TNLA's Green Matters Newsletter provides industry news, trends, and research every Tuesday

H-2A Employers: New Wage Requirements Take Effect

The U.S. Department of Labor has released updated 2026–2027 Adverse Effect Wage Rates for H-2A workers. Employers should review the new rates and determine whether updates are needed to job orders, recruitment materials or payroll systems. Read More >>

A Better First Week Can Help Keep Good Employees

A strong onboarding process can help new employees feel prepared, supported and confident from day one. This article shares practical ways to improve the first-week experience from having paperwork and PPE ready to setting clear expectations, choosing the right trainer and avoiding information overload. Read More >>

US Drought Monitor: August 6, 2026 Map

Farther west, there were a few swaths of moderate to heavy rain in parts of northwestern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, and central to southwestern Texas, but most of these two states reported no measurable rain to a few tenths at best. Recently, very hot weather has baked the norther portion of this region from the Red River Valley and the Texas Panhandle northward. Read More

Testing Irrigation Technology Before Making the Investment

New irrigation technology can be a significant investment. A mobile irrigation lab is helping growers compare tools such as soil moisture sensors, satellite monitoring and irrigation scheduling under real-world field conditions. See how on-farm testing is helping producers make more informed irrigation decisions while improving water-use efficiency. Read More >>

Fresh Ideas for Better Garden Center Displays

Strong visual merchandising can help products stand out and create a more engaging shopping experience. Explore creative display ideas independent garden centers can use to showcase plants and products, inspire customers and make the most of their retail space. Read More >>