Re: Promoting the trade

**"MARGARET LAUTERBACH" m*@msn.com**

Here in Boise, Idaho, there are some young people interested in landscaping 
installation. They tend to be graduates of the university's two-year 
horticulture program. Most of the installers are Mexican-Americans who are 
grateful for interesting work instead of repetitive field labor, benefits 
and better pay. They do nice jobs, but unless the homeowner speaks Spanish, 
there'll be some dissatisfactions with the installation. Speaking from 
experience...Margaret Lauterbach

As someone who is both a GW and a designer/installer, I may have a
different perspective.  In the NYC area there's a plethora of people
doing this kind of work.  From my perch in continuing ed at the NYBG I
see young people (20-somethings) choosing this as a first career and
older people (not OLD!) making career changes.

My guess is that a combination of things makes the work appealing:  a
chance to be your own boss, to do work that's both physical and
mentally creative, to be outside, to create a thing of beauty.
Primarily I'd say it appeals to independent types who are willing to
accept some risk in their professional lives (seasonal ups and downs,
no employee benefits).  Maybe NYC attracts a disproportionate number of
people like this.

It's not for everyone, but I think there will always be some who don't
want to sit indoors, in front of a computer screen, wearing a suit,
asking for permission to take a three day weekend.

Ellen Zachos

On Feb 18, 2005, at 10:01 AM, Dan Clost wrote:

> Hi all,
> This is slightly off topic for our writing list but I feel it does
> relate to the industry which provides many of us with our income.
> Occasionally, we've discussed some of the problems with nursery
> employees who don't seem to know about the products they are selling,
> whether it be plants, biocides, hard goods, etc. Although I haven't
> seen it here, another favourite topic in print relates to selecting a
> designer and/or installer. Both areas of discussion come replete with
> many caveats about unskilled workers, getting references, less than
> altruistic motives of plant sellers etc.
> In my area of the continent, Eastern Ontario, it is very difficult to
> attract new people into the gardening/landscaping industry. Long
> hours, physically and mentally demanding work, poor pay when compared
> to alternatives, seasonality and so on combine to produce a less-than
> attractive allure. Several trade and government organisations are
> trying to interest bright young folks who want to make this a career.
> It's a tough sell.
>
> What is happening in your parts of the country to make horticulture an
> attractive vocation for our young people?
>
> From what I gather in many of the posts, we, as a group of writers,
> feel it is part of our mandate to educate consumers about all aspects
> of gardening. Do we also have the obligation to promote the working
> end of the trade?
>
> What can/should we do, as garden writers, to elevate the profile?
>
> Dan
>
> Dan Clost's Greenscapes
> The Good Earth columnist
> dan.clost@sympatico.ca
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