Photo courtesy of American Floral Endowment
The Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund Committee has announced the appointment of three new members.
Under a new partnership announced in 2024, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation joined with the American Floral Endowment as a named fund to continue the mission and legacy of the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation. Since its inception in 1960, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation has contributed more than $7.5 million to support floriculture research initiatives.
The new Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund committee, comprised of the former Gloeckner Foundation Board members, continues this legacy through the American Floral Endowment, awarding grants for research and educational projects in floriculture and related fields at universities, colleges and research institutions in the United States.
The committee is composed of floriculture experts from industry and academia, bringing diverse perspectives and enhancing the impact of the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund.
The committee has welcomed the following new members:
Josh Henry, Ball Seed
Josh Henry is a technical services specialist with Ball Seed, supporting greenhouse growers across North America with both in-person and remote production assistance. His background is in greenhouse production, with an emphasis on plant nutrition, abiotic disorders and general plant health diagnostics. Henry holds a B.S. in horticulture from The Ohio State University and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in horticultural science from North Carolina State University.
Bill Miller, Cornell University
Bill Miller’s academic interests lie in floriculture, greenhouse cropping systems and the physiology of ornamental plants. For 25 years, his research and extension efforts in flower bulb forcing and use were substantially supported by the Dutch flower bulb export industry as well as U.S. companies and foundations. Findings from his research group have been adopted by many in the floriculture industry worldwide. He teaches the first-year plant science course to Cornell freshmen, a course in herbaceous plant materials and greenhouse management and crop production to advanced students.
Mark Yelanich, Metrolina Greenhouses
Mark Yelanich is the director of research at Metrolina Greenhouses, where he leads a team of 12 scientists and technicians. The team supports the company’s growers with technical expertise and manages a state-of-the-art testing laboratory. They also assist the marketing and sales departments through new plant variety and concept evaluations. Each year, the research team tests more than 5,000 new and existing plant varieties to ensure optimal performance for consumers. Their trials span 5 acres of public garden and 5 acres of confidential garden space. The team also ensures growers are equipped with guidance for cultivating each plant in environmentally responsible ways. The 1-acre trial house features seven environmentally controlled zones to support this mission.
To learn more about the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund and to see a full list of committee members, visit endowment.org/gloeckner.