Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Gene Willis

Gene was actively engaged in the floral industry, serving as the president of International Floral Distributors in 2013 and on the board of directors from 2012 to 2014. He promoted floral hard goods as an integral part of the floral industry for 46 years. He believed hard goods were every bit as important to the success of cut flowers.Gene was born in the rugged northeastern Arizona town of McNary, AZ., to Merrill Roundy and Dora Tilton Willis.  He descended from a long line of northern Arizona pioneers, and the spirit of the Old West—honesty, hard work, resilience, and helping others – lived in his veins his whole life.In 1967 Gene received a master’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University, passed the…

Donor Spotlight: David Boulton

David Boulton, owner of Flowers By George, Inc. in Arlington, WA, and second-generation florist, has a deep-rooted love for the floral industry. David grew up spending many hours working alongside his father in their family-owned florist shop learning the industry and the importance of all industry segments working together synergistically.David was introduced to AFE through his mentor, former AFE board member Sten Crissey of Crissey Flowers, Inc. Mr. Crissey recruited David to participate in a phone-athon to raise funding for AFE-supported programs. Having seen how all segments of the industry came together for this fun, yet vital event, David wanted to stay involved.With over 40 years of experience in the floral industry, David has served on many boards and is…

R.I.S.E. to Support: 2023 Fundraising Campaign

2023 Fundraising Campaign Held Virtually Between Monday, May 15th – Friday, June 30th R.I.S.E. up to support the floral industry! In an effort to continue to increase support for important research, education, and other floriculture programs to advance our industry, AFE is conducting our annual virtual fundraising campaign. This year’s new campaign theme touts the overall tagline of R.I.S.E., representing AFE’s core programs: Research, Internships, Scholarships, and Education for the floral industry.  These resources are vital to the ongoing growth of floral; We are welcoming the industry to R.I.S.E. up with us to help fund ongoing success and support for all segments, ages, and levels. AFE can only continue to provide funding and programs for our industry with the support…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Marc van Iersel

Marc was the Vincent J. Dooley Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, where he spent most of his career from 1995 on. Marc oversaw the UGA Horticulture Physiology Laboratory focused on photosynthesis and light use efficiency research. He also worked on applied research in controlled agriculture environments. As a professor of horticulture, Marc developed biofeedback systems that measure soil moisture and use optical sensors to automatically control the amount of water and light provided to plants in greenhouses and vertical farms. The results had lasting impacts leading to happier, healthier plants with a smaller carbon footprint and cost. Marc was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the 2019 UGA Entrepreneur of the Year and fellow of…

Immersed in the Floral Industry

AFE Board Meetings, Grower Tours, GLFEE + WF&FSA This month, the American Floral Endowment’s (AFE) Board of Trustees and Staff traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to connect with the industry by visiting with growers and attending the Great Lakes Floral and Event Expo  (GLFEE). While there, the Board held its committee and Board meetings. Following GLFEE, AFE staff and trustees continued on to Miami for WF&FSA.  Hands-On Commitment to the Industry – Board Meetings and Grower Tours Before the Expo, AFE Board members and staff met for their biannual Board and committee meetings to plan for another exciting year of AFE programs and initiatives. The Endowment’s Strategic Plan, which runs through 2025 – focuses on collaborating & partnering with the…

Introducing Friends of Floral

Hello Floral Industry Friends,2023 is already in full swing and AFE’s Board of Trustees & staff are excitingly gearing up for a wonderful year of supporting floriculture. This year we are funding many vital floriculture resources, such as hosting a new personal leadership course for the Young Professionals Council, continuing our widely popular monthly Grow Pro Webinars, sharing the results from our Thrips & Botrytis Research Fund, and awarding over 30 Scholarships – just to name a few! All of this is possible because of the loyal support of our philanthropic donors that share AFE’s passion for the floral industry. Philanthropy is about truly caring for a specific industry and wanting to give back to ensure its future success. To better support all of…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Nicholas I. Paul

Being young (and perhaps idealistic), the Paul brothers decided if they were to spend their lives in the business they had inherited, they wanted to establish a more congenial working relationship among their competitors. Among many other challenges at the time, this was their mission.In 1986, Nick was instrumental in developing a trusting relationship with the company’s wholesaler partners resulting in a joint move of McCallum Sauber Florist Inc., A. Gude Sons, the Washington Florists’ Exchange, and Paul’s Wholesale Florist. Through keeping this collective together for the move, Nick was a part of preserving a 70-year tradition of doing business side-by-side. The original location of the wholesale partners on I Street in Washington D.C. had become difficult for in-person shopping…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Del Demaree

Under Del’s guidance, Syndicate was the first company to use barcode shipping to add a new level of transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the supply chain. Del also pushed Syndicate to become among the first in the industry to implement online ordering. In 1994, Syndicate began manufacturing floral preservative, Aquaplus, and floral foam, Aquafoam. Raised on farms in Michigan and then outside of Kokomo, Indiana, Del’s first taste of being an entrepreneur was when he sold chickens from the family farm door to door. During that time in the mid-’40s, Del’s father spent four days a week farming and three days on the road selling giftware to florists. It was around this time that the family business was born. During…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Edward Seagroatt

Born in Troy, Ed was the son of the late Albert Seagroatt and Helen Brown Seagroatt. Ed was raised in Berlin, NY, and resided in the Capital District area all his life. He attended Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut and was a graduate of La Salle Institute in Troy, NY. Ed earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the State University of New York at Farmingdale and later served in the Coast Guard. You may have driven with him in his prized 1934 Ford Cabriolet with the top down. You may have spotted him in town surprising someone with a bouquet of long-stemmed roses. Or he may have called you on your birthday, always remembering the date but too polite to mention the year. A natural optimist, Ed faced…

How to Get Involved and Volunteer with AFE

Did you know there’s a multitude of ways you can get involved with AFE? Volunteering not only supports vital floral industry programs – but also inspires networking, community collaboration, and leadership opportunities to help provide for the future.  The Endowment has been providing support for the industry for over 60 years, and we can use your help to keep going for the next 60 years and beyond! Why Volunteer With AFEAFE is the trusted source and catalyst for floriculture advancement through funding innovative research, scholarships, internships, and educational grants that best serve the dynamic needs and demographics of all industry sectors.  Through volunteer opportunities, you will get an inside look at how AFE makes an impact on our industry and a chance…

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