misner, CHT ONChris Pearson, CHT ONJennifer Portsmouth, CHT, CLP BCSteve Pudlo, CHT ONBonnie Rook, CHT ONLindsey Ross, CHT ONChris Smith, CHT ONJade Symchyck, CHT BCDonald Tellier, CHT ONAndrew Thompson, CHT ONDaniel Vanderpol, CHT BCAgnes Zawartka, CLP ON

The Certified Landscape Technician program offers students the opportunity to be certified in the industry upon graduation.


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Growers Corner/Coin de producteurs

The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is very pleased to an-nounce that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) have approved the application for participation by the wholesale nursery industry in the Advance Payment Program (APP). Through the APP, producers are able to qualify for operating loans up to $400,000, with the first $100,000 being interest-free and the rate for the balance of any eli-gible amount to be set at the BMO Bank of Montreal prime lending rate. Loan amounts are based on the value of the producer’s inven-tory at time of harvest.

Due to the complexity of establishing and verifying nursery inventory values, the Advance Payment Program is first being introduced on a pilot basis. With input from growers across Canada, a short list of more commonly grown trees and container shrubs will make up the list of eligible inventory for this pilot phase.

According to CNLA growers’ manager Rita Weerdenburg, there was a steep learning curve for each of the three parties involved: the fed-eral government through AAFC, and the program administrators, ACC Farmer’s Financial, needed to better understand the diversity within the nursery sector, and the industry needed to be informed on how to work within the parameters of this particular program. Once the pilot program is seen to be working well, CNLA will work with ACC Farmers Financial to make a larger selection of inventory eligible for this program, subject to further approval from AAFC.

The APP will be administered across Canada by ACC Farmers’ Finan-cial, a not-for-profit organization comprised of 17 farm organizations. The management fee of $550 will cover costs such as credit checks, lien searches, lien registrations and inspection charges.

To be eligible, producers must also be participating in the AgriSta-bility program (formerly the CAIS program). The loan limit will be the lesser of the government portion of a producer’s AgriStability reference margin or a producer-specific amount based on the value of inventory to be sold in the Spring/Summer of 2010. The pre-estab-lished advance rates are set at approximately 50 percent of inventory values, which were determined by averaging grower catalogue prices and verified through grower invoices.

A Fact Sheet outlining the many details of this program can be down-loaded from the CNLA website: www.canadanursery.comThe program application form is now available on the ACC Farmers’ Financial website: www.accfarmersfinancial.ca

CNLA wishes to thank the staff at ACC Farmers Financial for the tremendous assistance they have provided in making this program available to the nursery sector. Thanks are also extended to those nurseries that participated in this process by providing sales invoices for verification purposes.

Programme de paiements

anticipés approuvé pour le secteur

des pépinièresL’Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes est heureuse d’annoncer que Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada (AAC) a approuvé la demande de participation au Programme de paiements anticipés(PPA) faite par l’industrie des pépinières en gros. Grâce au PPA, les produc-teurs peuvent se qualifier pour l’obtention d’avances de fonds jusqu’à 400,000$ où le premier 100,000$ est exempt d’intérêt et le taux pré-férentiel de la BMO Banque de Montréal s’applique aux autres montants éligibles. Le montant des avances consenties sont basées sur la valeur de l’inventaire d’un producteur à la récolte.

Vue la complexité d’établir et de vérifier la valeur des inventaires de pépinières, le Programme de paiements anticipés se fera initialement sur une base pilote. Une liste abrégée des arbres et arbustes en contenant com-munément produits sera élaborée avec l’aide des producteurs et constituera la liste de l’inventaire admissible durant cette phase expérimentale.

Selon la directrice du secteur Production de l’ACPP, Rita Weerdenburg, la mise en place de ce programme a nécessité beaucoup d’efforts de la part des trois intervenants impliqués dans ce projet: le gouvernement fédéral par l’entremise de AAC et les administrateurs du programme, l’ACC Farmer’s Financial, qui devait mieux comprendre la diversité du secteur des pépinières et l’industrie elle-même qui devait être mieux informée des paramètres du programme pour en tirer parti. Lorsque le programme sera bien établi, l’ACPP travaillera de pair avec l’ACC Farmers Financial pour élargir la sélection des inventaires admissibles au programme. La liste sera sujette à l’approbation de AAC.

Le PPA sera administré à travers le Canada par ACC Farmers’ Financial, un regroupement à but non-lucratif de 17 organisations agricoles. Les frais d’administration de 550$ serviront à couvrir les coûts de d’évaluation de la solvabilité, recherches de privilèges, enregistrements de privilèges et frais d’inspection.

Pour être admissible, les producteurs doivent aussi participer au pro-gramme Agri-stabilité (autrefois connu sous le nom de PCSRA). La limite du prêt sera le montant le moins élevé de la portion de la marge de référence Agri-stabilité ou d’un montant spécifique basé sur la valeur de l’inventaire à être vendu au printemps et à l’été 2010. Les taux préé-tablis des avances sont équivalents à environ 50 pour cent de la valeur des inventaires qui est déterminée comme étant la moyenne des prix du catalogue du producteur et confirmés lors de la vérification des factures du producteur.

Une feuille d’information qui comprend plusieurs détails du programme peut être téléchargée sur le site Web de l’ACPP: www.canadanursery.com

Le formulaire d’inscription au programme est disponible sur le site Web de l’ACC Farmers’ Financial: www.accfarmersfinancial.ca

L’ACPP veut remercier chaleureusement le personnel de l’ACC Farmers Financial pour leur aide considérable qui nous a permis de rendre ce programme accessible au secteur des pépinières. Notre appréciation va aussi aux pépinières qui ont participé au processus en nous fournissant des factures pour vérification.

http://www.canadanursery.com

http://www.accfarmersfinancial.ca

http://www.canadanursery.com

http://www.accfarmersfinancial.ca



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Landscapers Corner By Liz Klose BSc. Agr, CLP

WorldSkills

The 40th WorldSkills, a bi-annual, interna-tional competition held in Calgary in Sep-tember brought together the world’s most talented youth in skilled trades and technol-ogy. More than 900 competitors from trade, service and technology programs from 51 WorldSkills International Member countries/regions participated in team and individual competitions. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was among the many dignitaries speaking at the Opening Ceremonies, with the Govern-ment of Canada, Government of Alberta and The City of Calgary being major funding partners for this event.

Team Canada, known as the “Great 38”, comprised of 31 male and 7 female com-petitors, ranging in age from 18 to 22, achieved 8 Medals and 13 Medallions of Excellence; Canada’s best overall results from any WorldSkills Competition. Shaun Thor-son, Executive Director, Skills/Compétences Canada stated, “We are exceptionally grateful for their enthusiasm, hard work and excellent overall performance. With ongoing support from the Government of Canada, industry leaders and educators, these talented young people represent a bright future for Canada’s

Landscape Gardening

at WorldSkills

skilled trade and technol-ogy workforce, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

A $16 million legacy program was launched at the completion of World Skills, with the Govern-ment of Alberta distributing equipment and tools, used during the competition, to schools and post-secondary institutions. Now students will have first-hand training on state-of-the-art equipment. Olds College, whose dedicated and hard-working volunteers were responsible for the landscape garden competition, was just one of the recipients of new industry equipment for their program.

Landscape Gardening Competition

“Creating the venue for this competition is a monumental undertaking, with many hundreds of tons of gravel, soil, decorative stone, and building materials being used, in addition to tools, equipment and lining up volunteers to make it all happen,” said Team Canada Expert Ken Nentwig, CLD,

CLP, a seasoned National and WorldSkills volunteer. As well, in the days before the compe-tition, the final test project and evaluation formats had to be developed, in three official lan-guages. Each team works with the same plan, materials, and tools, to create a 6m x 6m dis-play garden. Retaining walls, a wood bridge and steps, paver patio, water feature/dry stream

bed, and plantings, were built by the teams, all within a 23-hour time limit.

Germany’s Tobias Bohnert and Andreas Waldvogel took home the gold, and a tie for second place meant that the Netherland’s Job de Visser and Frank van Haastert, along with Austria’s Johannes Springer and Jo-hannes Stöttner all took home silver medals. Team Canada’s Caroline Tanguay and Hugo Parent of Quebec, under the guidance of team expert/coach, Ken Nentwig, CLP, CLD, and Quebec City trainer Normand Morrisett, faced steep competition from the other 15 different countries.

Featured at some provincial and national Skills competitions, this is the first time Try-A-Skill™ was headlined at WorldSkills, sponsored by the Calgary Herald and Skills Alberta. So popular was the Landscape Gar-dening “plant my number” activity, designed by Ken Nentwig, CLD,CLP, and coordinated by Nigel Bowles, Executive Director of

“The final countdown to completion saw a flurry of activity, ending in a huge round of applause and cheering from experts, visitors and competitors. It was really exciting!”

Try-A-Skill gave visiting students the chance to be part of the green industry.

Teams worked for 23 hours to create their gardens.


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Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association that it also made headline news in the Calgary Herald. It was a fast and fun way to inspire students and even seasoned gardeners to place a plant categorized by a number onto a design grid. (and those plants are durable, be-ing planted over and over!!) “I think we were all overwhelmed at first with the numbers of students,” said Bowles. “We determined that we accommodated an average of 40 students every 3-5 minutes during the event. Thanks to our enthusiastic volunteers who inspired many students to consider the green trade!”

Nigel Bowles, featured a demonstration on Calgary’s Global network, breakfast television program. “Skills is an event that everyone in the landscape horticultural trades should become familiar and involved with, as it provides an unequaled connection to young people,” said Bowles. “Profiling our trade to so many students at one time has long term benefits for every landscape business concerned with its future workforce.”

Volunteers are the foundation of our as-sociations and the dedicated people who contribute to the success of events like Skills. Thank you volunteers! World Skills was truly an incredible event, as many CNLA Board and Committee members discovered when they visited the site after the CNLA meet-ings. Knowing the potential of a landscape gardening event reaching secondary schools is inspiring and encouraging! It is a perfect time to mentor a student in the green trade and spread the word about the Apprentice-ship Grants!

“Through advocacy, education and Competitions, WorldSkills International is raising the level of competences throughout the world and bringing new awareness to these crucial sectors in the global economy.”

Landscape Gardening Try-A-Skill™ Sponsors:Greengate Garden Centres Ltd., Calgary, Alberta Heritage Perennials/ Jeepers Creepers, British Columbia Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association, Edmonton, AlbertaCanadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) Milton, Ontario

A special thank you to John Schroeder of Heritage Perennials who donated the “plant by number’ Jeepers Creepers plants. The plants were donated to the horticul-ture program at Olds College after the event.

Plants for the Landscape Gardening com-petition came from Eagle Lake Nurseries, sod and soil were donated from Eagle Lake Sod Farms. Caterpillar Equipment played a crucial role in site preparation and many other sponsors are thanked for their involvement.

Landscape Gardening Try-A-Skill™ Volunteers:Darlene Morton, Olds CollegeAnita Schill, Olds College Mark and Laura Spoletini, CAT TraxSheila Jenkins, County of StrathconaNicole Graftaas, Municipal District of RockyviewIan Traquair, Ecco Chips Kass Rigaux, Manderley Turf ProductsPeggy Telford, Greengate Garden CentresJohn van Roessel, JVR LandscapeValerie Stobbe, LANTANigel Bowles, LANTALiz Klose, CNLA

Landscape Gardening Competition Volunteers: David Moroz, Olds College Landscape Gardening Workshop Assistant Jack Berggren, Olds CollegeKen Nentwig, CLD, CLPIan Morrow, Dick Thomson, Dan Daley, Lorne Code, Wayne Sorenson, Lyle Statham, Bruce Heaton, Keith Smyth, Don McClughan, Roley Heaton, Mara-Lee Moroz, Janet Berggren, Barry Paxton, CHT, CLP and crew from Alpha Better Landscaping Inc., and the City of Calgary, all made up the core group with many others who volunteered.

Thanks to our

sponsors and

volunteers

A great team; Nicole Graftaas, Mike Holmes, Darlene Morton, Valerie Stobbe and Nigel Bowles.

Peggy Telford, Greengate Garden Centres

Kaas Rigaux Manderley Turf Products

The CNLA member services committee has worked hard to negotiate top level savings for all members. The 2010 GM discounts are in and members should be excited! There is $10,400 available on Silverado's and Sierra's and that’s just the beginning!

By purchasing or leasing a GM vehicle CNLA members save millions of dollars. If you haven’t discovered the benefits that CNLA and it’s provincial green industry associations offer, please visit www.canadanursery.com/benefits and find out how you could be taking advantage of your industry association membership.

CNLA staff are available to answer any of your questions or and can provide more information on the programs, services and savings that you are entitled to through membership with your provincial green industry association.

Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 Email: [email protected]


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October 20-21, 2009 Landscape Ontario’s 10th Garden & Floral Expo, Toronto, ON www.gardenexpo.ca

November 9-10, 2009 Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Green Forum, St. John’s, NL www.landscapenl.com

November 18-20, 2009 FIHOQ Expo, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, www.fihoq.qc.ca

November 19-20, 2009 Green Industry Show and Conference, Edmonton, AB, www.greenindustryshow.com

November 23-25, 2009 HortEast 2009, Moncton, NB www.horteast.ns.ca

January 12-14, 2010 Landscape Ontario’s Congress 2010, Toronto, ON.: Toronto Con-gress Centre www.locongress.com

NovemberNovember 19, 2009 – CLD/CLP, Green Industry Show and Conference, Edmonton, AB, 12-4pm

November 23, 2009 – CHT (Written), CLD, CLP, HortEast Moncton, NB

DecemberDecember 4, 2009 – CHT, CLD, CLP Milton, ON

2010FebruaryFebruary 10, 2010 – CLD/CLP, Green Pro Conference, Calgary, AB

MarchMarch 30-31, 2010 – CHT, Olds, AB

Documents

CNLA Newsbrief - October 2009 Issue