Seeking solutions for the marketplace

It’s clear that the nursery industry is filled with innovators and problem solvers. From new plants to marketing campaigns, and machinery built on site to efficient planting techniques, growers are sharp and ready to take on challenges.

In October 2014, Nursery Management hosted a very effective, one-of-a-kind business roundtable event that brought the industry together to discuss our future. And I can tell you that it looks very bright. The leaders that gathered at the Nursery Grower Business Coalition are ready and willing to take this industry to the next level.

Among us were some of the most brightest and innovative minds in the industry today, and we got down to business on day one. We brought these players together to discuss the critical issues facing nursery owners and managers today. Not only did we discuss the issues and discover common problems, participants shared market knowledge and business pointers to solve those matters. Besides the here and now, we also discussed what needed to be done during the next several years to strengthen this industry.

I heard from several in the group that the status quo had to be eliminated, and how the industry must change and adapt to change to be successful. The group agreed that we must learn and adopt new approaches to business management and production techniques. Participants brought interesting perspectives and valuable concepts to the table.

Some of the issues we discussed were labor; water availability and quality; automation; marketing; sales; and production innovations. For a complete list of topics, flip back to page 4. It was apparent from start to finish that this group of discerning business people are not only capable of advancing the industry, but have already been working at it and are enthusiastic to do more.

In addition to the nursery professionals who contributed to the event, I want to take a moment to thank our supplier partners who, not only made this event possible, but also were just as enthusiastic as everyone else to roll up their sleeves and examine the issues facing today’s market. Thank you to AgriNomix, A.M. Leonard, Hip Labels, Nufarm, Primerus Products and Rootmaker for supporting this event and helping to make it a success. Representatives from each sponsoring company sat at the roundtables and interacted with participants. They didn’t sell their products or services, they listened and contributed. Each company’s representative had innovations to share. They each had their own important perspective of the market. They are just as dedicated to progressing the market as everyone else. It was truly a gathering of great thinkers and hard-working achievers.

To share this information with the market, we’ve dedicated this entire issue of Nursery Management to bring you some of the most important subjects and solutions gathered during this event.

Because the Nursery Grower Business Coalition was so well received, Nursery Management has plans to continue the discussions. In September, we will launch Uncensored – Inside the Business of Horticulture, which will gather nursery growers, greenhouse growers and retailers to take this event to a new level. We are committed to the success of the green industry, and are fortunate to work with such a dedicated group of professionals.