TNLA Working for You E-Newsletter
TNLA
January 8, 2021
Working for You
Gain CEUs With TNLA! Explore TNLA’s CEU Opportunities including the 2021 Virtual Retail Summit and Upcoming Webinar: Landscape Business Sales Tax Compliance Online Training
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January 2021 -TNLA Workng for You
Pradia is a registered trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.
PradiaÂŽ is a combination product developed to control a wide variety of sucking and chewing pests on ornamental and nursery crops. Pradia delivers a quick knockdown and excellent long-term control on aphids, thrips, whitefly and scale.
January 2021 -TNLA Workng for You
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Table of Contents 3...Feature: 2021 Virtual Retail Summit Feature: Landscape Business Sales Tax Compliance Online Training Upcoming Deadline 4...2021 Virtual Retail Summit Speaker Overview 5...Membership Value Added Offerings 7...Legislative and Regulatory Updates 8...TNLA’s Virtual Top 5 of 2020 TNLA Tailgate Topic: Personal Protective Equipment 9...Meeting & Events Calendar TNLA New Members December 2020 TNLA New Certified Professionals December 2020 2021 EXPO Housing Pirate SCAM ALERT
Deadlines Submit Here
Help the Future of Horticulture This is your company’s ONE SHOT to submit to TEA industry based certification list for the 2022 school year. Last day to submit is January 15, 2021.
Ad Index 2....OHP 5...Advertise in The Green Shop SPRING Edition 6....TNLA 365 Mobile App 7....TNLA Career Center 10...Hotchkiss Insurance
TNLA Working for You Feature: Gain CEUS! 2021 VIRTUAL RETAIL SUMMIT: Coming THIS MONTH January 26-28, 2021 You deserve all the ingenuity, innovation, and inspiration you can find. Register today for the TNLA Virtual Retail Summit, January 2628, 2021! We’ve gathered a broad array of powerful presenters sure to inspire and re-energize you. 3 Days, Multiple TNLA CEUs and New Ideas to gear up for the Year! Register Now Be sure to check out the speaker overview covering our experts and their topics on the next page.
UPCOMING WEBINAR: Landscape Business Sales Tax Compliance Online Training John Huffman is the Manager for the Tax Education and Public Engagement team in the Tax Policy Division. His duties among others include guiding an outstanding team that develops tax publications and webpages, training for Comptroller divisions and outside business groups, E-learning, webinars, and a tax newsletter about Texas tax issues. John and his team are ready to answer your tax questions during the Landscape Business Sales Tax Compliance Online Training Webinar on January 21, 2021, at 12pm! GAIN 1 TNLA CEU by participating in this webinar! Register Here!
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January 2021 -TNLA Workng for You
2021 Virtual Retail Summit Speaker Overview DAY 1: TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 Dr. Talaya Waller - Becoming the Face of Your Brand How do you differentiate your company? Expert Consultant and TEDx Speaker Dr. Talaya Waller takes you on the journey to help you create a personal touch at every touchpoint. You need to create a personal experience in your business by leveraging you. Logos cannot compete with people. Become the face of your company in order to scale it because what sets your business apart is you a person. Tim Quebedeaux - Retail KPI’s: What are the Key Performance Indicators You Should be Measuring? Take your garden center to the next level in 2021! Join Tim Quebedeaux, associated with Retail KPI Consulting, as he brings his years of experience to your listening ear. This presentation will give you tons of takeaways to start implementing NOW! Tim’s discussions will include revenues, COGS and margin; as well as Inventory Turns, Stock to Sales and GMROII! It is time to plan your business success for 2021. Nicholas Staddon & Melanie Hardy - A Day in the Life of a Retail Garden Center Join Nicholas Staddon, Spokesperson and Plantsman for Everde Growers™ along with Melanie Hardy a sage salesperson and merchandiser who has worked the Texas Retail Garden Center market for many years, as they navigate the audience through a number of opportunities pertaining to Retail Garden Centers, the people who work in them and the customers that shop there. Nicholas will cover a variety of topics that garden center staff need to be on top of including: gardening trends in the United States and overseas, new plants & recent introductions, selling tips - what the customer wants, might just not be what they need, books and magazines you should be reading to keep your knowledge base current, and a host of other suggestions and tips to make you more successful at what you do. DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 Kelley Norris - Plants with Style Today’s customers are tired of lackluster gardens filled with dull, ho-hum plants? Plants after all are the very essence of fashionable gardening. In this spirited, provocative lecture, plantsman Kelly Norris calls for a garden revolution: out with boring plants and in with stylish alternatives that captivate and enthrall. As a passionate and lifelong horticulturist, Kelly shines a spotlight on the A-list plants in every category—plants that will thrive, not merely survive. As Kelly puts it, “A garden is the best way to savor life on earth.” Let Plants with Style guide your customers to the plants that will provide a richer, more fulfilling connection between in their own patch of soil. Jack Jostes - Interactive Workshop: The Garden Center’s Guide to Getting FOUND Online by New Customers Capitalize on the increased demand in gardening from all the new gardeners getting started since COVID! Is your garden center and nursery getting found online by all the people looking? There was an 81%percent increase in Google searches for “gardening” in the state of Texas last Spring over previous years, and demand is projected to stay strong. Don’t get left behind with marketing tactics from the past. Learn 2021’s most actionable SEO tactics to Get FOUND Online by DIY gardeners plus see real case studies including how one nursery/garden center in Ennis Texas leverages the power of social media to keep connected with its growing customer base. Home Gardening Train-the-Trainer Deep Dive & Virtual Round Table! Speakers Include: Joe Masabni, PhD, Extension Vegetable Specialist; Jeffery Raska, Extension Horticulturalist; Beth McMahan, Extension Horticulturalist TNLA is bringing in the experts on vegetables and home gardening to help you get ready to answer the tough questions that your customers bring your way. Home gardening is HUGE right now, and customers are relying on you and your staff to guide them in their purchases. DAY 3: THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 Steven Engel - Top Plants for 2021 & Forecasting 2022 Plants that Should be on YOUR RADAR Join PanAmerican’s Steven Engel as he reviews some of the top plants in 2021 that should be on your shelves now and give you a taste at what is coming to an availability sheet in 2022! Diane Blazek- All American Selections (AAS) Executive Director of All-American Selections (AAS) Diane Blazek will discuss some of AAS’ top selections for the Southern US and about the AAS program. Drew Martinez - NEW MARKET ALERT! Carnivorous Plants Indoor plants are a hot market for new gardeners, but carnivorous plants are an unexplored wonder! Create an edge for your garden center and inspire wonder an appreciation of nature with carnivorous plants! Join Drew Martinez as he begins to shed the light on these natural wonders and how garden centers should jump NOW to capitalize on these unique plants. Michelle Bertelsen - NEW MARKET ALERT! Child-Friendly Plants NEW MARKET ALERT! Are you looking for a new market to bring into your store in 2021? Join Michelle Bertelsen as she introduces you to the OLE! Texas – Child-Friendly Plants program. The child-friendly plant program is a multi-agency initiative that came together to select a list of plants that fit into the science-based criterion. This criterion not only looks at the child’s interaction value, but also evaluates the learning components of the plants as well! Don’t miss your chance to be the first to hear about this exciting new market and learn about how you can begin marketing child-friendly plants today! Dr. Brent Pemberton - What’s HOT in Texas Superstar Plants Dr. Brent Pemberton will be taking the audience on a journey into Texas Superstar plants that showed peak performance in the 2020 trials and will also give you a peak into what plants to look for in 2021. Get up to date on your plant savvy for the upcoming season, do not miss this presentation!
Get More Information and Register Here!
January 2021 -TNLA Workng for You
Membership Value Added Offerings
$
Compensation Study
Purchase the latest Compensation Study to gain valuable data and help your company do business better, CLICK HERE
TNLA Endorsed Service Provider: Merchant Owl
Merchant Owl helps you reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of processing credit card payments. Uncovering all of your potential savings and designing your own, custom merchant account that best fits your business needs.
Featured Member Benefit Partners At Office Depot & OfficeMax TNLA members save up to 75% off on office, home and school supplies! Enjoy exclusive pricing and discounts on office essentials, toner, paper, cleaning products, break room items, furniture and more. Save online and in-stores. To start saving visit: TNLA.SavingCenter.net TNLA members save on shipments of all sizes through the TNLA Shipping Program, managed by PartnerShip. You’ll benefit from exclusive discounts of up to 40% with FedEx, and competitive rates with UPS Freight, YRC Freight, XPO, and many other carriers. Whether you’re shipping a small package or a full truckload, the TNLA Shipping Program will help you ship smarter. Enroll today. Greenius is on-demand training software for the green industry with a mission to provide the training tools which will turn your rookies into rockstars. Get a 5% discount on everything with code TNLA2020. Get started here!
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January 2020 - Green Concept
January 2021 -TNLA Workng for You
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Legislative & Regulatory Update
Independent Contractors Impacted by New DOL Rule
TNLA has been tracking the development of a rule regarding independent contractors by the Department of Labor. On Wednesday, the DOL announced the final rule which is meant to clarify workers as qualifying as independent contractors or as employees. The rule reaffirms the “economic reality” test to make this determination with two “core factors”: 1) the nature and degree of control over the work and 2) the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on initiative and/or investment. There are subsequent questions that can be asked to make the final determination. The rule will take effect 60 days after publication on the Federal Register, on March 8, 2021. You can find the full press release regarding the rule HERE
Trump Extends Order Suspending H-2B Visas Through March 31st In one of the final acts of the Trump administration, the White House extended last year’s Executive Order suspending H-2B visas through March 31st. While this has the potential to impact FY 2021 landscape contractors, there are several prominent exemptions to the order which consular officers must determine at least two apply. The exemptions include 1) returning workers, 2) certifications approved after June 2020, and 3) financial harm to U.S. business. You can find the full text of the exemptions HERE TNLA, alongside the H-2B Workforce Coalition has been aggressively urging the incoming Biden administration to halt the enforcement of this Executive Order as soon as possible.
The USDA Announced $5 Million in Funding to Texas to Fight Plant Disease This week the USDA has announced the awarding of $5 million dollars to Texas for research and programs to mitigate the spread of plant disease. These funds include $1.3 million in funding for the critical entry point inspections and over $280,000 each for technology fighting bacterial plant-based pathogens and National Clean Plant Network foundation for citrus and roses. You can find the full announcement HERE TNLA will continue to coordinate with our partners at TDA and our state’s research universities to maximize the benefit of these dollars for our state’s green industry.
TNLA readies for the Texas Legislature Session on Tuesday Tuesday, January 12th marks the beginning of a 140 Texas legislative session. Announcements of recent protocols have dictated how TNLA will be able to engage with elected officials during the session. TNLA is already tracking over 20 bills which directly impact the nursery & landscape industry and preparing to advance several priorities of our industry. Please download the TNLA 365 Mobile app and subscribe to the Legislative Leader group for updates on the session.
TNLA’s Virtual Top 5 of 2020
1. TNLA Hosts the First Ever Annual Business Meeting &Virtual Awards Fiesta
The TNLA Annual Business Meeting & Virtual Awards Fiesta was LIVE STREAMED available online fmembers to tune in and watch FREE. We provided TNLA’s annual report and year in review, as well as celebrating this year’s award winners for the Honorary Member, Young Leader, Summit, and Arp. In addition, we revealed 2020’s Texas Excellence In Landscaping (TEIL) Best of Show!
2. TNLA Tops the Charts with a Virtual Labor Summit The TNLA Labor Summit was a virtual experience addressing critical labor issues your company needed to prepare for. Speakers include Congressman Henry Cuellar, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel plus many more experts.
3. TNLA Presents New Topics and Exciting Features in The Green Report Podcast
The Green Report Podcast is your way to take a ook into the Legislative and Regulatory side of the Industry with those who are actively working in it. Interviews include Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Dr.Charlie Hall, Tiffany Lashmet and more! Listen in Here
4. TNLA Makes an Inf luence on Social Media TNLA became more active and reached more people than ever in the year 2020. With a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube, we were able to grab the attention of members and spread the word about our new offerings and campaigns.
5. TNLA Goes Mobile with new TNLA 365 Mobile App This is the right app at the right time created to help you do business better while you are busy and on the go. Download the app, stay connected and discover easy to find Green Industry resources! As a TNLA Member you already have a profile listed on the app. By downloading the TNLA Mobile App and logging in, you can connect with other TNLA Members who think and work like you! Learn More Here
TNLA Tailgate Topic: Personal Protective Equipment Objective: The participant should be able to demonstrate how to safely dress for a job, as well as demonstrate what precautions should be taken once on the job. APPLICATION: : Demonstrate to participants the correct way dress for a job and the precautions (eyes and ears) that should be taken once on the job. Then have the participants make adjustments to what they are wearing so that they are now safe. Use a mower in the demonstrations to make sure that participants are using eye and ear protection, as well as keeping gloved hands away from moving parts.
It is imperative, for working in the field, that participants understand how crucial personal protection is. Dress for safety • Always wear ordinary clothing that is clean, in good repair, and fits properly. • Pants should not be too long. • Tuck shirttails in. • Keep long sleeves buttoned. • Jackets sleeves (or other parts) should not be too loose. • Shoes should be comfortable and well fitting. • Do not wear anything that could get caught in a machine and pull you in • (rings, necklaces, etc.). • Gloves are great for heavy loads, but should be taken off around moving • machinery. Eye protection • Always put your safety glasses on first, before you start working! • Always put your safely glasses on first, before you start working! • Always put your safely glasses on first, before you start working! • Always put your safely glasses on first, before you start working! Ear protection • Never use unapproved hearing protection, such as cotton. • Sponge rubber earplugs are great; they can be kept clean in your pocket using the plastic wrapper.
January 2021 -TNLA Workng for You
Meeting & Events Calendar January 21, 2021
WEBINAR: Landscape Business Sales Tax Compliance Online Training
Register Here!
January 26-28, 2021
2021 Virtual Retail Summit See the Full Schedule & Register Here!
August 5-7, 2021
Nursery/Landscape EXPO 2021 San Antonio, TX More Info Here! On Demand
Creating a Garden Sanctuary Guided Web Course More Info Here!
New Certified Professionals December 2020 TEXAS CERTIFIED NURSERY PROFESSIONAL Adam Cosgrove Dawn Justice-Garcis Calloway’s Nursery TEXAS MASTER CERTIFIED NURSERY PROFESSIONAL Linda Javor Calloway’s Nursery Paul Niksch Calloway’s Nursery
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New Members December 2020 REGION I
REGION V
Landscape Sean Davis San Antonio, TX (210) 771 2690
Retail Business R.H.N.B. Inc The Tree Place Robert Hafkesbring III Fort Worth, TX 76119 817 561 9248 thetreeplace.com
REGION II Grower Business Glenbrook Ecologic, LLC Stephen Duckett Houston, TX 77061 (281) 974 6756 glenbrookecologic.com Landscape Business Permacultura.app Alex Frigino Houston, TX 77009 (713) 927 6990 Permacultura.app REGION IV Landscape Business Bloom and Grow, LLC Paul Mendes Dallas, TX 75206 (312) 420 5090 Bloomandgrowusa.com
REGION VIII Landscape Business Environmental Survey Consulting Christopher Newton Austin, TX 78752 (512) 458 8531 envirosurvey.com Landscape Individual Scotty Brown Cen-Tex Irrigation Systems, Inc. Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 966 4390 Landscape Individual Odis Carpenter Cen-Tex Irrigation Systems, Inc. Waco, TX 76702 (254) 722 5462
Landscape Individual Brodie White Allen, TX 75002 (214) 914 3052
2021 EXPO Housing Pirate SCAM ALERT Attention 2021 Nursery/Landscape EXPO Participants! It has been brought to our attention that Exhibitors are being called from a company claiming they are exclusively booking hotel rooms for our EXPO. THIS IS A SCAM - BEWARE. EXPO Management will never call exhibitors or attendees to ask you to book your hotel. Our official room block will be open within the next couple of months and EXPO will inform you of when you can contact the hotel directly to book your hotel reservations. The scammers are working hard right now, so be careful. If you have any questions regarding the legitimacy of a company, please call or email us right away. Thank you for your support - we can’t wait to see you in August!
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January 2020 - Green Concept
January 2020 - Green Concept
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