Looking to hire for the summer? Students in the Sustainable Agriculture Green Energy (SAGE) Program at Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice in Englewood are ready to work. “Our school has a virtual job board and a high percentage of students over the age of 18,” explains Scott Wallace, SAGE facilitator.

Demand for landscape services is high these days, though landscape companies continue to face challenges in taking advantage of that demand and growing their business. Workforce shortage, supply chain disruption, and more can slow the pace of growth.

But one area of opportunity that has not shrunk amid ongoing challenges is that of support from within the industry. The catchphrase, “We are all in this together,” repeated often during the pandemic, is especially true in the green industry.

Vendors who support the industry represent a wide variety of companies. As expected, suppliers of rocks, turf, irrigation equipment, landscape equipment and plant material keep landscape contractors in business by delivering the products they need to serve clients.

These are the tangibles, things we can see. This is similarly true for vehicle dealers. But there are numerous intangibles—services and education—that suppliers, as well as other service firms, provide including marketing consultants, software providers, insurance companies and many more are also instrumental in keeping the industry running smoothly.

“OK, I can do this. I can do this.”  I was sitting in a hallway outside of one of the lecture halls at the [Colorado] Convention Center trying to calm myself down. Kristen Fefes (former executive director of ALCC) had asked if I would work with Martin Mosko (Marpa Design Studio) to talk about water features at ProGreen. I was to handle the technical side while Martin showed the beauty and art of water features. When I showed up at ProGreen that morning I learned Martin had woken up sick. I peeked into the lecture hall and figured about 300 people were already waiting.

Are you trying to help your team get vaccinated against COVID-19? ALCC has just learned of a new resource for finding vaccine appointments. 

There will be a drive-through and walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic (Pfizer) this Saturday, May 1, at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. Sign up for an appointment: at https://www.comassvax.org/reg/5610729087. This webpage has a Spanish translation.

This information was shared by Focus Points Family Resource Center. You can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/focuspoints where they post up-to-date resources.

Once again, Colorado landscape industry professionals are invited to engage with government officials at Legislative Days on the Hill. The annual event, hosted by NALP, is an opportunity for the landscape industry to make its concerns known to lawmakers. This year the event will be held virtually due to ongoing restrictions related to coronavirus.

The COVID-19 crisis brought new challenges to ensuring workplace safety. As landscape companies begin their busiest part of the year, it’s an excellent time to re-evaluate your overall workplace safety plan—not just COVID precautions. April 28 is World Safety and Health at Work Day, as declared by ILO (International Labour Organization). Why not take the day to start your safety program review?

Landscape professionals understand that trees have tremendous value and offer many benefits: trees prevent soil erosion and water pollution, provide shade for homes and habitat for wildlife, and increase property values. But consumers need ongoing education and reminders of the role trees play in the health and beauty of communities.

The following five perennials received the 2020 “Top Performer” award at the CSU Trial Gardens. Out of the 67 taxa planted in 2018, these five plants were the superior performers during three growing seasons and two winters in the Fort Collins trials.

There are several implications for employers regarding COVID vaccines. Can you ask if an employee or job candidate is vaccinated? Can you mandate vaccines? Employers can download a free toolkit from CDC regarding vaccines and the workplace. Employers Council also tackled this topic in a helpful video.