TNLA Working For You June 5, 2020

Be the First to Know News and Updates from TNLA! JUNE 5, 2020

TNLA

Working For You

Table of Contents Members' News You Need to Know -COVID-19 UPDATE ---Growers Needing Relief From CFAP; Comment Period Open ---Congress Approves Changes To PPP Loan Forgiveness ---TNLA COVID-19 Webinars -Embrace Your Space Update -Chat with Green Aggies Webinars -2021-2022 Scholarships -Compensation & Benefits Study -Coming Soon … TNLA’s NEW Member Engagement Mobile App! -2020-2021 TNLA Membership Renewal - Message from TNLA Chair of the Board: June Region Meetings Legislative & Regulatory -TNLA Green Report Episode 8 Sneak Peek -TNLA Sends Letter to Sen. John Cornyn -TNLA Comments on TEA Plant Science Program of Study Education - Certification Renewal this Month!

-Exclusive Look: Digital Marketing savvy with Jack Jostes & TNLA Academics

A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office

COVID-19 UPDATE: Growers Needing Relief From CFAP; Comment Period Open Dear Members, In response to COVID-19, the USDA has $16 billion dollars for relief funding and the agency has announced certain commodities that qualify under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Unfortunately, at this moment, nursery products were not included on the initial list of qualifying crops.

However, the agency is seeking information from nursery growers on how to structure relief for our industry. Growers who are interested in obtaining up to $250,000 in relief through this program should submit comment online HERE and be prepared to answer the questions listed below. Help our industry gain access to this relief program by sending in a comment.

The comment period closes June 22nd.

Please be advised that comments to the USDA are viewable to the general public and therefore commentators should not include any proprietary information.

Nursery Production Questions: (1) For live trees, shrubs, or other plants that you produced, had vested ownership in, and had in inventory at some point between January 15, 2020, and April 15, 2020, what was: (a) The average price you received per plant specified by type of nursery product sold (for example, roses, boxwoods, junipers) you sold the week of January 13 through January 17, 2020, (or if not available, nearest date to this); (b) The average price you received per plant you sold the week of April 6 through April 10, 2020, (or if not available, nearest date to this); (c) The number of plants you sold between January 15, 2020, and April 15, 2020.

(2) The number and the contracted price of plants you produced that left your nursery by April 15, 2020, and subsequently died or withered due to no market, and for which you did not have Federal crop insurance or obtain Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to cover the loss.

(3) The inventory of plants ready for sale that did not leave the nursery by April 15, 2020, and that will not be sold due to lack of markets.

A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office

COVID-19 UPDATE: Congress Approves Changes To PPP Loan Forgiveness The Senate passed the bill making changes to the PPP and sent it on to President Trump for his signature into law. Indications are that the President is likely to sign the bill. Significant changes in the bill for the PPP loans include the following: Reduces the portion that must be dedicated to wages from 75% to 60% Changes the window for use of the loan from 8 weeks to 24 weeks.

Overall these changes will provide more flexibility for business owners who took out PPP loans and will be seeking loan forgiveness.

COVID-19 UPDATE: TNLA COVID-19 WEBINARS TNLA is offering webinars in response to COVID-19 to provide our member companies assistance in navigating their way through updates and resources as they become available. Watch these Webinars and register for upcoming webinars on the COVID-19 Webinars page here!

ON THE WEB TODAY Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) with Mr. Mark Lara, U. S. Department of Labor

How To Sell Landscaping Over Video Conferencing Webinar with Jack Jostes, President + CEO of Ramblin Jackson

Leading in the New Next™ with Randy Pennington, Pennington Group

Going Back to Work with Laura Fowler, The Fowler Law Firm PC

Plants to the Rescue! Messaging for Hope Through Plants Susan Yonder, Seed Your Future

COVID-19 Status Report: Independent Garden Centers Danny Summers, Managing Director & Chief Instigator of The Garden Center Group

TNLA LIVE Employment Law Town Hall Featuring Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson and Director of Economic Development Adriana Cruz

COVID-19 FAQs and Updates on the H-2A & H-2B Programs Jarrod Sharp, FEWA

Info and Success with SBA's Paycheck Protection Program Panel Discussion with Green Industry Growers & Kerr Financial Services

Rights & Realities of Green Industry Business Owners: Coronavirus 2020 Straight Talk Laura Fowler & David Oliver, with Fowler Law

A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office

EMBRACE YOUR SPACE Get Your Community Back in their Garden!

We all know that COVID-19 has been making a huge impact on communities and businesses. Take advantage of this opportunity to remind people why it feels so good to get your hands in the dirt!

We are in this together, and we want to help you communicate that to your community. Please use the media kit for your social media or inspiration to keep customers inspired.

We have updated the media kit to be easy-to-use and fresh with new content updated bi-weekly!

Check it out here Some of our new content includes Social Media graphics and DIY activities to hand out or promote for your customers. See some examples below!

Don't forget to use #EmbraceYourSpace and tag us on Social Media so we can share your spirit!

#Embrace Your Space

A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office

CHAT WITH GREEN AGGIES WEBINARS FOR JUNE 2020 Chat with Green Aggies 12:12pm June 4: Register Here Erfan Vafaie - Sweetpotato/Silverleaf whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci); general biologoy, cryptic species, insecticide resistance, biological and insecticidal control; Dr. Bowling - the USDA SCRI research project on water-efficient turfgrass Plant of the week (Winski): Flare Hibiscus– Hibiscus moscheutos Chat with Green Aggies 12:12pm June 11: Register Here Winski-Effectively releasing beneficial insects into your greenhouse/nursery operation.

Dr. Yvette Zhang (Ag. Econ) Adaptation to new business strategies under COVID-19.

Chat with Green Aggies 12:12pm June 18: Register Here Dr. Brent Pemberton—preview of Overton bedding plant trial Special edition of ‘Chat with Green Aggies’ 11:00am June 24 (Wed.): Register Here Mechanical control; biopesticides; Derald Harp, Ph.D. from Texas A&M University-Commerce will be presenting on Mechanical Control of Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale (CMBS). We’ll be discussing manual scrubbing with soap and water, power washing, and combined effects of horticultural oil on control of CMBS and sooty mold, along with season-long appearance of the trees. Drs. Yan Chen and Rodrigo Diaz from the LSU Ag Center will be reporting on Biopesticides for the control of CMBS.

2021-2022 SCHOLARSHIPS We are now Accepting Applications for the 2021-2022 Scholarship Program If you know of a deserving student who is studying programs related to the nursery and landscape industry, please send them to TNLA's Awards Platform to complete the TNLA Foundation scholarship application.

All scholarship applicants should carefully review the program requirements as explained on the website, and then submit their application, letters of referral and transcripts by December 31, 2020.

The Foundation Trustees have stressed the importance of having good personal references accompany the scholarship application form -- many times it is the personal references that help the Trustees decide between two deserving students.

We appreciate your support and promotion of this worthwhile program. If you are interested in finding out more, please visit our website tnlaonline.org or contact Cheryl Staritz at (512) 5793863 or cheryl@tnlaonline.org.

A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS STUDY

The Texas Nursery & Landscape Association is excited to have completed the 2020 Texas Green Industry Compensation & Benefits Survey and is ready for it to be released. With over 100 companies contributing, the survey represents a window into the employee benefits and compensation of your colleagues in the green industry.

This valuable data is an opportunity to know how your competitors monetarily compensate employees, in addition to analysis on workplace culture, education, certification, and ancillary benefits.

The study features hard data on compensation, as well as comments from the study participants in order to contextualize the results.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insight into Texas-specific green industry employment information.

The complete survey results are available to TNLA members at $100 and non-members at $250.

Purchase it here!

Coming Soon…

TNLA’S NEW MEMBER ENGAGEMENT MOBILE APP! This year we are replacing the ‘printed’ Membership Directory with a new TNLA 365 Mobile App designed specifically for the mobile experience. The App will be a current, up-to-date, and more robust Member and Product Search Directory available 24/7 with your Mobile device.

Additional Features: Dedicated Communities specific to your interests – connect with your peers, share resources and experiences, and discuss hot topics of the day.

Mentor Matching – Connecting experienced mentors with ambitious mentees to share resources, experiences, and work together to achieve professional and personal goals.

Expert Directory – Searchable resource of industry leaders, speakers, and subject matter experts This NEW TNLA Mobile experience will deliver current, useful, and relevant information for all TNLA Members. Stay tuned for more details!

A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office

2020-2021 TNLA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL NOTICES ARE IN YOUR MAILBOX!

In today’s environment more than ever your Membership plays a critical part in our efforts to build industry presence, become a louder voice in the legislature while protecting your business interests, and building a better future for everyone!

RENEW TODAY so we can continue to Advocate, Collaborate, Cultivate, Educate, and Motivate you and your Business! Membership renewals are due July 1, 2020.

Questions? Call your TNLA Membership Department at 512-579-3858 or email Membership@TNLAonline.org.

MESSAGE FROM TNLA CHAIR OF THE BOARD: JUNE REGION MEETINGS All, It seems that our efforts to slow down the spread of Covid-19 are working…for now.

But, it’s very important to continue the course and keep everyone safe.

In keeping with that goal, I would like to request that there be no TNLA meetings in June.

TNLA is made up of companies and individuals that are socially responsible and leaders in our communities.

Let’s continue with the example we’re setting.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Jay Williams, Chair TNLA

A WORD FROM THE STATE Legislative & Regulatory

Hear it straight from the State Office

GREEN REPORT EPISODE 8: SNEAK PEEK

In this upcoming episode of the TNLA Green Report we interview Tiffany Lashmet, author of the Texas Agriculture Law Blog. Tiffany is an associate professor and extension specialist for the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. In our interview we covered the Water of the United States update, liability on pesticide drift, landowner liability, and property rights. Be sure to listen to the episode and check out Tiffany's blog here!

Keep an eye out for this episode airing soon on tnlaonline.org, iTunes, & Google Play!

TNLA SENDS LETTER TO SEN. JOHN CORNYN

Last week John Cornyn sent a letter to the Trump administration in support of the H-2A & H-2B programs. This letter was in direct contradiction to Senator Cruz’ letter weeks earlier where Cruz urged the suspension of the H-2B program. Cornyn’s letter urged the President to not suspend the programs, to recognize the already present requirements to hire Americans first, and to use localized data when looking at the efficacy of the H2 programs. TNLA sent a letter to Senator Cornyn thanking him for his advocacy on this issue and supporting these industry critical programs at this difficult time.

TNLA COMMENTS ON TEA PLANT SCIENCE PROGRAM OF STUDY TNLA submitted comments this week to the Texas Education Agency on the agency’s Plant Science Program of Study. Programs of Study direct students and educators on potential pathways in CTE coursework to certifications to occupations. While TEA has many quality CTE courses available in this specific program, there was some concern about the pathways for Post-Secondary Options being demonstrated by the agency. Going forward TNLA will be working with TEA staff to get a nursery/landscape certification approved for high school students and to improve the information available for students looking to enter the green industry.

The TNLA Leader List newsletter is sent out with political notices, Legislative alerts, and highlights of TNLA advocacy work. Sign up now to receive updates and more about the Legislative and Regulatory action in the Industry!

A WORD FROM THE STATE Education

Hear it straight from the State Office

CERTIFICATION RENEWALS DUE THIS MONTH: JUNE 30, 2020 Certification is a chance to promote your knowledge and expertise gained by working and learning in your field. 2020 Renewals are in progress now, but it is not too late to send in your CEUs. CEUs MUST BE CURRENT FOR RENEWAL. To find out about your CEU status, please email certification@tnlaonline.org. If your ability to obtain CEUs was impacted by COVID-19, please email certification@tnlaonline.org before the June 30, 2020 deadline.

Explore TNLA's Education On-Demand for CEUs to get you renewed this month! There are many opportunities to earn the CEUs you need wherever you are! .

On-Demand Education Elements include: PDF Downloads for yourself & your staff FREE Webinars & Education Shorts (CEUs Available) EXPO Keynote Sessions & Short Interviews PDF Downloads of the CEU quizzes in TNLA Green Magazine (CEUs Available) TNLA’s Digital Savvy with Jack Jostes And much more!

A WORD FROM THE STATE Education

Hear it straight from the State Office

EXCLUSIVE LOOK: DIGITAL MARKETING SAVVY WITH JACK JOSTES & TNLA ACADEMICS Get the exclusive look at the courses offered by Jack Jostes with TNLA Academics. Below are only some of the course descriptions. Click here to view them all...

Getting Started With Digital Marketing Where should you get started?

How can you do it right the first time WITHOUT wasting time and money?

In this module -- I'll share with you my #1 Biggest Impact Fast tactic that you can get done in under two hours PLUS what to do next after you do that, so you get the results you want quickly and in the long term The Foundation Of Digital Marketing For Local Businesses Have you ever wondered why some companies get amazing results from their digital marketing, while others simply don't.

In this next module, you'll learn - The #1 mistake most garden centers and landscaping companies make with marketing - The #2 mistake they make - and finally, how to prevent those mistakes so you actually get RESULTS from your digital marketing using the Proven, easy-to-follow Get FOUND Online Process which we'll follow throughout the rest of this course.

Lay The Foundation For Growth With Strong Branding Why should I hire YOU instead of someone else? No, really?

What you're probably putting on your website -- that you've been in business for 20 years and focus on Quality -- I don't care.

In this module, you'll learn how to stand out in a crowded marketplace for attracting quality clients -- and quality employees -- by clarifying your Branding Disqualify Bad Prospects With Professional Web Design What if you could stop bad prospects -- you know, the ones that have a $500 budget for $7500 worth of work -- what if you could stop them from even calling you?

AND what if you could attract more of the RIGHT customers and work with more of them?

Your website is the next level of the foundation of digital marketing and can do just that for you. Watch this next module to learn how to Disqualify Bad Prospects With Professional Website Design.

EDUCATION & CEU OPPORTUNITIES Don't Ask The Expert, Be The Expert TNLA Green Magazine Articles Including: Notes From SFA Gardens Bugs & Fuzz GreenVision Authors Including: Meng Meng Gu, Ph.D. Kevin Ong, Ph.D. David Creech, Ph.D.

CEU Quiz in Every Issue!

TNLA Academics Education-On-Demand Self-Paced Online Courses Guided Web Courses TNLA Academics Mini Sessions Nursery/Landscape EXPO Keynotes Nursery/Landscape EXPO Interviews Green Industry Essentials (PDFs) Free Webinars TNLA Green CEU Quizzes

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Dear TNLA Member, In the past weeks and months our industry has endured a great upheaval alongside the rest of society. COVID-19 and the government response have presented challenges that we, as an industry, have had to collectively work through. TNLA’s mission to be a useful resource for your business has never been more important.

During this time, TNLA’s government advocacy has been one of the most critical tools for our member businesses. We fought during the initial period of government orders to give green industry businesses the option to stay open by having them classified as essential. This included our team working with the Texas Governor, Ag Commissioner, state reps, and senators as well as local judges and mayors. In recent weeks, it has consisted of pulling resources from federal and state offices to get us the clarifications and information you need.

All of this is possible due to TNLA’s strong political presence in the State of Texas. While the challenges we have gone through recently have been daunting, our association’s political action committee (PAC) will need your help for the challenges ahead.

This next Texas legislative session holds the potential for historic budget cuts on programs needed by our industry and possible tax increases affecting your bottom line. In addition, the Texas Department of Agriculture is up for Sunset Review where legislators will review many of the programs that daily impact the green industry.

The fact is, TNLA Political Action Committee will need to play a tremendous role in guaranteeing our industry has allies and advocates in the key places to help us win on these issues. We cannot do this without your help. We are asking that you join us in contributing to the TNLA PAC. The effort of TNLA PAC is the political voice of our industry. You can make our voice greater with your personal contribution to the effort. No contribution is too small or too large to make a difference. Help your industry by backing TNLA PAC and together we can ensure Texas remains a great place for the green industry to do business.

Sincerely, Mark Rose; Chairman Living Earth

James Harden Sr. Mortellaro’s Nursery, LTD

Jim Prewitt Landmark Nurseries, Inc.

Mark Baxmann Houston Garden Centers

Mark Harris Harris Landscape Inc

Jonathan Saperstein TreeTown USA

Ricky Becnel Saxon Becnel & Sons

Todd Kinney KBW Supply

Steven Taber Southwest Wholesale Nursery

Robert Cartwright Ran-Pro Farms, Inc.

Billy Krause Krause Landscape

Johnette Taylor Roundtree Landscape, Inc.

Kurt Gruhlkey Creekside Nursery

Sam Weger Calloway’s Nursery

Back Your PAC! DONATE ITEMS FOR THE PAC AUCTION The Second Annual TNLA PAC Auction will be held again this year!

We are accepting donations of all kinds to help raise funds for TNLA PAC. Donations may vary from trips & tickets to items such as: guns, artwork, industry equipment, and more!

Contact ryan@tnlaonline.org for questions & inquiries.

Last Year's Auction Included: -Hunting & Fishing Trips -Kendra Scott Jewelry -Apple Ipad & Big Screen TV -Custom Firearm

-Sporting Tickets -Sports Memorabilia -Art & Home Decor -Vacation Stays & More

ACCEPTING ITEM DONATIONS NOW UNTIL JUNE 30

Political advertising paid for by TNLA PAC | 7730 S IH 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78745