Green Report

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 5, Episode 1: Time Freedom for Founders: Reclaim Time with AI, Tommy Cole, LeanScaper

Sponsored by Hotchkiss Insurance Agency | Presented by TNLA + LeanScaper | Hosted by Tommy Cole

Running a business shouldn’t mean sacrificing your time or personal life. In this episode, Tommy Cole reframes productivity as a systems problem—not a hustle problem—and shares practical ways founders can redesign how they work.

Listeners learn how to escape the busyness trap, audit where their time is really going, and rebuild their schedules around values, priorities, and purpose. The session explores the F.L.O.W. productivity model, the power of eliminating, automating, and delegating effectively, and how AI can serve as a personal time coach to keep systems running smoothly.

Designed for business owners and leaders feeling stretched thin or out of alignment, this episode offers a clear, structured path to reclaiming time, gaining clarity, and leading with leverage—not burnout.

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 10: New H-2A Rules, New Challenges with Arnulfo Hinojosa

In this episode, Curtis Smith (TNLA Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs) sits down with Arnulfo Hinojosa, COO of FEWA, to break down the latest changes to the H-2A program following the U.S. Department of Labor’s new Interim Final Rule.

In just 30 minutes, we cover what employers in the nursery, greenhouse, and landscape sectors need to know heading into the 2026 filing season — including new wage calculations, advertising requirements, incidental tasks, staggered start dates, interview waivers, and the broader legal landscape surrounding H-2A.

Topics include:
• What’s now in effect under the Interim Final Rule
• How OEWS wage data, skill levels, and the Adverse Compensation Adjustment will impact pay
• Best practices for advertising wages and retaining returning workers
• Clarifying incidental tasks and job-order scope
• How staggered start dates and interview waivers work under the new system
• What lawsuits and regulatory shifts mean for employers
• Practical next steps for green-industry operations preparing 2026 applications

A timely conversation for anyone navigating seasonal labor, compliance, and workforce planning under the evolving H-2A program.

TNLA Green Report Podcast, Season 4, Episode 9: Water at the Capitol: Proposition 4, Groundwater, and What’s Next

Water took center stage in Texas this year. In this episode of The Green Report Podcast, we sit with Jeremy Mazur, Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy for 2036, to unpack the constitutional amendment on water, the groundwater fight from the regular and special sessions (including Rep. Cody Harris’s efforts), and what it all signals for next session—with a focus on real-world impacts for TNLA members.

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.