Gay Smith Memorial Tribute Established

A memorial tribute has been established with AFE honoring Gayle (Gay) Smith, 63, who passed away on March 1, 2018.The tribute was established thanks to a generous contribution from Chrysal Americas President Jim Kaplan. Smith served as the technical manager for Chrysal for more than 18 years.“We are honored to establish the Gay Smith Memorial Tribute on behalf of our staff, clients and the entire industry,” said Kaplan.“Gay was part of the Chrysal family and she will be missed tremendously. This memorial tribute with AFE is a fitting salute to her dedication not only to our company, but to the industry she loved.”Smith was an active member of the industry and a great supporter of all things floriculture. Her career…

2016-2017 Annual Report Features New Projects and Industry Programs

The Endowment released its annual report, which details the successes accomplished and funding received for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.See how AFE-funded programs and research projects are providing solutions to tough industry issues, thanks to supporters like you, and take advantage of the free resources available!Highlights include:#FlowerLoveVideoContest – initiative that encouraged flower lovers to create fun videos to be eligible to win one of three monetary prizes. More than 50 video entries were received, and provided florists with a FREE video library to help promote the use and giving of fresh flowers to new and existing customers.Botrytis and Thrips Research Campaign – addresses the control and management of Botrytis and thrips by raising money to conduct new and innovative research, which…

Educational Grant Applications Due June 1

The Endowment is now accepting applications for educational grants for 2018.Applications are available online and must be submitted by the deadline of June 1.Educational grants help fund programs that are wide-reaching educational endeavors that solve industry needs and challenges and focus on attracting young people to the industry.Last year, AFE funded nearly $40,000 in educational grants.Examples of programs funded through educational grants:e-GRO Alert and Webinars, an electronic newsletter from floriculture university extension specialists who focus on providing greenhouse production and diagnostic information to growers.The National Floriculture Forum, which unites professors, extension specialists, graduate students, scientists and other industry leaders for a multi-day collaborative meeting that addresses important floriculture issues.National Industry Convention or Event Programs, collaborating with organizations and associations including…

Botrytis, Meet Calcium

By: JC Chong, Clemson UniversityWe pack our carts with the best crop of bedding plants ever, or our boxes with the best cut roses, only to receive a call from our customers rejecting the shipment because of gray mold. Botrytis meltdown is a huge problem during shipment because high humidity in sealed shipping carts or containers is just what Botrytis needs to cause an outbreak.With funding from AFE, Jim Faust and his graduate student Kathie Bennett (Clemson University) studied the potential of reducing Botrytis meltdown on petunia flowers with pre-shipment sprays of calcium chloride. Kathie sprayed four concentrations of calcium chloride (at 0, 400, 800 and 1,200 ppm) over two weeks before the expected shipping date. She infected the flowers…

All About Thrips IPM Programs

By: Rose BuitenhuisThe Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has a six-part series published in Greenhouse Canada magazine with practical information for thrips integrated pest management (IPM) programs.Written by Biocontrol Specialists Rose Buitenhuis, Michael Brownbridge and Graeme Murphy, the articles offer application tips and tricks, information on new technologies, and are supplemented by short videos demonstrating techniques or principles.Part 1, Designing Your Greenhouse IPM Program, introduces the systems approach to IPM and goes through the different elements of thrips IPM from start to finish, setting the stage for the rest of the series. The video explains the importance of choosing the right plant, the right environment and the right control agents for a complete IPM strategy. Part 2, IPM: Prevention and Early…

Applications for 2018 Scholarships Due May 1

Applications are now being accepted for more than 20 different AFE scholarships.Emily Currens, University of Georgia 2017 John L. Tomasovic Sr. Scholarship recipientSophomore, junior, senior and graduate students studying floriculture and horticulture must submit their applications online by the May 1 deadline.Scholarships range from $500 to $6,000.Two new scholarships were recently established with AFE, so even more opportunities are available to qualified students.In 2017, the Endowment awarded 20 students with scholarships totaling more than $36,000.“Awarding scholarships to students is a primary function of AFE. We understand the financial burden they face and are doing our part to help them,” said Dwight Larimer, AFE Chairman and Education Committee Chair.Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted to AFE by May 1.Click…

#FlowerLoveVideoContest Winners Announced & New Flower Video Library Launched

The Endowment is excited to announce the grand prize winner and two honorable mentions of its #FlowerLoveVideoContest, sponsored by Asocolflores and funded through the Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF).$4,000 Grand Prize Winner – “Let Happiness Bloom” by Jaclyn FiolaThe contest was created based on results from the 2016 FMRF-funded study “Marketing Tactics to Increase Millennial Floral Purchases,” also sponsored by Asocolflores.The study suggests that reaching millennials through short, authentic videos is an effective way to engage them, and that millennials enjoy sharing funny, sentimental and how-to videos on social media. The study also reveals that 75% of millennials use Facebook daily, and 46% visit YouTube daily.$500 Honorable Mention – “The Flower Princess” by Mickelle MartinFlower lovers from across the country…

Two New 2018 Scholarships Established

The Endowment is pleased to announce that two new scholarships have been established, just in time for the 2018 scholarship application season!These new scholarships join the 21 other scholarships awarded annually to promote and assist young professionals joining the floral and horticultural industries.The application deadline for all AFE scholarships is May 1. Click here for more information.Click on the links below to download the press release for each scholarship.Long Island Flower Growers Association — Bob Gunther Memorial ScholarshipBob GuntherThis scholarship was established in memory of the late Bob Gunther, owner of Gunther’s Greenhouses & Florist in Oceanside, New York.It is intended for students from Long Island and New York who are studying ornamental horticulture at a community college or four-year institution…

AFE Bulletin November 2017: Video Contest Deadline, Consumer Study Reminder, Painting Raffle, and More

Applications Being Accepted for Two MS/Ph.D. Scholarships

The Endowment is now accepting applications for the Altman Family Scholarship and the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship.Their application deadlines are Feb. 1, 2018. Deena and Ken AltmanThese merit-based, prestigious scholarships are for graduate students who have the skills and passion to become leading floricultural scientists and educators.Applicants must be in the process of successfully completing either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in horticulture or a related field (e.g., agricultural engineering, entomology, agricultural marketing and economics, plant pathology, etc.) and must have the intention of pursuing an MS or Ph.D. degree on a full-time basis.Applicants attending land-grant universities will automatically be considered for the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship. All others will qualify for the Altman Family Scholarship.The Altman Family Scholarship was…