TNLA Working For You May 22, 2020

Be the First to Know News and Updates from TNLA! MAY 22, 2020

TNLA

Working For You

HELP CUSTOMERS EMBRACE THER SPACE TAX FREE FOR THE LAWN & GARDEN TAX HOLIDAY THIS WEEKEND!

Table of Contents Members' News You Need to Know -COVID-19 UPDATE ---Paycheck Protection Program Guidance Released More FAQ ---TNLA COVID-19 Webinars -Embrace Your Space Update -Lawn & Garden Tax Holiday This Weekend!

-Chat with Green Aggies Webinars -2021-2022 Scholarships -Compensation & Benefits Study -Region Elections -Coming Soon … TNLA’s NEW Member Engagement Mobile App! -2020-2021 TNLA Membership Renewal Notices are in Your Mailbox!

-We Want to Hear Your Opinion!

-Nursery & Landscape EXPO Throwback!

Legislative & Regulatory -Region 2 Landscape Contractors: TNLA Holds Webinar on Landscape Compliance Agreement -Green Industry Response Letter Sent To Senator Cruz

Education - Certification Renewal in June 2020 -Exclusive Look: Digital Marketing savvy with Jack Jostes & TNLA Academics TNLA PAC Auction 2020

TNLA's COVID-19 Resource Center is available for all members to get information on the things that are impacting the Green Industry. This includes information on legislation and advocacy, educational resources and opportunities, & communication resources for your business and team.

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

COVID-19 UPDATE: Paycheck Protection Program Guidance Released More FAQ For those companies who used the PPP and were concerned about liability for making a certification to receive the loan, some good news was released via an FAQ from the agency. FAQ #46 reads as follows: “Any borrower that, together with its affiliates, 20 received PPP loans with an original principal amount of less than $2 million will be deemed to have made the required certification concerning the necessity of the loan request in good faith.

SBA has determined that this safe harbor is appropriate because borrowers with loans below this threshold are generally less likely to have had access to adequate sources of liquidity in the current economic environment than borrowers that obtained larger loans.”

For those companies who secured loans larger than $2 million there is still a chance to qualify for loan forgiveness: “Importantly, borrowers with loans greater than $2 million that do not satisfy this safe harbor may still have an adequate basis for making the required good-faith certification, based on their individual circumstances in light of the language of the certification and SBA guidance.”

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 Leading in the New Nextâ„¢ 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

Up Next....

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

EMBRACE YOUR SPACE & THE LAWN & GARDEN TAX HOLIDAY 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 encourage you to Embrace the Lawn & Garden Tax Holiday! Get your community pumped up for tax free plants, mulch, grass and more by encouraging them to embrace their space!

We have updated the media kit to be easy-to-use and fresh with new content! Feel Free to mix and match the content with your Tax Holiday Promotions Check it out here 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

LAWN & GARDEN TAX HOLIDAY

This is a great time to get your community to visit your retail store! This Memorial Day Weekend May 2325, your customers get water-saving products Tax Free. This is a chance for you to encourage a family to spend quality time in creating a garden, a new couple the chance to save money by planting their own veggies, a retiree the chance to make their lawn their own outdoor oasis. Your community agrees the Green Industry is essential and this is the opportunity for them to get to know your business.

Take advantage of the media kit this weekend and get your business booming!

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

CHAT WITH GREEN AGGIES WEBINARS AVAILABLE! Chat with Green Aggies’ is a group of Extension Specialists at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension providing research-based information to the Texas green industry. We will update you all on issues faced by the green industry and then answer questions from the live audience.After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Register for the last chat on May 28th by clicking Here. Not in front of a computer during the chat time?

No problem! Just register- you could call in and listen on our chat while you’re out and about, AND even if you can’t call in, you’ll get notification when the recording is ready so that you don’t miss anything.

In addition, take part in 4 crapemyrtle bark scale webinars: • May 27—Feeding preference of Lagerstroemia (crapemyrtle), Punica (pomegranate) and Callicarpa (beautyberry) taxa; Consumer and grower preference survey; Register Here!

• June 24— Mechanical control; biopesticides; Register Here!

• July22— Beneficials; Register Here!

• August 19— Chemical control; Register 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.

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!

REGION ELECTIONS TNLA Region elections are currently in progress. Keep an eye out for an email with your region ballot so you can vote! Deadline in June 1st, 2020 and all ballots are to be received electronically or through the mail.

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.

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR OPINION!

As the world continues to evolve and Texas begins to open for business, we are interested in hearing your thoughts on future travel and the possibility of attending virtual events either as an Attendee or Exhibitor. Please submit your survey by June 1, 2020.

Please complete the following short survey, which should take less than 5 minutes.

Your feedback is essential to TNLA’s future planning of events. Thank you in advance for your input!

Click Here to Take the Survey!

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

ADVERTISE WITH TNLA GREEN MAGAZINE TNLA Green Magazine's 2020 July/August Issue is one of our most popular among our readership. Advertisers will be seen by Texas' leading decision-makers and business owners from various segments including retail, nursery, irrigation, and landscape.

TNLA Green magazine is printed and mailed to 2,000 TNLA members and over 700+ TNLA Certified Professionals. Plus, the digital version of the magazine is also sent to over 10,000 subscriber’s inboxes and is available online with fully interactive hyperlinks to the advertiser’s websites.

Advertising Deadline for the July/August 2020 issue of TNLA Green Magazine is June 6, 2020 For questions and more information email advertising@tnlaonline.org or call 512-579-3861.

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

NURSERY LANDSCAPE EXPO

Throwback!

For over 65 years the Nursery/Landscape EXPO has journeyed through many adventures, we have Gone Under the Sea, Gone to the Races and also made our way Roaring Forward. EXPO wants to dedicate this Throwback as we walk down memory lane with all of you, our Members, because Together We Rise!

A WORD FROM THE STATE Legislative & Regulatory

Hear it straight from the State Office

REGION 2 LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS: TNLA HELD A WEBINAR ON LANDSCAPE COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT Last week, TNLA conducted a webinar to allow the USDA officials as well as experts from TDA and A&M to discuss the citrus canker quarantines in Harris County, Richmond, & Pearland areas.

Landscape contractors who operate in these areas will have to sign a compliance agreement with the USDA to mitigate the spread of canker.

The requirements in the agreement include: Double bagging and removing directly for landfill burial all clippings, trimming, and plant material from inside the quarantine zone.

Sanitizing vehicles, personnel, and equipment before leaving a job site in the quarantine zone You Can Find the TNLA Citrus Canker Webinar Here!

GREEN INDUSTRY RESPONSE LETTER SENT TO SENATOR CRUZ Senator Cruz chose to co-author a letter recently to the Trump Administration to urge the suspension of the H-2B program. Last week over 250 member companies and individuals signed on to the TNLA letter to Senator Cruz in response. The letter was sent to his office and urged Senator Cruz to reconsider his position on the H-2B program. While we understand the challenges of the COVID economy, the H-2 programs have historically been very important to the Texas Green Industry and are necessary relief-valves for the Texas labor market.

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 JUNE 2020 Certification is a chance to promote yourself and your expertise. 2020 Renewals are in progress now. Renewal emails and letters have been sent and will be followed up regularly.

CEUs MUST BE CURRENT FOR RENEWAL. To find out about your CEU status, email certification@tnlaonline.org. Additional CEUs can be gained through TNLA’s OnDemand Education.

Explore TNLA's Education On-Demand for CEUs to get you renewed by June! The world is crazy out there, stay on the straight path through education. TNLA’s On-Demand Education is open and ready. Use this crazy time to get updated on new trends, new research and many other elements that are related to your business.

On-Demand Education Elements include: PDF Downloads for yourself & your staff FREE Webinars & Education Shorts EXPO Keynote Sessions & Short Interviews 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.

TNLA PAC AUCTION 2020 For the second year, TNLA’s Political Auction Committee will be conducting a silent auction to raise money for the PAC effort. You can play a role in helping advocate for the green industry in Texas.

As you know, PAC is a crucial tool in our advocacy efforts and is the muscle behind our grassroots work in Texas politics. The money donated by TNLA member goes directly to helping state candidates who support the Green Industry in Texas. With the auction quickly approaching in August, please consider donating an item to help raise these critical funds.

DONATED AUCTION ITEMS CAN INCLUDE: Jewelry Electronics Sportsman/Outdoor gear Artwork Trip and Experiences And MORE! These are just a few of the ideas which can ensure the success of our fundraiser and help us fight for the industry policy priorities. All donors to the auction and their respective companies will be recognized for contributing. If you are interested in donating an item, please contact ryan@tnlaonline.org

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