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TNLA recently facilitated a tour at Native Texas Nursery in Austin alongside Katie Marschner of Congressman Greg Casar’s (D-Austin) office. The visit gave a firsthand look at a leading wholesale nursery operation and created an opportunity to highlight how people, plants, and policy intersect to support a strong and resilient green industry in Texas. A Texas Original  Founded in 1987 on just three acres in South Austin by Bill Carson, Native Texas Nursery began with a straightforward mission: providing high-quality native plants to area garden centers. Demand grew steadily, and by 2000 the nursery had expanded to seven acres, ultimately relocating to its current 40-acre site on Milo Road in East Austin to accommodate its growing operation. Today, it serves retail nurseries, landscape professionals, architects, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations across the state, a testament to its enduring relevance in Texas markets. Leadership and Legacy We were warmly welcomed by Emily Brown (Owner/CEO), whose leadership has guided Native through decades of market shifts. Emily spoke passionately about the integral role of her H-2A workforce, highlighting how long-tenured employees bring deep expertise and reliability to the nursery. This success underscores how critical a stable, experienced workforce is to the green industry. Long-tenured H-2A employees bring institutional knowledge that cannot be quickly replaced, from plant care and seasonal timing to mentoring newer staff. This continuity strengthens operations, improves efficiency, and ultimately benefits customers across Texas. It also highlights why reliable and predictable federal guest-worker programs are essential for nurseries and landscape businesses that depend on skilled seasonal labor to meet market demand. Leading much of the tour was James Plyler, Sales Manager, who has been with Native for over a decade. James’s familiarity with the nursery’s operations and his capacity to explain complex production and landscape supply concepts made him an ideal guide, and his involvement on the TNLA Education Committee underscores his dedication to industry education. James offered a beautiful insight into Native’s culture: “At this nursery, we don’t just grow plants…” — a reflection on how the company fosters growth in both plants and people alike. Also on hand was Mario Gonzalez who wore many hats in the operation. His quick wit and willingness to share stories made it clear he’s a vital part of the team the sort of person who quietly keeps things running and brings lightness to hard work. The depth of experience among Native’s staff highlights how much the industry depends on knowledge passed from one generation of workers to the next. Employees who have spent years mastering their craft contribute not only through their labor, but by teaching others and strengthening the overall operation. This kind of skill transfer reinforces the need for workforce policies that recognize horticulture as a profession built on expertise, training, and experience. Preparation  As the nursery prepared for a potential winter storm expected over the weekend, we saw firsthand how they ready their stock and staff for challenging weather. Trees were thoughtfully laid down and shielded in groups, revealing the nursery’s diligent planning. The nursery’s preparations reminded us of how closely the green industry is tied to Texas’s increasingly unpredictable weather. Thoughtful planning, protective measures, and lessons learned from past events like Winter Storm Uri demonstrate how nurseries adapt to safeguard both plants and people. As communities look for ways to strengthen resilience against extreme weather, the role of nurseries in recovery, replanting, and long-term landscape stability becomes even more important. Advocacy and Appreciation  Congressman Casar’s district staffer, Katie, was especially impressed by how Native Texas Nursery treats and retains its workforce, and by the pride and expertise employees bring to their roles. She shared that learning directly from businesses like this is critical. Understanding how the industry operates helps ensure our voices are better informed and more effectively heard. Hosting policymakers and their staff at member businesses like Native Texas Nursery helps bridge the gap between policy discussions and real-world operations. Seeing a nursery in action provides context that cannot be captured in briefing papers alone, from workforce dynamics to seasonal pressures and environmental challenges. These first-hand experiences help ensure that future policy decisions are better informed and more responsive to the realities of our industry. What This Means for Texas Landscapes Native Texas Nursery stands as a vibrant example of how a business can grow with, and for, the market. Its presence since 1987 shows a continuous commitment to quality, innovation, and people. Whether preparing for weather extremes, supporting skilled workers, or supplying diverse plant material that enhances urban and rural landscapes alike, Native’s model reflects what the nursery and landscape industry aspires to be.
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The Texas Nursery & Landscape Association recently helped bring a congressional district tour to Brazos Citrus Nursery in West Columbia, about 60 miles southwest of Houston. The nursery is owned and operated by George Shackelford, a second-generation citrus grower who also serves on the TNLA Board of Directors, and the visit included staff from Congressman Troy Nehls’ office who came out to see firsthand how citrus is grown and managed here on the Gulf Coast. Background: The Place, the People, and the IssuesGeorge Shackelford and his wife, Leah, welcomed everyone with coffee and donuts and took time to share the family history behind the nursery and what makes their operation unique   The conversation covered challenges that growers across the green industy are dealing with every day, including:
The Tour The tour kicked off by hopping into George’s truck and heading out to several greenhouses on the property. Before anyone stepped inside, staff got their first surprise: a decontamination chamber, where they were lightly sprayed with a human-friendly sterilization solution to prevent the spread of disease.
From there, it was through a series of double doors and powerful fans designed to keep any outside contamination from entering, followed by an overhead door for extra precaution. George explained that these steps may seem intense, but they’re necessary to protect young citrus trees. Inside the greenhouse, staff were met with rows of beautifully manicured three-gallon citrus trees, lined up neatly and thriving. George walked everyone through the careful, step-by-step process he follows to make sure every tree meets the highest standards before it ever leaves the nursery. One detail that caught the congressional staff’s attention: citrus trees in his nursery don’t see direct sunlight until they’re ready to be transported to market, a testament to just how controlled and intentional the growing process is.
As the tour continued across the property, it became clear just how much planning, precision, and hands-on care go into producing healthy citrus trees, long before they ever reach a customer. The Shackelfords  From the moment you meet George Shackelford, it feels less like a business visit and more like stopping by a family member’s place. He has a genuine, down-to-earth way about him that immediately puts people at ease. That humility is matched by a deep understanding of the citrus industry and an ability to adapt as the business and regulations change. By his side is his wife, Leah, who keeps a close eye on the financial side of the business and knows exactly how the operation is performing. Together, they make a strong, well-balanced team. George also serves on the TNLA Board of Directors, representing growers and bringing their perspective to the table. While citrus is the heart of the nursery, George also works in bamboo and other fruit as a wholesaler. A walk around the property reveals a few surprises as well, including exotic deer and well-fed cattle. The cattle actually started as a school project for their daughter, who decided she wanted to show cattle. George admits he questioned it at first, but today he has no regrets.  Why District Tours Matter District visits like this are a critical part of TNLA’s advocacy strategy. They allow policymakers and staff to see real businesses, hear directly from our members, and better understand why science-based policies matter for the green industry. George’s resilience and commitment to Texas agriculture shows the dedication required to operate in today’s environment. Interested in Hosting a Tour?Reach out to us to learn how TNLA can help coordinate a visit and showcase the impact of your business and our industry on the State of Texas. Contact TNLA’s Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Team
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AuthorKim Cabrera, TNLA Marketing Manager Archives
February 2026
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