Research done for Masters Project by Emily Harris

Survey Results for Plant Selection Programs

• Most programs have several sponsors.
• Many issues arose during the setup phase including funding, industry support, and program support.

• 62% of the programs were modeled after another program.
  
• 62% of the programs have been established for 6-10 years
  
• Major expense of the programs: program personnel, advertising, promotion tags, and travel
  
• 39% generate a revenue stream
  
• 69% have committee(s) to nominate and select plants
  
• 62% include plant trials as part of their plant selection process
  
• Most challenging areas for the programs: grower support/acceptance, retailer support/acceptance, consumer awareness and plant selections.
  
• 69% said there was a positive economic response to the program

Survey of Alabama Retailers and Growers

• 95% said they would like some involvement
  
• 70% said they thought a selection program could help their business, 28% were not sure, and 2% said no
  
• 70% think anyone in the green industry should be able to nominate plants, 27% think just people on a nominating committee, and 5% said anyone
  
• 95% want plant trials to be included in the selection process
  
• 67% were wholesale growers, 30% were retail growers, 12% were contract growers, and 42% were retail garden centers

Survey of Alabama Retailers and Growers

• 44% would be willing to display advertisement materials in their store
  
• 38% grow or sell for other plant selection programs
  
• 69% ship plants in-state, 61% ship plants out of state
  
• 76% sell plant from their own nursery/greenhouse, 60% sell plants from in-state growers, 51% ship form out-of-state growers
  
• Operations consist of: 64% greenhouse, 70% field production/containers, 48% retail, 44% propagation materials, 5% bare root nursery stock

Emily Harris

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