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Celebrating 25 Years of Growth Together
Spring is in full swing, and we know that means long days, full schedules, and little time to stop and plan ahead. As you dive into your busiest season, TNLA is here to help—offering on-demand training, industry insights, and resources to keep your business growing. This year is extra special as we celebrate 25 years of supporting the green industry. Whether you’re a Grower, Landscaper, Retailer, or Supplier, our industry is stronger because of professionals like you. Let’s make this season a time for growth—not just for plants, but for businesses and teams. Growers & Rewholesalers: Stay Ahead This Spring
Landscapers: Tools to Keep Projects Running Smoothly
Irrigation & Water Management: Stay Compliant and Efficient
Retailers: Make the Most of Spring Sales
🔧 Suppliers: Expand Your Network & Opportunities
Members you will need to use your individual member ID as your user name and type in your password when logging into Path LMS. If you need help resetting your password or locating your individual member ID contact [email protected] or call 512-579-3854 or try 512-579-3853 Monday-Friday Let’s Grow Together This spring, don’t just survive the season—thrive with TNLA’s 25 years of industry support behind you. Whether you need CEUs, workforce training, leadership resources, or networking opportunities, we’ve got you covered. Ready to make the most of your membership? ✔️ Access FREE & CEU-approved webinars ✔️ Get workforce training in English & Spanish ✔️ Register for TNLA EXPO & industry events 🔗 tnlaonline.org
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 In this industry, we know that every project is more than just a job—it’s a reflection of dedication, skill, and passion. The Texas Excellence in Landscaping (TEIL) Awards were created to recognize the heart and hard work that go into shaping Texas landscapes, from small community gardens to large-scale commercial projects. The TEIL Awards celebrate the people behind the projects—the ones who brave the elements, tackle challenges head-on, and take pride in bringing landscapes to life. If that sounds like you and your team, we hope you’ll consider sharing your story this year. Why Enter? It’s About More Than an Award. We hear it from past winners all the time: receiving a TEIL Award isn’t just about recognition—it’s about:
Now’s the Time to Start Capturing Your Work! Great projects don’t happen overnight, and neither do great award applications. If you’re considering entering, now’s the time to start gathering photos and details:
Important Dates
✔ Applications Opened: March 1, 2025 Deadline to Apply: September 29, 2025 Winners Announced: January 2026 at the TNLA Awards Festival There’s plenty of time, but the best applications come from projects that are well-documented and thoughtfully shared—so start collecting your materials now. If you’ve ever considered entering, this is your year. We’d love to see your work and celebrate the incredible things happening in Texas landscaping. 👉 Start Your TEIL Award Application And if you have any questions, just reach out to Aimee Pledger by emailing her at [email protected] or call her at 512-579- 3864—we’re here to help. Here’s to another year of growth, creativity, and hard work!  The Texas Capitol was buzzing with green industry leaders as TNLA members from across the state gathered for our annual TNLA Legislative Day—a day dedicated to advocating, educating, and influencing the policies that shape our industry. This wasn’t just another visit to Austin. It was a statement of strength, a clear message to legislators that Texas’ nursery and landscape professionals are engaged, united, and ready to fight for the future of our businesses. The highlight of the day came when TNLA was officially recognized on the Texas House Floor, marking "TNLA Day at the Texas Capitol." This recognition was more than ceremonial—it was a testament to the industry’s growing influence and commitment to advocacy.  Our members also had the chance to hear from policy experts who shape agriculture and water legislation, including House Agriculture & Livestock Committee Chairman Ryan Guillen and Andrew Parks, Committee Director for Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Chairman Charles Perry. Their insights reinforced why TNLA’s voice in the Capitol is essential as lawmakers tackle water policy, workforce issues, and regulations that affect our businesses. At the end of the day, one thing was clear: TNLA members made a difference. We showed up. We spoke up. And we built relationships that will help protect and advance our industry.
Take Action: Your Voice is Needed! While TNLA Legislative Day was a success, our work isn’t done. Every TNLA member has a role to play in protecting and advancing our industry. Even if you weren’t able to join us at the Capitol, you can still make an impact from home. ✔️ Find your State Representative and Senator and reach out to them about the issues that matter to TNLA: Find My Legislator ✔️ Learn more about TNLA’s legislative priorities and key bills we support this session: TNLA Legislative Priorities ✔️ Encourage your colleagues and fellow TNLA members to get involved! The more voices legislators hear, the stronger our impact will be. The decisions made at the Capitol affect your business, and it’s up to us to ensure lawmakers understand our industry’s value. TNLA’s strength is in its members. Let’s keep fighting for our industry—together  Honoring Women’s History Month In the horticulture industry, true leadership is defined by the ability to cultivate growth—not just in plants, but in people. Kylie Diaz, M.S., at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), exemplifies this vision by spearheading the creation and growth of a dynamic new Horticulture Program. As a dedicated program leader, Ph.D. student, and mother, Kylie masterfully balances multiple responsibilities to shape the industry's future leaders. Under her leadership, the Horticulture Program at WTAMU is already making strides. From an initial group of eight students, enrollment is expected to double by next fall. Kylie’s approach combines classroom education, practical experience, and strategic partnerships, ensuring students are well-prepared to meet industry demands. Forging Industry Connections Kylie understands the importance of connecting students directly with the horticulture industry. She has actively developed partnerships with key organizations such as the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) and industry sponsors, including the TNLA Region VI Board & TNLA Members, Wolfe Nursery Direct. These partnerships have enabled students to access valuable certifications like the Texas Certified Landscape Associate (TCLA), enhancing their career opportunities and competitiveness. Kylie emphasizes the importance of these partnerships, stating, “Students aren’t just learning horticulture; they're actively shaping its future. The connections they build today will sustain their careers tomorrow.” Hands-On Learning for Real-World Impact Kylie has implemented several practical learning opportunities:
Leadership and Advocacy Kylie’s leadership goes beyond her professional roles; she is a strong advocate for women in agriculture and horticulture. As a mother and Ph.D. student, her personal journey illustrates resilience and dedication. Balancing family life, rigorous academics, teaching responsibilities, and program leadership, she remains committed to paving the way for future generations. “Balancing everything isn’t easy,” Kylie reflects, “but witnessing students succeed and grow makes all the effort worthwhile. We're building something meaningful and lasting.” Looking Ahead The WTAMU Horticulture Program, under Kylie’s guidance and with TNLA’s continued support, is set for ongoing growth and industry impact. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we proudly recognize Kylie Diaz for her remarkable contributions to horticulture education and her inspiring role in shaping the future of our industry. Want to Support the Future of Horticulture? Connect with Kylie Diaz at [email protected] to learn how your business can help support and nurture tomorrow’s horticulture leaders.  You may have seen that President Trump has announced another 30-day pause on tariffs for "USMCA-compliant goods" coming from Canada and Mexico. Under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), products qualify for trade benefits if they are entirely made in one of the three countries or meet strict regional value standards—usually 75% or higher. Based on these criteria, peat moss should qualify for this 30 day pause on tariffs, though TNLA members should talk to their suppliers for confirmation.
This latest pause is a positive sign, but it is not permanent. We are continuing to push for long-term solutions, and momentum is building. Just this week, House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) specifically raised the importance of peat moss with the White House: “I absolutely am weighing in … things like potash, nitrogen, I’d throw peat moss in there, too, because that’s important to horticulture and mushroom growers,” Thompson said in a Politico article. “I’m not bashful about weighing in with the White House. I got a great relationship with everyone, including the president. The worst thing that can happen is they’ll say no.” What happens next? We are working with a coalition of partners who have sent letters to key leaders, including:
Our message is clear: ✅ Exclude sphagnum peat moss and peat-based products from any tariffs, or ✅ Grant peat moss "critical mineral" status, which could protect it from future trade restrictions. In the meantime, things remain extremely fluid at the federal level. The situation in Washington, D.C., is being described as chaotic, with many industries scrambling to protect their supply chains from unexpected tariffs. TNLA is working hard to protect our industry’s access to critical materials like peat moss, and we will keep you updated every step of the way. Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, (Coleoptera:Buprestidae) is a serious pest of all north American ash (Fraxinus spp.) white fringe tree (Chiananthus virginicus), and European Olive (Olea europaea) of all sizes. This pest is a small beetle (0.25-0.50 inches in length, 0.06 inches wide) with a bright metallic green color and coppery-red abdominal segments under the wings. They have long, narrow bodies that are rounded on the bottom and flat on the top. The life cycle of EAB includes eggs, larvae, pupa and adult stages. The larvae are 1-1.25 inches long, flattened, translucent pale-yellow color with a wide tan head, and 10 abdominal segments that are bell-shaped creating a serrated look. There are five larval instars of EAB. Emerald ash borers are phloem and cambium-feeding insects. Minor damage is done by adult EAB which feeds on ash foliage, leaving irregularly shaped leaf margins. Larval stages cause significant damage by building galleries below bark in the phloem and cambium layers (producing new wood and conductive tissues). Larval feeding injury cause tree girdling, disrupting the transport of water and nutrients leading to the tree's death. Infested ash trees show symptoms including vertical bark splitting, serpentine (s-shaped) galleries behind outer bark, D-shaped exit holes from adult beetles (1/8 inch wide on the bark surface), canopy thinning, crown/branch dieback, epicormic shoots (suckers) from the base/lower trunk/branches and increased activity of woodpeckers. Larvae can survive in greenwood, firewood, and logs when the bark is attached, capable of spreading EAB from one place to another. The emerald ash borer (EAB), native to East Asia, was first detected in Michigan, U.S., in 2002. In Texas, EAB was identified in Harrison County in 2016 and has since spread to 27 additional counties as of July 2024, with 11 new infestations in just one year. This invasive pest threatens North America's hardwood forests and nursery stock, killing unprotected ash trees, causing substantial aesthetic, ecological, and economic damage to urban forests. Human-assisted spread of EAB in Texas has been accelerated by movement of infested nursery ash trees, logs, landscape waste, and firewood, has accelerated EAB movement in Texas. These activities have played a significant role in the rapid spread of this invasive pest across the state. According to Texas A&M Forest Service, the management of EAB (treatment, removal of dead trees, processing debris, and replacement of trees) would cost more than $29 billion over the next 20 years in Texas. Chemical treatments, such as drenching or foliar applications, are currently the only effective method to protect ash trees infested by emerald ash borer (EAB). These treatments are most effective for trees with less than 30% canopy decline and for susceptible trees within a 30-mile radius of known EAB infestations.  Figure 1. Adult Emerald ash borer (EAB). Photo courtesy, Randy King  Figure 2. Emarald ash borer-infested ash trees with more than 50% canopy loss. Photo courtesy Daniel Herms, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org. Questions? Please contact Rafia Khan Assistant Professor Extension Entomologist
In today’s fast-paced Green Industry, having strong, adaptable leaders is essential for long-term business success. But leadership isn’t something that just happens—it’s developed, refined, and strengthened over time. That’s where TNLA Leadership Bootcamp comes in. This exclusive, industry-specific leadership development program is designed to equip professionals with the practical skills, confidence, and industry connections they need to grow into effective managers and future leaders. Why Enroll One of Your Employees? Investing in leadership training isn’t just about developing an individual—it’s about strengthening your entire business. Here’s how sending a team member to TNLA Leadership Bootcamp can benefit your company: ✅ Build Stronger Leaders – Develop confident, capable employees who can take initiative, manage teams, and solve problems effectively.  ✅ Increase Employee Retention – Employees who feel valued and invested in are more likely to stay, reducing turnover and increasing loyalty.  ✅ Gain Immediate Business Impact – Participants don’t just learn theory—they get real-world strategies they can implement immediately to improve operations and team dynamics.  ✅ Expand Your Network – Through roundtable discussions, facility tours, and one-on-one mentorship, participants build valuable connections with industry leaders.  ✅ Future-Proof Your Business – A strong leadership pipeline ensures your business is prepared for growth, succession planning, and industry changes.  What Participants Will Experience The four-part program (August 2025 – January 2026) includes: 📍 32+ Hours of Leadership Training – Hands-on education to build management and leadership skills. 📍 10+ Hours of Exclusive Facility Tours – Firsthand insights into successful operations. 📍 One-on-One Mentorship – Guidance from experienced industry professionals. 📍 Self-Assessment & Personal Development – Helping participants understand their leadership style. 📍 Complimentary Registration – To TNLA’s 2025 Nursery/Landscape EXPO (San Antonio) and 2026 Lone Star Hort Forum (Grapevine). Session Schedule
With only 20 seats available, this program fills up fast. The member rate of $1,000 is available until June 11, 2025. 📩 Apply Now: Application Link Learn More: TNLA Leadership Bootcamp Questions? Contact Sarah Riggins: [email protected] Congratulations to the TNLA Leadership Bootcamp Class IV of 2024-2025  Two key leaders in the Texas Legislature have filed major proposals that could dedicate $1 billion every year to support water projects across Texas. This money would be in addition to the $2.5 billion of one-time funding which is in both the House and Senate budgets.
To make this happen, they are proposing constitutional amendments. In Texas, this is the only way to automatically set aside state funding for a specific purpose, like water, and protect it from shifting priorities in future legislative sessions. For these amendments to become reality, they’ll need two-thirds approval from lawmakers and voter approval in November. Here’s a quick look at the two approaches:
Both of these proposals are significant steps toward securing long-term, reliable water funding for Texas, and TNLA is actively monitoring and engaging on your behalf as these ideas move through the legislative process. |
TNLA StaffInterpersonal stories all from TNLA Archives
October 2025
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