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Farewell Letter from Retiring Research Director, Dr. Terril Nell

Industry colleagues and friends,  As many of you may know, I will be retiring from AFE at the end of 2023. At the threshold of a new chapter in my life, my heart fills with gratitude for the incredible journey I’ve had in the floral industry. Looking back, I can’t help but be overwhelmed by the profound impact AFE has had on my life and career. Unwavering grant support, the platform to explore innovative and impactful research, and lifelong collaboration with those in our vibrant community have helped shape me into the person I am today. It has been a privilege to serve and contribute to an industry that breathes this kind of life, beauty, and camaraderie into the world.…

Passing of the Torch: AFE Research Director Dr. Terril Nell Retires

Dr. Nell has spent his entire career working for the benefit of the floral industry. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Floriculture after a 35-year tenure at the University of Florida, where he served as Chair of the Environmental Horticulture Department from 1991–2012. His research has led to the development of best practices and advances within the floral industry leading to improved flower and plant longevity. He has consulted for growers, wholesalers, and retailers nationally and internationally for over 40 years. A highly respected care and handling expert, Dr. Nell co-authored the Flower and Plant Care Manual produced by the Society of American Florists and Flowering Potted Plants: Prolonging Freshness by Ball Publishing. For the past nine years, Dr. Nell has served as the…

How to Make Your Customers Swoon Over Your Blooms! Tips and Tricks for Valentine’s 2024

As we approach Valentine’s Day 2024, the collective flower, plant, and hard goods industries have a special opportunity to maximize flower sales right out of the gate during the first major holiday of the year! Thoughtful preparation, festive atmospheres, fresh products, and impeccable service will attract customers and optimize their entire shopping experience. So here we are – it’s December 2023, and the race has already started. Here are some important business strategies to help maximize sales during one of the most critical weeks of 2024: Sales Budgeting A simple SWAG (scientific wild a** guess) method of selecting a rote sales increase based on an annual figure doesn’t work. Budgets for a holiday — especially one of this magnitude —…

Manipulating Light to Improve Quality of Cut Flowers

Once completed, this research will provide growers with well-defined recommendations for vegetative and reproductive growth to increase cut flower production efficiency and profitability. Specifically, we are quantifying how several new and commercially important cut flower varieties respond to daylength and/or vernalization temperature and duration to ultimately determine how these environmental parameters should be managed to hasten flower initiation and induction without negatively impacting stem quality and yield. This information is especially crucial for cut flower growers located in northern latitudes as they transition to year-round greenhouse production.   Bluebeard (Caryopteris ×clandonensis) and Billy button (Pycnosorus globosus) are both crops that have been recently introduced as cut flowers, however, there is very little production and flower induction information available. These crops have the…

A Year in Review: A Look Back at 2023

As the year comes to a close, we invite you to celebrate all that the Endowment has been able to accomplish and provide through your ongoing support. What a year it’s been! We couldn’t have done it without you. Together, we have granted over $675,000 in funding this year to support research, internships, scholarships, and education for the entire floral community. Consider making a contribution to support us continuing this great work next year! Here are some key highlights from 2023: Research and advancements are key to the industry’s ongoing growth and success. This year, we have funded 12 ground-breaking research projects, including five new projects and seven continuing projects. The projects are working to move the industry forward and help solve some of…

Educating and Empowering: AFE’s Commitment to Continued Education for the Floral Industry

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is pleased to announce that it is awarding $63,990 in Educational Grants to 19 organizations in 2023-24. This funding will help these organizations host conferences, teach students and educators about the floral industry, offer programs such as greenhouse training and florist certification classes, promote sustainability practices, and more. AFE’s Educational Grants represent an ongoing commitment to the future of the floral industry. By supporting education at all levels, AFE is helping to ensure that the industry has the latest skills, knowledge, programs, and technology it needs to succeed. 2023-2024 Educational Grants Awarded to: America in Bloom – America in Bloom Educational Symposium American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) – Bringing FFA to AIFD Symposium Orlando,…

Coming Full Circle Leads to Life of Giving

This special article features AFE’s Legacy Circle Member, Sten Crissey, a long-time industry member who has been retired from the industry for 15 years. Sten resides in Seattle, Washington with his wife, Maryann. Since he was big enough to push a broom, Sten Crissey spent his days growing up in the floral business. His dad, James, had opened the Seattle-based Crissey Flowers and Gifts downtown in 1942, well before Sten came along. But once he did, the family business was in his blood. His mom, Aimee, handled the office duties, and his dad ran the shop. Sten jumped in where needed, and his responsibilities would grow as he did. He folded boxes, then handled deliveries, and by the time he…

Arizona Grant Opens Doors of Opportunity for Local Industry Members

Next year, two floral industry members from Arizona will have the chance to attend exciting national industry events to further their education, learn new techniques, and network with other industry members – thanks to AFE’s Arizona Retail Floral Education Travel Grant.  The Arizona Retail Floral Education Travel Grant was created to provide support for traditional retail florists in Arizona to pursue floral industry educational or design events outside of the state of Arizona. The grant is open to owners, managers, and employees of traditional retail florists with a brick-and-mortar storefront in Arizona.  The fund was established from the defunct FTD District 8K with additional initial funding provided by Ken and Lynn Young of Phoenix Flower Shops. The fund continues to grow with contributions…

The Influence of Internships

AFE’s Visits with Students and Faculty at Michigan State University Just a few short weeks ago, AFE Staff, alongside the Vic & Margaret Ball Committee, had the opportunity to visit Michigan State University (MSU) to review internship applications, select students, and spend some time with faculty and students who directly benefit from the Endowment’s programs. Every year, the Vic & Margaret Ball Committee meets in March and October to evaluate applications and select students for its prestigious internship program. The program awards three-, four-, or six-month internships to students pursuing a career in commercial production/growing.  On top of the paid internship, students receive a scholarship of up to $6,000 upon completion. This program grants a full-circle experience of both hands-on…

2024 National Floriculture Forum: A Gathering of Floriculture Experts and Educators!

We cordially invite floriculture stakeholders from academic institutions, governmental agencies, and the floriculture/greenhouse industry to join us in Biloxi for the 2024 National Floriculture Forum (NFF) taking place from Thursday to Saturday, February 22-24, 2024. For over two decades, dedicated faculty and educators have collaborated to organize these annual events that promote unity, communication, and advancement within the floriculture community. .“After a pause due to the global pandemic, the 2024 National Floriculture Forum will make an exciting return, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and students in the spirit of collaboration and innovation that has long defined the floricultural community,” Dr. Jim DelPrince, this year’s conference co-chair, said. “This event holds great significance as we move forward together, addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie…

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