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TNLA is thrilled to introduce our new "Working for You" Blog!
Stay updated on member events and news that impact the TNLA community. In addition, check out our Green Matters Weekly Newsletter for industry news |
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On June 30, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) introduced a bipartisan bill that would deliver the first statutory reform to the H-2A visa program since it was created under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. That's 40 years without an update to a program that green industry employers across Texas increasingly depend on. Chairman Thompson didn't mince words when he introduced the bill: "Congress has not updated the H-2A visa program since Ronald Reagan was president of the United States, and if you ask anyone who used the program, they'll say that you can tell." He's right and TNLA members who have wrestled with H-2A's paperwork, unpredictable wage rules, and rigid seasonal limits know it firsthand. Why This Bill Matters to TNLA Members The bill directly addresses several of the pain points our growers face every season. And while the most direct impact falls on them, a more stable H-2A program affects the entire green industry supply chain, from the retail nurseries selling what's grown to the suppliers who serve every business in between.
Even TNLA members who don't directly hire H-2A workers feel the impact of labor instability upstream. When growers can't staff up reliably, it means fewer plants on retail shelves, delayed installs, and softer demand for everything suppliers provide. A more predictable, workable H-2A program strengthens the entire Texas green industry pipeline, not just the businesses using the visas directly. Simply put: this is the most significant attempt in a generation to modernize a labor program that has an outsized impact on our entire industry and that you continue to see are being pushed toward as workforce shortages continue to squeeze the Texas green industry. Take Action Today Legislation this significant only moves with a full chorus of industry voices behind it. TNLA needs you to tell your member of Congress that H-2A reform can't wait another 40 years, whether your business grows it, installs it, sells it, or supplies it. Visit TNLA's Action Center on VoterVoice to send a message to your representative urging them to support and cosponsor H.R. 9535, the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act: 👉 www.votervoice.net/TNLA/Home It takes less than five minutes — VoterVoice will identify your congressman based on your address and let you send a pre-drafted (and fully editable) message directly to their office. The more Texas green industry voices Congress hears, the stronger the case for getting this bill across the finish line. As always, TNLA will keep members updated as this legislation moves in Congress. If you have questions about how this bill could affect your operation, reach out to TNLA's advocacy team.
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How the Right Connection Can Help You Solve Problems Faster When people think about attending a tradeshow, they often focus on the education sessions, exhibits, or products on the show floor. Those things matter. But ask long-time industry professionals why they keep coming back to Nursery/Landscape EXPO, and you’ll often hear a different answer: The people For Billy Long, Past TNLA Chair and longtime industry leader, the value of EXPO comes down to relationships.
In an industry where businesses are working through labor challenges, supplier changes, rising costs, and day-to-day problem-solving, having the right people to call can make a real difference. Sometimes the answer isn’t found online. Sometimes it’s found in a conversation. Why It Matters The right connection can help you:
As Billy puts it: That is one of the reasons EXPO continues to matter. More Than Information. It’s Access. Information is easy to find. What is harder to find is context.
"The value isn’t just attending. The value is knowing who to call when you need help" The relationships built at EXPO often continue long after the show ends. Why Industry Professionals Keep Coming Back
As more growers focus on serving large retailers and national accounts, independent businesses often have to work harder to find unique products, new suppliers, and trusted partners. That’s one reason Mark continues to invest in EXPO. 
"We have probably increased our business with new growers, liner companies, and suppliers by about 80%" And while products and trends may change over time, one thing has not. As Mark puts it: “I go there to meet my people.” Simple. But powerful. Because business is still built on relationships. Join the Conversation The education, exhibits, and events are important parts of EXPO. But some of the most valuable takeaways may come from a conversation you didn’t expect to have.
Join us August 11–13 in San Antonio and discover the value of one conversation. |
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October 2026
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