Inspiring the Next Generation of Floral Designers at Texas A&M’s Benz School of Floral Design

AFE Vic & Margaret Ball Committee with Benz School Professor, Wendy Osburn, and Texas A&M Faculty Earlier this Fall, AFE Program Manager Candice Musgrove and members of the Vic & Margaret Ball Committee had the opportunity to visit Texas A&M University’s Benz School of Floral Design, one of the many programs supported through AFE’s James & Helen Phillip Floral Design Grant The visit offered a firsthand look at how AFE’s educational funding is helping students grow their skills, pursue their passions, and build meaningful futures in the floral industry. Founded by M. Buddy Benz, the Benz School is built on a legacy of excellence in floral design education. Its curriculum emphasizes both artistry and business acumen, teaching students the elements…

Sustainable Disease Management for Specialty Cut Flowers: Results from New Research

The specialty cut flower industry continues to grow rapidly across the U.S., with demand for locally grown flowers climbing each year. However, growers still face persistent production challenges, and one of the most critical is disease management. Soilborne diseases in particular can devastate crops, leading to 50–75% losses when flowers are grown in field soil. Traditionally, chemical fumigants like methyl bromide were used to suppress these pathogens, but those options are now phased out or heavily restricted due to environmental and health concerns. This shift has left growers searching for sustainable alternatives that protect their crops while meeting consumer expectations for eco-friendly practices. Recent research conducted by Dr. Francesca Hand and her team at The Ohio State University, supported by…

Connecting Classrooms to Greenhouses Through Internships

Dr. Kim Williams, Alana Wood, and Candice Musgrove One of the most distinctive aspects of our Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program is the opportunity for faculty advisors to visit their students on-site during their internships. With travel expenses covered by AFE, these visits let advisors see their students in action, while students gain the opportunity to walk their professors through their daily responsibilities and learning experiences. This summer, our Program Manager Candice Musgrove had the chance to join Dr. Kimberly Williams, Professor of Greenhouse Management at Kansas State University, for a visit to Pure Beauty Farms in Miami, Florida, where Alana Wood was completing her internship. Alana is one of nine undergraduates participating in our Vic & Margaret Ball…

Research Funding Awarded by the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund

In 2025-2026, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund (FCGFRF) is awarding $122,698 in eight new and continued research projects.   In 2024, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation joined with the American Floral Endowment (AFE) as a named fund to continue their mission and legacy. Since its inception in 1960, the Foundation has contributed over $7.5 million to support floriculture research initiatives. Former Gloeckner Foundation Board members now serve on a committee for the fund, carrying forward the Foundation’s mission by awarding competitive grants that drive innovation in floriculture and related fields at universities and research institutions across the United States. The committee also directs support through the New York Florists’ Club Grants—an enduring tribute to the original New York Florists’ Club, founded in 1887 and incorporated into…

From the Field: Let’s Catch Up!

Happy Summer, everyone!  Are you starting to feel it in the air...? That familiar feeling of excitement and anticipation?  Yep, that buzzing feeling can only mean one thing: summer trade shows and conferences! Summer is my favorite season, and these shows are a big reason why. Whether it’s Cultivate (join us there!), AIFD, Ball Customer Days, Far West, ASHS, or the SAF Annual Convention, these events always feel a bit like a school reunion to me: seeing familiar faces, catching up on everything that's happened since last year's show, and enjoying a shared energy that reminds us why we love this industry. A recent tour that AFE Executive Director, Debi Chedester, and I went on at Smithers Oasis, in Kent,…

AFE-Sponsored Events at Cultivate’25!

Catch up with AFE at Cultivate'25! Held from July 15-18 in Columbus, Ohio, Cultivate is one of the industry’s leading horticulture events. AFE-funded research will be featured in an educational session that will equip you with valuable insights and strategies for effective pest management. Additionally, we are holding a sustainability roundtable (invite-only) to collaborate with industry members from all segments and collect feedback on key topics of sustainability. We will also be hosting our annual Young Professionals Council meetup during Cultivate! If you haven’t already, register for Cultivate here. Managing Thrips Parvispinus: Strategies for Prevention and Control Date: Sunday, July 13 from 11:15-12:15pm ESTLocation: Room C170Speaker: Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Thrips parvispinus, a tropical thrips originating…

A New Wave of Floriculture Talent: Meet the 2025 AFE Interns

This spring, nine exceptional students have been awarded internships through AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program. These talented students are stepping up to gain invaluable hands-on experience in top industry operations across the nation. The Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program places students at commercial production greenhouses or nurseries for three-, four-, or six-month durations and provides a scholarship of up to $6,000, depending on the length of their internship. The Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program places students at leading floral retail, wholesale, or supplier businesses for a period of 10-16 weeks, with a $2,000 scholarship upon their completion of the program.  Both programs offer valuable opportunities for both the floral industry and…

Managing Thrips Parvispinus: New Research on Cultural and Biological Control

Over the past few years, Thrips parvispinus has emerged as a serious threat to ornamental greenhouse crops across North America. First reported in Florida in 2020 on Hoya and Anthurium, this invasive thrips has now been detected in greenhouse ornamentals, peppers, and landscape plants in the southeastern U.S., and more recently in Ontario. While it can’t survive winters outdoors in Canada and parts of the northern U.S., its wide host range—including Mandevilla, Dipladenia, Schefflera, Ficus, and peppers—means it has the potential to cause significant damage wherever susceptible crops are grown. Thrips parvispinus male (left) and female (right) Growers have reported stunted growth, leaf streaking, and floral damage that reduce crop quality and marketability. Complicating matters, T. parvispinus is suspected of…

Why Industry Support for Research Matters Now More Than Ever

By Laura Barth, Research Coordinator Recent conversations across the horticulture and floriculture community have indicated that many of our crucial university-based research programs are at risk of setbacks, eroding decades of progress and new developments. In the April issue of Greenhouse Grower Magazine, editor Brian Sparks highlighted how ongoing federal funding freezes are straining horticultural research efforts nationwide. At the same time, we followed up with a targeted survey to better understand what researchers are facing.  Respondents from leading institutions shared their stories: rescinded job offers, halted graduate student funding, hiring freezes, and the disruption of long-term research projects. Some anticipate losing more than $1 million in future federal support. Others are scaling back programs that took decades to build.…

2025-2026 Research Funding Addressing Industry Challenges

In 2025-2026, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) is funding 12 research projects for a total of $636,525. The four new projects and eight continuing projects focus on topics such as pest management, disease control, post-production, and technology in floriculture. By supporting these projects, AFE helps drive the continued growth of floriculture, contributing to the industry’s advancement through practical solutions and innovation. "We are proud to support research that addresses both immediate and long-term challenges in floriculture. These projects provide practical solutions for today’s growers while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient future,” Laura Barth, AFE Research Coordinator, said. “We look forward to following the results of these studies and how they will contribute to the continued growth…

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