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Fafard formulates hybrid research program

Conrad Fafard, Inc. has completed a unique six-month research trial that blends academic and practical research in large-scale commercial greenhouses across the country. Designed to test advanced potting-media formulations to help growers achieve healthier and more profitable plants, the Fafard Research Leader Program will become a model for future company studies. Last night, Fafard hosted a research roundtable in Columbus, Ohio, during OFA, outlining the program and featuring some of its research leaders and participating commercial growers
The three-phase research project, launched in January and concluded in June, examined how different raw materials, soil amendments and additives used in growing media perform in different greenhouse settings. Phase I focused on unrooted cuttings and seedlings, Phase 2 on finished plants and Phase 3 garden soil or container garden media. Research encompassed 311 individual experiments, evaluating 37 plant types at 27 separate greenhouse operations and distinct locations in 13 states.
The project’s scope required hiring interns with research experience or greenhouse-management knowledge to set up, conduct and oversee the study phases on a weekly basis. A one-week training session at Fafard’s Anderson, S.C., facility, has prepped a total of 13 interns - known as Fafard research leaders - in areas of: grower communication; propagation, production and retail cropping; experimental design; data collection and entry; photography; and reporting. Then each was equipped with a laptop, digital camera and other tools for greenhouse work.
"The Fafard research leaders were critical to the success of this program," said Hugh Poole, PhD, director of Technical Services /Quality Control, Fafard. "We needed to establish common ground, where we could introduce academic-style research in real-world situations. The research leaders were able to find a common language and common means of doing research with growers who are more hands on."
Findings from the Fafard Research Leader Program will help the company in developing new products, enhancing its existing line of professional mixes and offering new custom additives.
Conrad Fafard, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of packaged growing media for professional ornamental growers and retail outlets. Acquired by Syngenta in 2006, the company is headquartered in Agawam, Mass., and owns and operates production facilities in Anderson, S.C., Apopka, Fla., Marshall, Texas, Floodwood, Minn., and New Brunswick, Canada, as well as peat bogs in Minnesota and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Manitoba.
Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2007 were approximately $9.2 billion. Syngenta employs over 21,000 people in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

Contact:
Jennifer Martin 615.791.1535 x 25 / jennifer@aldaycommunications.com / Alday Communications, Inc.
Ann Bryan 336.681.0770 / ann.bryan@fafard.com / Conrad Fafard, Inc.

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