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The critical influence of horticulture industry leaders identifying research needs cannot be overemphasized. “The advantage is
in having industry leaders in the leadership of HRI, [who are] constantly assessing the marketplace for the most current issues
that need to be studied and addressed,” asserts Dale Bachman, retired CEO of Bachman’s Inc. in Minnesota. “It’s the industry
leaders who volunteer to guide the whole process of establishing the priorities, and going out and soliciting the funds, and
ultimately making the decisions on what is to be funded.”
Again, who knows better how to ensure the long-term growth and strength of an industry than those whose livelihoods de-
pend upon it?
The targeted studies that address immediate and long-term challenges, the outcomes of which directly assist horticulture
industry professionals to solve problems and move forward, have run the gamut. They range from insect pest and disease
prevention or control to mechanization solutions that support efficiency and precision.
“Without the experts working on some of the plant blights and insecticides and insect issues—and so forth—we probably would
not have come as far as we have in the hort industry,” says Dennis Molitor, vice president of finance and accounting for Home
Nursery in Albers, Illinois. “The other issue is mechanization; we’re seeing more and more automated work issues. I consider HRI
to be a huge asset when it comes to any kind of research and development for our industry.”
One area of research that has contributed to long-term industry sustainability involved pollinator health. Public concern about
pesticide use, and the potential harm such chemicals can wreak upon pollinator populations, once was a public relations
nightmare. Research into alternative treatments, as well as which plants the industry grows that attract pollinators and
encourage a healthy population, provided solutions that helped on both fronts. Relying on trusted scientific findings, growers
could treat their ornamental crops with effective alternatives, as well as grow plants proven to be beneficial to pollinators and
popular among the gardening public.
“The research we did in the benefits of plants and how that contributed to pollinator health really gave our retail community
something they could sink their teeth into,” offers Harvey Cotten, Ad-Hoc Development Committee Chair for HRI. “They were
able to use it in their marketing efforts to increase plant sales,” to the long-term benefit of the entire industry, he adds.

The act of growing a plant is an investment in—and a commitment to—the future. And the act of investing in the horticulture
industry, through targeted research and support of hort scholars, ensures that the future is vital, strong, and able to support
generations to come.

PRINT WITH PERMISSION: “Article provided by the Horticultural Research Institute. Author Sally Benson.”
About HRI: The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the research affiliate of AmericanHort, has provided over $9.5 million in
funds since 1962 to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to
the green industry. Over $20 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations, and associations. For more
information about HRI, its grant-funded research, scholarships, or programming, visit www.hriresearch.org or contact Jennifer
Gray at 614.884.1155.

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