Judy Laushman to retire as executive director of ASCFG

The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Inc. (ASCFG) announces that Executive Director Judy Laushman will retire at the end of 2023.

Along with Dr. Allan Armitage, Judy co-founded the ASCFG in 1988. It grew out of Armitage's research on field-grown cut flowers at the University of Georgia. Since then, it has grown to nearly 3000 members across North America and 19 other countries.

In 35 years, the organization has hosted countless national and regional educational events, both in person and online; sponsored academic and farm-based research; produced the only periodical dedicated to the cut flower industry, The Cut Flower Quarterly; and coordinated the ASCFG Cut Flower Trials under Dr. John Dole's leadership. The ASCFG supports grower grants, scholarships, and several other programs designed to educate and unite specialty cut flower growers.

ASCFG Board President Val Schirmer of Three Toads Farm, Winchester, Kentucky, reports that the Board of Directors is nearing the end of its search for the next Executive Director, with an announcement anticipated prior to the Association's national conference, which will be held November 6-8 in St. Louis.