TNLA Working for You February 28, 2020

Be First in the Know with News and Updates from TNLA! FEBRUARY 28, 2020

TNLA Working For You

Let Us Show You What You Missed at the First Annual Product Rodeo & Education Corral in Fort Worth, TX

TABLE OF CONTENTS TNLA Working For You Cover Feature:

What Did You Miss at the Product Rodeo & Education Corral?

Member News You Need to Know -Young Leader & Summit Nominations -2020 Texas Green Industry Compensation Study & Benefits Survey -TNLA Green Magazine Next Issue Events -Product Rodeo & Education Corral Recap -Nursery/Landscape EXPO 2020

Legislative & Regulatory -H-2B Cap Has Officially Been Hit -TNLA Leadership Meets with ASSET Coalition -4-H Leadership Council Meets in Austin Education - Certification Renewal Around the Corner

MEETINGS & EVENTS March 3, 2020 Region II Meeting Houston Botanic Gardens

March 26-27, 2020 West Texas Workshop Alpine, TX

March 6-7, 2020 Region IV Days of Service Texans Can Academy

April 14, 2020 Region II Meeting Rancho Encino Tree Farm

March 25, 2020 Region IV Meeting Dallas Arboretum

May 12, 2020 Region II Meeting Newton Nursery

May 12, 2020 Region IV Social Bruce Miller Nursery

EVENTS & CEU OPPORTUNITIES

TNLA WEBINARS

EARN 1 CEU PER WEBINAR

CATEGORIES INCLUDING:

Business Management Pest & Disease Management Economic Updates Legislative & Regulatory Updates And More!

TNLA GREEN CEU QUIZ January/February

March 26-27, 2020 | Alpine, TX

Register Today!

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

YOUNG LEADER & SUMMIT NOMINATIONS Each year, TNLA recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements in the Green Industry with Young Leader Awards and Summit Awards. Nominations for these awards are currently being accepted!

Please help TNLA honor individuals and Member companies doing great work in out industry by submitting nominations by May 15!

Go to www.tnlaonline.org today to submit your nomination!

2020 TEXAS GREEN INDUSTRY COMPENSATION STUDY & BENEFITS SURVEY 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.

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

TNLA GREEN MAGAZINE TNLA's Green Magazine is excited to shine a light on the women in horticulture in its next May/June issue. Support TNLA as we showcase the diversity of the Green Industry in Texas by partnering with us as an Advertiser in this upcoming issue!

The deadline to advertise is March 27, 2020, click the link below for more information or call 512-579-3861 or email advertising@TNLAonline.org. https://www.tnlaonline.org/uploads/7/7/5/3/77532106/2020_tnla_media_kit__2.5.20_wit h_ai_for_2020_web.pdf

A WORD FROM THE STATE Events

Hear it straight from the State Office

PRODUCT RODEO & EDUCATION CORRAL RECAP

Industry professionals from across the State came together to be a part of the action at TNLA’s newest event, the Product Rodeo & Education Corral.

This event was held on February 26-27, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas at the Will Rogers Memorial Center’s Watt Arena. Product Rodeo shined a light on the industry latest innovations as outdoor equipment and machinery were powered up and put to work right before our eyes!

While at the Product Rodeo & Education Corral, Participants were able to: Test the power and performance of the industry’s latest gear and cutting-edge technology first-hand Discover the industry’s latest innovations during the Rodeo’s LIVE demonstrations Learn how to Create A Remarkable Experience in the workplace with employee engagement specialist and Keynote Presenter, Peter Van Stralen Pump up their team’s excitement while throwing it all on the line during some fierce cornhole competitions Kick up some dirt during the Rodeo’s Wednesday night Welcome Party Power up their business’ social network by meeting one-on-one with Industry Professionals Help to fundraise for scholarships during Thursday’s TNLA’s Foundation raffle and lunch Join other women professionals in the industry to together and enjoy "From High Heels to Work Boots!" with industry leader and Keynote Veronica Seever from Leaf Landscape Supply Getaway with their team to hit the reset button before the busy Spring business season arrives while enjoying all that Fort Worth had to offer Maximize their time and gain much needed CEUs at the Education Corral by attending education sessions focused on retail, landscaping, irrigation, and hardscapes.

A WORD FROM THE STATE Events

Hear it straight from the State Office

PRODUCT RODEO & EDUCATION CORRAL Check Out Our Facebook Page for More Photos Coming Soon!

Find us at: www.facebook.com/TNLAonline/

A WORD FROM THE STATE Events

Hear it straight from the State Office

NURSERY/LANDSCAPE EXPO 2020 Spring is about to be Sprung! Get ahead of the busy season by planning your EXPO Getaway Today! You will not want to miss out on special hotel discounts and the chance to SAVE by Registering NOW

Register Here: https://events.ats-leads.com/TNLA20/ Book Your Hotel Here: https://www.nurserylandscapeexpo.org/attendee-info/#_travel San Antonio is home to the Alamo and host to some of the most exciting attractions in Texas. As a TNLA member when you attend EXPO you have special access to save on tickets to places such as SIX FLAGS FIESTA TEXAS! Six Flags Fiesta Texas & Water Park is offering a discount for EXPO participants for tickets at LOW AS $21, depending on when you book. To take advantage of these savings click here.

Stay on the lookout for more information coming soon on this year’s Nursery/Landscape EXPO by visiting www.nurserylandscapeexpo.org.

A WORD FROM THE STATE Legislative & Regulatory Hear it straight from the State Office

H-2B CAP HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN HIT This Wednesday afternoon the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal 2020 was reached in February 18.

We are hoping that DHS will promptly release additional visas as is authorized under the law, but no official announcement has been made to date. During testimony before the House and Senate Appropriations Committee this week, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Wolf said that a final decision has not yet been made about the amount of additional H-2B visas that the Department may make available to seasonal business.

Last Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to release an additional 45,000 supplemental H-2B visas for fiscal year 2020, although the article does state that these are preliminary numbers and not final. The article also states that the visas could be released in two batches: the first 20,000 will be immediately available upon the release of a DHS rule, while employers can apply for the remaining slots starting June 1.

TNLA along with the H-2B Workforce Coalition members and our allies in Congress continue to ask DHS to immediately release all 64,716 supplemental visas authorized under the law, reserving no more than 5,000 visas for businesses with a date of need after April 1.

Did you like seeing these updates? For access to member-only Legislative and Regulatory updates subscribe to the TNLA Leader List for periodic newsletters

A WORD FROM THE STATE Legislative & Regulatory Hear it straight from the State Office

TNLA LEADERSHIP MEETS WITH ASSET COALITION TNLA President Amy Graham and Director Ryan Skrobarczyk met with the other partners in the ASSET Coalition this week to discuss the ongoing fight against municipal ordinances creating new regulations on employment practices. The ASSET Coalition came together in the wake of cities which chose to pass mandatory paid sick leave ordinances over the past year. New employment regulation challenges are on the horizon and the Legislature will be convening a committee to review these issues. TNLA remains an engaged partner in ASSET to ensure our businesses are represented at the forefront of these issues.

4-H LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEETS IN AUSTIN Director Ryan Skrobarczyk was invited to meet with the students and faculty who comprise the various 4-H Leadership groups on their Capitol trip where they explored legal and political issues facing agriculture. The invited topic for discussion was the issue of labor shortages within the overall Ag industry.

Obviously, this is an ongoing principal issue for the entire Texas Green Industry and TNLA's objective in attending was to help educate the next generation of leaders entering a portion of our industry.

Did you like seeing these updates? For access to member-only Legislative and Regulatory updates subscribe to the TNLA Leader List for periodic newsletters

A WORD FROM THE STATE Education

Hear it straight from the State Office

CERTIFICATION RENEWALS DUE JUNE 2020 Certification renewal time is right around the corner, and we wanted to remind you while there is still time to take advantage of our many CEU opportunities.

Some ways to earn your CEUs by June include: Attending the Product Rodeo Education Corral in the Retail/Landscape Track which includes Business Savvy with McFarlin Stanford Watch TNLA Webinars and turn in a CEU form Take the CEU Quiz in an Issue of TNLA Green Magazine

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THE IRRIGATION ASSOCIATION LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR MEMBERSHIP DUES

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

ONE DAY ADMISSION TO PARK INCLUDING RIDES & ATTRACTIONS

Back Your PAC! DONATE ITEMS FOR THE PAC AUCTION The Second Annual TNLA PAC Auction will be held at the 2020 EXPO! We are accepting donations of all kinds to help raise funds for TNLA PAC. Donations may vary from trips & tickets to items such as: guns, artwork, industry equipment, and more!

Contact ryan@tnlaonline.org for questions & inquiries.

ACCEPTING DONATIONS NOW UNTIL JUNE 30

Political advertising paid for by TNLA PAC | 7730 S IH 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78745

STAY ENGAGED BY UTILIZING TNLA'S ADVOCACY TOOLS LEADER LIST BRINGING YOU THE LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

A TNLA member-exclusive benefit, this newsletter is sent out with political notices, Legislative alerts, and highlights of TNLA advocacy work. Sign up and during the Texas Legislative session receive a weekly newsletter featuring all of the Green Industry related action.

THE GREEN REPORT PODCAST BRINGING YOU INTERVIEWS WITH LEADERS AND LEGISLATORS

ON NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

TNLA's Legislative and Regulatory Director, Ryan Skrobarczyk gets to the roots in the Texas State Capital with guests including Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, State Representative Drew Springer, and State Representative Mary Gonzales. The Green Report covers all hot topics including Hemp, H-2B, Paid Sick Leave and more!

LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER GET ENGAGED WITH YOUR LEADERS AND STAY UP-TO-DATE ON CURRENT ISSUES

We are all stronger when acting together so be sure to check on the TNLA Legislative Action Center. Here is where you can participate in our grassroots campaigns concerning federal and state issues. With the ease of pushing a button, send electronic communication directly to your elected official on the issues that matter to your business.

GET STARTED AT TNLAONLINE.ORG TODAY!

March 26 - 27, 2020

THE HOLLAND HOTEL Billiard Room

209 W HOLLAND AVE ALPINE, TEXAS 79830

5 TNLA ,4 ISA and 4 LA CES CEUs Available!

COST Member: $110 Non Member: $125

REGISTER TODAY AT WEB.TNLAONLINE.ORG/EVENTS Thursday, March 26 100-230 130-330 330-345 345-515 515-615

Optional Tour of the West Texas Native Seeds Project; Texas Native Seeds Program Registration Welcome & Intros The AWESOMENESS of Chihuahua Desert Flora & Fauna Reception

Friday, March 27 730-800 Breakfast/Coffee & Intros 800-900 Great Plants for Trans-Pecos Landscapes – Jackie Lyle, Civano Growers 910-940 A West Texas Xeriscape – Seth Hamby CDRI Nature Center 950-1050 West Texas Pocket Prairies – Native Prairie Association of Texas 1100-1200 The Unique Ecosystem of the Trans-Pecos – Michael Eason 1200-100 LUNCH ON YOUR OWN 130-500 Shuttled to a guided tour of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute *subject to change

Thank you to our sponsors:

For questions contact Sara Fern at sara@tnlaonline.org or 512-579-3853