Everyone in a green industry business knows that one thing you always have is a steady supply of problems. Some are easy to solve, others are not. One blazing flash of the obvious is to ask for suggestions from those closest to the problem – fellow team members.
 
Vast research has shown that employees’ suggestions save or make companies and organizations billions of dollars each year. IBM launched ThinkPlace in 2005, a website where employees around the world are encouraged to suggest innovations. Through thousands of ideas, IBM saved or made millions of dollars.

Twenty-eight high school teachers from the four corners of Colorado gathered in January for a skill-building session in irrigation basics. Teachers were given an Irrigation System in a Box containing all the components needed to build a complete system on a six-foot tabletop.

JKJ Lawn Sprinkler founder/owner Joe DiBlasi said, “I saw a flag” when he looked at an informational sign his son Joey made by cutting off part of a cast-off picket fence. “I’m always thinking about what to do to repurpose wood,” says DiBlasi and yard art themed around the Colorado and US flags were the result.

With all the talk about targeting millennials for the workforce, landscape company owners shouldn’t lose sight of other demographics when marketing their services. Baby Boomers are still considered the best prospective customers, according to recent research.

Last Friday, the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced an emergency procedures initiative to address the backlog of H-2B applications:

The Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will host a public stakeholder webinar today, Monday, February 22, 2016, starting at noon Mountain time. The webinar will run approximately 1.5 hours. To join the event, please use the below instructions:

• Go to or click on: https://dol.webex.com/dol/onstage/g.php?MTID=e5d2c3aa2de3806cdaa9937a40c8e8d6c
• Enter your first name, last name and e-mail address.
• If prompted, enter the event password: Abcd123$
• Click on "Join Now"
• Dial the toll-free number 1-866-421-8739 and enter access code: 939 193 9 to hear the audio portion of the webinar or use the audio function of the Web Ex software to stream audio.

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State Representative Jon Becker Named Legislator of the Year by the Green Industries of Colorado

DENVER, CO – Representative Jon Becker (R-Sterling) was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Green Industries of Colorado (GreenCO). The award was presented to Representative Becker at the annual ProGreen EXPO conference and tradeshow on February 10, 2016.

“GreenCO chose Representative Becker as its Legislator of the Year because of his knowledge and support on a variety of key GreenCO legislative issues in the past year, including transportation and tax issues, but most notably for his work on reauthorizing the state Pesticide Applicator law,” said GreenCO lobbyist Jay Hicks. “He is a knowledgeable, business-friendly legislator and an asset at the state capitol.”

House District 65 includes which includes Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick and Yuma counties. Currently, he is the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee. Representative Becker was elected in 2014. Since being elected, Rep. Becker has also been named the Community College Legislator of the Year.

Outsourcing the refueling process has increased efficiency for Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care’s fleet management. With 170 vehicles to manage and many needing a fill-up more than once a week, the service saves staff time, congestion and addresses safety issues.

Swingle’s fleet manager, Terry Overhuls, shared with Colorado Green NOW how the process works and how it has boosted overall company efficiency.

Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has released an updated brochure for dealing with the threat of Emerald Ash Borer. View or print the brochure, “Emerald Ash Borer: Options for Safe Handling of Ash Tree Wood.”

Colorado Green NOW spoke with Laura Pottorff, M.S., CGG about the latest information available. Laura is CDA’s Program Manager (Nursery, Phytosanitary, Plant-Pest Quarantine, Seed).

Colorado Green NOW: Are there developments with Emerald Ash Borer that have surprised you? Or is it developing as expected?

Laura Pottorff: Since we only have 2 to 3 seasons of observations it's hard to draw any conclusions. Similar to the Mid-west, this pest is very hard for us to detect early. If anything, we have been surprised and frustrated with how hard the pest is to detect.

Millennials are the largest single demographic and will soon be the majority of the workforce. Hear what Mountain States Employers Council has to say about adapting to the wants and needs of this next generation.