AFE’s 60th Anniversary

2021 marks AFE’s 60th Anniversary! Throughout the year, we will be celebrating the past, present, and future of the Endowment. Highlighting our successes over the decades and those that helped us get there. For 60 years, and only through industry support, AFE has provided vital research, programs, and resources to advance the floral industry. Much of the way flowers are grown and processed today are direct results of AFE-funded research. Cold chain management, care and handling, shipping practices, and pest & disease protocols are key to the success of our industry. Industry contributions support: Research to produce healthier, longer-lasting flowers and plants to boost profits for everyone. See AFE’s research achievements here. Scholarships and Internships to recruit tomorrow’s leaders and…

A Letter from AFE’s Incoming Chairman, Laura Shinall

I am honored to begin my term as Chairman of the AFE Board of Trustees. The Endowment has been a part of my life for many years. As I follow in the footsteps of my father, Del Demaree past Chairman (1992-1993), I’m reminded how he instilled in me and our company, Syndicate Sales, the importance of giving back and building into the industry that has served us so well. Serving through AFE is the perfect opportunity to do both.In 2021, the Endowment will turn 60. That’s quite a milestone (and I should know, I’m hitting the same milestone). As we look back over the past 60 years, we have accomplished so much. We’ve funded over $14 million in research, awarded…

AFE’s Awarded Educational Grants for 2020

The American Floral Endowment is pleased to announce that 16 organizations will receive funding through our 2020-2021 Educational Grants.  This year’s list includes 5 new programs in addition to continued funding for 11 ongoing programs. The funding will support educational training, conference program support, and industry resources for floral industry members, students, and faculty.Through AFE’s Educational Grants programs, organizations, universities, or industry groups can apply for grant funding or sponsorships from the Endowment. Every organization that AFE supports provides an important resource or program that is vital to the advancement and success of the floral industry.The Annual Educational Grants prioritize programs that are wide-reaching and those that aim to bring young professionals to our industry. Weight is also placed on…

What’s in “Store” for the 2020 Holiday Season?

Will It Be Naughty or Nice?On Dasher, On Dancer, On Master and Visa! Without doubt, the 2020 holiday season will be one for the record books — either good, bad or somewhere in the middle!  The timeline of Christmas selling continues to evolve, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday compelling many retailers to be “first out” with the holiday. As a result, the transition time between Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas has become shorter and shorter each year as we compete with the efficiency of the 24/7 online “clicks” to buy floral products and other gifting items.  In addition, the convenience of same-day, next day, and free delivery options has raised the bar of service expectations in the eyes of today’s…

Announcing AFE and Rio Roses Virtual Mask-erade Photo Contest Winner!

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) transformed their Annual Fundraising Dinner into a Virtual Mask-erade Event featuring Photo Contest sponsored by Rio RosesAlexandria, Virginia, October 1, 2020 – In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the American Floral Endowment transformed their Annual Fundraising Dinner into a Virtual Mask-erade, which featured a photo contest sponsored by Rio Roses. The contest ran from August until mid-September and encouraged participants to use their Giving to Grow event mask to design their own mask-erade look. The best mask-erade photo wins 50 stems of Rio Roses sent to them monthly for an entire year starting this month!  Out of over 90 entries, Cactus Flower Florists in Scottsdale, Arizona won and will be receiving FREE roses for a YEAR! Rio Roses…

Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI)

A Brief History and Current ProjectsIn the early 1990’s, the Society of American Florists (SAF) and the American Nursery and Landscape Association (now AmericanHort), sought support of Congress to allocate dedicated funding for floral and nursery research. In 1996, Congress agreed to begin funding the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI) and the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) has managed projects and funding. Funding is split between floral and nursery projects with funding allocated to university and ARS projects. Projects that receive funding are based, to a large extent, on industry recommendations. SAF provided governmental support by interacting with Congress and, with grower input, made recommendations for projects of greatest need to the floral industry. FNRI is designed to support longer-term…

Prime Your Plants for Success with Biostimulants

Read More >> This article was originally published on Greenhouse Grower.

Successful Poinsettia Packing, Shipping, and Handling

Preparing Your Poinsettias for Shipping and Retail Display Begins at Bract ColorIt is hard to believe that the first poinsettias will be shipped to retail stores in just 4–5 weeks and shipments will continue until near December 20. Life becomes hectic in poinsettia greenhouses as the season progresses so it is prudent to establish handling and shipping practices now that will ensure that quality poinsettias are shipped, and quality poinsettias are received. In the past, growers would ‘harden off’ crops to prepare them for the entire handling, shipping, and handling programs by reducing watering and fertilizer and lowering temperatures. Today, poinsettia performance is best when plants are grown with strong root systems and are grown lean in the final four weeks…

Best Practices for DIF on Poinsettias

Read More >> This article was originally published by GrowerTalks.

Unconventional Passing of the Chairman’s Gavel Video & New AFE Board Appointments

 AFE Chairman Passing of the Gavel 2020 Due to COVID-19, AFE’s Annual August Board Meeting like our 2020 Annual Dinner was held fully virtually unlike prior years, but that didn’t stop the annual passing of the gavel! Outgoing AFE Board Chairman, Jim Daly of Floralife/Smithers-Oasis, passed the gavel to incoming Chairman, Laura Shinall of Syndicate Sales, Inc. in a very creative and socially distanced way! (see video above) During the virtual August Board meeting, several additional board appointments were made in addition to the new Chairman. We are pleased to recognize these individuals for their commitment to the floral industry and look forward to another successful year. Despite the uncertain times, AFE’s Board and staff continue to grow, adapt,…

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