The Floriculture & Greenhouse Crop Production Team at Michigan State University is composed of extension educators and outreach specialists with responsibilities in commercial greenhouse crops, staff at Diagnostic Services, and faculty members in the Departments of Horticulture, Entomology, and Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences. The Team has a strong relationship with the greenhouse industry in the state. The goals of our team are outlined below:
- To enhance the ongoing growth and profitability of Michigan's floriculture/greenhouse industry.
- To deliver research-based information, educational programs, and scientific and marketing expertise to the greenhouse industry in Michigan and beyond.
- To improve greenhouse crop production through research that identifies new production techniques, new crop production protocols, energy conservation strategies, control of insect and disease pests, and enhanced postharvest longevity techniques.
- To coordinate greenhouse grower tours and experiences that broaden Michigan growers' perspectives and help identify opportunities that can advance their businesses.
- To provide training and professional development opportunities for MSU Floriculture Team members.
Information on the Michigan floriculture industry
The MSU Floriculture Team serves Michigan's vibrant and expanding floriculture industry. According to the USDA Floriculture Crops 2018 Summary:
- The wholesale value of floriculture crops produced in Michigan and sold in 2018 was $467 million.
- In 2018, Michigan was second in the production of annual bedding/garden plants ($224 million wholesale), herbaceous perennials ($69 million) and propagative floriculture materials ($96 million).
- Michigan ranks third in floriculture production output behind California and Florida.
- There were 569 floriculture crop producers in Michigan in 2018, with 54% of them reporting wholesale sales of over $100,000.
- Total covered area utilized for floriculture crop production was reported at 49.7 million square feet with an additional 2,359 acres of open ground used for floriculture crops.
In 2015, Michigan led the nation in value of sales for 14 floriculture crop segments: flats of begonia, seed geranium, impatien, and petunia; hanging baskets of begonia, vegetative geranium, impatien, and petunia, and other bedding plants; potted seed geranium, petunia, hosta, and Easter lily; and transplants of herbaceous perennials. Michigan growers also produced the second-most valuable crop in 8 market segments: flats of New Guinea impatiens and marigold; hanging baskets of New Guinea impatiens; potted vegetative geranium, other bedding plants, garden mum, and flowering bulbs; and transplants of annual bedding/garden plants.
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