Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Kentucky Horticulture Research Initiative (KHRI). The horticulture industry in Kentucky has been limited in growth and economic potential by not actively and aggressively funding research. Other states that have generously funded research have thriving, profitable horticulture industries.

The KHRI fund was established in 2017 to finance specific, industry-identified research at the university level in Kentucky. Download Contribution Form here.

Benefits of contributing:

¨ Support research as a foundation for a thriving state-wide horticulture industry

¨ Have a voice in what research is being done at universities in Kentucky — all project funding is approved by a committee of producers

¨ 99.9% of all contributions go to fund KY research projects

Kentucky Horticulture Research Initiative (KHRI) FAQs

Why is the KHRI important?

• Demand for locally-grown produce continues to increase, in many markets greatly exceeding supply.
• Funding for research on horticulture crops is getting smaller every year due to budget cuts.
• KY Ag Development Board funds are diminishing and will continue to decline over the next 10 years.
• Recent budget cuts have reduced funding to University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and the Environment by more than $2,000,000. With current budget concerns at the State level, more cuts are probable.
• The horticulture industry in Kentucky has been limited in growth and economic potential by not funding research. Other states that have generously funded research have thriving horticulture industries.
• If everyone involved in the industry contributes a little, it is a fair way to gather funds.
• Whether a vendor is a crafter or a farmer selling sweet corn, we ALL have an interest in keeping our market options open. Funding research is important to provide farmers new and valuable information to remain profitable in the future. Without produce would there be a local farmers market?

How is the KHRI being funded?

• Voluntary checkoff ($10) by farmers markets vendors and produce auction buyers and sellers.
• Donations from industry organizations, suppliers, and equipment manufacturers. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, AgSafe, Circle T Farms, Clifton Seed, Community Farm Alliance, Crooked Beak Acres, FoodChain, Glean Kentucky, Hinton’s Orchard and Farm Market, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Horticulture Council, Kentucky Irrigation Company, ML Irrigation, Midwest Vineyard Supply, Monte Package Company, Nutrien, Premium Horticulture Supply, Reid’s Orchard, Rockford Packaging, Rupp Seed, Seedway, Thoroughbred Compost, and Traveller’s Cellar Winery contributed to the KHRI.
• Contributions made by individual producers or other benefactors. In 2020, the Kentucky Horticulture Council made a celebration of life memorial contribution to KHRI.
• Kentucky’s professional member organizations contribute. For example, the Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association (KVGA) funded over $19,000 in 2016 and 2017 for research at UK.

How will KHRI money will be spent?

• Majority of the funds will be used to pay for supplies and part-time help (primarily summer) to conduct research at the university level. No salaried personnel will be compensated from these funds.
• No board member of the Kentucky Horticulture Council or member organization (i.e. Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association, Kentucky Society for Horticultural Science, Organic Association of Kentucky) will receive money from this fund.
• Research awards will be determined by a committee of producers, prioritizing projects that impact the greatest number of growers or businesses, not the current buzz or trend.
• All specialty crop (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals) and market-based projects will be considered for research funding.
• A research report is required for each funded project and information gathered from this research will be made available to everyone, whether a home gardener or commercial grower.