Federal Judge Intervenes, Blocks Hostile H2B Changes

Fri, 04 May 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Written by

Craig Regelbrugge

For Immediate Release

April 27, 2012

On April 26, a federal judge in northern Florida issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor from implementing a new rule that would have fundamentally altered – for the worse – the H2B temporary and seasonal worker program that is important to many nursery and landscape industry employers. ANLA and a growing number of state nursery and landscape associations have provided various types of support for the legal battle, brought by a range of plaintiffs including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, PLANET, and other allies.

Judge Rodgers issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Department of Labor from implementing the program rule. The rule was set to take effect April 27. The ruling will also impact DOL’s plans to implement the wage rule on October 1. While the ruling was in Florida, the decision applies nationwide. This is a huge victory for the entire vertically integrated green industry.

Much credit goes to an excellent legal team representing the plaintiffs in the case. That team includes Monte Lake who serves as ANLA’s immigration and employment law counsel. The Department of Justice will likely appeal the decision, but any legal challenge will take a quite a while to play itself out. In the meantime, ANLA is pleased that the H2B program will continue to be a workable and legal source of labor for the landscape industry.

Category: Legislation

GPRS Now Available for IMMS Users

Fri, 04 May 2012 06:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release:
IMMS Central Control Now Has GPRS Connectivity Option

SAN MARCOS, Calif- May 1, 2012 - Hunter is introducing another new communications solution for the IMMS- ACC controller system: a GPRS "smartphone" wireless com module. The ACC-COM-GPRS looks like other ACC communications modules from the front, but has a built in GPRS phone with a SIM card already installed.

Purchase of the GPRS com module option includes a data plan for the first year of operation. The GPRS device must be activated by Hunter Tech Support upon installation and the product includes an activation form to provide the necessary account details for each controller. This form must be completed prior to calling Tech Support. After the first year of operation, the modules do require a monthly fee (billed annually) depending on the rate plan selected. This procedure is much simpler and less costly than the GSM modules it replaces (GSM modules will continue to be available for users with existing requirements). Hunter will bill end users directly for data service. An updated version of IMMS software will be released to permit GPRS communications. This is also another free software update to existing IMMS customers who wish to add GPRS to their communications options.

ACC-P2P-GPRS is a lower cost unit, with a reduced monthly fee, for a single-controller connection. P2P = Point to Point, meaning the connection cannot be shared with other ACC controllers. ACC-COM-GPRS offers Site Plan connectivity with the ability to add many other controllers to the connection via traditional UHF radio and hardwired connections, as with other ACC com modules. IMMS software can include many different Site communication options. GPRS may be used for some Sites, the new LAN module may be used for others, and of course dial-up (POTS) and hardwire can be used. GPRS is simply one more way to connect to remote controllers. Note: IMMS users must have internet connections at their computer to take advantage of GPRS communications. Data service is currently only available to U.S. customers.

About Hunter Industries
Hunter Industries is a global manufacturer of products for the irrigation, landscape lighting, and custom molding sectors. Founded in 1981 by irrigation industry pioneer Edwin J. Hunter, the family-owned company offers over 1,000 products including a complete spectrum of water-efficient solutions for residential and high-end irrigation systems. Hunter's core mission always has, and always will remain the same: to produce innovative products of the highest quality and back them with unwavering customer support.

Category: Press Releases

Solar Panel Now Available for Two Hunter Controllers

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release:
Solar Panel Now Available for XC Hybrid and Node

San Marcos, CA - April 10, 2012 -Hunter has developed a Solar Panel accessory for two battery operated controllers: the XC Hybrid and the all-new Node. The Solar Panel provides maintenance-free operation by harnessing the sun's energy to power the controller 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for years on end. Connecting the panel to either of the controllers is an easy process that can be done quickly by any installer. Once connected, the Solar Panel supplies 100% of the controllers' power, and eliminates the need for battery replacements. Since there's no batteries involved, there's no need to worry about running out of power or scheduling replacement runs. Installing a Solar Panel is also the most environmentally friendly solution for battery operated irrigation control, as it eliminates the need to dispose of batteries.

The Solar Panel is compatible with 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 station XC Hybrid models. For at-the-valve placement, the Solar Panel is also compatible with the all-new Node controller. While the Node is placed within the valve box, the Solar Panel is installed outside the box in an area with high exposure to sunlight. Node offers 1, 2, 4, and 6-station control, and is designed for isolated sites, power-restricted areas, or the special needs of drip zones.

Category: Press Releases

Senate Farm Bill proposal and markup

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Hi all. As we expected, the Senate Agriculture Committee has just released a summary as well as legislative language for the Farm Bill. Mark-up of the bill is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25 at 9:00 a.m. in room 328A of the Russell Building. Below are some highlights of the proposal - please note there are several key items we are reviewing and more information will be shared as we get it. Attached you will find the Committee summary as well as the full legislative text.

It’s a really busy time for the industry to generate much grassroots, but it would be worth interested associations that have members on Senate Ag to send supportive letters. We’ll follow up on Monday…

Thanks! Craig

Highlights:

Block Grants:

· $70 million per year which expands the baseline by $15 million per year

· Base grants for everyone goes up from $183,000 to $233,000

· They have included both a value and acre formula to remaining funding (approx $53 million).

· Multi-State component is included with ramps up from $1 million in FY13 to $5 million FY17. AMS will develop rules on this and how to be administered. Grants can focus on the following areas:

o Food Safety

o Commodity specific issues

o Pest and Disease

o Secretary determines necessary

Pest and Disease:

· $60 million FY13-16 ($10 million increase)

· $65 million FY 17 (15 million increase)

· Combines National Clean Plant Network with more general pest and disease section but the language clearly retains the Network as a priority.

Specialty Crop Research Initiative:

· $25 million FY13 ; $30 million FY14 and FY15; $65 million FY16 and $50 million for FY17 and establishes permanent baseline.

· Have tied SCRI to requiring “consultation” with NAREE Specialty Crop Committee.

· Did not get the 10% waiver or matching waiver

Craig J. Regelbrugge
Vice President, Government Relations
American Nursery & Landscape Association

For Chairwoman Stabenow's summary of the Farm Bill Committee HERE.

Category: Legislation

Nursery and Landscape Association’s Open House and Garden Tour

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Nursery and Landscape Association’s Open House and Garden Tour

Saturday May 12
9 am until 12 noon

LSU AgCenter

Hammond Research Station

21549 Old Covington Hwy

Hammond, LA

Additional information or questions:

Allen Owings (aowings@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225.603.8096)

for members of:

Southeast LA Nursery Association

New Orleans Horticulture Society

Baton Rouge Landscape Association

LA Irrigation Association

and all nursery, landscape professionals

Jambalaya Lunch in the Margie Jenkins Azalea Garden's Gazebo
prepared by Horticultural Chef Joey Quebedeaux

Event co-sponsored by the LSU AgCenter

and

Category: Trade Show

Join WaterSense for a Public Meeting to Discuss the Draft New Homes Specification (Version 1.1)

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Dear WaterSense Stakeholder:

WaterSense will hold a public meeting on April 19, 2012 to discuss the Draft WaterSense New Homes Specification (Version 1.1) which was released in March 2012.

As part of the process to modify the specification, WaterSense is providing an opportunity for public comment and encourages participation to support the modification, express concerns, or suggest alternate approaches and criteria. Information gathered through this process may be used to further refine the specification before a final version is issued.

With this draft, WaterSense proposes to allow homes constructed in multi-family buildings to earn the first national label for water efficiency. In addition to expanding the program to include homes in multi-family buildings, draft version 1.1 updates certain requirements based on lessons learned and new product technologies available in the market since the release of the specification in December 2009.

The public meeting will be held via teleconference and webinar on April 19, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Please register in advance if you are interested in attending this meeting. Call-in and other meeting information will be emailed to participants upon registration.

EPA requests that all comments be submitted in writing, including comments that are made during the course of the public meeting. If you are unable to attend the webinar, you can still submit written comments. Visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/new_homes/homes_final.html for more detail.

Thank you for your interest in the WaterSense program.

Regards,
The WaterSense Team

Category: Legislation

Proposed Surface and Ground Water Legislation

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Below is a list of bills pertaining to surface and ground water management. Provided also is a link to view each bill.

HB 990 Includes licensing requirements for water well pump installers

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=782044

HB 532 Extends sunset date of Act 955

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=777776

SB 495 Changes powers and duties of Ground Water Resources Commission

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=780677

SB 498 Authorizes Dept. of Ag to administer surface water management

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=780690

SB 502 Requires annual reports from certain special districts regarding groundwater resources

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=780712

SB 532 Provides for certain requirements for use of Chicot Aquifer water

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=780986

Category: Legislation

WaterSense Releases Draft Version 1.1 New Homes Specification for Comment

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Dear WaterSense Stakeholder:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program is considering modifications to the specification for new homes and EPA has just released the draft Version 1.1 WaterSense New Homes Specification for public comment.

The proposed modifications to the WaterSense specification for new homes include:

o expanding the scope to allow homes in multi-family buildings to qualify for the WaterSense label,

o modifying the landscape design options,

o addressing/updating other technical issues and product requirements.

EPA encourages all interested partners and other stakeholders to review and provide comments on the revised draft specification before May 07, 2012 using the comment template available on theWaterSense website.

WaterSense will host a public meeting on Thursday, April 19, 2012, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, to review the proposed modification and gather comments from interested parties. To register for this meeting, please go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/807867498.

For any questions regarding the WaterSense program in general, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) or e-mail watersense@epa.gov.

Sincerely,

The WaterSense Team

Category: Legislation

Speak (out) now, or...

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Speak (out) now, or...

Written by

Craig Regelbrugge

For Immediate Release

April 4, 2012

Calling all green industry professionals willing to take a few moments to shape the future! The American Nursery & Landscape Association and the Lighthouse national grassroots project have two new grassroots alerts posted. The first is in support of Senate and House resolutions disapproving of the Department of Labor’s devastating rewrite of the H-2B temporary and seasonal worker program. The program, vital to many involved in landscape contracting and maintenance, may cease to function under the new rules.

The second alert is in support of the RESTORE Act, H.R. 4293. RESTORE would exempt true brick and mortar businesses with 20 or fewer full-time employees from having their loans count against the business lending cap placed on credit unions. It also would require the National Credit Union Administration to issue guidelines for an appropriate amount of lending to credit worthy businesses while ensuring for safety and soundness of those institutions. RESTORE’s goal is to take these modest steps to ease the credit crunch that continues to affect many Main Street type businesses.

Visit www.capwiz.com/anla/home to let your elected officials know of your support for these important legislative efforts.

Category: Legislation

Action Needed: IR-4 Project, Critical to Pest Management, Is Threatened

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Take Action!

Congress needs to hear from our industry that it must preserve the program
that brings us most of our legal options for controlling plant pests.

The IR-4 Project was established by Congress in 1963 to assist domestic
growers of fruits, vegetables, herbs, nursery and greenhouse plants, and
other specialty crops by facilitating through US EPA the registration of
safe and effective technologies to protect these high value crops from
insects, plant diseases, weeds and other pests.

IR-4 research has supported the registration and legal use of over half the
crop protection tools now labeled for nursery and greenhouse use! Many of
these tools and technologies –traditional chemicals, biopesticides, and
other reduced risk materials – have also been successfully labeled for use
in managed landscapes.

In the current federal budget, Congress provided dedicated funding for the
IR-4 Project. However, President Obama’s 2013 budget plan eliminates
dedicated funding for Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4) and proposes to
consolidate IR-4 Project funds with funds for other unrelated pest
management programs into a single new line item called Crop Protection.

The American Nursery & Landscape Association and other organizations
representing specialty crop producers believe the budget consolidation
jeopardizes IR-4. Now, more than ever, adequate funding for the IR-4 Project
is absolutely necessary to ensure registration of pest management tools for
nursery and greenhouse uses.

Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representative in the House
immediately to ask that the IR-4 Project be maintained as a separate budget
line item in the USDA budget. For more information, you may visit Save IR-4
at www.SaveIR-4.org

Category: Legislation

Recent News for the Louisiana Irrigation Association

Federal Judge Intervenes, Blocks Hostile H2B Changes

GPRS Now Available for IMMS Users

Solar Panel Now Available for Two Hunter Controllers

Senate Farm Bill proposal and markup

Nursery and Landscape Association’s Open House and Garden Tour

Nursery and Landscape Association’s Open House and Garden Tour

Saturday May 12 9 am until 12 noon

Join WaterSense for a Public Meeting to Discuss the Draft New Homes Specification (Version 1.1)

Proposed Surface and Ground Water Legislation

WaterSense Releases Draft Version 1.1 New Homes Specification for Comment

Speak (out) now, or...

Action Needed: IR-4 Project, Critical to Pest Management, Is Threatened

Take Action!

Saturday May 12
9 am until 12 noon