Last week, the US Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint rule. This temporary final rule authorizes the release of 22,000 supplemental H-2B visas for the current fiscal year (2021). It was posted to the Federal Register on May 25.

An IBM study, in partnership with the National Retail Federation, asked nearly 19,000 people in 28 countries around the world about sustainability and its role in their habits as consumers. Nearly eight in 10 consumers indicated that sustainability is important to them. 57% said that they were willing to change their purchasing habits to reduce environmental impact. Of those who said they’d change their habits for a negative environmental impact, 70% said they would pay a premium for more sustainable options.

Need some statistics to help customers understand the benefits of landscapes and sustainability? Colorado Green has the numbers to quantify both health and financial benefits.

This week, Ford announced that the all-electric F-150 Lightning is available for pre-order and will be delivered in 2022. Would you consider EVs for your truck fleet? Let us know with this easy, one-question poll. We will publish the poll results to our News Center on Friday, May 28.

Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) made a join announcement that they will be making available an additional 22,000 H-2B visas for fiscal year (FY) 2021. Employers must demonstrate that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm without these additional workers.

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.