The overall value of floriculture crops was down 4 percent from 2005, according to the newly-released 2007 Floriculture Crops Survey, which covers the year 2006. The survey is compiled from interviews with floriculture growers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The floriculture industry is one step closer to attaining increased recognition, with the July 27 House passage of the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). The bill includes major new provisions benefiting specialty crops such as fruit, vegetables, floriculture and nursery, among others.

AgJOBS, the SAF-supported comprehensive immigration reform legislation that was included in S. 1639, has gained some much-needed support in the past week.

For many Alabama wholesalers, keeping snapdragons available for customers year-round means shipping the popular flower in from California, Florida or South America, but a greenhouse-like technology could encourage the state's growers to begin to cash-in on the crop.

SAF was part of the unveiling of the first issue of a new "pollinator stamp" by the U.S. Postal Service.

Boesen the Florist of Des Moines, Iowa, is quickly becoming a Midwest power player with purchases of stores in Omaha, Neb., earlier this year, and now, its latest acquisition: six Amlings Flowerland locations in the Chicago suburbs.

The Virginia Florist of Alexandria, Va., capitalized on its 50th anniversary with a party worthy of media coverage -- not necessarily for the party's overly-lavish nature but for a particular event -- one that left the store with a noticeably absent plaque.

"Have you tried doing it this way?" "Maybe this would look better." "I know this is what I would do in your situation." If any of these phrases sound familiar, you could be giving out advice to your employees or co-workers that may not be as well received as you hope.

A recent judge's ruling in favor of a man who sustained injuries outside a flower shop validates the importance of shop safety.

Trying to update your advertising strategy? Don't be too quick to trade traditional mediums entirely for high-tech outlets. According to a new study, blogs, forums and social networking sites may be the new media buzzwords, but a traditional medium -- magazines -- still holds sway, even with younger generations.

Female business owners are more likely to use the Internet for work than their male counterparts (90 percent compared to 84 percent), and women who run their own companies are slightly more optimistic about the short-term economy than men who run their own companies (66 percent compared to 59 percent).

Summer congressional recess, which begins Aug. 4, means Town Hall meetings for many members of Congress who head to their home districts. SAF urges members to attend these meetings -- and makes it easy by sending members an e-mail during the recess with details about any Town Hall meeting being held by your representative or senators.

The Early Birds are flocking to SAF Palm Springs 2007. If you're not one of them, time's a wastin'. You can register online or download the registration form and fax, or mail, it back to SAF today. Early Bird deadline is Aug. 24. Look who's registered already!

So, you need a shipping service that is fast, reliable and inexpensive. Sound impossible to find? Not so! SAF and FedEx have teamed up to offer SAF members major savings on shipments.

One florist is remodeling her storefront, and is wondering what kind of color and/or type of lighting is best for displaying flowers. Weigh in.

Fifty-four percent of florists responding to the previous week's e-poll say they actively encourage employees to socialize outside of work. About 46 percent say they do not.

The 2006 domestic wholesale value of floriculture crops fell 4 percent to $4 billion from the revised 2005 valuation, according to the USDA 2007 Floriculture Crops Survey.