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Florists’ Review New Ownership and Ongoing Partnership with AFE

Since 1897, Florists’ Review magazine has chronicled the ups and downs of the floral industry. Throughout that time, the Endowment and Florists’ Review has built a long-term partnership supporting both each other and the floral industry, which we both serve.Last Spring, the Endowment was able to rescue the Florists’ Review’s extensive library of more than 120 years of floral industry history when the Review sold its building.In January of 2021, the Review announced their new ownership, FUSE Media+. Continuing our ongoing industry connection, AFE’s Executive Director, Debi Chedester recently was invited to meet with new owner, Jules Lewis Gibson, and Associate Publisher, Mechell Lord over Zoom who shared Florists’ Review’s plans to engage, support, and provide educational content to the floral industry. Florists’ Review New…

Announcing Our 60th Anniversary Fundraising Event

 60 Days to Reach $60,000 – Support another 60 years of floral industry programs, research, and resources! For the second year in a row, our annual fundraising event will be held virtually in order to assure the safety and health of the floral community. While we know many are ready to travel this fall to in-person events, many still are not. Since our annual fundraising dinner also serves as a donor recognition event, we plan to have a large in-person celebration in 2022 to honor our industry champions over the past two years. As donors, you can continue to support the industry from home and spare any unnecessary travel.In honor of our 60th Anniversary celebration this year, our Board of Trustees and…

60 Days to Raise $100,000 – Peer-to-Peer Campaign

Thank you for Joining Our 60 Days Campaign!Supporting another 60 years of programs, research, and resources!For the second year in a row, AFE’s annual fundraising event was held fully virtually in order to assure the safety and health of our floral community. As a Board and staff, our shared goal for this virtual non-event was to raise $100,000 in 60 days! (Monday, June 14th to Friday, August 13th) Thanks to the quick work of our ambassadors and the generosity of our floral industry community, we have surpassed both our initial goal of $60,000 within the first 30 days and our new goal of $100,000. Breaking records for AFE’s annual fundraising event – during our 60th Anniversary Year! Sponsors of this campaign…

Celebrating Industry Members’ AFE Stories with #AFEandMe

In celebration of our 60th anniversary, we have invited the floral community to share their #AFEandMe story with us. From long-time supporters to industry experts and students, many industry members have participated by sharing how AFE has impacted them personally and professionally. Providing resources and opportunities for students and young professionals in the industry is an important focus for AFE funding. Many students, like Melissa Munoz from Clemson University, have gained valuable experience through AFE Programs. Melissa has been involved with AFE since 2016 through AFE-funded research projects and scholarships. She shares how these programs have opened up new doors for her and her career path.“I started my master’s degree at Clemson University in August 2016 with a research project funded…

Looking Ahead – AFE Trustees Meet to Plan Future Growth

In February, each of the Endowment’s committees met virtually to wrap up 2020 and plan ahead for 2021, which includes AFE’s 60th Anniversary year-long celebration. The committees include Investment, Public Relations & Development, Education, Floral Marketing Research Fund(FMRF), and Research, followed by the Executive and Board meetings in March. Committees are made up of AFE’s trustees and volunteers all aimed at pushing forward each area of the Endowment’s ongoing success. “Although we are all eager to get together and meet in-person, we’ll continue to meet virtually until it’s safe for everyone,” says AFE Chairman, Laura Shinall. “We have a very dedicated group of Trustees, and nearly all virtual meetings were at 100% attendance which rarely happens with in-person meetings.” The…

Joshua Craver Joins Vic & Margaret Ball Committee

Joshua Craver, Ph.D. has been appointed as the newest member of AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Committee for the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program. He is an assistant professor of Controlled Environment Horticulture at Colorado State University.Craver received his M.S. in Horticulture from Kansas State University in 2014 and Ph.D. in Horticulture from Purdue University in 2018. He teaches multiple courses at CSU including Greenhouse Management, Indoor Crop Production and Physiology, and Greenhouse Practicum. He also advises multiple graduate and undergraduate students engaged in research focused on enhancing the production of vegetable and floriculture crops in controlled environments.Craver is not new to the American Floral Endowment. In 2011, Craver was a recipient of the Vic & Margaret Ball…

NEW VIDEO: 60 Years of Floral Industry Support!

AFE is excited to be celebrating 60 years of floral industry support in 2021! We take pride in our past and are committed to the floral future by providing industry-focused support. Through these years, we’ve grown this industry together. Take a look at our 60th anniversary video below and help us to celebrate by sharing our 60th graphics with your network. You can also show your support to AFE by donating $60 for 60th, or telling us about your #AFEandMe story! Please consider sharing our celebration with your network! It is only through industry support that our Anniversary will be successful. Help us create a stronger, more sustainable floral industry for generations to come by raising awareness for AFE’s work within…

Your Investment in Research Pays Dividends

Science and technology keep moving forward. Sometimes, we may not realize how scientific and technological advancements guide our daily lives and benefit floriculture businesses. The amazingly rapid response of medical researchers to develop COVID-19 vaccines shows the impact on our lives as a whole. At the same time, floriculture research has developed techniques leading to better quality and longer-lasting flowers. As the industry celebrates 60 years of AFE support for research benefiting all segments of the floral industry, we can be thankful for the investment individuals and companies have made in AFE. The AFE research committee and board focus industry dollars on projects that will have value to the industry. We recognize that every segment of the industry faces challenges…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Harold Wilkins

His research over the years included many floral crops with a particular focus on cool weather crops that would require less energy for production. Dr. Wilkins’ research helped create the multi-million dollar Alstroemeria industry here in the U.S. and he is considered the “Father of the Alstroemeria Industry.” Additionally, his research included branching control for roses, carnations, and poinsettias. He and his graduate student, John Dole, authored two editions of Floriculture Species and Production, now the standard text at universities worldwide. Teaching was a joy for Harold and his area of expertise included floral crops, bulb physiology, and floral design where he created the “Wilkins’ Bow.” As an extracurricular activity with undergraduate students, he coached the intercollegiate flower judging teams…

CalFlowers Strengthens Scholarship Fund with Donation

CalFlowers, the leading floral trade association in California serving growers and the entire supply chain in 48 states, announces the donation of $50,000 to the American Floral Endowment (AFE) in Alexandria, VA. The monetary gift is directed to fund the CalFlowers Scholarship administered by AFE.“Supporting the efforts of the American Floral Endowment by continuing to fund the CalFlowers Scholarship is a worthy investment and a genuine measure of our commitment to nurture and sustain the floral industry,” says Steve Dionne, executive director of the Fallbrook, CA-based association. “With longevity in mind, this substantial gift is a recognized way to fuel one of our many endeavors — to assure Floral has a sound future with top talent coming into the industry.”…

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