Expect labor shortages, local immigration ordinances
The failed immigration reform bill was a disappointing defeat for the industry. "Without this bill, the status quo for the green industry will be tighter borders and labor shortages," said Craig Regelbrugge, ANLA v.p. of government relations. "H-2B is limited in its availability and H-2A is tough and bureaucratic." He also expects to see a flood of local and state immigration ordinances passed, mirroring those in Colorado, Oklahoma and Georgia. But "all those pressures will keep this industry at the table looking to get something done," he said. ANLA hopes to continue pushing the AgJOBS migrant labor proposal, but will do so carefully. "We need to let the dust settle and talk to our champions. We can’t make it all about AgJOBS today, or the screaming crowd that was largely responsible for the immigration bill going down will scream about AgJOBS," he said. "But when it comes to AgJOBS, particularly for agriculture, we’ve won the debate more than we’ve lost it — Americans are not lining up to do the work." cregelbrugge@anla.org

Imperial settles lawsuit with Guatemalan workers
Imperial Nurseries settled its lawsuit with 12 Guatemalan workers who had been recruited by Pro Tree Forestry Services, a farm labor contractor. Imperial agreed to give the workers financial compensation, but specific terms were not disclosed in a document filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission by Imperial parent company Griffin Land & Nurseries Inc. In previous releases Imperial denied all allegations, stated Pro Tree had not paid workers properly and Imperial had worked with U.S. Dept. of Labor to resolve the issue. The workers still have lawsuits pending with Pro Tree.

Census shows population heading south
The fastest-growing U.S. cities are mostly in the South and West, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report on population growth from 2000 to 2006. New York had the biggest numeric gain (206,000 residents), pushing its population to 8.2 million. But the rest of the Top 10 numeric gainers were in Texas (Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth), Arizona (Phoenix, Gilbert), Nevada (Las Vegas, North Las Vegas), California (Los Angeles) and North Carolina (Raleigh). New Orleans lost more than half its population (261,000 people). Other cities losing 20,000 residents were Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Wis., and Pittsburgh, Pa.

Grower: Apple moth spraying is futile, unnecessary
State and federal control protocols for light brown apple moth in California are futile and unnecessary, said Jeff Rosendale, owner of Rosendale Nursery in Watsonville, Calif. The pest, covered under a federal quarantine, was first discovered in the state in February. In an editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle, Rosendale wrote, "For this pest to be so widespread in Santa Cruz County, it has been here for several years. In this time, virtually no damage has been seen on any horticultural or agricultural crops in this region. In fact, the moth is similar enough to other native leaf rollers that it easily could have gone unnoticed for several more years." He said nurseries are being closed when suspect larvae or pupae are found, even though these can't be fully identified as light brown apple moth in these stages.

Worth a visit
ANLA's Bob Dolibois describes the potential impact of a late-spring freeze on nursery supply and demand. Only on GreenBeam.com.

Hortica is the horticultural industry advocate that is a trusted partner for your business insurance, employee benefits and personal insurance. Contact Hortica to discuss your needs.