Why AmericanHort’s Leadership and Advocacy Team Is Excited for 2022
December 31, 2021 Greenhouse Grower checked in with the horticulture industry’s leading voices and asked them about the biggest lessons learned in 2021, and what’s in store for 2022. Here’s what they had to say.
Q: Looking back on this past year, what’s the biggest lesson you think the horticulture industry learned?
Ken Fisher (President & CEO): “This past year turned out to be another strong year for our industry. As the demand for plants has remained strong, we’ve faced challenges, too, in labor, plant and product availability, and rising input costs. I think this past year has helped our industry learn how to better manage margins, and about the importance of having a broad network of supply chain partners.”
Craig Regelbrugge (Executive Vice President, Advocacy, Research & Industry Relations): “Through 2021 (and most of 2020, if you will permit), many in our industry saw first-hand the value of their industry associations toward addressing urgent needs that really demand collective action. We stepped up to lead the effort to secure pandemic relief and to help businesses understand how to take advantage of the programs Congress stood up to stabilize the economy. After the fact, many remembered what their associations did in a time of great need; we saw a number of special contributions to support our advocacy program, and our Horticultural Research Institute foundation saw amazing support during 2021 as folks stepped up to give back.”
Tal Coley (Senior Director Advocacy & Government Affairs): “Looking back to this past year, one thing the industry learned in 2021 is the strength of its supply chains, and how essential it is to have those strong supply chains. The government tried to ease the pain through various measures, but ultimately, success correlated with the moxie of the business owner.”
Jennifer Grey (Research Programs Administrator): “This past year has reminded our industry members about the importance of investing in the future. Many green industry businesses experienced strong sales and responded by investing in future leaders. The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) has strong success in advancing the industry through funding critical research and providing scholarships. We’re excited that, through the generosity of our supporters, we were able to double the number of scholarships HRI offers. An investment in HRI is really an investment in the future leadership of horticulture.”
Evan Lee (Director Policy & Government Relations): “Although it’s a continuation of a trend that began during the pandemic, there’s an increasing awareness among growers of USDA programs to support nursery and floriculture production. Growers always appreciated the practical application of research findings, but now we’re seeing greater interest in disaster relief and risk management tools. We’re also encouraged by USDA’s inclusion of horticulture in COVID-19 relief programs that recognition and appreciation for our agricultural segment is likewise increasing within the Department.”
Q: Looking ahead to 2022, what are you most excited about for the horticulture industry?
Fisher: “I am excited to see the continued capital improvement and investments being made in our industry’s business operations. These investments are important for the long term and can be a good way to address some of the challenges we’ve been experiencing.”
Regelbrugge: “We are excited and hopeful that despite the difficult political environment, there’s broad recognition of our essential workforce and of the need for common-sense agricultural and seasonal workforce and visa reforms. The journey won’t be easy, but we won’t waiver in our commitment to meaningful reforms that are good for horticulture businesses, our workforce, and the nation.”
Coley: “Looking forward to 2022, opportunities will be less on the legislative side due to the election year, but plentiful on the government agency/regulatory side of things, which should bring excitement to the industry. Numerous initiatives at USDA such as greenhouse crop insurance, climate-smart agriculture practices, and additional relief programs provide opportunities for the industry to be in an improved position. We already have had some good news with the supplemental visa release for the H-2B program, and the beginning of Farm Bill negotiations will also provide openings for the industry to strengthen its footing in various programs.”
Grey: “I am really excited about the industry’s opportunity to retain the new gardeners gained due to the boom in plant sales that started in 2020. One of HRI’s strategic research focus areas is understanding our consumers. I’m looking forward to the results of several research projects that are examining these new customers and developing tools for retaining them.”
Lee: “We’re excited for our industry to engage with USDA on incentive-based approaches to sustainable agriculture. Secretary Vilsack is seeking to promote climate-smart agriculture by developing financial incentives for growers to adopt new practices and technology. Nursery and floriculture growers potentially stand to benefit greatly from these new incentives on the basis that climate mitigation and other co-benefits occur on-farm and beyond the farm-gate for the lifetime of the plant.”
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