Census of Horticulture
Colorado horticulture took a bit of a hit last year, as did the nation as a whole.
The Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties report. The report is compiled every five years and is the main source of information about the production and sales of floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops.
The survey covers operations that normally produce or sell 10 thousand dollars worth of products a year.
NASS Mountain Region Director Bill Meyer breaks down the numbers for Colorado
MEYER: “In Colorado, our total value of sales was $189.9 million. That was down slightly from 2014 when it was $201.9 million. At the US level, the value of sales totaled $13.78 billion and that was also down slightly from the $213.79 billion in 2014.”
The survey covers all sales of horticultural products.
MEYER: “...including floriculture, bedding plants, garden plants, potted flowering plants, cut cultivated greens. It also includes nursery stocks, sod, dried bulbs, food crops grown under protection, vegetable seeds, flower seeds, even aquatic plants sold.” This data helps the industry see where they’re currently at, what types of products are being sold, changes in the types of products being sold over the course of time. “
Meyer extended his thanks to Colorado producers who took the time to complete the survey.
The report can be read at the agency’s website www.NASS.USDA.GOV under the census tab.
