East Texas Greenhouse/Nursery Conference to Discuss Hurricanes' Effect on Industry

TYLER, Texas – It sounds harsh, but from a nationwide perspective, hurricanes Katrina and Rita might have been good for the greenhouse and nursery industry, said a University of Tennessee Extension agricultural economist.

The loss of greenhouses and nursery crops in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama will remedy some oversupply problems, said Dr. Charles Hall.

Hall is one of the scheduled speakers at the upcoming East Texas Greenhouse and Nursery Conference, set for Dec. 7 at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. The conference will be sponsored by Texas Cooperative Extension.

The loss of crops – not counting infrastructure and other losses – will be about $15 million for Louisiana growers alone, Hall said. Though consumers aren't likely to suffer shortages (demands will be filled from growers in other parts of the U.S.) the storms will cause ripples in marketing and production throughout the industry for some time.
 
At the December conference, Hall will give two presentations. One, titled "Structural Changes and Economic Dimensions of the Green Industry," will feature ways growers can take advantages changes in the green industry.

Nationwide, Hall estimated the U.S. green industry in 2002 had $147.8 billion in output. The industry employed nearly 2 million people, paying them $64.3 billion in labor income, and produced $6.9 billion in indirect business taxes.

In Texas, total output equaled about $9.7 billion and the creation of more than 140,000 jobs, according to Hall.

In his other presentation, "Just Because You Build It, Doesn't Mean They Will Come," Hall will discuss the effects of the recent hurricanes and how it's become ever more critical for growers to learn to market more effectively.

Other presentations will include an update on "Container Marketing Regulations" by Tony Guarriello, of Nursery Supplies, and "Root Management" by Dr. Karl Steddom, Extension plant pathologist.

Texas producers attending the entire program will receive three continuing education units toward renewal of their pesticide applicator licenses.

Registration for the conference is $20 per person and will include lunch and educational materials. To register or for more information contact Dr. Scott Ludwig, Extension program specialist-integrated pest management, at 903/834-6191 or via email at swludwig@ag.tamu.edu. The Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and the Northeast Nursery Growers associations are co-sponsoring the event with Extension.

Source: AgNews News & Public Affairs, Texas A&M University System Agricultural Program.