AFE Funds $182,000 in Industry Research for 2012-2013

AFE is funding $182,000 in scientific research projects for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.“Each of these research projects will help shed new light on critical industry issues and provide vital information for the entire industry,” said David Niklas of Clackamas Greenhouses and AFE Production and Post-Harvest Research Committee Chairman.Research projects can last from one to three years and any reasonable, but justifiable budget will be considered. Pre-Proposal applications are available on the AFE website and are due by June 1st each year.2012-2013 Breeding and Genetics projects:Dr. Zhanao Deng, University of Florida: Introducing Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance into Floricultural Crops by Transferring NPR1 Gene, the Key Regular of Plant Systemic Acquired Resistance – $32,000 (Year Two)2012-2013 Insect Management projects:Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University:…

New Production Technology Research Reports

AFE announces the release of three new production technology research reports:Growth of Petunia as Affected by Substrate Moisture Content and Fertilizer Rate, #531Using Soil Moisture Sensors for Poinsettia Height Control, #532Water Requirements of Herbaceous Perennial Plants, #533Growth of Petunia as Affected by Substrate Moisture Content and Fertilizer Rate – #531Industry Impact: A large percentage of fertilizer applied to plants can be lost through leaching if excessive irrigation is used. Soil moisture sensor-controlled irrigation can significantly reduce or even eliminate leaching. If leaching is reduced, growers should be able to use lower fertilizer rates to grow their crops. This will result in significant financial savings.Using Soil Moisture Sensors for Poinsettia Height Control – #532Industry Impact: The use of soil moisture sensor-controlled irrigation…

2012 Edition 3 AFE Bulletin Newsletter

The 2012 edition 3 AFE bulletin is available now.2012 Edition 3 Highlights include:AFE Annual Fundraising DinnerAFE Congratulates Scholarship RecipientsAFE Funded Research Combats Impatiens Downy MildewAFE Visits Colorful Colorado to See What’s BloomingBall Horticultural Company Hosts AFE

Watch the Vic and Margaret Ball Intern Video!

AFE recently traveled to Denver, Colo., to visit current and past Vic & Margaret Ball Interns at Tagawa Greenhouses and Welby Gardens Wholesale. We have compiled a short video from the trip, which features testimonials from the interns describing their experiences with the AFE program. AFE was delighted to hear about their positive experiences, as evidenced in this intern video.Watch the Ball intern video today:Additional AFE videos are also available.

Seventeen Students Receive 2012 AFE Scholarships

Sarah LeachNorth Carolina State UniversityHarold Bettinger Memorial Scholarship& Fran Johnson ScholarshipSeventeen horticulture students have been awarded 2012 AFE scholarships, totaling more than $26,000.“It is always rewarding to see how many amazing young people there are who love the floriculture industry, and we are very pleased to be able to help them continue along this career path,” said AFE’s Scholarship Chairperson PJ Ellison, of Ellison’s Greenhouses in Brenham, Texas.AFE scholarships are administered annually, and applications are due by May 1st each year.Ball Horticultural Company ScholarshipRecipient: Heidi Wollaeger, Michigan State UniversityWollaeger, a second-year Master’s student at Michigan State University, hopes to work in the floriculture industry as a grower or manager at a large greenhouse operation where she can test new products,…

KSU Wins Poster Competition for AFE-Funded Research

Congratulations to the Kansas State University (KSU)  team whose poster featuring AFE-funded research took first place in the student poster competition at the North Central Branch Entomology – Entomological Society of America meeting!Download KSU’s full size winning poster (PDF) online today.

2012 Issue 2 AFE Bulletin Newsletter

The 2012 Issue 2 AFE Bulletin is available now.2012 Issue 2 highlights include:AFE Responds to Downy Mildew on Impatiens wallerianaFunding Deadline June 1st!AFE Trustees Took Texas By Storm!AFE Remembers Margaret BallEnsuring Floriculture’s Sustainability

Controlling Downy Mildew on Impatiens walleriana

Researchers, extension educators and representatives from the impatiens production industry are working together with AFE to control impatiens downy mildew.AFE has compiled downy mildew resources for growers, landscapers and retailers:Illustrations of symptoms in production and landscapeFact sheetPreventive and responsive chemical control programsImpatiens Downy Mildew in the LandscapeImpatiens Downy Mildew in the Home GardenAssessing riskTips for Protecting ImpatiensA Practical Approach for Landscaper GardenersDisease prevention scheduleImpatiens Downy Mildew landscape substitutionsImpatiens Downy Mildew presentationManaging Downy Mildew of Impatiens PowerPoint (Large File)Video from Doug Caldwell, Ph.D., University of FloridaFLORIcast podcast (May 2012)Video: What to do in 2013Replacing “Typhoid Mary” – Jennifer Polanz, Green Profit magazine, January 20142013 and Beyond – Sara Tombascio, Greenhouse Grower magazine, Aug. 16, 2013Incidence Down Significantly In 2013 – Richard…

AFE Promotes Debi Aker to Executive Director

The Board of Trustees for the American Floral Endowment (AFE) are pleased to announce the promotion of Debi Aker to Executive Director. A long time Society of American Florists (SAF) staff member, she was named manager of AFE in 2008 and has been in the industry for more than 13 years.“Since taking on the management of the Endowment four years ago, Debi Aker has put critical organizational systems into place and has developed lasting relationships with industry members, faculty members and donors,” said Peter Moran, SAF CEO. “This promotion and new title more accurately reflects the breadth of work that Debi is responsible for.”Debi will continue working closely with the AFE Board of Trustees and industry members to focus on…

AFE Trustees Take Texas By Storm!

From left to right: Charlie Hall, Ph.D., Ellison Chair, Texas A&M; AFE Board member and owner of Ellison’s Greenhouses PJ Ellison; Jim and Ellen Ellison; Mark Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M; and AFE Chairman Tom Butler of Teleflora.After a yearlong drought, the AFE Board of Trustees brought some much-needed rain to Texas during its recent visit to College Station. Even with tornado warnings and delayed flights, weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the Trustees.The AFE Board convened at Texas A&M University from Jan. 25-27, 2012, at a meeting hosted by Charlie Hall, Ph.D., Ellison Chair in International Floriculture. Activities included tours of the campus buildings, faculty presentations and a reception at the Agrilife…

Get Involved with AFE

Make an Impact

Ways to Give

Volunteer With Us

Opportunities