SAF, AFE Partner Up to Advance Floral Industry Research Priorities

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A groundbreaking research fund that has supported scientific innovation in the floral industry for nearly three decades is getting a boost in its effort to provide high quality, cutting-edge research today and into the future, thanks to a strategic new agreement between two longtime industry groups.Effective Aug. 1, the Society of American Florists will continue to support the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI) through key administrative functions, including lobbying for additional funding and communicating with members of Congress so that they are aware of the importance of FNRI research to the floral industry and their constituents.Meanwhile, the American Floral Endowment will assume the role of floral industry liaison with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for FNRI,…

My Internship Experience with AFE

By Shanley King, AFE Communications Intern Flowers. I thought I knew all there was to know about them. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some make me sneeze. They can be arranged together or alone, and people buy them for apologies, decoration, well-wishes, romance, congratulations or no reason at all. However, there’s a lot more to flowers than an occasion, a few hometown florists, or a store-bought bouquet. AFE opened my eyes to this, and the entire floral industry. My name is Shanley and I’m a rising senior majoring in Communication Design at Elon University. My expertise in flowers and flower-growing goes about as far as the next non-gardener. What’s the opposite of a green thumb?…

AFE Fundraising Dinner 2019

AFE’s largest fundraising event of the year – the 2019 Annual Fundraising Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Amelia Island, FL, in conjunction with the Society of American Florists’ Annual Convention. Come together with hundreds of other industry members to celebrate floriculture successes, honor industry champions, and raise money to support future research, programs, and grants. The important work of the Endowment can only be done with industry contributions, and with annual support, AFE can increase funding for research, programs recruiting top talent to our industry, and educational opportunities for industry members. If you are attending the SAF Annual Convention this year, you can purchase a dinner ticket on the SAF Registration…

A Look Behind the Scenes: AFE at IFE

By Ashley Alexander, AFE Communications Manager In July, it’s hot and humid in Virginia where our office is located. It doesn’t feel like I’ve left Miami, where I was last month for the 2019 International Floriculture Expo. I was there for my first trade show experience and turned out to be even grander than I could have ever expected. But first, I experienced a little bit of Miami importer business. After landing at Miami International Airport, I was taken from the passenger side to see the cargo side from afar. Here is where flowers are flown in from all over the world. Their journey to sale in America had just begun. They were unloaded from the planes early in the…

AFE announces the winner of the 2019 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship!

Established in 2002, the Paul Ecke, Jr. fund offers $5,000 a year for two years to one graduate student who demonstrates the skills and passion to become a leading floricultural scientist and educator. The scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr., who made significant contributions to the floriculture industry and believed strongly in research and education.This year’s winner of the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship is Mary Lewis.A member of AFE’s Young Professionals Council, Mary is currently working toward a master’s degree in horticulture at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. She graduated from the same institution two years ago with an already impressive C.V. Among other activities, she interned at Walt Disney World Resort’s Epcot theme park (supported by an AFE Vic…

AFE 2019 Altman Family Scholars

AFE’s 2019 Altman Family Scholars: Paul Cockson, Yiyun Lin, and David TorkThe Altman Family Scholarship was created in 2015 by Ken and Deena Altman—owners of Altman Plants—as one of the numerous efforts supported by the couple to improve education and research for the industry. The scholarship provides $5,000 to assist in funding the education of full-time graduate students (MS or Ph.D.) who will become leading floricultural scientists and educators. Ken Altman has been actively involved in AFE’s Education and Scholarship Committees and has served on the AFE Board for more than a decade, currently in an Emeritus status.This year, the Altman Fund is supporting three graduate students currently enrolled in masters programs at leading institutions. All three not only are already engaged in…

Internships Making a Difference!

For students and the industry In the last year alone, AFE has awarded and placed over 20 students in paid internships at leading floral industry organizations. Internships provide a hands-on learning experience to further classroom experience and create lasting connections in the industry while discovering interests. Students can decide what size, type, and location they are looking for in employment post-graduation. While there is no guarantee, many of our interns receive a full-time position as a result of their internship. As an organization who acts as an internship host, you will be doing your part to ensure the future of the floral industry. By attracting young professionals, you will be addressing a dire need in the industry. Additionally, you will…

The Latest on Pollinators

Impacts and Residual Longevity of Systemic Insecticides on Pollinators in Ornamental Plant Production System As floriculture professionals, we value the importance of flowers to human well-being and seek sustainable production systems that enhance the environment and preserve habitat for bees, birds and other wildlife. Over the last few years, there has been the perception that the use of Neonic pesticides at any level and at any time are harmful to bees and has led to declines in bee populations. The cause of bee decline is complex involving climate change, insects and diseases that kill bees and loss of habitat among other causes. Floricultural growers understand that although bees do not usually visit flowering crops grown in greenhouses, bees can be…

Shelby Shy Memorial Tribute Established

She served as AFA’s president and on their board. Shelby is a former president of the Arkansas Florists Association. She was also actively involved in the Society for American Florists, as a volunteer group leader who helped with regional educational sessions and served on their Consumer Marketing Committee. She holds the SAF honor of being a member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF.) “Shelby brought such a beautiful energy and positivity – and innovation – to her contributions to SAF. She was so generous with her ideas as a member of our committees and councils,” said SAF CEO Kate Penn. “Anything we asked her to do – whether take part in an article, or develop and lead a program…

Winners and Doers

This year’s Paul Ecke Jr. and Altman Family scholars are horticulture superstars! Authored by Bruce Wright Looking for reasons to feel optimistic about the future of the floral industry? Meet these four brilliant, engaging young people committed to making it better—recipients of this year’s AFE Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family Scholarships. All four are graduate students in plant science who are already doing research that could quickly translate into new and improved varieties and increased flower longevity. What’s even more encouraging is the quality of leadership demonstrated by all four recipients. There is no doubt they are already taking their place among the industry’s innovators and ambassadors. For those who aren’t directly involved in the breeding and growing end…

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