AFE Receives $100,000 Contribution to Support Floriculture Programs

The Endowment is pleased to announce a $100,000 contribution from Egon and Laina Molbak to support AFE’s floriculture programs.Egon and Laina Molbak at their 90th birthday celebration“I am thrilled to continue supporting the American Floral Endowment with this latest contribution,” said Egon.“We give to AFE because they give back to the industry with their important research efforts, wonderful internship programs, and more!”The generous contribution will establish a new named fund honoring Egon and Laina, and will serve as a lasting tribute of their dedication and support of the floral industry.The longtime industry veterans, now retired, founded Molbak’s Garden + Home outside of Seattle in 1956 after moving to the U.S. from Denmark.They grew the business from five glass greenhouses with…

Research Pre-Proposals Due to the Endowment by June 1

AFE Bulletin February 2017: Research Priorities, Floral Summit Highlights, and More

Application Deadline is June 1 for AFE Educational Grants

AFE is now accepting educational grants for 2017-2018!Educational grant applications are available online and must be submitted by June 1.AFE 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. For 2016-2017, the Endowment funded nearly $40,000 in educational grants.Programs funded through AFE educational grants:Seed Your Future, a national movement created to attract more talented young people to careers in horticulture and change the public perception of horticulture.The National Floriculture Forum, which unites professors, extension specialists, graduate students, scientists and other industry leaders for a multi-day collaborative meeting.Volunteers prepare boxes with plants and labels as part of the Floral Plant Giveaway Project.Floral Plant Giveaway As…

2017 AFE Scholarship Applications Due By May 1

Floriculture and horticulture students can apply now for more than 20 different AFE scholarships!Sophomore, junior, senior and graduate students must submit their online applications by the May 1 deadline.Joshua Henry, North Carolina State University 2016 Richard T. Meister Scholarship RecipientAFE encourages students to apply for scholarships early, as the need for financial assistance in floriculture and environmental horticulture programs is great. The scholarships range from $500 to $6,000.In 2016, the Endowment awarded nearly $40,000 in scholarships.“AFE is focused on attracting and retaining the next generation of industry professionals,” AFE Executive Director Debi Chedester said. “We award scholarships to students each year to help them toward becoming exceptional industry leaders.”Descriptions of each scholarship offered, along with the undergraduate and graduate applications…

New Industry Efforts, Programs Highlighted in Annual Report

AFE has released its annual report detailing program successes and funding for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Thirteen new research projects were funded and more than $135,000 was awarded through scholarships, grants and internships. In addition, several new videos were created to highlight how Endowment programs support and promote industry growth.“Our supporters play an important role in developing and administering programs to advance the industry,” said AFE Chairman Dwight Larimer.Highlights include:Business Internship Program – introducing business students to the floral industry and providing host employers with an Employer Resource Guide (NEW!) to establish a successful internship programYoung Professionals Council – providing learning and networking opportunities for students and young industry membersVideos on AFE’s Ball Internship Program and segmented videos featuring floriculture…

AFE Hosts Industry Summit in Miami

By: Lori Ostrow, AFE Communications Managerand Christine Boldt, Executive Vice President of AFIFChristine Boldt talking to the Trustees at the Miami International Airport.AFE Trustees held their January Board meeting in Miami, and also hosted a “Floral Summit for the Future” with the Board members of Association of Floral Importers of Florida (AFIF), Asocolflores representatives, and other local industry members.In addition, Trustees were given a special tour of Miami International Airport (MIA) thanks to Christine Boldt of AFIF.While in Miami, where 91 percent of flowers that are imported arrive, the Trustees were shown different areas of MIA and heard about the ways flowers are processed and shipped to U.S. wholesalers and retailers.The first stop on the tour was the layout of…

Consumer Study, Videos Featured in AFE Bulletin January 2017

New Study Provides Strategies to Win Over Millennials

The Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF) has released results from a new study that provides a detailed analysis about the floral consumption behaviors of Generation Y (or Millennial) consumers.The FMRF study, called “Marketing Tactics to Increase Millennial Floral Purchases,” was conducted by Dr. Chengyan Yue of the University of Minnesota and sponsored by Asocolflores.The study explored innovative marketing strategies and tactics to better target Millennials, who are key to the future of the floral industry.Results of the study reveal ways to effectively attract Millennials to floral products, as well as data on their attitudes, preferences and barriers to purchasing flowers.Top key findings and a detailed checklist of marketing recommendations are featured in the report and are invaluable to the industry. Some of…

New Videos Promote Ball Internship Program

AFE has announced the release of three new videos promoting the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program.This paid internship program gives students, who are studying floriculture or horticulture at a college or university, the opportunity to train for three, four or six months at a commercial production greenhouse or nursery.Students will gain hands-on experience and put their classroom knowledge to work!The student video shares students’ successful internship experiences and testimonials on how the program helped them in their careers. The employer video encourages companies to participate in the program by becoming a host employer. This video explains the benefits of hosting an intern, and shows how AFE helps companies train the next generation of industry leaders.The parent video explains to parents what…