Industry Honors Tom Butler for Second Annual Fundraising Dinner

Nearly $2,000 was raised at the second annual fundraising dinner for The Tom Butler Family Fund, honoring the legacy of the late Tom Butler.The dinner was held on Tuesday March 14, 2017 at Tom’s favorite restaurant – The Capital Grille in Washington, D.C. – following the Society of American Florists‘ Congressional Action Days (CAD).Twenty-two industry members attended the dinner, which was organized by AFE supporter and longtime friend of Tom Butler, Tim Galea.“It was a fun evening with good food, good friends and great memories of our friend and mentor Tom Butler,” said Tim Galea, President of Norton’s Flowers & Gifts.“While the financial contribution is our tangible method of honoring Tom’s commitment to the Endowment, the real goal behind the…

Research Projects, New Named Fund Among Highlights in 2017 March AFE Bulletin

New Research Projects Approved for 2017-2018

The Endowment is pleased to announce $325,000 in research funding for the 2017-2018 fiscal year on projects addressing important floriculture/horticulture issues.“The floriculture industry faces complex challenges that AFE-funded research helps address,” said Terril Nell, Ph.D., AFE Research Coordinator.“These projects will directly benefit the industry by providing useful information to help solve critical issues, which will escalate the productivity and profitability of businesses.”The funding will support four new projects and seven continuing projects. The goal of all AFE research is to provide knowledge that helps the industry grow stronger.PLANT BREEDING AND GENETIC ENGINEERINGMaking Better Plant Products by Understanding Dynamic Facets of Metabolism: Dr. Thomas A. Colquhoun, University of Florida, $33,000Objective: Key enzyme and protein groups are being classified in Lily as a means…

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…