H-2A: Labor shortages constrain industry growth and success, especially in plant production and installation. The existing legal visa program, H-2A, struggles to meet fast-growing demand in the face of worsening shortages and needs reform. We support sensible H-2A improvements to contain costs and expand access, and solutions for experienced agriculture and horticulture workers to earn legal presence and authorization to continue working in the sector. Finally, AmericanHort actively supports initiatives that attract young people into horticulture as a career.
H-2B: This program is vital to landscape businesses nationwide that struggle to find enough seasonal workers to sustain their businesses and supplement their American workforce during seasonal peaks. By enabling companies to supplement their staff during these peaks, H-2B helps secure and sustain employment opportunities for U.S. workers in the landscape sector and the horticulture industry supply chain. We support H-2B cap relief, better coordination among the federal agencies involved, and streamlining that restores the program as a reliable safety net.
Plants and managed landscapes benefit local economies as well as human health and well-being. However, their successful growth and usage often relies on the availability of essential resources like water, nutrients, and pest management tools. Particularly, pest management tools are crucial for ensuring the longevity of these plants and allowing them to thrive in the face of increased pest pressure. One way to ensure this longevity is through developing and approving chemistries associated with pest management. To that end, AmericanHort supports a science-based framework governing access to these critical inputs while leading the way in developing and instituting industry-wide best management practices and sustainable management technologies.
AmericanHort continues to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state agencies to modernize domestic and international plant quarantine and certification programs like the Systems Approach to Nursery Certification program. These programs ensure that plant production facilities participating in the plant trade follow pest management best practices. This helps prevent the spread of insects and diseases through trade, which could potentially disrupt the entire industry. AmericanHort is also your voice and advocate for resolving plant supply chain disruptions resulting from plant pest quarantines, trade permit issues, and other regulations.
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is a federal law designed to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit activities by increasing transparency in business ownership. It requires most corporations, LLCs, and similar entities formed or registered in the U.S. to report Beneficial Ownership Information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The CTA introduces administrative burdens for AmericanHort members, particularly small and mediumsized nurseries, landscape businesses, and horticulture-related entities, as they must identify and report their beneficial owners, maintain accurate records, and update FinCEN if ownership or control changes. AmericanHort supports targeted reforms and the establishment of flexible compliance timelines that address security concerns while easing undue regulatory burdens on business owners. The process demands time and resources, with noncompliance risking significant penalties, including daily fines and potential imprisonment for willful violations.
Several key tax provisions have been identified for potential changes to pay for legislation. Provisions such as the step-up in basis, 1031 like-kind exchanges, 199A Tax Deduction, Research and Development Tax Credit, and cash method of accounting are pivotal for the industry to maintain its current tax burden, facilitate the transfer of assets, and run businesses. AmericanHort will advocate for these provisions to remain in place, avoiding changes that create uncertainty and undermine stability and success.
The horticulture industry depends on a reliable supply chain to get goods to market, but growers are facing delays and higher freight costs due to a shortage of commercial drivers. This highlights the importance of having all parts of the supply chain—trucking, rail, ports, and waterways—working together seamlessly. A strong, connected system is essential for moving perishable products on time and keeping costs manageable. We support measures to enhance the supply chain, including investments in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development, to meet current and future demands while promoting resilience and economic stability in the horticulture sector.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA houses several programs vital to the horticulture industry. USDA mission areas and programs, including Trade and Foreign Ag Affairs, the Risk Management Agency, Rural Development, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and Research, Education, and Economics, among others, provide critical services to several components of the industry. AmericanHort supports the funding of key USDA programs that support our members and industry.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): AmericanHort members rely on an effective, efficient pesticide regulatory system that produces decisions based on sound science. Our nation’s growers, consumers, and other users rely on quality pesticide registration decisions and guidance from federal regulators to allow for the meaningful use of pesticidal tools while ensuring protection of both human health and our environment. When these conditions are met, these tools can safely defend horticultural crops, protect residential and commercial facilities, safeguard against public health risks, and maintain conservation practices. To that end, AmericanHort supports funding of the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs at its authorized amount as established by the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA).
Successful landscapes require key inputs like water, nutrients, and pest management tools. Federal laws govern worker protection and pesticide registration and set the basic water quality and nutrient management framework. AmericanHort works towards ensuring access to the necessary tools, technologies, and innovations needed to produce and manage plants and landscapes while maintaining stewardship of a healthy environment and having a beneficial financial and economic impact on our members.