The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invited SAF to represent the floral industry at a workshop to determine high-priority objectives for a new 5-year plan on specialty crop research.
ARS is in the process of creating a new multi-year plan for National Program 305 (NP 305) which focuses on specialty crop production and pollinator research. ARS has requested that SAF provide feedback on the floral industry’s priorities to help drive research by USDA on specialty crops and pollinators.
Research conducted in the NP 305, or Crop Production program, is designed to increase efficiency, productivity, quality, marketability and protection of floral and nursery crops while maintaining or enhancing worker safety and environmental quality.
The USDA Crop Production Program builds on other ARS research programs and collaborates with universities and industries to develop improved varieties and determine methods to shield them from diseases and pests. It also develops ways to bring those crops to the field and produce increased yields with reduced need of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Do you have any research topics you would like ARS to consider including in its plan? If so, please email Shawn McBurney at smcburney@safnow.org.
