TNLA Working For You June 19, 2020

Be the First to Know News and Updates from TNLA! JUNE 19, 2020

TNLA

Working For You

DON'T ASK THE EXPERT, BE THE EXPERT!

Don't Forget to Send Your Renewal Information by 6/30!

Table of Contents Members' News You Need to Know -COVID-19 UPDATE ---Growers Needing Relief From CFAP; Comment Period Open ---Counties Move to Require Face Masks & Business Plans ---Main Street Lending Program Opened ---TNLA COVID-19 Webinars -Embrace Your Space Doesn't Stop at Summer!

-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 -Nursery/Landscape EXPO 2020 is Cancelled -Save the Date for TNLA's TEIL Virtual Awards Ceremony -Save the Date for TNLA's Annual Business Meeting and Awards Fiesta -Texas Excellence in Landscaping Award Applications Open Today!

Legislative & Regulatory -TNLA Green Report Episode 8 -TNLA Reconvenes Industry Stakeholders for TDA Sunset

Education - Certification Renewal This Month!

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: Counties Move to Require Face Masks & Business Plans In a move that began with Bexar County, counties across the state have begun to enact new COVID-19 orders penalizing businesses who do not enforce certain health standards like masks.

Governor Greg Abbott's office confirmed that local governments are now allowed to do this by targeting businesses instead of individuals. TNLA members are highly encouraged to monitor their home counties for the relevant orders as multiple jurisdictions have already published a new COVID-19 order or have stated the intention of doing so. In addition to requiring masks for customers and employees, businesses may be required to develop a COVID health and safety plan to have on file. Please check the language of your local county order to ensure you are complying to the greatest extent possible. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact TNLA at (512) 367-9922

COVID-19 UPDATE: Main Street Lending Program Opened One of the latest federal lending relief programs to come online, the registration for the Main Street Lending Program is now open. While this program does not feature the loan forgiveness of the PPP, the Main Street Lending Program seeks to make credit available to larger businesses who could not qualify under previous loan programs. You can find out more information here

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

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 Navigating the Complexities of Credit Card Processing Fees with Rich Kling, Merchant Owl

The Economic Outlook for the Green Industry in the New Normal with Dr. Charlie Hall, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture Texas A&M

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 The Message of Embrace Your Space Lives On! As we are continuing to take steps forward, we still have the opportunity to continue showing people the impact that green spaces make in their lives. We want to provide this message and resource to you and your business, so that the message of Embrace Your Space can spread throughout the State.

Many have discovered the great value that embracing their homes, yards, gardens, and more during the time they have had to stay home. There is no reason for that to end!

We will continue to provide updates resources for your business to help enourage others to embrace their space and shop green! The media kit is easy-to-use and fresh with new content updated bi-weekly! Check it out here Please email ashley@tnlaonline.org with questions, customizations, or inquiries!

Don't forget to use the hashtag below so we can share your posts with our followers

#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 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.

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

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!

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.

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

2020 NURSERY/LANDSCAPE EXPO CANCELLED

Letter to Attendees |

Letter to Exhibitors

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

SAVE THE DATE FOR TNLA'S TEIL VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY The TEIL Virtual Awards Ceremony will feature this year's winners of the Texas Excellence In Landscaping Awards including the Bronze, Silver and Gold Winners! Join us on Friday, August 14, 2020 at noon. Register with the link by clicking here.

SAVE THE DATE FOR TNLA'S ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING & AWARDS VIRTUAL FIESTA

TNLA's Annual Business Meeting & Awards Virtual Fiesta is the chance to get together with the entire industry online. Everyone can tune into the live stream event from their computer or mobile device on Friday, August 14, 2020, at 3 pm. Gather your entire team and watch for FREE as we conduct TNLA's Annual Business Meeting and also TNLA's Awards Virtual Fiesta!

You don't want to miss the updates, the action, the awards, and the winners. You will laugh and you may cry as we share the memories from this year and shine a light on our award winners. Grab a comfortable chair and get your live stream device of choice ready. Register for free here!

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

TEXAS EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPE AWARD APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! Take your company to a NEW level! By entering Texas Nursery & Landscape Association’s Texas Excellence in Awards (TEIL) program, you are putting your company’s expertise and skill to the test. Stand proud with your company’s logo. TNLA’s TEIL program helps you establish you company as an awardwinning firm.

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 Legislative & Regulatory

Hear it straight from the State Office

GREEN REPORT EPISODE 8 In this 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 now on tnlaonline.org, iTunes, & Google Play!

TNLA RECONVENES INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS FOR TDA SUNSET The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) continues to undergo the Texas Sunset Process where the entire agency is scrutinized and the Texas Legislature must re-authorize the agency's existence next session. Most recently, the Sunset Commission released their staff recommendations to the Commission. You can find the executive summary of their report here.

In response, TNLA reconvened our stakeholder group to examine the issues outlined in the report as well as any outstanding issues needing to be addressed. TNLA staff will be communicating our concerns to the key offices at the Texas Capitol as well as preparing for the public hearing on TDA's report. If you have any questions or concerns about this matter please contact Ryan Skrobarczyk at ryan@tnlaonline.org.

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!

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