14 October 1994 University's Links with Horticulture Inseparable

Canterbury's abundant horticultural potential - often referred to as a "sleeping giant" - means horticultural teaching and research institutions such as Lincoln University have a special place in the province's future.

The connection between Lincoln and horticultural developments in Canterbury is longstanding and notable. Typifying it is the well-known link between research at Lincoln and the emergence of a wine industry in the cooler regions of the South Island. The development and wide adoption of the "Lincoln canopy" method of configuring apple trees for ease of harvesting is another example. And of course the work on organic growing, synonymous with the name Bob Crowder, is further evidence of the close tie­ up.

In those three areas plus numerous others, Lincoln has made immense contributions to horticulture in the region and beyond. Now after internal re-positioning of staff and resources and a review of degree and diploma programmes, horticultural teaching and research at Lincoln are poised at the start of an exciting new era.

As something of a herald to that new era an international conference hosted by Lincoln in December will put the global spotlight on the University. It’s the 10th Conference and General Assembly of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, and it's fair to say it would not have come to New Zealand and Canterbury without the reputation established in the world of organics by Lincoln University's Bob Crowder.

Horticulture staff at Lincoln such as Bob Crowder have led the way in New Zealand in many fields and as a result the University has a high and well-deserved reputation in the horticultural sector.

In the areas of fruit production, vegetable growing, floriculture, amenity horticulture, ornamentals and horticultural business management, Lincoln has built up a solid reputation which positions it well to contribute to the district as the "sleeping giant" of horticulture awakens.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.