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…

2024-25 Grants Empowering Floral Industry Education

We are excited to announce that 19 organizations will receive educational grants from AFE in 2024-25, totaling $63,500. The funding will support these organizations as they conduct educational conferences, offer online and in-person training and certification programs, and expand awareness for the floral industry.  Our commitment to these programs supports a wide range of activities that strengthen the floral industry, from promoting awareness to the next generation to fostering continued education and resources for current industry members. “For over 60 years, the Endowment has helped fund educational programs and opportunities that are vital to advancing our industry,” said AFE Education Committee Chair Adam Van Winkle of Stadium Flowers.  “Through the support of our dedicated donors, we are able to continue…

A Glimpse Into Our Vic & Margaret Ball Internship

This year, nine eager undergraduates  are participating in our Vic & Margaret Ball and Mosmiller Internship Programs. These students have been hard at work learning first-hand from industry professionals and applying their classroom knowledge at their internship sites across the nation!  A key part of our Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program, which places students at commercial production greenhouses or nurseries, is allowing faculty advisors to travel to visit students at their internship site – covered by AFE. This gives advisors a chance to see their students in action and students an opportunity to check in with their advisor, show them around their site, and talk about what they’ve learned so far.  Dr. Kimberly Williams is a Professor in Greenhouse…

Celebrating & Providing for the Rising Stars of Floriculture

We love the chance to uplift young professionals in our industry! AFE has been active at a few industry events lately networking, promoting opportunities, and sharing educational programs with the best and brightest of the next generation. We firmly believe that today’s young professionals are tomorrow’s leaders - and we want to support them in every way we can!  Cultivate’24 in Columbus, Ohio AFE’s annual Board meeting coincided with Cultivate’24 in Columbus, Ohio, this year. We took advantage of this great opportunity to host a networking dinner with AFE’s Board, comprised of industry leaders across all segments, and invite members of our Young Professionals Council (YPC), program recipients, and other floral community supporters of the Endowment. We shared updates on…

$67,000+ Awarded to 24 Students through Scholarships

Over the last six decades, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) has invested more than $20 million into the industry through internships, scholarships, education, and research to help support the next generation of floriculture leaders.  With a staunch commitment to education, AFE provides more academic scholarships in floriculture than any other organization, helping to alleviate the financial burden of higher learning and proactively strengthening the industry well into the future. This year, through the generosity of our donors, we provided $67,600 in scholarships – nearly $10,000 more than the year before. In 2024, 24 students from universities in the United States and Canada were awarded scholarships. This year, we received 106 applications reviewed and scored by 60 industry member volunteers.  Please…

Thank You 2024 Scholarship Reviewers

AFE has always had a strong commitment to uplifting the next generation and sharing with them the many exciting opportunities and paths the floral industry holds! We know that financial stress is a huge burden that students face - that’s why we strive to provide for as many students as we can each year through our scholarships. This year, we received 106 scholarship applications, a 23% increase compared to last year. The number of colleges/universities represented has also broadened compared to previous years, which shows our outreach has helped boost awareness about the Endowment’s programs to new levels! We are excited to share that in 2024-2025, we will be awarding scholarships to 24 students for a total of $67,600. We…

A Promising Future for Floral: AFE’s 2024 Internship Recipients

The next generation of the floral industry is getting ready to kickstart their hands-on internships at top production and retail operations around the country through AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program. This year, nine exceptional students passionate about floriculture have been awarded internships through the Endowment’s programs.  These programs place students in paid internships, and awardscholarships upon completion. The scholarships help provide students with additional financial security as they finish their academic studies and prepare to enter the floral industry after graduation.  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…

2024 Paul Thomas Floriculture Production Intern of the Year

Three students working towards careers in horticulture and plant science have been recognized for their exceptional participation during their work experiences provided by the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program administered through the American Floral Endowment (AFE). Megan Grace Ann Nelson of Junction City, Kansas, currently a senior studying horticulture and natural resources and environmental science at Kansas State University, has been named the 2024 Paul Thomas Floriculture Production Intern of the Year. Each year, students who have successfully completed the three- to six-month Vic & Margaret Ball internship are eligible for the award. As the winner, Megan is receiving travel funds and registration from the Vic & Margaret Ball Fund to attend Cultivate ’24, AmericanHort’s annual convention for the green industry. This…

AFE’s 2024 Fundraising Campaign: R.I.S.E. to Support!

R.I.S.E. up to support the floral industry! In an effort to continue to increase support for important research, education, and other floriculture programs to advance our industry, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) has launched its annual fundraising campaign running from May 15th through June 28th with a goal of $100,000 in industry support.  The Endowment's annual summer campaign theme touts the overall tagline of R.I.S.E., representing AFE’s core programs: Research, Internships, Scholarships, and Education for the floral industry. These resources are vital to the ongoing growth of floral; the Endowment is welcoming the industry to R.I.S.E. up with us to help fund ongoing success and support for all segments, ages, and levels. You can check out the campaign launch video featuring industry supporters and AFE's Chairman, Ken Young of Phoenix Flower Shops, by clicking here. Make a…

Cultivating Excellence: Announcing the 2024 Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family Scholars

Six individuals dedicated to the horticulture industry have excelled in their fields, earning them scholar status in two prestigious educational funding programs through the American Floral Endowment (AFE). The Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family scholarships help fund the education of full-time graduate students pursuing a career in horticulture or floriculture. Those who receive the scholarships are rewarded for their accomplishments as they continue working toward growth in the industry. The 2024 recipients are Savannah Mead, West Virginia University, Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship, first year; Jack Bobo, North Carolina State University, Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship, second year; Greta Gallina, University of Georgia, Altman Family Scholarship; Jessica Brown, Michigan State University, Altman Family Scholarship; Haramrit Gill, Texas A&M University, Altman Family…

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