Increasing Sales of Horticultural
Products
CSREES activities increase sales of horticultural
products through programs that document impacts
on human health and well-being and the environment.
CSREES programs document the impacts of fruit,
nut, and vegetable consumption on human health
and nutrition and focus on:
- Plant genetic modification.
- Specialized cropping systems, postharvest
physiology and technology.
- Food safety.
In addition, CSREES focuses on public education
to maximize the beneficial impact of fruit,
nut, and vegetable consumption.
The fastest-growing segment of horticulture
over the past 10 years has been in the broad
area of environmental horticulture. In its
broadest dimensions, environmental horticulture
includes the study of the psycho-social value
of human-plant interactions and of horticultural
therapy as an element of social, physical,
and mental therapy programs.
One hundred
forty individuals benefited from horticultural
therapy workshops at Lexington Center. In
addition to the geriatrics programs, other
programs serve at-risk youth and the mentally
challenged, socially disabled, and physically
disabled.
Environmental horticulture includes horticulture
plant use in phytoremediation and the environmentally
sensitive management of home and urban landscapes.
The Lawn & Environment
Initiative is patterned after the Golf & Environment
Initiative, a consensus-building coalition
that has brought together diverse stakeholders
(the golf course industry, the government,
and regional and national environmental organizations)
in a collaborative working relationship.
The Lawn & Environment Initiative, in
which CSREES is participating, is in the
discussion stage. Horticultural needs/issues
have been identified in collaboration with
CSREES land-grant university partners, horticultural
societies, horticultural professional associations,
and others.
CSREES invites input to assist us in identifying
and prioritizing major needs. Send input
to Jim
Green, CSREES National Program Leader
in Horticulture.
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