Be the First to Know News and Updates from TNLA! JULY 17, 2020
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ENCOUNTER THE WONDER OF WEST TEXAS Learn More about the West Texas Workshop in Alpine, TX this October!
Table of Contents Calendar of Events Members' News You Need to Know COVID-19 UPDATE
Paycheck Protection Program Access Extended CFAP Not Yet Expanded to Nursery Products Embrace Your Space TNLA Webinars 2021-2022 Scholarships Compensation & Benefits Study
Chat with Green Aggies Webinar Opportunities Want More Support Around Hiring? Calling All Retail Garden Centers! Coming Soon … TNLA’s NEW Member Engagement Mobile App! Texas Excellence in Landscaping Award Applications Open! Events TNLA Labor Summit Texas Excellence in Landscaping Virtual Awards Ceremony TNLA Annual Business Meeting & Virtual Awards Fiesta With EXPO Cancelled, Here Are Some Opportunities to Stay on the Lookout For!
2021 Nursery/Landscape EXPO Exhibit Sales Starting Soon Save the Date for the West Texas Workshop Legislative & Regulatory
Texas Primary Run-Offs Close Out; TNLA PAC Endorsed Candidates Succeed July is Smart Irrigation Month TDA Publishes Response to Sunset Review H-2B Call With Representative Kay Granger H-2B Amendment Passes House Appropriations Committee
Calendar of Events Mark your calendars and register today for these upcoming events presented by the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association. See more event opportunities here!
14
August 12:00PM
14
August 3:00PM
28
August 8:00AM
TEXAS EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPING VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
Register to Attend Today! August 14, 2020 @ Noon
TNLA Annual Business Meeting & Virtual Awards Fiesta August 14, 2020 3-5 PM FREE LIVE STREAM EVENT
TNLA LABOR SUMMIT Offering discussions on labor, workforce development, diversity and more! EARN 4 TNLA CEUS!
AUGUST 28, 2020
29-30
October 29-30 OCT. | ALPINE, TX SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE CLICK HERE FOR MAXIMUM EXPOSURE
A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office
COVID-19 UPDATE: Paycheck Protection Program Access Extended With the passage of the PPP Flexibility Act and President Trump signing it into law, the deadline for applying to receive a PPP loan has been extending to August 8th. According to press reports, the administration acknowledged that $130 billion remains in the program for applicants to receive. For those interested in applying and checking the qualifications for the PPP program please visit the TNLA Resource Center on the Paycheck Protection Program.
COVID-19 UPDATE: CFAP Not Yet Expanded to Nursery Products Despite an announcement 8 days ago by the USDA to expand the list of eligible products, the CFAP program has not yet included the nursery products requested by our industry. Several green industry growers and associations, including TNLA, submitted official comment to the agency requesting that our growers be qualified for relief. The USDA did announce that they expect additional commodities to be added in the coming weeks. You can find the full announcement here.
A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office
TNLA UPCOMING WEBINAR
TNLA WEBINAR SPOTLIGHT The Economic Outlook for the Green Industry in the New Normal with Dr. Charlie Hall, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture Texas A&M
The Webinar Opportunities Do Not Stop Here! Check out webinars in topics ranging from Business Management, Pest & Disease Management, Legislative & Regulatory, Plants, & More Here!
A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office
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.
Congratulations to the 2019-2020 Scholarship Winners!
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!
A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office
CHAT WITH GREEN AGGIES WEBINAR OPPORTUNITIES NEW: The Chats with Green Aggies are moving from Gotowebinar to Zoom! Every Thursday 12:12pm. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. July 16: We’ll feature the Buglady (what? Who?) and answer questions from the emails, Facebook, etc. Register Here (NEW!!! Sign up through google form). July 23: (Host: Dr. Becky Grubbs) Register Here July 30th (Host: Erfan Vafaie) Register Here August 6: (Host: Dr. Mengmeng Gu) Register Here August 13 (Host: Dr. Becky Grubbs) Register Here August 20(Host: Dr. Kevin Ong) Register Here August 27 (Host: Erfan Vafaie) Register Here
A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office
WANT MORE SUPPORT AROUND HIRING? When it comes to finding qualified professionals in the Green Industry, where better to look than the association that represents them! TNLA's Career Center has a focused and qualified talent pool. TNLA has been at the forefront of advancing the Texas Green Industry community for decades. Our members represent professionals from every aspect of the industry including Growers, Landscapers, Retail Garden Centers, Irrigators, and Suppliers. Although you may see lots of resumes on monster-sized job boards, chances are, only a small percentage of those will have the qualifications of what your position needs. The TNLA Career Center gives you a better way to find exactly what you are looking for. Why look any further? Steps to finding the right people at the right time through TNLA's Career Center: 1. Register your company 2. Post your Position 3. Receive Resumes from interested candidates 4. Search through resumes already posted
Visit careers.tnlaonline.org and find your next superstar employee today!
A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office
CALLING ALL RETAIL GARDEN CENTERS!!! TNLA is excited to launch the first awards program explicitly geared for retail garden centers, the Texas Garden Retailer Award (TGRA) program. Just like landscape companies are able to showcase their winning designs through the Texas Excellence in Landscape Awards (TEIL), Retail Garden Centers now have the opportunity to shine as a TGRA award winner! By entering into TGRA Retailers will have the opportunity to: Demonstrate your store's proven innovative and quality-driven business strategies they have incorporated to run a successful business Provide examples of unique merchandising concepts for seasonal or temporary displays Share the scope of their staff's culture within your garden center through their store's ability to enhance staff's overall green industry knowledge and professionalism Plus the winner will receive the distinguished title of TNLA Retail Garden Center of the Year! As we all have begun to rise up from COVID19, we have learned a lot about our businesses and how to navigate our way through into the new wave of the future. Through this process, retail garden centers have developed new techniques and methods to reach their customer base whether through launching a curbside pick up or getting on facetime with customers to help process an online order. These are all new methods retail garden centers can showcase in their TGRA entry. Retail Garden Centers this is your time to show the rest of the industry who you are and how your business is essential to helping the Green Industry grow into the future. Enter by following these easy steps: 1. Create an online account on TNLA’s Award Force. 2. Upload your TGRA entry following the criteria guidelines, questions, and providing supporting documentation and images. 3. Submit and pay for your TGRA entry. For Additional information, visit here.
A WORD FROM THE STATE Members' News You Need to Know Hear it straight from the State Office
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!
TEXAS EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPE AWARD APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! TNLA’s TEIL program changes the way your customers look at your business. By becoming an awardwinning company, you can show your company’s professionalism and expertise and promote your company as an award-winning firm! Submit your application Here Enter in categories that fit your business services: Commercial Installation Commercial Maintenance Residential Installation Residential Maintenance Special Projects Unique Features Design
A WORD FROM THE STATE Events Hear it straight from the State Office
TNLA LABOR SUMMIT
TNLA’s Labor Summit is the premier event for Texas Green Industry employers to gather information to combat the labor crisis in our industry from leading policymakers and workforce development specialists. Like in years past, this event will delve into the federal seasonal employment visa programs, workforce recruitment & retention challenges, and workforce development strategies that are being implemented in our state. You are invited to participate in the TNLA Labor Summit on August 28, 2020. This year’s event will take place in a virtual format due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, however we are very excited to bring a dynamic lineup of speakers and presentations. Get more information by clicking here! #2020TNLALABORSUMMIT SCHEDULE SNEAK PEEK
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A WORD FROM THE STATE Events Hear it straight from the State Office
JOIN US ONLINE FOR THE TEXAS EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPING VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY The Texas Excellence In Landscaping Virtual Awards Ceremony will feature this year's winners including the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Winners! Find out more about the details behind each winning project and gain visual insights provided by these winning experts. Join us on Friday, August 14, 2020, at noon, register for FREE by visiting www.TNLAonline.org.
Sponsored by:
A WORD FROM THE STATE Events Hear it straight from the State Office
SAVE THE DATE FOR TNLA'S ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING & VIRTUAL AWARDS FIESTA The TNLA Annual Business Meeting & Virtual Awards Fiesta is going to be a LIVE STREAMED event available online for you and your entire team to tune in and watch FREE. We will provide TNLA's annual report and year in review, and also celebrate this year's award winners for the Honorary Member, Young Leader, Summit, and Arp. In addition, during the presentation, we will reveal this year's Texas Excellence In Landscaping (TEIL) Best of Show! Be sure to sign up to watch for FREE on August 14, 2020, at 3pm by visiting www.tnlaonline.org to RSVP and Save Your Seat.
JOIN US ONLINE AS WE CELEBRATE THIS YEAR’S WINNERS! Honorary Lifetime Member Award: Awarded to honor and dedication, hard work and valiant service to the industry. This year TNLA is proud to have two winners, Dr. Michael Wade and Mark Rose, Living Earth. Young Leader Award: Given to the person who has made a significant impact on the Texas Nursery & Landscaping Association. This year’s winner is Veronica Seever with Leaf Landscape Supply. Summit Award Winner: The highest honor bestowed on a TNLA Member firm. Congratulations to this year’s winner, TreeTown USA. Arp Award: Honors an individual professional for their outstanding service and contributions to the industry. We are honored to announce the winner of this year’s Arp Award is Neil Sperry.
Sponsored by:
A WORD FROM THE STATE Events Hear it straight from the State Office
WITH EXPO CANCELLED HERE ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO STAY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR!
TNLA is Bringing in the Heat with Virtual Events, CEU Opportunities and MORE! Get Ready for a NEW experience by taking part in TNLA’s Virtual Events this August: Texas Excellence In Landscaping Virtual Awards Ceremony, August 14, 2020 at noon (FREE to Attend) To RSVP and watch online (Sponsored by Texas Green Industry Safety Group) visit Here TNLA Annual Business Meeting & Virtual Awards Fiesta, August 14, 2020 at 3pm (FREE to Attend) (Sponsored by Texas Green Industry Safety Group) RSVP and Save Your Virtual Seat Here TNLA Labor Summit, #2020TNLALABORSUMMIT, August 28, 2020 at 8am, this virtual experience includes 4 hours of CEUS, (REGISTRATION COMING SOON!) (Thank you to our Partner, FWD.US and to our Sponsor, Federation of Employers & Workers of America), for more information and to check out the Speaker Line Up Here
GAIN MAXIMUM EXPOSURE FOR YOUR BRAND AS A VIRTUAL EVENT SPONSOR! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Also coming down the pipeline will be a virtual CEU web-based education offerings including the Growers Summit happening in November! Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you are looking for CEUs here are some quick resources to obtain an hour or two: Take a Quiz, TNLA Green Magazine’s CEU Quizzes, visit here for archive Watch a Webinar, TNLA Academics Webinars, click here to view Gain Updates from TNLA’s COVID-19 Webinar Series, click here to access
A WORD FROM THE STATE Events Hear it straight from the State Office
2021 NURSERY/LANDSCAPE EXPO EXHIBIT SALES STARTING SOON Exhibit sales for the 2021 Nursery/Landscape EXPO will begin in August. All Exhibitors, with an existing priority who have not elected to keep their same booth location, will be contacted within the next few weeks with an appointment date and time to select space for the 2021 EXPO. Mark your calendars now for the 2021 EXPO being held August 5-7 in San Antonio, Texas where we will RISE UP and come together, FACE-TO-FACE, and STRONGER THAN EVER! Call Trevor Peevey at 512-579-3859 or Amy Prenger at 512-579-3858 if you have any questions.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE WEST TEXAS WORKSHOP TNLA’s West Texas Workshop allows you to explore the unique West Texas landscape and learn from experts who specialize in the West Texas ecosystem. See sites and plants only found in West Texas and take that knowledge back to your company to diversify your project and plant profiles. Check out this video by Jay Williams about his experience at the West Texas Workshop. Register Here Today! CLICK TO PLAY
A WORD FROM THE STATE Legislative & Regulatory
Hear it straight from the State Office
TEXAS PRIMARY RUN-OFFS CLOSE OUT; TNLA PAC ENDORSED CANDIDATES SUCCEED Tuesday was election day for the handful of Texas seats which featured a primary run-off. Several long serving incumbents were unseated in the Texas House, including Representative J.D. Sheffield and Representative Dan Flynn. Several other races were close enough to warrant a delay in declaring a winner and may require a recall. Importantly two TNLA PAC-supported candidates were successful in their primary races including Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. and Candidate for Texas House Glenn Rogers. Overall, electoral races are now shaping up for a contentious Texas cycle in November. TNLA continues to monitor the races and communicate our association’s priorities to the returning members of the state legislature for the coming session.
JULY IS SMART IRRIGATION MONTH July is smart irrigation month and we hope that you will join TNLA in highlighting the importance of efficient irrigation as well as ever-improving irrigation technologies our industry uses to maximize and conserve water. As the summer heats up, our industry is perpetually a target for water use despite the many ways in which we conserve water and help consumers be Water Smart. Make sure you publicly highlight the water benefits of our industry this month and how your business saves water through smart irrigation techniques and equipment. Tag TNLA on social media so we can help push the message of Texas Water Smart.
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 Legislative & Regulatory
Hear it straight from the State Office
TDA PUBLISHES RESPONSE TO SUNSET REVIEW Commissioner Sid Miller has issued an official response to the Sunset Commission staff review of his agency. Although the staff report was largely positive for TDA, the Commissioner indicated that the agency is already taking steps to implement several of the suggestions in the report regarding the GO TEXAN program. Staff at TDA met with TNLA to discuss their actions in this regard and to firm up the mission and objectives for the program with the hopes of improving return on investment for participants.
H-2B CALL WITH REPRESENTATIVE KAY GRANGER TNLA staff and constituent landscape members met with staff from Congresswoman Kay Granger’s office regarding the H-2B program this week. Rep. Granger is the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations committee and therefore has a tremendous insight into the committee. Our industry, alongside the full H-2B Workforce Coalition, worked to get an amendment included in appropriations bill to allow for the administration to increase the number of H-2B visas beyond the 66,000 cap if the certifications exceed that number. TNLA greatly appreciates her office meeting with us to discuss this important issue.
H-2B AMENDMENT PASSES HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE The H-2B Workforce Coalition was successful in advocating for the inclusion of an H-2B cap relief amendment into the appropriations bill during committee markup. The amendment uses the same “may” language as has been utilized in the past to allow the president’s administration the ability to expand the number of H-2B visas to appropriately meet the need. TNLA is grateful to our Texas champions on the committee include Rep. Henry Cuellar who was a co-sponsor of the amendment.
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!
Featured TNLA Member Article!
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
The Gift that Keeps on Giving! With information on Texas native plants, resilient non-natives, landscape design, water smart gardening and more, this is the perfect gift for anyone! Homeowners, renters, garden novices and garden experts alike can all benefit from continued knowledge on optimal growing conditions in all parts of Texas. Created by industry professionals, for your green thumb. Member Price 1-9: $13.00 10-100: $6.75 Non-Member Price 1-9: $13.00 9-100: $13.00 Make your yard the best it can be with the TNLA Best of Texas Landscape Guide!
Visit tnlaonline.org/best-of-texas-landscape-guide to order yours today!