Horizon

IRRIGATION

Buy better, buy different, buy Horizon.

Horizon has the products you need, when you need them—all under one roof.

Horizon offers a complete line-up of power equipment for irrigation and landscape professionals – featuring best-in-class manufacturers, and everything you need to keep them running.

Our Service Centers are equipped to handle everything from minor service to major repairs, and our service technicians are EETC-certified.

Just need parts? We’ve got that, too. Find the part you need through our HorizonOnline.com equipment parts portal or call 800.411.PART.

OUTDOOR LIVING & LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

LANDSCAPE

EQUIPMENT We Have Certified Irrigators on Staff!

MORE THAN A STORE. | | | Irrigation Outdoor Living Landscape Visit us online, or stop in to your local branch |Equipment to experience the Horizon difference today.

TNLA Tailgate Topics: Plant Classification

Objective: Using plant characteristics, participants will be able to correctly choose a plant based on these characteristics.

APPLICATION: Using available plants have participants determine either (1) a given plant’s characteristics based on the choices below or (2) choose a plant when give chosen characteristics from below.

Landscape horticulture is the science and art of cultivating ornamental plants. It is design principles that guide the choice, placement and care of the plants used for aesthetic effect. The plant’s characteristics determine how the designer will use them. The following are the basic characteristics off all plants.

Is the plant herbaceous or woody? Herbaceous: has little or no woody stem tissue formation during a single growing season Woody: has woody parts, specifically supportive structures such as stems. Category includes trees (single stem) and shrubs (multiple upright stems).

Is the plant an annual, biennial or perennial? Annual: plant that normally completes its life cycle during one growing season Biennial: completes its life cycle during a period of two growing seasons Perennial: plant that grows year after year

Is the plant deciduous or evergreen? Deciduous: woody, perennial plant that loses their leaves for a portion of the year Evergreen: woody, perennial plant with leaves throughout the year

Legislative & Regulatory Updates

Congress Extended Disaster Relief Program, WHIP+, for Weather Disasters

Following TNLA's trip to D.C. 4 weeks ago, Congress passed a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and included an new $10 billion extension of the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) which will provide relief payments for growers who suffered weather related losses.

The funding package appropriated the funding to the USDA to set up the program and the agency is currently in the process of developing the guidelines for application and approval. Historically certain conditions have applied for individuals and entities applying for the WHIP+ funding including adjusted gross income caps, payment limits, and insurance coverage in the years following payment.

TNLA will be sending out the information from the USDA Farm Service Agency as soon as it is available to help our members navigate the process. Members of Congress are already pressuring the agency to implement the program as quickly as possible and to provide clarity so that growers know what records will be needed.

TNLA Attended the Western Regional Nursery Association Executives

TNLA Chair-elect Kevin Grossberdnt and staff attended the annual meeting for executives from the western United State and Canada provinces in Boise Idaho this week. Amongst the issues discussed were efforts to coordinate legislative and regulatory objectives. information on disaster relief, development of specialty block grant programs, and a look ahead at the next farm bill.

OSHA to Develop New Federal Heat Standard

President Biden has ordered OSHA to draft a stricter federal heat standard. Legislation on this matter has not been passed by Congress but, OSHA will use it's rulemaking authority to beef up the current General Duty Clause for employers.

Additionally, OSHA has indicated they will be increasing enforcement of heat violations with the following actions:

• Increased inspectors in locations where the heat index exceeds 80 degrees • Increased "unprogrammed inspections" which means an inspection occurring without being initiated by a compliant • The administration will be developing a "national emphasis program" on industries known for high heat danger "specifically including construction and agriculture".

TNLA will continue to monitor the development of these OSHA standards and, in partnership with our industry colleagues, communicate the needs of our industry during the rule development.

Governor Abbott and President Biden Vaccine Conflict

As previously reported, the specifics on President Biden's vaccine mandate for employers with over 100 employees is expected to be announced soon. OSHA shared that the emergency rule has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Tuesday for final review prior to being released.

Simultaneously, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced his executive order banning the existence of a vaccine mandate, even by private employers. Due to the conflict of these two orders, we can expect the courts to determine legitimacy. Nearly every Republican-led state including Texas has vowed to challenge the Biden vaccine mandate in court and parties are likely to challenge Gov. Abbott's mandate as well.

TNLA will closely monitor the development of these rules and court proceedings to inform our members of the requirements as they develop.

TNLA Member Updates:

DID YOU KNOW

Calling All Growers!

Registration for the TNLA Grower Summit is now open! Growers from across the state will come together to discuss current issues, upcoming trends and more during a full-day education sessions. Help move the industry forward by taking a seat at the table, exchanging ideas with your peers and by being part of the conversation! Register here, Speaker Information available soon, visit here for more info. Interested in branding your company as a Sponsor at the Grower Summit click here to find out more.

TNLA’s Region VI West Texas Workshop was a Great Success!

Last week, TNLA Region VI conducted the West Texas Workshop in Alpine, Texas. Speakers and participants came from near and far to hear about the latest sustainability practices in landscapes, including rainwater collection plus they were able to dive in and find more information about some of the trending West Texas plants that grow well all across Texas! The Workshop concluded with a two-hour tour at the 18-acre Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute. A huge thank you to all that made the journey to experience the best that West Texas has to offer and also thank you to our sponsors for their support. Our generous sponsors included: Civano Growers, Austin Wood Recycling, Environmental Landscape Solutions, Back to Nature, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Sod Solutions Professionals, & TNLA Region VI