The Saginaw Valley Nursery and Landscape Association (SVNLA) provides its members with educational meetings throughout the year. Our daylong Short Course and the Fall Landscaping Seminar are always well attended and provide MDARD & CGIP Continuing Education Units (CEUs). At MNLA’s Great Lakes Trade Expo each January, there are also opportunities to earn recertification credits in 10 industry accreditations. GLTE information can be found at GLTE.org.
If you are in a Green Industry related business within the Saginaw Valley or surrounding area, and aren’t an SVNLA member, visit our Contact page to join or email Becky at Becky@MNLA.org to arrange a visit to attend an event to see what we are all about!
Be an integral part in helping grow our greener community!
SVNLA Fall Landscaping Seminar: October 29, 2026
DATE: Thursday, October 29, 2026
COST: SVNLA Members-$55 per person / Non-Members-$65 per person (Dinner Included)
TIME: 4:30 pm Registration & Vendor Networking / 5:00 – 9:00 pm Program
LOCATION: Trillium Banquet Center at Timbers Bar & Grill, 6415 State St., Saginaw, MI
Approved for: (4) MDARD Pesticide Credits in Categories:
2, 3A, 3B, 6, Comm. CORE, Priv. CORE
Approved for: (4) CGIP CEUs
PROGRAM: Phil Harwood, Esq.- Attorney & Co-Founder – Tamarisk Business Advisors 5:00pm-6:00pm
“Mitigating Risk from a Legal Perspective.”
Joe Aiken, ISA Certified Arborist- Arborjet – Regional Technical Manager 6:00pm-6:50pm
“It’s not Always About the Tree’s.”
Mark Torregrossa – Chief Meteorologist MLive Media Group and 7:00pm-7:50pm
owner of Michigan Meteorological Services LLC
“How to Use Weather Data to Assist Your Spraying Operations.”
Chuck Martin, Retired Senior Horticulturist, Dow Gardens and 8:00pm-9:00pm
Jerry Somalski, Owner-Bay Landscaping, Inc.
“Pruning Trees and Shrubs for Appearance, Health, Insect and Disease Resistance.”
SVNLA Short Course: February 18, 2027
Please email Becky or call (517) 381-0437 for more information.
SVNLA Town Hall at Stone Quest, Inc: October 5, 2026
The SVNLA Evening at Stone Quest, Inc. and Town Hall Meeting took place on October 5, 2026, at Stone Quest, Inc. in Saginaw. The event brought industry professionals and local legislators together for an engaging discussion about issues affecting businesses in the green industry.
MNLA Executive Director Amy Upton moderated the Town Hall Meeting, featuring special guests Representative Timmy Beson of Michigan’s 96th District, Representative Amos O’Neal of Michigan’s 94th District, and Representative Bill G. Schuette of Michigan’s 95th District. Attendees had the opportunity to discuss a variety of important topics and learn more about issues that may impact their businesses.
Following the meeting, guests enjoyed a catered dinner provided by Swanny’s Smoking Barn and had time to connect with fellow industry professionals through networking.
A special thank-you to Stone Quest, Inc. for hosting this wonderful event, and to our local representatives for taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with our members and discuss issues important to the industry.
SVNLA Great Lakes Loons vs. Dayton Dragons Event: July 8, 2026
SVNLA hosted a fun-filled evening on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Dow Diamond in Midland, MI, as members and their guests gathered to watch the Great Lakes Loons take on the Dayton Dragons. The event was attended by 74 individuals, representing 8 SVNLA member firms. Attendees enjoyed the view of the game from the Northern Lights Pavilion which also included a meal along with soft drinks and tea. The Great Lakes Loons claimed victory over the Dayton Dragons with an ending score of 8-5. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for members to relax, network, and enjoy time together outside of the workplace, making it another successful SVNLA gathering.
SVNLA Spring Kick-Off at Blue Thumb
The SVNLA Spring Kick-Off took place on April 9, 2026 at Blue Thumb in Saginaw, MI. Attendees enjoyed dinner grilled on-site by Bay Landscaping, Inc. Dinner was followed by a hands-on demonstration of Cargo Securement, presented by Dee Thomas of the Michigan Center for Truck Safety. A Huge Thank-you to Blue Thumb for hosting the event, Bay Landscaping, Inc. for obtaining and grilling the food as well as providing the truck for demonstration use, and to the Event Sponsor, MHI Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation Fund.
SVNLA 2026 Annual Membership Meeting
The SVNLA Annual Membership Meeting was held on February 19, 2026, during which amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws were voted on as well as the Board Elections. The SVNLA Board of Directors for the remainder of 2026 through February 2027 will be:
President: Chad Fournier, Artisans Landscaping & Design, Inc.
Vice President: Gregg Watt, Kluck Nursery, Inc.
Treasurer: Jeff Heinz, Stone Quest, Inc.
Secretary: Shawn Barbeau, Bay Landscaping, Inc.
Membership Director: Kip Northrup, Blue Thumb
MNLA Representative: Rob Thomas, Artisans Landscaping & Design, Inc.
MNLA Representative: Audra Hynes, Dow Gardens
At-Large Director: Joe Garpiel, Garpiel Group LLC
At-Large Director: Kris Worley, Worley Landscaping, L.L.C.
At-Large Director: Tyler Kluck, Kluck Nursery, Inc.
At-Large Director: Mark Kable, Kable Landscaping, Inc.
Immediate Past President: Jerry Somalski, Bay Landscaping, Inc.
SVNLA 2026 Short Course
The SVNLA Short Course took place on February 19, 2026 at Swan Valley Banquet Center in Bay City, MI. Thank you to sponsors: Alta Equipment Company, MHI Fund/RPS Regency, Stone Quest, INC., and Target Specialty Products. Attendees were eligible for 7 MDARD Pesticide Credits in categories 3A, 3B ,6, 7A, 7E, Comm. Core, Priv.Core, and 7 CGIP Credits. Speakers included:
Green Industry Updates
Amy Upton, MNLA Executive Director
Expectations of a Roadside Inspection
Dee Thomas – Michigan Center for Truck Safety
Why Do Pesticides Fail?
Aaron Hathaway, Nufarm Americas Inc. Technical Services Manager
Weed Control in Landscape Beds
Aaron Hathaway, Nufarm Americas Inc. Technical Services Manager
Native Plants in the Landscape
Ryan Anderson, Sales Rep. Willoway Nurseries, Inc.
Michigan Butterfly Gardening: Encouraging and Protecting Native Butterflies in a Backyard Landscape
Elly Maxwell, Entomologist – Dow Gardens
Bees and Pollinators
John Stone, PACandT (Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training) & MNLA IPM Consultant
Insects and Diseases of Northern Turfgrass
Tim Howe, Key Account Manager – SiteOne Landscape Supply
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SVNLA 2025 Christmas Party
The SVNLA Christmas Party was held on December 4, 2025 at Bay Valley Resort & Conference Center in Bay City, MI.
The invocation prayer was led by Tom Kluck of Kluck Nursery, Inc. Attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner and networking. Deke’s ParaDice LLC provided the entertainment again this year with CRAPS, Roulette and Black Jack. Everyone got the chance to enter into the raffle for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Much fun was had by all who attended!
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SVNLA Fall 2025 Landscaping Seminar
The SVNLA Fall Landscaping Seminar took place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Trillium Banquet Center in Saginaw, MI.
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SVNLA Evening at Reder Landscaping, Inc. & Town Hall Meeting
The Evening at Reder Landscaping, Inc. and Town Hall Meeting took place on Monday, September 29th at Reder Landscaping, Inc. in Midland, MI. The weather was perfect and attendees had the chance to listen to Legislative guests: Rep. Amos O’Neal, Rep. Bill G. Schuette, and Bob Anderson, Legislative/Policy Services for State Rep. Timmy Beson.
After their introductions, everyone had the chance to ask questions. Important issues were discussed followed by networking and a grilled dinner. Attendees had the opportunity to partake in a self-guided tour of Reder Landscaping, Inc. A Huge Thank-You to everyone at Reder Landscaping, Inc. for their gracious hospitality and a wonderful evening!
Click on each image to enlarge for viewing.
The SVNLA Spring Kick-Off took place on Thursday, April 3rd and was held as a Community Project at the Saginaw Children’s Zoo. The afternoon started with education on pruning by SVNLA President Jerry Somalski. Attendees then broke up into 3 groups led by Jerry Somalski, Shawn Barbeau, and Dan Vos, where further discussion took place as well as pruning at different locations on the property. The groups rotated in order for all groups to hear from each of the group leaders and help tackle a variety of pruning needs. The evening concluded with a catered buffet dinner and presentation of an Honorary Member Acknowledgement to Gordie Bushong upon his retirement from Target Specialty Products and the SVNLA Board of Directors. Thank you Gordie for your dedication to SVNLA and all of the years you served as a member on the Board! SVNLA would also like to thank the event sponsors, Alta Equipment Company and Rent Rite of Saginaw.
Click on each image to enlarge for viewing.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Trillium Banquet Center at Timbers Bar & Grill, 6415 State St., Saginaw
4:30 pm Registration, Vendor Networking, and Buffet-Style Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Program
SVNLA Members - $35 per person / Non-Members - $45 per person
Four (4) MDARD Pesticide Credits-3A, 3B, 6, Comm CORE & Priv CORE
Four (4) CGIP CEUs
Four (4) ICA Credits
PROGRAM
5:15pm-6:30pm
The Plant Doctor’s Tree and Landscape Update Dr. David L. Roberts, The Plant Doctor, LLC
6:30pm-7:00pm
Box Tree Moth in Michigan
David Lowenstein, Consumer Horticulture Supervising Extension Educator – MSU
7:00pm-8:15pm
Tree Versus Turf: Managing the Competition
Dr. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University
8:15pm-9:00pm
Gypsy Moth and Pine Trees
Dave Sutton, Territory Manager – ISA Board Certified Master Arborist – TriCity Tree Doctor
Sponsored by: Midwest Arborist Supplies
The Saginaw Valley Nursery and Landscape Association
