Bill Belden Memorial Tribute Established

Belden, originally from Xenia, Ohio, spent the majority of his life in the floral industry. He got his start at the Oscar G. Carlstedt Company as a truck driver but left to serve in the U.S. Air Force. He returned to the company after his military service and was assigned to locations in West Palm Beach and Miami, and he was later appointed manager of the Ft. Lauderdale store. In 1965, he was named president. Bill was dedicated to his family, company, friends, suppliers and the entire floral industry. He served with local, state and national organizations, including: the Florida State Florists Association and various committees at the Society of American Florists (SAF). He was president of the Wholesale Florist…

Suzanna McCloskey Hired as AFE’s New Communications Specialist

AFE is pleased to announce Suzanna McCloskey as its new communications specialist. McCloskey, a native Tennessean, recently graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Electronic Media and a minor in English.Before coming to AFE, she worked in public relations and marketing for the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority and previously to that was a writer for the Knoxville News Sentinel, the city’s daily newspaper. Additionally, she was managing editor for the University of Tennessee’s student-produced news website and a board member for the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists.“I am enthusiastic to have the opportunity to help others better understand the work of the American Floral Endowment,” McCloskey said. “I am pleased to be…

AFE Announces Three New Scholarships for Floriculture Students

AFE is announcing three new scholarships that will begin in 2013: The American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship, The Julio and Sarah Armellini Scholarship and the Richard T. Meister Scholarship!With more than 20 different scholarships now available through AFE, floriculture and horticulture students are sure to find a scholarship that fits their area of study. Scholarships range from $500-$5,000 and are awarded annually. Applications must be submitted online and are due, along with supporting materials, no later than May 1 each year.“AFE is extremely excited to have the opportunity to help more students become future floriculture leaders with these three new scholarships,” Dwight Larimer, the chair of AFE’s Education Committee, said. “These generous scholarships will be influential in helping aspiring industry members…

Markham-Colegrave International Markham-Colegrave Scholarship Recipient Wins European Horticultural Experience

Brooke Gasteyer, a senior studying horticulture at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, was awarded the 2013 Markham-Colegrave International Scholarship through AFE and the David Colegrave Foundation to study horticulture in Germany.From late February through July, Gasteyer will intern at Gärtnerei Umbach, a wholesale nursery in Heilbronn, Germany that sells potted plants, potted perennial shrubs, tree ferns and goji berries. During her time at the nursery, Gasteyer hopes to learn more about all aspects of the horticulture business and gain skills she can use in her future career.“I had wanted to go to Europe for a very long time, and in the back of my mind I wanted to do a horticulture experience in Europe, but I never thought it was…

2012 Edition 4 AFE Bulletin Newsletter

The 2012 Edition 4 AFE Bulletin is available now.2012 Edition 4 highlights include:Fundraising Dinner Has AFE Feeling Like a Million BucksNew Social Media Guide for Retailers & WholesalersAFE Announces New Officers and TrusteesWith Possible Tax Changes Looming, Make Your AFE Gift This YearPoinsettias Cultivars Can Take Cooler Temperatures, Save GrowersIndustry Organizations Advance to New Giving Levels

Social Media Guide for Floral Retailers and Wholesalers Just Released

AFE is announcing the release of the Social Media Guide for Floral Retailers and Wholesalers.This free guide is your one-stop destination for all things social media. Whether you want to brush up on your social knowledge or you are brand new to social media and don’t know where to begin – this information is a must-have! From written guidelines to videos, your online presence will benefit from these resources.The social media guide features content on:Social media marketing best practicesChannels, tools and techniquesOptimizing for mobileReal Industry Case StudiesLiterature AnalysesThis project was coordinated by AFE and funded by The Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF) and the Flower Promotion Organization (FPO).Visit the FMRF website and register to browse all of the documents and…

2012 Fundraising Dinner Has AFE Feeling Like a Million Bucks

From left to right: AFE Chairman-Elect Paul Bachman of Bachman’s, Inc., Teleflora President Jeff Bennett, Teleflora Executive Vice President Jack Howard and AFE and Teleflora Chairman Tom Butler.AFE’s 2012 fundraising dinner, held Sept. 20, 2012 at SAF’s Annual Convention in Palm Beach, was more than your average fundraising dinner.In addition to donor recognitions, networking and the opportunity for industry members to show their support for AFE, one special presentation made the night a “one in a million” event for the 200-plus AFE supporters at the dinner.Teleflora and AFE Chairman Tom Butler, along with Teleflora President Jeff Bennett and Executive Vice President Jack Howard, presented AFE and incoming AFE Chairman Paul Bachman of Bachman’s Inc., with a $1 million check on…

AFE Funds $182,000 in Industry Research for 2012-2013

AFE is funding $182,000 in scientific research projects for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.“Each of these research projects will help shed new light on critical industry issues and provide vital information for the entire industry,” said David Niklas of Clackamas Greenhouses and AFE Production and Post-Harvest Research Committee Chairman.Research projects can last from one to three years and any reasonable, but justifiable budget will be considered. Pre-Proposal applications are available on the AFE website and are due by June 1st each year.2012-2013 Breeding and Genetics projects:Dr. Zhanao Deng, University of Florida: Introducing Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance into Floricultural Crops by Transferring NPR1 Gene, the Key Regular of Plant Systemic Acquired Resistance – $32,000 (Year Two)2012-2013 Insect Management projects:Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University:…

New Production Technology Research Reports

AFE announces the release of three new production technology research reports:Growth of Petunia as Affected by Substrate Moisture Content and Fertilizer Rate, #531Using Soil Moisture Sensors for Poinsettia Height Control, #532Water Requirements of Herbaceous Perennial Plants, #533Growth of Petunia as Affected by Substrate Moisture Content and Fertilizer Rate – #531Industry Impact: A large percentage of fertilizer applied to plants can be lost through leaching if excessive irrigation is used. Soil moisture sensor-controlled irrigation can significantly reduce or even eliminate leaching. If leaching is reduced, growers should be able to use lower fertilizer rates to grow their crops. This will result in significant financial savings.Using Soil Moisture Sensors for Poinsettia Height Control – #532Industry Impact: The use of soil moisture sensor-controlled irrigation…

2012 Edition 3 AFE Bulletin Newsletter

The 2012 edition 3 AFE bulletin is available now.2012 Edition 3 Highlights include:AFE Annual Fundraising DinnerAFE Congratulates Scholarship RecipientsAFE Funded Research Combats Impatiens Downy MildewAFE Visits Colorful Colorado to See What’s BloomingBall Horticultural Company Hosts AFE

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