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Douglas K. Dillon Memorial Tribute Established

A memorial tribute has been established within AFE honoring Douglas K. Dillon, 85, who died September 30, 2011. The tribute was established by a $1,500 donation by the Board of Directors of Hortica Insurance, a leading insurance and employee benefits provider to garden centers, nurseries, retail florists, wholesale floral distributors, greenhouse growers, and other industry professions.“We are honored to establish the Douglas K. Dillon Memorial Tribute on behalf of our current Board of Directors”, Hortica CEO Mona Haberer said. “Doug served on Hortica’s Board for over 32 years, 16 of those as our Chairman. This memorial is a fitting salute to his dedication not only to our company, but also to the industry he loved.”Diagnosed with cancer in early 2009,…

FMRF Flowers as Gifts Study: Flower Quality More Important to Consumers than Price

The Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF) has just released a comprehensive study on Consumer Preference for Flowers as Gifts. According to the study, the quality of flowers is more important to consumers than price. When compared with other attributes when purchasing flowers, consumers ranked quality the highest consideration in the buying process, followed by color, price, design and other factors.“Our industry needs to be aggressive in seeking ways to bring our beautiful product to more people and to make sure we understand who our future customers are and what is important to them,” said Paul Bachman, of Bachman’s Inc., in Minneapolis, and chairman of the FMRF. “The Floral Marketing Research Fund is dedicated to addressing these extremely important marketing questions,…

AFE Elects New Leaders

Tom ButlerAFE appointed Tom Butler, chairman of Teleflora in Oklahoma City, as chairman of AFE during the organization’s 50th Anniversary Commemorative Dinner in Orlando on September 22, 2010. Butler, who joined the AFE Board in 2006, also oversees its Development Committee and formerly chaired its Public Relations Committee.Considered a prominent industry authority, Butler has more than 40 years experience in the floral industry, of which he has spent the last 25 with Teleflora and the American Floral Services (AFS), which Teleflora acquired in 2000. As chairman of Teleflora, he visits thousands of florists around the nation every year. His term as chairman of the AFE will be two years.“I can think of no other person who has a greater understanding…

2010 Scholarships and Recipients Announced

Amy HinklePenn State UniversitySixteen horticultural students have received 2010 scholarships and are beginning the school year with funds from AFE totaling more than $22,000.“These very deserving individuals have demonstrated their commitment and passion for the floriculture/horticulture industry,” said AFE’s Scholarship Chairperson PJ Ellison, of Ellison’s Greenhouses in Brenham, Texas. “We are very pleased to be able to help them along their career paths.”Ball Horticultural Company ScholarshipRecipient: Keri Livingston, California State Polytechnic“My professional goal is to work for a well-known floriculture nursery. I am interested in developing new and unique cultivars and technologies,” says Livingston. She wishes to pursue a career in floriculture because of her passion of plants and flowers, and is eager to share her knowledge of horticulture with…

Daedre Craig from MSU Wins First Paul Ecke Jr. $10,000 Scholarship

A Michigan State University (MSU) graduate student with plans to pursue her doctorate has been awarded AFE’s first Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship.Daedre Craig, who is currently receiving the MSU Plant Science Fellowship, is the head grower for the MSU Horticulture Organization and has been recognized by numerous organizations for her achievements in research and academia. This latest achievement nets her a scholarship of $8,000.“AFE received some outstanding applications and the selection process was extremely difficult,” said AFE’s Education Chairman Ken Altman of Altman Plants in Vista, Calif. “What set Daedre apart was her demonstrated commitment to the industry and her studies, as well as her exemplary academic progress.”This scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke Jr., who made indispensable contributions to…

Ernesto Velez Memorial Tribute Established

His death leaves the industry without its earliest and most vocal champion of the simple belief that the land on which your flowers grow and the people who grow deserve respect and protection. As Chairman of Asocolflores for an unprecedented seven terms, Velez shared that philosophy of social responsibility and environmental stewardship as he tirelessly promoted Colombian flowers and flower growers. Velez was equally passionate when talking about and working with his wife, Lucie. Together they spearheaded the creation and implementation of the Florverde program. Flowers with the Florverde label carry the guarantee that they have been grown in conditions that meet the highest social end environmental standards. “Ernesto dedicated most of his time to Asocolflores… fueling ideas and putting…

AFE Announces 2009 Scholarship Recipients

Fourteen horticultural students have been selected as 2009 scholarship recipients and are beginning the school year with scholarships from AFE.“These very deserving individuals have demonstrated their commitment and passion for the floriculture/horticulture industry,” said AFE’s Scholarship Chairperson PJ Ellison, of Ellison’s Greenhouses in Brenham, Texas.  “We are very pleased to be able to help them along their career paths.”Ball Horticultural Company Scholarship and Bud Ohlman Memorial ScholarshipRecipient: Nathan Urben, University of Wisconsin, Madison“My true ambition is to start my own garden center (and)…emphasize an organic, environmentally friendly approach to landscape design and maintenance,” says Urben. He hopes to start his career by working as a grower for a mid- to large-sized producer of herbaceous perennials and/or bedding plants.The Ball Horticultural…

Will Carlson Memorial Tribute Established

He was responsible for establishing the Horticultural Demonstration Gardens and was the past Chairperson of the MSU Garden Consortium. He helped establish the Professional Plant Growers Association, was a director of the Garden Writers Association and lectured to garden groups throughout the country. Carlson earned many industry accolades, including the Floriculture Hall of Fame from the Society of American Florists and the H. Marc Cathey Award from the American Horticultural Society. or send a check to:American Floral Endowmentc/o Will Carlson Memorial Tribute610 Madison St, Ste 101, PMB 803Alexandria, VA 22314 The family is always notified of donations and contributions can be made in any amount.

Microbial Inoculants: Fighting Mission Impossible

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to incorporate sustainable practices into your growing operation. While not life-threatening, many still believe this mission to be impossible. Research funded by AFE is here to prove otherwise.MI: JUST THE FACTSMicrobial Inoculants (MI’s) are agricultural amendments that use beneficial bacteria and/or fungi to promote plant health. Sometimes by forming symbiotic relationships with host plants and other times by using up all excess nutrients, MI can prevent a wide range of soil-borne pathogens that cause serious crop loss.MI’s are a widely marketed form of biocontrol, with more than 80 commercially available products, and are considered much more environmentally friendly than traditional fungicides. But growers have always wondered if they actually work.Research ResultsLate…

AFE Receives $500,000 in Scholarship Funds

Funds will endow scholarships for future florists in memory of Chicago florists Jim and Helen PhillipA loving daughter of the floral industry, television producer Lee Phillip Bell, has donated $500,000 to AFE to create a scholarship fund in memory of her parents. The James and Helen Phillip Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide tuition assistance to students training in retail floral design and operations.Bell presented a check to the AFE Board of Trustees during the American Floral Endowment Dinner in Palm Beach, Fla. on Sept. 17, 2008.“It’s a joy to honor James and Helen Phillip by helping people prepare to earn a livelihood in the flower business, which has meant so much to our family,” she said.The funds will be invested…

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