Announcing the Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund

New Grant Provides Support for Retail-Focused Educational Programs We are pleased to announce the creation of the Meinders Retail Florist Education Grant Fund that will provide financial support for retail florist education. Established through generous contributions from longtime industry members and AFE supporters, Herman and LaDonna Meinders, this new fund combines with the first-ever AFE Named Fund established in 2011 by the couple now totaling more than $500,000. “Herman and LaDonna paved the way to encourage others to support AFE’s overall mission of providing for the future of the floral industry. Since that time, more than 30 additional named funds have been created,” said AFE’s Executive Director Debi Chedester. When asked about his continued commitment to the Endowment, Herman Meinders shared, “As…

Our Educational Grants Strengthen the Future of Floriculture

$70,000 Awarded in 2021-22 to 17 Programs Alexandria, Virginia, October 20th, 2021 –17 programs will receive funding through our 2021-22 Educational Grants. The organizations, universities, and industry groups receiving grant funding offer a diverse array of programs that are vital to the floral industry’s advancement and success.The funding of these essential programs supports a wide range of activities that serve the floriculture industry by increasing awareness, expanding training and education, supporting conference programs and research, and expanding industry resources for floral industry members, students, and faculty.“While the programs cover many levels of educational opportunities, together they help build a strong future for the floriculture industry,” said AFE Treasurer/Secretary and Education Committee Chair Greg Royer. “At the American Floral Endowment, we are committed…

Twenty-One Students Awarded AFE Scholarships

ALEXANDRIA, VA – October 13th, 2021 – The American Floral Endowment (AFE) has awarded 21 students with scholarships totaling $54,500. In this 2021 scholarship cycle, 57 applications were received and reviewed. AFE is aware the floral industry faces significant challenges to our labor force. Now more than ever, these programs are imperative in helping support new professionals enter the industry and launch a successful career. “With the pool of high-quality candidates that AFE receives every year, it is inspiring to see the passion these scholars demonstrate in their work, study, and research,” said Greg Royer, AFE Treasurer/Secretary and Education Committee Chair. “AFE takes great pride in providing scholarships for these promising industry members, and we look forward to seeing where…

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Bob Williams

Bob’s early career was at Sherwin Williams, where he became Director of Sales and Marketing, Consumer Brands Division, which he held for 10 years. In 1997, Bob left Sherwin Williams to work for Smithers-Oasis, a global manufacturer and marketer of floral foam, postharvest products, growing media, temperature-controlled packaging, and floral accessory products – entering the floral industry where he would devote the rest of his career. Harrison “Red” Kennicott, Chairman of Kennicott Brothers Company notes, “Unlike many of us, Bob joined the flower industry in mid-career. Bob hit the ground running and never stopped. Bob made a difference for his company, for the flower industry and for all of those whom he touched.” Over the course of 19 years, he…

New Officers and Chairmen Appointed to AFE Board

During our recent virtual Board of Trustee meeting on September 20, 2021, new Officers, Executive Committee members, and committee chairs were appointed.We are happy to recognize these individuals for their commitment to the floral industry and look forward to another successful year.New Officers: Chairman-Elect and Treasurer/Secretary Appointments Ken Young of Phoenix Flower Shops Named Chairman-ElectKen Young has been in the industry for over 40 years. He is the owner of Phoenix Flower Shops in Scottsdale, Arizona, and former SAF Director. Phoenix Flower Shops operates multiple retail locations and a wholesale division.He has served as the Treasurer/Secretary for the past two years, also serving as the Investment Committee Chairman simultaneously.  He has also served as the Chairman of the Public Relations and Development…

AFE Career Center Providing Vital Exposure for Industry Positions and Top Talent

The AFE Career Center is an industry-wide employment platform that connects floral businesses with eager job seekers. Since our launch in 2020, we have provided an intuitive space where employers can find an ideal candidate pool – offering convenient functionality to attract, screen, and manage applicants. Filling a position is easy with well over 1,000 job views/direct clicks every month! Job seekers can find numerous opportunities to advance their career with 1,917 (and counting!) LIVE jobs ready for application. Our opportunities range from internships to leadership positions and welcome applicants at all stages of their careers. Streamline the search process with job alerts, search features, resume management, and numerous career resources.From floral designers to growers, marketing, or logistics…no matter what your needs are,…

A Path to Success – Emma Lookabaugh Shares the Impact of AFE

Behind the work that the Endowment undertakes to provide for the floral industry are the moving stories of our impact. Back in 2014, a promising NC State graduate student and ornamental enthusiast was awarded the prestigious Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship through AFE – her name was Emma Lookabaugh.Emma credited this award and the Endowment with aiding her career advancement and helping to fund her education. With these pressures alleviated, she found more time to focus on her research and take on new opportunities.Now a Technical Service Representative of Turf & Ornamentals for the Southeast United States for BASF, Emma’s dedication to the industry, investment in her education, and successes are a testament to the impact of AFE’s scholarship programs.They say,…

Pioneering a New Era of Nutritional Monitoring with Fert, Dirt, and Squirt

Figure 1. The collaborative group of greenhouse and floriculture specialists and educators, e-GRO, launched a Nutritional Monitoring of Floriculture Crops website. Pictured is the website homepage. Photo by Dr. W. Garrett Owen.Nutritional disorders are among the many challenges greenhouse growers encounter during crop production. These disorders often develop when substrate pH or soluble salts [referred to as electrical conductivity (EC)] drifts above or below optimal ranges for plant uptake. To assist greenhouse growers in addressing nutritional disorders, the collaborative group of greenhouse and floriculture specialists and educators, e-GRO, has launched a Nutritional Monitoring of Floriculture Crops website, Fert, Dirt & Squirt (Fig. 1), led by Dr. W. Garrett Owen and Dr. Brian Whipker. The Nutritional Monitoring of Floriculture Crops, sponsored…

The Endowment’s Involvement and Community Achievements at ASHS

The Endowment is pleased to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our community of industry members. From scholarship recipients to funded research projects, AFE’s network made a splash at the ASHS conference in Denver, Colorado.Ping Yu, a recent Ph.D. graduate and one of AFE’s Young Professional Council (YPC) members, was recently awarded the Graduate Student Scholar Award.Graduate Student Scholar, Ping YuPing just graduated with her Ph.D. in horticulture from Texas A&M University and is joining the University of Florida as a postdoctoral research associate in the fall. Her Ph.D. research focused on replacing peat moss with biochar to enhance greenhouse and floriculture crop production. Her future research interests include continuing biochar research and extending her research topic to include weed…

Call for Applications: Arizona Retail Florist Education Travel Grant 2021

Arizona Retail Florist Education Travel GrantDeadline Extended to December 17th, 2021The Arizona Retail Florist Education Travel Grant was established in 2017 to assist florists from Arizona in traveling to national industry events for educational programs and to provide networking opportunities on a national level. The application deadline has been extended – apply by December 17th! The grant is open to owners, managers, and employees of traditional retail florists with a brick and mortar storefront in Arizona.Each year, one recipient will be selected by AFE’s Education Committee to receive the travel grant of up to $1,000 to help cover the cost of attending an out-of-state industry educational event.Examples of eligible opportunities include floral design schools, SAF Convention, FTD Boot Camp, Floriology Institute, Teleflora…

Get Involved with AFE

Make an Impact

Ways to Give

Volunteer With Us

Opportunities