An Interview with Lindsay and Tater from Bloom Beat

I’m sure many of you reading this newsletter have heard of Ball Publishing’s Bloom Beat, written by co-editors Lindsay Daschner and her four-legged companion Tater. Lindsay and Tater are the owners of Forget Me Not Farms in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, a wholesale flower operation catering exclusively to florists and event planners.  Lindsay’s journey with Tater is a reminder of the passion, spirit, and creativity it takes to succeed in the floral industry. At the American Floral Endowment, we’re dedicated to supporting growers like Lindsay by providing research, resources, and educational opportunities tailored to the unique challenges of flower farming. Whether it’s funding groundbreaking studies on crop production, offering webinars and other resources to help optimize production systems, or connecting growers…

Gus Poesch Research Fund Supports the Next Generation of Researchers

The floral industry is constantly evolving, and supporting the next generation of researchers and leaders is essential to its continued growth. AFE programs strive to empower young industry members with opportunities to attend educational conferences where they can learn, network, and share their work with the wider floral community. Juan Quijia Pillajo, a member of our Young Professionals Council (YPC) and a Graduate Research Associate at The Ohio State University, recently received a grant from our Gus Poesch Research Fund that allowed him to travel to the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Annual Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. AFE also proudly sponsored two key competitions at the event through educational grant funding, the Graduate Student Floriculture Oral Competition and the…

STEM-it Up²: An Immersive Professional Development Program Helping Agriscience Teachers Bloom

Floriculture is a popular course taught in school-based agricultural education (SBAE) programs across the nation. While most teachers associate floriculture with teaching their students how to design beautiful cut flower arrangements and bouquets, there is much more to the course — including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. STEM-it Up², a program funded in part by an American Floral Endowment educational grant, bridges the gap between STEM education and the floriculture industry by helping agriscience teachers learn how to integrate plant science technical concepts into innovative classroom curricula that highlight the benefits and career opportunities associated with the green industry. The SIU2 program is directed by Dr. Catherine DiBenedetto of Clemson University and Dr. Natalie Ferand of Virginia Tech.…

Bringing Floral Fragrance to New Heights

In the world of flowers, fragrance plays a huge role in providing a unique and special sensory experience. However, as we’ve bred flowers for color, longevity, and other desirable traits, fragrance has often been left behind. Many modern flowers, especially those grown in greenhouses or sold in floral markets, lack the intensity of fragrance that older varieties once had. Yet fragrance remains a highly valued trait, enhancing consumer enjoyment and satisfaction. Recognizing this, Dr. Thomas Colquhoun and his team at the University of Florida have turned to synthetic biology to enhance floral fragrance. In a recent breakthrough, researchers identified a gene from Caladium that can be used to enhance floral fragrance in other species. Caladium? Isn’t that a foliage plant?…

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…

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