AFE Scholarships Delivering Career Impact: Meet Josh Henry

Josh Henry’s career in floriculture was born from curiosity. He didn’t have a clear roadmap about his future or how far he would go, but he had a passion for growing plants, and he let that desire steer the ship. “I just said, you know, we’ll see where college takes me,” he said. What followed was a journey shaped by hard work and a network of scholarships, internships, and mentors that helped turn that early interest into a thriving career as a Technical Services Specialist with Ball Seed. Josh began his education at The Ohio State University, earning an associate’s degree in greenhouse and nursery management, then completing a bachelor’s degree in horticulture at the same institution. He admits that…

Stories of Support and Growth

We can try to measure the impact of the American Floral Endowment (AFE) in the number of research projects we fund, scholarships awarded, or educational programs developed. But the true impact is best understood through the people whose careers, work, and businesses have been shaped by that support. Across the floral industry, from university labs to greenhouses and flower shops, our programs help turn ideas into solutions, support the next generation of professionals, and strengthen the industry’s future. That impact is possible because AFE was built with the future in mind. An endowment, by definition, requires foresight. It asks us to look beyond today’s challenges and consider what the industry will need tomorrow, five, ten, even twenty years from now.…

The August “Gus” and Mary Belle De Hertogh Scholarship: A Lasting Commitment to Floriculture Education 

Supporting students who are committed to building careers in floriculture has long been one of the core focuses of the American Floral Endowment. Continuing that commitment, the August “Gus” and Mary Belle De Hertogh Scholarship Fund is being established by Mary Belle De Hertogh in honor of her late husband, Gus, celebrating their shared belief in the power of education and their enduring commitment to supporting the next generation of floriculture professionals.  The new scholarship will provide financial support to undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated an interest in floriculture and who intend to pursue a career in the field after graduation. This scholarship will be awarded annually, with an application deadline of May 1, and preference given to students who have…

Honoring Frank Biddle Through the CalFlowers Scholarship

We are proud to share that one of our long-standing scholarships has been renamed to honor Frank Biddle, an extraordinary leader, mentor, and friend to many in our industry. Since 2017, the CalFlowers Scholarship has supported students with a passion for the floral industry. Today, it carries a new name, the CalFlowers Frank Biddle Memorial Scholarship, ensuring Frank’s legacy of mentorship and innovation continues to inspire the next generation. Investing in Future Leaders This scholarship provides critical support to undergraduate students pursuing higher education and a career in floriculture. While priority is given to students attending accredited colleges and universities in California, California residents enrolled elsewhere in the U.S. are also considered. Applicants don’t have to major in agriculture, but…

CalFlowers Scholarship Through AFE Honors Industry Champion Frank Biddle

CalFlowers' long-standing scholarship through the American Floral Endowment (AFE) is being renamed to celebrate the life and legacy of one of its most influential members. The scholarship, which was originally established in 2017, will now be known as the CalFlowers Frank Biddle Memorial Scholarship. About the Scholarship The CalFlowers Frank Biddle Memorial Scholarship supports undergraduate students pursuing higher education while demonstrating a clear passion for the floral industry. Scholarship eligibility gives first priority to students attending an accredited California college or university, with consideration also given to undergraduate California residents attending accredited institutions elsewhere in the U.S. While students are not required to major in an agricultural program, applicants must show a commitment to seeking employment in the floriculture industry after graduation. A work history or…

22 Students Receive AFE Scholarships

At the heart of the floral industry’s future are students whose passion and drive are being nurtured by the American Floral Endowment (AFE). As part of that support, AFE provides crucial funding through scholarships to help students manage the cost of their education. This year, thanks to the generosity of AFE’s donors and industry supporters, the organization is  proud to award a record $74,000 in scholarships, up from $67,600 in 2024. With 26 awards given to 22 students, the scholarships ease the financial burden of education, but more importantly, reaffirms the upcoming industry talent by believing in their potential. Congratulations to AFE’s Scholarship Class of 2025! The organization is eager to see the impact these future industry leaders will have…

Thank You, 2025 Scholarship Reviewers!

At AFE, we're deeply committed to supporting the next generation and sharing with them the many exciting careers and possibilities within the floral industry. However, recognizing that the cost of education can be a major hurdle for students, our scholarship program is designed to ease that burden and empower as many students as possible each year. We are excited to share that in 2025-2026, we will be awarding scholarships to 22 students for a total of $74,000. “With over 130 scholarship applications this year, a 23% increase compared to last year, it’s exciting to see the numbers of students studying and preparing to join the workforce," says AFE Program Manager Candice Musgrove. Notifications are going out to all applicants, and…

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…

Looking Ahead: Resources, Opportunities, and Innovations from AFE

Happy 2025, floral industry! We hope your year is off to a great start. AFE’s team is excited to kick off another incredible year filled with free educational programming, expanded funding opportunities, and new resources tailored for every segment of the floral industry. Here’s a glimpse of what you can be looking ahead to in 2025: Tailored Resources for Every Segment of the Industry We recognize that the range of jobs in the floral industry is diverse, with unique challenges and opportunities across different segments. That’s why we’ve developed landing pages specifically tailored to your needs - on our homepage, you can access a customized library of programs, research results, and latest news for your profession! Check it out here.…

Gus Poesch Research Fund Supports the Next Generation of Researchers

The floral industry is constantly evolving, and supporting the next generation of researchers and leaders is essential to its continued growth. AFE programs strive to empower young industry members with opportunities to attend educational conferences where they can learn, network, and share their work with the wider floral community. Juan Quijia Pillajo, a member of our Young Professionals Council (YPC) and a Graduate Research Associate at The Ohio State University, recently received a grant from our Gus Poesch Research Fund that allowed him to travel to the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Annual Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. AFE also proudly sponsored two key competitions at the event through educational grant funding, the Graduate Student Floriculture Oral Competition and the…

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