Horticultural Research Institute And AmericanHort Partner To Advance Research
January 20, 2014 
The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) and AmericanHort will work together through a strategic alliance to support and promote research that benefits all facets of the horticulture industry.
The collaboration will speed up research efforts on industry survival, sustainability, marketing and technology.
“The partnership with AmericanHort is an important component of HRI’s strategic vision,” says HRI’s 2013 President Bob Couch, from Dayton Bag and Burlap, Dayton, Ohio. “This collaboration positions HRI to continue as the premier horticultural research and development institute for our industry.”
The new alliance brings together HRI’s 52-year history as a leading green industry research and educational foundation and AmericanHort’s vision to unite, promote and advance the industry. AmericanHort was launched January 1 through the consolidation of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals.
“Advancing the mutual success of all horticulture industry sectors is part of AmericanHort’s strategic vision,” says Michael V. Geary, AmericanHort President & CEO. “Partnering with HRI ticks all the boxes in our mission statement: unite, promote and advance our industry through advocacy, collaboration, connectivity, education, market development and research.”
One of the first benefits for the industry is having a single organization to provide advocacy, education and collaboration on research issues including pest and disease management, water management, production and emerging challenges and opportunities.
“This is natural progression for HRI. Over its history, HRI-funded research has really represented all of the plant industry, funding projects benefiting growers, retailers, landscapers, distributors and consumers,” says HRI’s 2014 President Harvey Cotten of the Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville, AL. “The formal alliance with AmericanHort allows us to fully leverage what HRI has provided to the greater horticultural community all along: relevant research directed by the industry, for the industry.”
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