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HRI Celebrates Mission and Donors at MANTS
By Jennifer Gray, Research Programs Administrator, Horticultural Research Institute, JenniferG@AmericanHort.org
HRI held its annual winter donor recognition reception in conjunction with MANTS’23 in Baltimore, MD in January. Over 150 supporters joined the event to honor HRI’s impact and accomplishments and raise funds to support future growth.
The reception recognized more than $350,000 in donations received prior to the end of the year and during the reception. These critical funds will support research fostering business-building knowledge for the horticultural industry and scholarships for students pursuing careers in the green industry.
Of note, several new named funds were added to the endowment. Jim Eason, Eason Horticultural Resources, Ft. Wright, KY announced the establishment of a named fund in honor of his family. Alan Jones, Manor View Farms, Monkton, MD, announced the creation of a new scholarship fund in honor of his family and business. Mark and Jolly Krautmann of Heritage Seedlings and Liners, Salem, OR, were also present to announce their gift of $25,000 to honor the many people and relationships they have fostered in what Mark calls the craft of horticulture. They challenged the room to match their gift and within minutes another $15,000 was raised for the Craig Regelbrugge—Advocates for Horticulture Fund.
Monies raised from the donations made during events like this, and throughout the year, fund the activities of the Horticultural Research Institute’s research and scholarship programs, along with educational outreach activities for the organization.
For information about HRI, or to financially support the work, please visit HRIResearch.org or contact Jennifer Gray at (614) 884-1155.
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