The purpose of this report is to summarize ornamental plant producers' perceptions about neonicotinoid labeling and anticipated changes in production practices due to neonicotinoids labeling policy intervention. The target audience is industry, state agency, and public stakeholders involved in decisions and policy making related to the use of neonicotinoid insecticides in the U.S. ornamental plants industry.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1094
Tag: Hayk Khachatryan
Toward Sustainable Urban Landscape Management: Floridians’ Perceptions of Residential Landscapes and Their Maintenance Requirements
This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Xumin Zhang, and Michael Dukes and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department is the first in a series from the Sustainable Residential Landscape Project, a study conducted in 2016 to address perceptions of landscapes in Florida, different factors that could influence the adoption of more sustainable landscape options, and ways to promote sustainable landscaping options. The Sustainable Residential Landscape Project was funded by the UF/IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology (CLCE).
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1090
Are consumers knowledgeable about neonicotinoid insecticides and pollinator-friendly plants?
What does the general public know about neonicotinoids used in ornamental horticulture and their effects on pollinators? The question is an important one given that home landscapes serve as pollinator habitat and can impact pollinator health. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, and Alicia Rihn and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department summarizes a survey addressing consumer knowledge about neonicotinoids and pollinator plants, as well as their interest in enhancing pollinator health. The survey is part of a larger research project aimed at incorporating pollinator conservation into the ornamental horticulture industry's sustainability initiatives.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1081
Consumer and Producer Perceptions and Preferences for Pollinator Friendly Labeling Practices in the US Green Industry
Increasing consumer interest in sustainable products and in protecting bees and other pollinator insects may be reducing demand for plants grown using neonicotinoids. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, and Alicia Rihn and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department summarizes consumer and producer perceptions about neonicotinoid-related regulations and labeling practices and identifies discrepancies between consumer and producer preferences for different pollinator friendly labeling phrases.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1083
Homeowners’ Preferences for Smart Irrigation Systems and Features
Drought conditions make landscape irrigation and reducing water use top-of-mind for many Floridians. Encouraging wise water use is of particular importance to the smart irrigation industry and water policy makers. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Dong Hee Suh, and Michael Dukes and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department pinpoints key attributes and barriers affecting consumers' irrigation purchases and their adoption of smart irrigation technologies.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1080
Effectiveness of Retail Promotions in the Green Industry by Age Group: A Case Study
Do people of different ages shop differently for their garden plants? This 6-page fact sheet published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department shares results from a study investigating differences between younger and older consumers and their visual attention to in-store signage and plant tag information. Authors Hayk Khachatryan and Alicia Rihn provide a deeper understanding of how end consumers use point-of-sale information to determine their purchases in the retail center. Green industry growers, marketing intermediaries, and retailers will find the information useful as they design in-store marketing materials.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1073
Does Eco-label Format Influence Consumers’ Valuation of Fruit-Producing Plants?
Consumer demand for environmentally friendly products has increased, and consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly fruit-producing plants. With the increased demand, however, the number and variety of eco-labels describing the environmentally friendly qualities of plants has also increased, which could confuse consumers and decrease label effectiveness. Previous studies found that well-designed eco-labels improve consumer understanding, clarity, and choice. This 6-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, and Xuan Wei and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department summarizes a study that addressed how different eco-label formats (text vs. logo) impact consumer visual attention, preferences, and valuations of fruit-producing plants.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1074
Making Action Easier: Behavioral Economics and Nudges for Extension Professionals
As Extension turns more to effecting behavior change beyond simply raising awareness or understanding concerns, how do we not only help clientele make a change, but make it easier? Behavioral economics principles can improve the way we present options to clients, increasing the likelihood of them choosing desirable behaviors. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication offers an introduction to these concepts as well as practical strategies for setting up the environment for change. Written by Laura Warner, Kathryn Stofer, and Hayk Khachatryan.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc343
Who Is Interested in Purchasing Smart Irrigation Systems?
Water scarcity concerns have led to revolutionary new smart technologies for residential landscape irrigation, including evapotranspiration and soil-moisture sensor systems. The adoption of smart irrigation technologies into residential landscapes, however, has been slow. This 7-page publication written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Caroline R. Warwick, and Michael Dukes and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department provides an overview of how different consumer groups perceive smart irrigation technology and the best promotions to encourage smart irrigation adoption in home landscapes. It is designed for landscapers, irrigation specialists, and marketing professionals who work with and are interested in promoting smart irrigation technologies to end consumers. Firms can use the results to tailor marketing strategies to target relevant customer segments and create promotions to encourage homeowners to adopt water-saving irrigation technologies.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1069
Marketing Florida-Friendly Landscapes to Florida Homeowners
Useful to retail and landscape firms who are interested in encouraging FFL-related purchases and installations, this 3-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, and Caroline R. Warwick and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department is an overview of how both DIY homeowners and those who hire professional landscaping service providers perceive the value of residential landscapes and the best methods to encourage them to purchase or install FFL.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1063
Import Growth and the Impact on the Florida Strawberry Industry
The United States is the second largest producer of strawberries after China, and Florida, along with California, accounts for about 98% of the total US production. In recent years, the US strawberry industry has become increasingly concerned with competition from Mexico. This 3-page fact sheet written by Zhengfei Guan, Dong Hee Suy, Hayk Khachatryan, and Feng Wu and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department describes the impact of imported strawberries on the Florida strawberry industry and explains how the industry can adapt to meet the challenge.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1022
Economic Survey of the Environmental Horticulture Industry in Florida in 2015
The characteristics and economic contributions of the environmental horticulture industry in Florida in 2015 were evaluated through mail and internet surveys of industry firms conducted in 2016. The executive summary of the full report, authored by Alan W Hodges, Hayk Khachatryan, Mohammad Rahmani, and Christa D. Court and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Food and Resource Economics, is available here:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1031.
Does Consumers' Awareness Impact Their Purchase Likelihood of Neonic-Free Plants?
Neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides have been facing intense scrutiny because of their potential role in pollinator insect population declines. Research has shown that insecticide use in general has resulted in $284 million per year in damages to honeybee and pollinator services in the United States. This is especially worrying because food supply would fail to meet increasing global food demand without pollinator insects.
Consumer awareness of neonic pesticides increases the purchase likelihood for plants that are labeled “neonic-free,” and, as consumer awareness of neonics increases, demand for plants may decrease if there is limited availability of neonic-free options. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan and Alicia Rihn and published by the Food and Resource Economics Department explains the practical implications for growers, retailers, and policy makers and describes how these stakeholders can benefit from increased awareness of this important new market niche.
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1008
Estimating Return on Investment (ROI) for a Behavior Change: An Evaluation Tool for Extension Programs
Extension professionals can benefit from knowing the value of a program’s outcomes compared to how much it costs. One way to estimate a program’s value relative to cost is through a series of calculations, known as Return on Investment (ROI). This four-page fact sheet describes ROI and how Extension professionals can use it in their programming. Written by Amanda D. Ali, Laura A. Warner, and Hayk Khachatryan and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc270
Household Water Usage and Irrigation Practices
Water pollution and drought in the United States have made water scarcity a widespread concern. Currently, residential consumers account for most urban water use, and meaningful programs that lead to water conservation rely on a comprehensive understanding of how consumers use water inside and outside their homes. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, and Michael Dukes and published by the Department of Food and Resource Economics outlines University of Florida researchers’ assessments of current US household indoor and outdoor water use to assist policy makers and researchers with creating incentives for homeowners to conserve water.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe996
Are Consumers Interested in Ornamental Plants That Benefit Pollinator Insects?
Population declines among bees, butterflies, and other pollinator insects are very worrying because 70% of the world’s food crop production depends upon these tiny insect workers. Fortunately, ninety million US households have yards, landscapes, or gardens that can enhance pollinator habitat and health. Consumers’ actions can drastically impact pollinator insects and even help them to recover. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan and Alicia Rihn and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, October 2016, describes a new UF/IFAS study of consumers’ actions and perceptions as they considered ornamental plants that benefit pollinators. It covers consumers’ current actions to aid pollinators, their interest in purchasing plants to help pollinators, and their perceptions about plant availability, and it describes strategies for merchants and producers to cater to consumer preferences for in-store communications/promotions and help them to find and purchase plants that aid pollinator insects.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe997
Florida Consumer Preferences for Ornamental Landscape Plants
Certain attributes of ornamental landscape plants make them more attractive to consumers. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan and Alicia Rihn and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, October 2016, assesses the impacts of price, plant type, pollinator friendliness, production methods, and origin attributes on consumers’ purchasing likelihood for ornamental landscape plants. Recommendations for green industry stakeholders are also provided.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1000
Florida Consumer Preferences for Indoor Foliage Plant Attributes
Consumer demand for indoor foliage plants is decreasing. One strategy to counter decreasing demand is to align products with consumer needs. To explore this strategy, this 4-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan and Alicia Rihn and published by the Department of Food and Resource Economics examines purchasing barriers for indoor foliage plants so that breeders, growers, suppliers, and retailers may develop and promote products to overcome those barriers. This paper also investigates the potential of using novel plant attributes that are not readily apparent in retail outlets to generate consumer interest in indoor foliage plants.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe994
Profitability of Citrus Tree Greenhouse Production Systems in Florida
Nurseries are a vital part of the citrus industry in Florida, providing growers with trees for replanting and expanding citrus groves. As part of the response to citrus greening and canker disease in the industry, nursery-aimed regulations were set in place to try to guarantee the production of trees “free of virus or other graft transmittable diseases” in plant nurseries. The new regulations resulted in an important shift for producers from traditional open field groves to greenhouses. This 4-page fact sheet describes an experiment performed at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida REC in Apopka to test the profitability of different inputs in citrus-producing greenhouse nurseries and provides recommendations that will be useful for the whole citrus-tree-producing sector. Written by Hayk Khachatryan and Alicia Rihn and published by the Food and Resource Economics Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe999
Consumers' Response to "Neonic-Free" and Other Insect Pollinator Promotions on Ornamental Plants
Pollinator insects are essential to world food crop production, the economy, and the environment. Neonicotinoid (neonic) insecticides are facing intense backlash from environmental groups because the systemic protection they provide throughout the plant, including the pollen and nectar, may be injuring pollinator insects and causing their population decline. But many nursery and greenhouse growers use neonic-based pesticide control measures because they are effective, inexpensive, and cause less environmental damage than other insecticides. The increased publicity may influence consumer demand and preferences but very few studies have investigated consumer responses to neonic-free labels, and evidence suggests that many consumers have little knowledge or awareness of the issue. This 3-page fact sheet describes the results of a the study investigating how consumers’ awareness of neonic insecticides influenced their preferences and purchasing behavior for plants and exploring the marketing potential of using alternate pollinator promotions (besides neonic-free) in garden center retail outlets. Written by Hayk Khachatryan and published by the Food and Resource Economics Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe991