On Feb 10, the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen Inc. (NCAN) created the NCAN Research and Extension Endowment in the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Inc. at N.C. State University. The endowment will support programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that provide assistance to the state’s green and nursery industries.

The endowment will be used to provide supplementary support to programs in horticulture, entomology and plant pathology that support the horticulture industry in North Carolina. Funds may be used according to the specific needs of the College’s horticulture programs — either to initiate new projects or strengthen existing ones, or to procure supportive services and equipment.

College Dean James L. Oblinger presided at the signing ceremonies and reception, which took place during NCAN’s executive committee meeting at the McSwain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum. Noting that nine of 11 of NCAN’s former presidents were present at the event, Oblinger said, “This is a testament to your commitment to what you do and to our programs. Your support for our programs has been so meaningful, and with this endowment, that support will continue forever. And the way this is structured — to support programs in the departments of Entomology, Horticultural Science and Plant Pathology — is indicative of the way we work across disciplines to solve problems in a relevant and responsive way.”

Speaking on behalf of all departments recognized in the agreement, Dr. Tom Monaco, head of the Department of Horticultural Science, said, “We’ve had a great working relationship with the nurserymen, and this is a high-water mark for that cooperative spirit.”

Said Mark Peters, NCAN president, “Our goal is for this to grow and continue to provide opportunities to expand research funding at N.C. State. We enjoy a very strong partnership with Entomology, Plant Pathology, Horticultural Science and especially Extension, and we look forward to many years of that ahead.”

—Terri Leith