Season of Giving: Advancing Horticulture Through Research and Generosity
Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) logo. | AmericanHort
As we move into the heart of the giving season, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on what generosity makes possible in our industry. Growing success today takes far more than hard work and traditional knowledge. It takes access to solid research, practical solutions, and a well-prepared workforce. None of that happens by accident — it happens because people across the industry choose to invest in the future.
HRI’s Role in Advancing the Industry
For more than 60 years, the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) has served as the industry’s research and scholarship foundation. Our purpose has remained consistent: to support the long-term health and growth of the green industry. We do that by funding research that tackles real challenges facing growers and retailers, building educational programs that translate science into practice, and developing the leaders and professionals who will carry our industry forward.
What Giving Makes Possible
Every contribution to HRI directly fuels progress in four core areas:
- Research – Funding projects that tackle production challenges, pest and disease pressures, and shifting consumer expectations.
- Education – Offering webinars, programs, and resources that help businesses apply research to everyday decisions.
- Scholarships – Supporting students who are preparing for careers in horticulture and keeping the talent pipeline strong.
- Leadership Development – Developing industry leaders through programs like the HRI Leadership Academy.
Because of donor support, HRI has invested more than $12 million in research to date — including more than $500,000 in new projects for 2025. And this year, $60,000 in scholarships were awarded to students, ensuring the industry’s future remains bright and well-prepared.
Research That Delivers Real-World Solution
HRI’s research is selected and structured with industry businesses in mind. Results are practical, actionable, and designed to solve problems — not just live in a report.
A few examples:
- Ohio State University – Dr. Yu Ma is working to identify genetic traits that make begonias more cold-tolerant. The goal is simple but powerful: reduce crop losses and expand production windows, even in unpredictable weather.
- University of Vermont – Dr. Margaret Skinner is evaluating the use of UV-C light to manage Western Flower Thrips, offering a potential alternative to chemical controls while supporting sustainability and production efficiency.
These are just two examples among the more than 400 research projects that HRI has supported over the years. Each one is possible because individuals and organizations believe in giving back to the industry that has given them so much.
Your Support Matters
During this season of giving, I invite you to consider the impact your support can have. A contribution to HRI is more than a donation — it’s an investment in scientific progress, workforce development, and the continued strength of the green industry. Every gift, at any level, helps move the industry forward.
To learn more about HRI’s research, education, scholarships, or leadership program — or to make a gift — visit HRIresearch.org.
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