Prevent the Spread of Disease in Irrigation Water

Dr. Mary HausbeckAFE-funded research helps address a variety of issues that the floriculture industry faces.The Endowment is currently funding a research study from Dr. Mary Hausbeck, Professor and Extension Specialist at Michigan State University, entitled: Managing Pythium Species in Floriculture Irrigation Water.In an article published in Greenhouse Grower magazine, Dr. Hausbeck, along with fellow researcher Dr. Wei Zhang, discuss how water-mold pathogens can cause significant crop losses and reduce floriculture crop quality. They also provide ways to prevent the spread of diseases like Phytophthora and Pythium in irrigation water.The article, which was featured in the March 2016 issue of Greenhouse Grower, can be viewed here.

Deadline for AFE Research Pre-Proposals is June 1

The Endowment wants to help you secure funding for your floriculture research project!AFE is now calling for research pre-proposal applications for 2017-2018 funding, due no later than June 1. AFE-funded research helps your flowers grow stronger and healthier!The primary research funding priorities are relevant to all segments of the floral industry:Botrytis ControlThrips Control and ManagementPostharvest Care and HandlingProduction ManagementRead AFE’s full list of scientific research priorities and the general application timeline for more details.For the current 2016-2017 cycle, AFE is funding more than $300,000 in research. Research projects can last from one to three years and any reasonable but justifiable budget will be considered.Scientific Research Project Examples:New Approaches for the Control of Botrytis During Production, Shipping and/or Retail DisplayInnovative Biological and…

AFE Educational Grant Application Deadline is June 1

Apply now for AFE educational grants for 2016-2017!Educational grant applications are available online and must be submitted by June 1.A past AFE educational grant helped fund the Floriculture InfoSearch Engine and AFE Floriculture Library.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 2015-2016, the Endowment funded more than $43,000 in educational grants.Previous programs funded through AFE educational grants:Floral Plant Give Away As a Recruiting Tool: An Evaluation of the Impact on Student Perception of Horticulture, intending to increase student interest in plants and raise awareness of horticulture as a viable career option.Floriculture InfoSearch Engine and AFE Floriculture Library, a powerful search engine…

Applications Accepted Through May 1st for 2016 AFE Scholarships

Floriculture and horticulture students now have the chance to apply for more than 20 different AFE scholarships!Lesley JuddNorth Carolina State University2015 John Carew Memorial Scholarship RecipientThe deadline is May 1, 2016 to submit applications for sophomore through senior students, as well as graduate students.AFE encourages students to apply for scholarships early, as the need for financial assistance in floriculture and environmental horticulture programs is great. In 2015, AFE awarded more than $37,000 in scholarships.“It’s our primary function at the Endowment to award scholarships to students to help in their journey of becoming industry leaders,” AFE Executive Director Debi Aker said.“We understand the financial burden students face and know that an investment in their education is an investment in the future of the industry.”Click…

New AFE Programs, Achievements Featured in 2014-2015 Annual Report

AFE has released its annual report, detailing its project allocations for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.“The annual report showcases the exciting new ways AFE’s efforts have been serving all industry segments,” said AFE Chairman Gabriel Becerra. “Industry support is critical to helping the Endowment provide programs that benefit everyone.”2014-2015 highlights include:Business Internship Program, introducing business students to the floral industry – NEW!Young Professionals Council, providing mentoring opportunities for young industry members – NEW!More than $500,000 in consumer and scientific research, floral design and educational grants, scholarships and internships.New named fundsFREE downloadable reports – Funeral Directors and Flowers Guide, Consumer Preference Studies, research studies on pests, diseases and others.Donor recognitions, audited financial statements, two new memorial tributes, fundraising dinner highlights, and more!Click here…

New Fund Honors the Legacy of Yoshimi and Grace Shibata

AFE announced the establishment of the Yoshimi and Grace Shibata Family Fund, honoring the late flower grower and wholesale florist Yoshimi “Shimi” Shibata and his wife Grace. Shimi passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 31 surrounded by family. The floral industry pioneer was 100 years old.Founded by a generous contribution from the Shibata family, this new named fund honors the lifetime legacy of Shimi and Grace and their accomplishments in the floral industry.“Shimi and the entire Shibata family have always been great champions of the industry,” said Executive Director Debi Aker. “We are honored that the family chose to establish this new fund honoring Shimi and the Shibata family through AFE.”Shimi was a past president of the Mt. Eden…

2015 AFE Bulletin Issue Four Available Now

Christopher Currey Joins AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Committee

Christopher Currey, Ph.D. has been appointed as the newest member of AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Committee.Currey is an assistant professor at Iowa State University and works in the school’s horticulture department.As a member of the Ball Committee, Currey will be working with several AFE Trustees and other faculty members to review student applications for the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship and provide counsel to help promote the program to students.Currey obtained his Ph.D. from Purdue University and his master’s degree in science from the University of Minnesota. He has already received several awards throughout his career, including the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2012 from Purdue University’s Committee for the Education of Teaching Assistants (CETA). He is also…

New Research Aims to Protect Gerbera From Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is the most common and damaging disease for gerbera crops. Growers often have to apply fungicides to control powdery mildew, which leads to significant increases in production costs.The lack of disease-resistant gerbera plants has been a major limiting factor for crop production.Severe powdery mildewAFE’s latest research report, Powdery Mildew Resistance in Transgenic Gerbera Plants, focused on increasing the plants’ resistance to powdery mildew through gene transference.Researchers Dr. Zhanao Deng, Zhonglin Mou and Natalia A. Peres of the University of Florida have concluded through this research that powdery mildew sensitivity can be overcome by transferring defense-related genes from non-crop plants to crop plants.Results have shown that genes from other plants can be transferred into gerbera crops to increase their…

Nearly $40,000 Awarded in 2015 Scholarships

AFE awarded seventeen students in 2015 with scholarships totaling more than $37,000.“The quality of the applicants this year was outstanding, and we only wish we could help even more young people as they begin their rewarding careers. These deserving students show great promise and will be strong assets to the industry,” AFE Chairman-Elect and Education Committee Chairman Dwight Larimer said.More than 75 applications were received for this scholarship cycle, down just a few from last year.AFE awards scholarships annually, and applications are due by May 1 of each year. American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship – $2,400Recipient: Erin Hsu, University of California-DavisHsu is a junior studying environmental horticulture with a focus on floriculture, and wants to become a floral designer and possibly a…