Connecting Classrooms to Greenhouses Through Internships

Dr. Kim Williams, Alana Wood, and Candice Musgrove One of the most distinctive aspects of our Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program is the opportunity for faculty advisors to visit their students on-site during their internships. With travel expenses covered by AFE, these visits let advisors see their students in action, while students gain the opportunity to walk their professors through their daily responsibilities and learning experiences. This summer, our Program Manager Candice Musgrove had the chance to join Dr. Kimberly Williams, Professor of Greenhouse Management at Kansas State University, for a visit to Pure Beauty Farms in Miami, Florida, where Alana Wood was completing her internship. Alana is one of nine undergraduates participating in our Vic & Margaret Ball…

Research Funding Awarded by the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund

In 2025-2026, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund (FCGFRF) is awarding $122,698 in eight new and continued research projects.   In 2024, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation joined with the American Floral Endowment (AFE) as a named fund to continue their mission and legacy. Since its inception in 1960, the Foundation has contributed over $7.5 million to support floriculture research initiatives. Former Gloeckner Foundation Board members now serve on a committee for the fund, carrying forward the Foundation’s mission by awarding competitive grants that drive innovation in floriculture and related fields at universities and research institutions across the United States. The committee also directs support through the New York Florists’ Club Grants—an enduring tribute to the original New York Florists’ Club, founded in 1887 and incorporated into…

Travel Grants Supporting Florists’ Professional Growth

Each year, we provide grants to support the continued and future education of industry members. Our retail florist education travel grants are focused on helping florists expand their skills by making it possible to attend major educational conferences and design events.  This year, two outstanding florists, Dani Pritt of Cactus Flower Florists and Megan Hellmann of Mountain High Flowers, were awarded with the travel grants from the Arizona Retail Florist Education Travel Fund to participate in the 2025 SAF Next Gen Live! and the 2025 AIFD Symposium.  The Arizona Retail Floral Education Travel Grant was created to provide support for traditional retail florists in Arizona as they pursue continued education. The grant is open to owners, managers, and employees of…

From Planning to Petals: Board Visits Vancouver

At the end of August, the AFE Board of Trustees gathered in Vancouver for a productive two-day event bursting with planning, insights, and inspiration. Day One: Governance and Growth The first day was all about thoughtful planning. Our committees rolled up their sleeves, debating strategies, reviewing initiatives, and setting priorities for our programs. Then the full board convened, bringing energy, purpose, and a shared commitment to advancing our industry through AFE. Day Two: Inspiration from the Auction Floor to the Greenhouse On day two, the board swapped the boardroom for boots on the ground, touring three standout operations that exemplify British Columbia’s thriving floriculture industry. United Flower Growers Auction At the United Flower Growers (UFG) auction, a cooperative of more…

Meet Professor Petal!

Introducing Professor Petal, our new AI-powered chatbot, live on www.endowment.org. Developed in partnership with nextvert, an innovative technology company specializing in intelligent automation, Professor Petal is designed to help industry members easily explore and browse our wide range of resources. Using advanced language processing and intelligent response generation, Professor Petal will help visitors save time, providing quick links to resources or programs and answering questions.  “With the launch of Professor Petal, we are continuing our efforts to improve our programs and resources while embracing new technology,” said Debi Chedester, CAE, Executive Director of AFE. “This new tool helps ensure that industry members can quickly connect with the research, programs, and educational materials they need to succeed. It’s an exciting step…

Memorial Tribute Established Honoring Robert (Bob) J. Carbone

A memorial tribute has been established through the American Floral Endowment (AFE) honoring Robert (Bob) J. Carbone, who passed away on August 14, 2025, five days shy of his 94th birthday. The tribute was created by Harrison “Red” Kennicott of Kennicott Brothers in recognition of Bob’s enduring dedication, innovation, and leadership in the floral industry. Bob was a devoted family man and visionary business leader whose impact shaped floral distribution throughout the Northeast. He founded the RJ Carbone Company in 1953, and for 72 years, he and his family grew it from humble beginnings into one of the region’s major wholesale floral distributors. Through his early support for importing fresh-cut flowers from South America, Bob redefined the industry’s business model…

22 Students Receive AFE Scholarships

At the heart of the floral industry’s future are students whose passion and drive are being nurtured by the American Floral Endowment (AFE). As part of that support, AFE provides crucial funding through scholarships to help students manage the cost of their education. This year, thanks to the generosity of AFE’s donors and industry supporters, the organization is  proud to award a record $74,000 in scholarships, up from $67,600 in 2024. With 26 awards given to 22 students, the scholarships ease the financial burden of education, but more importantly, reaffirms the upcoming industry talent by believing in their potential. Congratulations to AFE’s Scholarship Class of 2025! The organization is eager to see the impact these future industry leaders will have…

Reducing Peat Use in Container Production, Layer by Layer

The floriculture industry is constantly looking for ways to improve sustainability, and one hot topic is reducing the use of peat moss. Thanks to recent American Floral Endowment funded research from Dr. Jeb Fields and his team at the University of Florida, growers will soon have an easier, more affordable way to reduce peat use without compromising plant quality: substrate stratification, particularly with the use of wood fiber. What Is Substrate Stratification? With stratification, you can think of the pot as a layer cake. Stratification means using different potting media in layers, typically with different media on the top and on the bottom. In this research, the top layer remains peat-based, retaining its excellent growing properties, but the bottom layer…

Young Professionals Council Celebrates 10 Years

This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the Young Professionals Council (YPC), founded in 2015 to connect, inspire, and empower the next generation of leaders in the floral industry. For a decade, the YPC has provided opportunities where emerging professionals can build skills, expand networks, volunteer, and find encouragement from peers who share their passion for the industry. To honor this milestone, a special 10-year anniversary highlight video features YPC members sharing why they love being part of the council. Their reflections capture the true spirit of the YPC: a welcoming community, a place to learn from one another, a resource hub for professional development, and a network that turns professional connections into lasting friendships. From gaining confidence through leadership…

Educational Grants Fueling Growth

Supporting education that inspires, informs, and prepares the floral industry for a bright future is one of AFE’s core funding programs. This year, 17 organizations were awarded educational grants totaling $60,700.  The majority of AFE-funded projects are wide-reaching and focus on attracting young people to the industry, or are educational endeavors to identify and solve industry needs and challenges. This year’s funding will support a diverse range of programs, from hands-on workshops and courses, to national conferences and online training that connect people and ideas. “Educational opportunities are a cornerstone of industry growth,” said AFE Education Committee Chair, Adam Van Winkle of Stadium Flowers. “With the continued support of our donors, these grants open doors for students, professionals, and organizations…

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