FAQs: Nursery and Greenhouse Standard

1. What is the FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production?
2. What issues does the FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production address?
3. To what types of operations does the standard apply?
4. Why did Food Alliance develop the standard?
5. What are the benefits of working with Food Alliance?
6. How are Food Alliance evaluation criteria created?
7. Who participated in developing the evaluation criteria for this standard?
8. Who supported the development of this standard?
9. What is the FA Sustainability Certification Program for Nursery and Greenhouse Production?
10. What is the certification process?
11. How much does certification cost?
12. What type of nurseries are best suited for Food Alliance certification?

What is the FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery & Greenhouse Production?

The FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production provides a comprehensive definition to guide nursery and greenhouse operators in achieving greater sustainability outcomes. Performance to the standard is measured using the corresponding FA Sustainability Evaluation Tool for Nursery and Greenhouse Production. 

The Evaluation Tool allows growers to self-assess current sustainability performance – and set sustainability objectives – either as a prelude to certification or as a best management practice. Third-party inspectors contracted by International Certification Services will use the Evaluation Tool to determine if an operation meets the requirements of the FA Sustainability Certification program.

What issues does the FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production address?

To what types of operations does the Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production and criteria apply?

The standard applies to North American nursery and greenhouse operations producing one or more of the following products:

• Nursery – container and in-ground grown woody ornamentals for landscaping
• Annuals – bedding plants/hanging baskets/containers typically sold in the spring for summer/fall use
• Perennials – container grown usually by color/annual producers and sold spring through fall
• Foliage –Tropical plants mostly grown for indoor use
• Potted Flowering Plants – Holiday and general potted plants such as poinsettia, Easter lily, chrysanthemum, etc.
• Cut Flowers

The standard does not currently apply to Christmas tree production or tree farms.

Why did Food Alliance develop the standard?

Food Alliance developed the Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production upon industry request. Representatives of the Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) approached Food Alliance after some of their members requested independent, third-party verification of their sustainability practices. 

Because some of OAN's members were already Food Alliance Certified for other crops, they were familiar with Food Alliance's reputation for stringent, comprehensive standards and certification—and for constructive collaboration with farmers and supply chain members. This signal of industry support gave Food Alliance the confidence to raise funds and expand its standards development and certification services to horticulture.

What are the benefits of working with Food Alliance?

Food Alliance has over a decade of experience developing and maintaining comprehensive sustainability standards and criteria for a wide range of agricultural products and operations. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Food Alliance's business decisions are bound by mission, not motivated by profit. And as the organization's name suggests, Food Alliance worked in alliance with industry stakeholders, encouraging insight and innovation.

How are the Food Alliance evaluation criteria created?

The Food Alliance evaluation criteria are used to evaluate performance and outcomes in areas of social and environmental responsibility. Initially, Food Alliance staff work with a consultant to develop the first draft of the criteria. A select group of scientific researchers, usually from universities and public agencies, provide the first round of review and comment. 

Once those comments are integrated into the criteria, a second round of review gathers comments from those with expertise in the standard area, such as industry organizations, private consultants, and non-profit staff (e.g. consumer group representatives, farm labor representatives, and environmentalists). Second round comments are integrated into the criteria before Food Alliance inspectors, Food Alliance producers and handler/processors, and other practitioners provide final review. 

The final draft is field tested prior to the adoption of the criteria. The names of all consultants and reviewers are listed at the end of the criteria, for those interested in seeing who had input. Footnotes are often provided to ensure clarity and consistency of interpretation.

Who participated in the development of the evaluation criteria for this standard? 

Individuals with professional experience and expertise in the nursery industry – agencies, universities and the private sector –  contributed to criteria development and review, and provided opportunities for field testing.

The nursery evaluation criteria were developed in collaboration with Don Richards, Applied Horticultural Consultants.

The following individuals reviewed and provided comment on the evaluation criteria:**

• James Altland, Research Horticulturist, Application Technology Research Unit, USDA-ARS
• Sam Doane, Production Horticulturist, J. Frank Schmidt and Son, Co.
• Alan Elliott, Operations Manager, Carlton Plants, LLC.
• Jonathan Frantz, Research Horticulturist, Application Technology Research Unit, USDA-ARS
• Kate Knox, Salmon Safe
• John Lea-Cox, Professor and University Research and Extension Specialist, Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland
• John Majsztrik, University of Maryland
• Robin Rosetta, Associate Professor, North Willamette Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University
• Walter Suttle, Monrovia Nursery
• Sarah White, Assistant Professor, Nursery Extension Specialist, School of Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University

** Not all reviewer comments and suggestions were incorporated in the final draft of our evaluation criteria, so recognition of their contribution does not constitute an endorsement.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) provided valuable support through industry contacts, research, and outreach. It is promoting the new standard and criteria as a set of tools the entire horticulture industry can use to assess operational sustainability and management practices. OAN views sustainability certification as a potential market differentiator for its members.

Salmon-Safe advised on water quality components of the criteria. It is supporting outreach and implementation of the nursery certification program in partnership with Food Alliance.

Who supported the development of the standard?

Food Alliance received funding from:

• USDA Specialty Crops Grant, administered by the Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Oregon Governor’s Fund for the Environment, granted to Salmon Safe.
• Meyer Memorial Trust Willamette Restoration Initiative
• Bullitt Foundation
• Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation

What is the FA Sustainability Certification Program for Nursery and Greenhouse Production? 

The voluntary FA Sustainability Certification Program gives producers a credible way to distinguish their sustainably-managed operation and products in the marketplace, to customers and consumers.

Certification to the FA Sustainability Standard for Nursery and Greenhouse Production means the operation is managed with a demonstrated focus on sustainability practices as determined by a rigorous assessment that includes an on-site inspection for compliance with public, peer-reviewed criteria. With certification, products grown by these operations are eligible to display a Food Alliance Certified eco-label.

Pacific Northwest nursery and greenhouse operations may choose to have compliance verified with Salmon-Safe criteria at the time of inspection, providing the option to promote Salmon-Safe certification in addition to Food Alliance certification. Certification is a tool that helps add credibility to sustainability claims through independent verification to meaningful standards.

What is the certification process?

Detailed information about the Food Alliance certification process is available here.

How much does certification cost?

Inspection and licensing fees are assessed as follows.

Inspection Fee

Food Alliance certified nurseries are inspected once every three (3) years. The inspection fee for nursery operations is the actual cost of inspection (inspector’s time plus travel expense), plus an administrative fee. A $400 deposit is due at the time of application, and the balance of the inspection fee is invoiced upon issue of the inspection report. Inspection fees will vary depending upon location, number of production sites, complexity of the operation, etc. A cost estimate of the inspection fee will be provided upon request.

Licensing Fee

Independent nursery operations pay an annual licensing fee based on a percentage of the company’s gross annual sales.

The licensing fee percentage is as follows:

• Less than $100,000 - $100 flat fee
• Fee on sales from $100,000 - $1,000,000 - 0.1%
• Fee on sales over $1,000,000 - 0.05%

LICENSING FEE CAP: $5,000 per year

Food Alliance licensing fees are applicable to the upcoming year. Billing options are offered: fees are billable annually, semi-annually, or quarterly

What type of nurseries are best suited for Food Alliance certification?

Food Alliance certification is most suited to nurseries that:

• actively manage their operations with environmental and community impacts in mind,
• continually strive to innovate and do better; and
• wish to differentiate their company and its products in the marketplace with thoughtful marketing that highlights sustainable practices.

Producers interested in pursuing Food Alliance certification should understand that certification is a tool that helps add credibility to their sustainability claims through outside verification to meaningful standards.

Moreover, there are growing opportunities to differentiate operations through sustainability practices in the nursery industry. According to Packaged Facts, the domestic market for ethical products (eco-friendly/green/fair) is expected to grow from $38 billion in 2009 to $62 billion in 2014, with sales of non-food items growing at a faster pace than food.