THE EVOLUTION OF A UNIVERSITY TRIAL GARDEN FROM FLOWER TRIALING TO NEW CROP INTRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING

The Trial Gardens at the University of Georgia (UGA) are less than half a hectare in size but serve as a research facility for most of the world’s flower breeders.
Data is gathered on crop entries and placed on line for breeders, retailers and growers to evaluate.
Marketing and promotion of the garden as a research and crop introduc-tion facility has grown in importance over the last five years and is accomplished through open houses, on line award programs and continuous communication with the breeders and partners companies.
New crop introductions have been a part of the gardens for many years.
Crops are presently introduced from scientists at UGA and private breeders.
Crops are distributed Athens Select^©, a national brand supported by selected propagators throughout the United States.
The royalties from the sale of Athens Select crops are administered through the University to help fund the Trial Gardens and additional new crop research.
The creation of a distribution and marketing network between an academic institute and the horticulture industry is uncommon.

XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Advances in Ornamentals, Landscape and Urban Horticulture

A.M. Armitage

flower evaluation, quality, promotion, Athens Select

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.937.126