Altman
Specialty Plants Inc., a wholesale nursery business, has completed the
construction of a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse dedicated solely to
research and improving the field of ornamental plant production. The
research center is called the Center for Applied Horticultural Research
(CfAHR).
Owners Ken and Deena Altman have long recognized that sound research
improves plant production: “The inspiration for the center has come
from a number of sources,” said Ken Altman, noting the Center for
Applied Research that McCorkle Nursery supported as well as his
experience on The American Floral Endowment board.
“At Altman Plants we have had Dr. John Erwin from the University of
Minnesota helping us with our company research and here again I have
seen the value that comes from having a time and place to be
inquisitive,” he added. “There is no shortage of issues that need to be
solved. However, the resources available are limited. The CfAHR is the
Altman’s way to contribute to the solution. In the best of worlds, this
will serve as a model for other nurseries to help fill the gap in
resources so we can support our industry researchers.”
The CfAHR, located in the grounds of the Altman Plants facility in
Vista, Calif., sits on one acre of land. It has a laboratory equipped
to conduct applied plant research, a climate-controlled greenhouse with
five individual rooms, shade and sun outdoor areas and a Quonset-type
greenhouse. The Center has a conference room that will be available to
organizations and institutions in horticulture that need a place for
events. Unity of the horticultural industry will determine its ability
to conquer the issues it faces. The CfAHR will provide a place for the
sharing of ideas, practices and current issues in the green industry.
As a non-profit organization, the CfAHR will maintain and
manage resources and facilities to carry out applied research based on
growers’ and industry needs. The Center activities are overseen by a
board of directors comprised of accomplished industry representatives.
The center’s director, Lucia Villavicencio, coordinates project
execution and everyday activities.
The CfAHR encourages the submission of ideas that could provide
solutions to current horticultural issues. The ideas will be studied
and projects developed to test them. The application process includes
an idea submission form and, for those who can be more actively
involved in implementing research, a proposal submission form. Projects
need to address horticultural issues in commercial nursery and
ornamental plant production. Areas of interest are: production
protocols, plant breeding, pest and disease control, plant propagation
and postharvest management. All research conducted at the center will
be done in a sustainable manner and applying good conservational
practices.
CfAHR is open to anyone interested in the green industry and its
challenges. For more information contact Lucia Villavicencio at (760)
802-9787 or lvilla@cfahr.org.
