AFE Recipient of Funds from FloraStar
Alexandria, VA, July 16, 2008 — As a final thank you to the floriculture industry, the remaining funds from FloraStar — an association whose purpose was to develop and promote new varieties of potted plants for the market place — were donated to the American Floral Endowment (AFE) during this year’s OFA Short Course in Columbus, Ohio. FloraStar was dissolved after 19 successful years when it was determined the unique value of the FloraStar award program had diminished due to the rapidly changing market.
A check in the amount of $36,318.50 was presented by Bob Humm, former president of FloraStar and Gary Hudson, FloraStar’s former executive director to AFE’s Chairman Mike Mellano; Chairman-Elect, Red Kennicott; Sten Crissey, AFE vice president of development and industry relations; and AFE Trustees Dave Niklas, and Bob Maddux on Monday, July 14 at the Columbus Convention Center. Danny Takao, FloraStar vice president was also at the ceremony representing the OFA.
According to Crissey, “AFE has the most comprehensive programs in research and scholarships of any organization in the floral industry. AFE has combined assets of nearly $14 million, and the funds are invested with the proceeds from the investments being used to fund research and provide scholarships for the benefit of the industry. This donation from FloraStar will be of great benefit to the industry, and we thank them.”
Gary Hudson and Bob Humm, wish to thank all former FloraStar board members, officers, Mike Novovesky, who served as the executive director, breeders, and trialing locations that participated in the FloraStar program for so many years. “We are certain the FloraStar donation will be used by AFE to continue to bring new and improved genetics to market in the years to follow,” says Hudson.
The American Floral Endowment is the leading not-for-profit, non-governmental source for floricultural/environmental horticulture research and development funding in the United States. Its mission is to fund research and educational programs, finance scholarships and internships that foster a stronger floriculture industry. Tax-deductible contributions from all segments of the industry over the past 47 years have enabled the Endowment to invest over $13M to help fund solutions to industry needs.
