Azalea Research Fund Mission

First proposed by the late Dr. August E. “Augie” Kehr in 2001, the Azalea Research Fund was established in 2009 as a committee of the Azalea Society of America by approval of their Board of Directors. Augie was a renowned plant scientist and one of our more distinguished members. He had already encouraged and guided the Magnolia Society and the American Rhododendron Society into establishing similar research funds, and he felt strongly that the Azalea Society should also have a research fund. The Azalea Research Fund mission is to foster increased knowledge and improvement of the standards of excellence with regards to azaleas. This is accomplished by promoting and supporting research activities in the areas of classification, hybridization, culture and education; through funding of appropriate scientific and advanced studies; and related activities that are of value to the Azalea Society.

Along with ongoing refinement of the Fund policies and practices, specific duties of the Fund members include:
– requesting donations from members and organizations
– overseeing and managing investment of the Fund’s assets
– requesting and evaluating research applications
– monitoring research grants

The Fund members entrusted with these duties are:
Hale Booth, Chairman

Advisory Members:
Charlie Andrews, ASA President
Denise Lanclos, ASA Secretary
Paul Beck, ASA Treasurer