NJAES Faculty Expertise Database

The greenhouse and nursery industry is the number one agricultural commodity in New Jersey with a value of cash receipts totaling in excess of one third of the state’s total farm receipts. Even though New Jersey is a small state, it is one of the top producers of greenhouse and nursery products and represents 2.3% of the total US value for this commodity. The recent volatility of fossil fuels and general energy prices, domestic competition, off-shore production, and the growth of the mass market, add-up to collectively produce downward pressure on prices. As Farm Management Specialist, I have been involved in several research projects aimed at improving profitability of New Jersey farmers. One of my primary focuses is horticultural economics. I have recently developed programs to help farmers deal with increased energy costs. I have written extensively on horticultural economics in trade journals, books, and extension publications, as well as in professional journals and have given over 100 talks in eleven countries. To help farmers make managerial decisions, I developed a computer program entitled “Greenhouse Cost Accounting” that allows farmers to allocate costs to specific crops. The output can aid managers in making decision about pricing, reducing unprofitable production, controlling costs, and increasing sales of profitable crops. A gratis, simplified version is on the Rutgers University Farm Management Website (http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~farmmgmt); an Excel version is distributed through Rutgers Cooperative Extension.