Advancing California Floriculture

The Kee Kitayama Research Foundation (KKRF), founded in 1992 to provide growers with information and solutions from sound floriculture research.

Donate Today

KKRF is funded completely through industry support. Click on the "Donate" button to show your support for floriculture research.

Our Mission

To fund research and education that provides growers with solutions for the advancement of California’s floriculture production.

The Kee Kitayama Research Foundation was established in 1992 to conduct research and educational programs for California's cut flower and potted plant industry. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 non profit corporation formed to enable the industry to accomplish as a group what individual firms cannot do alone. The Foundation was named in honor of Kee Kitayama of Kitayama Brothers and a founder of the California Cut Flower Commission.

Foundation Goals
enhance_icon_sm
ENHANCE

 Enhance the market position of California floriculture growers

development_icon_sm
DEVELOP

Develop and execute grower-directed research and education programs

grow_icon_sm
GROWTH

 Support grower relations efforts to achieve grower involvement on behalf of California floriculture

grant_home_image_sm

Grant Application

KKRF is focused on solving problems and identifying solutions for California's floriculture industry. 

  • Our Grant Process

    Each spring, the Kee Kitayama Research Foundation welcomes university proposals for research projects with the greatest potential to benefit the California ornamental industry, including cut flowers, cut greens, nurseries, ornamental bedding plants and the like. Specifically, the foundation looks for research into improving the efficacy and lowering the cost of pest or disease control, new or novel sustainable methods of controlling thrips, new or emerging pests, new or emerging crop protection materials, and water quality, conservation and use efficiency.

Latest Posts

All-New KKRF Website, Fundraising Campaign Unveiled
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the all-new Kee Kitayama Research Foundation (KKRF) website, along with a ...
Read More
Invest in the Future. Contribute to Floriculture Research
Scientific research is a key driver of the California floriculture industry, contributing to its current status as the ...
Read More
KKRF Seeks Nominees to California Floriculture Hall of Fame
The California Floriculture Hall of Fame is poised to start growing again. Since 1986, the Hall of Fame ...
Read More
Kee Kitayama Research Foundation to Seek Research Proposals
Spring is the season of new beginnings — not only for plant life, but for those who study ...
Read More