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The Growing Importance of the Environmental Horticulture Industry in the Agricultural Economy of the Northeastern United States

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2016

Martin Shields  and
Fern K. Willits
Martin Shields
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, The Pennsylvania State University
Fern K. Willits
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, The Pennsylvania State University
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Abstract

This study examines several aspects of the Environmental Horticulture Industry (EHI) in the northeastern United States. First, the EHI is compared to other agricultural sectors in the region. The sector's growth is found to far outpace growth in traditionally important crops and commodities. The study then takes a closer look at the EHI in Pennsylvania, utilizing survey data and the IMPLAN input-output model to estimate the overall economic contributions of the industry to the state's economy. Results suggest that the EHI generates nearly $3.3 billion in value-added and more than 107,000 state jobs through direct, indirect, and induced effects. Finally, survey data are used to identify and discuss important issues that land grant universities throughout the Northeast can address as they seek to strengthen the sector.

Keywords

agricultural developmenteconomic contributionenvironmental horticulture
Type
Articles
Information
Agricultural and Resource Economics Review , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , October 2003 , pp. 259 - 271
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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