The American Floral Endowment has awarded 21 students with scholarships totaling $54,500. In this 2021 scholarship cycle, 57 applications were received and reviewed. AFE is aware the floral industry faces significant challenges to our labor force. Now more than ever, these programs are imperative in helping support new professionals enter the industry and launch a successful career. “With the pool of high-quality candidates that AFE receives every year, it is inspiring to see the passion these scholars demonstrate in their work, study, and research,” said Greg Royer, AFE Treasurer/Secretary

Professional credentials not only give you and your business clout in the industry, but they also distinguish you from competitors. Ready to take your career to the next level? The Society of American Florists is accepting applications for certification in the Professional Floral Communicators-International and the American Academy of Floriculture. SAF is also accepting nominations for the industry’s highest honors. All applications and nominations are due by March 1, 2022: Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education is presented annually to an

Hionis Greenhouses in Whitehouse Station, NJ, provided another learning experience for the third Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class. The group toured the operation’s greenhouse facilities on Oct. 5 and benefited from another seminar on leadership by John Eric Jacobsen, a trainer with the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education. Tim Hionis, co-owner of Hionis, summarized the operation’s three-decade history, started by Hionis’ father and mother (Spiro and Angie) and now run by him and his three brothers (Pete, Spiro and Gerry). “My parents started with a one-acre greenhouse in

Floral and hardgoods shortages continue to impact the floral industry, prompting florists to further tap into their creative minds to work around the issue while continuing to create beautiful floral arrangements. Like floral arrangements, the cause of the floral supply shortage has multiple layers. Fresh flowers have been difficult to come by and well-loved products, like wet foam, have been difficult to find. Despite these supply shortages, the return of events has increased the demand for floral designs. To get around this supply and demand struggle, florists have gone back to basics using

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) announces a new memorial tribute in memory of Robert (Bob) Williams II. Smithers-Oasis CEO Robin Kilbride, along with Red & Katie Kennicott of Kennicott Brothers Co., established the fund. Robert (Bob) Williams II, AAF, PFCI, former Vice-President of North American Operations for Smithers-Oasis, passed away with his family by his side on September 27, 2021, at the age of 75. Bob was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in March 2020. Bob was an industry champion, active volunteer leader, and business expert. He graduated with a bachelor’s in Business

Heather Waits, proprietor of Bloomtastic Florist, Columbus, OH, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Floral Association (GLFA). Elected by her peers, Waits will serve as Director of Region 8, which covers the State of Ohio. Her term will expire in December of 2023 at which time she will be eligible to run for another term. Her family roots run deep in the nursery business, but she found her passion in cut flowers and entrepreneurship. Her goal is to create a floral industry that is an attractive, positive career choice for generations to come, and to educate florists