News | American Floral Endowment

AFE Awards More Than $30,000 to 2013 Scholarship Winners

Seventeen scholarship winners have been awarded competitive scholarships from AFE totaling more than $30,000. “Scholarships are so important to assist those who want to further their education in our industry,” AFE Scholarship Chairperson PJ Ellison of Ellison’s Greenhouses said. “Not only do they help the students, they also show those who want to be in our industry how much AFE cares.” AFE awards scholarships annually, and applications are due by May 1 of each year. This year, AFE had a record number of highly qualified scholarship applicants. American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship – $2,000 Recipient: Katrina Moldenhauer Moldenhauer, a junior at California Polytechnic State University studying agribusiness, hopes to work in the floriculture industry in sales or management. “My family owns…

Aug 14, 2013

Floriculture InfoSearch Puts Decades of Info at Your Fingertips

Industry members now have online access to a comprehensive floriculture library containing information that may have been previously unavailable. AFE has partnered with North Carolina State University (NCSU) to create the Floriculture InfoSearch Engine, a powerful search engine for convenient and comprehensive access to floriculture literature, videos and presentations.The website also contains a floriculture archive with materials from AFE, NCSU, scientific journals and trade publications, all of which is accessible and searchable through one website.“We want to thank a couple of floriculture pack rats, George Staby and Harold Wilkins, for opening their files to us and several industry groups and magazines for allowing us to scan and enter their articles,” project leader and NCSU Horticultural Science Department Head John Dole,…

Aug 8, 2013

AFE Board Visits Vermont for University, Greenhouse Tours

AFE Board of Trustees and guests at the UVM Entomology Research LabVermont is perhaps best known for maple syrup and vivid autumns, but could bubbles be next? The AFE Board of Trustees viewed a demonstration of an innovative bubble insulation system for greenhouses on their July 24-26 visit to Burlington, Vt., where they also toured the University of Vermont (UVM) Entomology Research Lab and Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse.The bubble project is part of the UVM Energy Conservation Project, which aims to increase greenhouse sustainability through energy conservation. Researchers are currently testing the bubble insulation system and a heat retention/shade curtain to reduce greenhouse energy requirements during New England’s cold winters, which should extend the length of the growing season. Claussen’s…

Jul 29, 2013

New Bulletin: 2013 Edition 3!

Get your latest edition of the AFE Bulletin now!2013 Edition 3 highlights include:Fundraising Dinner Will Unveil Exciting Industry Projects!Study Identifies Floral Purchasing BarriersManaging Powdery Mildew on PoinsettiasFloriculture Search Engine Puts Decades of Info at Your FingertipsMeet the New GenerationHow Does Accepting an Intern Work?John R. De Winter Remembered Through Legacy CircleRoss H. Pierce Memorial Tribute EstablishedTo receive future editions of the Bulletin via email, please send your email address to email@afeendowment.org.

Jul 22, 2013

Greenhouse Grower Donates Charity Competition Win to AFE

BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals created a friendly rivalry with greenhouse industry trade magazine editors this year at the OFA Short Course in Columbus, Ohio, and AFE is $1,000 richer as a result.The company organized a special Media Pyramid for Charity game in their booth at the show on July 15. Editors and publishers from Greenhouse Grower, Grower Talks, GPN and Greenhouse Management magazines answered questions and earned $500 for their charity of choice just for participating. If more than four questions were answered correctly, BASF added additional money.Robin Siktberg, editor of Greenhouse Grower magazine, and her partner, Bob West, director of interactive sales, won the competition for the second year in a row, earning a total of $1,000 for…

Jul 18, 2013

Understand Downy and Powdery Mildews with AFE Reports

AFE has released two new research reports to help the industry better respond to downy mildew and powdery mildews:Understanding Coleus Downy Mildew: Special Research Report #134Understanding Gerbera Powdery Mildew: Special Research Report #135Blair Harlan and Mary Hausbeck, Ph.D., from Michigan State University examine downy mildew on coleus, a colorful bedding plant, in Report 134. Downy mildew can leave plants unmarketable, so the researchers have proposed an integrated pest management program to help growers produce high-quality coleus crops that are untouched by downy mildew.The gerbera daisy industry in the U.S. is booming, as highlighted in Report 135, but powdery mildew on gerberas threatens profits. Leah Granke, Ph.D., from Michigan State University and Mary Hausbeck, Ph.D, examine the effects of environmental factors…

Jul 13, 2013

Ross H. Pierce Memorial Tribute Established

or send a check to:American Floral Endowmentc/o Ross Pierce Memorial Tribute610 Madison Street, Ste. 101, PMB 803Alexandria, VA 22314 All AFE contributions are tax deductible, and the family is always notified of a donation.Memorial tributes are a way to remember and honor industry members, family and friends in a special and lasting manner. A $1,000 contribution establishes a tribute. Once established, contributions can be made in any amount.

Jun 10, 2013

Grow with AFE Resources!

AFE has a wealth of resources available to help students and established industry professionals alike. Did you know that AFE offers more than 150 online research reports for free to the industry? These research reports focus on important industry issues, like:Detecting and managing pests and diseases.Refining watering and nutrition practices.Notably improving plant and flower quality.Providing total management systems for air and soil borne floriculture crop diseases.You can use this website to find other tools too, like an extensive and continuously updated Impatiens downy mildew resource list.Additionally, AFE’s intern scholarship programs give the industry the opportunity to host pre-screened, competent students with a passion for production. While receiving knowledgeable students, you’ll be giving back by providing the hands-on experience necessary to…

Apr 25, 2013

New AFE Bulletin: 2013 Edition 2!

The 2013 edition 2 version of the AFE Bulletin is available now with the latest industry and Endowment news!2013 edition 2 bulletin highlights include:Improved Packaging Enhances Fresh Cut FlowersEcke Scholarship Recipient: “Success Breeds Motivation”Remembering Jacob Van Namen, Floral Industry PioneerReaching a Younger Demographic Through Social MediaSpring Internships Awarded!AFE Participates at 2013 National Floriculture ForumInternships Pay Off!AFE Launches Awareness CampaignAFE Addresses Pest Management AttendeesSave the Date for AFE’s Annual Fundraising DinnerTo receive future editions of the Bulletin via email, please send your email address to email@afeendowment.org.

Apr 16, 2013

2013 Ecke Scholarship Recipient: “Success Breeds Motivation”

2013 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship Recipient Garrett OwenGarrett Owen, currently pursuing his M.S. in Horticulture Science from North Carolina State University, was awarded the 2013 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship honoring the late floriculture pioneer. Ecke made indispensable contributions to the advancement of the global floriculture industry and recognized that creative scientists and educators are necessary for the industry’s future, which is why this scholarship is awarded to students who will become the next generation of exceptional researchers or educators.“This scholarship is definitely going to help financially, but it also continues to fuel my passion to further my education so I can make an impact from the classroom to the greenhouse,” Owen said. “I once heard ‘success breeds…

Apr 4, 2013