Just as millions of Americans venture out this time of year to purchase a fresh cut Christmas tree, I too am busy visiting and talking with Christmas tree growers. However for me, the visits are important outreach opportunities with producers to prepare for the 2014 Census of Horticulture, which we at USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) just mailed this week.
This special study will help us do more than just count Christmas trees. It will look at the entire horticulture sector in the United States and gather a full count of this $14.5 billion industry. The Census of Horticulture will paint a detailed picture of U.S. producers nationwide – those who grow all those cherished holiday trimmings, from fresh cut Christmas trees, to poinsettias, holly and more.
As I visited with producers, industry associations, and stakeholders to gather their input in the horticulture census, I heard one message repeated over and over again. They need and value this data. For a specialty industry such as theirs, a study like this provides detailed and unbiased data to help them advocate for their industry, whether for decisions on funding, policy, or research, this information is an invaluable tool.
So if you are a grower and you receive a Census of Horticulture form in the mail this holiday season, please respond! While the results may be a year away, this is the prime opportunity for you to help ensure the continued sustainability of your industry.
And, if you are like me and heading out to get fresh holiday decorations take note! These 40,000 growers impact our lives around the holidays and also bring us fresh cut flowers throughout the year; plants, fruits and vegetables to grow in our gardens; landscaping for our yards and parks; and more. If you are purchasing a fresh cut decoration this season (from a farm or even from your local retail store) remember there was a farmer who planted and nourished that seed!
