What will the election of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) mean for nurseries? According to John Aguirre, executive director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries, the Obama ascendancy offers opportunities as well as challenges.

In terms of opportunities, Obama is likely to favor a federal energy policy with incentives for efficiency and alternative sources, greater attention to transportation and infrastructure issues, and more support for sustainability initiatives. Transportation is especially important not just because nurseries must transport goods, but because highway projects could include landscaping or phytotechnology, creating a market for nursery stock.

In terms of challenges, Obama favors card check unionization without a private vote, which is not a positive for employers, Aguirre said. All in all, he reiterated that the nursery industry is important to Oregon’s agriculture and overall economy, and deserves a seat at the table.

“Oregon is a top provider of nursery stock across the country, exporting more than seventy-five percent of its product outside our state borders,” he said. “As the largest sector of Oregon agriculture, the health of our state depends on a strong nursery industry.”

Read this press release for additional comments by Aguirre. Then come back here and share your own thoughts on the question, “What will Obama’s election mean for nurseries?”