LC/DBM provides landscape contractors with Educational, Imaginative and Practical information about their business, their employees, their machines and their projects.
LCDBM Commentary
Way To Go PLANET and the NJLCA!!!
Congratulations to PLANET and the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association or their bold and historic partnership!
As you may recall, last month I advocated for the states to join with PLANET to give greater weight to landscape contractors on a national level. Just days after the column went to print we received the announcement of their partnership.
Here is an excerpt from that announcement . . .
HERNDON, Va., February 1, 2012 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJL- CA). Recognizing the importance of unifying the green industry at both the local and national level, PLANET and NJLCA recently entered into this agreement that will use the strengths of both organizations to enhance the value delivered to both membership groups through education and networking, legislative advocacy, and consumer awareness programs.
"PLANET has valued our informal partnership and efforts with NJLCA over the last several years. By formalizing our relationship into this agreement, we look forward to continuing to build a mutually beneficial and collaborative relationship over the coming years," said PLANET's Chief Executive Officer Sabeena Hickman, CAE, CMP.
This partnership will offer PLANET members in New Jersey the opportunity to become part of a community of like-minded landscape professionals in their home state, while offering NJLCA members the chance to participate in and grow their businesses through the opportunities pro- vided by PLANET. To promote and support the importance of membership, both organizations have agreed to extend significant discounts on membership dues to the members of the other organization.
"The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association is very excited to be the first statewide landscape association to be partnering with PLANET in a joint venture to develop and grow both organizations," stated NJLCA President Jody Shilan. "We are confident that this relationship will provide additional value to the members of the NJLCA and its 45-year history, as we continuously strive to help educate our members, provide business opportunities, and help advance profession- alism in the green industry."
While the process was two years in the making, it has paved the way for every state to partner with PLANET and help to unify Landscape Contractors across the nation. Which state will be next? Only time will tell, but let's hope it doesn't take another two years. In fact, let's hope that over the next two years all 50 states develop a like-minded partnership and finally give the Landscape Contractors a strong, comprehensive national voice . . .
Again . . . Congratulations to PLANET, the NJLCA and the entire industry for this courageous and forward reaching step!
God Bless . . . George Schmok, Publisher LC 6 LC DBM
6OLUME .O s WWW LANDSCAPEONLINE COM
Equipping Landscape Professionals for Success
www.LandscapeOnline.com
D
" B UIL
" M AI NT AI N
gschmok@landscapeonline.com Editor
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief George Schmok
bfordyce@landscapeonline.com Bruce Fordyce lmcguire@landscapeonline.com
Editorial Profiles Leslie McGuire
lshield@landscapeonline.com
Product Editor Larry Shield
mmedaris@landscapeonline.com
gharris@landscapeonline.com Michelle Medaris
Assistant Editors Gregory Harris
Editorial Administrative Assistant Amanda O'Donoghue
aodonoghue@landscapeonline.com Editorial Contributors
Gerald Henry, Ph.D., Assistant Professor - Turfgrass Science; Texas Tech University; Bobby Walls, development manager of turf products, FMC Professional Solutions; William Harrison of Target Specialty Products; Larry Musser, president, PRZ International Sports Turf Consulting
Associate Editor at Large: David Linstrum Digital Information
Associate Editors
Asst. Professor, University of Georgia Ashley Calabria, ASLA
Associate Professor, Louisiana State University Buck Abbey, ASLA
Ordinances smattox@landscapeonline.com
Production Manager Sheila Mattox
BSchulz@landscapeonline.com
Assistant Ad Coordinator Brad Schulz
circulation@landscapeonline.com
Circulation Manager Sheila Mattox
gstewart@landscapeonline.com Anita Hollis
jargyle@landscapeonline.com Grace Stewart
Circulation Assistant Jacqui Argyle
nmiller@landscapeonline.com
Assistant Art Director Nicole Miller
Senior Designer/Photography Guy Nelson
gnelson@landscapeonline.com
mmedeiros@landscapeonline.com IT Department
Graphic Designer Matthew Medeiros
jshort@landscapeonline.com
Web + Tech Manager Jerry Short
cmccarthy@landscapeonline.com Amy Deane
Office Manager Cynthia McCarthy
mowyang@landscapeonline.com
adeane@landscapeonline.com Marcia Owyang
Advertising/Marketing ,!3.
s
mhenderson@landscapeonline.com Kip Ongstad
vchavira@landscapeonline.com Matt Henderson
Advertising Sales Vince Chavira
kongstad@landscapeonline.com
Trade Show / Online Advertising Vladimir Kostich
vkostich@landscapeonline.com
Romans 5:15 …"But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"
Landscape Contractor Design Build Maintain and/or the publisher is a member of or financially supports the following associations: APA, CLCA, The Library of Congress Association, IAAPA, ASLA, NRPA, National Wildlife Association, IES, IALD, IA, ISA, IECA, BPA, APLD, National Parks and Conservation Association, IRLA, TPI, National Trust for Historic Preservation, LAF/CLASS Fund, American Rivers and the American Institute of Architects.
&AX;
DBM