The US Congress passed and President Clinton signed legislation authorizing $1.2 million for research funding for floral and nursery crop research. The funding launches the Floriculture and Nursery Research initiative led by the Society of American Florists and the American Nursery and Landscape Association, wich ultimately will seek more money for research in years to come. The legislation also mandates that $200,000 be used to help establish the proposed Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center at the Ohio State University. Additional funds will go towards research targeting the industry's most urgent needs. The initiative will also promote better working partnerships between the USDA, the industry, and the academic comunity.
