TNLA Working for You E-Newsletter
November 5, 2021
UPCOMING TNLA EVENTS - DON'T MISS OUT GROWER SUMMIT November 16, 2022
LONE STAR HORT FORUM
TNLA AWARDS FESTIVAL
January 10-12, 2022
January 11, 2022
TNLA
Working for You It’s going to be BIG TIME!
Register today for TNLA’s Upcoming Events! Make New Connections, Enjoy a Growers Tour & Earn CEUs
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September 24,, 2021 - TNLA Working
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November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
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Table of Contents 03 Meeting & Events Calendar (Update TEIL & TGRA Application Entry Deadline Extended to Nov. 10th) Upcoming Region Meetings 04 TNLA Member Updates 05 TNLA Grower Summit in Taylor, TX on Nov. 16th 06 TNLA Lone Star Hort Forum in College Station, TX Jan. 10-12, 2022 07 TNLA Lone Star Hort Forum Tracks and Session Topics (Earn 8+ Hours of CEUs) 08 TNLA Awards Festival at the Lone Star Hort Forum Celebrating TEIL & TGRA Winners on Jan. 12, 2022 10 TNLA Legislative Updates 11 Article from Politico Pro, Port Backlog Worsens as Shipping Prices Soar 12 Check out the Latest Job Opportunities Available on the TNLA Career Center New TNLA Members New TNLA Certified Professionals 13 TNLA Foundation Scholarship DUE Dec. 15, 2021 14 TNLA Tailgate Topics: Aerification (Coring)
Meeting & Events Calendar Accepting Applications
TEIL & TGRA EXTENDED Due Nov. 10, 2021 More Info Here! November 16, 2021
Growers Summit Taylor, TX More Info Here! January 10-12, 2022
TNLA Lone Star Hort Forum More Info Here! Ad Index Inside Front Cover....OHP, Inc. Inside Back Cover...Hotchkiss Insurance
Upcoming Region Meetings Region I: Nov. 18 Click Here for info Region II: Dec. 7 Click Here for info Region V: Nov. 16 Click Here for info Help support the Foundation
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November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working For You
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TNLA Member Updates: DID YOU KNOW TNLA Extended the Deadline for TEIL and TGRA Award Application Submissions to Nov. 10th
CALLING ALL RETAILERS AND LANDSCAPERS, we know this has been a busy year and we want to give you the time you need to submit your Award Winning Projects. Get online today and submit your entries!!! The extended deadline is Nov. 10, 2021 to be entered to win. The Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards offers a variety of categories to enter your projects including: Commercial Installation, Commercial Maintenance, Residential Installation, Residential Maintenance, Special Project, Unique Features and Design. Click here for more information on how to apply. We can’t wait to see which prize-winning landscape firm will take away the title of BEST IN SHOW! The Texas Garden Retailer Awards program will celebrate award winning retail garden centers who are able to enter into one of two categories: Over 1 million in yearly revenue OR Under 1 million in yearly revenue. Judges will review TGRA applications for the retail garden center’s innovation, merchandising concepts and ability to create a staff culture within the garden center . You never know which Texas Garden Center will walk away with the title of RETAILER OF THE YEAR! Click here to find more information on how to apply. DON’T MISS OUT FWD.US offers FREE Texas Immigration Webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 10th from 1-2 pm CT Join this hour long virtual discussion featuring Texas elected officials, business advocacy leaders and more. Click here to Register. Panelists on the 2021 Texas Immigration Webinar include: • • • • •
Sergio Contreras, President & CEO, Rio Grande Valley Partnership Glenn Hamer, President and CEO, Texas Association of Business Melissa Stewart, Senior Executive Director, Texas Restaurant Association State Regions Javier Quiroz Castro, DACA Recipient & COVID-19 ICU Nurse Justin Yancy, President, Texas Business Leadership Council
Working For You Holiday Showcase ADVERTISE IN TNLA'S THE GREEN SHOP THINK DIFFERENT Showcase your products this DECEMBER in Working For You!
Your 1/4 product ad will be seen in TNLA's Dec. 10th Issue of Working For You, placed in Green Matters and also in select TNLA social media postings. Contact advertising@tnlaonline.org Artwork Deadline is Dec. 1, 2021
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November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working For You
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November 16, 2021 7:30AM- 4:30PM CST
Williamson County Expo Center 5530 Bill Pickett Trail Taylor, TX 76574
Grow your mind with these trending topics in the Industry Discover Texas Certified Clean Nursery (TCCN) & BMP's for Pest & Disease Find out about the TCCN Program and how to utilize its BMP strategies Glyphosate Regulations Learn about the latest processes in using Glyphosates Disaster Recovery Resources Gain information on the latest aid to help your company that is being offered by Federal Disaster Relief Efforts Tagging Trees Efficiently How to improve your nursery's ability to tag trees efficiently
Grades and Standards for Grower Operations - Panel Discussion Participants will gain insight on the industry's thoughts on grades and standards for growers in Texas The Future of Water Use for Grower Operations Explore the newest offerings in sustainable water technology solutions for your facilities Top Issues of the Day - Group Discussion 2021 packed in everything from COVID, the Winter Storm and Supply Chain Issues, the group will take a deep dive into discussing these issues and what it means for growers in the future
Earn 7 hours of TNLA CEUs & 5 hours of TDA CEUS
Scan to Register
Gold Sponsor
Brought to you by:
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November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
www.TNLAonline.org
Education Tour Socials BELOW IS A LIST OF PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS TAKING PART IN THE 2021 LAWN & GARDEN TAX HOLIDAY OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. THIS LIST IS AS OF MAY 26, 2021
Registration Schedule at a Glance All events and education held at the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center
Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 7:30 am - 8:15 am Registration 8:15am - 4:30 pm Full Day Education 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own) 5:10 pm - 6:30 pm Opening Night Reception Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 7:30 am - 8:00 am Registration 8:00 am - 9:45 pm Deep Dive Education Session 10:00 am - 4:30 pm Tour (Includes Boxed Lunch) 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm TNLA Awards Festival (sponsored by Leaf Lansdcape Supply) Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 8:30 am - 9:00 am Registration 9:30 am - 1:50 pm Keynote Brunch & Leadership Bootcamp Graduation
Industry Tour Only: $75 Member & $175 Non-Member Education Pass (Includes Monday Lunch & Reception, Tuesday Tour + Wednesday Keynote Brunch): $200 Member & $300 Non-Member
Register at www.TNLAonline.org or SCAN HERE
Hotel Info Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center Rates: $129/ night (includes free parking) Scan to Book
Brand Your Company by Becoming a Sponsor or Tabletop Exhibitor
Contact Amy@tnlaonline.org or call 512-579-3858
This program made possible in part through Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue funded through the City of College Station.
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November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
This program made possible in part through Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue funded through the City of College Station.
www.TNLAonline.org
*as of November 1, 2021, schedule subject to change
BELOW IS A LIST OF PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS TAKING PART IN THE 2021 LAWN & GARDEN TAX HOLIDAY OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. THIS LIST IS AS OF MAY 26, 2021
January 10, 2022
Welcome & Morning Group Session 8:15 am - 8:50 pm
Economic Recovery in a Post-COVID Environment with Dr. Charlie Hall
BREAKOUTS (Lunch on Your Own)
Plants & Trends 9:00 am - 10:00 am
TRENDS! New Plants Coming into the Scene in 2022 with Dr. Brent Pemberton
10:10 am - 11:10 am TRENDS! The Hype about this Year's Most Popular Colors, Speaker TBD 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm
Educate Staff to Train Customers to Become Successful Plant Owners with Kristi Long
Create Your New Reality I 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Labor Situations, Speaker TBD
10:40 am - 12:00 pm Issues of the Day, a Post Pandemic Review - Panel Discussion
Create Your New Reality I I 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Diversity - Connecting the Dots, Speaker TBD
10:10 am - 11:10 am Recruitment & Retention of Early-Career Talent with Giuesspe Baldi, TCLP, TCWSP, TCNP 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm
Cyber Security, Speaker TBD
Sustainability Issues
9:00 am - 10:00 am 10:10 am - 11:10 am 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm
Overcoming Water Issues: Developing a Statewide ET Network with Dr. Charles Swanson Soil and Water Sustainability Tips for Plants with Dr. Becky Bowling Sustainability Issues Impacting the Green Industry, Speaker TBD
GROUP DEEP DIVE 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Avoiding Employee Burnout (Deep Dive Session), Speaker TBD
January 11, 2022 GROUP DEEP DIVE 8:00 am - 9:45 am
Work Life Balance for Today's High Performing Green Industry Professional (Deep Dive Session), Speaker TBD
January 12, 2022
KEYNOTE BRUNCH AND LEADERSHIP BOOTCAMP GRADUATION 11:50 am - 12:50 pm Take Ownership of Leadership with Keynote Speaker, Bryan Dodge
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November 5,, 2021 - TNLA Working
Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
JUMP INTO THE NEW YEAR BY CELEBRATING THIS YEAR'S WINNERS
Registration Sponsored Round Table (Seats 10): $800 Per Table Individual Round Table Seating: $60 Per Person Individual Free Flow Standing Only: $45 Per Person
Sponsored Cafe Tables (Seats 4): $350 Per Table
Individual Cafe Table Seating: $55 Per Person
Make New Connections, Enjoy Award Winning Projects and Be Seen by the Best Companies in the Green Industry!
Register at www.TNLAonline.org or SCAN HERE
Thank you to our sponsor:
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November 5,, 2021 - TNLA Working
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November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
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Legislative & Regulatory Updates WHIP+ Extension for 2020 & 2021 Congress passed $10 billion in funding for the extension of the WHIP+ program, providing disaster relief payments to producers impacted by weather related disasters in 2020 & 2021. Included in the provisions were the requirement to also extend payment limits per entity applying for aid. In some cases, this may reduce the nursery businesses that choose to apply due to the financial tradeoffs of the program requirements. Specialty crops did get designated a higher payout limit which is a positive development so that the payout closer reflects the average Winter Storm Uri loss for businesses. Consider attending the TNLA Grower Summit where the program specialist from the state Farm Service Agency will present on the WHIP+ program and other relief programs available for nurseries. It should be noted that the WHIP+ program and the relief payments are not accessible yet as the USDA prepares to write the rules for eligibility in the coming months. Specifics on what passed in the WHIP+ package are found HERE OSHA Heat Standard Targeting Texas; Initial Comment Period Open OSHA has published their initial statement on the development of the new federal heat standard. The ANPR document requests input from industry and advocacy groups in developing the standard with 114 questions. As stated in the document released, OSHA will be looking at data from Texas and California noting the states lead the nation in heat-related deaths. I would encourage green industry business owners to read through the OSHA release and consider the comments from their business perspective. TNLA will be making comments at the appropriate time. The comment period for this initial opportunity closes on December 27th. You can find the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) HERE. Congressional Meetings Wrap Up TNLA just wrapped up a slate of Congressional meetings on the need for reforms to the H-2A and H-2B programs. The discussions were highly productive, in some cases, educating new staff about the H2 programs and their importance to Texas. I want to say a quick word of thanks for the volunteers who participated, including those who did this type of event for the first time. Following the meetings, we feel several of the Texas congressional delegation are much closer to supporting HR 3897 to provide permanent H-2B cap relief. Congressman Vincente Gonzalez’ staff let TNLA know on Friday that they would be co-sponsoring the bill – a significant win for our industry. H-2B First Half Cap Hit on Record Pace The H-2B first half cap was hit earlier than ever before, indicating there is likely to be record demands on the capped program for FY 22. TNLA has been messaging Congress on the need for cap relief through the TNLA Legislative Action Center all year long. In partnership with the H-2B Workforce Coalition, our industry has lobbied Congress for immediate cap relief for FY 22 utilizing the appropriations process. At this point, the House Appropriations bill for the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) has stronger language in the bill directing the administration to release up to 46,000 supplemental visas. For the first time in several years, the Senate version of the DHS funding bill also has language which also allows for supplemental H-2B visas. Given that both chambers’ bills reflect this language, we have hope when Congress finalizes the funding package, we will have firmer ground to ask the Biden administration to release supplemental visas earlier and in greater volume. Based on intel out of Washington D.C., employers can expect the administration to set aside a certain amount of the supplemental visas for the “golden triangle” countries.
November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
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November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
Check out the Latest Job Opportunities Available on TNLA’s Career Center Landscape Design/Enhancement Specialist; Houston, Texas; Prewett, Read & Associates Supervisor, Streetscapes; The Woodlands, Texas; The Woodlands Township Head Gardener; Fort Davis, Texas; Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute Project Manager; Fort Worth, Texas; MBL Inc. landscape laborers; Houston, Texas; McDugald Steele Inside Sales Representative; Seagoville, Texas; Green Lake Nursery landscape laborer; Houston, Texas; McDugald Steele Vegetation Maintenance Specialist 1; Johnson City, Texas; Pedernales Electric Cooperative Assistant Director II - Landscape & Campus Services; Huntsville, Texas; Sam Houston State University Landscape Services Supervisor; Huntsville, Texas; Sam Houston State University Assistant Superintendent; Austin, Texas; The University of Texas Golf Club Landscape Services Assistant Supervisor; Huntsville, Texas; Sam Houston State University
For additional information on how to register your company to post a position or post your resume, click here.
NEW TNLA MEMBERS: REGION 2 Supplier Business CH Products LLC Curt Hummel Cypress, TX REGION 3 Retail Business Gray's Nursery & Garden Center Dana Gray Mineola, TX
New TNLA Certified Professionals: TCNP Steven Kavanaugh, Calloway's Nursery Amber Cox, Calloway's Nursery TCWSP Raul Rivera, Town of Addison TCLA Brandy Egger, Windham Instructor
November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
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The Texas Nursery & Landscape Association Foundation established a scholarship program for students interested in the field of Horticulture. If you are a deserving student interested in this field of study, please go to the following website for more details: https://tnla.awardsplatform.com/. The DEADLINE for completing on-line applications for the 2022-2023 school year is December 15, 2021. Only electronic applications using the website above will be accepted. 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 the deadline. The Foundation Trustees have stressed the importance of having good personal references accompany the scholarship Newreferences TNLA Certified application form -- many times it is the personal thatProfessionals: 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) 579-3863 or cheryl@tnlaonline.org.
November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
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TNLA Tailgate Topics: Aerification (Coring)
Objective: Participants will be able to correctly identify the steps to take when using a core aerifier when treating compacted soils or thatch of turf. APPLICATION: Using a spading fork or other aeration tool, have participants practice aerating an area of lawn. Participants should know why a lawn needs to be aerated and the results of aeration. Make sure participants are taking the proper precautions when using aeration equipment. Often times insects, diseases, improper watering, and lack of fertilizer are blamed for a lawn’s decline. Many times the real culprit is soil compaction. The best method to reduce soil compaction, improve water penetration, and aid in thatch control is to aerify (core) the soil. Aerator equipment has hollow tines or spoon-type times that extract soil cores from the turf. The soil core diameter and length varies with the type and strength of the equipment. Heavier equipment will give rise to deeper penetration. The type of grass will determine if aeration is needed in the fall or spring. Aerify on a day when temperatures are mild and soil is moderately moist. Aerating when soil is wet leads to greater compaction. Soil cores should be broken up and worked back into the turf (by dragging, raking, matting, or shattering) or should be left on the lawn to be broken up by rainfall and traffic. Always go over the lawn twice, once in one direction, then in a perpendicular direction. When using an aerator take the following precautions to ensure a safe and proper aeration. 1. Become familiar with the equipment before you begin using it. 2. Check all belts and chains for wear and make any adjustments before starting. (Safety Requirement) 3. Remove any debris that may come in contact with the aerator. Flag irrigation heads before starting. (Safety Requirement) 4. Operate the equipment at a safe and consistent speed. (Safety Requirement) 5. Never operate the equipment over a sidewalk or paved surface. (Safety Requirement) 6. Always operate the aerator in a safe manner.
November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working For You
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November 5, 2021 - TNLA Working
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