Research Accomplishment Reports 2009

Marketing, Managing, and Producing Environmental Plants in a Technical and Economically Efficient Manner

D. Ingram
Department of Horticulture

 

Non-Technical Summary

The procedures for the new project will emphasize the collaborative approach to address researchable problems confronting the large and expanding landscape (environmental) plant industry. The national-wide membership of this research group provides an excellent means for researchers in states with similar production, marketing, or management proglems to cooperate as a team. As appropriate, the committee will continue to sponsor and support national and/or international symposia to serve the needs of scientists with an interest in the landscape (environmental) plant industry.

Because of the limited nature of resources devoted to this research arena and the growing economic importance of this sector, it is crucial that research mechanisms be developed to assist producers and marketers of these plants to better ascertain opportunities and threats in the next five years.

2009 Project Description

Data collection for a National Nursery Industry Survey has been completed in 2009. A total of 3,041 valid responses were received, representing all 50 states, with total sales of $4.97 billion reported. In Kentucky, we had 30 respondents, who reported $19 million in sales. Publications from this information will be published in 2010. A multi-disciplinary, multi-state grant proposal was submitted to the USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative but was not funded in 2009.

2009 Impact

Analysis of data from the current survey in which Kentucky participated has not been completed. The results will be reviewed at the February, 2010 project meeting.