Nursery Research


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Nursery Research and Advisory Committee

For more information, email Plant@agr.wa.gov or call (360) 902-1922.

Funding Nursery Industry Research


Do you have a research project that could benefit the nursery plant-related industry in the state of Washington?  Nursery research funding is collected as a 20% surcharge on annual nursery plant seller/installer license fees and is distributed by decision of the Nursery Advisory Committee.

To apply for funding, please download the application below.  Applications are due annually by January 31.

Click here to download application

Nursery Advisory Committee

The Nursery Advisory Committee was established to advise the director regarding the administration of the nursery plant seller/installer inspection and licensing duties of the Plant Services program, and of the nursery research fund.

A surcharge of 20% is assessed on fees collected by nursery retailer and wholesaler licenses for the purpose of creating a nursery research fund. These fees are used solely to support research projects which are of general benefit to the nursery industry and are recommended by the Nursery Advisory Committee. The committee consists of nine members representing the interests of licensed nursery plant seller/installers and the nursery industry.

Each year the Nursery Advisory Committee awards funding to support research that benefits the Washington State nursery industry. In 2022, seven projects were granted funding for the 2023 fiscal year for a total amount of $266,528.

Below are examples of past projects. Click on the project number or title to access each project's proposal. After the end of the fiscal year (June 30) each project's progress or final report can be obtained by contacting our office at (360) 902-1922

#12-006 [PDF 371 KB]

Native Plant Propagation [PDF 371 KB] Sarah Hamman & Sierra Smith  - Center for Natural Lands Management $10,000

#14-001 [PDF 363 KB]

Studies on Detection and Spread of Grapevine Viruses in Grower Vineyards and Certified Nurseries [PDF 363 KB] Naidu Rayapati - WSU $23,470

#14-002 [PDF 286 KB]

Use of Advanced Sequencing to Facilitate the Introduction of Virus-Tested Fruit Trees [PDF 286 KB] Ken Eastwell - WSU $31,892

#16-001 [PDF 373 KB]

Establishment and Evaluation of Beneficial Insect-Attracting Native Plant Groundcovers in Wine Grape Vineyards [PDF 373 KB] David James - WSU $11,877

#16-002 [PDF 103 KB]

Steam Treatment for Sanitation of Used Pots & Potting Media [PDF 103 KB] Gary Chastagner & Marianne Elliott - WSU $14,628

#16-003 [PDF 294 KB]

Rain Gardens: What Can Be Learned from the Experiences of Practicing Landscape Professionals Regarding Costs, Benefits, Concerns and Climate Change Impacts? [PDF 294 KB] Virginia I. Lohr & Rita L. Hummel - WSU $8,500

#16-005 [PDF 124 KB]

Evaluating Mahonia Species and Cultivars for Landscape Use in the Pacific Northwest [PDF 124 KB] Randall Hitchin & Van Bobbitt - Washington Arboretum, South Seattle College $26,834

#16-006 [PDF 283 KB]

Consumer & Industry Education: Bee Health & Beneficial Bugs [PDF 283 KB] Breanne Chavez - WSNLA $16,500


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