Issue #4

Horticulture and Green Industry Production

Problem, Opportunity Statement

The green industries, floriculture, nurseries, landscape, and turf have become one of the largest segments of commercial agriculture in the United States. Wholesale value of crops produced continues to increase on a national level, with wholesale floriculture crops value increasing 2% to $4.88 billion from 2001 to 2002. Pennsylvania's share of this market is at best steady, and in many cases is decreasing, both in relative terms and in actual value of wholesale crops produced. For example, bedding and garden plant crop value increased 5% nationally from 2001-2002 to $2.28 billion, while wholesale bedding and garden crop value in Pennsylvania decreased from $77.246 million to $75.683 million. Pennsylvania producers need assistance in recovering and expanding their market share through improved production methods and better marketing, particularly in small scale production systems. An important part of this effort should target consumers. Gardening is recognized as “the number one hobby in the United States” (American Nursery and Landscape Association, 2000) and involves multi-generations of consumers, including children who help decide which bedding plants or vegetable seeds are purchased for the home to more experienced adult gardeners who design and install their own landscapes.  With over $37 billion in sales generated in the lawn and garden categories alone (Butterfield, 2002), consumer interests and needs for gardening information and training should not be ignored.      

The vegetable industry in Pennsylvania is worth $300 million dollars to the state economy and is comprised of many different types of production systems from pure organic to chemical intensive and marketing systems that range from farmer's market to individual retail operations of various sizes to auction's and wholesale. Currently there is approximately 5% increase in the growth of the industry (acreage and or total production).

The vegetable industry is facing increased competition from global, national and regional markets, resulting in a need to increase profits. Despite this, Pennsylvania ranks 5^th in apple production, 4^th in peach production and is in the top ten producing states for pears and sweet and tart cherries in the U.S. The total farm gate value of the tree fruit crops has averaged $95 million per year over the last six years. The berry industry is seeing an increased need for information for new growers as producers turn to alternative crops from more traditional income sources. The value of strawberry production has nearly doubled from 1999 to 2002, at a currant value of just over $10 million, placing Pennsylvania 4^th in fresh-market production. Pennsylvania is a major producer of grapes, ranking 4^th in production, with over 11,000 acres in production with a value of almost $17 million in 2002. Included in the grape industry is the developing wine grape industry, which is becoming a strong competitor in the Mid-Atlantic region with an increase of 79% in the number of wineries since 1989 and an estimated direct value of $50 million. The fruit industry as a whole is strong, but would benefit from improved profit margins brought about by improved technologies and greater efficiency. As consumers become more aware of healthy eating habits and the value of phytonutrients in the diet, the fruit industry should be positioned to capitalize on positive consumer trends.

References

American Nursery and Landscape Association. 2000.  2000 Grapevine Survey.  American Nursery and Landscape Association, Washington D.C.

Butterfield, B. 2002. National Gardening Survey 2001. The National Gardening Association, Inc. South Burlington, Vt.

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2003. Floriculture Crops 2002 Summary. Sp Cr 6-1 (03)

Subject Matter Areas

·        Consumer Horticulture (including Master Gardener)

·        Vegetables

·        Fruit (includes tree and small)

·        Green Industry Production (includes Christmas trees, nursery, greenhouse)

·        Green Industry Service (includes turf, interior & exterior landscape, garden center)

Program Titles and/or Program Topics

• Penn State Golf Turf Conference
• Eastern PA Turfgrass Conference
• Western PA Turfgrass Conference
• Northeastern PA Turfgrass Conference

• Vegetable Crop Production
• Fruit Crop Production
• Green Industry Production and Management
• Integrated Pest Management
• Organic Production