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Research Project: Climate-smart, Adaptive, and Resilient Production and Pest Management Practices for Nursery, Greenhouse, and Protected Culture Crops

Location: Application Technology Research

Title: Current labor challenges and opportunities in nursery crops production

Author
item LEBUDE, ANTHONY - North Carolina State University
item FULCHER, AMY - University Of Tennessee
item VELANDIA, MARGARITA - University Of Tennessee
item TURNER, ZOE - University Of Tennessee
item RIHN, ALICIA - University Of Tennessee
item WARNER, LAURA - University Of Florida
item HU, DI - Moss Robotics
item BUMGARNER, NATALIE - University Of Tennessee
item MARBLE, CHRIS - University Of Florida
item Shreckhise, Jacob
item Altland, James

Submitted to: HortTechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/2025
Publication Date: 3/2/2026
Citation: Lebude, A., Fulcher, A., Velandia, M., Turner, Z., Rihn, A., Warner, L., Hu, D., Bumgarner, N., Marble, C., Shreckhise, J.H., Altland, J.E. 2026. Current labor challenges and opportunities in nursery crops production. HortTechnology. 36(2):240-244. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05753-25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05753-25

Interpretive Summary: The U.S. nursery crop industry has long faced a worsening labor shortage, driven by declining numbers of qualified workers, rising wages, and demographic shifts that limit workforce replenishment. In response, a range of strategies has been adopted by nursery operators, including increased use of the H-2A visa program, automation of labor-intensive tasks, and capital investments to enhance productivity. A national survey revealed that while automation adoption has doubled since the early 2000s, it remains limited due to high costs, inconsistent production practices, and mixed perceptions among growers. Nonetheless, significant progress has been made through collaborative research and federal funding, such as the USDA’s $9.8 million LEAP initiative, which is developing new automation technologies tailored to nursery operations. These advancements have contributed to addressing the labor deficit by improving efficiency and reducing reliance on manual labor, offering a more sustainable path forward for the industry.

Technical Abstract: Persistent labor shortages in the U.S. nursery crop industry have been exacerbated by demographic shifts, rising labor costs, and limited availability of skilled workers. This study examined the structural and economic factors contributing to the labor deficit and evaluated industry responses, including mechanization, automation, and use of the H-2A visa program. Survey data and labor cost analyses revealed that labor-intensive tasks such as harvesting and order fulfillment dominate production costs, while automation adoption remains limited despite recognized benefits. The number of certified H-2A positions in nursery-related sectors increased by over 200% from 2017 to 2024, yet only a minority of nurseries reported using the program, citing regulatory and cost-related barriers. Strategic responses by nursery operators included scaling back production, reallocating skilled labor, and investing in capital- and labor-augmenting technologies. However, automation adoption has been hindered by high upfront costs, lack of standardization, and mixed perceptions of utility. Despite modest gains in automation since the early 2000s, most nursery tasks remain largely manual. Recent federal investments, including a $9.8 million USDA NIFA grant, aim to accelerate development and adoption of nursery-specific automation technologies. These efforts are expected to enhance labor efficiency and sustainability across the sector. The findings underscore the need for integrated strategies that combine workforce development, policy reform, and technological innovation to address the nursery industry’s long-term labor challenges.