Ohio USDA Survey Results

A sample of 500 potential respondents was extracted from OFA - an association of floriculture professional members' mailing list. Respondents received a nominal stipend of twenty-dollars for participation. Questions were developed to unpack the current practices and to reveal the status of Ohio's greenhouses. The survey, conducted during the fall/winter of 2004/2005, was comprised of 59 questions.  OFA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) were instrumental in developing widespread interest in the study. In particular, OFA utilized its mailing list to encourage participation from members. The Toledo Botanical Gardens mailed 500 copies of the survey to respondents. The response rate was 24.2% (n=121).

< Questions 1 - 10 >     < Questions 11 - 20 >   < Questions 21 - 30 >

< Questions 31 - 40 >   < Questions 41 - 50 >   < Questions 51 - 58 >


Q1. Is your Greenhouse Business Seasonal or Year-Round (120 Respondents)


Q1a. As a seasonal greenhouse, how many months do you operate? (49 Respondents)


Q2. Which of the following best describes your business? (119 Respondents)

Locally-owned	117
Regional Chain	0
National Chain	2
Franchise	0

Q2a. As a locally owned and operated greenhouse, select all that apply (116 Respondents)


Q3. Do you? (check all the apply) (116 Respondents)

Own this location	104
Own other locations	12
Lease this location	9
Lease other locations	5

Q4. In which Ohio county is your business located? (112 Respondents)


Q5. How long has this business been operating at this location? (114 Respondents)


Q6. Indicate the job title that most closely describes your role in your greenhouse (113 Respondents)


Q7.How long have you been working in the greenhouse industry?


Q8. Is your business a member of the following organizations? (114 Respondents)


Q8a. What "other" organizations do you belong to?
Greater Cleveland Growers Association
Greater Cleveland Flower Growers Assoc.
Farm Bureau-Cincinnati Flower Growers, Cincinnati Professional Florist
Cinti Flower Growers Association
Cinti flower growers
Cincinnati Flower Growers Association
Cincinnati Flower Growers
Better Business Bureau; Crapemyrtle Society;Am. Hort. Society;Cincinnati Civic Garden Center
ANLA
American Orchid Society

Q9a. Please describe your "other" educational background (24 Respondents)

Education	2
General	2
Education w/major in biological science	1
Business, Horticulture, Agriculture	1
BS Electrical Engineering	1
Botany	1
Biology; Horticulture	1
Biology	1
BA	1
B.S. Biology Education	1
All other	12

Q10. What, in percentage (%) of your growing structures, is what material used? (116 Respondents)




Q11.What is the total size of your production greenhouse(s)? (114 Respondents)


Q12. Since 2000, your greenhouse operation has: (113 Respondents)


Q13. What kinds of crops did you grow in your operation in 2003? (114 Respondents)


Q14. What was the approximate percentage of the following crops (114 Respondents)

Q15. In order to avoid diseases, do you: (111 Respondents)


Q16. To avoid foliar diseases, do you: (111 Respondents)


Q17. To avoid root diseases, do you use: (101 Respondents)


Q18. What type of mix are you currently using in production? (112 Respondents)



Q19. To prevent insect pests, do you: (113 Respondents)


Q20. Do you train workers to recongize the most common insect, disease symptoms, and damage? (112 Respondents)

Yes	74
No	38

Q21. To assure the proper fertility of your crops, how often do you measure pH and EC (112 Respondents)



Q21a. To assure the proper fertility of your crops, how often do you Plot (graphically track) pH and EC results to detect early trends (73 Respondents)


Q22. How often is the fertilizer/acid injector you use testesed for proper functioning?


Q23. How often do you check the alkalinity of your water?


Q24. In order to control plant height, do you use:


Q25. When you apply a growth regulator as a drench, do you use: (76 Respondents)

A drencher for exact per-plant volume application?	28
A hose and fill the container up to the rim with the solution?	49

Q26. What type of energy source are you using in your greenhouse?


Q26a. You selected "OTHER" fuel type, please specify
Oil
Oil-standby
Fuel oil and gas
Fuel oil

Q27. How is the heat distributed?


Q28. Please indicate how the following functions are mechanized in your greenhouse. (95-111 Respondents)



Q29. In your opinion, what are the most pressing research needs of the greenhouse industry?


Q30. What were your gross sales from your greenhouse and nursery during 2003?


Q31. Since 2000, your approximate sales have: (117 Respondents)


Q31a. Your sales have increased by what percent approximately? (67 Respondents)


Q31b. Your sales have decreased by what percent approximately? (18 Respondents)


Q32. What percentage of sales are retail (not wholesale)? (105 Respondents)


Q32b. What percentage of your sales are wholesale (not retail): (101 Respondents)


Q33. Where do you sell your finished products? (111 Respondents)


Q34. What percentage of your total sales is to local customers? (110 Respondents)




Q35. What percentage of your total sales is in service contracts? (82 Respondents)


Q36. Who do you sell the most (AT LEAST 30%) of your products to? (112 Respondents)


Q36a. You indicate "other" customer type, please explain
Landscape Contractors
Landscapers
Landscapers & Fundraisers
Interiorscapes
Individual growers
Fundraisers, Churches, Organizations
Farmers' market, wholesale auction
End-consumer
Customers at orchid shows
Brokers
All other


Q37. How would you rank the competition from growers located in:


Q38. What is your strategy for addressing your competition? (112 Respondents)


Q38a.You indicate "other" market strategy, please explain.
Service
Have own brand
The Best Service
Service-superior
Better- More responsive on time service (delivery)
Add new products, breeding
Quit
Outstanding customer service
Moderate price with quality and variety
Knowledge and expertise with the plants I grow
All other


Q39. Please indicate the marketing techniques you use most. (111 Respondents)


Q39a. You indicate "other" marketing technique, please explain
Most of my business is a result of my public speaking to garden groups
Mailing of postcards
In store merchandisers
Fund Raisers
Fold up & light up signs, road front prefence/landscape/planting
Direct Mailing
Coupons
Brokers/distributors, branding programs
Billboards

Q40. Do you have any plans to modernize or expand your present building or
equipment within the next 5 years? (111 Respondents)




Q40a. You indicated that you expect to expand or modernize, what kind of changes are you considering? (79 Respondents)


Q40b. You indicate "other" expansion/modernization, please describe.
Install walkways/concrete
Improved Irrigation
Head house/warehouse-exit growing facility
Expand retail area
Expand outdoor growing area
Equipment updates, agritainment
Energy curtain
Echo-veyors, boom rails,more automation
Change layout due to school

Q40c. You indicate planned expansion or modernization, do you face any constraints (78 Respondents with Constraints)


Q40d. You indicate "other" constraints, please describe
Time
Reglazing with acrylic
Personal
Need to have room for more debt
Need quality help
Lower existing debt
Improved economy
Do not want to over extend
Budgeting

Q41. Are you considering moving, closing, or selling this business within the next 5 years? (89 Respondents)


Q42. For the sources of information listed below, please check all you currently use and the top 3 in terms of importance.


Q43. Please indicate the level of your interest in learning more about the following topics. (11-136 Respondents)


Q44. What were your approximate total expenses (operating and non operationg) in 2003 as a percentage of gross sales? (66Respondents)


Q45 What was your approximate total payroll, in 2003 as a percentage of gross sales? (67 Respondents)


Q46. What were your approximate total non-pay expenses in 2003 as a percentage of gross sales? (52 Respondents)


Q47. Would you be interested in creating a coop with growers in your area to reduce costs? (89 Respondents)


Q48. How would you use a cooperative? (82 Respondents)


Q51. Total full-time employees employed in 2003 (95 Respondents)


Q51a. Total family members employed full-time in 2003 (91 Respondents)


Q51b. Total part-time employees employed in 2003 (89 Respondents)


Q51c. Total family members employed part-time in 2003 (75 Respondents)


Q51d. Total seasonal employees employed in 2003 (87 Respondents)


Q51e. Total family members employed seaonally in 2003 (71 Respondents)


Q51f. Total employees in 2003 (full-time + part time) (108 Respondents)


Q51g. Total family members employed in 2003 (100 Respondents)


Q52. Since 2000, the number of your employees: (101 Respondents)





Q53. Please check the areas in which your current employees need training (104 Respondents)



Q53a. You indicated "other" training needs, please explain
Work ethic
Watering
Plant habits, disease and pest ID
Plant care
Growing skills--pest I.D., pruning, etc.
General horticultural knowledge

Q54. Which types of employees do you have difficulty recruiting


Q54a.You indicate "other" recruiting needs/concerns, please explain.
People to work
Landscape
Good ones, many apply few have greenhouse experience
Design/sales

Q55. What percent of your work force is non-English-speaking?

0	89
1-10%	7
11-25%	6
26-50%	3
50% or greater	1

Q55a. If you indicated that you employ non-english speaking employees, what barriers to you face in your work force?)

Q56. What is your 5-year forecast of the Ohio regional greenhouse industry?



Q57. Please rate to what extent the factors listed below constitute a challenge to the potential expansion of the GREENHOUSE INDUSTRY in your area. (88 - 93 Respondents)


Q58. Please rate to what extent the factors listed below constitute a challenge to the potential expansion of YOUR GREENHOUSE operations (i.e., your company). (84-90 Respondents)