2024-25 Grants Empowering Floral Industry Education

We are excited to announce that 19 organizations will receive educational grants from AFE in 2024-25, totaling $63,500. The funding will support these organizations as they conduct educational conferences, offer online and in-person training and certification programs, and expand awareness for the floral industry.  Our commitment to these programs supports a wide range of activities that strengthen the floral industry, from promoting awareness to the next generation to fostering continued education and resources for current industry members. “For over 60 years, the Endowment has helped fund educational programs and opportunities that are vital to advancing our industry,” said AFE Education Committee Chair Adam Van Winkle of Stadium Flowers.  “Through the support of our dedicated donors, we are able to continue…

AFE in Action: Recent Events and Highlights

September was filled with exciting events where AFE actively engaged with the industry, participating in multiple conferences and tours. Here's a recap of some key happenings! ASCFG Regional Conference: Boulder, Colorado (September 11-12) Dr. Jim Faust (Left), Laura Barth (Center), and Francesca Hand (right) AFE staff and researchers participated in the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) Regional Conference, which took place in Boulder, Colorado. A highlight was the tour of The Fresh Herb Co., a local grower of cut flowers, culinary herbs, and succulents. During the conference, attendees benefited from presentations by industry-leading experts and researchers. During a special session, Dr. Jim Faust from Clemson University shared insights into his latest AFE-funded research, Biocontrol for Botrytis Management in…

From the Field: Laura Barth’s Column Kick-Off

I’m writing this to you from beautiful Boulder, Colorado, where I had the opportunity to participate in the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) Regional Conference and meet many cut flower growers in the Colorado area and beyond (perhaps some of you reading this article!). One of my favorite parts of being the Research Coordinator for AFE is talking with growers - both in person and virtually. That’s why I’m excited to introduce this new column in Growing Further, where I can talk to you directly about the latest AFE (and industry) updates and resources for growers, and you can get to know me a little bit better as well. Everything AFE does is supported by the industry for…

Enhancing Cut Flower Quality & Vase Life with Beneficial Microorganisms

In the ever-evolving world of cut flower production, sustainability and quality remain top priorities for both growers and consumers. Recent research at The Ohio State University funded by AFE focuses on the use of biostimulants—microorganisms and humic substances—to improve the growth, quality, time-to-harvest, and vase life of cut flowers while reducing the need for conventional fertilizers. These promising results may provide growers with effective alternatives to traditional chemical inputs that still support high-quality crops. Learn more from their recent research update below! By Laura Chapin, Juan Quijia Pillajo and Michelle Jones, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, Wooster Background Cut flowers are cultivated in various environments, ranging from open fields to greenhouses, hoop houses, high tunnels,…

A Glimpse Into Our Vic & Margaret Ball Internship

This year, nine eager undergraduates  are participating in our Vic & Margaret Ball and Mosmiller Internship Programs. These students have been hard at work learning first-hand from industry professionals and applying their classroom knowledge at their internship sites across the nation!  A key part of our Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program, which places students at commercial production greenhouses or nurseries, is allowing faculty advisors to travel to visit students at their internship site – covered by AFE. This gives advisors a chance to see their students in action and students an opportunity to check in with their advisor, show them around their site, and talk about what they’ve learned so far.  Dr. Kimberly Williams is a Professor in Greenhouse…

Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund’s 2024 Research and Educational Funding

The Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund of the American Floral Endowment has announced new projects for funding. Under the new partnership announced earlier this year, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation has joined with the American Floral Endowment (AFE) as a named fund to continue the mission and legacy of the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation. Since its inception in 1960, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation contributed over $7.4 million to support floriculture research initiatives. The new Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund (FCGFRF) committee, formed from the Foundation Board members will continue this legacy through AFE, awarding grants for research and educational projects in floriculture and related fields at universities, colleges, and Federal research institutions in the United States. Grants…

The Fight Against Petal Blight

Researchers at Clemson University are looking into new ways to control Asteraceae petal blight, a fungal disease that causes specks and streaks to appear on the petals of certain flowers, making them unsellable. Their project seeks to minimize petal blight by finding the most common causal organisms, identifying them, and discovering the most effective strategies to combat them. One year into their project, they give an update on their work, and their plans for the next year! By Dr. Julia L. Kerrigan, Clemson University Our project was created in response to growers in the cut flower industry, particularly those in the Bogota, Colombia area, who face economic losses due to the occurrence of petal blight. Frequently, specks and streaks appear…

Celebrating & Providing for the Rising Stars of Floriculture

We love the chance to uplift young professionals in our industry! AFE has been active at a few industry events lately networking, promoting opportunities, and sharing educational programs with the best and brightest of the next generation. We firmly believe that today’s young professionals are tomorrow’s leaders - and we want to support them in every way we can!  Cultivate’24 in Columbus, Ohio AFE’s annual Board meeting coincided with Cultivate’24 in Columbus, Ohio, this year. We took advantage of this great opportunity to host a networking dinner with AFE’s Board, comprised of industry leaders across all segments, and invite members of our Young Professionals Council (YPC), program recipients, and other floral community supporters of the Endowment. We shared updates on…

Sustainable Pathogen Management in Specialty Cut Flower Production 

Cut flowers are among the most profitable floriculture products, worth $333 million in annual national sales (NASS, 2023). Cut flower producers include a diverse combination of large-scale international operations growing traditional crops such as roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations, and small-scale local operations growing specialty cut flower crops such as ranunculus, dahlias, and lisianthus, among many others. The floriculture industry has recently seen an increase in popularity and sales of these crops, with the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers boasting over 2,900 members (ASCFG, 2024), up from only 500 in 2014. However, soilborne diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes can cause significant losses, estimated to be 50-75% in crops grown directly in field soil, including ornamentals. Soilborne diseases are…

Research Proposal Applications Now Open for 2025-2026 Funding

Calling all University Researchers! We are now accepting new research proposal applications for the 2025-2026 funding cycle. The application deadline is August 1, 2024. Funding innovative research is a critical pillar of our mission to be the trusted source and catalyst for floriculture advancement. New research proposals should support forward-thinking exploration of cost and labor savings, pest and disease management, sustainability, and other solutions to promote not just healthier, longer-lasting flowers and plants, but a healthy and robust floriculture industry as well. The primary research priorities are listed below. They are focused on all floricultural crops, including fresh-cut flowers and greens, flowering and foliage potted plants, bedding plants, and perennials. Projects benefiting any industry segment, from grower to the consumer will be…