Scientists within the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture conduct a wide variety of research in both horticulture and landscape.  Current research interests at the School in the urban and per-urban topical areas include regenerative design on landscape, GIS in land use and environmental planning, and agricultural issues in the peri-urban areas. 

Located within the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, the Maryland Agriculture Experiment Station, conducts a variety of agricultural research.  The Station’s Center for Agricultural and Natural Resource Policy has a specific focus on studying economic issues in agriculture.  There, scientists have conducted research comparing conventional and organic systems and analyzing the economic, environmental, and energetic differences.

The College of Agriculture conducts more than half of the country’s total agricultural research and manages several extension programs.  The Institute of Plant Breeding, located within the College of Agriculture, is currently researching breeding and selection for organic vegetables in the Pacific.

This project was funded until 2007 by DEFRA and managed by Dutchy College, Cornwall with VEERU at the University of Reading and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow.  The project website houses research and advisory information on animal health and welfare relevant to organic livestock production for farmers, veterinarians, and organic advisors.  It is divided into three major sections: veterinary management, health and welfare, and disease management.  Subsections include biosecurity, food safety, housing, feeding, and animal behaviour. 

COMPETE’s objective is to encourage bioenergy implementation in arid and semi-arid regions in Africa.  It aims to do this by bringing together scientists, researchers, funders and practioners to create a platform for discussion, knowledge exchange, and policy development.  The Platform includes a project on energy crops and agroforestry which aims to improve land use for sustainable production of biomass for energy.

Compost for Soils is a partnership between the recycled organics industry and the Australia Government.  It is focuses on the benefits of using recycled organics in commercial horticulture and agriculture.  Research undertaken by the partnership focuses on developing composts specifically targeted at controlling soil borne diseases and inducing plant systemic resistance. 

El objetivo general del CIFAED es potenciar la Agricultura Ecológica como motor de desarrollo rural sostenible, dado que ésta permite mejorar y mantener el buen estado de los recursos naturales; generar renta para los habitantes de los pueblos; revalorizar los recursos locales; articularse con otras actividades económicas y desarrollar canales cortos de comercialización que permiten a los productores la captación de un mayor valor añadido, y mostrar el importante impacto socio-económico que la Agricultura Ecológica está generando en la Unión Europea, en conjunción con otras estrategias con las que establece sinergias. En el Centro de Investigación y Formación de Agricultura Ecológica y Desarrollo Rural de Granada se llevan a cabo diversas labores de investigación en torno a la agricultura y ganadería ecológicas.

Located in Peru, CONDESAN, works to support Andean peoples in overcoming poverty and social exclusion.  Mountain agriculture is one of the Consortium’s key thematic research areas, as it constitutes the principle economic activity in the Andean region.  This website is only available in Spanish. 

CI is the global federation of consumer groups that serves as the international voice for consumers.  The non-profit organization is working to improve access to safe and sustainable goods and services to consumers throughout the world.  

Nuovo Cilento is an Italian cooperative producing organic olive oil.  It promotes consumer awareness of the health benefits of olive oil.  It also organises holidays at its farms and provides tasting of typical Mediterranean cuisine.  The Cooperative hosts the Gastronomic Research Laboratory with organic production and processing and reintroduction of traditional varieties.