List the major challenges that currently affect your growing operation.
1) Immigration and Labor Issues
- Adequate labor supply
- Comprehensive immigration reform

2) Drought and Water Issues
- Develop a workable state water policy
- Promote consumer water conservation
3) Energy Issues
- Fuel costs- delivery and heating of greenhouses
- Rising prices of pots and fertilizers

Name some research projects that Auburn University, Horticulture Research Institute or another research organization could focus on which would benefit your operation.
Potential Research Projects
1) Development of alternative substrates for nursery and greenhouse production
- Identify unique cultural practices
• particle size
• aged vs. fresh
• amending Pine bark with alternative substrates to extend dwindling Pine bark supply
• commercialization of alternative substrates
2) Marketing Alabama grown plants
3) New Plant Trials – Best plants for our region
4) Developing best management practices for pest control (insect, disease, weeds)

What educational program topics interest you as a grower?
1) Marketing and new plant introduction program
2) Pest control
- Update on new chemicals
3) Growing practices
- Propagation
- Labor saving ideas
- Calculating growing costs

Which political issues, on either state or national level, should ALNLA closely monitor on our industry’s behalf?
1) Immigration and labor issues
- Adequate labor supply
- Comprehensive immigration reform
2) Water Issues
- Develop a workable state policy
- Promote consumer water conservation