2022-2023 Funded Research Projects

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) strives to aid in the ongoing success of our industry through supporting impactful research which faces current challenges and provides new advances. For over 60 years now, AFE has been the ‘go-to’ source for funding research projects and communicating the results, along with the researchers, to the floral industry. In 2022-2023, AFE will support 15 research projects in total. With 5 new research projects and 10 continuing projects totaling over $500,000 in funding from the Endowment, Gus Poesch Research Fund, and the Thrips & Botrytis Research Fund. These projects range in focus including plant breeding, disease and insect management, post-production, and production technology/protocols. “This research continues AFE’s mission of addressing industry challenges and acting as the catalyst for…

Press Release: AFE’s 2022 Fundraising Campaign

Funding the Future of FloricultureHeld Virtually Between Monday, May 16th – Thursday, June 30thFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAlexandria, Virginia, May 13, 2022 –Envision a future full of flowers! The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is inviting the floral industry to join them in their annual fundraising campaign – Funding the Future of Floriculture. Look ahead with AFE, as they share innovative research with new advances, scholarships and internships for the next generation of leaders, grants to enable the continued education of all industry members, and more.To continue to increase annual support for their floriculture programs, AFE is once again conducting a virtual fundraising campaign. The campaign runs between Monday, May 16th and Thursday, June 30th. Make a donation today! The theme Funding the Future of Floriculture…

2022 Paul Ecke, Jr. & Altman Family Scholarship Recipients

Shaping the Future of the Industry The graduate work of this year’s Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family Scholarship recipients is already reshaping the floriculture and horticulture industry with improvements for growers and environmental benefits. Congratulations to the 2022 Recipients! These five outstanding scholars – each with resumes listing numerous accomplishments in fieldwork, academic presentations, and published research – have contributed to the growing scientific understanding of the industry. Equally important, they have used their nascent platforms to share knowledge with growers, ensuring that positive change is swiftly implemented. All have a dedicated love for plants and flowers that was instilled in them from an early age. All have a deep curiosity for the science that can be harnessed to…

Become a Press Partner! Shareable 2022 Campaign Ads

Support The Future of Floriculture – Share Our Campaign Ads! While a sponsorship or donation goes a long way in the support of the future of floriculture, you can also contribute by downloading, sharing, and publishing our 2022 Campaign ads from May 16th to June 30th. Select your preferred ad or ads below and save to share with your network to help promote the campaign as we aim to secure funding for a better future for the entire industry! Please be sure to tag AFE on social and link all ads to endowment.org/funding-the-future. @americanfloralendowment             American Floral Endowment  @FloralEndowment                           @american_floral_endowment Want to become one of AFE’s…

Networking Tips and Tricks for Young Professionals

Learn how to make the most of trade shows, conferences, and more as a budding young professional in the floral industry. The following tips and tricks are presented by marketing and communications experts, Laura Shinall and Melanie Spilbeler, Managing Partners of FreshPath Marketing. These insights were originally presented through a webinar sponsored by the American Floral Endowment’s Young Professionals Council. You can view the recording here: Plan Before You Go! Determine what your primary goal is before you attend the in-person eventExamples:Promote either your company’s or your own personal brand? Think about what you want people to know about your company or you.Get education.Network and develop career contacts.Inform prospective or existing customers about products, services, or research.Set a measurable goal around…

2022 Paul Thomas Interns of the Year

2022 Paul Thomas Floriculture Production Interns of the Year Holly Barrus, University of Idaho & William Billmeyer, Kirkwood Community College For three to six months of the year, the interns awarded AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship disperse throughout the country to gear up, take on new roles, and put their classroom knowledge to work through hands-on industry experiences. Every internship cycle proves that one key to a better future for the industry is investing in our young professionals through these experiences.Students who successfully finish the internship, complete with their written reports and video blogs, automatically qualify for the Paul Thomas Floriculture Production Intern of the Year Award. This year, two interns shone exceptionally bright – Holly Barrus of the…

Accepting Research Proposals Through August 1

Calling all Researchers! We are now accepting new research proposals for the 2023-2024 funding cycle. The application deadline is August 1, 2022. Apply Today 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, reduced waste, and other solutions to promote healthier, longer-lasting flowers and plants. A detailed list of our research priorities is below. In 2022, our Research Application was condensed and updated to include industry references that support the research project. Get helpful tips on how to submit a strong proposal from AFE’s Research Coordinator, Dr. Terril Nell, in the video below. We…

Practicing What We Preach – Our New Intern, Gracie Alvarez

At AFE, we’re a big advocate for practicing what we preach. “Funding the Future of Floriculture” means many things to us, including investing in our industry’s young professionals through scholarships, internships, and professional development opportunities. AFE has had tremendous success with past interns, having brought our last onto the team full-time. Through thoughtful consideration and understanding of the importance of hands-on experience for young professionals, we’ve hired Gracie Alvarez of the University of Missouri as our new intern – a passionate and prepared member of the floral industry.Get to know Gracie in her personal note to the industry below, as she shares her path, passions, and enthusiasm for her new role. I’ve only been involved with the floral industry since the…

Returning to In-Person Events Webinar: Networking Tips and Tricks for Young Professionals

Thursday, April 14th at 4 PM ESTRegister Today!Learn how to make the most of trade shows, conferences, and more as a budding young professional in the floral industry. Nervous about returning to events after the lull during COVID-19? Optimize your next in-person event with pointers from this networking webinar whether as a first-timer or a regular attendee. This session will discuss networking tips and tricks from making a strong introduction and putting your best foot forward to follow-up post-event. Learn how to create and maintain lasting connections to aid in both your personal and professional development moving forward.Marketing and communications experts, Laura Shinall and Melanie Spilbeler, Managing Partners of FreshPath Marketing, will join us to lead a fully interactive networking…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Don Hook

In 1976, Hook bought the company from his father. After taking over the business he also took on several other volunteer leadership roles. In the late 80s, he served as a member of AFE’s Board of Trustees. Don served the Endowment in many capacities: Secretary, Vice Chairman of Fundraising and Chairman. He also chaired the 1983 Phone-a-thon participating as one of our most successful fundraisers. He was also a former president of the Society of American Florists (SAF) and the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association (WFFSA). “Don’s example and encouragement were an inspiration to me and many other young people to enrich our lives by participation in floral industry associations,” noted Red Kennicott of Kennicott Brothers Company.Additionally, Don was…

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