AFE Bulletin Upgraded to Monthly Publication

AFE is excited to announce that its quarterly Bulletin will change to a monthly format beginning in 2017.Due to the growth of the Endowment over the past few years, with its many new programs and research reports, the AFE Bulletin has also grown.As such, the Bulletin will become a monthly publication in January.Supporters who prefer the print version will still receive four quarterly print issues; however, those who prefer email communications will receive 12 electronic monthly issues.This change will allow for more timely updates to our donors and supporters.The AFE Bulletin is sponsored by The Todd Bachman Memorial Fund, which was established by Todd Bachman’s family in 2008.Todd Bachman served as Chairman and CEO of Bachman’s, Inc. He is also a past Chairman…

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

AFE is now accepting applications for the Altman Family Scholarship and the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship.The application deadline is Feb. 1.Ken and Deena AltmanThese two 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.One student will be selected for each scholarship. Applicants attending land-grant universities will automatically be considered for the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship. All others will qualify for the Altman…

2016 AFE Bulletin Issue Four — Hot Off The Press!

NFF’s 2017 Meeting and New Partnership with AFE

The National Floriculture Forum (NFF) has announced its 2017 annual meeting will be held in Philadelphia from March 17-19, 2017 during the Philadelphia International Flower Show.Participants of the meeting will attend the show and tour Longwood Gardens, and gather to discuss increasing the younger generation’s involvement in production and academic floriculture and horticulture.Members of the Young Professionals Council (YPC) will also attend and discuss their work on this topic.“I am very excited to be planning the 2017 event in Philadelphia. This is so important for the floriculture community, as it is one of the few events where academia and industry come together to discuss the pressing issues of floriculture,” said Krystal Snyder, 2017 NFF event coordinator and YPC member.“This year’s…

Gabriel Becerra Appointed to President of FMRF

The Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF) has announced the appointment of Gabriel Becerra of Golden Flowers in Miami, Fla. as the new President of the FMRF Board, effective Sept. 1, 2016.Becerra precedes Paul Bachman of Bachman’s Inc., who completed his two-year FMRF presidency.“I am very happy to lead the efforts of the FMRF to provide the industry with much-needed support in consumer marketing research, which will continue to help the different segments increase consumption of flowers and floral products,” Becerra said.“FMRF has funded extremely valuable projects, and now we want floriculture industry members to utilize them.”Becerra recently completed a two-year term as AFE Chairman, and remains on the AFE Board as past Chairman for two years.The FMRF was established in 2008 by AFE to fund floral…

2016 Fundraising Dinner a Big Success in Maui

AFE’s biggest fundraising event of the year, the 2016 Annual Fundraising Dinner, was an exciting and momentous evening, honoring industry champions and raising money for floriculture.The dinner, attended by nearly 300 industry members, was held on Sept. 22 in conjunction with the Society of American Florists’ Annual Convention in Maui, Hawaii.The event included the screening of AFE’s new video that highlights floriculture success stories, recognizing donors reaching new giving levels, and live Hawaiian entertainment.The highlight of the evening recognized five families/organizations that created new named funds. Over the past five years, 19 named funds have been created, totaling more than $3.5 million. View more photos here.Thank You!2016 Dinner SponsorsReception SponsorTelefloraEntertainment SponsorFTD, Inc.FloralsEquiflor/Rio RosesYoung Professional Council Table SponsorAsocolfloresTable HostsAccent DécorAsocolfloresBloomNetDelaware Valley…

Tribute Established in Memory of Gene and Evelyn Yoshihara

After joining the U.S. Navy and serving his military duty, he returned to Lafayette and the family farm, where he learned about the greenhouse business.Gene was an active member of the floral industry, mentoring growers and building high-tech greenhouses. He and his wife Evelyn consistently supported AFE throughout their lifetime. In 2002, they were inducted into the Colorado Floriculture Hall of Fame.Evelyn Kodama-Yoshihara greatly contributed to the growth of Lafayette Florist. She was a Hawaii native who came to Colorado to go to college and teach elementary school but changed careers quickly as her husband’s florist grew and needed a financial mind. Evelyn taught dozens of floral associates to become accomplished designers including her daughter Sandi-Yoshihara-Sniff, AIFD, AAF, CFP.  Evelyn…

AFE Welcomes New Trustees, Chairman

Three new trustees have been appointed to AFE’s Board of Trustees, and a new Chairman, Dwight Larimer, will assume leadership at the Annual Fundraising Dinner, replacing outgoing Chairman Gabriel Becerra.The Endowment welcomes the following incoming trustees: David Boulton, AAF, PFCI of Flowers by George, Inc. in Arlington, Wash.Patrick Dahlson of Mayesh Wholesale Florist in Los Angeles, Calif.Michael A. Mellano, Ph.D., of Mellano & Company in San Luis Rey, Calif. David Boulton, AAF, PFCI has been in the floral industry for 35 years and is President of Flowers by George, Inc. in Arlington, Wash., a family-owned retail florist in northern Snohomish County. Boulton was a member of the Northwest Florists Association where he served on the board, including a term as President from…

Students Honored at ASHS Annual Conference

Two students whose research projects have been supported by AFE were recognized during the 2016 American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Annual Conference held from Aug. 8 – 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Ga.Clemson University student Katie Bennett received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Presentation Award and Krishna Bhattarai of the University of Florida was awarded second place in the Graduate Student Poster Presentation.Katie Bennett and Dr. James Faust.Bennett worked with Associate Professor Dr. James Faust at Clemson University on a project to reduce the incidence of petunia flower meltdown, a problem caused by Botrytis. Her research demonstrated that spraying petunias with calcium chloride twice weekly for two weeks prior to shipping reduced the severity of Botrytis infection by 80 percent.“Katie exceeded…

Grants Awarded to Support Aspiring Floral Designers

Five floral design programs have received a total of $28,700 through AFE’s James and Helen Phillip Program.Established to honor James and Helen Phillip by providing scholarship assistance to people who are interested in careers in the retail sector of the floral industry, the James and Helen Phillip Scholarship Fund was established with a $500,000 donation by their daughter, Lee Phillip Bell, in 2008.The institutions receiving grants are:Joliet Junior College — $5,000Kishwaukee College — $6,000Mississippi State University — $5,700The Ohio State University ATI — $6,000Texas A&M University — $6,000The application deadline is March 1 each year. Apply here.