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What CANR Is About
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In early 1996, McCorkle Nurseries, Inc. of Dearing, GA approached the University of Georgia about the possibility of creating a unique research facility. After much planning, the Center for Applied Nursery Research, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which provides funding and facilities for green industry, needs driven research under an operational nursery setting was launched with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 10, 1997. The purpose of CANR is to provide a managed facility and funding for ornamental horticulture research based on grower needs and conducted under commercial growing conditions. The goal of CANR is to generate information to keep growers in Georgia and the Southeast on the forefront of new ornamental plant breeding, evaluation and introduction, as well as, new nursery production techniques. Members of the green industry are invited to visit this work in progress and present questions and needs for research projects every year during our annual Needs Meeting. An Advisory Council reviews and ranks submitted proposals for new research projects and presents these findings to the seven member Board of Directors for funding for the following year. See our green industry needs submission form.
Research projects focus on agricultural engineering, environment and plant microclimate monitoring, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, horticulture, plant breeding and evaluation, new product evaluation, propagation, and water management. There are 10 projects for the year 2011 directed by researchers from the University of Georgia, Auburn University, University of Florida, and University of Tennessee. The results of the research conducted at CANR benefit the entire industry. All results are published in the monthly Journal of the Georgia Green Industry Association and are available at the Georgia Green Industry Trade Show in January and at the Annual Open House held at the Center. The Board of Directors that governs the operation of CANR consists of industry representatives as well as University of Georgia faculty. The Center for Applied Nursery Research is open to all and presents a wonderful opportunity to observe new plant material and visually experience the projects in progress in addition to reading the final reports following project completion.
Ag Georgia Farm Credit, Waynesboro, GA Bailey’s Nursery, St. Paul, MN CSRA Hydrangea Society, Aiken, SC Florida Potting Soils, Orlando, FL Georgia Green Industry Association, Epworth, GA Georgia Master Gardener Association Griffith Propagation Nursery, Watkinsville, GA Harrell’s Inc., Lakeland, FL Home Depot, Athens, GA ML Irrigation Systems, Fountain Inn, SC McCorkle Nurseries, Inc., Dearing, GA Nature Scapes, Inc., Lilburn, GA Nursery Supplies, Chambersburg, PA OHP, Inc., Mainland, PA Plant Introductions, Inc., Watkinsville, GA Purcell Technologies, Sylacauga, AL R. A. Dudley Nurseries, Inc., Thomson, GA Randolph Greenhouses, Jackson, TN The Scott’s Company, Marysville, OH Southern Nurserymen’s Association, Atlanta, GA University of Georgia, Athens, GA University of Georgia Research Foundation, Athens, GA
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The research site is located on
2 acres adjacent to McCorkle Nurseries in Dearing, GA. It is structured like a miniature nursery with four greenhouses, two weather monitoring systems, a graveled container pad, a pot-in-pot site and a research and administration building surrounded by a small ornamental garden. In the spring of 1998, a large shade structure was constructed on the site to accommodate more versatility in research projects. A full-time manager oversees the day to day operations of CANR.