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1988 CENSUS OF
HORTICULTURAL SPECIALTIES

PURPOSE

To provide periodic data for over 260 types of special horticultural products grown in the U.S., and their growers. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this census. For 1988, the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) assisted with the census and responses were voluntary.

COVERAGE

All farm and ranch operators that participated in the Census of Agriculture, and grew and sold horticultural specialty items (Industry Group Number 018) of $2,000 or more in the post-census year. Horticultural specialties include ornamental and bedding plants, nursery and greenhouse products, mushrooms, and crops grown under cover. In 1988, the nearly 21,000 horticulture specialty growers had sales of over $4 billion.

CONTENT

Data from growers include types of products sold; total sales and wholesalesales by plant type; production and labor expenses; value of machinery and equipment; value of land; crop acreage and greenhouse space by plant type; and type of ownership.

FREQUENCY

Periodically for years following the census of agriculture, which is currently conducted for years ending in "2" and "7." The last horticulture census was taken for 1988, and comparable censuses were conducted following the agricultural censuses of 1978, 1969, 1959, 1950, 1930, and 1890. Data collection begins 3 months after the post-horticultural census year, and data are reported for activities taking place during the post-agricultural census calendar year.

METHODS

A mail-out/mail-back census of all growers using two different questionnaire formats. For 1988, the mailing list included all growers with sales of $2,000 or more of horticultural specialty items from the 1987 Census of Agriculture and any additional operators NASS included in their contact list for the annual Floriculture Survey. The floriculture survey included growers of $10,000 or more of floriculture products in 28 states.

Two different questionnaire formats were used that requested the same information. Growers that were selected for the annual floriculture survey, were sent a dual-purpose form by NASS that included horticulture census questions. All horticultural grower s identified from the census of agriculture and not included in NASS's floriculture survey, were sent a single-purpose census form by the Census Bureau.

For 1988, the Census Bureau contacted about 24,500 horticultural growers. NASS mailed dual-purpose forms to an additional 9,300 horticultural producers including 2,829 additional growers selected from NASS sources. Responses received by NASS were forwarded to the Census Bureau for processing and publication. The mailing list did not include operations that began in 1988 or were missed in the 1987 census of agriculture.

PRODUCTS

The 1988 Census of Horticultural Specialties report provides production statistics by specific plant type, and statistics on establishment operations, for each state and the Nation. Major plant groups include cut flowers, bedding and garden plants, nurse ry plants and trees, and foliage plants. Statistics on establishment operations are also provided.

USES

The Economic Research Service of the Department of Agriculture uses data for economic analysis of the industry. The Environmental Protection Agency uses data for the exposure and risk analysis relating to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act. The International Trade Administration uses data to assist in decision making about import regulations pertaining to horticultural products.

Local agriculture agencies and universities use statistics to guide in making recommendations to producers on ways to increase production. Market researchers and industrial planners use statistics to make comparative studies and market analysis.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Provides the most detailed data available on specialty plant production in the U.S.

For further information on this survey and data availability contact Nancy Swain at 1-800-523-3215, fax 301/763-8499,
Internet address nswain@nass.usda.gov