News & Press

MN Air Quality: 2023 Canadian Wildfires and Outdoor Workers

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 21:15:00 GMT

To date, there have been 23 air quality alerts in Minnesota this year due to Canadian wildfires. MNLA has received some questions about how businesses are adjusting given these unusual conditions. When talking with attorney Patrick McGuiness of Zlimen and McGuiness, PLLC, we learned that employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment.

OSHA indicates that the most significant hazard from wildfire smoke is exposure to particulate matter and advises that employers should prepare for and plan to implement procedures to reduce exposures to smoke when necessary.

Protective measures to reduce smoke exposure for outdoor workers can include:

Frequent monitoring of air quality conditions using a source such as the EPA's AirNow.
Relocating or rescheduling work tasks to smoke-free areas.
Reducing levels of physical activity, especially strenuous and heavy work.
Requiring and encouraging workers to take breaks in smoke-free places when possible.
When possible, making accommodations for employees to work inside with proper HVAC systems and high efficiency air filters.
Providing or allowing the use of NIOSH-approved respirators for voluntary use, when not otherwise required. When allowing respirators for voluntary use, employers must provide employees with the advisory information in Appendix D of OSHA’s Respirator Protection Standard.

In addition to researching the legal requirements, we informally surveyed several MNLA members about adjustments they have made based on the unusual haze this summer. Several indicated that they are tracking daily air quality alerts to help make informed decisions. Others are providing masks or respirators for voluntary use by employees and training them on appropriate uses. Some said they are reducing strenuous activities on poor air quality days or changing work locations or hours for the day if necessary.

While every green industry business will have to decide for themselves how to navigate the air quality issues, providing a safe working environment is every employers’ responsibility.

Important Advisory Regarding Utility Locates

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 16:28:02 GMT

NEW: Gopher State One Call's Internet Ticketing System (ITIC)

ITIC allows the user to map their entire work site using a visually driven, fully interactive interface. Users can create routes with custom widths, circles with varying radii, and select parcels based on parcel data. Click here to learn more about this new system.

MNLA advises its members to remember the following:

Anytime you are going to dig anywhere in a landscape, CALL BEFORE YOU DIG. 811 is the easiest to remember, but you can also use these numbers to connect more directly. Emergency Tickets: 866-640-3637; Twin Cities Metro: 651-454-0002; Greater MN Area: 800-252-1166. Call Gopher State One Call at least 48 hours in advance of anticipated excavation. In the busy spring season, be aware that experience has shown that it can take even longer for markings to occur. You have 96 hours (4 days) to begin digging after the markings are placed. (Both the 48-hour rule and 96-hour rule exclude Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.)
After markings have been made, excavators are required to maintain a minimum horizontal (side to side) clearance of two feet (24 inches) between an unexposed facility and the cutting edge or point of any power operated excavating or earth-moving equipment. For example, if the markings indicate a 6” pipe is buried, the hand dig zone is 54” wide (6” + 24” on each side of the mark). If excavation is required within the hand dig zone, the excavation must be performed very carefully, with vacuum excavation or hand tools, and without damage to the facility or undermining lateral support. Remember that facility depths may vary due to installation practices, changes in the grade, erosion and other variables.
In the course of digging, if you expose a utility line, it is your responsibility to inspect and support the facilities before backfilling. If you damage the utility line, it is your responsibility to immediately notify the utility owner directly.
For a Professional Excavators Manual, call 651-454-8388 (do not call this number for locates) or see the website www.gopherstateonecall.org.

What Does NOT Get Marked

Some buried facilities in your work area may not be owned by an underground facility operator required to register with GSOC. These are considered private facilities and will NOT be marked. Inspect your job site prior to entering a ticket to determine where private facilities may be buried. Investigate who may have installed them and determine if any records or maps exist. Suggest that the property owner hire a private facility locator.

MNLA also reminds members of the following information:

Gopher State One Call has a free mobile app, which offers quick access to many of Gopher State One Call’s resources from a smartphone or tablet, whether you’re at the office or working at a job site. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. To download the free GSOC app, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play and search for “GSOC” or “Gopher State One Call”.
Minnesota Statutes section 326B.35 clearly identifies that communication utility work is covered by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). “Communication utility work” includes burial of telephone and cable TV lines. (Source: Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Construction Codes and Licensing Division)
National Electrical Safety Code table 352-1 requires communication cables to be installed at a 24" burial depth. A lesser depth is allowed if the cable is provided with supplemental protection.
If you cut a communications line during routine lawn work such as aeration, or if you have followed ALL of the utility marking procedures required, yet inadvertently cut a communications line that has not been properly buried, it may be a reasonable business practice to bill the offending utility for any inconvenience caused to you or your customer.

Remember, follow the rules and call before you dig!

MNLA Member Jennifer Edney Elected President of International Trade Association

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 16:12:09 GMT

Jennifer Edney, Edney Distributing Co., Inc., Lakeville, Minnesota, has been elected President of the Equipment Marketing & Distribution Association (EMDA) – the international trade association of shortline equipment marketing & distribution firms. Edney will preside over official EMDA activities for the coming year. She assumed the office during the Association’s Annual Meeting and Fall Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 31 – November 2, 2018. EMDA member firms are reps and distributors of shortline agricultural and outdoor power equipment and related specialty products.

Edney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, a Professional in Human Resources designation from the HR Certification Institute, and a Wholesale Distribution Management Certificate through The Ohio State University’s Executive Education Program. She participates in national and regional gatherings of The Employee Stock Ownership Plan Association and the Society for Human Resource Management. Jennifer joined Edney Distributing Company, Inc. in 2008 to support the Company in a time of change and is currently the company’s Vice President. Prior to working in the family business, she held sales, operations, and management roles at companies including Gateway, Target, and The Hartford.

Founded in 1951, longtime MNLA member company Edney Distributing Company, Inc. serves its dealer network from four warehouses in the Upper-Midwest. They supply attachments, specialized equipment, and parts from manufacturers around the world. Edney offers dealers marketing, logistics, warranty support, and training along with other value-added services. Jennifer’s father, Doug Edney, is the President of the company.

MNLA Honors 20 Projects

Thu, 19 Feb 2015 16:10:51 GMT

Several members of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) were recently honored with the 2015 MNLA Award for Excellence in Landscape. View the project gallery of all the winners here. Congratulations to the companies and personnel behind these projects!

Firm: Charles Seha Design

Project: Chute/Nevin Project

Entrant: Charles Seha

Team members: Dan Campion Masonry: Concrete work, brick work, veneer masonry, landscape supplies

Charles Seha: Landscape design, Dry laid limestone walls, grading, planting, drainage, project management

Subcontractors: Finishing Touch Carpentry, Jim Amundson, Steve Carlson: Carpentry for garden building.

Firm: Field Outdoor Spaces

Project: Bryant Avenue Project

Entrant: Jason Rathe

Team members: Jason Rathe - Designer

Subcontractors: Blackstone Hardscapes - Concrete paver patio | Sparkhut Design - Corten Planters | Accentual Lighting - lighting | Kelly Green Irrigation – Irrigation

Firm: Ground One Enterprises

Project: Burns Residence

Entrant: Nathan Anderson

Team members: Nathan Anderson, landscape architect | Pat Weiss, project manager | Jeff McCabe, estimator

Firm: Ground One Enterprises

Project: Pihlstrom Residence

Entrant: Nathan Anderson

Team members: Nathan Anderson, landscape architect | Pat Weiss, project manager | Jeff McCabe, estimator

Firm: Mom’s Landscaping & Design, LLC

Project: Casby Residence

Entrant: Heather Grossmann

Firm: Mom’s Landscaping & Design, LLC

Project: Grieve Residence

Entrant: Becca Bastyr

Team members: Becca Bastyr, Designer & Project Manager | Daniel Wellens, Foreman

Subcontractors: Edgework Builders, carpentry, masonry, electrical and gas installations | Concrete Designs, Concrete Countertop manufacture and installation | Aqua Engineering, Irrigation design and installation

Firm: Mom’s Landscaping & Design, LLC

Project: Murray / Nguyen Residence

Entrant: Bob Wallace

Team members: Mike Weckman, Foreman

Firm: Phillips Garden

Project: Golden Valley Contemporary

Entrant: Tom Kerby

Team members: Tom Kerby - Landscape Architect, Project Manager | Ed Burke - Landscape Designer | Thomas Knox - Crew Foreman | Lynn Biegler - Maintenance Manager | Laura Savolainen - Maintenance Assistant Manager

Subcontractors: Bulach Custom Rock - concrete work | Aqua City Irrigation - irrigation | Flair Fountain - water feature | N Design Partners - landscape lighting

Firm: Phillips Garden

Project: Linden Hills-Arts and Crafts

Entrant: Tom Kerby

Team members: Tom Kerby - Landscape Architect, Project Manager | Darrin Mueske - Crew Foreman (stone craftsman) | Chandler Litterst - Crew (stone craftsman) | Lynn Biegler - Maintenance Manager

Subcontractors: Bulach Custom Rock - concrete | Aqua City Irrigation - irrigation | Flair Fountain - water feature

Firm: Phillips Garden

Project: Modern Courtyard

Entrant: Tyler Grissman

Team members: Lead Designer/Project Manager - Tyler Grissman | Landscape Designer - Ed Burke

Garden Designer - Lynn Biegler | Install Crew - Thomas Knox, Darrin Mueske, Chandler Litterst, and Alex Molitor

Firm: Sargent’s Landscape Nursery - Rochester

Project: McIntosh Residence

Team members: Jeff Feece - Designer and Project Manager | Bob Thompson - Installation Supervisor

Subcontractors: Jeff Morse - Patio work | Ryan Davis - Wood Work | Bob Gander Plumbing - Natural gas installation Eagle Electric - Electrical hook-ups | Universal Concrete - Concrete steps | Shawn Fagan – Photography

Firm: Savanna Designs, Inc.

Project: Maiden Rock House

Entrant: Jim Hagstrom

Team members: Peter Carlsen, Carlsen & Frank Architects, LLC - overall design of house & selection of materials on building, conceptual design of the front walkway

Subcontractors: Landscape Renovations, Inc. - pavers & dry laid stone work | Northway Irrigation - design & install irrigation | Prairie Restorations, Inc. - prairie installation & maintenance

Firm: Savanna Designs, Inc.

Project: St. Croix River Retreat

Entrant: Jim Hagstrom

Team members: Rehkamp Larson Architects, Inc. - overall design of house & selection of materials on building. | Greg Olson - general contractor, coordinating construction & project management including stone veneer and bluestone patios.

Subcontractors: Tibbetts Stonework - fabricated & installated local limestone veneer under the direction of the owner and general contractor.

Firm: Southview Design

Project: Fitting In With Nature

Entrant: Tim Johnson

Firm: Southview Design

Project: Thinking Outside the Deck

Entrant: Colleen Moran

Firm: Stonepocket, Inc.

Project: STEEL NATURE

Entrant: Tim Heelan

Subcontractors: Pete Spark of Spark Hut for building corten steel planters and a beautiful gate | Tony Schmidt of Accentual Lighting for lighting up the backyard

Firm: Switzer’s Nursery & Landscaping, Inc.

Project: Drew H. Lord House Landscape Renovation

Entrant: Glenn Switzer

Firm: Yardscapes, Inc.

Project: Lake Minnetonka Pool / Spa Project

Entrant: David Kopfmann

Firm: Yardscapes, Inc.

Project: Minnetonka Residence

Entrant: Clayton Johnson

Firm: Yardscapes, Inc.

Project: Toomey Home

Entrant: Lincoln Danforth

A panel of practicing professionals in landscape education, landscape architecture and horticulture judged each entry based upon quality of design, materials and workmanship. Entries are not judged against each other, but rather against standards of excellence in selection of materials, execution of the installation, and achieving the client’s design goals.

Economic Impact Study Sheds Light on Challenge and Opportunities for the Industry

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:41:45 GMT

NURSERIES, LANDSCAPE BUSINESSES ADD $3.5 BILLION IN “GREEN” TO MINNESOTA ECONOMY

Economic impact study sheds light on challenge and opportunities for the industry

by Jonathan Eisenthal

It’s a vivid snapshot of the garden and yard industry in Minnesota, and what it adds to the Minnesota economy:

$3.5 billion dollars
42,000 full and part-time employees
$1.9 billion in direct sales.

Having come out the other side of the Great Recession, the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) wanted to know how their industry—which includes small- and medium-sized nurseries and landscape businesses, but not big box stores—was faring. So, they chose to revisit an economic impact analysis of member businesses first done in 2002. The study was conducted by St. Cloud State University’s School of Public Affairs Research Institute, which performed the first economic impact study, and was funded by MNLA, AURI and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program. Read more...

Honoring Mark Stennes

Fri, 1 Aug 2014 19:01:47 GMT

Our MNLA community has lost a leader and a friend to many in the Minnesota green industry. On July 22, Mark Stennes passed away after a two year battle with liver cancer. Mark demonstrated an innovative and passionate approach to tree care in his career.

Mark received MNLA's Special Service Award in January this year for giving of himself personally and professionally over a long period of time to make the nursery and landscape business a better industry. During the Awards ceremony, MNLA President Debbie Lonnee said, “Stennes has led the charge to ensure that Minnesota trees are happy and healthy and can be enjoyed by generations to come. His leadership and passion for advancing tree research and education is second to none.”

Read about Mark's award in the February 2014 issue of The Scoop.

In the May issue of The Scoop this year, Luke Midura reflected on the impact Mark had on his own career, and his love and understanding of trees. He also wrote about the first public planting of St. Croix elm, a Minnesota elm specimen that tolerates Dutch elm disease, discovered by Mark in 2002 and currently in production with release slated for 2015.

Read the article, "Cultivating a Legacy" from the May 2014 issue of The Scoop.

Study Shows Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Industry Total Economic Impact at $3.5 Billion

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 15:36:35 GMT

Study shows Minnesota nursery and landscape industry total economic impact at $3.5 billion

Annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, lawns, and. . . cash for Minnesota’s economy. The Minnesota nursery and landscape industry is generating a lot of “green” . . . in more ways than one.

A recently-completed study shows that the state’s nursery and landscape companies generate yearly sales of more than $1.9 billion and have a $3.5 billion direct effect on Minnesota’s economy.

Firms participating in the study included landscape contractors and designers, retail garden centers; wholesale tree, shrub, and flower growers; irrigation contractors; lawn, tree, and garden services; and hardscape suppliers. There are approximately 2,000 family-owned companies in Minnesota that make up the professional nursery and landscape industry. National corporations selling plants and garden goods in Minnesota were not surveyed and estimates do not include gross sales and impacts from those companies.

Gross sales within three major industry segments were identified:

Landscape services - $1.5 billion
Retail sales - $198 million
Wholesale Agricultural/Horticultural Production and Hard Goods - $892 million

Minnesota’s nursery and landscape exports are 15.7% of total sales or over $298 million, with much of that being tree and shrub sales across the nation and to Canada, as well as sales of landscape services in neighboring states.

In addition to substantial gross sales, the industry is a major Minnesota employer with a total payroll of over $1.2 billion. There are more than 14,000 full-time employees; 4,500 part-time employees; and 23,000 seasonal employees.

“While direct sales are down from the same study conducted in 2000, which listed $2.1 billion in direct sales, the fact that the number didn’t decline further is a testament to the family run businesses in our industry. Small, family-owned and operated businesses can succeed even through an economic downturn. Most of our industry’s companies have fewer than 10 full-time employees, yet collectively we provide more than 42,000 jobs. We’re a strong, diverse, and stable part of the Minnesota economy,” said Heidi Heiland, president of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. A professional gardener and landscape designer, Heiland owns and operates Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens based in Plymouth, Minn.

Companies were surveyed in the winter of 2013-2014 and asked for sales figures for the year 2013. Data was compiled and analyzed by the School of Public Affairs Research Institute at St. Cloud State University. Spearheaded by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, partners in the project included the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown Program.