The Economic Impact of the Green Industry in the United States

Abstract

<jats:p>The United States environmental horticulture industry, also known as the Green Industry, is comprised of wholesale nursery and sod growers; landscape architects, designers/builders, contractors, and maintenance firms; retail garden centers, home centers, and mass merchandisers with lawn and garden departments; and marketing intermediaries such as brokers and horticultural distribution centers (re-wholesalers). Environmental horticulture is one of the fastest growing segments of the nation's agricultural economy. In spite of the magnitude and recent growth in the Green Industry, there is surprisingly little information regarding its economic impact. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the economic impacts of the Green Industry at the national level. Economic impacts for the U.S. Green Industry in 2002 were estimated at $147.8 billion in output, 1,964,339 jobs, $95.1 billion in value added, $64.3 billion in labor income, and $6.9 billion in indirect business taxes, with these values expressed in 2004 dollars. In addition, this study evaluated the value and role of urban forest trees (woody ornamental trees); the total output of tree production and care services was valued at $14.55 billion, which translated into $21.02 billion in total output impacts, 259,224 jobs, and $14.12 billion in value added.</jats:p>

What drives an environmental horticultural firm to start recycling plastics? Results of a Georgia survey

“…During the 1990s, there was a rapid expansion of suburban neighborhoods and the environmental horticulture sector responded by supplying plants and providing installation and maintenance services. The environmental horticultural sector is one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture (Hall et al, 2006). Specifically, the average annual growth rates are 11% in the landscape services sector, 5% in the retail nurseries and garden stores sector, 2.4% in the nursery and greenhouse sector, and 2.7% in the lawn and garden equipment manufacturing sector (Hall et al, 2005).…”

“…The range of products and services provided by horticultural firms is quite broad involving the production, distribution, and services associated with ornamental plants, landscaping, garden supplies, and equipment (Hall et al, 2006). In 2002, the environmental horticulture industry generated $147.8 billion total output (expressed in 2004 dollars) and about 2 million jobs in the United States (Hall et al, 2006).…”

“…In this region, climatic conditions allow production of ornamental plants year-round enabled by the use of plastic tunnels, greenhouses, and containers. According to Hall et al (2006), Georgia is among the leading states in the environmental horticulture industry in terms of both total output ($4.2 billion) and employment (62,493) in the United States. Given the wide range of horticultural firms and the crucial role of the environmental horticulture industry in this region, results of the Georgia survey could not only provide insights to local government and environmental organizations, but also offer useful suggestions for the design and implementation of recycling programs in the environmental horticulture industry nationwide and globally.…”

Effect of different nitrogen-potassium concentrations on growth and flowering of chrysanthemum in a drip hydroponic system

“…Simultaneously, production of quality potted plants has increased considerably to meet the ever-increasing demand and depends upon using good plant supporting media, efficient nutrient solutions, and effective growing systems. In addition, strict specifications based on plant-to-pot ratio have forced the growers to conform their produce to the prescribed standards laid by market retailers (Hall et al, 2006). Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)…”

Preventing horticultural introductions of invasive plants: potential efficacy of voluntary initiatives

“…The horticulture trade, which is economically important and one of the fastest growing segments of US agriculture (Carman and Rodriguez 2004;Shields and Willits 2003;Hall et al 2005;Jerardo 2005), is a principal pathway for intentional introductions of invasive plants (Reichard 1997;Reichard and White 2001). A large percentage of invasive plant species in the US have been deliberately imported for horticultural and landscaping purposes (Reichard 1997;Reichard and White 2001;Mack and Erneberg 2002;Bell et al 2003;Pimentel et al 2005).…”