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Author: Bob Mann

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Bob Mann

Bob Mann, LIC, formerly the agronomist for Lawn Dawg, is the director of state and local government relations for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Reach him at Bob@landscapeprofessionals.org.

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Bob Mann’s accidental journey to industry advocacy

Author Bob Mann talks about how he accidentally got into government relations.

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Working with the EPA on the Endangered Species Act

Bob Mann discusses the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ annual Leaders Forum and the Endangered Species Act.

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Industry Advocate: The green industry goes ‘on tour’

Bob Mann talks about his experience leaving the day to day of the lawn care industry for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

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Industry Advocate: The green industry continues to stay ahead of the curve 

Bob Mann shares how the green industry manages to stay ahead of mounting calls for herbicide and pesticide restrictions.

The Renewal and Remembrance event is a favorite, not only for Bob Mann, but for LM Staff members who have participated over the last several years. (Photo: LM Staff)

Industry Advocate: Give a little back for everything that’s been given to you

Bob Mann reminds you to save the date for this year’s Renewal & Remembrance event, that will be held at the Arlington National Cemetery and the Washington Monument on July 15, 2024.

Despite challenges, the green industry will survive and prevail

Bob Mann explains how the challenges the green industry faces today are not new.

(Photo: LM Staff)

Industry Advocate: Educational opportunities abound at university field days

Bob Mann explains that the small amount of time you invest in expanding your knowledge will pay you back many times over when your customers need an expert to turn to.

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Industry Advocate: The secret behind every green industry business

Bob Mann explains why it’s important to find out what goal is right for you and your business.

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Industry Advocate: All politics is local

Bob Mann shares how building relationships with lawmakers proactively goes a long way to touting the benefits of the green industry.

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Industry Advocate: What’s in store for the green industry in 2023

Despite not being one for lofty prognostication, Bob Mann shares a current snapshot in the political arena and what the future holds for 2023.

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Industry Advocate: The threat the uninformed could play to the green industry

Are pros effectively communicating the benefits of proper pesticide use? Bob Mann analyzes the importance of pesticides in the green industry.

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Industry Advocate: The lifeblood of our industry

Bob Mann says that collaboration is the lifeblood of the green industry as he was able to see a first hand account of this at this year’s NALP Field Trip.

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Industry Advocate: We’ve still got a lot to learn about pesticide regulations

Bob Mann has learned a lot about pesticide regulations in his five years at his current job but shares how there is still much more for everyone to learn.

Colorado Senate bill 22-131 failed by a vote of 6-1. (Photo: Bob Mann)

Industry Advocate: It’s all about being in the right place at the right time

Senate Bill 22-131, set to prohibit the use of neonicotinoid insecticides for nonagricultural uses and to repeal state preemption of the pesticide regulation was rejected on a 6-1 vote.

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Got customers? You can lobby, too!

Bob Mann of the National Association of Landscape Professionals shares his tips on how to speak with your local government officials about green industry issues.

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Industry Advocate: If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu

Bob Mann shares why now is the time to take an active role in advancing the landscape and lawn care industry at home and nationally.

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The green industry needs your help

Bobb Mann shares how his time as an agronomist helps him in his current role in government affaris with the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Issue Brief: Science shouldn’t be politicized

Attempts by some lawmakers to apply political solutions to questions of science is a disturbing trend impacting the green industry. In the U.S., we have a scientific, legal and administrative framework to evaluate pesticides for safety and effectiveness. Before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants or renews registration to a product, extensive research is conducted […]

Issue Brief: Renew and remember

Each July, members of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) head to the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia for NALP’s Renewal & Remembrance event. Hundreds of volunteers, many of them families, fan out across the cemetery to apply lime, core aerate lawn areas, install irrigation, plant flowers and cable, brace and […]

Issue Brief: Pesticide preemption

Our ability to control pests on our customers’ properties rests upon a very thin tightrope known as pesticide preemption. This preemption means that in 46 states, only the state government can regulate pesticides, providing us with a single, uniform set of rules to follow. In the absence of preemption, antipesticide advocates are mobilizing and using […]

Issue Brief: Local politics matter

In my line of work, I attend a lot of hearings—state legislatures, city councils, county commissions and everything in between. Recently, I traveled to Florida where a county commission was deciding whether to impose fertilizer application blackout dates during much of the growing season. The science is on our side; the judicious use of fertilizer […]

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