Green Report

In this Green Report Podcast episode, Texas AgriLife's Paul Winske interviews Mark Rainey with Rancho Encino, out of Bay City, TX. Mark delves into his extensive career as a large tree grower in the nursery sector. The conversation covers valuable insights, such as collaborating with Landscape Architects, maintaining quality standards for a growing operation, and navigating labor initiatives. Mark also provides advice for emerging professionals seeking a career in the Green Industry.    

We are thrilled to feature Courtney Ramsey, the dynamic force behind Courtney Ramsey Speaks. As a professional speaker and expert in navigating complex labor issues for business leaders, Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge. Courtney shares insights on strategically enhancing employee satisfaction, implementing effective retention methods, and fostering influential team communication in this exclusive episode. We are also excited to announce that Courtney will be a distinguished speaker at the Lone Star Hort Forum in Grapevine this January, hosted by TNLA. During the Lone Star Hort Forum, Courtney will present several insightful sessions to provide strategies for the Texas Green Industry to tackle labor challenges head-on. We are honored to have Courtney on The Green Report, providing listeners with a deep dive into building successful leaders, offering tips on delivering foundational feedback, and guiding them through the art of handling tough conversations – crucial skills for both leaders and managers. Do

Join us on "Green Industry Insights," where host Paul Winski from Texas AgriLife engages in a captivating conversation with James and Allison Berry, founders of Environmental Landscape Solutions. Discover the challenges and triumphs in West Texas' dynamic landscape industry. In this podcast, the Berrys unveil their commitment to sustainability and strategies for tackling the labor challenge. They also share invaluable tips on staying current and knowledgeable in an ever-evolving industry and how the Nursery/Landscape EXPO and its education programs have helped their team gain the expertise they need to excel. Don't miss "Green Industry Insights" for an exclusive peek into West Texas' landscape sector. Subscribe now to gain insights from industry leaders and keep up with the latest trends.

In this episode, Representative Dwayne Burns details starting his career with the Grain and Feed Association before being hired as a legislative analyst for State Representatives Arlene Wohlgemuth and Gary Walker during the 74th legislative session. Representative Burns speaks of his time at the Texas Department of Agriculture under then-Commissioner Rick Perry, serving as a coordinator for TDA’s Intergovernmental Affairs Division and as an inspector for the Texas Department of Agriculture, where he was responsible for weights and measures compliance, crop and seed certification, and enforcement of Texas’ plant and pest quarantine laws, among other tasks over a 10-county region which included Bosque and Johnson counties. Representative Burns enthusiastically exclaims about his family ranch that’s still in operation today and why he has taken up the fight to advance Texas Proposition 1, more colloquially known as Right-to-Farm.

Explore the inspiring journey of John Leifester, TCLP, as he delves into his unwavering commitment to the Green Industry on TNLA's Green Report podcast. With a compelling narrative, John shares his transformative experience from entering the industry to becoming the owner of Dedicated Landscape Solutions, a prestigious family-owned construction and high-end residential landscape firm in San Antonio, Texas, since 2014. In this engaging episode, John unveils the invaluable lessons he's gleaned on increasing his company's profitability. Moreover, he highlights his profound dedication to serving on the TNLA State Board of Directors, championing the association's Youth Initiative. John passionately discusses TNLA's cutting-edge curriculum packages tailored for high schools, designed to empower the next generation. He aspires to connect with aspiring students, demonstrating that the Green Industry offers lucrative and viable career opportunities. John's vision extends to inspiring students to embark on their journe

Featured in our latest episode of the Green Report Board Member Spotlight series, Rachelle Kemp owner of R&R Landscaping in Waco and incoming board chairwoman of TNLA.  Rachelle discusses how she got into the green industry, issues that TNLA will help tackle, and important priorities for her time on the board.  

Enjoy the launch of this new mini-series spotlighting key TNLA Board Members, this episode focusing on TNLA State Board Chairman Kevin Grossberndt.  We discuss his background, getting involved in TNLA Leadership, challenges facing the industry, ERP program, Growers Summit, and more.   Thank you to our sponsor Texas Mutual! 

Listen to this episode to get an update from D.C. on the H-2B amendment that passed the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and where that leaves us for FY 23.  We also discuss the status of the City of Dallas considering a potential ban on gas-powered landscape equipment.  Lastly a brief update on Austin's Landscape & Irrigation ordinance as who's coming to TNLA EXPO.  

Listen in to this episode where we speak with Kody Bessent, CEO of the Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. as we dive into the details of the Phase One announcement of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) - the first installment of federal disaster money following Winter Storm Uri in 2021. In addition we review the Texas Ag Council, an organization that TNLA and PCG are deeply involved in regarding state-level policy.  Lastly we review a plant pest and disease bill both our organizations came together to pass in 2021 and what the future might hold on that issue.  Be sure to subscribe and give the podcast five stars.  Thanks for listening! 

This episode we talk with Lori Whitten with Action Visa and Gray Delaney with  SEA regarding reform initiatives in the H2 programs. Topics include a program overview, strategies on H-2B cap relief, and the legislative landscape we are working in. Listen in for a conversation on how we improve the H2 programs for the green industry.

This episode of the Green Report focuses on the current legal environment surrounding the COVID vaccine mandate.  Listen in as Laura Fowler with the Fowler Law Firm discusses compliance and the future of these mandates.  The Texas Workforce Commission letter described in the episode can be found here: https://www.twc.texas.gov/files/businesses/commissioner-letter-covid19-vac-mandate-120821-twc.pdf

TNLA takes a deep dive with Mike Maroney, an independent lobbyist fighting for better workforce solutions and developing curriculum for high school students. Mike is a strong advocate when it comes to developing a strong workforce for the future. During this episode, he provides insight on some of the bills he has worked on when industries have hit the panic button on their employment struggle. Mike also walks us through his current work on driving policymakers to pass legislation to help add highly valued high school curriculum to TEA's "magic list" of IBC's, plus much more.

Dr. Marco Palma & Dr. Charlie Hall What is the economic contribution of the Texas nursery and landscape industry?  Listen in as Dr. Marco Palma and Dr. Charlie Hall dive into the details of the most recent report from Texas A&M University on the impact of our industry on the State of Texas.  With the 2020 report detailing over $22 billion dollars in total sales, there is a lot of value to discuss for business owners and policymakers.  New! Watch the podcast on YouTube Here! 

Episode 10 features Zaira Garcia, Texas State Director of FWD.us, a national organization with state-level chapters focused on fixing the broken U.S. immigration system.  Amongst the priorities for FWD.us is improving the H-2B and H-2A programs, something the green industry has been working on for years. In this episode, we go into the work of FWD.us and their partnership with TNLA along with other Texas business groups to improve these vital programs.Thank you to our sponsor of this episode for the support, Hotchkiss Insurance Agency.   For additional information on the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association click here.

In this episode, our guest is John Farner who serves as the Industry Development Director for the national Irrigation Association. John jumps into topics related to COVID relief, federal developments on water, and a brief overview of the election landscape heading into November 2020. John gives our audience a perspective of someone who is working on water-related issues in Congress and someone who monitors the development of irrigation policy across the United States.   Thank you to our sponsor of this episode for the support, Hotchkiss Insurance Agency.

In this episode of the TNLA Green Report we interview Tiffany Lashmet, author of the Texas Agriculture Law Blog. Tiffany is an associate professor and extension specialist for the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.  In our interview we covered the Water of the United States update, liability on pesticide drift, landowner liability, and property rights.  Be sure to listen to the episode and check out Tiffany's blog at https://agrilife.org/texasaglaw/about/.  

The Green Report speaks with Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, head of a massive state agency that impacts the green industry daily. In this episode we review some of the critical functions of the agency and discuss some ongoing efforts TNLA and TDA are working in partnership. Commissioner Miller gives an update on the trade missions and disease control efforts in our state.  

In the past two years, major cities across Texas have expanded their regulatory authority by creating new employment mandates on businesses of all sizes.  As Texas employers struggle to comply, the business community, including TNLA, have begun to push back on these patchwork regulations.  This episode we speak with Annie Spilman, Texas State Director for NFIB and spokeswoman for the ASSET coalition on the fight against cities creating employer mandates. 

Texas is preparing for the start of a new industrial hemp market and it has grower's curious about the role of nursery growers in the business potential of hemp propagation.  Listen in as we talk with Zack Guignardi from Colorado about how he is using greenhouses for the propagation of hemp clones, and producing clean, genetically consistent stock for row crop farmers in his state.  We get into propagation techniques, seeds vs. clones, the variations of the hemp plant, and potential risks.

Listen in as TNLA speaks with Texas House Ag Chairman Drew Springer Chairman Springer represents an expansive rural district in North Texas and, as a four-time elected state official, he is in his first session as a committee chairman.  We discuss some of the major issues being tackled this session and the work of his committee.