Activists Delivered Petition to Costa Farms Nurseries
A coalition urged the company to adopt the Planting Justice Program to improve working conditions in the nursery sector.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Botany
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On September 8, 2026, activists delivered a petition signed by nearly 3,000 individuals to Costa Farms, calling for the company to join the Planting Justice Program. The petition, launched by WeCount in June, seeks to address labor concerns within an industry that generates $50 billion annually.
Why it matters
The campaign highlights the tension between the rapidly growing houseplant market and the labor conditions for nursery workers. Activists specifically demand higher wages, formal heat protections, and improved safety standards for employees, many of whom are employed through the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program.
The petition delivery targets a company with operations spanning Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina. This effort follows a February 2026 report by WeCount titled 'Human Cost of Houseplants' that detailed systemic labor challenges within the ornamental plant sector.
The players
Costa Farms
A major producer of houseplants and nursery goods operating across Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina.
WeCount
A labor advocacy organization focused on organizing agricultural workers and campaigning for improved workplace safety standards.
The details
The Planting Justice Program, which organizers are pushing Costa Farms to join, focuses on standardizing labor protections such as mandatory heat mitigation and wage transparency. Many workers in the sector operate under the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program, a federal policy that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for seasonal farm work. The coalition behind this action includes various community, labor, and faith groups that coordinated the September Day of Action across multiple state office locations.
Timeline
In 2001, Costa Farms expanded its operations into North Carolina.
In 2021, WeCount organized a Miami-Dade heat ordinance campaign.
In February 2026, the 'Human Cost of Houseplants' report was released.
In June 2026, the petition campaign was launched.
On September 8, 2026, activists delivered the petitions.
The Tech Race
The activists' push for nursery labor protections follows the pattern established by the 2021 Miami-Dade heat ordinance campaign. By targeting major industry players, organizers are attempting to set new sectoral standards for safety and wages similar to how previous local climate ordinances influenced agricultural labor regulations.
Consumers buying houseplants from these regions may see changes in supply chain transparency or labor standards if the company agrees to the petition's demands. The campaign aims to shift industry norms, potentially affecting the cost and production methods of plants found in major retail nurseries.
The takeaway
The campaign marks a growing focus on labor transparency in the massive ornamental plant industry. Interested observers should monitor whether Costa Farms adopts any components of the Planting Justice Program in the coming months.
Further reading
For broader trends in industry regulation and agricultural labor, see Botany.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Asheville Citizen Times.
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