This year marked our second time attending Cultivate, a national horticulture industry conference put on by AmericanHort in Columbus, Ohio. Cultivate is the largest green industry conference and trade show, and there are a variety of educational sessions and networking events, too. We’ve enjoyed getting to continue to learn more about the green industry and make connections with people across the country! Here are some of our key takeaways from our time at Cultivate this year:

Build a Strong Team 

Right now there are labor issues and shortages across every industry and sector. Rather than focus on the negatives, the green industry should look at the ways in which we stand out in a saturated market where technology and automation are taking over the labor force. Nurseries, landscapers, park districts, greenhouses, and garden centers offer unique work environments where people can be creative, work with their hands, spend time outdoors among nature, and care for their plants and community through the work they are doing. We have a big opportunity to share how the horticulture industry differs from other jobs, and share our love for plants and people with our whole team! 

Stay, or Become, Engaged 

It’s easy to want to tune out what is happening in the world, but it’s important to be involved in what’s going on. AmericanHort offers a positive way to be engaged in state and federal politics through education and lobbying. We heard from Craig Regelbrugge, who is the senior vice president at AmericanHort, and leads the staff team responsible for public policy, industry advocacy, and research programs. Craig stressed the importance of having a voice in the rooms where it happens regarding policies around domestic and international labor, plant health and agricultural trade, research and innovation through the Farm Bill, and securing business growth through economic development policies. I had the pleasure of lobbying in DC a few years ago with AmericanHort and it was such a great experience. Keep an eye out for more opportunities to make your voice heard for the green industry! 

People Value Plants 

It’s no secret that the pandemic reordered our value systems from the top down. Folks have taken stock of their lives these past few years and are focusing their time, energy, and money on things that are important to them, namely: their families, creative endeavors, and green spaces inside and outside of the home. Whether it’s houseplants, backyard landscaping, or public parks the value of plants has only gone up! What an amazing opportunity to share in this green revolution! Those of us in the horticulture industry have the products and knowledge to share with people who are hungry to learn and grow more. We had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Charlie Hall, chief economist of AmericanHort and professor at Texas A&M who leads the EAGL program which Becky graduated from a few years ago. Dr. Hall discussed how the market was changing and gave his economic outlook for the rest of the year. But what was more important than following the market was acknowledging that we provide so much more than a product – we provide a set of values and vision for our customers, our company culture, and our community. It’s always inspiring to hear what Charlie has to say, and it was great to be able to catch up and chat with him after his keynote address!

The Future is Green! 

Our friends over at J. Frank Schmidt Nursery have said it best: Trees Are The Answer! As the climate continues to change, hardiness zones are redrawn, and our trees adapt to the ever-changing weather conditions, it’s apparent that the Future is Green. Green infrastructure is a necessity going forward, and the horticulture industry must pave the way, not only for policies but for a cultural mindset shift. When we plant trees today, we must also plant trees for 100 years from now and try to prepare for the landscapes of the next century. We have a great opportunity to shape the conversation moving forward in regards to green infrastructure, green technologies, green energy, and a green way of life – all for the betterment of our communities and generations to come. 

It was a wonderful experience attending Cultivate for the second time. Last year, I was almost 20 weeks pregnant with our daughter, Fern. This year, she attended with us and made lots of friends along the way. We had a blast walking around and looking at all of the beautiful flower and plant displays, attending the workshops, and exploring Columbus all while wrangling an on-the-go eight month old. We’re looking forward to making memories and learning more next year! 

     – Maggie Thomas Harper