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With Winter just around the corner and snow slowly creeping into forecasts across the U.S., it’s important for anyone who will have to tackle the flakes head on to make sure they’re prepared. Winter storms can be unpredictable and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) encourages lawn and landscape business owners to prepare in advance before bad weather hits.
 
Here are OPEI’s 12 questions to ask before operating a snow thrower:

Have you read your owner’s manual? 
Know safe handling procedures and how to operate the controls of your machine. If the manual cannot be found, look it up online and store a copy on the computer.

Have you checked your equipment? 
Equipment should be powered off when checking it. Adjust any cables and check the auger. If you forgot to drain the fuel before storing equipment last year, empty the gas tank. 
 
Have you purchased the right fuel?  
Be sure to use the fuel recommended by the equipment manufacturer. Fuel that is more than 30 days old can phase separate and cause operating problems. Buy gasoline ahead of a storm. For more information see LookBeforeYouPump.com.   
 
Is gasoline used safely? 
Never add fuel to a running or hot engine. Store gasoline in a fuel container and label with date purchased and ethanol content. Make sure fuel is stored safely and out of reach of children.

Are batteries charged (for battery-powered equipment)? 
Make sure batteries are fully charged before a storm, in case electricity goes out.
 
Is the yard clear of obstructions? 
Snow can hide objects. Doormats, hoses, balls, toys, wires, and other debris should be removed. When run over by a snow thrower, these objects may harm the machine or people. 
 
Are you dressed properly? 
Wear safety glasses, gloves, and footwear that can handle cold and slippery surfaces. 
 
Is your clean-out tool ready? 
NEVER put your hands inside the auger or chute. Use a clean-out tool to unclog snow or debris. Always turn off the snow thrower and wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop before clearing any clogs.
 
Is your snow thrower operated only in visible conditions? 
Never operate the snow thrower without good visibility or light. 
 
Will you be clearing slopes and hills? 
Never attempt to clear steep slopes. Use extreme caution when changing directions on slopes or inclines. 
 
For electric equipment, do you pay attention to where the cord is? 
Use an extension cord designed for outdoor use. Be aware of where the power cord is at all times when using the machine. Avoid tripping. Do not run over the power cord.
 
Are pets and children inside while the snow thrower is operating? 
It’s best to keep kids and pets indoors and supervised while a snow thrower is operating. Do not allow them to play in the snow as it is tossed out of the chute.

Click here for Turf Magazine’s August 2022 Issue: “A Perfect Storm” highlighting everything snow and ice.

Read the full article “OPEI: 12 Questions To Ask Before Powering Up The Snow Thrower” on Turf Magazine.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched the Center for Pollinator Conservation to address the decline of pollinator populations across North America. The national center will contribute science, provide decision support, and coordinate and share best practices with land managers for overcoming some of the biggest challenges facing pollinators.

“The Center for Pollinator Conservation will advance our existing conservation efforts and welcome all those interested in enhancing pollinator populations,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “Given the importance of pollinators to food security, opening this center will improve how we work as an agency, dedicate shared resources and provide a space where we can engage and unite with others to conserve pollinators.”

The center will initially launch as a virtual collaborative space and will focus on three key themes: highlighting the importance of pollinators; understanding and responding to threats; and coordinating action to reverse declines. Anticipated work for the center’s first year includes conducting assessments on the current state of pollinator conservation and science across the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; listening to agency programs and other partners across the country about how the center might function, and what it might provide; and developing mid-and longer-term strategies for the center and its work, including the announcement of a physical hub for its operations.

During the past 30 years, the scientific and conservation communities have documented a steep decline of pollinator populations. Examples include the decline of the American bumble bee by 90%, the monarch butterfly by 80% and the Allen’s hummingbird by 88%. Pollinators face big challenges, like climate change , pesticide exposure, and habitat loss. The center will work to amplify and add to the ongoing efforts to improve the state of pollinators.

Since 2015, the Service has dedicated more than $25 million to conserve pollinators, particularly the monarch butterfly. Establishing the center is another major investment to protect and promote pollinator health. The Service will continue to make pollinators a priority, share progress with interested parties, and base decisions on the best available science.

Pollinators benefit from widespread, ongoing conservation actions, which help reduce threats. These efforts include planting native plants to provide pollinators food from flowers that bloom in Spring, Summer, and Fall, and avoiding or limiting use of pesticides by following label instructions.

We encourage those interested in partnering with the Center for Pollinator Conservation to contact Interim Center Director Kelley Myers at kelley_myers@fws.gov.

For more information, visit https://fws.gov/initiative/pollinators.

If you’re looking for information about a specific pollinator, visit the USFWS Find a Species page.

Read Turf’s article: Pollinator Friendly Or Overgrown Mess? How One State Is Rethinking Property Codes

Read the full article “U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Launches Center For Pollinator Conservation” on Turf Magazine.

Talbert Manufacturing celebrates the 75th anniversary of the release of its non-ground bearing hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailer. First introduced in 1962, the hydraulic detachable gooseneck technology revolutionized safety in the trailer industry.

The non-ground bearing hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailers have undergone a series of design adjustments since their inception in 1962 to increase safety throughout the loading and unloading process by offering ample clearance and stability. In years past, the trailer would sit upwards of 50″ off the ground and load in the rear. The loading and unloading angle was so steep that the tipping point could be reached quickly without warning. The lower the trailer deck is, the better and safer the loading angle. That’s why Talbert Manufacturing hydraulic tail series decks can be lowered to ground height or raised to meet a shipping dock for safe loading.

Hydraulic goosenecks utilize a series of hydraulic cylinders to safely and easily lower and lift the deck when the trailer is attached to the truck. Over the last 75 years, the design of the hydraulic detachable gooseneck has been adjusted by Talbert Manufacturing to meet the requirements of operators. In 1970, Talbert Manufacturing launched a new, patented hydraulic design called the Hydroneck.

The Hydroneck creates additional customization options for balancing weight distribution. The trailers are customized with shims to help balance weight and safely distribute loads based on the needs without having to rely on preset weight or height limits. Both the double drop series and the lowboy series can feature the Hydroneck.

While the Hydroneck is a popular connection option, some operators prefer the ratchet neck design. The ratchet neck features safety pins to secure the gooseneck with five or seven preset heights which, in certain operations, can increase ease of loading and unloading. These preset heights are customizable to the application and operator need.

To find a dealer or learn more, visit here.

For a previous Turf  “Get Equipped” article featuring Talbert Manufacturing products, click here.

Read the full article “75th Anniversary of Talbert Hydraulic Detachable Gooseneck Trailer” on Turf Magazine.

1200 Employees Received Bonuses Ranging From $7,000 To Just Over $200,000 From Knox Lane Partnership Proceeds

Ruppert Landscape has given appreciation bonuses to all employees with tenure over one year as a thanks for the role they’ve played in the company’s growth and development. Excluding the top leadership team, 1200 employees received bonuses ranging from $7,000 to just over $200,000 from proceeds garnered through the company’s recent partnership with investment firm, Knox Lane.

This surprise bonus announcement was made internally at branch gatherings of Ruppert employees who were learning of the strategic partnership. The bonuses were given by the company to thank all employees for their extraordinary hard work and dedication that has propelled the company’s growth. Bonus amounts were determined based on years of service and salary.

“Everyone receiving this bonus was instrumental in helping create the value that we’ve been able to realize,” said CEO Craig Ruppert. “This bonus is money that is well-deserved and a way for us to acknowledge the value of our teams’ contributions and the essential role that they will play in our company’s future.”

This bonus will be paid in addition to the company’s annual year-end bonus, as well as other regular benefits, which include 401(k) with matching, paid time off and holidays, medical insurance, and paid uniforms. The company also offers company-paid disability and life insurance for eligible employees, tuition reimbursement, and ongoing training that enables employees to learn, contribute, and advance in their careers.

The company’s history dates to the 1970s when Craig Ruppert, then a teenager, began cutting his neighbors’ yards to earn money. From those early and humble beginnings, the company has grown dramatically and now includes a talented management team with projects that have grown in scale and complexity. Residential lawns turned into developments, parks, and corporate campuses, while the focus on hustle and efficiency expanded to include horticultural knowledge and technical specialization. Today, the company serves commercial clients in over nine states and continues its tradition of charitable giving at the local level.

For a recent Turf Magazine article entitled, “How Ruppert Landscape Creates a Culture of Safety,” click here.

Read the full article “Ruppert Landscape Gives Employees $28 Million in Appreciation Bonuses” on Turf Magazine.

Do you know a student near the Carolinas interested in working with the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) award winning Sod Solutions team?  The intern will work with Sod Solutions sales, marketing, and customer service teams to understand the company’s four business units and learn about the turfgrass industry. The intern will also  have the opportunity to shadow multiple roles at Sod Solutions, in Awendaw, SC (just north of Mount Pleasant).  Some of these roles include:

Educational content writing and editing.
Marketing content, creative, and strategy development.
Customer service communication and problem-solving.

Details of the TOCA internship program.

Internship will be worth $5,000 — $4,000 as a stipend and $1,000 to be used to attend and assist in the execution of the TOCA Annual Meeting in Portland, Maine, April 25 – 27, 2023.
The internship will be 8-10 weeks long.
Student application deadline is Friday, February 24, 2023.
Intern will be chosen by a representative of the host organization, along with a representative of the sponsoring parties, plus one board member.

The TOCA marketing Internship program is sponsored by Den & Sandy Gardner and Jose Milan via a commitment through the TOCA Foundation. Contact Sandra O’Rourke with questions, sandra@cornerwindowcommunications.com

Apply here!  Deadline to apply is Friday, February 24, 2023.

Learn more about Turf’s TOCA Awards.

Read the full article “TOCA Student Internship Available With Sod Solutions” on Turf Magazine.

Here’s news for all you plant enthusiasts: Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently announced that plants could be used to produce nanobodies that quickly block emerging pathogens in human medicine and agriculture. These nanobodies represent a promising new way to treat viral diseases, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Nanobodies are small antibody proteins naturally produced in specific animals like camels, alpacas, and llamas. ARS researchers initially  evaluated nanobodies to prevent and treat greening disease in citrus trees. However, the scientists are now using their newly developed and patented Symbiont™ technology to show that nanobodies can be easily produced in a plant system with broad agricultural and public health applications. As a proof-of-concept, researches showed that nanobodies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 virus could be made in plant cells and remain functional in blocking the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to its receptor protein: the process responsible for initiating viral infection in human cells.

“We initially wanted to develop sustainable solutions to pathogens in crop production,” said ARS researcher Robert Shatters, Jr. “The results of that research are indeed successful and beneficial for the nation’s agricultural system. But now we are aware of an even greater result – the benefits of producing therapeutics in plants now justify the consideration of using plants to mass produce COVID-19 protein-based therapies.”

AgroSource, Inc. collaborated with USDA-ARS to develop the plant-based production system. They are currently taking the necessary steps to see how they can move this advancement into the commercial sector. “This is a huge breakthrough for science and innovative solutions to agricultural and public health challenges,” said ARS researcher Michelle Heck. “This cost-efficient, plant-based system proves that there are alternative ways to confront and prevent the spread of emerging pathogens. The approach has the potential to massively expand livelihood development opportunities in rural agricultural areas of the nation and in other countries.”

For more articles on plants, visit here. Don’t miss “Groundcover Alternatives To Mulch.”

Read the full article “Can Plants Help With COVID-19 Treatment?” on Turf Magazine.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has long been a compass for the sustainable design, construction, and operation of buildings. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. Since its 1993 introduction, the program has evolved with revisions to the landscape and irrigation category that provide additional point-earning opportunities. With LEED version 4.1, irrigation is specifically associated with three certification types through the Water Efficiency (WE) credit: single-family residential; multi-family residential; and building design and construction.

Single-Family Residential

Applicants can earn WE credits by incorporating landscapes and irrigation that protect and restore water resources.

The WE Credit: Total Water Use — This credit offers 3 to 15 points depending on the overall indoor and outdoor water use reduction from the baseline. Applicants must use the EPA WaterSense® Water Budget Tool to calculate water savings.

The WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use — Under Option 2 of this credit, applicants can earn 1 to 2 points for implementing efficient irrigation.

Multi-Family Residential

In this category, WE credits are awarded in two ways. Under Option 1, applicants must use the EPA WaterSense Budget Tool to calculate indoor and outdoor water use reductions for the project to earn a range of 1 to 10 points.

Option 2 awards 1 to 3 points depending on the percentage of native or locally adapted plants designated for the project location. In addition, 1 point can be awarded through the WE Credit: Water Metering for metering at least 80% of the landscape area or including meters on reclaimed irrigation systems.

Building Design and Construction

Applicants are given two options for WE credits and may earn a varying number of points depending on the project type: core and shell, healthcare, or non-healthcare.

To earn credits under Option 1, applicants must show that the landscape does not require a permanent irrigation system beyond a maximum 2-year landscape establishment period.

To earn credits under Option 2, applicants must use the EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool to calculate landscape water requirements. They also need to show a water savings of at least 50% compared to baseline projects. Depending on the project type, they can earn between 1 and 3 points. Additionally, 1 point can be awarded through the WE Credit: Water Metering for metering at least 80% of the landscape area or including meters on reclaimed irrigation systems.

Hunter industries is often asked for product recycled material data to help meet the Material and Resources credits. Unfortunately, LEED specifically excludes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components from recycled content calculations since they are considered minor, removable materials. Although Hunter products are excluded from this credit, Hunter includes recycled material in its products to help decrease its environmental footprint.

To learn more about Hunter irrigation solutions for LEED projects, check out our LEED Design Guides. While the solutions shown in these guides will help you meet and even exceed LEED requirements, you’ll find them useful for non-LEED projects as well. The practices discussed map out effective irrigation design practices that deliver real-world water efficiency and savings. Whether or not you work on LEED projects, these guides deliver solutions for any project.

For more on landscape water conservation, see Three Essential Irrigation Trends and Water Harvesting To Irrigate Landscapes. 

Read the full article “Landscape Irrigation Tactics for Earning LEED Certification” on Turf Magazine.

When J-Tech Institute students in the diesel technology program started the new school year this Fall, they were doing more than learning the technical skills that could lead to a successful career. The Jacksonville, FL trade school participants were also becoming part of the solution to a pressing issue: the shortage of technicians to service and maintain fleets. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that there will be an average of 28,500 openings for diesel technicians and mechanics each year for the next decade.

It’s an issue Volvo CE and its dealer network have identified as a top priority. So as J-Tech sought to expand their students’ knowledge of off-road equipment hydraulics, Volvo CE stepped in. Volvo CE and Alta Equipment Company, which is part of its dealer network, are sponsoring a new hydraulic training lab at J-Tech and have made training materials available to the school. Volvo CE has also provided hydraulic components for use as training aids.
Alta has hired eight J-Tech graduates, sponsored school sign-up days with potential students and their parents, participated in career fairs, and made presentations to students.

For Volvo CE, it’s part of a multi-pronged initiative to address the skilled labor shortage. This includes the construction of a new training center at its North American headquarters in PA and a Bay Area training center as a hub for electric vehicle training.

J-Tech Institute has a variety of trade programs. Approximately 80 students graduate each year with an associates degree in diesel technology after receiving training in off-road, on-road, marine, and recreational diesel equipment. For construction equipment, engines and drivetrains are major focuses. So too is hydraulics, with students taught how to fabricate hydraulic hoses, pressure-test hydraulic systems, and more. For more information about J-Tech Institute, visit jtech.org.

To learn about the new Volvo CE North American technician training center under construction, click here.

For previous Turf Magazine coverage of Volvo CE, click here.

Read the full article “Volvo CE Supports Next Generation Of Diesel Techs” on Turf Magazine.