We Remain open

COVID-19 UPDATE

Update: 4-8-2020

Lawn Care Operators, Landscapers, Golf Course Maintenance, Garden Centers and Greenhouses were granted an exemption by Gov. Tim Walz from the stay-at-home order.

Tessman is happy to announce that Gov. Walz has finally made the decision to allow our industry to get back to work. You can find his clarifications by click on the link below. 

We remain open and ready to help you in any way. As a reminder, please call ahead any will-call orders. Upon arrival to our warehouse, call our main line and we will bring your order to you. This will help us all to stay healthy so we can continue to work and stay open. 

St. Paul: 651-487-3850

Fargo: 701-232-7238

Tea: 605-368-2586

Click here for clarifications

Update: 3-29-2020

LCO’s and Greenhouses: MNLA has received a further lawncare and landscape clarification to Gov. Walz’ stay-at-home order in MN.  From their website:

REGARDING REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION – “LANDSCAPING”
We’ve just received a response from the Governor’s office related to MNLA’s latest appeal on “landscaping” during the two week “stay-at-home” order (midnight March 27, 2020 through midnight April 10, 2020):
 
“Landscaping is not generally exempt, unless it is done in service to a critical industry or an emergency need. An example of a critical industry is construction.”
 
This statement is in direct correlation with CISA guidelines which were updated on March 28, 2020 and now lists landscapers in the following guidance:
 
“Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC Technicians, landscapers, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings such as hospitals, senior living facilities, any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response.”
 
* Each Green Industry business owner must ask themselves and their (critical industry) client the following: “Is the service I am providing necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of my client?” If the answer is “no” then you should likely hold off on providing this service during the “stay at home” order time frame (EO 20-20). This decision should ultimately be made by you, your business, and with your legal counsel.
 
GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR MNLA MEMBERS AS OF MARCH 29, 2020
During the two-week stay at home order, very generally, the below applies to the Green Industry. Please note, this is not legal advice. If you have a specific question about the services you provide, please consult legal counsel:
 
  • Wholesale nursery growers – exempt under “agriculture guidelines”
  • Retail nurseries and garden centers – may continue operations “by delivery only”
  • Greenhouse (commercial flower) growers – exempt under “agriculture guidelines”
  • Landscape contractors/installation – exempt under “construction guidelines” if done in service to a critical industry*
  • This will be a project-by-project based decision – a landscape project through a general contractor would likely fit the definition, while an elective residential landscape project may not.
  • Irrigation services – exempt under “construction guidelines” for installation; maintenance may be exempt if done in service to a critical industry or an emergency need*
  • This will be a project-by-project based decision – a project through a general contractor would likely fit the definition, while a residential irrigation start up may not.
  • Lawn Care services – Not exempt per updates on March 27, 2020
  • Landscape management services – exempt only if performed in service to a critical industry or an emergency need*
  • This will be a project-by-project based decision – sanitation services on hospital grounds would likely fit the definition while applying pre-emergent to a residential property may not.
  • Professional gardening services – exempt only if performed in service to a critical industry or an emergency need*
  • Commercial arborists and tree care services – exempt only if performed in service to a critical industry or an emergency need*
  • Snow and ice management services – exempt only if performed in service to a critical industry or an emergency need*
  • Wholesale sales for construction or maintenance – is exempt under NACIS codes including but not limited to 4233 “Lumber and Other Construction Materials” and 4249 “Misc. Non-Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers.”)
 
Should you choose to continue operations in compliance with the executive order, MNLA advises strict adherence to MDH and CDC guidance.
 
Tim Malooly, Water in Motion
MNLA President
 

From MN GCSAA:

Thank you to those who have already filled out the DEED Application form as requested last Friday and Saturday.  The auto response was not good, “…you do not qualify for a Critical Sector worker exemption”. 

However, we only began the concerted push on Friday at noon.  Also, a unified letter from the Allied Golf Associations Committee had only been e-post marked late in the day Friday.  This document went to select legislators, agency heads and the Governor’s office. The individual processing the DEED form may not have been able to change the return message. It is my hope that over the next 24 hours we will be heard by the proper people who can add golf course maintenance to the list.

Of note: Unlike other green industry sectors, lawn care and new landscape construction, golf course maintenance has yet to be specifically listed “not exempt” on the Critical Business list. Also, only one other state in the entire Nation does not allow maintenance to continue, Michigan.

If you have yet to fill out the DEED Form as requested by the Governor’s office, please do so now to have golf course maintenance added to the Minnesota Critical Business list. To help you do do this, here is the link to the form that MUST BE FILLED FOR EACH BUSINESS:

MN DEED Form Requesting Critical Business Clarification

Once you have filled out the business information, please copy and paste the linked message.  This is important:

Please be assured that the Allied Golf Association Committee continues to have conversations about the best “next step”.  If you wish to talk with your ‘home address’ legislator, here are links to connect with the House of Representatives and Senate. Search for your legislator based on your home address as your vote carries weight.  Search for your business address as the local golf course economy is also extremely important.

Minnesota House of Representatives Directory 

Minnesota Senate Directory

Scott Thayer, President MGCSA

The Tessman Company highly recommends you send an email to your state representative, as we understand how critical this time of year is for golf courses. 

Update: 3-26-2020 Essential Business in Minnesota!

Governor Tim Walz has issued a stay-at-home order for the length of 10 days to begin Friday, March 27 through Friday, April 10.
 
We want you to know that under the order, most green businesses are to remain operational and designated an essential business:
 
Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production:
Category 1114
Landscape Maintenance Services, Construction, and Tree Care falls under Services to Buildings and Dwellings: Category 5617; as well as subcategory 561730
See Full List of MN Essential Businesses HERE

Clarify Golf Maintenance Petition
The MN Chapter of the GCSAA is asking Gov. Tim Walz for clarification of golf course maintenance.

Send Request to Tim Walz for Golf Course Clarification
North Dakota Chamber of Commerce Resources
South Dakota Chamber of Commerce Resources

Please check back here often for updates.

WE ARE OPEN. 

Covid-19 Update:
Will-Call and Delivery Update

We continue to assess our customer and employee needs during this unprecedented time and are making adjustments effective immediately to facilitate a healthy environment for you and our staff.

Please be aware: If the governors of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota shut down all non-essential business, Tessman is registered under the Department of Agriculture meaning we will be classified as essential business and remain open. In order for us to confidently do so, we are making some changes to facilitate continuation of goods and services.

No-touch Will Calls & Deliveries
Will Calls
Please call ahead all orders at this time. When you arrive to the branch, please call the office upon arrival. We will bring the order to you or place it curbside. Electronic confirmations will be sent for the transaction. Signatures are not required on invoices at this time.

Our Deliveries
We will no longer require customer signatures on Bill of Ladings, however will provide you a one-way document if needed. Otherwise, your paperwork will be sent electronically.

Thank you for your understanding, and we sincerely appreciate your business and patience as we navigate this together.
The Tessman Company