$50,000 in research grants to advance Michigan’s ornamental horticulture industry

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced $50,000 of horticulture fund grants to support innovative research projects that advance Michigan’s $1.4 billion nursery and ornamental horticulture industry. “Investing in horticulture research helps ensure Michigan growers have the tools and knowledge they need to remain competitive and sustainable,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “These projects focus on real-world solutions that strengthen our industry, support long-term growth and ultimately boost quality of life across the state.”

Following a competitive review process conducted by the Horticulture Advisory Committee, MDARD selected the following three projects to receive funding:

• Dr. Tom Fernandez, a Professor at Michigan State University’s Department of Horticulture, received funding to develop commercial-scale woodchip bioreactors to remove agrochemicals from recycled irrigation water at a Michigan wholesale greenhouse.
• Dr. Debalina Saha, an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University’s Department of Horticulture, received funding to investigate chemical mowing as an innovative technique for controlling weeds in ornamental tree production.
• Dr. Younsuk Dong, an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, received funding to improve irrigation management in Christmas tree and nursery production using Internet of Things (IoT) based sensor technology and irrigation scheduling.

Michigan is among the nation’s leading producers of begonias, geraniums, impatiens, petunias and other popular nursery plants. More than 1,000 nursery producers across the state generate approximately $700 million in annual sales.

Since Fiscal Year 2019, MDARD has awarded nearly $400,000 in horticulture fund grants. The grants were part of more than $250 million MDARD delivered over the past seven years to invest in agricultural science and education, enhance food and agriculture production, and protect the environment.

Source: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development