Florida faces significant environmental challenges due to population growth and the widespread use of fertilizers and pesticides. Key concerns include water contamination from lawn and landscape chemicals, soil erosion, and the loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Home landscapes offer a valuable opportunity to implement sustainable practices that conserve water, reduce chemical inputs, recycle yard waste, prevent erosion, and support local wildlife. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension provides residents with research-based recommendations to promote sustainable landscaping. In 2024, the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County residential horticulture program educated 1,477 residents on these practices. A six-month follow-up survey (n=55) revealed that participants adopted various sustainable strategies: 78% replaced high-maintenance plants with low-maintenance alternatives, 86% selected plants suited to site conditions, 51% used rain gauges to monitor rainfall, 66% applied a 2-3" layer of organic mulch, 76% enhanced landscapes with plants or water sources to attract wildlife, 88% opted for less toxic pesticides, 49% started composting, and 50% maintained a 10-foot no-treatment zone near water bodies. These changes contribute to reducing stormwater runoff and nutrient leaching, leading to cleaner water bodies and improved environmental health. The success of these educational programs highlights the impact of extension efforts in fostering sustainable landscapes and protecting Florida’s natural resources.
Green industry businesses face many challenges in production including finding and retaining employees as well as increasing materials and shipping costs. To address production hurdles, implementation of various types of automation are a key focus in many horticultural production operations. Automation has the potential to not only address key production challenges but can also improve working conditions and employee experience, including health and well-being. A focus on employee health and wages has been shown to be valued by consumers of a range of horticultural food crops and have been a key element in price premiums for food crops and businesses who demonstrate their positive benefit for worker or community well-being. However, less is known about consumer perceptions of green industry production practices or their valuation of businesses prioritizing employee well-being. Therefore, a nationwide consumer survey was undertaken to assess consumer knowledge and perception about automation overall and automation within horticultural production. While the focus on the survey was to investigate automation technologies in the nursery industry, the survey included a range of greenhouse and nursery crops to assess consumers’ understanding of the current use of automation as well as perceptions about automation as well as the impact of automation on employee health and well-being. The focus on the presentation will be on consumer knowledge and opinion on automation in plant production as well as the role of consumer demographics, work experiences, and industry knowledge. Results will be summarized to share opportunities for strengthening consumer valuation of horticultural crops.
Consumer decision making is heavily influenced by not only the information made available about products but also the degree of trust consumers have in that information. As online sources increase, so do opportunities to find information about products that is both factual and misleading. Especially with regards to green products and sustainability claims, predatory marketing practices, undisclosed advertisements, and uninformed influencers contribute to consumer vulnerability regarding purchases. With regards to plant products - both plant-based foods and ornamental plants - and the environment, little research has been invested in understanding where and how consumers are getting information and what they trust. This study investigates how plant consumers access and trust information regarding environmental and climate issues, their purchases, and the sustainability qualities of plant products. Using the results of an online survey, consumer profiles were identified using Ward’s Linkage clustering so that stakeholders, such as science communicators, marketing professionals, consumer protection agencies, and consumers themselves can better understand the state of consumer trust in information about plant products.
Home propagation is a common practice among horticulturalists and green industry consumers due to the simplicity of the activity and the gratification of successfully growing new plants. While discussions of propagation often emphasize its environmental and economic benefits, far less attention has been given to its individualistic impacts. These impacts may include psychological, therapeutic, and social benefits. This study examines the relationship between home propagation and improvements in mood, self-confidence, and opportunities for interaction with other plant enthusiasts. Through surveys with plant propagators, we will learn how successful propagation attempts create a sense of personal fulfillment, accomplishment, and a desire for interaction with other propagators. By further investigating these benefits, this research aims to determine if home propagation functions as a therapeutic and community-building activity and should be acknowledged as something deeper than a casual hobby.
Identity has been used as a measure of individuals to better understand values and behavior, such as concern for the environment and subsequent behaviors. Applying the same approach to horticulture, measure of identity as a gardener can help researchers, educators, and industry stakeholders have knowledge of existing and potential clients to deliver relevant goods and services. In a 2023 national survey, respondents (n=2435) completed measures of gardener identity (GI) as well as assessments of five elemental and three functional gardening practices. Gardener identity scores were significantly higher among self-reported gardeners than nongardeners, with a weak positive correlation between GI score and spending on supplies and services (r = .310, p=.01). Despite perception that gardening is a solitary activity, findings highlight the role of social networks in positive, early gardening experiences that shape behaviors across the lifespan. Coupled with demographic data, these scores provide additional insight and guidance for developing and supporting individuals who spend money on green industry supplies and services.
Residential landscape pest management presents many challenges and pesticide management is accomplished via use of synthetic pesticide rotations. As consumer concerns related to pesticide use and the environment rise, landscapers have the opportunity to offer an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, using a combination of chemical and non-chemical control methods to reduce pesticide usage and reliance. However, consumer acceptance of and understanding of IPM is still not fully understood. We surveyed 1,000 respondents to quantify consumer knowledge of IPM. Questions were vetted using the Delphi method with nine industry and academic experts. Over 75% of respondents had some knowledge or were very knowledgeable of IPM. The more educated the respondents, the more knowledgeable they were of IPM. To capitalize on this to enhance economic outcomes for landscape service providers, future research should quantify how much consumers are willing to pay for IPM-grown plants or landscape services.
I am a native of the mountains of eastern Tennessee. I have a B.S. in Agriculture – Plant and Soil Science, and M.S. in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Tennessee. My thesis project focused on woody tree and shrub liner production. I have worked as an herbaceous... Read More →
Join this open forum discussion to interact with your peers while exploring current issues facing consumer horticulture research and programming both nationally and internationally. The board of the Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardener Interest Group will serve as hosts for the session. The purpose of the discussion is to network with peers and to stay current in this evolving field of work. Climate change, soil erosion and quality, invasive species and preservation of native plants and food deserts are all open for discussion. Target audience issues such as generation differences in information sources and engagement are also important topics. All those working in any aspect of the field of consumer horticulture are encouraged to participate. Different perspectives from a broad stakeholder group with varying viewpoints are need for impactful and rich dialog.
Speakers: Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardner (CHMG) Interest Group Board Gerald Burgner, Chair, Texas A&M Natalie Bumgarner, Vice Chair, University of Tennessee Ruth Carll, Secretary, Rutgers
Friday August 1, 2025 1:45pm - 3:45pm CDT Strand 12A
