Peak Season Under Pressure: How to Protect Margins in a Volatile Market
By Nick Sinclair, Specialty Crops Advisor, Pinion Peak season is underway, and horticulture businesses are navigating a demanding operating environment with limited margin for missteps. Tightening margins, labor availability challenges, and input volatility are intersecting as production and service demands reach their busiest point. At the same time, the industry continues to operate amid broader […]
Connect May 2026
Trade Update: New CBP Process for IEEPA Tariff Refunds Starts April 20
By Kamron Newberry, Regulatory & Trade Policy Coordinator This week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a new process for issuing refunds of tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The process took effect on April 20, 2026, and will be administered through a new tool in the Automated Commercial Environment […]
Power Tool Safety at Work: Protecting People, Productivity and Property
Power tools play an essential role in many industries, including construction, manufacturing and maintenance. Examples of some power tools include circular saws, drill presses, bench grinders, air hammers/chisels, concrete drills and torque wrenches. Even though these tools increase efficiency, they also introduce risks when not used properly. Injuries such as lacerations, eye injuries, musculoskeletal disorders […]
White House Submits the President’s Budget for FY2027
Frida Mendez, DCLRS The President’s FY 2027 budget proposal reflects a significant shift in federal spending priorities, combining broad reductions in non-defense discretionary programs with targeted investments in efficiency and regulatory modernization. Released later than the traditional timeline, the budget calls for a 10% decrease in non-defense discretionary spending, alongside a substantial increase in military funding. […]
Section 232 Update: Administration Revises Metals Tariffs
Kamron Newberry The Trump Administration has announced a significant update to Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, changing how tariffs are calculated and applied to both raw metals and finished products. While some products may see relief, others could face higher overall costs depending on how much metal they contain and how they are valued. What changed: What does […]
Key Tax Strategy Considerations for Horticulture Businesses
By Tommy Irvine, lead agriculture advisor, Pinion Profitability depends on more than strong sales and efficient production. Thoughtful tax strategy also plays a critical role in protecting margins, managing cash flow, and supporting long-term planning. While tax rules are constantly evolving, the goal in any tax year remains the same: make sound business decisions first, […]
HortScholar: Meet Daniel Greenwell
Four questions with a 2017 HortScholar Daniel Greenwell, a 2017 HortScholar, blends his academic foundation in horticulture with his innate people skills and deep respect for trees in his position as Arborist Representative with Bartlett Tree Experts. Based in Tallahassee, Florida, Daniel works with residential and commercial clients to help both trees and landscapes thrive […]
Engineering Effective Prompts for Sage, the AmericanHort AI Bot
Sage, the AmericanHort AI-powered assistant, is designed to help members quickly find accurate, relevant information drawn directly from AmericanHort and Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) resources. While Sage uses artificial intelligence similar to tools like ChatGPT, it serves a very different purpose. Understanding that difference is key to using it effectively. Sage vs. General AI Tools ChatGPT […]
Bay Landscaping: Putting Plants and Peers First
Since 1948 Bay Landscaping has been shaping the landscapes of Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, a community tucked inside the “thumb” of Saginaw Bay. Founded by Dick and Marilyn Somalski family, the company today is more than landscaping alone. The design-build landscape firm also runs a 70‑acre nursery producing evergreens, shade and ornamental trees, and […]