This Episode
Retail, landscape, nursery or greenhouse grower: our industry cannot function without a reliable source of labor. Whether or not you rely on immigrant labor, you vendors or customers certainly do. Immigration enforcement is targeting current employees. Department of Labor is dismantling legal guest worker programs. Where will tomorrow's nursery, landscape and greenhouse labor come from?
Dumbing it Down: the Deep Impact of Losing Experienced, Immigrant Workers
What would it mean to lose the experienced, immigrant workers and managers at our greenhouses and nurseries? Poor quality plants, dropping items that require more skill to grow and the loss of just-in-time service. Ed Overdevest talks with Bob Dolibois about the vital contributions these long-term employees make to his business.
Backed into a Corner: the fight on Capitol Hill
With Immigration and Customs Enforcement pursuing your current workers and the Department of Labor dismantling the few legal channels for temporary seasonal workers, our industry is being backed into a corner. Who will we hire when all our options are gone?
Sleepless Nights: a Reliable Labor Source
Your peers share their daily experiences trying to run a profitable business and secure a reliable, legal workforce.
Meet The Team
Bob Dolibois
Robert J. Dolibois, CAE, is executive vice president of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA). Bob's association management career has spanned 36 years with organizations including Association Management Group (AMG)and the National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU). He is immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Small Business Legislative Council and is a member of the Committee of 100 of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Dolibois received the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1979. Following college, he served as a naval officer for five years. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Arlington, VA.
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Craig Regelbrugge
Craig Regelbrugge serves as the American Nursery & Landscape Association's Vice President for Government Relations and Research. He serves in several leadership positions regarding the green industry and labor and immigration reform. He is national co-chair of the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR), working to secure an affordable and legal workforce for nursery and greenhouse growers. In 2008 he was elected vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Immigration Forum, and represents agriculture and the green industry on the management team of the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign.
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Washington Impact Sponsor
 From its beginnings as a wholesale cut flower operation started by George J. Ball in 1905, Ball Horticultural Company has grown into a leader in all facets of floriculture, with distribution capabilities in all of the major world markets. Since its founding, Ball has introduced many innovative, award-winning varieties to the world of horticulture, including the Wave® Petunia series, and Super Elfin® Impatiens. The company has also expanded to include nursery product offerings, perennials, and dedicated support for retail and landscape businesses. Ball is also on a continuous, many-faceted journey to find the healthiest, most sustainable solutions for the horticulture industry, and is committed to helping its customers grow a better world. Ball’s global family of breeders, seed and vegetative producers, distribution companies, and research and development teams, have a strong presence in over 20 countries on six continents. Phone: 630-231-3500
Directory
Episode 1: Washington's Attack on Our Labor
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Dumbing it Down: the Deep Impact of Losing Experienced, Immigrant Workers
What would it mean to lose the experienced, immigrant workers and managers at our greenhouses and nurseries? Poor quality plants, dropping items that require more skill to grow and the loss of just-in-time service. Ed Overdevest talks with Bob Dolibois about the vital contributions these long-term employees make to his business.
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Backed into a Corner: the fight on Capitol Hill
With Immigration and Customs Enforcement pursuing your current workers and the Department of Labor dismantling the few legal channels for temporary seasonal workers, our industry is being backed into a corner. Who will we hire when all our options are gone?
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Sleepless Nights: a Reliable Labor Source
Your peers share their daily experiences trying to run a profitable business and secure a reliable, legal workforce.
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Episode 2: Washington's Great Budget Debate
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Washington Must Change. Change Requires Investment.
Bell Nursery CEO lives near Washington, he counts politicians and regulators among his close friends. Gary shares with Bob Dolibois his belief that Washington needs to change, both with budget compromise and investment in critical updates for services our industry relies on.
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America's Budget: What's Government's Role in Our Lives?
The Federal budget debate ultimately boils down to the question of what role should government play in our lives? What are Congress' options for balancing our nation's budget and how do they put our industry at risk?
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Raise Revenue/Cut Spending: Where Is Our Industry Exposed?
Though free from a reliance on government subsidies, our industry is at risk from spending cuts or revenue raising efforts in Washington? Small business could suffer under tax code simplification. New pest introductions could increase dramatically under government workforce cuts.
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ANLA Answers: America's Budget Debate
Chris Beytes, Editor of GrowerTalks Magazine, hits the street to find out what you think about the budget debate in Washington. He kicks it back to Bob Dolibois to answer your questions.
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Episode 3: When Beetles, Blights, Borers and Mildew Attack!
Episode 4: The Anatomy of a Success
Episode 5: Problem Solving Partners
Episode 6: What's Next After The Election?
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Publishing Team
Project and Editorial Design: Jonathan Bardzik, ANLA
Visual and Video created by Fresh Brew Studios
Steve Kendall, Producer
Josh Miller, Producer
Graphic Design created by The Design Works
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