2013 Ecke Scholarship Recipient: “Success Breeds Motivation”

2013 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship Recipient Garrett OwenGarrett Owen, currently pursuing his M.S. in Horticulture Science from North Carolina State University, was awarded the 2013 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship honoring the late floriculture pioneer. Ecke made indispensable contributions to the advancement of the global floriculture industry and recognized that creative scientists and educators are necessary for the industry’s future, which is why this scholarship is awarded to students who will become the next generation of exceptional researchers or educators.“This scholarship is definitely going to help financially, but it also continues to fuel my passion to further my education so I can make an impact from the classroom to the greenhouse,” Owen said. “I once heard ‘success breeds…

AFE Announces Three New Scholarships for Floriculture Students

AFE is announcing three new scholarships that will begin in 2013: The American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship, The Julio and Sarah Armellini Scholarship and the Richard T. Meister Scholarship!With more than 20 different scholarships now available through AFE, floriculture and horticulture students are sure to find a scholarship that fits their area of study. Scholarships range from $500-$5,000 and are awarded annually. Applications must be submitted online and are due, along with supporting materials, no later than May 1 each year.“AFE is extremely excited to have the opportunity to help more students become future floriculture leaders with these three new scholarships,” Dwight Larimer, the chair of AFE’s Education Committee, said. “These generous scholarships will be influential in helping aspiring industry members…

Markham-Colegrave International Markham-Colegrave Scholarship Recipient Wins European Horticultural Experience

Brooke Gasteyer, a senior studying horticulture at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, was awarded the 2013 Markham-Colegrave International Scholarship through AFE and the David Colegrave Foundation to study horticulture in Germany.From late February through July, Gasteyer will intern at Gärtnerei Umbach, a wholesale nursery in Heilbronn, Germany that sells potted plants, potted perennial shrubs, tree ferns and goji berries. During her time at the nursery, Gasteyer hopes to learn more about all aspects of the horticulture business and gain skills she can use in her future career.“I had wanted to go to Europe for a very long time, and in the back of my mind I wanted to do a horticulture experience in Europe, but I never thought it was…

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,…

Internships and Grants Awarded

Joshua CraverFor the March 1 deadline, AFE awarded the following internships and grants: six Ball internships in commercial production and one Mosmiller internship in retail/wholesale/allied trade.Joshua Craver, Mississippi State University – three month internship at Metrolina Greenhouses, in Huntersville, NCErik Edwards, University of Georgia – six month internship at Pacific Plug & Liner in Watsonville, CAJacob Kluza, University of Wisconsin-River Falls – six month internship at Skagit Gardens, Mt. Vernon, WAMartha Thomas, University of Maine – six month internship, location TBDCharlotte Vetter, South Dakota University – six month internship at Syngenta/Goldsmith Seeds, Gilroy, CASusanna Whelan, Texas A & M University – three month internship at Molbak’s, Woodinville, WACongratulations to Katherine Ashby, Eastern Oklahoma State College for being awarded an AFE…

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…

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…

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…

Get Involved with AFE

Make an Impact

Ways to Give

Volunteer With Us

Opportunities