29th Annual Student Research Conference
The United States Cut Flower Industry: Evaluating Consumer Awareness of the Side Effects Associated with Outsourced Production
Aly Duvall
Dr. Datha Damron-Martinez and Dr. Scott Alberts, Faculty Mentors
Since the early 1970s, the United States floriculture industry has slowly increased its outsourced production in Andean countries. This has been achieved through a series of free trade agreements which were established as mutually beneficial policies. Both the domestic and foreign economies have been greatly influenced by these agreements and in some ways they have produced negative consequences. In addition, the morality of outsourced production has been questioned in terms of weak labor and environmental standards in the producing countries. This study aims to evaluate the impact this industry has on the environments, economies and communities in Andean countries and the United States. In order to fully evaluate the industry, consumer awareness of these impacts will be analyzed. The aim of this research is to inform consumers of the influence their purchases carry.
Keywords: Floriculture, Workers' Rights, Environmental Health
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary Studies Major
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: -5
Location: MG 2050
Time: 2:00