LAWN CARE COMMODITY GROUP

Tuesday September 22, 2014 Minutes

Landscape Ontario
Present:

Steve Tschanz (Chair), Kyle Tobin, Alan White, Tom Somerville, Tim Tripp, Kerry Whale, Ken
Pavely, Don Voorhees, Gavin Dawson

Regrets:

Mike Miltenburg, Richard Reed, Pam Charbonneau, Don McQueen, Bill Van Ryan, Rohan
Harrison, John Wright Paul Grotier, Paul Gaspar, Gary Van Haastrecht

Staff:

Tony DiGiovanni

1. Acceptance of the August 2014 minutes.

Motion to approve:
Alan/Kyle
...................... Carried
2. Government Relations
We met with the other groups to plan a strategy going forward. Another meeting is scheduled for next week.

3. Algae Bloom Issue

Hoping to see something from Lee Ann regarding the issue
Sara actually hoping to get something from Lawn Care Group
Messaging needs to be around benefits of turf
Explain good of vegetative buffer zones
A no-phosphorus campaign will help us deal with the Algae Bloom Issue. The no-phosphorus campaign
will focus on licensing.
4. Canada Blooms
Sarah form NSGAO was invited however could not make the meeting
We will continue to fill one greenhouse with sod this fall as usual
If there are trees on the top there will likely be less wear and tear on the grass will follow up with Sarah
(Sod Growers)
5. National Sod Group
Alan updated the group about the work of the national sod group. Their main purpose is advocacy for
the benefits of turf. Turf is misunderstood with respect to environmental benefit. The main benefit is
with respect to water management, filtration and mitigation of the heat island effect.
Another discussion at the national level is whether we should promote a licensed trade.
6. Economic Development Study
CNLA committee is focusing on turf
Marketing company from Montreal made a proposal to do a study Economic impact

7. Algae Bloom Issue

The Algae issue is also focusing attention on fertilizer. It is important to let the public know that the
lawn care industry is phosphorus free. Perhaps we should be actively promoting the fact that we are
phosphorus free.
8. Licensing Discussion
There was a lively discussion about the merits of licensing the trade. The lawn care sector is already
licenced however it may not make a difference in todays environment. The next step is to seek
professional help that understand the implications of licensing the trade.
9. Elections
Motion: To nominate Al White as Board representative
Ken/Kyle -Carried
Motion: To nominate Kyle as Treasurer
Ken/Gavin Carried
Motion: To nominate Kyle for Vice Chair
Steve/KenMotion: To nominate Gavin for Vice Chair
Kyle/Don
An election was held. Gavin is the new Vice Chair
Motion: To nominate Steve as Chair
Kyle/Ken Carried

10. Non-compliant companies

The group has noticed an increase in many companies using weed control and iron products illegally.
There was a discussion about how to deal with this issue.
Ideas:
Ask the Ministry to regulate more stringently both at the public and professional level
There may be many who are cheating as an act of civil disobedience
It was suggested that we focus on the professional
Action: We will set up a meeting with the Ministry of Environment to discuss how to deal with
the issue. Steve will seek the meeting
Alan will bring this issue up at the Provincial Board
11. IPM Symposium- Kyle
Pinball Clements and Evelyn Browning are confirmed. As this is our 50th anniversary we want to make
this a special event. There will also be a VIP dinner. We are seeking a sponsor for the dinner. The
committee is looking for a keynote for the dinner.
Suggestions: Don Cherry, Brian Baumler, Kevin Lafrance,
Pinball is speaking about teamwork and leadership
12. Turf Research Alan
The research cluster for Vineland has been approved. However the funding for turf has been removed.
We are seeking other ways to fund turf research.

13. Board Update

Tabled

14. Next Meeting

Thursday November 13, 10am