Requesting Input for Young Professionals Seeking Careers in Our Industry and Academia

 AFE’s Young Professionals Council (YPC) wants to hear from you!Feedback from experienced industry members is vital for AFE’s Young Professionals Council and other new graduates as they navigate their early careers and decide on a path for their futures. These surveys will provide critical insights that we will compile, summarize, and provide as a resource to young professionals interested in entering academic careers. These surveys are fully anonymous. Tell us about your career experience! Take ONE of the two 5-minute surveys below based on your current career and share with your network.  Do you have an industry career in floriculture or horticulture? Take Industry Career SurveyDo you have an academic career in floriculture or horticulture?Take Academic Career Survey About YPCAFE’s Young Professionals Council offers leadership and…

Call for Applications: Paid Internship Opportunities Available

We are accepting applications for two floriculture/horticulture paid internship programs – the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and the Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program.Applications are due October 1st! Our internships are the best way for students to gain hands-on experience that helps them toward their future careers. Since their inception, our programs have been awarded 1.3 million dollars in scholarships to deserving students in the industry.Apply TodayVic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship ProgramThe Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program provides the opportunity to gain experience at a commercial production greenhouse or nursery. The program offers paid internships in three, four or six-month durations and provides scholarships of up to $6,000 In addition, faculty are reimbursed up to $1,000 in travel expenses to…

Young Professionals Experience at Cultivate’21

From left to right: Xuan(Jade) Wu – Texas A&M, Melinda Knuth – University of Florida, Yiyun Lin – The Ohio State University, Kaylee South – The Ohio State University, Erin Pfarr – Rutgers, Megan Bowman – Ball Horticultural Company and the AFE’s Board of Trustees YPC LiaisonCultivate, organized by AmericanHort, is one of the largest international horticulture industry events that attracts thousands of industry professionals and visitors from all 50 states and over 30 countries. This year, Cultivate’21 ran from Saturday, July 10 to Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. The American Floral Endowment was pleased to support young professionals attending the event by hosting a Young Professionals Council meetup to further encourage growth within our industry.Yiyin Lin of…

Record-breaking Amount Raised for Our 60th Anniversary Virtual Fundraising Campaign

60 Days to Raise $100,000 – Supporting another 60 years of floral industry programs, research, and resources! We are pleased to announce that a record-breaking $161,080 was raised through industry sponsorships and donations in support of the $100,000 in 60 Days Virtual Fundraising Campaign. 2021 marks the 60th Anniversary of AFE’s existence, and while an in-person event wasn’t feasible, a 60-day peer-to-peer virtual fundraising campaign was launched. With the support of 24 fundraisers (seen right) from our Board of Trustees, staff, and most devoted ambassadors, the campaign kicked off June 14th and wrapped up on August 13th. Within the first 30 days of the campaign, we surpassed our initial goal of $60,000 thanks to the quick work of our ambassadors and the generosity of our floral…

AFE’s Impact on the Industry – #AFEandMe

Industry Members Share What AFE Means to Them As a part of our 60th anniversary celebration, we launched an ongoing campaign asking the floral community to share their #AFEandMe stories with us. From long-time supporters to industry experts and students, many industry members have participated and shared how AFE has impacted them both personally and professionally. Click an image to see in full size with captions from our social media. Then use the arrows to the side to scroll through all photos. We continue to invite members to share their stories with us on an ongoing basis. You can submit your own #AFEandMe here. Share Your AFE Story with Us! #AFEandMe We want to hear from YOU! Has AFE impacted…

Newly Released: Research Webinars for Thrips and Botrytis

Thrips & Botrytis Webinar Series Recordings Now Available We have released webinar recordings from a 6-week webinar series highlighting new research findings from our specially-funded Thrips and Botrytis Research Fund. Initially presented exclusively to our Thrips and Botrytis Fund supporters, these recorded webinars are now being released to the industry in both English and Spanish. Take advantage of these FREE resources to help with your pest and disease management!Throughout these webinars, you will learn the best practices for managing and controlling thrips and botrytis, understand why decisions are made, and how to make the best management decisions for your greenhouse. Our featured topics also include addressing fungicide resistance and the opportunity for use of biological controls. These presentations are brought to you directly from our…

Remembering Sarah B. Armellini

Sarah B. Armellini, 97, of Palm City, Florida, formerly of Vineland, New Jersey, passed away on July 4, 2021, with her loving family by her side. Born in Vineland, New Jersey, on August 4, 1923. She was the daughter of William and Rachel (Scarpa) Dauito. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Jules (Toots) Armellini on August 15, 2013. Sarah was the matriarch of the family and dedicated her life to making a warm and welcoming home for her family. As a devoted mother of five children, Richard Armellini (Raynel), Judith Dusharm (Sterling), William Armellini (Gabriele), Stephen Armellini (Kristine), and David Armellini (Patricia). Sarah had thirteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Sarah was an avid cook, artist,…

Diamond Celebrations for AFE – 60th Anniversary Feature in FCI

This past month, FloraCulture International took some time to sit down with our Executive Director, Debi Chedester, to feature the Endowment’s 60th (Diamond) Anniversary and the vital resources we continue to provide for the floral and horticulture industry. Touching on almost every aspect of AFE, the conversation flowed from addressing major industry challenges to the importance of supporting the Endowment, and our greater purpose and mission. “An industry is only as strong as those that support it. It is vital to support AFE because without this critical research, the support of education through grants, and the support of young professionals with internships and scholarships— there wouldn’t be advances. No other organisation in the industry provides all of these services, and AFE…

PRESS RELEASE: AFE Surpasses Initial Fundraising Goal in Under 30 Days

60 Days to Raise $100,000 – Support another 60 years of floral industry programs, research, and resources! Alexandria, Virginia, July 14th, 2021 –Today marks the halfway point of AFE’s 60 Day Fundraising Campaign! Thanks to the quick work of AFE’s ambassadors and the generosity of our floral industry community, AFE has surpassed its initial goal of $60,000 within the first 30 days. With the support of AFE’s volunteer fundraising team consisting of its Board of Trustees, staff, and longtime supporters, AFE is setting a new goal of $100,000 with the remaining 30 days! This new goal will break records for AFE’s annual fundraising event – during our 60th Anniversary Year! Sponsors of this campaign will impact the industry by funding research, scholarships, internships, and grants allowing AFE to expand its programs.For the second year in a…

Floral Marketing Research Fund Announces Rebranding

Growing Our Industry Together FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alexandria, Virginia, July 12, 2021 –  The Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF), the industry’s organization for floral marketing research and resources, has announced its rebrand to the Floral Marketing Fund (FMF). The comprehensive rebrand elevates the need to focus on collaborative marketing efforts and position the Floral Marketing Fund to bring industry organizations together. At the heart of the rebrand is the change of name to the Floral Marketing Fund, a new logo, tagline, and mission & vision statements encouraging industry collaboration to promote everyday purchasing of fresh flowers and plants. The rebrand to the Floral Marketing Fund is not just cosmetic— it notes the Fund’s expanded marketing efforts and a movement towards more…

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