| BUILDING A GREENER WISCONSIN TOGETHER |
2025 Newsletter
President's Message
From the President’s Desk: May/June Update
Andy Kurth, President – Wisconsin Nursery and Landscape Association (WNLA)
As we begin to exhale after the crescendo of spring—the busiest and often most stressful time of year in the Green Industry—I want to offer a sincere thank you to all of you. Whether you’re managing crews, nurturing plant material, servicing customers, or stewarding our state’s landscapes, your dedication during this intense season drives the strength of our industry.
While it’s easy to get caught in the daily grind, especially this time of year, I encourage each of us to take a moment to appreciate the results of our collective effort. There’s a unique satisfaction in seeing fresh installs flourish, lawns green up, and communities enjoy the natural beauty we help create and maintain. This season may be demanding, but it is undoubtedly our most rewarding.
As we move into summer, I want to highlight a key strategic focus for the WNLA—proactive legislative engagement.
Too often, our industry finds itself reacting to proposed policies or regulations that affect how we do business. We responded and were there together ensuring our industry was considered Essential Workers during the Covid pandemic. But, it's time to flip the narrative. WNLA will be taking a more active role in not only responding to legislation but also shaping it.
Here’s what this means for you as a member:
- Early Awareness: We’re working to establish closer monitoring of state legislative activity, so we’re not caught off guard by bills that affect labor, water usage, pesticide/fertilizer regulations, licensing, business operations, or land use.
- Relationship Building: We’ll be encouraging and equipping members to build relationships with their local representatives. When legislators know us, they’re more likely to listen when decisions are on the table.
- Industry Advocacy: WNLA will begin identifying and prioritizing key legislative topics each season, so we can present a unified and informed voice in Madison.
This is a shift toward strategic advocacy. It will take time but it’s an opportunity for us to shape the future of the Green Industry in Wisconsin, rather than merely reacting to it. We owe it to our businesses, our employees, and the next generation of landscape professionals.
As someone who grew up in this industry and has built my career around it, I can’t stress enough how vital this next chapter is for the WNLA. Together, we can ensure that our industry thrives—not just in the fields, nurseries, lawns, and gardens of Wisconsin, but also in the halls of our Capitol.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Thank you for all that you do.
Warm regards,
Andy Kurth
President, WNLA
Welcome New Members
Nominate 2025 Hall of Fame
2024 Award Winners
Nominate 2025 Hall of Fame
Nominations may be submitted by an active member of WNLA. However, letters of support from any person or group may accompany a nomination. If you’ve submitted a nomination more than two years ago, please re-submit the nomination to ensure your nominee’s consideration for the 2025 award.
Upcoming WNLA & Green Industry Events
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EMAIL JEANINE@WAMLLC.NET FOR WAIT LIST
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
NALP Announces its 2025 Field Trip Event at McHale Landscape Design, Sept. 23-24
Fairfax, VA., May 19, 2025 —The National Association of Landscape Professionals, in partnership with the Grow Group, is excited to announce the location of the upcoming NALP Field Trip event, offering landscape professionals a unique behind-the-scenes experience at McHale Landscape Design in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, September 23 – 24, 2025.
This immersive event provides an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the operations of a premier, award-winning firm. McHale Landscape Design boasts over $48 million in annual revenue and operates across seven locations, specializing in high-end residential landscape design-build and estate management.
"We are excited to welcome the NALP Field Trip to McHale Landscape Design," said Kevin McHale, Principal and Co-Founder of McHale Landscape Design. “This visit represents a fantastic opportunity to showcase the innovative work our team is doing, and to learn from the diverse experiences of other NALP members.”
More than just a tour, the NALP Field Trip is an "idea-packed adventure" specifically designed for landscape business owners and leadership teams eager to elevate their businesses. Attendees will gain firsthand exposure to McHale's innovative practices, explore their operational efficiencies and connect with peers who share a passion for growth and excellence.
"We believe in the power of sharing knowledge and fostering growth within the landscape industry. We look forward to opening our doors and connecting with fellow professionals," said Steve McHale, Co-Founder of McHale Landscape Design.
For more information or to register, visit NALP’s website information page at landscapeprofessionals.org/FieldTrip.
Announcements & Articles
2025 Nursery Newsletter
The annual Nursery Newsletter is now available online. It was also printed and mailed along with the license renewal application you should have recently received in the mail in early December.
The annual nursery newsletter includes many resources and DATCP contact information for nursery dealers, nursery growers, and Christmas tree growers. It also includes pest and disease updates, upcoming 2025 events, and a brief 2024 programmatic summary.
NALP Advocacy News
Tell Congress to Support H-2B Cap Relief
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State of Wisconsin The public hearing on an emergency rule relating to heat illness protections for migrant workers, EmR2505, has been scheduled for June 9, 2025 at 10AM. The hearing will be held virtually. Details can be found on the legislature's website The purpose of the hearing will be to hear comments on the emergency rule from any member of the public. Those interested in making an oral presentation will be given the opportunity to do so. Alternatively, written comments may be submitted without attending the hearing. Written comments may be sent by email to DWDAdminRules@dwd.wisconsin.gov. Written comments may also be submitted through DWD's website: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/admin-rules/. Written comments must be received on or before June 9, 2025, to be included in the record of rulemaking proceedings. |
The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the driving force behind protecting and advocating for the interests of landscape and lawn care companies, enabling them to create and maintain the managed landscapes that keep our nation green, healthy and beautiful. Our team tracks legislation, participates in government advisory boards and committees, and provides input on legislation and regulations that affect our industry. Your participation is vital to those efforts
NALP-PAC Federal Issues State Issues
Wisconsin
Commercial use of pesticides and fertilizers to care for lawns, landscapes and trees requires strict compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Below are some resources pertaining to applicable state laws and regulations for pesticide and fertilizer use by professional applicators, information on certification and training requirements for professional applicators for their specific area of use and information on how to contact your regulators with questions or concerns.
Pesticide Regulations
Fertilizer Regulations
Certification Information
Contact Your Pesticide Regulators
Contact Your Fertilizer Regulators
Fertilizer Application Compliance
Recruiting, protecting, maintaining and growing the workforce is of paramount importance to the Landscape industry. There are a myriad of state specific laws and regulations concerning labor and safety issues; along with many opportunities to engage local and state officials to ensure compliance and tap into resources to assist you in growing the workforce. Below is some information on key state specific labor laws and regulations along with recruitment opportunities and state agency contacts.
State Labor Laws
Minimum Wage
OSHA State Contacts
Job Boards/Employment Tools
WNLA Committees
ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH Committee
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Serve as WNLA interface with state government
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Build relationships with state agencies that regulate our industry
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Works to make the profession of “Green Industry “visible and relevant
to our state legislators and government officials. -
Provides updates to membership on relevant governmental issues
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Support Workforce Development Skills
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Review national groups for public awareness opportunities
- Look for collaborations in business development for member companies
MEMBERSHIP Committee
- Grow Membeship by recruiting new members
- Launch recruiting campaign to aggressively attract and recruit members
- Develop and implement Retention Campaigns to keep existing members
- Target younger potential members
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Stage engagement experiences and events (coordinate new member and networking social events)
MARKETING AND BRANDING Committee
- Promote conferences and industry events
- Promote professional development seminars and offerings
- Develop brand statements
- Maintain social media presence via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Committee
- Build on the Spring Start up Workshop
- Hall of Fame & Distinguished Service Awards
- Seek Potential SpeakersProvide on-site support
- Coordinate educational workshops, seminars, garden & landscape events
NETWORKING/SOCIAL EVENTS Committee
- To plan and facilitate WNLA networking and social events
- Solicit Sponsorship, auction items, and raffle prizes
- Provide on-site support
- Golf Outing
- Brewer Game
- Holiday Party
All Committee’s will work with association management office to execute the events successfully.
If you are interested in joining a WNLA committee please email jeanine@wamllc.net, for details.
Sponsors
WNLA Annual Sponsorship Opportunity
2024 Sponsorship Advertising
Advertising in the WNLA website gives your company unbeatable exposure to current and potential customers! You will also be listed in each WNLA Enews. Website Scolling Logo on Home Page with link to your own website. Listing in WNLA Newsletter for 1 year The logo, once clicked, will direct to your company website. For more info email jeanine@wamllc.net.
Call for Articles
This is a call for articles or events happening with your company. Any news or press releases pertaining to your organization or if you are holding an event at your location that you would like others to hear about, pass them along to us and we will add them into our newsletters! Send any content to Jeanine. jeanine@wamllc.net