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Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 13 "It's exciting to see young students interested in careers in the floral industry, at any level," Boulton says. Lacee Bilke, CFD, OACF, OCF, and co-owner of Madeline's Flower Shop & Greenhouse in Edmond, Okla., counts on AFE for resources and educational info. "I really appreciate that AFE offers scholarships to students in horticulture. I think if industry members realized [everything that AFE does], they would support the organization," she says. Christy Staven, owner of May Flowers, a wedding-flower studio in Chattanooga, Tenn., participated in an AFE internship program, working with a retail florist. "e internship let me see behind the scenes of a flower shop and get real hands-on experience," she says. "I also made important industry contacts, such as local wholesalers and wedding planners, which helped when I opened my shop a few years later." Flower business owners can also take advantage of the AFE Career Center (afecareercenter.com) to recruit top talent. Students visit the AFE Career Center to peruse job listings and post their résumés. It's a great place to find qualified job seekers who want to work in the floral industry. New local recruitment resources have recently been added that provide already written job advertisements, job descriptions, starting and internship guides, and even materials that can be used at local career fairs about the flower industry. ese new resources are downloadable and can be personalized with shop logos and contact information. It's just one more way AFE is providing labor solution resources. Make AFE Your Partner AFE's 60-year heritage includes many successes, from research breakthroughs to market research to the new AFE Career Center. But this industry organization isn't content to dwell on past victories. Instead, its focus is future oriented, looking to solve tomorrow's problems today. "My father, Gene Yoshihara, was a grower, worked in wholesale and had a retail flower shop," Wheat says. "He was always a big supporter of AFE and made sure that, even in tough times, he supported the Endowment. It was important for him to contribute, and it's important for me to continue to contribute. Does the organization have a real impact on my bottom line? If I have the latest data that speak to today's consumers and research that helps me keep our product at its best, that gives me a competitive edge. is translates to more sales, more loyal customers and, yes, an impact on our bottom line." Boulton agrees. "No matter the size of business, every dollar counts when you choose to support AFE. Whether you are a new or established business, the Endowment is a way to use your contributions wisely, so that, in the end, we have more consumers buying more plants and flowers that last longer. at should help everyone's bottom line." e floral industry relies on relationships—each person's success is collective. A grower's success helps a wholesaler and retailer succeed. AFE supports the entire industry. "Every time I contribute to the Endowment, I think, 'If I don't support our industry, who will?' is is my community," Wheat says. "ese are the people who care about my business and my success." As AFE celebrates its 60th anniversary, it marks a great time to become a partner. Consider contributing to the industry's future success with a tax- deductible donation, or reach out with an idea for a research project. To learn how you can be part of this visionary organization dedicated to the flower industry and to take advantage of all the valuable services and resources AFE provides, visit endowment.org. AFE's free cut flower care and handling poster serves as a training aid for all employees. Request a poster at endowment.org

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