- Phone: +62 856-4561-3576
- hello@zengarden.com
- Mon-Fri: 7:00 - 18:00
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 Spring Kick-Off at Blue Thumb: April 9, 2026
5:30pm – 6:30pm Dinner and Networking
6:30pm – 8:00pm Cargo Securement Training with Dee Thomas
Cost $30 per person
Includes Dinner and Beverage
Speaker: Dee Thomas, Michigan Center for Truck Safety: Cargo Securement
Dee was a Michigan State Police officer for 30 years as a road officer, a background investigator, and a
temp staff member for 4 recruit schools. She now works as a Safety Specialist for the Michigan Center for
Truck Safety to educate carriers and drivers on ways to eliminate being stopped or drop the chances of
being involved in an accident.
Email Becky or call (517) 381-0437 if you have questions or would like additional details.
SVNLA Great Lakes Loons vs. Dayton Dragons Event: July 8, 2026
Bring your family and join us on July 8, 2026 at Dow Diamond to watch the Great Lakes Loons vs. Dayton Dragons. Northern Lights Pavilion Tickets are $30 per person and includes Admission, 1 choice of entrée, unlimited sides, unlimited soft drinks and tea and dessert. Please email Becky or call (517) 381-0437 for more information. Register Now!
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 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
Click on each image to enlarge for viewing.
SVNLA 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!
Click on each image to enlarge for viewing.
SVNLA Fall Landscaping Seminar
The SVNLA Fall Landscaping Seminar took place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Trillium Banquet Center in Saginaw, MI.
Click on each image to enlarge for viewing.
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
