Tennessee officials say the state has a $500 million nursery industry, much of it blooming right here in Warren County.
To better serve the industry, Gov. Bill Lee announced this week an additional $1.35 million in state funding for the Tennessee State University Nursery Research Center in McMinnville.
Of that money, $800,000 is for recurring operational expenses, while $550,000 is for nonrecurring improvements.
“All of our research here is focused on nursery,” said Fulya Baysal-Gurel, a research assistant professor. “We do a lot of work on plant disease diagnostics. We can tell the grower what’s wrong and recommend disease management, which can include chemical management.”
Baysal-Gurel said “our door is open for diagnostics,” indicating anyone can walk in with a problem and Nursery Research Center employees will work to find a solution. She said some of her recent work has focused on downy mildew on roses and her findings have been published in the Tennessee Nursery Landscape Association newsletter.
The local facility is said to have an annual economic impact to the nursery industry in excess of $25 million. It has right at 30 employees who work full-time and part-time.
Lisa Alexander is a USDA research geneticist who works at the facility. Alexander said her research helps add value to plants such as finding ways to make them more disease resistant or to flower for longer periods.
Alexander said she also crosses plants to develop new breeds. For example, the Sunglow American Witchhazel is a new species that was just released last year. Evergreen hydrangeas are a new species set to be released this year.
The $1.35 million in supplemental funding came through the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday morning.
“I am very pleased Gov. Lee chose to include funding for the Nursery Research Center in his amended budget proposal,” said state Sen. Janice Bowling. “Tennessee has a large nursery industry, and it is time the state invested in the research and operations of this facility that produces millions of dollars in economic impact each year. These funds will allow the center to expand and meet the needs of the growing nursery industry around McMinnville. I appreciate TSU, the local officials, and leaders in the field for their hard work to secure these funds.”
TSU is the only university in the state that operates a research and extension facility for the sole benefit of the state’s nursery industry. The Nursery Research Center provides impact to Tennessee’s nursery industry through research and outreach in the areas of pathology, entomology, genetics, horticulture, sustainability and weed sciences.
