R.I.S.E. to Support Floral Between May 15-June 30! Donate Now

From the Field: Let’s Catch Up!

Happy Summer, everyone!  Are you starting to feel it in the air...? That familiar feeling of excitement and anticipation?  Yep, that buzzing feeling can only mean one thing: summer trade shows and conferences! Summer is my favorite season, and these shows are a big reason why. Whether it’s Cultivate (join us there!), AIFD, Ball Customer Days, Far West, ASHS, or the SAF Annual Convention, these events always feel a bit like a school reunion to me: seeing familiar faces, catching up on everything that's happened since last year's show, and enjoying a shared energy that reminds us why we love this industry. A recent tour that AFE Executive Director, Debi Chedester, and I went on at Smithers Oasis, in Kent,…

AFE-Sponsored Events at Cultivate’25!

Catch up with AFE at Cultivate'25! Held from July 15-18 in Columbus, Ohio, Cultivate is one of the industry’s leading horticulture events. AFE-funded research will be featured in an educational session that will equip you with valuable insights and strategies for effective pest management. Additionally, we are holding a sustainability roundtable (invite-only) to collaborate with industry members from all segments and collect feedback on key topics of sustainability. We will also be hosting our annual Young Professionals Council meetup during Cultivate! If you haven’t already, register for Cultivate here. Managing Thrips Parvispinus: Strategies for Prevention and Control Date: Sunday, July 13 from 11:15-12:15pm ESTLocation: Room C170Speaker: Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Thrips parvispinus, a tropical thrips originating…

A New Wave of Floriculture Talent: Meet the 2025 AFE Interns

This spring, nine exceptional students have been awarded internships through AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program. These talented students are stepping up to gain invaluable hands-on experience in top industry operations across the nation. The Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program places students at commercial production greenhouses or nurseries for three-, four-, or six-month durations and provides a scholarship of up to $6,000, depending on the length of their internship. The Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program places students at leading floral retail, wholesale, or supplier businesses for a period of 10-16 weeks, with a $2,000 scholarship upon their completion of the program.  Both programs offer valuable opportunities for both the floral industry and…

Managing Thrips Parvispinus: New Research on Cultural and Biological Control

Over the past few years, Thrips parvispinus has emerged as a serious threat to ornamental greenhouse crops across North America. First reported in Florida in 2020 on Hoya and Anthurium, this invasive thrips has now been detected in greenhouse ornamentals, peppers, and landscape plants in the southeastern U.S., and more recently in Ontario. While it can’t survive winters outdoors in Canada and parts of the northern U.S., its wide host range—including Mandevilla, Dipladenia, Schefflera, Ficus, and peppers—means it has the potential to cause significant damage wherever susceptible crops are grown. Thrips parvispinus male (left) and female (right) Growers have reported stunted growth, leaf streaking, and floral damage that reduce crop quality and marketability. Complicating matters, T. parvispinus is suspected of…

Why Industry Support for Research Matters Now More Than Ever

By Laura Barth, Research Coordinator Recent conversations across the horticulture and floriculture community have indicated that many of our crucial university-based research programs are at risk of setbacks, eroding decades of progress and new developments. In the April issue of Greenhouse Grower Magazine, editor Brian Sparks highlighted how ongoing federal funding freezes are straining horticultural research efforts nationwide. At the same time, we followed up with a targeted survey to better understand what researchers are facing.  Respondents from leading institutions shared their stories: rescinded job offers, halted graduate student funding, hiring freezes, and the disruption of long-term research projects. Some anticipate losing more than $1 million in future federal support. Others are scaling back programs that took decades to build.…

2025-2026 Research Funding Addressing Industry Challenges

In 2025-2026, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) is funding 12 research projects for a total of $636,525. The four new projects and eight continuing projects focus on topics such as pest management, disease control, post-production, and technology in floriculture. By supporting these projects, AFE helps drive the continued growth of floriculture, contributing to the industry’s advancement through practical solutions and innovation. "We are proud to support research that addresses both immediate and long-term challenges in floriculture. These projects provide practical solutions for today’s growers while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient future,” Laura Barth, AFE Research Coordinator, said. “We look forward to following the results of these studies and how they will contribute to the continued growth…

Uplifting Future Educators and Scientists: 2025 Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family Scholarship Recipients

Four graduate students working to elevate the horticulture industry have been honored for their accomplishments through two academic scholarship programs administered through the American Floral Endowment (AFE).  Andre Truter, a master’s degree student at North Carolina State University, is the recipient of the 2025 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship. Andre will receive a total of $10,000 ($5,000 each for two consecutive years) to help fund his education.  Three students received the 2025 Altman Family Scholarship, a $5,000 award for each. Those students are Rose Elbert, a master’s degree student at Michigan State University; Henry Gonzalez, a doctoral student at Michigan State University; and Bret Timmons, a doctoral student at North Carolina State University. The Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family scholarships…

R.I.S.E. to Support Floral

AFE Launches 2025 Fundraising Campaign to Provide for Growth and Innovation Held Virtually Between Thursday, May 15th – Monday, June 30th The American Floral Endowment (AFE) invites the floral community to once again R.I.S.E. to Support the future of floriculture. The annual fundraising campaign runs from May 15 through June 30 and encourages the floral community to come together and give back to the industry we all love.R.I.S.E. stands for Research, Internships, Scholarships, and Education—four pillars that help ensure a strong, sustainable floral industry for generations to come. Every dollar raised supports programs that solve real challenges, nurture young talent, and provide trusted resources for businesses of all sizes. Now more than ever, funding for research and education is vital…

Applications Now Open for 2025-2026 Educational Grants!

Applications are now open for AFE's 2025-2026 Educational Grants. The deadline for all educational grant applications is June 1, 2025. AFE has three different educational grant opportunities to help fund wide-reaching industry learning programs that provide solutions and focus on ongoing and new educational opportunities. Demaree Family Floriculture Advancement Grant | New in 2025!  AFE's newest opportunity is the Demaree Family Floriculture Advancement Grant, which is accepting its first applications in the 2025-2026 cycle. This grant supports special projects or programs addressing critical or timely challenges within the floral industry, and focuses on initiatives that create meaningful impacts through resources, education, or advancements that benefit the industry as a whole. Apply here. Educational Grants During the 2024-2025 cycle, AFE awarded nearly $64,000 to support 19 educational programs for organizations, universities, and industry groups that are…

2025 Milestones: AFE Named Funds Celebrate Special Anniversaries and Impact!

Big milestones deserve big celebrations! In 2025, we’re recognizing eleven incredible anniversaries for our Named Funds and programs, ranging from five years to over 50 years of impact.  For six decades, AFE has been providing for industry growth through research, education, and programs that fuel growth and innovation. None of this would be possible without the visionaries and industry champions who have established legacy funds to support the floral industry for generations to come. These funds are making a real difference, and we are excited to celebrate their ongoing impact! Celebrating 50 Years! Mosmiller Internship Program For half a century, the Mosmiller Internship Program has been a gateway for students seeking hands-on experience in the floral industry. The program was…

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