As we prepare to turn the page on the 116th Congress and welcome in the 117th Congress in January, a shot across the bow of the green industry was made this summer. In August, Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO) in the House introduced the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2020 (H.R. 7940, S. 4406) which undermines 70 years of regulatory advancement based on best available science. H.R. 7940/ S. 4406 would drastically alter the way pesticides are regulated in the U.S. and would dismantle the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as we know it today. Some of the most onerous provisions proposed in this legislation include:

• Roll-back pesticide preemption and allow local communities to enact pesticide restrictions and bans even if the actions preempted by state law.
• Immediately ban large categories of pesticides including:

• Organophosphates;
• Neonicotinoids;
• Paraquat; and
• Any product banned or otherwise prohibited by the European Union, 1 or more countries in the European Union, or Canada until EPA completes a thorough scientific review of the product.
• Prohibit EPA from considering economic costs and product benefits in its registration decisions.
• Define a dangerous pesticide as an active ingredient or pesticide product that may:
• Be carcinogenic;
• Be acutely toxic;
• Be an endocrine disruptor;
• Cause harm to a pregnant woman or a fetus; or
• Cause neurological or developmental harm.
• Blindly follow foreign regulatory process and require the suspension and review of pesticides deemed unsafe by Canada and the European Union which do not follow the FIFRA standards.
• Create a petition process to enable individual citizens to petition the EPA to identify dangerous pesticides. EPA must review citizen petitions and determine within 90 days if the pesticide meets the definition of a dangerous pesticide. If EPA fails to make a determination within 90 days, the pesticide will automatically be deemed a dangerous pesticide.

While it is unlikely this bill will move in this Congress, we must strongly oppose this bill now and use this time to educate lawmakers. Whether this bill comes back verbatim in the next Congress or several smaller bills are introduced representing certain aspects of this bill, or if we have a change in the Administration, will a Democratic controlled EPA set out to amend long standing FIFRA regulations? It is unclear how these attacks will come but it is certain that they will be coming. As an industry we need to be ready for an escalation of pesticide policy debates at the federal level in the next few years.

In September, NALP joined hundreds of national and state associations in supporting a letter that was sent to Congress in opposition of the anti-pesticide legislation. The green industry was very well represented on this letter with our partner groups representing the agriculture industry. Additionally, NALP began grassroots efforts to reinforce the message that this sort of drastic and misinformed anti-pesticide legislation is not acceptable.

The landscape industry, as part of the green industry, will need to work together in the coming months and years to educate new legislators and regulators at the federal level about what the landscape industry does to improve our environment and enrich the lives of our fellow citizens through healthy green spaces. We will also need to explain the professionalism of our industry and how we responsibly use EPA approved products while defending and preserving the FIFRA process.

Editor’s note: This article was written on Oct. 5, 2020. You can contact Bray at andrew@landscapeprofessionals.org for the most current information.

Cat Utility Vehicle

The pitch: The Cat UTV delivers a combination of durability, comfort, spaciousness and maintenance simplicity. Choose from gas or diesel, two-seater or five-seater models with a range of accessories for your application.

• The Cat UTVs feature a steel cargo bed and offer 1,000-lb. rear cargo capacity and 2,000-lb. towing capacity.
• Cat UTVs are built with standard power steering, four-wheel independent suspension and a large cab design that offers just as much leg, elbow and headroom for tall riders in the second row as it does in the front row.
• The Cat UTVs are backed by service and support from participating UTV Cat dealers.

For more info: Cat.com/utv

Cub Cadet Challenger M 550/750 EPS

The pitch: A UTV designed for work and play and can be enhanced with versatile attachments.

• Standard dump bed with gas shock assist can easily move up to 500 pounds worth of material.
• 40-gallon capacity bed sprayer with 70 PSI pressure, three nozzles and adjustable relief with pressure gage (optional).
• 27-inch turf tires with reliable traction are ideal for whatever task or adventure is ahead (optional).

For more info: Cubcadet.com

John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles

The pitch: The Model Year 2021 John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles include new automotive-like features that make the vehicles easier to operate and provide improved control in a variety of terrain.

• The new instrument cluster provides more information – including gear position, fuel level, differential lock, and on some models, an RPM readout and service interval indicator.
• Updated Gator Utility Vehicles offer an integrated park position and improved shift pattern for easier operation and a more automotive-like feel, as well as instant four-wheel drive that’s engaged with the flip of a switch to power through tough conditions.
• Upgraded automotive-style power steering on the Gator XUV M and R models will help provide smoother steering and better control on all terrains.

For more info: Deere.com/en

Kubota RTV-X1120

The pitch: The Kubota RTV-X1120 Designed for the commercial customer and daily heavy-duty work.

• Its most well-equipped, all-terrain proven utility vehicle.
• The 24.8 horsepower, three-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine and VHT-X transmission provide a top speed of 29 mph.
• The RTV-X1120 features adjustable ergonomically designed 60:40 split bench seats, digital dashboard display, power steering, an easily accessible parking brake and large under seat storage compartments.

For more info: KubotaUSA.com

Mike Bogan admits he’s a creature of habit and enjoys his routine. Even when he’s on the road, he tries to keep things static. “I try to wake up, exercise and eat the same at the same times,” says the CEO of LandCare, which ranks 10th on Lawn & Landscape’s 2020 Top 100 list.

But that may not have always been the case, especially as a father raising young kids with his wife Rebecca, a landscape architect. “Our kids are grown and on their own, so life has evolved in the last five years and is very different than it looked as we raised our family,” the San Diego resident says. Here’s Bogan’s average day.

I wake up at 5 a.m. I’m happiest when I have 8 hours of sleep, so I try to in bed by 9 p.m.

For the first several months of COVID-19, I immediately checked my phone – which is a direct contradiction to the way I want to start my day. Living on the West Coast, areas of the company have already been at it for a few hours, so news about people’s safety was available and important to me.

Now, I am back to my preferred habit, which is to hold off on external information until 7 a.m. So, I start my day with 10-15 minutes of stretching, during which I try to be grateful for the blessings I have in life to start my mind in a positive place. I exercise from 5:30 to 6:30, alternating running with weight training.

I live near the beach, so when the tides are right, I’ll do 6 miles along the Torrey Pines shoreline. This gives me a connection with nature, a chance to watch the sunrise and often fellowship with a friend. Other days, its CrossFit with a group I joined a few years ago.

Then, I return home, fix my breakfast and pack my lunch for the day and read the news while I eat and have coffee. Usually, it’s toast with avocado and egg whites or tortillas, egg whites and Soyrizo.

I’m on my way to the office at 7:30. I only have an 8-10-minute drive to the office, so I usually ride in silence while I think about the day’s priorities.

I’m in at 7:45 and I’ll greet my team members while I make a cup of coffee, then take 10-15 minutes to organize my objectives for the day – usually with a “to do” list – before opening my computer and checking email.

Including calls and video chats, I have between three and six meetings – sometimes more. Most of my day is interacting with others, not working independently.

When others are working at the office (pre-COVID-19) we eat together at noon. Most of us bring our lunch. For me, it’s usually leftovers from the night before. My wife is an amazing cook and prepares most of our dinners, so it’s always something healthy and tasty.

Post-lunch, I’m responding to email and other inbound requests. I know the east half of the company is wrapping up soon, so I try to get back on issues for those who are on eastern time.

I usually work until about 6:30. I really like the last hours of the day. The office gets quiet, there are no interruptions and I can be very focused on my objectives.

I try to stop looking at work-related items when I leave the office. Unless there is a current crisis, I attempt to keep work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

On weekends, I’ll often put in a couple of hours from home on Saturday and Sunday, but there are plenty of days when I don’t. I try not to email people as I know it interrupts their weekend, so I’ll cue mail up to send on Monday morning.

I also listen to a lot of podcasts while I do chores or exercise on the weekend, which can be professionally enriching, and I’ll be anxious to put those ideas into action the next week. My top three are Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner, This American Life by Ira Glass and Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell.

The big news in the world of trucks is the new Ford F-150, due out at the end of the year.

The 2021 model is less of a revolution and more of an evolution as Ford continues adding new options and features but keeping things similar enough to keep its fans loyal. Here some more on what to expect in 2021.

New for 2021

• Hybrid option:

The gas-electric hybrid model isn’t a pure economy play. The most powerful version of the 2021 F-150, Powerboost engine mates the twin-turbo Ecoboost 3.5L V-6 with an electric motor. The company is targeting 700 miles of range and 12,000 pounds in towing capacity from the hybrid. The Powerboost model boasts 430 horsepower (hp) and 570 lb-ft of torque. The 35kW (47hp) electric motor will be powered by a 1.5kW/h lithium-ion battery, slightly larger than the 1.4kW/h battery it uses in current hybrids such as the Fusion sedan.

• Exterior cosmetics:

The truck’s front fenders are slightly higher, giving it a taller look, and the wheels are larger and slightly farther apart (0.75” farther out per wheel). Buyers will have 11 grille options, depending on model selected.

• Tech upgrades:

The truck will be able to update software over-the-air, eliminating the need to visit dealers for minor patches. Updates to the Sync connectivity system support more apps and add-on services. On hybrid and non-hybrid models, users will be able to use the truck’s engine as a generator to run tools and other devices.

• Safety:

Some optional features are now standard, such as pedestrian-detection systems and an emergency system that pre-tensions seatbelts if it senses an accident is about to take place. Late next year, the truck will offer Active Drive Assist, Ford’s answer to Tesla’s autopilot or General Motors’ SuperCruise, a system that will allow drivers to take their hands off wheel in some cruise situations. That feature will come as an over-the-air update.

The Ram 1500 was new last year, and the General Motors products (Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra) were new in 2019. So, there will be minor changes to both of those, new special editions, new colors, etc., but even those cosmetic upgrades will be delayed, likely into mid-2021 because of COVID-19.

Operating in this environment is difficult, and working through plant upgrades can be even tougher, so companies are delaying anything other than the completely necessary. Ford's new model involved tearing up existing assembly lines, and those balls were already in motion when COVID-19 hit. Swapping out colors in the paint shop is much easier, so those sorts of things will be delayed indefinitely.

electric trucks

In 2021, electric vehicle startups will be really active in the truck space:

• Lordstown Motors plans to launch the Endurance pickup in early 2021. When it launches next year, Lordstown’s Endurance EV (Electric Vehicle) pickup will use electric hub motors in each wheel instead of following the traditional EV layout of a large electric motor with a transmission that sends power to the wheels. You can learn more about that by visiting bit.ly/trucktrend2020.

• Nikola is taking pre-orders on its Badger EV pickup. They haven't given a release date, but it'll likely be late 2021 or early 2022. GM is partnering with Nikola to make the Badger and supply batteries for it for an 11% stake in the company.

• Rivian, an EV startup that bought a former Fiat Chrysler plant in Illinois, plans to launch three EVs next year, an SUV, a delivery van for Amazon and the R1T electric pickup.

• GMC Hummer EV, GM is bringing back the Hummer name as an electric pickup from GMC. It goes into production in late 2021, probably as a 2022 model. The company is promising extreme performance numbers (1,000 hp, 1,100 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 mph in 3 seconds).

• Ford electric F-150. So far, Ford has only committed to the 2021 model year hybrid F-150, but an all-electric model is in the works, probably as a 2022 model. No details yet.

• Tesla's Cybertruck goes into production in late 2021, so it probably won't be available until 2022. The first vehicles will be more expensive ($50,000 to $70,000) dual-motor and tri-motor pickups. The $40,000 single-motor option doesn't go into production until late 2022. The company is promising more than 500 miles of range, 14,000 lb. of towing capacity and less than 3 seconds for 0 to 60 mph.

• Bollinger B2, the most expensive of the new EV trucks at $125,000, the all-aluminum model is built in Detroit and should launch early next year.

• Atlis XT Pickup may launch late this year, but I doubt it. The company made a lot of noise in 2019 but hasn't said a word this year, so either they're keeping their heads down and working on launching the truck or they've run out of cash and are hoping someone buys their intellectual property.

The author is editor of Lawn & Landscape’s sister publication Today’s Motor Vehicles.