Last month, members of the American Floral Endowment's Board of Trustees and Staff had the opportunity to visit the University of California, Davis to see firsthand how AFE-funded research is advancing innovation for the floriculture industry.
UC Davis, ranked among the top universities globally for agriculture and forestry, has long been a hub for cutting-edge agricultural research. During the visit, faculty and graduate students shared updates on their AFE-funded research and related collaborative efforts aimed at addressing key industry challenges.
The day began with an overview of drone imaging technology. Dr. Christian Nansen and his team showcased how aerial imaging and remote sensing tools can help monitor crop health, detect stress or pest issues earlier, and eventually provide growers with more precise data to support decision-making.
© American Floral Endowment
Attendees also observed imaging tools for evaluating plant health and growth in greenhouse environments, followed by a robotic spraying demonstration that illustrated the need for research that can improve precision and efficiency in crop protection applications.
Following the demonstrations, attendees were invited to lunch and welcomed by AFE Chairman, David Garcia, and Dr. Jason Bond, Executive Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. UC Davis faculty and graduate students presented updates on several research projects relevant to the floral industry. Dr. Johanna Del Castillo shared updates from AFE and Gloeckner-funded research projects on phytophthora and fusarium root rots of floriculture crops. Dr. Nansen and his graduate student, Yugeng Zou, shared insights into their ongoing work in plant disease management, remote sensing data applications, and emerging technologies such as cold plasma research. Additionally, graduate student Pam Andrade will share an update on her research in the March issue of AFE's Growing Further newsletter. These presentations highlighted the next generation of scientists contributing to floriculture innovation.
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A bonus stop was a visit to the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, a new state-of-the-art research hub currently under development at UC Davis. The center was established through a $50 million gift from philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company, an agricultural company whose brands include Teleflora, FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Pistachios, and Wonderful Halos citrus.
The gift supports construction of the 40,000-square-foot facility, ongoing research grants through the Resnick Agricultural Innovation Research Fund, and student housing for scholars participating in the program. Once completed, the center will bring together interdisciplinary experts to develop solutions for sustainable agriculture, including innovations in crop resilience, water and energy efficiency, and next-generation agricultural technologies. Although the center is still under construction, Trustees were excited to don their PPE and get a sneak peek of what will soon become a hub for innovation, collaboration, and the development of the next generation of industry leaders.
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Opportunities like this tour allow AFE Trustees and industry leaders to connect directly with researchers and students who are advancing the science behind floriculture. Seeing projects in action reinforces how industry support for research leads to practical solutions that can benefit growers, breeders, and businesses across the supply chain.
The day concluded with a dinner where Trustees, researchers, and industry partners continued discussions about current research and future collaboration opportunities. During the dinner, AFE also presented its Ambassador Award to Ken and Deena Altman of Altman Plants in recognition of their exceptional leadership and longstanding dedication to the floral industry and AFE's mission.
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Beyond the tours and dinner, the Trustees devoted time to Committee and Board meetings, where they reviewed and discussed AFE's key programs and strategic initiatives. Drawing on their expertise from across the industry, they help guide the Endowment's efforts to ensure its research, educational programs, and resources continue to grow and evolve to meet the sector's current and emerging needs.
Events like the UC Davis tour highlight the power of collaboration between industry leaders and academic researchers. By connecting those who fund research with those conducting it, AFE continues to ensure that innovative ideas translate into meaningful solutions for the floriculture industry. And by continuing to strategically involve and gather industry leaders' input, the Endowment can ensure that targeted programs and opportunities serve the floral community where it is needed most.
American Floral Endowment
Tel.: +1 (703) 838-5211
[email protected]
www.endowment.org
