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AIPH President Presents Silver Carnation Award To Debbie Hamrick For Outstanding Contributions To Horticulture

Debbie Hamrick, a highly respected leader in the horticulture industry, has been honoured with the prestigious Silver Carnation Award for 2024. This esteemed accolade recognises extraordinary contributions and was presented by AIPH President Leonardo Capitanio. It recognises Mrs Hamrick’s unparalleled dedication and contributions to the global floriculture sector.

The Silver Carnation Awards, now in its 50th year, celebrates excellence and innovation in business management, floriculture, journalism, public governance, and floral design. Mrs Hamrick, who received the award in the International Journalism category, was one of nine distinguished recipients this year. Among her fellow honourees were plant genetics expert Tito Schiva, floral designer Ivo Magliola, and several other notable figures from diverse fields.

“It is an honour to recognise Debbie Hamrick with the Silver Carnation Award,” said the AIPH President. “Her visionary leadership in founding Floriculture International has made a lasting impact, promoting collaboration and elevating standards across the horticulture community. This award celebrates her lifelong commitment to excellence and her significant contributions to the sector.”

In her Silver Carnation acceptance speech at Palazzo Biscari in Catania, Italy, on 23 November, Mrs Hamrick expressed gratitude and reflected on the collaborative spirit that defines the industry. “This award is not just a recognition of my work but a testament to the incredible community within horticulture. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside passionate and innovative individuals who share a vision for a flourishing future,” she said.

Debbie Hamrick, AIPH President Leonardo Capitanio, and horticultural journalist Arturo Croci.

The award ceremony underscored Mrs Hamrick’s legacy in shaping the industry. As the founder of Floriculture International (FCI) magazine, launched in 1990 and first published by Ball Publishing, her vision was to create a platform for growers, traders, and green professionals worldwide to exchange opinions and share knowledge.

In addition to her work with FCI, Mrs Hamrick joined the North Carolina Farm Bureau (NCFB) in 2004, where she served as Specialty Crops Director for 20 years until her retirement in July 2024. During her tenure, she was instrumental in developing policies that benefited farmers and advocated passionately for fruits, vegetables, flowers, bees, aquaculture, and agritourism.

AIPH acquired FCI in 2018, marking a new chapter for the magazine. In an interview, Mrs Hamrick reflected on her career, describing it as dynamic, fulfilling, and full of opportunities to innovate and connect with others in the horticulture community. Read the full interview here.

The AIPH President’s presentation of the Silver Carnation Award to Mrs Hamrick affirms her enduring influence on floriculture. Her legacy, embodied in her ongoing work with FCI under AIPH, serves as a beacon of innovation and collaboration, inspiring the next generation of horticulture professionals.


Rachel Wakefield

Communications Executive and Associate Editor
United Kingdom

rachel.wakefield@aiph.org