Southern Region ASHS

The Southern Region-ASHS is a regional scientific society of the parent scientific society the American Society for Horticultural Science.  The Southern Region encompasses the 14 southern states of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. 

SR-ASHS began as the early Horticultural Section of the Association of Southern Agricultural Workers, a small, independent group not affiliated with the American Society for Horticultural Science. During the years 1899-1904, the association was known as the Cotton States Association of Commissioners of Agriculture. The first meeting was held in 1899 in Atlanta, GA. Early meetings covered general topics, were held in a single room, and typically had 25 to 30 attendees, occasionally reaching 40.

After several name changes, and continued membership growth, the Association officially became part of the American Society for Horticultural Science in 1920.

Membership varies over the years from about 400 to 500 active members.  Membership is composed of research scientists, teachers and extension specialist from Universities, State, Federal and private research organizations, and industry. The Southern Region also contains a student section, the Association of Collegiate Branch, which is composed of student clubs from Departments of Horticulture and Plant Science across the region.  The main focus of the Southern Region is the Annual Meeting, which is held every February in conjunction with the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS).  The Annual Meeting consist of presentations of scientific papers, student paper competitions and judging contest, commodity group meetings,  and awards presentations. 


Goals:

  • Encourage participation in the national society of the American Society for Horticultural Science

  • Encourage and facilitate the mutual exchange of ideas and information concerning horticultural research, extension, education, and industry in the south

  • Promote stronger bonds among horticulturists in the southern regions