Grow the Future of Consumer Horticulture

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Strategic Plan

Mission:

The Mission of the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture is to grow a healthy world through the art, science and business of plants, gardens and landscapes.

Vision:

Every household participates in Consumer Horticulture.

NICH Releases The Power of Plants: Enriching Lives, Creating Jobs, Building Wealth, Saving Money

*Authors, References, Credits, and More Information

The benefits of consumer horticulture are spotlighted in “#PlantsDoThat, Horticulture: The Art, Science, & Business of Plants,” from the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH).

As the #PlantsDoThat infographic shows, plants benefit society in many ways:

  • Plants in the workplace reduce employee sick time by 14%
  • Well-landscaped homes are more valuable; since homes represent 25% of personal wealth, outdoor plants pack a powerful personal finance punch
  • American’s are growing more of their own food—25% of all Americans grow berries, veggies or fruit trees
  • Shaded roadways save 60% of repaving costs
  • America’s public gardens generate $2.3 billion in tourism spending

The #PlantsDoThat infographic was developed by the NICH Economic Committee using data gathered by Dr. Charlie Hall, the Ellison Endowed Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University. It’s the first of a number of infographics to showcase the growing evidence base of the power of plants to improve life.

The infographic series is available to companies, institutions and individuals for use in outreach to horticulture industry and non-industry members to grow a healthy world through plants, gardens, and landscapes.

Press Release: NICH Releases The Power of Plants: Enriching Lives, Creating Jobs, Building Wealth, Saving Money

Meeting Minutes, Press Releases, and Updates from the Team

Latest News

PlantsDoThat / Press Release

Get the Word Out

Help us promote plants and the goods and services that support their enjoyment and use. We have two fall plant promotional pieces to share with you. Take them and use …

Meeting Minutes

August 6th Conference Call

National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) Executive Committee Bi-Weekly Conference Call Tuesday August 6, 2019 10am ET / 9am CT / 8am MT / 7am PT Minutes Attendees: Sylvia Gordon, …

Meeting Minutes

June 25th Conference Call

National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) Executive Committee Bi-Weekly Conference Call Tuesday June 25, 2019 10am ET / 9am CT / 8am MT / 7am PT Minutes Attendees: Casey, Sylvia, …

Meeting Minutes

May 28th Conference Call

National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) Executive Committee Bi-Weekly Conference Call Tuesday May 28, 2019 10am ET / 9am CT / 8am MT / 7am PT Minutes Attendees: Casey, Ellen, …

Meeting Minutes

May 14th Conference Call

National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) Executive Committee Bi-Weekly Conference Call Tuesday, May 14, 2019 10am ET / 9am CT / 8am MT / 7am PT Minutes 1. Agenda review …

Meeting Minutes

April 16th Conference Call

National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) Executive Committee Bi-Weekly Conference Call Tuesday, April 16, 2019 10am ET / 9am CT / 8am MT / 7am PT Minutes Attendees: Sylvia, Missy, …

Meeting Minutes

April 2nd Conference Call

National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) Executive Committee Bi-Weekly Conference Call Tuesday, April 2, 2019 10am ET / 9am CT / 8am MT / 7am PT Minutes Attendees: Missy, Ellen, …

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Our Goals

Cultivating Healthy, Connected and Engaged Communities

Objectives

  • Educate the public on nutritional, physical, psychological, and social health benefits associated with Consumer Horticulture.
  • Provide policymakers with current scientific information that supports the social and community health impacts of Consumer Horticulture.
  • Strengthen the adoption of Consumer Horticulture in the U.S. as an effective tool for improving human health and community well-being across diverse populations.
 

Recognize Consumer Horticulture as a Driver of the Agricultural Economy

Objectives

  • Document, comprehensively measure, and disseminate the economic impact and benefits of consumer horticulture.
  • Create a united and recognized voice by building partnerships among all sectors that contribute to Consumer Horticulture.
  • Train our existing and future workforce to be more professional, knowledgeable, skilled, and safe.
  • Help retail operations and consumer service providers succeed and increase their profitability through the development of better economic management tools and technologies.
  • Stimulate entrepreneurial opportunities in Consumer Horticulture.

Restore, Protect, and Conserve Natural Resources Through Consumer Horticulture Research and Education

Objectives

  • Communicate the environmental benefits of Consumer Horticulture.
  • Develop and promote sustainable practices specific to Consumer Horticulture.
  • Educate practitioners on the appropriate use of production and management inputs.
  • Identify and implement the positive environmental impacts of Consumer Horticulture on water quantity and quality resources.
  • Identify and develop plants, products, and technology appropriate to the diversity of landscape and gardening practices to enhance ecosystem services.
  • Forge a collective strategy with sectors of Consumer Horticulture to proactively address important issues such as the importation, introduction, and spread of invasive species.
Definition and

Core Values

Definition:

Consumer Horticulture is the cultivation, use, and enjoyment of plants, gardens, landscapes and related horticultural items to the benefit of individuals, communities, and the environment. These activities rely on the understanding and application of the art and science of horticulture.

Gardens encompass the growing of all plants; whether one or many, indoors or outdoors and includes ornamentals, edibles, natives, or crops.

Landscapes encompass the integration of the essential features of larger gardens with horticultural items to create artistic environments that are shared across the community.

Horticultural-related items encompass the tools and technologies that benefit gardeners or promote a greater pleasure of gardening itself. These include garden sculpture, structures such as sheds, patios, hardscapes, masonry, and water features such as ponds and fountains.

The establishment and care of gardens and landscapes often requires services of arborists, turf grass care providers, landscape and nursery industry professionals, and others. This creates the need for a consumer knowledgeable about the cost and skills required to provide these services.

Core Values

  • Diversity and Inclusion – all welcomed and valued/individuals can make a difference
  • Service – for the common good
  • Research, Education and Extension/Engagement – for positive change
  • Environmental, Social and Economic Focus – address all aspects of sustainability
  • Innovation and Creativity – for real world challenges
  • Accountability – demonstrate the ownership necessary to achieve desired results
  • Relevant – in responding to the needs of, and communicating with, our clientele

Join the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture, stay up-to-date and engaged, connect with us, sign up for emails, updates, surveys, and infographics.

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Leadership and

Organization

Leadership

Executive Committee

  • Chair: Casey Sclar, American Public Gardens Association
  • Co-Chairs: Ellen Bauske, University of Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture; and Sylvia Gordon, Landscapes by Sylvia Gordon
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Missy Gable, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Committees and Councils

Community and Health Benefits Committee

Chair:

  • Pam Bennett, State Master Gardener Volunteer Program Coordinator, Ohio State University

Members:

  • Gary Bachman, Mississippi State University Extension
  • Natalie Bumgarner, University of Tennessee
  • Sheri Dorn, University of Georgia
  • Teresia Hazen, Legacy Health
  • Jeff Kuehny, LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
  • Terri James, Nebraska Extension
  • Sarada Krishnan, Center for Global Initiatives
  • Kerry Smith, Alabama Cooperative Extension 

Economic Committee

Chair:

  • Casey Sclar, American Public Gardens Association (Acting)

Members:

  • Ken Altman, Altman Plants
  • Bridgett Behe, Michigan State University
  • Natalie Bumgarner, University of Tennessee
  • Jill Calabro, AmericanHort
  • Janet B. Carson, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
  • Danny Gouge, Willoway Nurseries
  • Jennifer Gray, AmericanHort
  • Charlie Hall, Texas A&M University
  • Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Co.
  • Steve Mostardi, Mostardi Nursery
  • Patrick Parker, Savatree
  • Dawn Thilmany McFadden, Colorado State University
  • Penny McBride, Vertical Harvest

Environmental Committee

Chair:

  • Gail Langelotto, Oregon State University

Members:

  • Amy Jo Detweiler, Oregon State University
  • Carl Evensen, University of Hawaii
  • Allison Gault, Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association
  • Lauren Garcia Chance, Clemson University
  • Sarada Krishnan, Denver Botanic Garden
  • Bodie Pennisi, University of Georgia 

MarCom Committee

Chair:

  • Mary Kay Woodworth, Georgia Urban Ag Council

Members:

  • Angela Treadwell-Palmer, Plants Nouveau
  • Carol Miller, Editor, American Vegetable Grower
  • Jacob Butler, Smartplant
  • Jenn Gray, Manager, Horticultural Research Institute
  • Jeff Kuehny, LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
  • Kirsten Ann Conrad, Virginia Tech and the city of Alexandria
  • Lauren Garcia Chance, American Public Garden Association
  • Linda Reindl, Florida Nursery Growers and Landscapers Association
  • Lloyd Traven, Peace Tree Farm
  • Ellen Bauske, Center for Urban Agriculture
  • Robert Polomski, Clemson Extension SC Botanical Garden Liaison
  • Stacey Hirvela, Spring Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs
  • Sylvia Gordon, Landscapes by Sylvia Gordon

Academic/Government Council

Chair:

  • Natalie Bumgarner, Tennessee Cooperative Extension

Members:

  • Ellen Bauske, Center for Urban Agriculture
  • Sheri Dorn, Georgia Cooperative Extension
  • Lucy Bradley, North Carolina Cooperative Extension
  • David Berle, University of Georgia
  • Kerry Smith, Alabama Cooperative Extension
  • Richard Durham, Kentucky Cooperative Extension
  • Gary Bachman, Mississippi Cooperative Extension
  • Mary Meyer, University of Minnesota
  • Gary Knox, University of Florida
  • David Close, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech)
  • Gail Langellotto, Oregon State University
  • Pamela Bennett, Ohio State University
  • Susan Yoder, Seed Your Future
  • Julie Weisenhorn, Minnesota Cooperative Extension
  • Jeff Kuehny, Louisiana State University
  • Carl Evensen, University of Hawaii
  • Robert Polomski, Clemson University
  • Terri James, University of Nebraska
  • Cynthia Leary-Nazario, University of Hawaii

Commercial Council

Chair:

  • Mason Day, GrowIt!

Members:

  • Bill Calkins, Ball Horticultural Company
  • Stacey Hirvela, Spring Meadow Nursery
  • Abby Kleckler, Lawn & Garden Retailer Magazine
  • Sandee Reid, Davey Tree
  • John Terhesh, Willoway Nurseries
  • Matt Willoughby, Vaughan’s Horticulture

Nonprofit Council

Chair:

  • Cammie Donaldson, Native Plant Horticulture Foundation and Florida Association of Native Nurseries

Members:

  • Linda Adams, Florida Nursery, Growers, & Landscape Association
  • Kirk Brown, GWA – The Association for Garden Communicators
  • Rima Green, Growing Gardens
  • Nancy Hargroves, National Garden Clubs
  • Laura Kunkle, America in Bloom
  • Sam Lemheney, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
  • Laura Seabaugh, American Rose Society
  • Renee Shepherd, Home Garden Seed Association

Our efforts are supported by:

  • Craig Regelbrugge and Jennifer Gray, AmericanHort and the Horticultural Research Institute
  • Todd Jarret, Arbor Hill Nurseries LLC
  • Michael S. Dosmann, The Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University
  • Marvin N. Miller, Ball Horticultural Company
  • J. Landon Reeve IV, Chapel Valley Landscape Company
  • Jose I. Smith, Costa Farms
  • Sandra L. Reid, The Davey Tree Expert Company
  • Brie Arthur, Designing Solutions, DBA Brienne Gluvna Landscape Design
  • Bill LeFevre, Sarah P. Duke Gardens
  • Katie Dubow, Garden Media Group
  • Chris Butts, Georgia Green Industry Association
  • Mary Kay Woodworth, Georgia Urban Ag Council
  • Jessica Romero, Denver Urban Gardens
  • Edmond Snodgrass, Emory Knoll Farms, Inc.
  • Thomas M. Foley, Euroamerican
  • Bryan Tolar, Georgia Agribusiness Council
  • Neil W. Norton, the Georgia Arborist Association
  • Danny Summers, The Gardencenter Group
  • Heidi Heiland, Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens
  • Renee Shepherd, Home Garden Seed Association
  • Jim McCutcheon, HighGrove
  • Jennifer Tedeschi, Kids Gardening.org
  • Jim Sulecki and Richard Jones, MeisterMedia
  • Danilo Maffei, Maffei Landscape Design, LLC
  • Grace Chapman Elton, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
  • D. E. McCorkle, Jr., McCorkle Nurseries, Inc.
  • Mark Highland, Organic Mechanics Potting Soil
  • Ed Carpenter, North American Training Solutions, Inc.
  • Peter Moe, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
  • Rose Eggert, Minnesota State Horticultural Society
  • Cassie Larson, Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association
  • Larry B. Wooten, North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
  • Steve Castorani, North Creek Nurseries
  • Lloyd R. Traven, Pease Tree Farm LLC
  • Angela J. Palmer, Plants Nouveau
  • Rick Smith, The Pruning Guru Inc.
  • Teresia Hazen, Registered Horticultural Therapist
  • Sean M. Haggerty, Sage Vertical Garden Systems, LLC
  • Susan E. Yoder, Seed Your Future
  • Debra Prinzing, Slow Flowers
  • Penny McBride, Vertical Harvest Jackson

Leadership Team

Ellen Bauske
Center for Urban Agriculture,University of Georgia
Pam Bennett
Associate Professor, State Master Gardener Volunteer Program Director, Ohio State University
Natalie Bumgarner
UT Residential and Consumer Extension Specialist
Mason Day
Co-Founder of Grow It!
Cammie Donaldson
Executive Director of Native Plant Horticulture Foundation and Florida Association of Native Nurseries
Missy Gable
Director for the UC Master Gardener Program
Sylvia Gordon
Owner of Landscape By Sylvia Gordon
Casey Sclar
Executive Director,American Public Gardens Association
Mary Kay Woodworth
Executive Director of the Georgia Urban Ag Council
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