New Opportunity for Wholesale Floral Professionals: The Bill Doran Company Wholesale Education Travel Grant

We’re excited to share a new opportunity designed to support continued learning and professional growth within the wholesale floral community: the Bill Doran Company Wholesale Education Travel Grant. Developed in partnership with the Bill Doran Company and made possible through a generous contribution from the LaFever family, the fund reflects a shared commitment to investing in the people and businesses that keep the floral supply chain strong.  The grant helps offset travel expenses for wholesale floral professionals attending key industry events, conferences, and educational programs, making it easier to access meaningful learning and networking opportunities.  The fund was made possible through the commitment of Bill LaFever and Chris LaFever, who continue the legacy of leadership begun by their grandfather, the company’s founder, in…

From Planning to Petals: Board Visits Vancouver

At the end of August, the AFE Board of Trustees gathered in Vancouver for a productive two-day event bursting with planning, insights, and inspiration. Day One: Governance and Growth The first day was all about thoughtful planning. Our committees rolled up their sleeves, debating strategies, reviewing initiatives, and setting priorities for our programs. Then the full board convened, bringing energy, purpose, and a shared commitment to advancing our industry through AFE. Day Two: Inspiration from the Auction Floor to the Greenhouse On day two, the board swapped the boardroom for boots on the ground, touring three standout operations that exemplify British Columbia’s thriving floriculture industry. United Flower Growers Auction At the United Flower Growers (UFG) auction, a cooperative of more…

A New Era for Giving: Why Industry Support Matters More Than Ever

New Tax Rules & Industry Needs Make Giving More Important Than Ever As the floral industry continues to face rising research costs, persistent labor shortages, and increasing competition for young talent, one thing is clear: we can no longer rely on uncertain federal funding or outdated support systems to fuel growth and innovation. Now more than ever, the industry must take responsibility for investing in its future, and that begins with supporting nonprofit charitable organizations like the American Floral Endowment (AFE). For over 60 years, AFE has been the floral industry’s trusted source for funding groundbreaking research, offering scholarships and internships to develop the next generation, and supporting industry-wide education. These programs don’t just happen – they depend on contributions…

Spring Hiring Made Easy – 25% Off!

The AFE Career Center provides valuable online career tools, resources, and industry guides tailored to both individuals seeking opportunities in the floral industry and employers looking to expand their staff. The Center provides the most up-to-date job listings, real-time job alerts, networking opportunities, and free tools to help both candidates and employers during the job search. Since its launch in 2020 by AFE, engagement has more than doubled in both job views and active applications.  Calling All Employers! The AFE Career Center is a comprehensive platform to help streamline your spring hiring process. Connect with eligible employees, review resumes, and post job openings. As part of the Spring Hiring Campaign, take advantage of a special deal: Receive 25% off your job posting by using…

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.…

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…

AFE On the Road

The AFE team has been busy the past few weeks! From North Carolina, to California, our staff has been busy from coast to coast attending floral industry events, networking, and planning for the future! Staying connected with the industry allows us to see first-hand the impact of our programs and research, and allows us to hear directly from industry members about the challenges they’re facing so we can adapt our programs to help.  Read on to learn more about all of the AFE staff adventures so far in 2024! AFE Board Meeting and NC State Tour Twice a year, the AFE Board meets in person to engage in strategic discussions and review past, present, and upcoming initiatives, charting the course…

Unveiling AFE’s New Website: Tailored for You

We are excited to unveil our newly redesigned website, featuring seamless navigation, enhanced program accessibility, and a modern, vibrant aesthetic! The new website reflects our unwavering commitment to providing easy-to-use, accessible resources and programs supporting research, internships, scholarships, and education for the floral industry. As the Endowment’s initiatives have grown over time, adapting to the industry's ever-changing needs, the website housing all of the resources has been reshaped as well. Industry members can find resources and programs specific to their business segment, including tailored-specific news, research findings, opportunities, and more. With a focus on accessibility, the redesigned platform ensures that visitors can easily access valuable resources and navigate the website effortlessly."We are thrilled to introduce the new website, which embodies our dedication to serving all segments of…

Spring Hiring Campaign Kicks Off to Tackle Labor Challenges

The AFE Career Center provides valuable online career tools, resources, and industry guides tailored to both individuals seeking opportunities in the floral industry and employers looking to expand their staff. The Center provides the most up-to-date job listings, real-time job alerts, networking opportunities, and free tools to help both candidates and employers during the job search. Since its launch in 2020 by AFE, engagement has more than doubled in both job views and active applications.  Calling All Job-Seekers! Explore an array of resources including resume tips, reviews, and a centralized job openings hub at afecareercenter.com. Be entered to win 1 of 3 $50 Amazon gift cards by uploading your resume by April 23rd! Uploading your resume means employers can reach out to you directly with inquiries…

Thank You for a Milestone Year!

We are excited to share the following accomplishments from 2023: Funded over $765,000 to support – research, scholarships, internships, and education. This year we reached over $20 million in funding since founded in 1961.. T & B Research Library – the release of new information and resources addressing Thrips and Botrytis. Results of five years of specialized research which will save the industry tens of thousands of dollars annually... The establishment of our Sustainabloom program– a new initiative providing guides and best practices to help you in your sustainability efforts. The official site will launch in the next few months and will have resources for all segments and sizes of businesses.. Industry collaboration and partnerships with other floral organizations and media partners increasing awareness and…

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