In this episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast, host Karina Sinclair and entrepreneur Nathan Helder discuss the dynamic intricacies of taking over a family business, specifically focusing on Nathan's experience purchasing Gelderman Landscape Services from his father-in-law. They cover various challenges such as gaining respect, understanding financial literacy and maintaining family relationships during the transition. The conversation highlights the importance of separating business from family, establishing clear strategies and ensuring proper financial management. The episode is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to understand the nuances of family business transitions and includes practical advice and resources for making the process smoother.

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Caution: This episode mentions death by suicide and mental health crises.

In this episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast, listeners are introduced to AgTalk, a free online mental health resource tailored for those in agriculture, horticulture and green trades. Hosted by Karina Sinclair, the episode features Merle Massie, executive director of the Do More Agriculture Foundation. Merle discusses the importance of mental health in these industries, the stigma surrounding it and the specific programs offered by the foundation, including workshops and the AgTalk platform. AgTalk is an anonymous, peer-to-peer support community within the broader Togetherall platform, with trained clinicians available to provide support. The episode highlights the unique mental health challenges faced by workers in these sectors and underscores the importance of creating a culture of openness and support. Merle also shares personal experiences and statistics that emphasize the need for mental health resources in agricultural communities.

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In this episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast, host Karina Sinclair speaks with Joe Salemi, the Executive Director of Landscape Ontario, about the association's upcoming project — a new training facility at their head office in Milton, Ontario. This state-of-the-art complex aims to provide world-class training for professionals across the landscape and horticulture sectors. Funded partially by a grant from the provincial government's Skills Development Fund, the facility will offer practical, hands-on training opportunities tailored to various disciplines within the industry. Salemi highlights the mission and vision of Landscape Ontario, the anticipated benefits of the new facility, the rigorous planning that has gone into its development and the broader impact it aims to have on the industry both provincially and nationally. Stay tuned for future updates on the construction and eventual launch of this transformative training centre.

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In this episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome scientists Dan McKenney and John Pedlar from Natural Resources Canada, who will be discussing the latest revision to Canada's plant hardiness zone map and website, which was last updated in 2014. We'll be delving into the seven climate variables that define these zones, how they differ from the USDA zones, and the potential impact of climate change on invasive species. Additionally, you'll learn about the contributions of citizen science and collaborations with U.S. agencies. Join us to explore the history of these maps, important considerations for growers and gardeners, and the challenges presented by regional climate change. It promises to be a very informative discussion.

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In this episode, host Karina Sinclair discusses the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect, with Jeanine West, PhD., a plant pathology and physiology expert from Landscape Ontario. Jeanine delves into the threat posed by the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) to the agricultural sector, particularly the grape and wine industries in Canada. She outlines the insect's life cycle, preferred hosts and potential damage it can cause. Jeanine emphasizes the importance of early detection and public vigilance to slow its spread. She also discusses the importance of cooperation among the public, industry and government agencies, and debunks common myths about the pest. Landscape Ontario encourages landscapers to "Adopt a Spot" to keep an eye out for this pest as it moves from the U.S. into Canada.

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In this episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast, host Karina Sinclair discusses the industry's shift from gas-powered to battery-powered equipment in pursuit of a zero-emissions future. Joined by Joe Salemi, executive director of Landscape Ontario, they delve into the City of Toronto's considerations for banning two-stroke engines and Landscape Ontario's pivotal role in influencing this decision through a comprehensive study. The episode covers challenges faced in adopting battery-powered equipment, the impact on small businesses and strategies for landscapers to prepare for future regulatory changes. They also discuss technological advancements in battery-powered gear, advocating for a collaborative approach to achieving sustainable practices in the landscape industry.

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In this episode, Joe Steeves shares his journey of working in his dream job within the green trades. Defined not by his cerebral palsy but by his passion for plants, Joe discusses the importance of educator and employer efforts in creating inclusive opportunities. Through a university-level, virtual learning program, Joe has gained knowledge in soil diversity, pest management, plant identification and arboriculture. Additionally, he shares his positive experiences working in the community garden in the town of Riverview, N.B., highlighting the support and accommodations provided by his town and employer. Joe's story emphasizes the rewarding aspects of working outdoors and his hopes for a stable, long-term career in the green trades. This episode highlights the importance of creating inclusive and supportive work environments.

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Before you break ground on your next job, make sure you’re not putting lives — or your business — at risk. In this episode, we’re joined by Jean Lépine, chief strategy officer at Ontario One Call, to talk about the critical importance of getting your locates before you dig. Whether you're planting a tree, building a patio or trenching for irrigation, striking underground infrastructure like gas lines or telecom cables can have serious consequences. Jean breaks down what every landscaper needs to know to stay safe, avoid costly delays and stay on the right side of the law. If you want to protect your crew, your clients and your reputation, you'll want to dig into this episode.

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Safety is the name of the game in this episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast. Peter Guinane joins me to talk about the importance of jobsite safety. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Peter has developed a strong safety culture at Oriole Landscaping so it’s top of mind every single day. And as we are on the cusp of the 2025 spring rush for landscapers, there’s no better time to pause and consider the safety culture at your company. Whether you’re a business owner, a supervisor or a brand new hire, everyone plays a role in keeping a workplace safe. And not just for yourself, but for your crew mates, too. So listen in and find out what some of the most common injuries on a landscape jobsite are and what to do if an inspector comes around. You might want to share this with your teammates, too, because it never hurts to get a refresher on safety.

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Get better before you grow is the advice from this episode’s guest, George Uvari. The landscaping veteran turned business consultant talks about saving time and money by outsourcing certain tasks, the value of understanding personality types, finding peace and harmony, and attracting luck to your business. George believes it’s possible for business owners to reclaim time, reduce stress and even have fun running a successful company by shifting priorities from profit to people and processes. If you’re ready to work smarter, not harder, then take some time to learn from this episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast.

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