Craig J. Regelbrugge - VP for Government Relations, ANLA

Labor In The Landscape Industry

DescriptionThere are few issues facing green industry business as pressing as the looming labor crisis. Immigration issues, I-9 audits, manditory E-Verify and the dismantling of the current guest worker programs are just some of the labor issues businesses deal with everyday. This presentation of one of the nations leading experts seeks to answer questions and help you understand your own labor situation for 2012.


Craig's Bio
Craig Regelbrugge became the American Nursery & Landscape Association's Vice President for Government Relations and Research in November, 1999. ANLA is the national trade organization representing “chlorophyll in the landscape” -- nursery and greenhouse crop growers, independent garden retailers, landscape design, installation and distribution professionals, and related industry suppliers. In his position, Craig oversees ANLA's government relations program, and relationships with national, regional, and state green industry groups.

Craig serves in various leadership roles of importance to the green industry, especially relating to labor, immigration, plant health, and trade, and is a frequent presenter on these topics. He is co-chair of the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, and serves on the steering committee of the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, the leading coalitions seeking legislative reform of America’s antiquated immigration system. He was recently elected vice chairman of the board of the National Immigration Forum.

He also serves on the Specialty Crop Committee, which advises the Secretary of Agriculture on industry needs and concerns. He co-chairs the team of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance which is guiding implementation of 2007 Farm bill provisions relating to USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In 1999 and 2000, he co-chaired a comprehensive review of the USDA-APHIS plant pest prevention programs.

Before joining the ANLA staff, Craig was an Agricultural Extension Agent for Fairfax County, Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Immediately after college, he was a Horticulturist with Merrifield Garden Center in Merrifield, Virginia. Craig received a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, in Blacksburg, Virginia, in 1986.

Craig is a Virginia Certified Nursery Professional, and a member of the American Society of Horticultural Science and the American Society of Association Executives. He is an avid naturalist and gardener, raising vegetables, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and oysters, strictly for personal consumption!