Operation “Rescue Floral History”

This Spring, Florists’ Review sold its building in Topeka, Kansas leaving its extensive library of more than 120 years of history without a home. Since 1897, Florists’ Review magazine has chronicled the ups and downs of the floral industry.On top of that, with the Coronavirus Pandemic in full steam, there was no way to deliver the books to a university for proper archiving.That’s when the American Floral Endowment’s Debi Chedester stepped into the rescue effort. “We simply couldn’t allow the largest collection of floral history in the world to disappear,” she said. “We’ve got to find a way to get the collection and preserve it.”Fortunately for the magazine, she called on a long-time AFE supporter, and wholesaler Baisch & Skinner…

Small Beginnings Can Achieve Big Rewards

Giving Back Through AFE’s Legacy CircleShirley Lyons, AAF, PCFI, recalls that during her tenure as president of the Society of American Florists, other retail florists would sometimes approach her shyly at industry events.“We’re just a little store,” they would start out by saying.“I’m just a florist like you,” Lyons would reply. “I wear an apron every day.”And if those florists could see pictures of the very first storefront occupied by her shop, Dandelions Flowers & Gifts, back in 1974, they would have a good laugh, she adds. It was all of 250 square feet. Today, it is the biggest flower shop in its market area.While Lyons retired and sold the business in April 2018, she remains proud of that success—and…

Give Flowers on #GivingTuesdayNow

Campaign Promotes Giving Flowers on #GivingTuesdayNowWe’re pleased to announce the launch of a new online campaign promoting Giving Flowers on #GivingTuesdayNow. This new campaign aims to promote a day of flower giving. The campaign coincides with #GivingTuesdayNow, a national day of giving to spread unity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.We know the challenges the industry faces right now. We’re here to help spread messages of the emotional benefits that flowers provide, such as reducing stress and improving emotional health while promoting flower buying. Participating in the Giving Flowers on #GivingTuesdayNow campaign is easy and a great way to boost your pre-Mother’s Day sales.Below are images that you can download and use as you wish. Simply right-click on each image and…

AFE is Working for the Industry – Today and Tomorrow

In these unprecedented times, we hope that you are—and remain—safe and healthy. We know that the stress, anxiety and uncertainty is taking a toll on you, your family and floral businesses in ways we can’t even fathom. We want you to know that in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) is working for the industry.We’re still serving the industry. AFE remains deeply committed to you and everyone in the industry. The Board of Trustees and staff are working behind the scenes to make sure funding for research, grants, scholarships and internships are available to fulfill AFE’s mission, and provide the industry with necessary resources.For nearly 60 years, AFE has provided solutions to industry challenges through…

AFE Update for Supporters and Industry Members

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) has been and continues to closely monitor new developments with respect to COVID-19 and is taking proactive measures to ensure that COVID-19 does not impact our services. In response to current social distancing and pro-active quarantining measures, AFE’s staff is working remotely but continues to be committed to the important work we do with researchers, students, and for you, our industry stakeholders.We know the floral industry doesn’t stop.   We will continue our work, keep you informed of new programs and/or resources, look after our student interns and research projects, and provide information to help you navigate through these extremely challenging times.  You’ll continue to receive our regular monthly newsletters but we will not inundate you with unnecessary communications.Let’s promote what our…

2018- 2019 Annual Report: A Year of Partnerships & Growth

This year’s annual report includes great successes thanks to the support of industry organizations and individuals who contribute to AFE’s funded programs.This year alone, an enormous amount of research, scholarships, internships, and educational grants was distributed to promote and build the floral industry. This funding will go on to impact thousands.While we are sharing these successes with you, there’s still more work to be done. That’s where YOU can help.The challenges our industry faces continue to grow and the need for funding to provide practical solutions to these challenges has never been greater.Partner with us TODAY and help increase funding to programs that provide for industry growth! Your tax-deductible contribution will support:Bringing Top Talent to our Industry: Through our newly…

AFE Announces Ferriss Horticulture Scholarship

The American Floral Endowment announces a new scholarship fund to honor and recognize Dr. Terry Ferriss.Dr. Ferriss retired in 2015 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF), after 36 years of teaching. She was the first tenured female faculty member in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UWRF; the first woman to serve as the Plant and Earth Sciences Department chair, and the first woman to serve as an associate dean for the college.Terry served as a faculty advisor and supporter of the AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship committee for 14 years. Following Terry’s retirement, UWRF alumni joined forces with AFE to establish a new scholarship to forever honor Ferriss and her devotion to horticulture and…

AFE Launches Career Center for the Floral Industry

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) has launched a new industry-wide Career Center to connect floral industry employers with job seekers, students, and other professionals pursuing careers in the floriculture and horticulture fields.Within the new AFE Career Center’s intuitive platform, powered by YM Careers, employers can easily post job opportunities, screen and manage applications, and access a resume database of targeted candidates.  Job seekers will find it equally easy to post their resume and search for jobs and/or internships that match their skills and interests. The platform is completely mobile-responsive ― users can access it anytime, anywhere.“Finding qualified, dedicated employees is one of the greatest challenges facing the floriculture industry. The Endowment maintains close connections with students, young professionals, floral businesses, and horticulture…

AFE Announces Garcia Family Scholarship Fund

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is pleased to announce a new scholarship fund created thanks to generous contributions from The Garcia Family.  The Garcia Family Scholarship comes just in time for the 2020 scholarship application season. The Garcia Family Scholarship Fund is intended for students attending a two-year college, or Junior or Seniors attending a four-year institution with a career focus on the marketing or distribution of floral products, including retail, wholesale, manufacturing and/or floral business ownership/operations. “It is our family’s desire, by giving back to our industry, to attract and educate for the future,” says Pete Garcia, Chairman and CEO of The Pete Garcia Company and Garcia Group, Inc. The new scholarship joins more than 25 other scholarships AFE…

Ball Internship Scholarship: Why It’s Important

By Christopher J. Currey and Kimberly A. WilliamsThey say Christmas comes but once a year, but undergraduate students interested in floriculture crop production have two opportunities each year to apply for a paid internship with a leading greenhouse operation and gain valuable hands-on experience in our industry. Applications for the American Floral Endowment’s Vic and Margaret Ball Internship Scholarship Program are due March 1 and October 1 each year. This program follows through on Vic and Margaret Ball’s vision to support opportunities for floriculture production students to learn directly from growers. The Balls wanted to give students access to opportunities they may not otherwise have, providing first-rate experiences in nationally renowned production facilities that may not be possible without financial…

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