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…

Growing Knowledge: YPC Members Share Their UF Greenhouse Training Experience

What happens when young professionals in floriculture get the chance to deepen their technical knowledge and immediately apply it in their work? For three members of our Young Professionals Council (YPC), that opportunity came through the University of Florida’s Greenhouse Training Online courses. Through AFE’s educational grant program, we sponsor these 4-week, award-winning certificate courses from UF/IFAS Extension. As a special opportunity provided to the YPC, Maleah Wellmann of Bell Nursery, Mike Wijesinghe of Bell Nursery, and Danielle DelConte of Ball FloraPlant each completed a course designed to strengthen greenhouse production knowledge. From plant disease diagnostics to irrigation management and climate control, the lessons they learned are already helping them think differently about challenges in the greenhouse and bring new…

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.…

Creating Connection and Community: My Internship Experience with AFE

By Nora Silverstein Hello, floral industry! My name is Nora Silverstein, and I have had the privilege of being AFE’s Communications Intern for the past 7 months. My work has primarily been behind the scenes, but as my internship concludes, I wanted to reflect on everything I have learned throughout this incredible experience.  A little bit about me: I am a third-year student working towards a BA in communications with a minor in sociology, and certificates in corporate & community relations, digital media, and public & professional writing (a mouthful, I know!) at the University of Pittsburgh. Public Relations, Advertising, Media, and Communications are my passions: I have always looked for opportunities to apply the skills I have learned in…

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…

Discount Available: 2026 Greenhouse Training Online Courses

New for 2026! Plant Growth Regulators, and Cuttings & Stock Plants, and a New Elite Grower training program New courses include Plant Growth Regulators by Dr. Garrett Owen (The Ohio State University), and Cuttings and Stock Plant Management by Dr. Jim Faust (Clemson University) and Dr. John Dole (North Carolina State University). “Greenhouse and Nursery 101” has new material on container nursery production with Dr. Jeb Fields from UF/IFAS. This popular course is now offered twice a year (in May-Jun 2026 and Jan-Feb 2027). A new Elite Grower Program bundles five courses from Greenhouse and Nursery 101, Climate Management, Costing & Profitability, Cuttings & Stock Plant Management, Plant Growth Regulators, Success with your Latino Workforce, and Greenhouse and Horticultural Lighting.…

New Scholarship Supports Global Floriculture Research

Some of the most meaningful opportunities in research come from stepping outside what’s familiar — new environments, new collaborators, new ways of thinking. A new Named Fund through AFE is designed to make those experiences possible for Ph.D. students in floriculture. Established in January 2026, the Royal Heins International Floriculture Research Scholarship Fund supports semester-long international research experiences that help Ph.D. students grow both scientifically and professionally. “I chose to work with AFE because it has a long-standing, trusted track record of supporting scholarships and research that advance the floriculture industry,” stated Dr. Heins.  Designed for Impact and Experience Created through a generous commitment from Dr. Royal Heins, Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University and longtime industry researcher, the scholarship…

New Education Fund Opens Doors for Oklahoma Florists and Students

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Oklahoma Florists’ Education Fund, a new Named Fund created in partnership with the Oklahoma State Florists’ Association (OSFA) to support the continued education and professional development of Oklahoma florists. This fund reflects our shared belief that education is essential to strengthening the floral industry, from foundational training to advanced skill development. Created in 2025, the Oklahoma Florists’ Education Fund was established with funding previously stewarded by the Oklahoma State Florists’ Association. The OSFA board chose to entrust these funds to AFE to ensure they would continue to support education and development for Oklahoma florists well into the future. “Oklahoma florists have always valued education, and it was important to us that…

Inspiring the Next Generation of Floral Designers at Texas A&M’s Benz School of Floral Design

AFE Vic & Margaret Ball Committee with Benz School Professor, Wendy Osburn, and Texas A&M Faculty Earlier this Fall, AFE Program Manager Candice Musgrove and members of the Vic & Margaret Ball Committee had the opportunity to visit Texas A&M University’s Benz School of Floral Design, one of the many programs supported through AFE’s James & Helen Phillip Floral Design Grant The visit offered a firsthand look at how AFE’s educational funding is helping students grow their skills, pursue their passions, and build meaningful futures in the floral industry. Founded by M. Buddy Benz, the Benz School is built on a legacy of excellence in floral design education. Its curriculum emphasizes both artistry and business acumen, teaching students the elements…

Behind the Blooms: One Mosmiller Intern’s Summer in Colorado

Each year, our interns have the chance to dive headfirst into the professional floral industry, gaining hands-on experience and learning from skilled industry mentors. One of our recent Mosmiller interns, Mackenzie Hartley, a student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, spent her internship at Unbound Floral Design in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. While there, she not only sharpened her technical skills, but also got to see the ins and outs of running a full-service wedding floral business. From processing fresh flowers to designing large-scale installations, Mackenzie had the chance to build her knowledge and confidence to help prepare her for a strong, successful future in floral. Read on to hear directly from Mackenzie about her unforgettable summer experience!  Student…

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