As noted in the March 31, 2017 Week In Review, funding for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI) was increased after SAF’s 2017 Congressional Action Days (CAD).

FNRI is a federal program that obtains and guides federal research funding targeted to the needs of the floriculture and nursery industries.  Envisioned by SAF in the mid 1980s, it is a partnership between the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), SAF, AmericanHort, and the academic community.

During CAD in 2017, SAF members met with their members of Congress, educated their offices on the importance and FNRI, and asked them to support a modest $250,000 increase in funding for the program in the fiscal year 2018 budget.

The request was made to replenish some of the funding lost due to inflation and the diversion of funding over the years.

SAF members were so effective in their visits that the House of Representatives doubled the requested funding and included $500,000 for FNRI in its FY18 agricultural spending bill.  Similarly, the Senate expressed support for FNRI in its version of the FY18 bill.

It was a tremendous success and demonstrated the effectiveness of SAF members in advocating for the floriculture industry.

Unfortunately, gridlock and political bickering in Washington has slowed the progress of spending bills.  Although both the House and Senate have passed their own versions of the agricultural spending bill for FY18 (which both included support for FNRI), a final bill has not yet been approved.

During CAD on March 12 and 13, 2018, SAF members will once again make their visits on Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the floriculture industry.  Their voice will be critical to remind lawmakers of the importance of approving increased funding for FNRI and to make sure it crosses the finish line.