National Floriculture Forum
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2027 National Floriculture Forum | Jan. 26-29, 2027
ipm essen in germany
Join us in Essen, Germany! The 2027 National Floriculture Forum is scheduled to take place from January 26 to 29, 2027.
On behalf of the National Floriculture Forum (NFF), American Floral Endowment (AFE), and the S-1087 Multi-State Hatch Project, you are invited to attend IPM Essen. IPM Essen is the largest international horticultural world trade fair and is held annually. The trip organizers are Krystal Snyder (Penn State University) and Melinda Knuth (NC State University).
There is an opportunity for a post-tour in Denmark for an additional two to three days, if enough people express interest. Further details are outlined in the attached flyer.
Program Highlights
- Destination: IPM Essen, Essen, Germany
- Krystal Snyder and Melinda Knuth will organize conference tour, room block, transportation, and evening meal reservations for the group.
- Travel together to experience the largest horticultural show in the world!
- Estimated cost for trip: $2,500 – $4,000/person
About NFF
The NFF continues an annual tradition dating back to the early 1990s. It is an educational meeting for industry leaders, university faculty, graduate students, and government scientists from academic institutions, governmental agencies, and the greenhouse industry.
The meeting brings together diverse floricultural communities with the objectives to:
- Address issues of importance to the floriculture industry
- Form collaborative relationships,
- Improve communication within the American floriculture industry to share and disseminate information
Past National Floriculture Forums
| Date | Location | Theme/Materials | Coordinator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 25-30, 2026 | Germany & Netherlands (Canceled) | IPM Essen 2026 | Krystal Snyder |
| Feb. 21-22, 2025 | Quincy, FL | Participant Driven Research, Teaching, and Extension, with a focus on facilitating attendee presentations. | Dr. Leynar Leyton, Dr. Mark Bridgen |
| Feb. 22-24, 2024 | Biloxi, MS | Participant Driven Research, Teaching, and Extension – View the 2024 Conference Proceedings – View the 2024 NFF Recap Article – View the Schedule of Events | Dr. Jim DelPrince, Dr. Christine Coker |
| June 2-4, 2023 | Fort Collins, CO (Canceled) | N/A | Dr. Chad Miller, Dr. Josh Craver |
| 2022 | No event held due to Covid-19 | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 | No event held due to Covid-19 | N/A | N/A |
| Feb. 28- March 1, 2020 | Charlotte, NC | How we can assure that our teaching, research, and extension meets the needs of our clientele | Dr. Marc van Iersel |
| Feb. 16-17, 2019 | Chicago, IL | Adding Value: Back to our Roots | Dr. Marvin Miller |
| March 1-4, 2018 | Central Florida | Environmental Awareness and Urban Horticulture | Dr. Liz Felter |
| March 17-19 | Philadelphia, PA | How to get younger people involved in the industry | Krystal Snyder |
| March 6-7. 2015 | Minneapolis, MN | Marketing of plants in floriculture | Terry Ferriss |
| May 14-15, 2014 | Winnipeg, Canada | Sphagnum peat industry in action | Dr. Chris Currey, Brian Krug, Mike Evans |
| March 22-24, 2013 | Portsmouth, NH | Creative thinking, creative funding: research, extension, and teaching programs and consortiums | Stephanie Burnett, Brian Krug, Roberto Lopez, Neil Mattson |
| 2012 | No event held | N/A | N/A |
| March 10-11, 2011 | Dallas, TX | Partnerships, alliances, brands and initiatives | Charles Hall |
| 2010 | No event held | N/A | N/A |
| March 6-7, 2009 | Miami/Apopka, FL | Sustainability in the real world | Paul Fisher |
| Feb. 22-24, 2009 | Raleigh, NC | Reaching out | Brian Whipker |
| Jan. 21-27, 2007 | Holland & Germany | International floriculture | Mark Bridgen |
| Feb. 23-26, 2006 | Grand Rapids, MI | Survival strategies for floriculture programs | Erik Runkle |
| Feb. 25-27, 2005 | Chicago, IL | A return to key issues facing floriculture professionals | Paul Thomas |
| Feb. 20-22, 2004 | Miami, FL (Fairchild Tropical Garden) | Making the connection between industry and the public: What is the message we are sending? | Rick Schoellhorn |
| Feb. 21-23, 2003 | Columbus, OH (Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center) | Partnerships in floriculture: USDA, industry, university and botanic garden | David Tay |
| April 10-13, 2002 | California (San Diego/San Francisco) | California pack trials | Heiner Lieth |
| Feb. 24-25, 2001 | College Park, MD | Horticulture landmark award to agricultural research service | Terry Ferriss |
| Feb. 26-27, 2000 | Chicago, IL (Chicago Botanic Garden) | Future of floriculture in the USA | Mark Bridgen |
| Feb. 27-28, 1999 | Chicago, IL | Improving communication and cooperation in the floriculture community | Mark Bridgen |
AFE is pleased to host the National Floriculture Forum historical and meeting information on our website and is a proud supporter of NFF.
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Looking For Funding?
AFE is committed to supporting research that advances the industry and combats current challenges. This research benefits every segment of the industry. We welcome new research proposal applications by August 1st of each year.
Awarding scholarships for floriculture and horticulture students is a primary function of AFE. We understand the financial burden students face and are doing our part to help! Applications for our over 30 scholarships are due on May 1st of each year.
AFE strongly believes in funding educational programs to promote and strengthen the floriculture industry. The majority of the programs funded are wide-reaching and focus on attracting young people to the industry or are educational endeavors to identify and solve industry needs and/or challenges.