A groundbreaking research fund that has supported scientific innovation in the flowered industry for nigh three decades is suffer a boost in its effort to put up gamey calibre , cutting - edge research today and into the future , thanks to a strategical novel accord between two longtime manufacture groups . good Aug. 1 , the Society of American Florists will continue to support the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative ( FNRI ) through key administrative functions , including lobbying for extra funding and pass with members of Congress so that they are aware of the grandness of FNRI enquiry to the floral industriousness and their constituents . Meanwhile , the American Floral Endowment will take on the role of floral industry liaison with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for FNRI , identifying research priorities , bring in recommendations to the USDA ’s Agricultural Research Service and evaluating the advancement of research to ensure it is meet its object glass .
AFE Research Coordinator and a retiring SAF President Terril Nell , Ph.D. , AAF , ( pictured center ) with North Carolinians Ted Todd and Debby Sacra of The Blossom Shop Florist in Charlotte , Mark Yelanich of Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville , and Michael Trogdon , AAF , of Burge Flower Shop , Inc. in Asheboro talk about the importance of FNRI funding with Corey Brown , a legislative supporter in the office of Senator Thom Tillis ( R - NC ) , during SAF ’s Congressional Action Days this past March .
“ AFE and SAF have a long history of sour intimately together on myriad undertaking , and over the past two years AFE ’s Research Committee has put up expert feedback on FNRI research , wee this fresh partnership a logical next stone’s throw , ” articulate Terril Nell , Ph.D. , AAF , AFE ’s research coordinator and a past SAF chairperson . “ As a nonprofit organization that funds research and scholarships in floriculture and environmental horticulture that gain all segments of the flowered industriousness , AFE is perfectly positioned to help discover the industry challenges and priorities well suited for FNRI research . ”Established by SAF and the then American Nursery and Landscape Association in the late nineties , FNRI plays a critical role in generate scientific enquiry on high - priority issues that move all segment , including post - harvest technology , water quality and pestilence and disease management . Funds have also been used to create solutions to challenge posed by Ralstonia solanacearum , a bacteria that attacks geranium plants , along with plague such as whitefly and pythium . FNRI inquiry has also chair to new applied science in future pest direction practices , admit biologic controls that could shrink the use of pesticide . maintain the Initiative top - of - mind among lawmakers is an important chore , and it ’s one that SAF will continue to prioritise , with backing from its third - party partner Cornerstone Government Affairs , said Drew Gruenburg , SAF ’s chief operating officer , who noted that in the preceding two years Congress has vote to increase the Initiative ’s funding level by $ 1 million .
Charles Ingrum of Dr. Delphinium Designs and Jodi McShan , AAF , of McShan Florist both from Dallas , Texas , talk about FNRI research funding with legislative aides Will Batson and Jonathan Iwaskiw in the bureau of Sen. Ted Cruz ( R - Texas ) during SAF ’s Congressional Action Days in March .
“ Thanks to the dedication of SAF extremity , we ’ve been able-bodied to generate an impressive level of livelihood for FNRI on Capitol Hill , ” he explained . “ This is a will to how deeply FNRI resonated with lawgiver and how valuable our lobbying efforts are , both year - rotund and during our yearly Congressional Action Days events . We look forward to continuing in that role and to function alongside our protagonist and confrere at AFE.”Gruenburg also made it clear that the new complex body part will not affect SAF ’s longstanding partnership with AmericanHort in lobby for raw FNRI funding or in collaborating with the Horticultural Research Institute ( HRI ) on industry research priority .
“ SAF will continue to figure out collaboratively with AmericanHort to gain visibility for FNRI in Congress , ” he tell . “ And the significant interaction and sharing between AFE , HRI and USDA - ARS will persist . ”
For more informationAmerican Floral Endowment ( AFE)www.endowment.org
Society of American Floristswww.saf.org
