In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


Floriculture Training Program Is A Good Deed Worthy Of Angelina Jolie

Copyright (c) 2006-2023

Angelina Jolie is well known not just for the hit movies she stars in, but also for the wonderful charity work she's done in countries around the world. Now USAID has begun a floriculture training program that's doing as much good as any backed by a major star like Jolie.

USAID (www.usaid.gov) has joined hands with Asocolflores, which is the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters, to provide money to pay for a training program designed to help Colombians start "budding" careers in the floral industry. Silvia Ardila, promotion and communications assistant for Asocolflores, says the program is meant to assist those Colombians who have been displaced by years of violence in Colombia, the number of which is in the range of three million people. Now, 500 of those who have been displaced are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take part in the joint-effort program. According to Ardila, 25 percent of the funding will be provided by USAID.

Before beginning the program, each potential participant (all of whom must be at least 18 years of age) must pass a test. The purpose of the test is to prove the individual is able to both read and write, and to show that he or she truly has an interest in a career in agriculture.

The training program spans one year. The first nine months of that year long commitment by each participant is spent in various classrooms in the Cundinamarca and Antioquia regions of Colombia. But, the time isn't only spent at desks listening to lectures; the participants also have plenty of opportunities to receive hands-on experience when they travel to local flower farms. The remaining three months of the program provides even more hands-on experience in the form of internships at one of Asocolflores's member farms.

All that experience really pays off since many of the students wind up with full-time jobs on the farms where they intern at the end of the program. Ardila says, "At the end, 40 percent of those who [pass] the course are definitively hired in the farms." As for those who aren't hired, Asocolflores assists them to "start a process for the development of their own business."

In a press release, Asocolflores representatives said, "Linking displaced people who need career options with the country's fast-growing flower industry filled a key gap in expertise that inhibited the industry's growth."

Fostering careers in floriculture may not be quite as glamorous as filming a Hollywood blockbuster, but it's certainly a program worth attention from famous do-gooders like Angelina Jolie. However, even without her assistance, USAID and Asocolflores are doing a world of good for both the people of Colombia and the floral industry.


About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. He is also the Headmaster of the Professional Florists' Institute, a floral design school located in Michigan. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at http://www.800wesleys.com.

VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

Tell our authors what you think about their article.



Top-Level Category: Society Articles || Related Categories: Career Articles and Arts and Entertainment Articles

10 Most Recent Articles Written by Wesley Berry, AAF

The History And Traditions Of Easter
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2009-03-03 | Word Count: 1142 | Page Views: 5744 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 2.25
Easter, the Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Christ, was the earliest feast day decided upon by the ancient Christian Church. Like its Jewish predecessor Passover, it is a movable feast, based on the lunar calendar rather than falling on the same Sunday every year. It is a joyous festival and a time of redemption.

Valentine's Day Is The Perfect Opportunity For Romancing Your Loved One With Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2009-01-01 | Word Count: 396 | Page Views: 4710 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 1.67
It's a sad fact that the American culture lacks in romance-a recent survey conducted by Brusking/Goldring Research for the Society of American Florists (SAF) revealed just how bad the situation is. According to the survey, only 19 percent of men rate themselves as at least a seven on a scale of one to 10. Even worse, women agree! Only 19 percent of them rank their husbands or significant others as at least a seven.

Valentine's Day Flower Sales
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2009-01-01 | Word Count: 438 | Page Views: 5571 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 2.17
77 percent of florists reported that their Valentine's Day sales in 2006 rose by an average of 16.2 percent. With numbers like that, it seems more and more people are beginning to understand the power that flowers have to make those we love see just how important they are to us.

Pamela Anderson Can Have A White Christmas With Holiday Party Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-12-01 | Word Count: 333 | Page Views: 5398 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 2.00
Having recently married, it's likely that Pamela Anderson will want to host a Christmas party with her new husband, Kid Rock. If that's the case, she needn't worry that her home in sunny California will be lacking a white Christmas. Even if there's no snow outside, she can bring a touch of white inside with gorgeous white Christmas arrangements.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...With Flowers!
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-11-25 | Word Count: 443 | Page Views: 5131 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 1.45
Which holiday is the biggest for flower sales? I'll bet you're thinking Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Well, those two are certainly big, but it's Christmas that draws more customers into flower shops than any other holiday. Perhaps that's because flowers bring a festive feel to any room they adorn while also making people feel happy and welcome.

Hilary Duff May Choose An Artificial Christmas Tree This Year
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-11-03 | Word Count: 385 | Page Views: 4733 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 2.50
According to two separate reports, more Americans are choosing plastic trees over fresh, live trees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service reported that sales of authentic trees hit their peak four years ago at $517 million, and an ABC News/Washington Post poll indicated that 58 percent of people in the United States purchase fake Christmas trees.

Gear Up For Thanksgiving With Fall-Themed Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-09-23 | Word Count: 412 | Page Views: 5335 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
The holidays are fast upon us and your florist is undoubtedly beginning to display beautiful fall flower arrangements and products just in time for Thanksgiving. And, since florists who responded to a recent Society of American Florists (SAF) survey chimed in to say that 27% of them had higher Thanksgiving sales in 2005 than they did in 2004, you're bound to see an even greater offering of autumn beauty than you did last year.

Halloween Fun At Your Local Flower Shop
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-09-09 | Word Count: 406 | Page Views: 5686 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.63
Halloween is just around the corner and you're thinking gruesome costumes, haunted houses, ghosts, black cats, witches, bats, and...flowers! What's that you say? You're NOT thinking about flowers for Halloween? Your florist is and you should be, too!

December Is The Month Of Christmas, The Poinsettia, And Britney Spears
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-06-30 | Word Count: 463 | Page Views: 5244 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.64
Born December 2, 1981, pop princess Britney Spears was born not just in the month of Christmas, but also in the month of the poinsettia, which is December's birth flower.

Fourth Of July Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-06-25 | Word Count: 429 | Page Views: 10375 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 1.86
Your Fourth of July celebration could begin and end with a real bang when you use flowers to accent and decorate the day. If you're thinking you need to stick with the traditional red, white, and blue carnation arrangements you normally see on Independence Day, think again! Flowers come in so many varieties and they're so easy to customize to the occasion that the possibilities are endless.

All of Author's Articles on this site:

Most Recent "Society" Articles

When Commitment Seems A Bit Too Much Trouble
Written by: Lance Metzger | Distributed: 2013-11-05 | Word Count: 986 | Page Views: 7374 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 1.67
The nuclear family (man and wife, plus 2.2 kids) is a fantasy that some people want to chase, and while there is nothing wrong with that, it is not the right relationship dynamic for some people.

The Online Dating Double Standard: How Fear Can Prevent Dating Success
Written by: Lance Metzger | Distributed: 2013-10-23 | Word Count: 958 | Page Views: 8083 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 1.94
Many people go online in search of their elusive soul mate, only to find all of the wrong people on the other end of the meeting. Many women think that they are alone in this outcome, but it happens to guys too.

Online Dating Is A Difficult Process That Offers Some Rewards
Written by: Lance Metzger | Distributed: 2013-10-17 | Word Count: 834 | Page Views: 7573 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 1.95
Online dating can be rewarding to those who have the patience and the knowledge of what to expect during the process. This article explains the common process experienced by most internet dating website users.

How Dating Has Changed In The 21st Century
Written by: Lance Metzger | Distributed: 2013-10-15 | Word Count: 974 | Page Views: 14588 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 1.70
With an article title like this, one might assume that I am ready to tell you some extraordinary news about a new dating environment. Sure, the Internet has introduced one more way for people to meet, but does that actually change the dating scene?

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man
Written by: Arthur Trafford | Distributed: 2011-12-12 | Word Count: 991 | Page Views: 456
In 1st John 5:5 we are told that “Jesus is the Son of God”. What motivated Jesus to refer to Himself as “Son of man”?

3 Tips For Building Relationships That Last
Written by: Clarence Lee | Distributed: 2011-07-21 | Word Count: 754 | Page Views: 5168 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.40
You know, to hear people talk about the difficulties of the dating process, you would think it is impossible for two people to come together in a mutually beneficial relationship... But the problems of any relationship can be narrowed down to three very important and relevant words...

The Drama of the Dating Game
Written by: Clarence Lee | Distributed: 2011-07-20 | Word Count: 620 | Page Views: 5407 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
Dating is tough. You spend time getting to know someone and deciding whether the two of you are compatible. Then you work your way up to the big question, "Will you go out with me?" Then you sweat the answer... Will he/she say yes?

3 Courses of Action For an Unhappy Relationship
Written by: Tony G. Mann | Distributed: 2010-04-20 | Word Count: 354 | Page Views: 4710 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
The reality is that if you are actively dating, you're going to probably end up in an unhappy relationship eventually. For some people, they may have to go through several bad relationships before finding the right one. If you are facing an unhappy relationship, then there are three courses of action you can take:

Relationship Questions: What Men Want and What Women Need
Written by: Bob Grant | Distributed: 2010-03-15 | Word Count: 737 | Page Views: 8680 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.79
What men want is to be trusted and what women want is to trust them. A fundamental, physical difference in the sexes lies at the heart of these core relationship questions. By simply doing what they say they will do, men have the power to create stronger, better relationships.

Cheap Tattoos Cheapen The Tattooing Experience
Written by: Bree Levine | Distributed: 2010-03-04 | Word Count: 603 | Page Views: 4524 | Votes: 4 | Rating: 0.25
Many of my girlfriends have "girl nights" around getting tattoos, as if it were as casual as getting a haircut or a manicure. The casual attitude toward tattoos bothers me for two reasons; there is the age old argument that tattoos are permanent and not a decision to make lightly. The other argument I have against tattoos is that getting a tattoo on a whim significantly cheapens the tattoos that others have for cultural reasons or to commemorate a major life event.

Most Viewed "Society" Articles

Creative Flower Card Messages Worthy Of Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-01-30 | Word Count: 512 | Page Views: 50540 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 1.47
As much as we might like to be, we're not all talented writers like the best-selling author of the Harry Potter books series, J.K. Rowling. Those of us who aren't skilled writers (and probably some who are!) sometimes struggle with finding the right words to say.

Las Vegas Weddings: Pros and Cons of Getting Married in Las Vegas
Written by: Sharmila Pundit | Distributed: 2006-09-01 | Word Count: 487 | Page Views: 30486 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.25
For some people a Vegas wedding is an original and romantic thing to do and for some it is a sleazy way to tie the knot. Is getting married in Las Vegas a good idea? Read all about it and decide for yourself.

How to Play Santa Claus for Children--A Short Guide
Written by: Victoria McCraw | Distributed: 2006-11-14 | Word Count: 419 | Page Views: 25217 | Votes: 138 | Rating: 2.36
Playing Santa Claus for children, whether as a semi professional shopping mall Santa, a charity Santa who works to cheer up less fortunate children, or even as the resident Santa at social and family gatherings, is a heartwarming and important job. Nothing can quite compare with the smile on a child's face when he or she discovers that Santa is in the room.

Petit Larceny: Not Always Petty
Written by: Warren Redlich | Distributed: 2008-10-02 | Word Count: 749 | Page Views: 23997 | Votes: 38 | Rating: 3.26
Petit Larceny, sometimes referred to as Petty Larceny, is defined in New York State as a theft of property valued at less than $1000. In contrast, Grand Larceny is a theft of property at least $1000 in value.

Single? Here's the Ultimate Date Idea
Written by: Jason OConnor | Distributed: 2006-05-19 | Word Count: 1194 | Page Views: 22955 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.88
If you're a regular guy, the kind who loves sports and hates the opera for instance, then here's an awesome date idea I bet you've never really considered before: taking a woman to a Broadway production, even if you don't live in New York City. You can find professional Broadway productions in most major North American cities.

How to Contact Your Ex When They Continue to Ignore You
Written by: James Kern | Distributed: 2009-07-28 | Word Count: 752 | Page Views: 17566 | Votes: 36 | Rating: 2.17
She just wont return your calls, or give you the time of day and listen. You're smitten. You want nothing more than to talk with this woman and tell her how you're feeling, but you keep getting bumped to voicemail. Your texts vanish into a void and are never returned. Your emails go unread. What's a guy to do?

Attract Beautiful, Sexy Women With Bad Boy Attitude But A Nice Guy Style
Written by: Ken Oboh | Distributed: 2006-06-06 | Word Count: 589 | Page Views: 15598 | Votes: 80 | Rating: 1.65
The bad boy naturally attracts and seduces women...but you can just as easily succeed with women as a nice guy by applying the same secret techniques.

How Dating Has Changed In The 21st Century
Written by: Lance Metzger | Distributed: 2013-10-15 | Word Count: 974 | Page Views: 14588 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 1.70
With an article title like this, one might assume that I am ready to tell you some extraordinary news about a new dating environment. Sure, the Internet has introduced one more way for people to meet, but does that actually change the dating scene?

Feet, Personality Theory, Dating and Relationships
Written by: Mr L.Rx | Distributed: 2007-08-29 | Word Count: 2583 | Page Views: 14544 | Votes: 55 | Rating: 3.16
In this article Mr. L. Rx describes an 80-90 percent correlation between personality type and the angle between ones feet, and tells how it can be applied to dating and relating.

The Top Half Dozen Gas-Saving Myths In Automobile Driving Today
Written by: Benji O. Anosike | Distributed: 2008-02-25 | Word Count: 3092 | Page Views: 9287 | Votes: 29 | Rating: 3.07
In this article, we shall expose some of the major myths about automotive fuel economy, and we will dispel those myths at the same time. Read on as this is interesting stuff.

Highest Ranked "Society" Articles

Would You Like To Know How To Pick Up Women In Bars And Clubs?
Written by: Mr L.Rx | Distributed: 2007-03-23 | Word Count: 885 | Page Views: 6766 | Votes: 40 | Rating: 3.35
The first technique is explained in this first article of a three part series describing techniques that you can use to pick up women in bars and clubs.

Petit Larceny: Not Always Petty
Written by: Warren Redlich | Distributed: 2008-10-02 | Word Count: 749 | Page Views: 23997 | Votes: 38 | Rating: 3.26
Petit Larceny, sometimes referred to as Petty Larceny, is defined in New York State as a theft of property valued at less than $1000. In contrast, Grand Larceny is a theft of property at least $1000 in value.

ABCs Desperate Housewives and the Suddenly Famous Pink Blanket
Written by: Scott Corbett | Distributed: 2006-05-25 | Word Count: 580 | Page Views: 5378 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 3.22
Ever since Cary Grant rattled the men's t-shirt industry by famously appearing without one and causing a decline in retail sales of undershirts, television and movie stars have been changing the tastes of the American consumer.

Feet, Personality Theory, Dating and Relationships
Written by: Mr L.Rx | Distributed: 2007-08-29 | Word Count: 2583 | Page Views: 14544 | Votes: 55 | Rating: 3.16
In this article Mr. L. Rx describes an 80-90 percent correlation between personality type and the angle between ones feet, and tells how it can be applied to dating and relating.

The Top Half Dozen Gas-Saving Myths In Automobile Driving Today
Written by: Benji O. Anosike | Distributed: 2008-02-25 | Word Count: 3092 | Page Views: 9287 | Votes: 29 | Rating: 3.07
In this article, we shall expose some of the major myths about automotive fuel economy, and we will dispel those myths at the same time. Read on as this is interesting stuff.

Embracing the Recession
Written by: Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM | Distributed: 2008-11-25 | Word Count: 682 | Page Views: 4010 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.00
We live in uncertain economic times. Every time we turn on the news we hear of another company that is going under or another company that is laying off thousands of its workforce or another company that has had to respond to a lack of shareholder confidence with kneejerk reactions. People just don't want to watch the news anymore!

Dating Your Girlfriend's Best Friend
Written by: Kathy Stafford | Distributed: 2007-09-28 | Word Count: 685 | Page Views: 8728 | Votes: 25 | Rating: 2.96
Explore your options if you're considering dating a friend of your girlfriend's. Offers tips on how to proceed in this delicate situation and what traps to avoid.

Baby Boomers - A Healthcare Crisis Nears
Written by: Heath Atchison | Distributed: 2006-07-25 | Word Count: 1120 | Page Views: 6887 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 2.92
Baby boomers are quickly approaching retirement age, and as they do, there are a number of concerns that need to be addressed, particularly in the area of healthcare. Unfortunately, there appears to be no easy answers to the healthcare problems that baby boomers, and the population in general, will face in the very near future.

The Argument Women Can't Win
Written by: Bob Grant | Distributed: 2006-09-12 | Word Count: 501 | Page Views: 6854 | Votes: 18 | Rating: 2.83
When it comes to fighting and disagreeing with a man in a relationship, women frequently make a critical mistake which ends up causing them to feel hurt and lonely. Here is the scenario that typically happens.

How to Save Money on Your Wedding - Even During a Down Economy
Written by: Sarah Simmons | Distributed: 2009-07-14 | Word Count: 532 | Page Views: 4130 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.81
Weddings are expensive to plan at anytime, but during the current economy, it can seem downright impossible to pull off the perfect wedding. But have no fear brides, for there ARE ways to have your dream wedding without breaking the bank.











Download an eBook today
 
Directory Navigation
Locate By Category:

ALL Categories
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - Offline
Business - Online
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Finance
Food & Drink
Health & Wellness
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet
Nature & Pets
Real Estate
Religion
Self Improvement
Shopping
Society
Sports & Recreation
Technology
Travel & Leisure
Uncategorized
World Events
Writing & Speaking

Change Number of Results:
50 - 100 - 200 - 500
Article Reprint Rights
Creative Commons License

This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License


You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
Article Statistics
Word Count: 447

Total Views: 6544

Article Rating: 2.57 of 5
Votes Cast: 23

More Articles By Author:



Last Distribution Date:
2008-02-11 13:00:00

Internal ID: #3574





All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

All other material and images on this site are:
Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com