ASPA BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S 

Management Letter  Vol. 13-Feb. 15, 1983

Good news... one of the leading Washington information services 
states that housing is clearly cutting loose from the recession. Signs 
are thus pointing to stronger business in the months ahead, which is great 
news with spring just around the corner (hopefully to us in the Midwest). 

Housing starts expected to be up by a third over 1982 or an 

estimated 1.3 million starts. The sale of used houses up 30% which 
also provides opportunity for sod installation. 

Conventional housing loans to be about 12% or slightly under 
in the spring with FHA and VA about 10 1/2%. Only slight rise in housing 
of 5% to 10% forecast. 

Home building looks to be up about 30%, according to a Washington 
source. Conventional fixed rate mortgages to be about 12% in the spring 
with VA and FHA 10 1/2% to 11%. Plenty of money is available it is reported. 
To relieve eye strain... when you are typing, reading, working on 
computers or other visually demanding jobs, take a few seconds to roll your 
eyes looking up, down, and to each side as far as you can. Doing this every 
20 minutes or so will relieve strain. Rolling the head on the neck can 
likewise loosen tightened neck muscles which can in turn cause eye strain 
and unpleasantness. 

Using a security guard agency rather than hiring your own security 

guards has some advantages. In case of sickness or absence, agency will 
provide a substitute. Also possible protection for the company hiring the 
agency in case of a lawsuit for improper conduct of the guard. Sloppy 
dressed or drunken guards can be replaced on demand of the customer... 
its tougher to deal with when its your own employees. 

More optimism for spring means you should be prepared for 

aggressive sales promotion and be likewise prepared to meet the demand 
which hopefully will result from that sales promotion. Early planning 
can prevent a considerable amount of difficulty and will allow for 
maximum profits at minimum expense.

(OVER)

American Sod Producers Association  

Assn. Bldg., 9th & Minnesota  

Hastings, Nebraska 68901  
Phone (402) 463-4683 

Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act (FLORA) which required 
farmers employing migrant or seasonal workers to register as farm labor 
contractors including the filling out of a bunch of forms, fingerprinting, 
etc. has been repealed. On January 14, 1983, a new bill "Migrant & Seasonal 
Agricultural Worker Protection Act" (H.R.7102) was signed by the President 
which includes the repealing of FLORA. This is effective 90 days after the 
signing on January 14th, a welcome relief from the frustrations a number 
of sod growers have encountered with the ridiculous FLORA requirements. 
May FLORA rest in peace! 

Note: This monthly newsletter is compiled and published under  

the auspices of the ASPA Business Management Committee to serve as a  
helpful business update for all ASPA members. We invite your comments  
and recommendations.

AL GARDNER, Chairman 
Business Management Committee