$1 Million More for Floriculture and Nursery Research

Chris Beytes

The Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI), a research program of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, has been funded to the tune of an additional $1 million, says the Society of American Florists, which has had the full court press on in Washington for at least two years. This is on top of the current funding of $4.6 million. The funding is part of the omnibus spending bill approved by Congress and signed into law in late March by President Trump.

The figure represents the largest single increase in almost 20 years for FNRI, which plays a critical role in generating scientific research on high-priority issues that affect all segments, including post-harvest technology, water quality, and pest and disease management. Half is for floral and half is for nursery. The research program started with $1 million in 1999.

“This is very big news,” said Shawn McBurney, SAF’s senior director of government relations, in a press release. “This is a huge accomplishment for the floral industry, and it would not have happened without the support and hard work of SAF members. This proves that conversations between SAF members and lawmakers and their staff during Congressional Action Days have made a real difference.” GT