This year's Landscape Ontario Congress was once again a great happening this week and now our exhibit and selves are back in the office, rev'd up again by the members, colleagues and organizations that we connected with over the last couple of days.

What had started as a connection begun a number of years ago because of All Treat Farm's suggestion that we "walk the show" has resulted in a yearly presence in LO's Educational section of the congress. Many of our members now also have booths to promote their compost products and offerings.

This year, the buzz was very loud that landscapers are becoming more and more interested in using compost. Pretty exciting. It gives us great hope for sometime in the near future "sold-out" possibilities for our facilities.

It was also great to re-connect with fellow organizations who are advocating initiatives and programs of benefit to the "green & growing" community. It's the quick conversations with people who walk by your booth or that you meet along the way that revive things that need to be done or organize plans for the months ahead.

It was great to learn that Calvin Chong from the University of Guelph was recognized by Landscape Ontario with an Award of Excellence for his long-time research focus on wastewater run-off, nutrient recycling and organic residuals management. Dr. Chong has contributed greatly to composting research and has been ever responsive to our Council's pleas for help. Am so delighted for him.

And equally proud of Mark Heaton of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and his spearheading of Garden Ecotopia, a Canada Blooms initiative last year that was supported by some of our members: the Region of Peel and Miller Composting as well as our Council. Mark was also recognized and applauded by Landscape Ontario with an Award of Excellence. Terrific and well done.

Speaking of Canada Blooms --- this year's show is from March 12th - 16th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. http://www.canadablooms.com/

If in the area, everyone should plan to go to the show on the Friday (March 14th) so that you can also come to our fundraiser for Plant a Row - Grow a Row that night at the Steamwhistle Brewery. This will be the first time that we will include a "d" in this annual fun-raising event. We have some enthusiastic people who have volunteered their time to party-plan the evening. It holds the promise of great fun and an important source of funds for Plant a Row - Grow a Row this year.