Green Report

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 8: Protecting Your Business: Inside TNLA’s 2025 Legislative Wins

This episode of the Green Report takes you inside the fast-paced world of the Texas Legislature with TNLA’s Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Curtis Smith. From a record-setting water infrastructure win to stopping dangerous licensing and pesticide bills, Curtis breaks down how TNLA successfully defended the green industry at the Capitol. Plus, hear how TNLA members made a direct impact through advocacy and grassroots outreach—and what’s next for protecting your business. For more information on TNLA and Advocacy, visit www.TNLAonline.org.

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 7: Dig into the Plant Trial Road Trip with Paul Winski

In this episode of the Green Report Podcast, we head out on the 2025 Texas Plant Trial Road Trip with Paul Winski, Program Specialist for the Green Industry at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Recorded live from the Houston-area stop at Brookshire’s 1502 Farm to Market 1489, Paul walks us through how more than 60 plant varieties are performing in real-world Texas heat and humidity. He also shares timely updates on collaborative research with TNLA members—including work on boxwood, biochar, and root growth regulators—with Native Texas Nursery, Lone Star Trees, and Everde. Discover what’s growing strong in Texas and what it means for your landscape or nursery business.

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 6: Plant Trial Roadtrip Preview with Dr. Andrew King

Get the inside scoop on this year’s highly anticipated Plant Trial Roadtrip with Dr. Andrew King, Assistant Professor at Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in Overton. In this Green Report Podcast episode, Dr. King previews what growers, retailers, and landscapers can expect when the tour kicks off June 26 in Overton. Discover which plants are standing out in both container and landscape trials, and learn about key insights shaping the season's top performers.

Listen in and plan your visit: Watch the Overton Plant Trial Preview

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 5: Rooted in Quality: A Conversation with Savanna Taylor Thornton of Lone Star Trees

In this episode, we sit down with Savanna Taylor Thornton, Business Development lead at Lone Star Trees, to get an insider’s look at how the 2025 spring season is shaping up for one of Central Texas’ premier wholesale tree growers. Savanna shares what’s flying off the field this year, the growing demand from landscape and nursery professionals, and what trends are taking root when it comes to tree types and sizes.

We also dive into how recent worldwide issues that are impacting production, the ongoing challenges her team is navigating—from labor and logistics to pricing pressures—and how Lone Star Trees continues to prioritize quality and service.

Beyond the field, Savanna brings a dynamic perspective shaped by her roles as Vice Chairman of TNLA Region VIII and a graduate of TNLA’s Leadership Bootcamp. She talks about how those leadership experiences have informed her approach to business development and industry advocacy.

Savanna shares her foresight into looking ahead to what’s next for Lone Star Trees in 2025 and shares how professionals can best connect for collaboration and sourcing.

Guest Bio:
Savanna Taylor Thornton is the Business Development lead for Lone Star Trees, a family-run wholesale grower of field-grown specimen trees based in Central Texas. She also serves as the Vice Chairman of TNLA Region VIII and is a proud graduate of TNLA’s Leadership Bootcamp Class III. With a strong horticultural background and a passion for supporting the green industry, Savanna is dedicated to bridging the gap between quality tree production and the professionals who need them.

Special Thanks:
This episode is brought to you by the Federation of Employers and Workers of America (FEWA). FEWA is committed to supporting ethical employment practices and workforce solutions in agriculture and beyond.

To learn more, visit https://fewaglobal.org/.

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 4: Cultivating the Future: Dr. Andrew King on Plant Trials, Research, and Resilient Landscapes in Texas

In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Dr. Andrew King, ornamental specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and assistant professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University. Dr. King gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Texas Superstar® Trials, explaining how this influential program evaluates and elevates standout plants that thrive in Texas conditions—impacting growers, landscapers, and gardeners statewide.

We dive into the key traits researchers look for in potential superstars, from heat and drought tolerance to visual appeal and marketability. Dr. King also discusses his work in additional ornamental plant trials, shedding light on how these efforts complement the Superstar program and broaden the understanding of performance in diverse environments.

Listeners will hear about some exciting new plants emerging from recent trials, what makes them promising for Texas landscapes, and the current research Dr. King is leading that could shape the future of ornamental plant selection and production.

As climate conditions evolve, Dr. King shares his perspective on the biggest opportunities and challenges ahead for ornamental research—including sustainability, water use, and the importance of regionally adapted selections.

Guest Bio:
Andrew King, Ph.D., is the ornamental specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Research and an assistant professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University. Based at the AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton, Dr. King supports greenhouse and nursery operations across the state, with 75% of his role dedicated to research and 25% to extension outreach. A fourth-generation horticulturist with nearly 30 years of industry experience, he blends academic expertise with practical insights from his family’s 110-year-old nursery business.

Special Thanks:

This episode is brought to you by the Federation of Employers and Workers of America (FEWA). FEWA is committed to supporting ethical employment practices and workforce solutions in agriculture and beyond.
To learn more, visit https://fewaglobal.org/.

 

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 3: NAVIGATING THE TEXAS GREEN INDUSTRY'S H-2A AND H-2B IMMIGRATION WORK PROGRAM

Join moderator Curtis Smith (TNLA) and expert panelists Devin Guinn (AquaGreen Global, LLC), Anique Watson (Action Visa Assistance) and Antonio Vergara (Mundo Verde Irrigation and Landscaping) for an insightful live podcast. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of H-2A and H-2B work programs in the Texas green industry, sharing practical advice for navigating complex regulations, securing reliable labor, and fostering workforce sustainability. Sponsored by Forward.us, this session is a must-listen for industry professionals seeking to adapt and thrive.

Thank you to our sponsor FORWARD.US

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 2: Mastering Strategic Decisions: Insights for Driving Team Success

Join us as we “Prepare for All Things” with Brett Hoogeveen, who takes us behind the scenes to share his expert insights on strategic decision-making. Brett, the co-founder of Better Culture and Mindset, has a proven track record of helping teams achieve business growth and success.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to engage your team in premortem conversations, shifting the focus from the to-do list to driving meaningful outcomes.

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 1: Propagation Expert Bill Barr Shares Tricks from the Trade

Join Paul Winski from Texas AgriLife Extension as he talks with Bill Barr, a seasoned expert in the nursery industry. In this episode, Bill reflects on his extensive career, which includes experience at several nurseries as well as his current role as a consultant specializing in propagation and new product development. Together, they explore the evolution of the nursery industry, highlighting the significant impact of technology on propagation techniques. Bill discusses his thoughts on automation and AI as commonplace tools within the industry, along with key factors affecting vegetative propagation. He shares tried-and-true germination methods and evaluates the advantages of different hormone applications. Additionally, Paul and Bill delve into the recent transition of the International Plant Propagator's Society to the International Plant Production Society, emphasizing how this change will enhance IPPS's reach and influence in the field of propagation.

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 3, Episode 10 Sustainability of Using AI in the Green Industry

In this podcast episode, dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) as the Green Report engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Mark Manny from Evergro Organic Recycling, Weston Nieman of Native American Seed and Ryan Laird from San Jacinto Environmental Suppliers. The group discusses their current utilization of AI in various business operations and contemplates its potential impact on the industry's future. They also talk about how AI can optimize day-to-day activities, leading to enhanced efficiency within the Green Industry. The dialogue highlights both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI, raising intriguing questions about its role in reshaping the nursery and landscape industry’s sustainable practices.

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 3, Episode 9 Growing Together: Insights from Horticulture Expert Adrian Muehlstein, TMCNP

Paul Winski with Texas AgriLife Extension talks with Adrian Muehlstein, TMCNP at Southwest Wholesale Nursery, where Adrian discusses strategies for preparing their staff for Spring by ensuring they are well-versed in plant characteristics, equipment training, and safety. Adrian also addresses supply chain challenges in delivering quality products to their customers. As a former Chairman of the TNLA State Board of Directors, Adrian emphasizes his dedication to developing youth initiatives within the association to support education and workforce training for high school students.