Floriculture research funding that once seemed in danger of deep cuts has been secured in full after weeks of uncertainty — and with critical advocacy from the Society of American Florists.
Earlier this year, SAF and the American Floral Endowment learned that the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI), along with many other USDA Agricultural Research Service programs, was slated to receive only 85% of its fiscal 2025 funding. Because of how the money was allocated, the 15% cut would have eliminated support for Ohio State University’s Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC), a national repository that preserves and studies ornamental plant genetics.
That’s when SAF Senior Lobbyist Joe Bischoff, Ph.D., stepped in. He worked both on Capitol Hill and with USDA leadership to make the case for restoring the funds.
“There are decades of work and invaluable plant materials stored at OPGC,” he says. “You can’t get that back if it’s lost.”
Thanks in large part to SAF’s advocacy work, in coordination with the American Floral Endowment and pressure from other industry leaders, OPGC on Sept. 19 received 100% of its funding.
FNRI, managed through USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, directs federal dollars to projects that address challenges facing the floral and nursery industries. For years, SAF’s advocacy has pushed for increased funding for FNRI, growing it from $500,000 in the first year to $6.4 million. Half of FNRI’s funding supports ARS researchers and university professors, while the other half goes to floriculture and nursery programs like OPGC.
Research priorities identified through FNRI include:
- Developing plant varieties more resistant to pests and disease.
- Reducing input needs such as fertilizer and water.
- Improving postharvest care so cut flowers last longer.
- Optimizing shipping methods to preserve flower and plant quality during transport.
Bischoff notes that this type of federally supported research underpins the floral industry’s ability to deliver high-quality, long-lasting products to consumers.
The American Floral Endowment (AFE) helps direct FNRI funds to programs nationwide. AFE Research Coordinator Laura Barth emphasized that, while federal support can fluctuate year to year, the partnership between USDA, AFE, and the industry ensures money is targeted toward projects with the greatest impact.
“While funding levels are never guaranteed, these are important grants that our researchers rely on,” Barth says.
Dan Parsons is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
