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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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From student volunteer to business owner and Region V State Director, Rachel Shelton’s story shows how getting involved can shape a career, strengthen a community and open the door to new possibilities.  From her earliest TNLA experiences as a student to her new role on the TNLA Board of Directors, Rachel Shelton’s career has been shaped by one important choice: getting involved. Today, Rachel is the owner of 573 Flower Farm and the 2026–2027 TNLA Region V State Director. Long before becoming a business owner or board leader, however, she was building relationships through TNLA, volunteering at Nursery/Landscape EXPO and learning from people across the green industry. Over the years, Rachel has participated in TNLA’s Leadership Boot Camp, supported Women in Horticulture and received the 2023 Young Leader Award. Each experience has given her opportunities to learn, serve and grow, both personally and professionally. Her story reflects what it means to be rooted in something bigger: belonging to an industry community where people share knowledge, encourage one another and help create opportunities for the next generation. You participated in TNLA’s Leadership Boot Camp early in your career. Are there any lessons you still carry with you today? The development I gained through Leadership Boot Camp still resonates with me today. You aren’t only learning how to grow your business, you’re learning how to grow yourself and the people around you. After years with a longtime TNLA member company, you recently took the exciting step of launching your own business. What inspired you to take that leap? My husband’s unwavering support and willingness to be up for anything helped bring this dream to life and grow 573 Flower Farm. Working for Jackie Smith (owner of Absolute Equipment Sales) also gave me the courage to start my own business. I was given so many opportunities while working for him that, eventually, I thought, “Why not me?” Congratulations on being elected as Region V State Director. What does serving on the TNLA Board of Directors mean to you, and what are you most looking forward to? Serving on the Board means a great deal to me. Once I became involved at the Region level, I knew I wanted to pour myself into TNLA in a deeper way. What I’m looking forward to most is growth, helping TNLA grow while continuing to grow personally and professionally. What advice would you give to students and young professionals who are just beginning their careers in the green industry? Get involved and ask questions. There are opportunities waiting for you to reach out and grab them. So many people in this industry and association want to help you, so be willing to show up and do the work. In one sentence, what does being part of the TNLA community mean to you? It means belonging to a place where people support you, knowledge never ends, advice is freely shared, although you may want to take some of it with a grain of salt, and growth is possible when you’re willing to put in the work. Rachel’s journey, from student participation and volunteer service to entrepreneurship and board leadership, shows what can happen when someone finds their community, gets involved and keeps showing up.
Whether you are a student, an emerging professional, a business owner or a longtime industry leader, there is a place for you in the TNLA community. Learn more about TNLA membership and ways to get involved be clicking the button below!
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The strongest industries are the ones willing to invest in themselves. Look at any industry that's held its ground against unfriendly regulation or gotten ahead of a rule before it became a costly problem, and you'll find the same thing behind it: people in that industry who were willing to show up, get involved, and put resources behind protecting what they'd built. For the green industry in Texas, that's where TNLA PAC matters. And this week, we're going to do more than tell you why it matters. It Starts With Access Bill Carson, Past TNLA Chair, has been in this industry long enough to know the difference between a business that reacts to legislation and one that gets ahead of it.  His answer, in short: every two years, the legislature has the chance to help or hurt your business, and whether you have a say in that depends entirely on whether you've built the relationships before the bill is written, not after.  As Bill puts it, PAC support doesn't buy a legislator's vote. It buys something more durable than that: a legislator who takes your call and hears your side of the issue before the vote happens, not after the damage is already done. Why TNLA Members Give It's one thing to hear this from a former board Chairman. It's another to hear it from the members who've watched this play out year after year, bill after bill. Ask any TNLA member why they give, and you'll hear some version of the same answer: the issues being discussed in Austin today determine what our industry looks like tomorrow. Water policy, quarantine regulations, labor rules. These aren't abstract political debates. They're decisions that show up directly in day-to-day operations, margins, and what's even legal to grow, sell, or ship. TNLA members give because they've seen firsthand what it looks like when the industry has a seat at the table, and they've seen what it costs when it doesn't. If that sounds like the kind of industry you want to be part of, here's your chance to invest in it. Gold Star Companies Lead By Example Gold Star status is a TNLA PAC recognition for companies where at least four employees each give $50 or more to TNLA PAC. It's not just about writing one big check. It's about a whole team, from ownership down, recognizing that this industry's future is worth investing in together. The businesses that reach Gold Star status didn't get there by accident. They got there because their people, not just their leadership, understood that a business's long-term success is tied to the health of the industry it operates in. Why Do YOU Give? This is the part of the story that isn't ours to tell. It's yours. We want to hear from TNLA members across the state: why do you give to TNLA PAC? Maybe it's as simple as: "I support PAC because the issues being discussed today determine our future." Or maybe it's something more specific: a bill that hit close to home, a regulation you saw coming because someone in this industry had the relationships to warn you first. Whatever your reason, we want to feature it. Reply to this post or send your quote directly to [email protected]. Member voices are what make this campaign work. This isn't about TNLA telling you why PAC matters. It's about members telling other members. Ready to invest in your industry's future? Every dollar to TNLA PAC helps keep our industry's voice in the room when decisions are being made in Austin. Give what you can today.
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. Healthy plants are the foundation of a successful greenhouse and nursery operation. As growers continue to face new pest challenges, emerging diseases, and changing regulatory requirements, staying informed about effective pest management strategies is essential. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service invites greenhouse growers, nursery professionals, landscape professionals, and horticulture enthusiasts to attend the Greenhouse and Nursery Pest Management Seminar on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton, Texas. This one-day educational program will provide practical, research-based information to help participants improve integrated pest management (IPM) programs, protect plant health, and enhance production efficiency. The seminar will feature specialists from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas Department of Agriculture, and industry partners. The program will begin with registration at 8 a.m. and will include presentations covering a wide range of topics important to greenhouse and nursery production. Attendees will earn six Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units (CEUs), including one hour in Laws and Regulations and five hours in Integrated Pest Management. Morning sessions will focus on building strong pest and disease management programs. Mark Freeman and Sam Gray with Bioworks will discuss the use of biopesticides as part of modern IPM strategies. Dr. Kevin Ong, professor and associate department head with AgriLife Extension, will share approaches for preventing greenhouse plant diseases through proper sanitation and production practices. Dr. Rafia Khan, Extension Entomologist with Texas A&M AgriLife, will discuss emerging and established insect pests affecting ornamental crops, including monitoring and management strategies. The morning will conclude with Desaray Melina Delaloza from the Texas Department of Agriculture, who will provide updates on laws and regulations impacting greenhouse and nursery operations. After lunch and networking, afternoon sessions will highlight sustainable approaches to pest management. Dr. Arash Kheirodin with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension in Dallas will discuss ecologically based IPM strategies for controlled environment cropping systems. Dr. Andrew King with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Overton will present horticultural practices that support IPM and promote healthy ornamental production. The seminar provides a valuable opportunity for industry professionals to learn from experts, connect with peers, and gain practical knowledge that can be applied immediately. With increasing pest pressures and evolving production challenges, proactive management and continued education are key to maintaining healthy plants and successful businesses. Registration is $50 per person and includes seminar materials and lunch. The event will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, located at 1710 FM 3053, Overton, Texas. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Join Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for a day of learning, collaboration, and networking as we work together to strengthen greenhouse and nursery pest management programs across Texas. Whether you are a seasoned professional or looking to expand your IPM knowledge, this seminar offers valuable information and resources to support healthier plants and more successful production systems.  Rafia Khan, Ph. D. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Over the past few weeks, we've shared why TNLA PAC exists and how it helps protect and advance Texas' green industry. From building relationships with policymakers to supporting pro-industry candidates, those efforts only happen because industry members choose to invest. Now it's your turn. Supporting TNLA PAC doesn't require writing a large check. There are several easy ways to get involved, and every contribution strengthens our industry's voice at the Capitol. Bid in the TNLA PAC Online Auction The TNLA PAC Online Auction is now open, and there are plenty of reasons to take a look. Whether you're searching for something unique for yourself, your family, or your business, you'll find a wide variety of items while supporting the advocacy efforts that protect Texas' green industry. Auction highlights include:
Buy Raffle Tickets Take a chance on winning a Benelli Super Black Eagle III Shotgun while supporting the work of TNLA PAC. It's one of the easiest ways to make a difference, and every ticket purchased helps strengthen our collective voice. Visit the PAC Lounge at EXPO Stop by the PAC Lounge during EXPO to connect with industry leaders, learn more about the issues affecting your business, and see firsthand how PAC investments help build relationships with elected officials and decision-makers. A $100 contribution to TNLA PAC includes access to the PAC Lounge throughout EXPO. Become a Gold Star Company One of the most meaningful ways to demonstrate your company's commitment to advocacy is by becoming a TNLA PAC Gold Star Company. Gold Star recognition is awarded to companies with at least four employees who each contribute $50 or more to TNLA PAC during the year. It recognizes businesses that encourage employee participation in the PAC and shows lawmakers that support for our industry comes from every level of the business, not just company leadership. Advocacy doesn't happen by accident. It happens because members like you choose to get involved. Whether you place a bid, buy a raffle ticket, visit the PAC Lounge, or help your company earn Gold Star recognition, your participation helps ensure the Texas green industry has a strong voice where decisions are made. The investment starts here. Thank you for being part of it TNLA PAC supports state candidates who understand and advocate for Texas’ green industry. Political contributions to TNLA PAC must be made from personal funds As summer progresses into late summer, many parts of Texas experience prolonged periods of hot, dry weather with fewer rainfall events. These conditions not only place ornamental plants under drought stress but also create the perfect environment for spider mites to thrive. Unlike many insect pests that are suppressed by frequent rain, spider mite populations often explode during extended periods of dry heat, making August and September a critical time for greenhouse and nursery growers to intensify scouting efforts. The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is one of the most common and economically important pests of ornamental crops. Feeding on more than 200 plant species, it attacks popular nursery and greenhouse crops including roses, hibiscus, lantana, marigold, salvia, verbena, hydrangea, and many bedding plants. Spider mites feed by piercing individual plant cells and removing their contents, producing characteristic yellow or white stippling on leaves. As infestations worsen, foliage develops a bronze appearance, leaves become dry and brittle, and severe infestations produce fine webbing that can cover leaves, stems, and flowers. Warm temperatures accelerate spider mite development, allowing a generation to be completed in as little as 7–10 days under favorable conditions. This rapid life cycle means that a few mites can quickly develop into damaging populations if left undetected. Dry weather also reduces the natural washing effect of rainfall, allowing mites to survive and reproduce unchecked. Routine scouting is the most effective defense. Inspect susceptible crops weekly, paying particular attention to the undersides of leaves where mites feed and lay eggs. A 10× hand lens can help detect early infestations before visible damage becomes widespread. Early detection allows timely intervention and greatly improves management success. An integrated pest management (IPM) approach provides the best long-term control. Maintain adequate irrigation to minimize plant stress, remove heavily infested plant material, and eliminate weeds that can serve as alternative hosts. In greenhouses, reducing excessive heat and maintaining appropriate humidity can help slow spider mite population growth. Biological control can be highly effective, especially in protected environments. Predatory mites such as Neoseiulus californicus provide excellent suppression when released early, before pest populations become established. Conserving these beneficials by selecting compatible pesticides is essential for successful biological control. When chemical control is necessary, rotate miticides with different modes of action to delay the development of resistance. Thorough coverage of the undersides of leaves is critical, as both mites and their eggs are concentrated in these protected areas. Late summer is the time when spider mites can quickly turn from a minor nuisance into a serious production problem. By combining vigilant scouting with cultural, biological, and chemical management tactics, growers can protect plant quality and minimize losses during one of the most challenging periods of the growing season.
A 2025 trial explored the benefits of biochar and compost amendments on the growth of Vinca (Catharanthus roseus) in landscape beds. Biochar, an organic amendment produced by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen, has gained popularity for its ability to enhance soil structure, improve water and nutrient retention, and boost microbial activity. The study involved three treatments: beds amended with pecan shell biochar, organic compost, and unamended native soil. Each treatment was replicated across three beds, with identical irrigation, fertilization, and mulch conditions. Over the summer season, plant growth was closely monitored by measuring canopy diameter, as well as plant and root dry weights. Results were striking. Vinca plants in biochar-amended beds showcased nearly twice the canopy area compared to those in compost beds, averaging a diameter of 56.3 cm versus 40.2 cm. Growth was consistently more robust throughout the season for biochar-treated plants. Furthermore, biochar led to significantly higher root dry weight than both compost and native soil, and plants displayed healthier coloration and more extensive root branching. Perhaps most notably, plant survival rates were much higher in biochar beds: none of the vinca plants died, while compost and native soil beds experienced 33% and 76% plant loss, respectively. Soil moisture remained consistent across all treatments thanks to sufficient rainfall. In summary, the trial demonstrated the clear advantages of biochar in promoting the growth and health of vinca in landscape settings. I plan to expand this work by testing biochar’s impact on additional bedding plants in future trials to further validate these promising results. Download the full report  Paul WinskiExtension Program Specialist II Next year, the Texas green industry will begin working with a new Texas Agriculture Commissioner. But TNLA is not waiting until January to start building that relationship. Recently, the TNLA PAC hosted Republican nominee for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Nate Sheets at a member nursery to introduce him to our industry, our businesses, and the issues impacting nursery and landscape professionals across the state.  TNLA PAC Board members meet with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Republican nominee Nate Sheets to share the priorities and challenges facing the Texas green industry. The conversation was about building a relationship for the future. It was understood that it would take more than just one meeting. It was about making sure the leaders who will make decisions affecting our industry understand who we are, the challenges we face, and the important role our members play in Texas. That is what the TNLA PAC helps make possible. Your TNLA membership supports the advocacy work we do every day.
Your TNLA PAC contribution helps build and strengthen the relationships that make that advocacy more effective. When decisions are being made about water, workforce, regulations, and the future of Texas agriculture, our industry needs to already have a seat at the table. Help us continue building relationships today that protect the future of the Texas green industry. During the last legislative session, TNLA worked to solve a challenge our industry has dealt with for years: getting timely information when new pests, diseases, or quarantines impact Texas. Working alongside Representative Mihaela Plesa and Senator Lois Kolkhorst, TNLA passed legislation creating a statewide pest, disease, and quarantine e-mail alert system. That system is now officially live. 👉 You can sign up for the email alert system here: https://agalert.tamu.edu/ Why This MattersWhen a dangerous pest or disease is identified or when a quarantine is put in place, our industry needs to know quickly. Growers, retailers, and landscape professionals need accurate information to make decisions and respond. HB 1592 helps address that challenge. The new system: • Is operated through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension • Provides email notifications for:
How TNLA Got This Done TNLA heard concerns from members about the need for better communication during plant health events. During the last Sunset Review of the Texas Department of Agriculture, TNLA identified and supported the conclusion that timely, accurate information was critical for our industry regarding quarantines, quarantine updates, pest and disease detection, and measures to contain them. Understanding the need for better communication needed a legislative solution, we brought those concerns to lawmakers and worked with legislators, state agencies, and stakeholders. The result was this brand-new email-based pest alert. TNLA helped move this bill from an industry idea, through the legislative process, and ultimately into a resource that is now available statewide. What You Should Do NowThis tool only works if industry members sign up and use it.
Take a few minutes to: • Select your county (or multiple counties where you operate) • Receive alerts for your area • Stay informed about potential threats 👉 Sign up today: https://agalert.tamu.edu/ Your support allows TNLA to continue protecting and strengthening our industry. One of the most common complaints from homeowners during the growing season is the appearance of a black, soot-like coating on leaves, stems, patios, vehicles, and outdoor furniture beneath landscape plants. While many assume this black growth is a plant disease, the real culprit is often an insect infestation. Sooty mold is a fungal growth that develops on honeydew, a sticky, sugar-rich waste product excreted by sap-feeding insects. Common honeydew-producing pests in Texas landscapes include aphids, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, and psyllids. As these insects feed on plant sap, they remove more sugar than they can utilize and excrete the excess as honeydew. Sooty mold fungi then colonize this sticky residue, forming a dark coating on plant surfaces. The mold itself does not infect plant tissues or directly damage leaves. However, heavy accumulations can block sunlight and reduce photosynthesis, leading to decreased plant vigor and aesthetic quality. In severe cases, leaves may yellow, growth may slow, and plants can become stressed, particularly when combined with other environmental challenges. Several landscape plants are commonly affected by sooty mold in Texas, including crape myrtle, gardenia, holly, hibiscus, magnolia, citrus, and many ornamental trees and shrubs. Crape myrtle bark scale, for example, is a frequent cause of heavy honeydew production and subsequent sooty mold development on crape myrtles. Likewise, whiteflies and aphids often contribute to outbreaks on ornamentals and flowering plants. Successful management requires addressing the underlying insect problem rather than focusing solely on the mold. Begin by inspecting plants carefully, especially the undersides of leaves and stems, where many sap-feeding insects congregate. Look for live insects, cast skins, sticky honeydew, or ant activity. Ants are often attracted to honeydew and may indicate the presence of hidden pest populations. An integrated pest management (IPM) approach is the most effective strategy. Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles, lacewings, parasitic wasps, and predatory bugs that help suppress aphids, scales, and whiteflies. Avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum insecticide applications that may disrupt beneficial insect populations. When pest numbers exceed acceptable levels, select insecticides based on the target pest and follow all label directions. Once the insect population is reduced, honeydew production will decline, and existing sooty mold will gradually weather away through rainfall, irrigation, and normal leaf growth. In some situations, washing leaves with water can improve appearance, but this will not solve the problem if the insects remain active. When blackened leaves appear in the landscape, remember that sooty mold is usually a symptom rather than the primary issue. Identifying and managing the honeydew-producing insects will provide the most effective long-term solution and help maintain healthy, attractive landscape plants throughout the season.
Figure: Sooty mold on crape myrtle leaves (A) caused by crape myrtle aphid (B), and sooty mold on crape myrtle stem/bark caused by crape myrtle bark scale (C)
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AuthorTNLA Staff Archives
September 2026
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