An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but horticulture keeps us healthy in SO many ways.
Horticulture in Everything
Health & Specialty Crops
11
years of brain age
The brains of people who eat higher amounts of leafy greens decline slower meaning their brains appear up to 11 years younger. (Morris, et al, 2018)
10%
drop in mortality
For every additional 2 cups of fruits and vegetables you eat. Stroke and heart attack risk also drop 16% and 8%, respectively (Aune, et al, 2017)
80%
decrease in heat related emergencies
Neighborhoods with 5% or more tree canopy cover had 80% fewer heat related ambulance calls. (Graham, et al, 2016)
61%
Schools with higher fruit & vegetable consumption
61% of schools participating in Farm to School programs reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption by their students. (Machata, et al, 2023)
$2.47
Saved on diet-related medical expenses
For every $1 invested in CSA vouchers, $2.47 was saved on diet-related medical expenses for employees who started a CSA in a poorer state of health. (Rossi & Woods, 2018)
1
Bouquet can change a day
People who receive cut flowers are less depressed, more likely to smile, start conversations, and act more sociable. (Haviland-Jones, et al 2005)
Economics & Specialty Crops
Horticultural markets and economics have grown and changed a lot in the last decades.
12.7%
Increase in Home Value
Quality landscaping of a home can increase its sale value by 12.7% (Hardy, et al, 2000)
107
More Farmers Markets
The number of farmers markets in Kentucky increased by 157% farmers 2000 (68 markets) to 2025 (175) (Spencer, 2025)
167%
Increase in Horticultural Cash Receipts
Kentucky Horticulture Industry Cash Receipts increased by 167% from 2000 to 2025 ($75 million vs. $200 million) (Davis et al, 2015 & Woods 2025)
224%
increase in fertilizer costs
Average fertilizer costs in Kentucky and the surrounding region increased by 224% between 2000 & 2025. (USDA 2003 & 2019, Quinn 2025)
27x
more acreage in controlled environment
Acres in Controlled Environment production grew by nearly 27x from 11.5 acres in 2002 to an estimated 317.5 acres in 2022 (USDA 2004 & Terry 2024)
183%
increase in Farmers Market prices
The price for tomatoes, green beans, and cucumbers increased an average of 184% from 2004 to 2024 (Wolff 2024)
References
Aune D, Giovannucci E, Boffetta P, Fadnes LT, Keum N, Norat T, Greenwood DC, Riboli E, Vatten LJ, Tonstad S. Fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer and all-cause mortality-a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Int J Epidemiol. 2017 Jun 1;46(3):1029-1056. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyw319. PMID: 28338764; PMCID: PMC5837313.
Davis, A., Maurer, R., Mansfield, J., Purdom, C., Fawcett, K., & Allen, J., IV. (2015, November). An evaluation of Agricultural Development Board investments in Kentucky agriculture, 2007–2014: KADF projects, programs, & the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Kentucky. https://www.kyagr.com/agpolicy/documents/ADF_Pub_kadf-study_2007-2014_full-report.pdf
Graham, Drew A., Jennifer K. Vanos, Natasha A. Kenny, Robert D. Brown, The relationship between neighbourhood tree canopy cover and heat-related ambulance calls during extreme heat events in Toronto, Canada, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Volume 20, 2016, Pages 180-186, ISSN 1618-8667, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.08.005.
Hardy, J., B.K. Behe, S.B. Barton, T.J. Page, R.E. Schutzki, K. Muzii, R.T. Fernandez, M.T. Haque, J. Brooker, C.R. Hall, R. Hinson, P. Knight, R. McNiel, D. B. Rowe, and C. Safley. 2000. Consumer preferences for plant size, type of plant material and design sophistication in residential landscaping. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 18:224-230.
Haviland-Jones, Jeannette & Hale, Holly & Wilson, Patricia & Mcguire, Terry. (2005). An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers. Evolutionary Psychology. 3. 10.1177/147470490500300109.
Machata, N., Jennings, L., Morrison, H., & Boyle, M. (2023). 2023 Farm to School Census Report.
Morris MC, Wang Y, Barnes LL, Bennett DA, Dawson-Hughes B, Booth SL. Nutrients and bioactives in green leafy vegetables and cognitive decline: Prospective study. Neurology. 2018 Jan 16;90(3):e214-e222. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000004815. Epub 2017 Dec 20. PMID: 29263222; PMCID: PMC5772164.
Quinn, R. (2025, August 13). Fertilizer prices continue mixed. DTN/Progressive Farmer. https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/crops/article/2025/08/13/fertilizer-prices-continue-mixed
Rossi, Jairus, and Tim Woods, “Diet-Related Medical Expenditure Impacts of a CSA Voucher Program”, Department of Agricultural Economics Staff Paper No. 497, University of Kentucky, November, 2018.
Spencer, S. (2025, September 3). Kentucky farmers market counts [Personal communication].
Terry, T. (2024). Consulate General of Chicago—2024 USDA Census Analysis. The Netherlands Consulate General.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. (2004). 2002 Census of Agriculture: Volume 1, Geographic Area Series, Part 17. Kentucky State and County Data (AC-02-A-17). Washington, DC: Author.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. (2004, July). Agricultural prices: 2003 summary. https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/pk02c9724/2801pj510/7d278w264/AgriPricSu-07-23-2004.pdf
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2019, October 30). Fertilizer use and price. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fertilizer-use-and-price
Wolff, B. (2024). 3-year Average Weekly Prices at Kentucky Farmers Markets: 2022-2024 (No. CCD-FS-32; Fact Sheet). Center for Crop Diversification, University of Kentucky. https://ccd.uky.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/ccd-fs-32_3yrfm-22-24.pdf
Woods, T. (2024, December 4). Kentucky Horticulture Outlook 2024-2025. Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation 2025 Economic Outlook, Louisville,Kentucky. https://agecon.ca.uky.edu/ag-economic-situation-outlook