AFE Creates New Young Professional Advisor Position

Dr. Melinda Knuth to Serve as First Advisor to the BoardAs a part of the American Floral Endowment’s continued focus on the next generation of floral industry members, a special advisory position has been established for AFE’s Board of Trustees. The AFE Young Professionals Council Advisor to the Board is a special position that will engage and interact with the AFE Board of Trustees and Staff to represent the industry’s young professionals and share their perspectives. This new Advisor will participate in AFE Committee and Board meetings, share the perspective of the next generation, and influence how AFE engages with young professionals. It is a unique volunteer opportunity facilitating direct connection between longtime industry leaders and up-and-coming members. Each Advisor will come…

AFE Announces New Chairman and Trustee Appointments

AFE announces the appointment of its new Chairman of the Board and incoming Trustees. The announcement was made during AFE’s annual event, Funding the Future of Floriculture, held on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, in Orlando, Florida, at the SAF Convention.Current AFE Chairman Laura Shinall of FreshPath Marketing spoke about her two years of leadership during COVID-19 and her work with the Trustees during this most challenging time. She highlighted the advances made through AFE’s new Strategic Plan for 2022-2025, industry outreach, and collaboration. Shinall passed the AFE gavel to incoming Chairman Ken Young of Phoenix Flower Shops, noting, “The great work of the Endowment continues as it has for the past 61 years and will continue for decades more!” Young begins his…

Appreciation, Recognition, and Funding the Future of Floriculture

The Endowment hosted its annual event during the SAF Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.The afternoon was full of excitement as industry members and supporters joined together after a long three-year gap in AFE’s annual in-person events due to the pandemic. AFE Chairman Laura Shinall, Managing Partner of FreshPath Marketing, kicked off the event by welcoming everyone back and setting the tone for celebrating AFE’s supporters and accomplishments.“We’re excited and thankful to see everyone again and celebrate the many successes of the past few years,” noted Shinall, “It’s important to share the impact being made throughout the industry thanks to the many generous industry donors. Through contributions to AFE, industry members support innovative research, educational opportunities,…

AFE’s Newest Research Coordinator, Laura Barth

Among the five focus pillars of AFE is the important branch of research. This area guides the industry’s current practices to new heights in sustainability, improved methods, and revolutionary discoveries. To help facilitate this mission, AFE has expanded our team to include Laura Barth – AFE’s Research Coordinator.Research is a continuous top priority for AFE’s funding. Research helps AFE provide the best and most current information and solutions to pressing issues in the industry. Laura will work alongside Dr. Terril Nell, AFE’s current Research Director of 8 years, to pursue and disseminate this information through industry outreach and collaboration, communications, and other critical resources like our Grow Pro Webinar Series, Thrips & Botrytis Research Fund, and other currently funded research.Dr.…

AFE’s 2021 Arizona Travel Grant Recipient

Bringing Arizona Florists Continued EducationWith industry events back in full swing, the American Floral Endowment (AFE)’s programs like the Arizona Retail Florist Education Travel Grant are key to bringing industry members continued education and valued experiences!AFE’s 2021 recipient, Patti Klawans of Tucson, Arizona, and Designer at Mayfield Florist, was able to connect with and learn from skilled designers volunteering in the flower room at the AIFD Symposium 2022 this past July in Las Vegas, Nevada after a year of postponing travel.Experiences like these are invaluable to industry members, bringing them to the crossroads of connection and first-hand education. AFE recognizes that professional skill building and career growth are continual pursuits. With the Arizona Retail Florist Education Travel Grant, Arizona florists have the…

Fostering Industry Connections and Uplifting Young Professionals at Cultivate 2022!

The Board of Trustees and Staff at the American Floral Endowment (AFE) have been eager to return to in-person events and have hit the ground running in 2022! With refreshed perspectives and valued connections in mind from GLFEE 2022 and Floriexpo 2022, some of the AFE team traveled to Columbus, Ohio, this past July for American Hort’s Cultivate ’22 to continue to strengthen the Endowment’s industry involvement. Every year, Cultivate is one of the largest international horticulture gatherings, known to attract thousands of industry professionals and visitors from all 50 US states and over 40 countries. Cultivate offers it all, from 140+ educational sessions to hands-on workshops, production tours, and countless opportunities to connect with other industry members. Opportunities like…

The AFE Career Center: Building Floriculture Careers One Resume at a Time

Did you know that uploading your resume to an online posting website can increase your chances of getting noticed by prospective employers? Suppose you’re deciding on a career path, searching for a job, or hoping to improve your professional skills. In that case, the AFE Career Center is the one-stop location for posting resumes and finding exciting career paths in the floriculture and horticulture industries.For students and individuals beginning their job search, the AFE Career Center is positioned strategically to help those seeking employment understand the many opportunities that await them with a satisfying career in the floral industry. Because companies recognize AFE as a source for young professional development, they utilize the AFE Career Center as the go-to place…

2022 AFE Internship Placements & Awards

Taking that next career step is something to be proud of – let’s celebrate some of our industry’s next generation and their AFE internship awards!This year, eight outstanding students will pursue a freshly awarded internship opportunity through AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program.It is without a doubt that the next generation plays a significant role in the long-term success of our industry. “Investing in young professionals ensures they’re well equipped to bring lasting strength and innovation to the field. AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program makes practical floriculture and horticulture experience and training more accessible, and we’re extremely proud to be able to provide this opportunity every year,” notes Dwight Larimer,…

AFE Surpasses 2022 Campaign Goal – Funding the Future of Floriculture

The Endowment celebrates and thanks the many industry supporters, sponsors, and friends who contributed to this year’s annual fundraiser, Funding the Future of Floriculture. Over $146,000 was raised in support of the floral industry through the Endowment.From May 16th through June 30th, 2022, AFE’s Board of Trustees and Staff connected with the floral industry through a virtual fundraising campaign to increase annual support for our critical research, education, and other floriculture programs setting a goal of $100,000. Over the month and a half, $146,850 was raised from over 80 donors and sponsors. Take a look at full the sponsor list here. This tremendous effort would not have been possible without the involvement of the floral industry. We are incredibly grateful for…

Twenty Students Awarded AFE Scholarships

We have awarded 20 students with scholarships totaling $54,400. In this 2022 scholarship cycle, which introduced a brand-new online application platform, 65 applications were received from 40 colleges and universities. We would like to give a special thank you to the 47 industry members who reviewed and scored the applications.We are aware the floral industry faces significant and ongoing challenges to our labor force. Now more than ever, these programs are imperative in helping support new professionals as they prepare to enter the industry workforce and launch a successful career. With these scholarship opportunities, we are keeping floriculture and horticulture competitive with other career paths by granting avenues for financial support ensuring that the industry can continue to attract and retain…

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