Established in 2015, the Young Professionals Council (YPC) offers leadership and networking opportunities for young industry professionals while getting involved in volunteer opportunities within the floral/horticultural industries. YPC members participate in online and in-person meetings, webinars, and other networking opportunities to share ideas, collaborate with influential industry members, and help promote careers in the floral industry.
Young Professionals Council
Bringing young professionals and students together to share resources, network, and build a stronger floriculture industry.
The YPC promotes personal growth through interaction with other young professionals with similar interests and career goals and encourages attendance at special YPC events online and in-person during industry conferences. It’s a great (free!) way to build your own network. Members of YPC get special consideration each year for attending workshops or events, along with networking dinners during larger industry conferences.
Young Professionals Council Brochure
Download Here
Our Objectives
- Learn about nonprofit board service by engaging in training, shadowing, and mentoring opportunities with AFE Board and staff.
- Raise awareness about AFE and the floriculture industry through marketing, social media, and events.
- Volunteer with AFE in a variety of areas: fundraising, events, scholarship review, etc.
- Reach other young professionals interested in becoming active in the industry.
Young professionals council requirements
- Be 18-35 years old and live in the United States
- Commit to using your skills and strengths to advance AFE and build a strong group of supporters and donor prospects
- Be an ambassador for AFE and expand our network of friends and supporters
- Participate in one or more volunteer activities (i.e., scholarship review, fundraising dinner efforts, career fairs, articles/social media contributions, promoting YPC membership, etc.)
- Participate in at least 2 conference calls/meetings each year
- Help develop and employ new strategies and approaches for fundraising, marketing, outreach and planning to encourage students to consider careers in the industry
Webinar Recordings and Professional Development
Additional Resources
AFE Career Center
The AFE Career Center is an industry-wide employment platform that connects floral businesses with eager job seekers. Since its launch in 2020, it has provided an intuitive space where employers can find an ideal candidate pool – offering convenient functionality to attract, screen, and manage applicants. It also provides job seekers with resource and advice to help them during their job search.
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.