General Information

NIFA horticultural program areas include: 1) sustainable production and postproduction handling (postharvest physiology) of fruits, nuts, vegetables, flowers, and landscape crops; 2) environmentally sensitive management of landscape plantings and gardens, including sports areas and parks; and 3) horticultural impacts on human health and well-being, such as social, mental, and physical horticultural therapy.

Horticultural science includes: plant physiology and biochemistry; plant nutrition; plant ecology; controlled environments; plant breeding and genetics; and crop-specific technology. Related issues include: invasive species; organic crop production; production systems integrating nutrient, irrigation, and pest management; economically sustainable plant production systems; food safety; and being competitive in global markets.

The value of commercial horticultural crops is almost evenly split among three areas: vegetables; nursery/greenhouse; and fruits, nuts, and berries. Horticultural production is increasing at an average annual growth rate of about 3 percent. Ornamental crop production is the largest and fastest-growing segment of the industry, as well as its most diverse.

NIFA sustains horticultural research, education, and extension at the land-grant universities. NIFA supports and challenges its partnering universities to develop curricula and produce graduates prepared to work in horticultural systems that are increasingly complex, highly technical, and requiring multidisciplinary and cooperative approaches for solutions. NIFA encourages development of problem-based curricula that prepare graduates to deal with emerging challenges of national and global social change.

NIFA administers formula program funds and administers other funds for new and high-priority programs. Formula funds provide base funding for specific programs. To fund new and high-priority program areas, the NIFA national program leaders (NPLs) administer research, education, and extension competitive grants.

NIFA NPLs represent NIFA on Multistate Research Funded (MRF) projects related to horticulture (see PARTNERSHIPS for a list of MRF projects). Besides students and researchers, beneficiaries of NIFA horticultural programs include: those in horticultural therapy programs; individuals with a single plant; homeowners with flower beds and gardens; and businesses producing or maintaining large acreages of vegetable, fruit, and flowering plants, as well as turf and ornamentals.