Dr. Terril Nell , AAF , is the 2023 inductee into the Society of American Florists ' Floriculture Hall of Fame , the flowered diligence ’s high honor . The induction ceremony took seat on September 9 during the Stars of the Industry Awards Recognition at the organisation ’s 138th Annual Convention . The Floriculture Hall of Fame recognize the mellow measure of service and professional responsibleness in members of the floral industriousness . inductee have been implemental in create significant and lasting improvement or innovations for the industry .
Dr. Nell ’s contributions to the advancement of floriculture and gardening and his tireless advocacy for floral research and funding exemplify his dedication to the industry throughout the past 60 years . The leading expert on postharvest care and handling of bloom potted flora and dilute flowers , Nell co - authored the Society of American Florists ' Flower and Plant Care Manual and has been a frequent editorialist for Floral Management magazine . He ’s steadfastly advocated for flowered research and backing and held numerous leadership stance , most notably SAF President and Director of Research for the American Floral Endowment ( AFE).Nell spent 35 years as a professor at the University of Florida , chairing its Environmental Horticulture Department from 1991 to 2012 . In 1983 , he developed the UF Postharvest program , which concentrated on a potted plant and cut efflorescence performance for growers , shipper , wholesale and retail florists , and upcountry plantscapers . His research results and employment have lead to the development of best practices that better flower and industrial plant longevity . Beyond his university research , Nell has been an industry consultant for agriculturalist , jobber , and retailers for over 40 years . In the late nineties , Nell was instrumental in lobby for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative , which plays a decisive theatrical role in generate scientific research on high - priority issues affecting all segments of the floral industry . " Once Terrill give testimony before Congress , he attract the pursuit of the USDA Agricultural Research Service administrator , who suggested funding go through his authority , " recalls Marvin Miller , Ph.D. , market enquiry coach at Ball Horticultural Company . " Today , diligence research worker from both the USDA and academia benefit from millions of buck provided annually by the FNRI.“Since go to bed from UF in 2012 , Nell has served as the Director of Research for the American Floral Endowment . In this character , he answer as the liaison to the FNRI while also collaborating with the Horticulture Research Institute , AmericanHort , the Specialty Crop Research Institute , and other government - fund agencies to support their piece of work for the industry . He also superintend research backing projection . In 2017 , he induct a exceptional research fund to battle Thrips and Botrytis , which have been devastating to floral crops . Raising $ 1.5 million for this special project , he ’s managed and superintend more than 15 project dedicated to tackling these pests , which has help build up fresh communications protocol for growers to bring down losses . Throughout his career , Nell has been an alive member and leader in numerous industry organizations . Besides his incumbency as SAF ’s Chief Executive , he has also process on the association ’s Growers Council , as well as its Government Relations and Awards Committees . He served as Chairman of SAFPAC , its political action committee , significantly increase the number of donors and financial support . He served as the UF involvement with the Florida Nursery and Grower ’s Association , Florida Turfgrass Association , Association of Floral Importers of Florida , Florida Sod Growers Cooperative , and the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association . He ’s bring out C of articles , both for academic journals and diligence magazines , and has been a featured speaker system at numberless industry events . A few of Nell ’s many accolades admit SAF ’s Paul Ecke , Jr. Award and Hall of Fame membership with the Florida State Florists Association , the International Fresh Produce Association , Florida Nursery Grower Landscape Association , and AmericanHort Interior Plantscape . “It ’s hard to pinpoint his greatest influence on the manufacture , " says Ken Young , AAF , CEO of Phoenix Flower Shops and AFE Chairman . " He ’s most known for his enquiry and teaching , but he ’s devoted so much personal time , even since retire from academia . He ’s collaborated with many organizations to lick challenges in pestilence and diseases and , has traveled the human race as a consultant to retailers , wholesalers , and growers , and serve on countless consultative committees and boards . He still attends every major diligence consequence . If you ’ve ever had the pleasance of walking a barter show with him , you find like you are with a famous person . Everyone knows and value Terril . “AFE Executive Director Debi Chedester , AAF , also acclaim Nell ’s interpersonal skills . " You do n’t survive in this industry without building relationships , " she says . " Terril is able to address challenge and provide counsel in a reverential way to staff , researchers , and pro to raise growth and solidarity . He fosters connectedness between university and flowered business owners , gathering data on the industry ’s most pressing pauperization and sharing it with investigator to solve them . “David Clark , Ph.D. , a prof of horticulture biotechnology and genetics at the University of Florida , described Nell as " the most cocksure influence " on his career . " I ca n’t think of anyone who ’s more worth of the Floriculture Hall of Fame , " he says . " I ’ve be intimate Terrill for almost 30 years , and in that metre , I ’ve see him wear thin a portion of different chapeau , including scientist , mentor , lobbyist , and acquaintance . "
For more information : SAFsafnow.org
