HOW TO IDENTIFY
What does it take to be an expert in the landscaping industry? There’s a real answer for that, and it begins with becoming FNGLA-certified. Founded in 1952, the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association (FNGLA) is the state’s oldest and largest nursery and landscape association. They host a trade show that’s a huge networking event for my industry in the southeastern U.S. Today, they offer comprehensive education courses for outdoor professionals, with a total of six certifications available for outdoor professionals. However, the requirements are very specific. Anyone seeking certification must devote time to their studies and acquire knowledge to pass the
necessary exams to be certified. Outdoor professionals also have to perform a physical demonstration of their abilities for each specific
certification. In addition to providing credentials,
FNGLA also helps industry professionals maintain their knowledge and expertise by requiring continuing education units every three years to maintain certifications.
EXPERTS IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN
As an FNGLA-certified landscaper myself, I also volunteer about 30 hours every two years to maintain my certification. On top of continuing my own education by attending seminars and training, I volunteer to be a judge for various events throughout the state.
SCURVY DOG TEDDY’S PAW-SPECTIVE
Young lads, such as I, get restless. The crew knows not the siren call of the Sea of Lawn Grass and the rabbits that hide beneath her long green fur. Oh, how her whispers grew stronger in the black of night! To comfort my sadness, I would howl, “Be still, me heart!” But the louder I’d howl, the sooner I was put in a plastic prison made for mice, not for men … or their best friends.
Ahoy, me newsletter hearties! It be I, Teddy — but alas, I be not as ye last saw me.
So, I snuck out. (Don’t ask how — me cap’n and her first mate read this newsletter, so my secrets must stay hidden, or I’d have to make ye walk the plank, savvy?)
Hunting rabbits be me new calling since spring. Now, my cap’n (my mom, of course) and her crew are good people. The little ones are even decent swashbucklers, as quite a few tug o’ war duels have ended in stalemates. Alas, once a day, humans sleep. And then, they sleep even more.
Sprinting into the dog door, I suddenly felt the outside breeze hit me as if Cap’n just opened the car window. Freedom! Then, the Sea of Lawn Grass — the brush of cool, crisp grass had never felt so sweet! But I couldn’t roll and relish in the moment. I spotted a familiar sight: two tall, soft ears and a ball of white fluff in the grass. Suddenly, it turned to me looking at me with one of its bright red eyes. That’s when I knew: He be the Shanks to me Blackbeard. We were eternal enemies, adrift in forsaken waters, knowing naught of our purpose besides to kill or be killed.
I lurched, but his sea legs be hoppier than mine. I bit into the grass, and the rabbit was gone.
Some say he’s out there, still hopping to this day. I will not rest until our paws cross again.
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LANDSCAPE - HARDSCAPE - IRRIGATION - OUTDOOR LIGHTING
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