AFE Scholarships Delivering Career Impact: Meet Josh Henry

Josh Henry’s career in floriculture was born from curiosity. He didn’t have a clear roadmap about his future or how far he would go, but he had a passion for growing plants, and he let that desire steer the ship. “I just said, you know, we’ll see where college takes me,” he said. What followed was a journey shaped by hard work and a network of scholarships, internships, and mentors that helped turn that early interest into a thriving career as a Technical Services Specialist with Ball Seed. Josh began his education at The Ohio State University, earning an associate’s degree in greenhouse and nursery management, then completing a bachelor’s degree in horticulture at the same institution. He admits that…

Stories of Support and Growth

We can try to measure the impact of the American Floral Endowment (AFE) in the number of research projects we fund, scholarships awarded, or educational programs developed. But the true impact is best understood through the people whose careers, work, and businesses have been shaped by that support. Across the floral industry, from university labs to greenhouses and flower shops, our programs help turn ideas into solutions, support the next generation of professionals, and strengthen the industry’s future. That impact is possible because AFE was built with the future in mind. An endowment, by definition, requires foresight. It asks us to look beyond today’s challenges and consider what the industry will need tomorrow, five, ten, even twenty years from now.…

Creating Connection and Community: My Internship Experience with AFE

By Nora Silverstein Hello, floral industry! My name is Nora Silverstein, and I have had the privilege of being AFE’s Communications Intern for the past 7 months. My work has primarily been behind the scenes, but as my internship concludes, I wanted to reflect on everything I have learned throughout this incredible experience.  A little bit about me: I am a third-year student working towards a BA in communications with a minor in sociology, and certificates in corporate & community relations, digital media, and public & professional writing (a mouthful, I know!) at the University of Pittsburgh. Public Relations, Advertising, Media, and Communications are my passions: I have always looked for opportunities to apply the skills I have learned in…

Behind the Blooms: One Mosmiller Intern’s Summer in Colorado

Each year, our interns have the chance to dive headfirst into the professional floral industry, gaining hands-on experience and learning from skilled industry mentors. One of our recent Mosmiller interns, Mackenzie Hartley, a student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, spent her internship at Unbound Floral Design in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. While there, she not only sharpened her technical skills, but also got to see the ins and outs of running a full-service wedding floral business. From processing fresh flowers to designing large-scale installations, Mackenzie had the chance to build her knowledge and confidence to help prepare her for a strong, successful future in floral. Read on to hear directly from Mackenzie about her unforgettable summer experience!  Student…

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…

Highlighting the Success of Former Interns & Scholars

For decades, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) has supported the floriculture industry through research and education that have been instrumental in improving the sector’s future outlook. But just as important are the financial and hands-on opportunities our programs provide for the industry's future workforce.  “Our internships and scholarships are a way in which up-and-coming industry professionals can further their education and experience. But for the industry as a whole, they also provide solid ground in developing a talent pipeline that will ensure the industry remains strong and thriving for decades to come,” said Debi Chedester, CAE, AFE's Executive Director. As National Intern Day is celebrated around the country on July 31, we are celebrating the tremendous impact internships provided through AFE…

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…

Looking Ahead: Resources, Opportunities, and Innovations from AFE

Happy 2025, floral industry! We hope your year is off to a great start. AFE’s team is excited to kick off another incredible year filled with free educational programming, expanded funding opportunities, and new resources tailored for every segment of the floral industry. Here’s a glimpse of what you can be looking ahead to in 2025: Tailored Resources for Every Segment of the Industry We recognize that the range of jobs in the floral industry is diverse, with unique challenges and opportunities across different segments. That’s why we’ve developed landing pages specifically tailored to your needs - on our homepage, you can access a customized library of programs, research results, and latest news for your profession! Check it out here.…

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…

A Promising Future for Floral: AFE’s 2024 Internship Recipients

The next generation of the floral industry is getting ready to kickstart their hands-on internships at top production and retail operations around the country through AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program. This year, nine exceptional students passionate about floriculture have been awarded internships through the Endowment’s programs.  These programs place students in paid internships, and awardscholarships upon completion. The scholarships help provide students with additional financial security as they finish their academic studies and prepare to enter the floral industry after graduation.  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…

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