Spraying Lawns

[MakingMoney]

edited by admin
Green

GeeVee is a good guy and very knowledgeable of the industry. However Pesticides and Lawn spraying is not one of his strong suits. I don't believe he fully understands how a stationary Mixing tank works. Nor does he have any real need for knowing about them, Most people even in the pesticide industry have never seen a large stationary Mixing tank. IMHO the only time a large stationary mixing tank would be sucked dry, is for tank cleaning or other maintenance.

You come across as being some what knowledgeable your self, but new to forums. Please remember different parts of the country have different needs and ways of doing things.

Green

Ric is a good guy and a professional internet expert at rating peoples knowledge in the lawn business. He has that pyschic ability to go beyond what you see on the forums and to really know a persons background. Or at least that whay he thinks.

[bobkessler]

Pesticide Applicator School

Great Ideas.
UF is building a training facility at the Research and Education site in Apopka. It was originally conceived for termites and other WDO, complete with extensive classrooms, microscopes for dissections, treatment pads, etc. They may be open to expanding it to other categories.
I'm on the Florida Research and Advisory Committee that distributes funding for such causes. We appropriated $25,000 in matching funds about a year ago. I hope it becomes a reality. Initial costs were around $750,000. Dr. Faith Oi is heading the project. She is fantastic.

Education is a tough sell in our business. About 10 years ago I took some of my best people to a seminar in Miami. Listen to this roster of speakers.
Barbara Bush (the best of the lot)
Jeb Bush
Norman Schwartzkopf
Zig Ziglier (ugh)
Jimmy Johnson (coach)
Alan King
and a few other luminaries. We were the only outdoor service company in the entire auditorium. It was sooo sad. My guys loved it.

I like the idea of input from the industry when it comes to education. How many times have you sat through a class where a well meaning professor essentially either put you to sleep, or was clueless to your education needs. I'm not too sure the classes would be attended without some clout from UF or at least the trade associations. That can be worked on.
Count me in if you want me.

[GreenUtah]

Ric, Money,
Guys, I'm not here to flame nor belittle anyone. I am not competition for any of your businesses nor challenging anyone's expertise regarding their local areas. Just tossing in, what I hope is productive, alternative viewpoints based on my experience from a part of the country that does not seem to be represented much online in the green industry. = )

[Ric]

Great Ideas.
UF is building a training facility at the Research and Education site in Apopka. It was originally conceived for termites and other WDO, complete with extensive classrooms, microscopes for dissections, treatment pads, etc. They may be open to expanding it to other categories.
I'm on the Florida Research and Advisory Committee that distributes funding for such causes. We appropriated $25,000 in matching funds about a year ago. I hope it becomes a reality. Initial costs were around $750,000. Dr. Faith Oi is heading the project. She is fantastic.

Education is a tough sell in our business. About 10 years ago I took some of my best people to a seminar in Miami. Listen to this roster of speakers.
Barbara Bush (the best of the lot)
Jeb Bush
Norman Schwartzkopf
Zig Ziglier (ugh)
Jimmy Johnson (coach)
Alan King
and a few other luminaries. We were the only outdoor service company in the entire auditorium. It was sooo sad. My guys loved it.

I like the idea of input from the industry when it comes to education. How many times have you sat through a class where a well meaning professor essentially either put you to sleep, or was clueless to your education needs. I'm not too sure the classes would be attended without some clout from UF or at least the trade associations. That can be worked on.
Count me in if you want me.

Bob

I will have to agree with you on just about everything said above. But, Some of the best training I have had, Has been right in the field by a wise old guy.

There are two forms of Education that take shape in any tech industry whether it be Air Conditioning repair or Pesticides application. Vocational and Traditional college. Vocational teaches HOW TO do and leaves the WHYS out. Traditional Colleges Teaches the WHYS and leave the student to figure out the HOW TO. Years of Experience in the field is the final education that makes a real Pro. I have been fortunate in the fact my first attempt at getting an education in this industry was at the local Vocational School and Greg O Connor was an excellent teacher who I still stay in touch with. I also stay very close to many of my college professors also.

Dr Lee Brendt PhD The Only thing that separates You from everyone else in the Green Industry, Is WHAT you KNOW.

There are two types of people in any profession. Those who do well with a little Education and a lot of Common Sense. And Those who do excellent with alot of Education and a little Common Sense.

Unfortunately many in this Industry don't see the value of a basic Education let alone Continuing Education. Sadly the local Vocation School in my area discontinued their horticulture program due to lack of interest. Yet The Green Industry in Florida does over 10 Billion dollars worth of Business each year and is growing rapidly.

Where Should One Go for Education??? Short of Being luck enough to have a Vocational School in Your area that might offer night classes or a College in a near by Town that offers Night Classes Like I was Lucky enough to have. There are only Seminars and Industry Magazines left. Besides Many National Publications that one can subscribe to for FREE. There are also Local Publications that might require a paid Subscription. Here In Florida we have several state publications that are good. Mower Man Magzine is one that has a lot of good articles. Market Place is an other Magzine worth reading. Both of these can be found for free in mower shops around the state.

Seminars are an excellent way to stay up with current trends in the Business. Most professional organizations will offer them as well as your local County Extension Agent in most states. Steve Brown Extension Agent in Lee County is one of the hardest working State Employee I have ever seen. He loves his Job and does an Excellent Job, Many times late into the evening. But This type of Guy is hard to find. Therefore one must seek as many opportunity to recieve Education as they can if they desire to get ahead. Certainly Private Seminars can offer a wealth of Knowledge, but will cost slightly more because they are not subsidized by Government. The Idea of Giving a Seminar myself Might be My Ego getting ahead of my Butt. But from what I have seen in the Industry I feel I have Enough Knowledge to do a fairly good job in some areas. I am not afraid to say I don't know something. But College taught me how to research to find the answers I need. It also Gave me some very valuable contacts as resources.

The Nursery Business is like raising a Baby, It constantly needs attention. Now That I have Decided to totally retire. I wouldn't mind doing even some minor consulting around the state. I would not be doing it for the money. I would do it for the Learning Experience, for when you teach you learn. I think if someone was willing to pay my expenses and maybe a $100 a day I wouldn't mind traveling to their location to try and help them out. I think that is a pretty cheap price and I certainly wouldn't be making any money at those prices. I would be doing it as a Ego Challenge and as Reason to see the rest of the state. However Right Now I have a ton of Equipment to sell off or give away. I only have about 60 days to sell off the equipment.



My Ego won't Let Bob name drop with out a little name dropping my self. Yes Barbara Bush is a Fantastic lady. I have had the Opportunity of Talking with her on a one to one on Three seperate occasions. The last time was Dec 27, 2000 at the victory celebration in Boca Grande Fla. I also had the pleasure of shaking the hands of the THEN Former and Future Presidents as well as the Governor of the State of Florida all at that same Celebration. Like Andy Warhol said Everybody gets there 15 Minutes of fame. That was mine.




Green

I didn't take your post as Flaming anyone. Different view points is what makes the world go round.

[bobkessler]

Great Response Ric

Hey,here's a fun note on that seminar. For an extra 50 you could lunch with your choice of speakers. I would have chosen Barbara Bush in a NY minute (she absolutely brought the house down), but my guys wanted to go with Jimmy Johnson. It goes without saying that if JC himself was there and could have been their choice, but if one of the Earnhardt's was also in the house, that would have been where my guys were going.
Anyway we bailed early for the express purpose of getting some choice seating. We were front table, dead center, 7 feet from Jimmy Johnson's VIP table. Now the place starting filling up and a couple of beefy security guards came up and told us we would have to move. They said the table we were at was "reserved". I explained I saw no reserved sign when "they" let us in about 10 minutes ago, and saw us sit down there at that table. I then glanced around and noticed a couple of suits who were anxiously waiting for our table, and looked like they might have given Mr. Security about 50 bucks for us to get lost. About this time Johnson was coming in with all the other Dolphin fat cats and I made sure he heard all the commotion. It worked and Mr. Security stomped off in a huff as did the other jerks who tried to muscle us.
I guess I really am not too sure what all of that means other than most of us green guys would never try to pull that crap. Yeah we're green, a little dirty, but most of us are as honest as the day is long.
That's why I stayed. I'm glad I did!

[Ric]

Bob

Not for oneupmanship But just because I must relate my Barbara Story. At one Time I had a Horse and Carriage Business in Boca Grande. Boca Grande has many people of wealth, vacation or have Home on the Island. Barbara was there for a wedding and so was Jeb with his Kids. After The wedding which I did not get. (BTW I did a lot of Wedding with the carriage) Barbara walked thur Town with Jeb's Children. They came right to the Old Horse which was very lethargic(perfect for that Job). I played to the Children and Ignored Barbara. After several minutes of petting the horse, I ask the children if they would like to take a ride in the carriage and looked at Barbara. She nodded her head as the children jumped up and down with joy. I then told them I needed help driving the Horse and that made their day. Barbara got in the Center Seat and off we went on a carriage ride with 6 secret service men in tow. At the end of the ride Barbara and I had our first words after a half hour of riding. She very kindly ask How much do I owe you. My response was "The pleasure has been mine please come and ride anytime and bring your Husband." Later That night I got a call for a ride. While waiting for the Customer to come out side the hotel, I heard a very famous voice Echo from inside the hotel" I Don't want to go on a Carriage Ride." and Barbara answer back "But You are." We had a very nice ride and I did the History of the Island with questions from them which I really enjoyed and remember laughing. At the End of the ride as I pulled in Front of the Hotel, I did My usual "I want to thank you for allowing me to be your host in Boca Grande this evening" I couldn't get the son of gun out of the carriage he kept asking me questions. The Above autograph was my payment and the 3th was a sundays because we finished up just after Midnight and I still had to take care of the Horse. I could drop a lot more name of those who took Carriage rides, But Barbara will always be my most famous memory. I never made any money in that business and I have never regretted doing it. I had a lot of Fun and associated with people I never would have else wise. My invite to the celebration Party in Dec 2000 was a mistake. Barbara ask if I was still doing carriage rides and wanted to take the whole family on one. I got out of the Business in 1996 and went back to college full time at nights. Because Barbara Mentioned my name, I got a late invite to the party and only had about an hour to get ready. Some how I left the stiletto switch blade Knife I had bought myself at the Flea market just a couple days before in my back pocket. Yes I shock hands with the countries leader with a deadly weapon in my back pocket. I forgot about it being there until after, But still have paranoid dreams about it. BTW that was before the 9/11 and I don't think it will happen again.

[Phil Nilsson]

The signed photo is probably a phony and the story about Bush sounds like "horse dung" ...

Put down the joint and slap some cold water on your face ...

[bobkessler]

OK I Surrender

Yeah Ric I only saw Barbara Bush from about the 44th. row so you got me there.

Bob



Not for oneupmanship But just because I must relate my Barbara Story. At one Time I had a Horse and Carriage Business in Boca Grande. Boca Grande has many people of wealth, vacation or have Home on the Island. Barbara was there for a wedding and so was Jeb with his Kids. After The wedding which I did not get. (BTW I did a lot of Wedding with the carriage) Barbara walked thur Town with Jeb's Children. They came right to the Old Horse which was very lethargic(perfect for that Job). I played to the Children and Ignored Barbara. After several minutes of petting the horse, I ask the children if they would like to take a ride in the carriage and looked at Barbara. She nodded her head as the children jumped up and down with joy. I then told them I needed help driving the Horse and that made their day. Barbara got in the Center Seat and off we went on a carriage ride with 6 secret service men in tow. At the end of the ride Barbara and I had our first words after a half hour of riding. She very kindly ask How much do I owe you. My response was "The pleasure has been mine please come and ride anytime and bring your Husband." Later That night I got a call for a ride. While waiting for the Customer to come out side the hotel, I heard a very famous voice Echo from inside the hotel" I Don't want to go on a Carriage Ride." and Barbara answer back "But You are." We had a very nice ride and I did the History of the Island with questions from them which I really enjoyed and remember laughing. At the End of the ride as I pulled in Front of the Hotel, I did My usual "I want to thank you for allowing me to be your host in Boca Grande this evening" I couldn't get the son of gun out of the carriage he kept asking me questions. The Above autograph was my payment and the 3th was a sundays because we finished up just after Midnight and I still had to take care of the Horse. I could drop a lot more name of those who took Carriage rides, But Barbara will always be my most famous memory. I never made any money in that business and I have never regretted doing it. I had a lot of Fun and associated with people I never would have else wise. My invite to the celebration Party in Dec 2000 was a mistake. Barbara ask if I was still doing carriage rides and wanted to take the whole family on one. I got out of the Business in 1996 and went back to college full time at nights. Because Barbara Mentioned my name, I got a late invite to the party and only had about an hour to get ready. Some how I left the stiletto switch blade Knife I had bought myself at the Flea market just a couple days before in my back pocket. Yes I shock hands with the countries leader with a deadly weapon in my back pocket. I forgot about it being there until after, But still have paranoid dreams about it. BTW that was before the 9/11 and I don't think it will happen again.