Sustainable Greenhouse Production Wgga February 2009

Steven E. Newman, Ph.D., A.A.F.Steven E. Newman, Ph.D., A.A.F.– Greenhouse Extension Specialist and

Professor of Floriculture– Colorado State University Extension

Presented at the 2009 Wyoming Groundskeepers and Growers Association Conference in Casper

Greenhouse Crop Production:Greenhouse Crop Production:Can we be sustainable?Can we be sustainable?

What is a greenhouse?What is a greenhouse?

A greenhouse is a structure covered with a transparent material that admits natural light for plant growth and is typically heated.

What is grown in most greenhouses?

Cut flowers Vegetables

Blooming plants Salad greens

Bedding plants Herbs

Consumption of Floral ProductsConsumption of Floral Products

Citizens from European countries spend more per capita than any other country with Japan and the United States following.

Of the European countries, the greatest per capita consumption remains in the western countries, including:– Switzerland, – Norway, – The Netherlands, – Denmark, and – Germany.

Snapshot of the IndustrySnapshot of the Industry

2007 farm gate value of floriculture - $4.1 billion

Bedding plants are the largest contributor to value of production

Poinsettias continue to be the number one potted flowering plant

Orchids are becoming a close second

Changing Market StructureChanging Market Structure

What kind of grower are you?What kind of grower are you?

Large growers responsible for more than 90% of sales– Number of large growers

decreased during last three years

Do you need to be big?– Viable smaller growers can

remain profitable• Product combinations• Niche markets• Local production 36

38

40

42

44

46

48

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Larg

e gr

ower

s (%

)

90

91

92

93

94

95

Per

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of t

otal

sal

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Growers

Sales

Greenhouse Technologies:Greenhouse Technologies:Just how sophisticated do you need to be?Just how sophisticated do you need to be?

Greenhouse Technologies:Greenhouse Technologies:Just how sophisticated do you need to be?Just how sophisticated do you need to be?

Greenhouse Technologies:Greenhouse Technologies:Or can we get by with simple?Or can we get by with simple?

Sustainable Greenhouse Sustainable Greenhouse ProductionProduction

What does sustainable mean?– Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the ability to

maintain a certain process or state. – It is now most frequently used in connection with

biological and human systems. – In an ecological context, sustainability can be defined

as the ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes, functions, biodiversity and productivity into the future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable

Sustainable Greenhouse Sustainable Greenhouse ProductionProduction

What does sustainable mean?– Sustainability has become a complex term that can be

applied to almost every facet of life on Earth, particularly the many different levels of biological organization, such as; wetlands, prairies and forests and is expressed in human organization concepts, such as; ecovillages, eco-municipalities, sustainable cities, and human activities and disciplines, such as; sustainable agriculture, sustainable architecture and renewable energy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable

Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is one that produces abundant food without depleting the earth’s resources or polluting its environment. It is agriculture that follows the principles of nature to develop systems for raising crops and livestock that are, like nature, self-sustaining. Sustainable agriculture is also the agriculture of social values, one whose success is indistinguishable from vibrant rural communities, rich lives for families on the farms, and wholesome food for everyone. But in the first decade of the 21st Century, sustainable agriculture, as a set of commonly accepted practices or a model farm economy, is still in its infancy—more than an idea, but only just.

VeriFloraVeriFlora®®

VeriFlora® Certified Sustainably Grown

VeriFlora® is a sustainability certification program for fresh cut flowers and potted plants.  The “VeriFlora® Certified Sustainably Grown” label is your guarantee that flowers and potted plants have been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and meet the highest standards for freshness and quality.

Sustainable Greenhouse Sustainable Greenhouse ProductionProduction

Sustainable Greenhouse Production

•Reduce environmental degradation•Maintain productivity and economic viability•Resource and energy conservation•Maintain quality of life

Brian A. Krug extension specialist greenhouse/floriculture

University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension

Diversity is Economic ViabilityDiversity is Economic Viability

Visit Field Trials for Local VigorVisit Field Trials for Local Vigor

Choose the best plants to grow!

Reduce ExpensesReduce Expenses

Heat = 70-85%

For more information, contact:For more information, contact:

Colorado State University – Horticulture and

Landscape Architecture– Agricultural Experiment

Station– Extension

For more information:http://ghex.colostate.edu

http://ghadvisor.blogspot.com

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