CalFlowers Strengthens Scholarship Fund with Donation

CalFlowers, the leading floral trade association in California serving growers and the entire supply chain in 48 states, announces the donation of $50,000 to the American Floral Endowment (AFE) in Alexandria, VA. The monetary gift is directed to fund the CalFlowers Scholarship administered by AFE.“Supporting the efforts of the American Floral Endowment by continuing to fund the CalFlowers Scholarship is a worthy investment and a genuine measure of our commitment to nurture and sustain the floral industry,” says Steve Dionne, executive director of the Fallbrook, CA-based association. “With longevity in mind, this substantial gift is a recognized way to fuel one of our many endeavors — to assure Floral has a sound future with top talent coming into the industry.”…

Industry Honors Dr. Paul Thomas through AFE

Paul especially loved mentoring students and helping them embark on horticultural careers. For more than 20 years, he was a professor at the University of Georgia, where he taught greenhouse management, horticultural business practices and interiorscaping classes. A key component of his program was facilitating experiential learning through industry internships. Thomas served as the State Extension Specialist in floriculture. In this position, he planned and implemented regional and state programs involving greenhouses and the florist industry. He had recently retired from UGA and, just this month, started work as the American Floral Endowment’s ambassador for internships and scholarships. He was traveling between universities when he passed away. Prior to his new position, he reviewed research grants and scholarship applications for…

AFE Awards $38,500 in Scholarships

Read the Full Article Here

$1 Million Awarded in Scholarships through the Vic and Margaret Ball Intern Program

Building the Bridge – The Vic and Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program celebrates a milestone. Here’s one thing that’s absolutely essential to keep an industry, and everyone in it, thriving: fresh talent. Especially in demanding fields like horticulture and floriculture, everything depends on the continual renewal of the professional workforce with smart, well-prepared young people who can take up the banner and infuse the tradition with their energy and insight. But where do those young people come from? They need the right academic background, of course. But they also need to have a realistic sense of where they’re heading. They need a modicum of experience to have truly discovered their passion and be committed to a challenging but rewarding career……

Paul Ecke Jr. and Altman Family Scholars Story – The Best and Brightest

Meet this year’s Paul Ecke Jr. and Altman Family scholars: plant-powered people, creating people-powered plants. Talk to the five graduate students selected to receive this year’s AFE Paul Ecke Jr. and Altman Family scholarships, and some common themes quickly emerge. They are self-described plant nerds with a passion for horticulture—and enthusiastic advocates for their chosen field.Young as they are, they are already leaders, with an impressive record of volunteer activity. Each of them is also a well-rounded individual who pays attention to soft skills like communication and time management.More than most students, they have the benefit of real-life experience (because they took initiative to seek it out) that informs their understanding and their sense of purpose.As dedicated graduate students, they…

AFE Announces Ferriss Horticulture Scholarship

The American Floral Endowment announces a new scholarship fund to honor and recognize Dr. Terry Ferriss.Dr. Ferriss retired in 2015 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF), after 36 years of teaching. She was the first tenured female faculty member in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UWRF; the first woman to serve as the Plant and Earth Sciences Department chair, and the first woman to serve as an associate dean for the college.Terry served as a faculty advisor and supporter of the AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship committee for 14 years. Following Terry’s retirement, UWRF alumni joined forces with AFE to establish a new scholarship to forever honor Ferriss and her devotion to horticulture and…

AFE Announces Garcia Family Scholarship Fund

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is pleased to announce a new scholarship fund created thanks to generous contributions from The Garcia Family.  The Garcia Family Scholarship comes just in time for the 2020 scholarship application season. The Garcia Family Scholarship Fund is intended for students attending a two-year college, or Junior or Seniors attending a four-year institution with a career focus on the marketing or distribution of floral products, including retail, wholesale, manufacturing and/or floral business ownership/operations. “It is our family’s desire, by giving back to our industry, to attract and educate for the future,” says Pete Garcia, Chairman and CEO of The Pete Garcia Company and Garcia Group, Inc. The new scholarship joins more than 25 other scholarships AFE…

Student Scholarship Fundraising Campaign to Honor Dr. Terry Ferriss

Fundraising EffortA fundraising effort is underway to raise $50,000 to establish a new scholarship fund to honor Dr. Terry Ferriss. Dr. Ferriss retired in 2015 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF), after 36 years of teaching. She was the first tenured female faculty member in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UWRF. She was also the first woman to serve as the Plant and Earth Sciences Department chair, and the first woman to serve as an associate dean for the college.Terry Ferriss, Professor of Horticulture, in the Greenhouse.Kathy M Helgeson/UWRF CommunicationsTerry and her husband Ron, currently reside in Southeastern Minnesota. During their retirement, they have been enjoying more opportunities in their free time. They spend time gardening,…

AFE Awards More than $42,000 in 2019 Scholarships

Contact: Debi Chedester(703) 838-5211dechedester@afeendowment.org AFE Awarded $42,300 in Scholarships in 2019. ALEXANDRIA, VA – August 21, 2019 – The American Floral Endowment (AFE) has awarded 15 students with scholarships totaling $42,300. Seventy-four applications were received for this 2019 scholarship cycle. “We had many outstanding students apply for scholarships this year, which is why some scholarships were awarded to two recipients,” said Greg Royer, AFE Education Committee Chair. “I’m excited to see the high quality of students each year and the AFE Board is pleased that AFE is able to award financial assistance to these well-deserved students to help them continue their education and become passionate industry leaders.” AFE awards scholarships annually and applications are due by May 1 of each…

AFE announces the winner of the 2019 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship!

Established in 2002, the Paul Ecke, Jr. fund offers $5,000 a year for two years to one graduate student who demonstrates the skills and passion to become a leading floricultural scientist and educator. The scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr., who made significant contributions to the floriculture industry and believed strongly in research and education.This year’s winner of the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship is Mary Lewis.A member of AFE’s Young Professionals Council, Mary is currently working toward a master’s degree in horticulture at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. She graduated from the same institution two years ago with an already impressive C.V. Among other activities, she interned at Walt Disney World Resort’s Epcot theme park (supported by an AFE Vic…

Get Involved with AFE

Make an Impact

Ways to Give

Volunteer With Us

Opportunities