Charles D. Safley

Demand for Plants Sold in North Carolina Garden Centers

Demand for selected nursery plants sold in North Carolina (i.e., begonia, dianthus, geranium, impatiens, marigold, petunia, and vinca) was found to be affected more by prices than by income, demographic, and other variables. By using cross-sectional data, a modified AIDS model, incorporating demographic variables and quadratic income response, was estimated. Inverse Millss ratios were also included in the model to correct for selectivity bias, resulting from zero purchases. Significant own-price elasticities ranged from -0.71 to -1.65, and income elasticities ranged from -0.78 to 0.41.

Relative Importance of Factors Affecting Customer’s Decisions to Buy Pick-Your-Own Versus Preharvested Fruit at North Carolina Farms

This study identifies the most important factors affecting customers’ decisions to buy pickyour- own versus prepicked strawberries and muscadine grapes at direct-market operations in North Carolina. The relative importance analysis identified the region of location of the operations and prices as the explanatory variable explaining most of the variation observed in the customer’s decision to choose the type of fruit to purchase. The estimated price elasticities indicate that sales of each type of fruit are very sensitive to prices.

Impact of Income and Different Generation Cohorts on Nursery Products and Landscaping Project Spending

Socioeconomic factors influencing consumer demand for nursery products and landscape projects were investigated using consumer survey data collected from North Carolina in 2008. Tobit models were estimated for censored dependent variables, budget expenditure shares on nursery products, and landscape spending. The most significant factors influencing the share of income spent on nursery products were age and household income. The elderly and baby boomers tend to spend less on bedding plants, perennials, and outdoor hardscapes than Generations X and Y. The income elasticities suggest that the amount spent on outdoor living projects is sensitive to changes in household income, whereas spending in vegetable plants and chemicals is less responsive to income.