By host on
5/4/2012
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Written by
Craig Regelbrugge
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For Immediate Release
April 27, 2012
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On April 26, a federal judge in northern Florida issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor from implementing a new rule that would have fundamentally altered – for the worse – the H2B temporary and seasonal worker program that is important to many nursery and landscape industry employers. ANLA and a growing number of state nursery and landscape associations have provided various types of support for the legal battle, brought by a range of plaintiffs including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, PLANET, and other allies.
Judge Rodgers issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Department of Labor from implementing the program rule. The rule was set to take effect April 27. The ruling will also impact DOL’s plans to implement the wage rule on October 1. While the ruling was in Florida, the decision applies nationwide. This is a huge victory for the entire vertically integrated green industry.
Much credit goes to an excellent legal team representing the plaintiffs in the case. That team includes Monte Lake who serves as ANLA’s immigration and employment law counsel. The Department of Justice will likely appeal the decision, but any legal challenge will take a quite a while to play itself out. In the meantime, ANLA is pleased that the H2B program will continue to be a workable and legal source of labor for the landscape industry.
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By host on
5/4/2012
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For Immediate Release:
IMMS Central Control Now Has GPRS Connectivity Option
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SAN MARCOS, Calif- May 1, 2012 - Hunter is introducing another new communications solution for the IMMS- ACC controller system: a GPRS "smartphone" wireless com module. The ACC-COM-GPRS looks like other ACC communications modules from the front, but has a built in GPRS phone with a SIM card already installed.
Purchase of the GPRS com module option includes a data plan for the first year of operation. The GPRS device must be activated by Hunter Tech Support upon installation and the product includes an activation form to provide the necessary account details for each controller. This form must be completed prior to calling Tech Support. After the first year of operation, the modules do require a monthly fee (billed annually) depending on the rate plan selected. This procedure is much simpler and less costly than the GSM modules it replaces (GSM modules will continue to be available for users with existing requirements). Hunter will bill end users directly for data service. An updated version of IMMS software will be released to permit GPRS communications. This is also another free software update to existing IMMS customers who wish to add GPRS to their communications options.
ACC-P2P-GPRS is a lower cost unit, with a reduced monthly fee, for a single-controller connection. P2P = Point to Point, meaning the connection cannot be shared with other ACC controllers. ACC-COM-GPRS offers Site Plan connectivity with the ability to add many other controllers to the connection via traditional UHF radio and hardwired connections, as with other ACC com modules. IMMS software can include many different Site communication options. GPRS may be used for some Sites, the new LAN module may be used for others, and of course dial-up (POTS) and hardwire can be used. GPRS is simply one more way to connect to remote controllers. Note: IMMS users must have internet connections at their computer to take advantage of GPRS communications. Data service is currently only available to U.S. customers.
About Hunter Industries
Hunter Industries is a global manufacturer of products for the irrigation, landscape lighting, and custom molding sectors. Founded in 1981 by irrigation industry pioneer Edwin J. Hunter, the family-owned company offers over 1,000 products including a complete spectrum of water-efficient solutions for residential and high-end irrigation systems. Hunter's core mission always has, and always will remain the same: to produce innovative products of the highest quality and back them with unwavering customer support.
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By host on
4/30/2012
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For Immediate Release:
Solar Panel Now Available for XC Hybrid and Node
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San Marcos, CA - April 10, 2012 -Hunter has developed a Solar Panel accessory for two battery operated controllers: the XC Hybrid and the all-new Node. The Solar Panel provides maintenance-free operation by harnessing the sun's energy to power the controller 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for years on end. Connecting the panel to either of the controllers is an easy process that can be done quickly by any installer. Once connected, the Solar Panel supplies 100% of the controllers' power, and eliminates the need for battery replacements. Since there's no batteries involved, there's no need to worry about running out of power or scheduling replacement runs. Installing a Solar Panel is also the most environmentally friendly solution for battery operated irrigation control, as it eliminates the need to dispose of batteries.
The Solar Panel is compatible with 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 station XC Hybrid models. For at-the-valve placement, the Solar Panel is also compatible with the all-new Node controller. While the Node is placed within the valve box, the Solar Panel is installed outside the box in an area with high exposure to sunlight. Node offers 1, 2, 4, and 6-station control, and is designed for isolated sites, power-restricted areas, or the special needs of drip zones.
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By host on
4/30/2012
Hi all. As we expected, the Senate Agriculture Committee has just released a summary as well as legislative language for the Farm Bill. Mark-up of the bill is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25 at 9:00 a.m. in room 328A of the Russell Building. Below are some highlights of the proposal - please note there are several key items we are reviewing and more information will be shared as we get it. Attached you will find the Committee summary as well as the full legislative text.
It’s a really busy time for the industry to generate much grassroots, but it would be worth interested associations that have members on Senate Ag to send supportive letters. We’ll follow up on Monday…
Thanks! Craig
Highlights:
Block Grants:
· $70 million per year which expands the baseline by $15 million per year
· Base grants for everyone goes up from $183,000 to $233,000
· They have included both a value and acre formula to remaining funding (approx $53 million).
· Multi-State component is included with ramps up from $1 million in FY13 to $5 million FY17. AMS will develop rules on this and how to be administered. Grants can focus on the following areas:
o Food Safety
o Commodity specific issues
o Pest and Disease
o Secretary determines necessary
Pest and Disease:
· $60 million FY13-16 ($10 million increase)
· $65 million FY 17 (15 million increase)
· Combines National Clean Plant Network with more general pest and disease section but the language clearly retains the Network as a priority.
Specialty Crop Research Initiative:
· $25 million FY13 ; $30 million FY14 and FY15; $65 million FY16 and $50 million for FY17 and establishes permanent baseline.
· Have tied SCRI to requiring “consultation” with NAREE Specialty Crop Committee.
· Did not get the 10% waiver or matching waiver
Craig J. Regelbrugge
Vice President, Government Relations
American Nursery & Landscape Association
For Chairwoman Stabenow's summary of the Farm Bill Committee HERE.
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By host on
4/17/2012
 Nursery and Landscape Association’s Open House and Garden Tour
Saturday May 12
9 am until 12 noon
LSU AgCenter
Hammond Research Station
21549 Old Covington Hwy
Hammond, LA
Additional information or questions:
Allen Owings (aowings@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225.603.8096)
for members of:
Southeast LA Nursery Association
New Orleans Horticulture Society
Baton Rouge Landscape Association
LA Irrigation Association
and all nursery, landscape professionals
Jambalaya Lunch in the Margie Jenkins Azalea Garden's Gazebo
prepared by Horticultural Chef Joey Quebedeaux
Event co-sponsored by the LSU AgCenter
and
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