This study assessed the needs and interests of professional landscapers in New Jersey regarding organic land care practices. A survey found that owners were most interested in organic certification, while managers were interested and staff less so. Respondents were unsure if customers would pay more for organic services. Few clients had requested organic techniques, though owners received the most inquiries. Workshops increased landscapers' organic knowledge. Stakeholders plan to establish an organic accreditation program by 2013 and educate homeowners on organic land care benefits through workshops.

1. Organic Land Care Needs Assessment of
Professional Landscapers in New Jersey
Rowe, A.A.1; Bakacs, M.2; Hlubik, W. T.3; Weidman, R.4; Zientek, J.L.5
1Environmentaland Resource Management Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Roseland, NJ, 07068
2Environmentaland Resource Management Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, North Brunswick, NJ, 08902
3Agricultural
Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, North Brunswick, NJ, 08902
4Program Associate, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, North Brunswick, NJ, 08902
5Senior Program Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Roseland, NJ, 07068
Abstract Objectives Needs Assessment Results
Organic landscaping is an approach to land • To gauge professional landscapers’ interest in organic
land care • Landscaping company owners were more likely to be
care that implements environmentally- interested in becoming certified organic landscapers
friendly techniques that not only maintain • To collect data about landscapers’ existing knowledge than managers, who were more interested than staff
beautiful lawns and turf, but also improves about organic land care techniques (Table 1)
watershed health by reducing both • To determine if landscaper clientele have requested • Owners, managers, and staff were generally unsure of
stormwater runoff and nonpoint source organic land care as a service if customers would be willing to pay more for organic
pollution. Currently, the Northeast Organic landscaping service (Table 1)
• To learn if landscapers believed their clientele would
Farming Association (NOFA) runs an be willing to pay more for organic land care service • Many landscapers have never had a client request
Organic Land Care Program in Connecticut Connecticut, organic techniques but owners have received the most
techniques,
inquiries compared to managers and staff (Table 1)
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New
Methods
York. The basis of the program is a 5-day
accreditation course which certifies industry • Needs assessment surveys were given to professional Table 1. Organic land care needs
Role in Landscaping
landscapers at several events assessment results of professional
workers to be NOFA-accredited organic Company
landscapers in New Jersey (n=141)
Objectives
land care professionals. New Jersey-based
• After the landscapers’ need for more information was Survey Question Owner Manager Staff
landscapers must travel to other states in
This program’s goals are to educate municipal officials with established, two “Introduction to Organic Land Care”
order to become NOFA-accredited. Rutgers workshops were held
p
practical information about these systems and to dispel myths
y p y Are you interested in becoming a certified organic
y g g
73% 58% 43%
Cooperative Extension (RCE) is currently landscaper? Answered "Yes" or "Maybe"
that may prevent the consideration of permeable pavement as • Pre/post-workshop knowledge surveys were given to
adapting and implementing the program for participants to assist in determining impact.
a long‐term solution for stormwater management. Would customers be willing to pay more for organic
the New Jersey landscaping industry. 51% 67% 50%
landscaping? Answered "Maybe" or "I don't know"
How many clients have requested organic
Approaches
In order to better understand New Jersey landscaping? Answered "None"
29% 58% 63%
landscaping professionals’ attitudes toward
Municipal officials may be hesitant to install permeable
organic land care, a survey was conducted
over several landscaper workshop eventsy
p
pavement for a variety of reasons and several methods may
y
events. Introductory Workshop Results
need to be employed to educate and overcome barriers to
200 surveys were administered, yielding
implementation. Successful approaches may include: • Attendees of the “Introduction to Organic Land Care”
141 responses. 57% of respondents workshops had some prior knowledge of organic
answered yes or maybe when asked if they
Demonstration site techniques (52% of pre-workshop answers correct, n=
would want to become a certified organic
Cost analysis Comments from Professional Landscapers 26)
landscaper. 33% believed that being
Green incentives • After the workshop, 74% of the knowledge test
certified in organic land care would help answers were correct
their businesses, and 33% of respondents
• This knowledge increase was statistically significant at
believed their customers might be willing to Organics are the future. Let’s the 0.001 level (paired t-test)
pay more for organic landscaping. 40% of educate the people and get
those surveyed stated that their customers on with it. I started organic land
had already expressed interest in organic or care many years ago. Future Plans
“all natural” landscaping products and
It’s an excellent idea to • A working group including RCE, NOFA, and the New
techniques. Based on these results it seems Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is
promote organics for the
there is moderate interest in organic land safety and reduction of being formed
care techniques among New Jersey costs.
t • An organic land care accreditation program is
professionals and residents. Additional Any sound science technique expected to be in place by early 2013
survey results will be presented as well as using organics is always a
how these results will assist in planning • The landscapers need assistance making the public
plus. aware of the benefits of organic land care
New Jersey’s organic land care program.
• RCE will provide that assistance by holding workshops
for homeowners