Understanding Grower Perceptions of Sustainability

Sustainable floriculture production is an emerging issue for floriculture producers in the United States, yet most do not have a clear understanding of this topic and varying opinions exist about its importance. The objective of this study is to identify barriers to entry into sustainable practices among floriculture producers. A national convenience sample was conducted via a paper questionnaire and the internet of floriculture producers between June and October, 2008. Approximately 96% of respondents had heard of sustainable floriculture and the majority (65.2%) viewed sustainable practices as “very important” to the environment. More than half (63%) of the respondents already use some type of sustainable practice in their operation. Recycling plastic pots and/or greenhouse glazing materials was the most common sustainable practice producers currently had in place (73%) followed by water recycling and/or water conservation (62%). The top five practices that the growers felt were important to implement included: recycling plastic pots and/or greenhouse glazing, biological controls, conservation of energy, water recycling and/or conservation, and alternative energy sources. Respondents agreed that implementing sustainable practices would be a worthy investment (67.5%) as it was a viable marketing trend in the floriculture industry (63%). However, respondents were uncertain on whether becoming sustainable would generate more profits for their operation (54.9%). Less than half (47.7%) of growers were uncertain whether customers would value sustainable floriculture production practices. Producers either disagreed or were undecided with the statement that the conversion to sustainable production was risky (71.1%).