Candid conversations

“People complain about the government not giving them cheap labor. They should be out thinking of ways to replace cheap labor with machines.” – Steve Black, Raemelton Farm

“We’ve always tried to be all things to all people. Marketing is all about segmentation targeting. In a way, everyone is right. Older generations want instant effect, color. Younger groups want all the benefits. Food crops for kids. Instead of blanket marketing, we have niche targeting.” – Ryan Overdevest, Overdevest Nurseries

“Millennials want to learn, and they’re ripe for the picking. We can program them any way we want, like telling them, ‘Spring doesn’t end on May 15, spring ends at the first frost.’” – Mark Foertmeyer, Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse

“The consumer understands the term ‘local’ better than ‘organic’ or ‘sustainable.’” – Tom Demaline, Willoway Nurseries

“I’d like to see a national marketing campaign that promotes horticulture careers more than I would a campaign that promotes products.” – Kelly Lewis, Ruppert Nurseries

“People don’t go into a garden center and ask for a brand; they ask for a plant.” – Randy Bracy, Bracy’s Nursery

“After the recession, we didn’t rebound too quickly, which is actually good because we wouldn’t have learned our lesson.” – Charlie Hall, Texas A&M University

“We’re growing and offering more native plants. We’re broadening our palette to try to meet everybody’s needs. ” – Jill Hoffman, Hoffman Nursery

“Landscape architects are thinking about what was available three or four years ago. Many don’t understand what’s happened in the market the last few years.” – Alan Jones, Manor View Farm