AFE-Funded Programs Featured at Cultivate

Join AFE at Cultivate! Held from July 15-18 in Columbus, Ohio, Cultivate is one of the industry’s leading horticulture events. AFE-funded research will be featured in two exciting educational sessions that will equip you with valuable insights and strategies for effective pest management and sustainable practices in the floral industry. If you haven’t already, register for Cultivate here.We will also be hosting a meet-up for our Young Professionals Council (YPC). Our YPC offers leadership and networking opportunities for young industry professionals 18-25 years old, while also offering them a wide range of volunteer opportunities within the industry. This is a great chance to get involved in the YPC and connect with other members! Learn more and join the YPC today…

Keeping Flowers Fresh: New AFE-Funded Research Exploring Alternatives to Ethylene Inhibitors

Everyone loves receiving a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers, but making sure they stay vibrant on their way to your vase is a challenging task. A major cause for the deterioration of cut flowers is a gaseous molecule called ethylene, a plant hormone that causes flowers to wilt and fade and accelerates the drop of buds, petals, and leaves (Figure 1). In the floriculture industry, ethylene’s effects can significantly reduce the quality and longevity of cut flowers during storage and transport. AFE-funded researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington have been hard at work trying to find a way to inhibit ethylene’s adverse effects, and recent discoveries may offer promising alternatives to the methods currently in use.  Current Solutions…

Advancement and Growth Through Sound Research

Growth and advancement are the keys to success in an ever-changing world. The American Floral Endowment (AFE) aims to aid our industry in these areas by supporting impactful research which addresses current challenges, provides new advances, and shares best practices. Each year, the Endowment funds new and innovative projects targeting current needs based directly on feedback from industry leaders.In 2023-2024, AFE will support 12 research projects in total, including five new research projects and seven continuing projects with $550,000 in funding from the Endowment’s Research Funds.“Research is hugely impactful to our industry, ensuring that the highest quality flowers and plants make it from seed or cuttings to the consumer’s home. These projects will help the industry increase profitability, streamline processes,…

Transitioning from Classroom to Industry – Students Prepare for Internships

Twelve exceptional students from colleges and universities around the U.S. are embarking on new professional development journeys as they begin their internships through AFE’s prestigious Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program. These students are off to put their classroom knowledge to use as they gain important hands-on experience at production and retail operations.There is no doubt this will be a life-changing experience for each one of these students. Follow along with our interns on our social media accounts (listed below), where they will be sharing videos showcasing their experiences along the way! Past intern, Erin Sparks, shares her experience on how her internship impacted her:“I gained so much valuable experience working with professional growers…

Make New Sustainability Practices Your Business Reality

Sustainability isn’t just water conservation or recycling; it can be so much more, such as sustainable investing or creating culture first leadership, says Dr. Melinda Knuth, assistant professor of horticulture at North Carolina State University, speaking at the 2023 Floriexpo convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Knuth is co-leading the American Floral Endowment’s floriculture sustainability project with NC State’s Dr. Brian Jackson.Read more about the project here: https://endowment.org/sustainability/.“Some of these practices may be familiar or have existed for some time but have new products that are reinvigorating the category. Some practices are completely new ideas that have come about in the last year.” Dr. Knuth says.During an education session at the business-to-business floral show, Dr. Knuth shared some of the…

Become a Media Partner! R.I.S.E. Sharable Ads

Support The Floral Industry – Share Our Campaign Ads!While a sponsorship or donation goes a long way in funding more resources for floral, you can also contribute by downloading, sharing, and publishing our 2023 Campaign ads through June 30th. By sharing these ads through your esteemed publications, website, or social media platforms, you not only play a pivotal role in helping us raise vital funds, but also contribute to the continued growth and success of our industry as a whole. Select your preferred ad(s) from our website, download, and share with your network to support us as we R.I.S.E. up to support the industry together. The campaign runs until June 30th. Please be sure to tag AFE on social media and…

The Driving Forces of Sustainability

Remember when organic labels appeared before an official organic definition? We are at the same moment with sustainability.Sustainability can be thought of as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” as defined by the 1987 United Nations Brundtland Commission, yet details in this space are certainly lacking.The semantic openness of sustainability is not something to be managed or eliminated, and it doesn’t lead to meaninglessness. Instead, this is a moving, living definition. For AFE’s floriculture sustainability project, we offer framings of pre-existing notions of sustainable development and use calls to action to transform theory into practice for stakeholders.At the same time, we have to be careful not to greenwash…

A Look at the Next Generation of Floricultural Scientists, Educators, and Leaders

We are so pleased to announce this year’s Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family Scholars! Congratulations to these incredible young professionals!These six individuals have a plethora of accomplishments in the industry and have their sights set on even further growth. AFE strives to uplift young professionals and support them as they pursue futures in our industry.  Our Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family scholarships specifically help fund the education of full-time graduate students pursuing a career in horticulture or floriculture – the next generation of floricultural scientists, educators, and leaders. These scholars represent the best of the best in their fields and we are happy to highlight each of their unique experiences, passions, and accomplishments that led them to where…

R.I.S.E. to Support: 2023 Fundraising Campaign

2023 Fundraising CampaignHeld Virtually Between Monday, May 15 – Friday, June 30 R.I.S.E. up to support the floral industry! In an effort to continue to increase support for important research, education, and other floriculture programs to advance our industry, AFE is conducting our annual virtual fundraising campaign. This year’s new campaign theme touts the overall tagline of R.I.S.E., representing AFE’s core programs: Research, Internships, Scholarships, and Education for the floral industry.  These resources are vital to the ongoing growth of floral; We are welcoming the industry to R.I.S.E. up with us to help fund ongoing success and support for all segments, ages, and levels. AFE can only continue to provide funding and programs for our industry with the support of…

AFE’s Laura Barth Inducted into GPN Magazine’s 40 Under 40

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is pleased to announce that AFE’s Research Coordinator, Laura Barth, has been inducted into Greenhouse Product News (GPN) Magazine’s 12th Annual 40 Under 40, Class of 2023. This accolade recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions of 40 young professionals under the age of 40 who are making a difference within the horticulture industry.The individuals honored with this distinction were nominated by their peers and selected for their remarkable achievements in their personal and professional lives. They have demonstrated “superior leadership, creativity, compassion, and innovative thinking,” which are the hallmarks of this award.Laura’s induction into the 40 Under 40 Class of 2023 acknowledges her passion and dedication to the horticulture industry, as well as her innovative…

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