Data that grows the green industry.

The Green Industry Research Consortium (also known as the S1087 “Sustainable Practices, Economic Contributions, Consumer Behavior, and Labor Management in the U.S. Environmental Horticulture Industry” project) is a multi-state research committee made up of horticulturists and agricultural economists that helps growers, landscapers, and policymakers make smarter decisions. 

USDA-NIFA Hatch Multistate

Public–private collaboration

Data-driven insights

Public research, practical results.

The Green Industry Research Consortium/S1087 is part of the Hatch Act Multistate Research Fund—administered by USDA-NIFA—which supports collaborative projects led by State Agricultural Experiment Stations and land-grant universities. Four U.S. regional divisions connect scientists, Extension, and industry to tackle national, high-priority agricultural issues through multidisciplinary research by scientists around the country.

4 regional divisions

University–industry–government collaboration

Research covers plant health, pest management, soil & water, technology transfer, and more

Big questions need shared answers.

The Green Industry Research Consortium/S1087 produces the National Green Industry Survey. This survey of nursery and greenhouse growers gathers key data on production practices, sales channels, state-by-state distribution of wholesale sales, advertising expenditures, and selling methods. The goal is to generate insights that help growers make informed production and marketing decisions.

Smarter Production 

Better practices reduce waste, improve plant health, and boost margins.

Market Clarity

National data informs pricing, marketing, and investment decisions

Policy Impact

Credible evidence guides legislative and regulatory outcomes.

The National Green Industry Survey

The only national dataset of its kind—since 1973.

Every five years, the S1087 team fields the National Green Industry Survey, capturing production practices, advertising, sales by state, and more. These data underpin the widely cited national economic impact studies and help businesses benchmark performance.

The goal is to generate insights that help growers make informed production and marketing decisions.

52

Years of collaboration

11

Survey cycles completed

50

States represented

About the Green Industry Research Consortium

S1087: Sustainable Practices, Economic Contributions, Consumer Behavior, and Labor Management in the U.S. Environmental Horticulture Industry

The S1087 project unites horticulturists and agricultural economists across numerous public universities. Known collectively as the Green Industry Research Consortium (est. 1976), the team conducts applied research and Extension to strengthen production, management, marketing, and workforce strategies for nursery, greenhouse, and landscape sectors.

From Data to Decisions

Actionable findings on practices, economics, consumer trends, and labor—ready for you to use.

Growers & Landscapers —production practices, pricing, marketing.

Allied Suppliers —demand signals & product development.

Extension & Educators —program design & training.

Policy & Regulators —evidence for programs that affect the industry.

  • Objective 1 – Sustainable Production & Landscapes

    Investigate environmental, social, and economic sustainability in ornamental crop production and landscape systems.

    • Identify the most economically feasible sustainable landscape practices and provide cost analyses for installation/maintenance.
    • Compare water requirements for popular container crops vs. native alternatives; create irrigation schedules that conserve water without compromising plant quality.
    • Deliver outreach materials and training sessions.

  • Objective 2 – Economics & Industry Contributions

    Evaluate structural characteristics and quantify the green industry’s contributions to national and state economies.

    • Update the U.S. green industry economic impact (full print & digital report).
    • Publish results (Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin; Journal of Environmental Horticulture).
    • Share trade-press articles, presentations, and downloadable benchmarks for greenhouse & nursery operations.
    • Update prevailing production/marketing practices and quantify regional trade flows of nursery/greenhouse crops.

  • Objective 3 – Consumers & Well-Being

    Understand plant purchasing preferences and the role of plants in health and well-being.

    • Report purchasing habits and preferences across demographic groups.
    • Profile markets for organic, local, and sustainably produced ornamentals; identify branded-plant buyers.
    • Estimate average household spend on nursery products & landscaping services.
    • Summarize perceptions of sustainable landscapes, recycled water, and native species; measure shifts after awareness campaigns.
    • Use eye-tracking to reveal what captures attention and drives purchase intent; host targeted marketing/economics workshops.

  • Objective 4 – Labor & Mechanization

    Study labor management, H-2A/H-2B utilization, and the economics of automation/mechanization.

    • Analyze H-2A/H-2B use in green industry firms.
    • Quantify how labor constraints impact costs and adoption of automation/ mechanization.


The National Green Industry Survey Archive

Trusted data collected every five years since 1988, informing decisions for growers, policymakers, and educators.

Green Industry Research Consortium/S1087 researchers have conducted the survey every five years, creating the most comprehensive dataset in the green industry.

2023 - coming soon

2018

2013

2008

2003

1998

1993

1988

Meet the Green Industry Research Consortium/S1087 Research Team

Coast-to-coast expertise.

Publications, Extension Reports & Presentations

Research and outreach outputs from S1087 and the Green Industry Research Consortium.

The team publishes widely in peer-reviewed journals, Extension reports, and professional meetings to share findings with both academic and industry audiences.

  • Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

    Recent scholarly outputs (2020–2023) covering economic contributions, trade flows, production practices, consumer trends, and marketing.


    Hall CR, Hodges AQ, Khachatryan H, Palma MA. Economic contributions of the Green Industry in the United States in 2018. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 1 September 2020; 38 (3): 73–79. doi: https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-38.3.73


    Hall, Charles, Chuan Hong, Fred Gouker, and Margie Daughtrey. 2021. Analyzing the Structural Shifts in U.S. Boxwood Production Due to Boxwood Blight. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 39 (3):91-99. https://jeh.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/jenh/39/3/article-p91.xml


    Knuth MJ, Khachatryan H, Hall CR, Palma MA, Hodges AW, Torres AP, Brumfield RG. Trade flows within the United States Nursery Industry in 2018. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 1 June 2021; 39 (2): 77–90. doi: https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-39.2.77


    Rihn AL, Hall CR, Peterson BJ, Torres AP, Palma MA, Khachatryan H. Changes in production practices by Green Industry growers from 2009 to 2019. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 1 September 2021; 39 (3): 123–130. doi: https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-39.3.123


    Rihn AL, Knuth MJ, Peterson BJ, Torres AP, Campbell JH, Boyer CR, Palma MA, Khachatryan H. Investigating drivers of native plant production in the United States Green Industry. Sustainability. 2022; 14(11):6774. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116774


    Rihn AL, Torres A., Barton SS, Behe B K, Khachatryan H. 2021. Marketing strategies used by U.S. landscape services firms. HortScience, 56(6), 695-708. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15774-21.


    Torres AP, Rihn AL, Barton SS, Behe BK, Khachatryan H. 2021. Evaluating the business and owner characteristics influencing the adoption of online advertising strategies in the U.S. Green Industry, HortScience, 56(6), 659-666. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15766-21.


    Wei X, Khachatryan H, Hodges A, Hall CR, Palma M, Torres A, Brumfield R. 2023. Exploring market choices in the US ornamental horticulture industry. Agribusiness, 39 (1), 65-109. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/agr.21769


    Yue C, Lai Y, Khachatryan H, Hodges AW. 2022. Effect of geographic distance on domestic trade: A case of the US Green industry. Agribusiness, 38, 154– 174. https://doi-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1002/agr.21715



  • Extension Reports

    Region-focused Extension outputs delivering data and insights directly to growers and industry stakeholders.


    Rihn, A., A. Fulcher, H. Khachatryan. 2021. A ten-year review of the southeast U.S. green industry, part I: Labor and firm characteristics. University of Tennessee Agricultural and Resource Economics Extension Report, W1026. https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2023/10/W1026.pdf


    Khachatryan, H., Knuth, M., Hodges, A., and C. Hall. 2021. Florida Nursery and Landscape Industry Economic Contributions Report. University of Florida, IFAS, Florida Coop. Ext. Serv.,Food and Resource Economics Dept., Electronic Data Information Source Publication. FE1114.  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE1114


    Khachatryan, H., Knuth, M., Hodges, A., and C. Hall. 2021. Florida Nursery and Landscape Industry Characteristics Report. University of Florida, IFAS, Florida Coop. Ext. Serv., Food and Resource Economics Dept., Electronic Data Information Source Publication. FE1108.

    https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE1108


  • Presentations

    Conference and professional presentations where researchers shared timely insights with academic and industry audiences.


    Bumgarner, N., A.L. Rihn, J. Campbell, S. Dorn. 2022. Extension outreach and green industry retailer synergies to reach new horticulture consumers. ASHS Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, July 30 - Aug. 3, 2022.


    Wei, X., and H. Khachatryan. “Investigating Green Industry Firms’ Market Shares to Wholesalers, Landscapers, Retailers and Direct-to-Consumer Channels.” 134th Florida State Horticultural Society (FSHS) Annual Meeting, Daytona Beach, September 26-28, 2021.


    Wei, X., H. Khachatryan, A. Torres, R. Brumfield, A. Hodges, M. Palma, and C. Hall. "An analysis of Market Channel Alternatives for the U.S. Ornamental Plants Growers." International Conference of Agricultural Economists (Virtual), August 17-31, 2021.


    Wei, X., H. Khachatryan, A. Torres, R. Brumfield, A. Hodges, M. Palma, and C. Hall. "Exploring Firms’ Marketing Choices in the US Ornamental Horticulture Industry." American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Annual Conference, Denver, CO, August 5-9, 2021.


    Rihn, A.L., and A. Fulcher. 2022. Labor Challenges, Trends and Solutions for the Green Industry. University of Tennessee Nursery Production Working Group’s Hot Topics (virtual) presentation, May 24, 2022.


    Rihn, A.L. “Green industry outlook.” Southern Outlook Conference, Southern Extension Economics Committee, Atlanta, GA, September 21, 2021.


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2022, July). The current state and forecast for the green industry economy. Corteva Agriscience Distributor and Formulator Meeting. Banff, Canada: Corteva Agriscience.


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2022, July). The effect of the pandemic on the green industry in Texas. Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. Region 3 Meeting: Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. 41.


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2022, July). 2022 State of the Industry: The Economy. AmericanHort Cultivate’22. Columbus, OH: AmericanHort.


    Xuan, W., Khachatryan, H., Torres, A., Brumfield, R., Hodges, A., Palma, M. A., & Hall, C. (2021, August). An Analysis of Market Channel Alternatives for the US Ornamental Plants Growers. International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) 2021 Conference. Virtual: International Association of Agricultural Economists.


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2021, September). Marketing Sustainability. AIPH International Conference: The path to sustainability in ornamental horticulture. online: International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2021, July). Economic State of the Industry. AmericanHort Cultivate 2021. Columbus, OH: AmericanHort.


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2022, July). Economic State of the Industry. AmericanHort Cultivate 2022. Columbus, OH: AmericanHort.


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2023, July). Economic State of the Industry. AmericanHort Cultivate 2023. Columbus, OH: AmericanHort.


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2024, July). Economic State of the Industry. AmericanHort Cultivate 2024. Columbus, OH: AmericanHort.


    Hall Jr, C. R. (2025, July). Economic State of the Industry. AmericanHort Cultivate 2025. Columbus, OH: AmericanHort.


  • Publications from Previous Survey Iterations (1988–2013)

    Earlier National Green Industry Survey publications (1988–2013), many co-funded by HRI, in JEH, HortScience, HortTechnology, and Southern Cooperative Series Bulletins.


    Hodges AW, Khachatryan H, Palma MA, Hall CR. 2015. Production and marketing practices and trade flows in the United States Green Industry in 2013. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 33(3):125-136.  https://jeh.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/jenh/33/3/article-p125.xml


    Hodges AW, Hall CR, Palma MA, Khachatryan H. 2015. Economic contributions of the Green Industry in the United States in 2013. HortTechnology. 25(6):805-814. https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/horttech/25/6/article-p805.xml


    Khachatryan H, Hodges AW, Palma MA, Hall CR. 2016. Inter-regional trade flows within the U.S. Green Industry. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 34(1):19-29.  https://jeh.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/jenh/34/1/article-p19.xml


    Palma MA, Hall CR, Campbell B, Khachatryan H, Behe B, Barton S. 2012. Measuring the effects of firm promotion expenditures on Green Industry sales. J. Environ. Hort. 30(2):83-88. https://jeh.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/jenh/30/2/article-p83.xml


    Behe BK, Dennis JH, Hall CR, Hodges AW, Brumfield RG. 2008. Regional marketing practices in U.S. nursery production. HortScience, 43(7): 2070-2075. https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/43/7/article-p2070.xml


    Brooker, John, Roger Hinson, and Steve Turner. 1990. Trade flows and marketing practices within the United States nursery industry. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #358. (NO LINK)


    Hall CR, Hodges AW, Palma M. 2011. Sales, trade flows and marketing practices within the U.S. nursery industry. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 29(1): 14-24.  https://jeh.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/jenh/29/1/article-p14.xml


    Hall CR, Hodges AL, Haydu J. 2006. Economic impact of the Green industry in the United States. HortTechnology, 16(2). https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/horttech/16/2/article-p345.xml


    Hodges AW, Hall CR, Palma, MA. 2011. Economic contributions of the Green Industry in the United States in 2007-08. HortTechnology 21(5): 628-638.  https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/horttech/21/5/article-p628.xml


    Hodges AW, Hall CR, Behe BK, Dennis JH. 2008. Regional analysis of production practices and technology use in the U.S. nursery industry. HortScience, 43(6):1807-1812. https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/43/6/article-p1807.xml


    SCSB 421 (1-58161-421-9) Production and marketing practices and trade flows in the United States green industry: 2018. (S-1065) 2020.

    https://saaesd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/421-National-Green-Industry-Survey.pdf


    SCSB 420 (1-58161-420-9) Trade flow and marketing practices within the United States Green Industry: 2013 (S-1051) 2015.

    https://saaesd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/National-Green-Industry-Survey-report-2014-SCSB-52615-2.pdf


    SCSB 413 (1-58161-415-2) Economic contributions of the Green Industry in the United States, 2007 (S1051) 2011. https://saaesd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Economic-contributions-of-the-US-green-industry-in-2007-SCSB-413-revised-May-21-2011.pdf


    SCSB 411 (1-58161-411) Trade flow and marketing practices within the United States Nursery Industry: 2008 (S-1051) 2010. https://saaesd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SCSB411-2.pdf


    SCSB 406 (1-58161-406-3) The economic impact of the Green industry in the United States. (S-290) 2007.  (It goes this link) https://cals.ncsu.edu/agInnovation%20South/scsb/list/S-1021%20Bulletin%20(3).doc


    Correct Link - https://saaesd.org/bulletins/southern-cooperative-series-394-409/ (BROKEN)


    SCSB 404 (1-58161-404-7) Trade flow and marketing practices within the United States Nursery Industry: 2003 (S-290) 2005. (NO LINK)


    SCSB 397 (1-58161-397-0) Trade flows and marketing practices Within the United States Nursery Industry: 1998 (S-290/S-103) TN 2000. (BROKEN LINK)


    SCSB 384 (1-58161-384-9) Trade flows and marketing practices within the United States nursery industry: 1993. (S-103) 1995. (NO LINK)