2/26/2015
HRI Launches 2015 Fundraising Efforts
Jennifer Zurko
More than 125 people attended the annual winter reception in support of the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), which provides both student scholarships and hundreds of thousands of dollars in industry research grants every year. The first of twice-yearly donor receptions took place in early January, in conjunction with MANTS in Baltimore, Maryland.
Donations and pledges made totaled more than $85,000 and the evening included the announcement of the upcoming release of the Institute’s book, “Back Then to Right Now: The Horticultural Industry Comes of Age.” The book, authored by Bob Dolibois, the now-retired executive vice president for the American Nursery & Landscape Association and Sally Benson, long-time editor of American Nurseryman magazine, will launch in July 2015.
“Philanthropic vision, supporting research that benefits the industry’s community and providing financial assistance to next-generation leaders are all hallmarks of industries on the rise,” states Michael V. Geary, AmericanHort President & CEO. “Optimism in the horticultural industry is increasing and we’re seeing that optimism reflected in the generosity of our donors. 2014 saw great recovery and advancement in many of our industry sectors and 2015 should show that trend continue.”
In addition to the book fund, additional reception highlights included:
- MANTS presented $3,000 toward the C.M. Akehurst Scholarship Endowment Fund
- The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association presented $5,000 toward its members’ ongoing commitment to the Ohio Research Endowment Fund
- The Conard-Pyle Co. pledged an additional $10,000 toward the Conard-Pyle Endowment Fund
- Midwest Groundcovers, LLC presented $10,000 toward the Orum-Midwest Research Endowment Fund
- Peter and Irma Orum presented $20,000 toward the Orum-Midwest Research Endowment Fund
Fundraising will continue throughout 2015 to support work in several signature programs, including:
The Scholarship & Research Endowment program, which will
- Provide nearly $400,000 in grant funding to more than a dozen valuable research projects
- Report vital research results back to the horticultural community at-large
- Support the next generation of professionals with more than $20,000 in scholarships
- Collaborate with multiple federal government agencies to ensure additional and relevant horticultural research is conducted
The Horticultural Industry Bee & Pollinator Stewardship Initiative, which will
- Develop a bee and pollinator stewardship program that improves circumstances surrounding pollinator health concerns
- Fund research that helps answer key science questions that support the stewardship program
- Spread the word to the horticulture industry communities and its customers how the program has a positive impact on pollinators and still allows us to mitigate the spread of invasive pests that threaten our natural environment
The Future of Garden Retail project—which taps into powerful, multi-disciplinary methods of researching, conceptualizing and testing strategies aimed to expand the garden retail industry. Recommendations from this project will highlight a holistic approach to providing more value to consumers by engaging them and, ultimately, influencing them to purchase more products and services.
To donate to any of these important programs, pre-order a copy of the upcoming book or to learn more about HRI and how you can participate, contact Jennifer Gray at (614) 884-1155 or visit
www.hriresearch.org.
GT