Sun Valley Floral Farms was forced to lay off half of its workforce Monday, after the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notified them that 283 employees are not eligible to work in the United States due to incorrect employment numbers.

It's wedding season and a flurry of negative publicity directed at the floral industry has come to SAF's attention.

After below-average rainfall, low snowmelt runoff and court-ordered water transfer restrictions over the past two years, the governor of California has declared a statewide drought and is calling for water mandates, actions that might cause problems for flower growers in the southern part of the state, say officials.

California flower growers found common ground with Colombian growers during a recent trip led by the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC).

The executive reportedly responsible for partnering Martha Stewart with 1-800-Flowers.com has been fired.

The positive impact of adding flowers to your home and how to make those blooms last longer were the focus of two recent reports on ABC and CBS affiliates as well as an international business journal.

Take advantage of special pricing on ready-to-go postcards and statement stuffers that make it easy for you to remind customers during the dog days of summer about the many reasons to send flowers.  While supplies last, SAF's Summer Sale features deep discounts on a selection of its professional, ready-to-use marketing materials.

 Cringing every time you see a gas station? You're not alone.

California's recent move to legalize same-sex marriages could mean big bucks for the state's florists and other wedding professionals.

As Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama prepare to go head-to-head in the fall presidential election, one high-profile business owner may be facing challenges posed by mixing business and politics.

The cost of gas is forcing jobseekers to look for alternatives to costly commutes, including workplaces within walking distances and carpooling or telecommuting options, according to several news stories out this week.

Entries are already coming in for the Outstanding Varieties Competition during SAF Palm Beach 2008, Sept. 17-20 in Palm Beach, Fla.

• "Keys to Communication" by SAF's PFCI featuring Sharon McGukin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI: July 7, 2-3 p.m. in Chicago, in conjunction with the AIFD National Symposium.
• SAF Palm Beach 2008: Sept. 17-20, 2008, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

It should come as no surprise that one out of every three people who read E-Brief last week clicked on our news item on FTD's new initiatives to rank and assess fees to florists.

Lowest prices ever for SAF's highly effective marketing materials. Members who use them get results and now you can, too, while saving 30 to 50 percent on four select designs! Packets of our Instant Delight, Mother Nature's Social Security, How Are You Feeling Today? and Just Because. Statement stuffers are only $1.95 and postcards are just $3.95, no matter what quantity you order. Supplies are limited, so please call or visit the Web site today; (800) 336-4743.

Packaging, tips and proper designations are what members are talking about on the discussion boards.

Almost 67 percent of respondents to last week's e-poll do not target marketing to divorcees nor would they.

How Florists Determine Delivery Charges

Source: SAF online Fuel Gasoline Survey of retail florists. Preliminary results based on 603 responses (response rate = 17 percent).

Only about one-quarter (24 percent) of retail florists determine their delivery charges based on a flat rate, according to preliminary results of SAF's online Gasoline Survey of retail florists. Almost half (47 percent) base that fee on zip code or area. Another 27 percent calculate the fee based on distance. While those three alternatives covered 97 percent of the responses, 3 percent used some other method to determine delivery charges. These were mostly combinations of factors, such as a flat fee within some area and a second method for outlying areas, combinations of time and/or distance, or zones.