AFE Intern Kenneth McCabe, Iowa State University

There is no better way to gain hands-on job experience than through an internship. Each year, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) funds internships for floriculture and environmental horticulture students - and now is your opportunity to apply!

AFE is accepting applications for the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and the Mosmiller Intern Scholarship program. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2012. Click here for internship information.

Do you have a floriculture research project that needs funding? If so, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) would like to consider funding your research project. AFE is calling for "Pre-Proposals" in either production and post-production scientific research or public benefits research, from those interested in 2013-2014 funding. In 2011-2012, AFE funded $230,000 in research – don’t miss this opportunity to have your project funded by AFE!

Scientific Research Project Examples:

• Management protocols for floriculture crops
• Management systems for diseases of floriculture crops
• Management systems for insects affecting floricultural crops
• Post-harvest management systems for floriculture and plant breeding
• Genetic engineering of floricultural crops

Public Benefits Research Project Examples:

• Influence of floral products on an individual’s physical or emotional health
• Influence of floral products on social interaction
• Determinants of satisfaction with floral/plant purchases
• Motives and barriers for buying floral products

From left to right: Charlie Hall, Ph.D., Ellison Chair, Texas A&M; AFE Board member and owner of Ellison’s Greenhouses PJ Ellison; Jim and Ellen Ellison; Mark Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M; and AFE Chairman Tom Butler of Teleflora

After a yearlong drought, the AFE Board of Trustees brought some much-needed rain to Texas during its recent visit to College Station. Even with tornado warnings and delayed flights, weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the Trustees. The AFE Board convened at Texas A&M University from Jan. 25-27, at a meeting hosted by Charlie Hall, Ph.D., Ellison Chair in International Floriculture. Activities included tours of the campus buildings, faculty presentations and a reception at the Agrilife Center.

AFE Board member and owner of Ellison’s Greenhouses, PJ Ellison, AAF hosted a reception and dinner at Ellison’s Brenham location to kick off the meeting. The following day, AFE Board members visited the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, the Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology and the Benz School of Floral Design.