National Green Industry Survey Begins Data Collection

HRI Research • January 3, 2020

The Green Industry Research Consortium, with funding support from the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), is launching the National Green Industry Survey this month. This represents the seventh time that this survey has been conducted since 1989. The purpose of the survey is to document trends in production, marketing, and retailing practices in the U.S. Green Industry.

The Horticultural Research Institute’s mission is to direct, fund, promote, and communicate horticulture research. Supporting research that measures the industry’s economic contributions and documents industry trends is another example of how HRI helps advance the green industry and fulfill its core vision.

"This is the 30th year that our research team has conducted this national study, so it is special for us to commemorate this significant milestone. But more importantly, the study has been the steady source of information that is not collected by any other entity and has served the industry in so many capacities,” states Dr. Charlie Hall, research member of the Green Industry Research Consortium. “The National Green Industry Survey also provides much of the needed data for our economic impact study which is important in providing our industry trade associations with the ammunition they need to affect state and national policymaking affecting the future of the green industry."

Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort Senior Vice President of Industry Advocacy & Research, concurs. “The results of this survey enable our AmericanHort advocacy team to educate Members of Congress, their staff, and other federal policymakers on our industry’s role, importance, and impact. Decision makers and influencers are more likely to support our policy goals when they understand our industry’s true impact on jobs and the economy, as well as human health and well-being, strong communities, and the environment.”

HRI encourages every business that receives the survey to participate. The survey is distributed via mail and email (when available) to randomly selected wholesale and retail firms throughout the U.S. Participation is voluntary, anonymous, and confidential. If you would like to participate and do not receive a survey, contact the research team below:

Dr. Alan W. Hodges, University of Florida, 352-294-7674, awhodges@ufl.edu
Dr. Hayk Khachatryan, University of Florida, 407-410-6951, hayk@ufl.ed
uDr. Charlie Hall, Texas A&M University, 979-458-3277, c-hall@tamu.ed
uDr. Marco Palma, Texas A&M University, 979-845-5284, mapalma@tamu.ed

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The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), founded in 1962, has provided more than $7.5 million in funds to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to the green industry. Nearly $11 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations, and associations. For more information about HRI, its grant-funded research, or programming, visit www.hriresearch.org or contact Jennifer Gray at 614.884.1155.

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Soilless Substrate Science - Ushering in the Next Generation of Growing Media

By Jennifer Gray • May 28, 2026

Soilless Substrate Science (S3) is a national transdisciplinary collaboration developed to support growers as we advance to the next generation of substrates. Our team is leading North American efforts to develop new substrate materials and techniques, and working with growers to support implementation, as we support the global transition to substrates that go Beyond Peat. In this webinar, Dr. Jeb Fields will discuss the S3 team efforts surrounding identification of new substrate materials, processing and development, and grower support. We will explore wood fiber processing, sugarcane bagasse substrate development, stabilization of organic fibers, databasing substrate materials, and opportunities for growers to get involved. Overall, attendees will learn about US efforts to develop domestically-sourced substrates and advance substrate science as we move towards the next generation of substrate science. Our Speaker Dr. Jeb Fields is a production horticulturist who works with growers in Florida and throughout the country to support more effective and efficient production practices through his environmental nursery research program. Jeb’s primary interests include growing media & substrate science, irrigation & fertilizer management, whole plant-water relations and plant abiotic stress physiology. Jeb is an internationally recognized substrate scientist, the leader of the Beyond Peat project through the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative, and the national S3 (Soilless Substrate Science) team which pursues advancements of the global substrate industry and development sustainable substrate materials and practices, including substrate stratification. Jeb is the editor for Nursery & Landscape Insider, a biweekly e-newsletter from Ball Publishing, that reaches over 32,000 stakeholders worldwide. For his efforts, he has been recognized with numerous awards, honors, and leadership positions. Prior to joining UF, Jeb was a professor and research station director with the LSU AgCenter. Jeb studied at UF for his B.S., NC State University for his M.S., and Virginia Tech for his Ph.D. – with all degrees focusing on production horticulture.

A soft-focus background of varying shades of green, suggesting grass, foliage, or a forest landscape.

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By Jennifer Gray • March 24, 2026

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