Snow’s Garden and Landscape Center named 2008 Landscaper of the Year
Total Landscape Care has named Corbin Snow and Snow’s Garden and Landscape Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, the magazine’s 2008 Landscaper of the Year.
“We’re honored to be chosen as Total Landscape Care’s first ‘Landscaper of the Year’,” Snow says. “Every finalist was very deserving, so it’s humbling to know we were here with all of these fine people.”
Sponsored by Case Construction Equipment, this annual program recognizes 12 finalists as the best and brightest in the landscaping industry. On November 9-12, the finalists and their guests enjoyed an all-expenses-paid, four-day cruise to the Bahamas, where Snow’s was named the winner during a gala banquet.
Snow’s received a plaque and will be featured on the cover of and in the January 2008 edition of Total Landscape Care. Each of the 11 finalists will be featured in a story about their businesses in the magazine during 2008.
Finalists were:
- Ted Anthony, Anthony’s Landscaping, Metairie, Louisiana
- William Dickerson, Dickerson Landscaping, Tallahassee, Florida
- Bruce White, Harvest Tree Company, Fredericksburg, Virginia
- Ryan Miller, Mulligan’s Landscape and Design, Haverhill, Massachusetts
- Justin LaFleur, Nevada Landworks, Reno, Nevada
- Eric Brand, P&L Landscaping, Nashua, New Hampshire
- George and Gary Pacheco, Pacheco Brothers Gardening, Hayward, California
- Brian Golembiewski, Paramount Landscape and Maintenance, Tempe, Arizona
- Bill and Linda Lillie, Sprigs & Twigs Landscapes, Gales Ferry, Connecticut
- Mark Leon, Sunshine Landscape Company, Oahu, Hawaii
- Keith Upham, The Upham Landscape Company, Weston, Massachusetts
The mission of the Landscaper of the Year program is to recognize successful, professional landscapers who have impeccable reputations with their customers, suppliers, and employees and are giving something back to their industry, communities and families through a “best practices” operation of their businesses.
Nominations for the 2009 Landscaper of the Year program will be accepted starting in early 2008. Visit www.totallandscapecare.net for updated information.
~ Christina Jesson
50 years of Bobcat
To celebrate the company’s golden anniversary, Bobcat has stepped back in time. “Bobcat: Fifty Years of Opportunity – 1958-2008,” a special edition coffee table book, traces the company’s roots from the introduction of the first compact loader to present day.
Two versions of the book, authored by Marty Padgett and published by Motorbooks International, are available: a five-chapter bookstore version, which details the company’s history, and an 11-chapter special edition available only through Bobcat, providing more in-depth information.
“We realized there was more of interest to Bobcat dealers, employees, friends, neighbors and Bobcat customers who are a part of the history,” says Leroy Anderson, marketing communications manager and Bobcat historian. “So we added six more chapters full of anecdotes and advertising history that paint an even richer picture of the unique Bobcat culture.”
The book contains a complete Bobcat product index and interviews with key individuals, including loader inventors Cyril and Louis Keller. Many of the accounts are in print for the first time.
“Bobcat: Fifty Years of Opportunity – 1958-2008” can be purchased at Bobcat dealerships or at www.bobcatstore.com.
~ Amy Materson
Use of biodiesel in engines explained
John Deere Power Systems is officially clarifying its position on the use of biodiesel in its diesel engines.
Biodiesel, a renewable, oxygenated fuel made from agricultural resources such as soybeans or rapeseeds, is biodegradable and free of sulfur.
“Using biodiesel fuel reduces particulate emissions and decreases dependence on crude oil,” says Brian Brown, manager of worldwide marketing support for John Deere Power Systems.
While 5-percent blends (B5) are preferred, biodiesel concentrations up to a 20-percent blend (B20) in petroleum diesel fuel can be used in John Deere engines through Tier 3/Stage III A models. This includes all non-emissions-certified engines. Biodiesel blends up to B20 can be used only if the biodiesel meets ASTM D6751 (U.S.), EN 14214 (EU) or equivalent specification.
Biodiesel users are strongly encouraged to purchase biodiesel blends from a BQ-9000 certified marketer and to source from a BQ-9000 accredited producer, as certified by the National Biodiesel Board.
To find certified marketers and accredited producers, visit www.bq-9000.org.
~ Chris Hawk
CLIPPINGS
Ariens acquires Auburn Consolidated Industries
Ariens announced it has reached an agreement in principle to acquire the assets of Auburn Consolidated Industries. Ariens will acquire the EverRide and Great Dane trademarks and products, which will be added to the company’s stable of lawn-mowing products, which include Ariens Sno-Tro zero-turn mowers, Gravely commercial lawn equipment, National specialty mowers and Locke reel mowers. Ariens’ affiliates include Stens Corporation and its Australian counterpart, Bynorm Group.
ANLA adds more classes, new speakers to clinic
Registration is now open for the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) Management Clinic, February 8-11, 2008, in Louisville, Kentucky. The clinic will focus exclusively on developing the business skills of owners and managers in growing, distributing, landscaping and retailing. Attendees will experience 48 new sessions with brand-new speakers and interactive classroom-style learning labs.
New DVD teaches the art of pruning trees and shrubs
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and Corona Clipper have teamed up to create a training manual and DVD on the art of pruning trees and shrubs. The techniques highlighted on the DVD will mirror the skills required to receive PLANET’s nationally recognized Certified Landscape Technician designation. Available in both Spanish and English, availability and pricing of the training DVD and manual can be obtained by calling (800) 395-2522 or visiting
