The Maine Department of Agriculture has recently announced plans for the Agriculture Infrastructure Investment Program, a program created to help Maine farmers and food processors upgrade aging infrastructure.

According to Jim Britt, director of communication at the department of agriculture, the program is backed by $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Dole is tapping into one of the largest recent culinary trends to give time-starved consumers their choice of healthy plant-based or lean protein single-pan fresh vegetable meals at home.

Dennis van der Lubbe will be leaving the Flower Council of Holland (FCH) on Dec. 31 , where he has been the Managing Director since March 2018. Starting next year, Dennis will be taking up a new role as European Marketing Director for a start-up in the field of corporate wellness.

The RAYN Growing Systems team grows with the addition of Hannah Ball as a technical salesperson. In this new position, Ball will develop new business opportunities in the research-based and commercial production horticultural lighting markets.

This fall, the Endowment created two informal surveys for professionals in the industry and academia about their experiences and advice to help young professionals interested in pursuing a career in floriculture/horticulture. The surveys include insights on the job market, career development, application advice, background on how professionals attained their current roles, and more. The surveys were released to AFE’s community of faculty, donors, and industry members.

A few weeks ago, I reached out to a local florist in small-town Texas to order a bouquet. The occasion was solemn; a co-worker’s father passed away after a brief illness and the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA) office wished to send our condolences through flowers.