Connecting Classrooms to Greenhouses Through Internships

Dr. Kim Williams, Alana Wood, and Candice Musgrove One of the most distinctive aspects of our Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program is the opportunity for faculty advisors to visit their students on-site during their internships. With travel expenses covered by AFE, these visits let advisors see their students in action, while students gain the opportunity to walk their professors through their daily responsibilities and learning experiences. This summer, our Program Manager Candice Musgrove had the chance to join Dr. Kimberly Williams, Professor of Greenhouse Management at Kansas State University, for a visit to Pure Beauty Farms in Miami, Florida, where Alana Wood was completing her internship. Alana is one of nine undergraduates participating in our Vic & Margaret Ball…

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…

Young Professionals Council Celebrates 10 Years

This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the Young Professionals Council (YPC), founded in 2015 to connect, inspire, and empower the next generation of leaders in the floral industry. For a decade, the YPC has provided opportunities where emerging professionals can build skills, expand networks, volunteer, and find encouragement from peers who share their passion for the industry. To honor this milestone, a special 10-year anniversary highlight video features YPC members sharing why they love being part of the council. Their reflections capture the true spirit of the YPC: a welcoming community, a place to learn from one another, a resource hub for professional development, and a network that turns professional connections into lasting friendships. From gaining confidence through leadership…

A New Wave of Floriculture Talent: Meet the 2025 AFE Interns

This spring, nine exceptional students have been awarded internships through AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program. These talented students are stepping up to gain invaluable hands-on experience in top industry operations across the nation. 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 on the length of their internship. The Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program places students at leading floral retail, wholesale, or supplier businesses for a period of 10-16 weeks, with a $2,000 scholarship upon their completion of the program.  Both programs offer valuable opportunities for both the floral industry 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…

Rising Star: Joshua Dick, University of Rhode Island, Named 2025 Paul Thomas Intern of the Year

Each year, one rising star in the horticulture and plant sciences fields is recognized as the Paul Thomas Floriculture Production Intern of the Year for his or her exceptional performance during internships provided by the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program administered through the American Floral Endowment (AFE). The 2025 Paul Thomas Floriculture Production Intern of the Year is Joshua Dick of Coventry, Rhode Island. As the winner, Josh will receive travel funds as needed and paid registration from the Vic & Margaret Ball Fund to attend Cultivate ’25, AmericanHort’s annual convention for the green industry. This year’s event will be held in July in Columbus, Ohio, and provides opportunities for networking, tours, workshops and learning more about industry trends. Joshua will also receive free registration…

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.…

TAMU Professor Recounts AFE’s Impact on Her Career

While pursuing her Master of Science in Horticulture at Texas A&M University (TAMU), Dr. Xuan (Jade) Wu, AIFD, CFD, EMC, CEJ, had the opportunity to serve as a lab instructor for a floral design course. This experience sparked her passion for the field and introduced her to the American Floral Endowment (AFE). It was a moment in her educational path that fused her future ambitions with an organization that was well-equipped to help her achieve them.  “AFE significantly impacted my whole professional development journey,” she said. After completing her undergraduate studies at Beijing Forestry University in China, Wu traveled to the United States to work toward her master’s degree with a concentration in rose breeding and genetics. She set her…

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…

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