In August 2019, the goal of $1.5 million in pledges and contributions to address the Thrips and Botrytis challenges faced by the industry was met! Since 2017, AFE has been funding dedicated research projects aimed to solve these challenges. You can see the currently-funded research projects as a part of this campaign here.
Over the next three to five years, additional projects will be identified based on the results of current research results, with all results shared with contributors of this special fund. Contributors will receive this information first, in recognition of the funding they’ve provided to get these projects underway.
In an effort to be fully transparent as to where these funds will be used, AFE has outlined expenses below.
Thrips and Botrytis Research Fund Contributions will specifically be used for:
- Funding multiple research projects annually to address specific Thrips and Botrytis challenges for the floral/nursery industry
- Travel costs for researchers to visit farms to see problems firsthand and talk to growers
- Travel costs for researchers and staff to attend industry events for presentations
- Funding for researchers to establish grower on-site research trials and demonstration sites to demonstrate the value of comprehensive and integrated management and control practices for control of thrips and Botrytis
- Costs for developing special newsletter for funding companies, and translation of newsletter to Spanish
- Costs associated with developing a marketing and communications plan to ensure research results are communicated to donors of this fund and later to the entire industry
- Cover administrative costs ($150,000 one-time fee in 2019) for AFE Research Coordinator and Staff in administering and overseeing Thrips and Botrytis Research, preparing and conducting educational presentations, writing and securing articles, communications with researchers and donors, and other general administration associated with the T & B research
For more information on the Thrips & Botrytis Fund visit this page.
