Gay Smith Memorial Tribute Established

A memorial tribute has been established with AFE honoring Gayle (Gay) Smith, 63, who passed away on March 1, 2018.The tribute was established thanks to a generous contribution from Chrysal Americas President Jim Kaplan. Smith served as the technical manager for Chrysal for more than 18 years.“We are honored to establish the Gay Smith Memorial Tribute on behalf of our staff, clients and the entire industry,” said Kaplan.“Gay was part of the Chrysal family and she will be missed tremendously. This memorial tribute with AFE is a fitting salute to her dedication not only to our company, but to the industry she loved.”Smith was an active member of the industry and a great supporter of all things floriculture. Her career…

2016-2017 Annual Report Features New Projects and Industry Programs

The Endowment released its annual report, which details the successes accomplished and funding received for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.See how AFE-funded programs and research projects are providing solutions to tough industry issues, thanks to supporters like you, and take advantage of the free resources available!Highlights include:#FlowerLoveVideoContest – initiative that encouraged flower lovers to create fun videos to be eligible to win one of three monetary prizes. More than 50 video entries were received, and provided florists with a FREE video library to help promote the use and giving of fresh flowers to new and existing customers.Botrytis and Thrips Research Campaign – addresses the control and management of Botrytis and thrips by raising money to conduct new and innovative research, which…

Two New 2018 Scholarships Established

The Endowment is pleased to announce that two new scholarships have been established, just in time for the 2018 scholarship application season!These new scholarships join the 21 other scholarships awarded annually to promote and assist young professionals joining the floral and horticultural industries.The application deadline for all AFE scholarships is May 1. Click here for more information.Click on the links below to download the press release for each scholarship.Long Island Flower Growers Association — Bob Gunther Memorial ScholarshipBob GuntherThis scholarship was established in memory of the late Bob Gunther, owner of Gunther’s Greenhouses & Florist in Oceanside, New York.It is intended for students from Long Island and New York who are studying ornamental horticulture at a community college or four-year institution…

New Officers and Appointments Announced

AFE Chairman Dwight Larimer of DESIGN MASTER color tool, inc. announces the appointments of new officers and committee chairmen.Jim Daly of Floralife/Smithers-Oasis in Walterboro, S.C. has been named Chairman-Elect and Laura Shinall of Syndicate Sales, Inc. in Kokomo, Ind. was appointed Treasurer/Secretary-Elect.Both will assume their new positions as Chairman and Treasurer/Secretary, respectively, next September during the 2018 AFE Annual Fundraising Dinner.Greg Royer of Royer’s Flowers & Gifts in Lebanon, Pa. has been appointed AFE’s Education Committee Chair, and also joins the Executive Committee. The remaining Executive Committee members include past Chairman Gabriel Becerra of Golden Flowers and Kristi Huffman of Multi Packaging Solutions.In addition, Randy Tagawa of Tagawa Greenhouses in Brighton, Colo. is the new Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Committee…

Sakata and AFE Announce ’40 Days of Summer Giving’

Sakata Seed America has teamed up with AFE for a “40 Days of Summer Giving” campaign in celebration of Sakata’s 40th anniversary.For 40 days – July 10 to Aug. 18 – contributions made to AFE will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Sakata up to $10,000. That means up to $20,000 to support AFE’s programs that promote and advance the floral industry!To celebrate its 40th year in North America, Sakata Seed America made a commitment to support 40 organizations in the nutrition, health and environmental sectors that aim to improve life, community and culture throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America.Thus, Sakata’s 40 Acts of Kindness initiative was born.“AFE’s dedication to the floriculture and horticulture industries through its educational programs,…

2017 AFE Fundraising Dinner: For the Love of Flowers!

AFE’s largest fundraising event of the year – the 2017 Annual Fundraising Dinner – will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Fla.The dinner, which is held in conjunction with the Society of American Florists’ Annual Convention, will highlight floriculture successes, honor industry champions, and bring hundreds of floral industry professionals together to raise money to support future floriculture research, programs and grants.“The Endowment is establishing great new initiatives for the industry and opening new paths to support education and industry programs,” said AFE Chairman Dwight Larimer.“Our fundraising dinner will show the importance of industry contributions and how they are used to build these much-needed programs.” Sponsorship Opportunities Available!The success…

Memorial Tribute and Fundraising Dinner Announced in AFE Bulletin April 2017

PFCI Honors Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford with AFE Memorial Tribute

“So much of what AFE does is what Bobbi was all about — educate, inspire, develop new talent and promote a healthy floral industry. Bucks for Bobbi is our mission to honor Bobbi and continue her life mission.” Barbara “Bobbi” Ecker-Blatchford of Watervliet, Mich. was born on Aug. 24, 1931 and devoted her life to the floral industry. She worked at her family’s floral and greenhouse operation, Ecker’s Flowers, in Waverly, Iowa. She later started her own company, The Flora Pros., in Chicago. For 15 years, she also worked with FernTrust, Inc., a co-op made up of 13 family farms in Seville, Fla. Over the course of her 60-plus-year career, Ecker-Blatchford became a noted speaker, commentator, award-winning floral designer and consultant…

Industry Honors Tom Butler for Second Annual Fundraising Dinner

Nearly $2,000 was raised at the second annual fundraising dinner for The Tom Butler Family Fund, honoring the legacy of the late Tom Butler.The dinner was held on Tuesday March 14, 2017 at Tom’s favorite restaurant – The Capital Grille in Washington, D.C. – following the Society of American Florists‘ Congressional Action Days (CAD).Twenty-two industry members attended the dinner, which was organized by AFE supporter and longtime friend of Tom Butler, Tim Galea.“It was a fun evening with good food, good friends and great memories of our friend and mentor Tom Butler,” said Tim Galea, President of Norton’s Flowers & Gifts.“While the financial contribution is our tangible method of honoring Tom’s commitment to the Endowment, the real goal behind the…

AFE Receives $100,000 Contribution to Support Floriculture Programs

The Endowment is pleased to announce a $100,000 contribution from Egon and Laina Molbak to support AFE’s floriculture programs.Egon and Laina Molbak at their 90th birthday celebration“I am thrilled to continue supporting the American Floral Endowment with this latest contribution,” said Egon.“We give to AFE because they give back to the industry with their important research efforts, wonderful internship programs, and more!”The generous contribution will establish a new named fund honoring Egon and Laina, and will serve as a lasting tribute of their dedication and support of the floral industry.The longtime industry veterans, now retired, founded Molbak’s Garden + Home outside of Seattle in 1956 after moving to the U.S. from Denmark.They grew the business from five glass greenhouses with…