Labor contractor lawsuit not unusual
The legal troubles surrounding Imperial Nurseries in Granby, Conn., are not unique, said Bob Heffernan, exec. sec. of Conn. Nursery & Landscape Assoc. This is at least the 2nd time in the past 5 years that a Connecticut nursery has been in legal trouble for misdeeds by a labor contractor. "Federal law states that a farm is held responsible for the lawful performance of any labor contractor it hires. Laws governing alien farm workers are tortuous and fraught with details that could subject a company to liability if even one is adhered to incorrectly. Always check out a company that proposes to handle your immigrant labor with the U.S. Labor Dept. and its references," Heffernan said. Twelve Guatemalan immigrants from the H-2B program are suing Imperial Nurseries, claiming fraud and exploitation. A U.S. Dept. of Labor investigation found Pro Tree Forestry Services, an independent labor contractor retained by Imperial, had not paid the legally required wage. Imperial paid Pro Tree "well in excess of what they would need to pay their employees in compliance with applicable law," said Imperial Nurseries attorney Monte B. Lake.
HRI awards $350,000 in research grants
Horticultural Research Institute, the research arm of ANLA, granted $350,000 to 24 projects and 4 scholarships. The largest individual grant, $30,000 went to the Landscape Plant Development Center, headquartered in Mound, Minn., for developing landscape plants for all regions of North America. Ohio St. Univ. received $25,000 to research ash species' genetic resistance to emerald ash borers. Clemson Univ. was awarded $25,000 to research nursery and landscape water management.
New program facilitates nursery exports
Three Oregon nurseries are participating in a pilot program that allows nursery products to be shipped into Canada without traditional phytosanitary certificates: Monrovia Growers in Dayton, Bailey Nurseries Inc. in Yamhill, and Northwest Shade Trees LLC in Brooks. Another Oregon nursery could be added this year, and the program could be taken nationwide eventually, according to Ore. Dept. of Ag. Participating nurseries must create and adhere to strict pest-management practices to reduce the spread of pests and diseases. "This allows the nursery to essentially ship when it wants to. The nursery doesn't have to schedule an inspection with us, and wait for our inspector to look at the plants and issue a phytosanitary certificate. The certificate would already be issued," said Gary McAninch, ODA Nursery and Christmas Tree Program supervisor.
Fujino named leader of new California center
David Fujino, former v.p. at Hines Nurseries in Irvine, Calif., has been named founding director of the new Calif. Center for Urban Horticulture at UC-Davis. The center has been structured as a statewide program to assist horticulture professionals, master gardeners, teachers, students, garden clubs and the general public. "I look forward to bringing my nursery experience and industry contacts to this position to build the best horticultural research, education and outreach program for the state of California," Fujino said. The center will address issues such as water use and sustainable horticulture.
Worth a visit
Ball Landscape business development manager Jeff Gibson talks about working with growers and landscapers in the company's EasyScape program. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
SureGuard® - a preemergence broad spectrum sprayable herbicide, fights resistance providing the longest residual control of any herbicide for field- and container-grown ornamentals.
Emerald Coast Growers produces superior starter plants in a variety of
cell sizes; specializing in ornamental grasses and perennial plants.
|
