Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers

ASCFG Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
2024-07-22 - 2024-07-23 | Moonshot Farm, 415 Imlaystown Road, East Windsor, NJ, 08520, United States
The ASCFG Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Directors have combined forces to host a joint Regional Conference, which will take place in East Windsor, New Jersey. This event will begin with a morning tour at Moonshot Farm and an afternoon tour of Kube-Pak. The second day will feature presentations on cut flower topics and plenty of time to network with fellow cut flower farmers. A full schedule and registration details will be available in April 2024.

Location: Moonshot Farm and Holiday Inn East Windsor in East Windsor, New Jersey
Date: July 22-23, 2024

Members are invited to attend as many Regional Conferences as they wish to, and will not be limited to their region.
More Information
OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

ASCFG North & Central Regional Conference
2024-08-06 - 2024-08-07 | Raker’s Trial Gardens, 10185 Rainey Rd, Litchfield, MI, 49252, United States
Given the wide geographic stretch of the ASCFG North and Central Region, we are offering two Regional Conferences for this area. We’re thrilled to share that one of these events will be hosted by the Raker-Roberta’s Trial Gardens in Michigan, and sponsored by InFlora Cut Flowers, Express Seed, and Raker-Roberta’s. This two day conference will offer a facility tour and conference style presentations along with time to network with fellow cut flower farmers. A full schedule and registration details will be available in April 2024.

Location: Raker’s Trial Gardens, Litchfield, Michigan
Host: Raker’s – Roberta’s Young Plants

Dates: August 6-7

Members are invited to attend as many Regional Conferences as they wish to, and will not be limited to their region.
More Information
OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

ASCFG Canada Regional Conference
2024-08-13 - 2024-08-14 | Dahlia May Flower Farm, 1226 Stockdale Rd, Trenton, Ontario, K8V 5P6, Canada
The ASCFG Canada Regional Conference will be held at the Dahlia May Flower Farm in Trenton, Ontario, Canada. This event will feature presentations on cut flower topics, dedicated time to network with fellow cut flower farmers in the region, and a tour of the host farm. Furthermore, attendees can refine their floral design skills by participating in a hands-on demonstration and workshop. A full schedule and registration details will be available in April 2024.

Location: Dahlia May Flower Farm, Trenton, Ontario, Canada
Dates: August 13-14

Members are invited to attend as many Regional Conferences as they wish to, and will not be limited to their region.
More Information
OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS
SunflowerSelections.com
CalFlowers – That Flower Feeling
Unicorn Blooms
Hofland

Reminder: The Cut Flower Quarterly Submission Deadline
2024-08-15
The Cut Flower Quarterly is the only periodical dedicated to informing growers about the production, postharvest care, and marketing of cut flowers. Are you contributing an article or a feature to the next issue? Or do you wish to purchase an advertisement or sponsor an event? All submissions for the Fall Issue are due on August 15, 2024.

Vendors and suppliers are welcome to explore our different advertising and sponsorship options.

Have a question? Contact us at operations@ascfg.org.

ASCFG North & Central Regional Conference (Clara Joyce Flowers)
2024-08-27 - 2024-08-28 | Clara Joyce Flowers, 13493 E Blair Hill Rd, Stockton, IL, 61085, United States
Given the wide geographic stretch of the ASCFG North and Central Region, we are offering two Regional Conferences for this area. We’re thrilled to share that one of this event will be hosted by Drew Groezinger of Clara Joyce Flowers in Stockton, Illinois, and that all educational offerings are built around the theme of, “Scaling Up Your Cut Flower Operation.” Attendees will enjoy a farm tour, educational sessions and workshops, and dedicated time to network with other farmers.

Location: Clara Joyce Flowers, Stockton, Illinois
Dates: August 27-28

Members are invited to attend as many Regional Conferences as they wish to, and will not be limited to their region.
More Information
OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Ask an Expert: Maximizing Season Extension
2024-09-09 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join Maya Kosok of Hillen Homestead (Baltimore, MD) to learn about season extension without a greenhouse or high tunnel. Maya will cover several different ways to maximize your growing space with minimal infrastructure, including planting hardy annuals, selecting perennials, using low tunnels for frost protection, succession planting, and more. Many regions of the United States have the highest demand for local flowers in spring and fall, making season extension especially important. This talk will include many ideas that can be applied across different growing regions and different scales, but it is worth noting that Hillen Homestead is located in a warm zone 7b and produces very intensively with minimal equipment.
Sponsored by:

ASCFG South & Central Regional Conference
2024-09-11 - 2024-09-12 | The Fresh Herb Co, 4114 Oxford Rd, Longmont, CO, 80503, United States
The ASCFG South and Central Regional Conference will be held at The Fresh Herb Co. in Longmont, Colorado. This two day event will feature presentations grounded in the theme of best practices for farming in a challenging climate, dedicated time to network with fellow cut flower farmers in the region, and a tour of the host farm. A full schedule and registration details will be available in April 2024.

Location: The Fresh Herb Co., Longmont, Colorado
Dates: September 11-12

Members are invited to attend as many Regional Conferences as they wish to, and will not be limited to their region.
More Information
OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS
SunflowerSelections.com
Picklinq
The Gardener’s Workshop
CalFlowers

ASCFG West & Northwest Regional Conference
2024-09-24 - 2024-09-25 | Free Range Flowers, 6222 Medcalf Rd, Bellingham, WA, 98226, United States
The ASCFG West & Northwest Regional Conference will be held at Free Range Flowers in Bellingham, Washington State. This two day event will feature presentations on cut flower topics, dedicated time to network with fellow cut flower farmers in the region, and a tour of the host farm. Please note that Bellingham is thirty miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border and may be a wonderful opportunity for our farmer members in British Columbia to attend an ASCFG Regional Conference in 2024.

Location: Free Range Flowers, Bellingham, WA
Dates: September 24-25

Members are invited to attend as many Regional Conferences as they wish to, and will not be limited to their region.
More Information
OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS
SunflowerSelections.com
Floralife
The Gardener’s Workshop
CalFlowers
Seattle Wholesale Grower Market

ASCFG 2024 Election
2024-10-01 00:00
Every election is determined by the people who show up.
This year, members in the West and Northwest Region will elect a Regional Director.
All members will elect a President and Vice President
Both positions will serve 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Please review this information and watch for your ballot to arrive via email in early October.
Your participation is vital!
Meet the Candidates and Vote by October 31

Ask an Expert: Business Planning for Flower Farmers
2024-10-07 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 7, 2024.
Join us for an Ask an Expert session taught by Lennie Larkin of B-Side Flower Farm.
Business planning can be an overwhelming process, which keeps flower farmers from doing it. But the good news is that business planning doesn’t have to be a one-site-fits-all, formal process. In this session, Lennie will guide you through some introductory business planning methods and leave you with actionable steps to help grow or refine your farm.
Lennie Larkin started B-Side Farm after falling head over heels for flowers. She came to farming and flowers from a background in adult education. Naturally, B-Side Farm has quickly become an educational farm where Lennie not only grows and designs with flowers, but teaches others how she’s doing what she’s doing. B-Side Farm workshops are designed to meet every student where they’re at and encourage them to dive a little deeper into the world of flowers – whether in the garden or design studio. The B-Side Blog is a growing resource for both of these arenas.

Sponsored by:

ASCFG Southeast Regional Conference
2024-10-08 - 2024-10-09 | The Barn at Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm, 7316 Morrow Mill Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, United States
The ASCFG Southeast Regional Conference will be held at The Barn of Chapel Hill of Wild Flora Farm. This event will feature presentations on cut flower topics, time to network with fellow cut flower farmers in the region, and a tour of the host farm. Two hands-on workshops – floral design and floral pricing – will occur as optional add-ons for the second day. A full schedule and registration details will be available in April 2024.

Location: The Barn of Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Dates: October 8-9

Members are invited to attend as many Regional Conferences as they wish to, and will not be limited to their region.
More Information
OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Reminder: The Cut Flower Quarterly Submission Deadline
2024-11-15
The Cut Flower Quarterly is the only periodical dedicated to informing growers about the production, postharvest care, and marketing of cut flowers. Are you contributing an article or a feature to the next issue? Or do you wish to purchase an advertisement or sponsor an event? All submissions for the Winter Issue are due on November 15, 2024.

Vendors and suppliers are welcome to explore our different advertising and sponsorship options.

Have a question? Contact us at operations@ascfg.org.

Ask an Expert: Hosting Successful & Profitable On-Farm Workshops
2024-11-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Join us for the November 2024 Ask an Expert Session!
Hosting workshops can be a wonderful way to share about your farm operation and to provide guests with a unique, memorable experience – but there is more planning and preparation to hosting workshops than most farmers anticipate. During this session, Niki Irving of Flourish Flower Farm will give attendees the information and tools for success by providing them with strategies for hosting smooth, enjoyable workshops on their farms. By the end of the webinar, attendees will have a realistic picture of what it costs – financially and in labor – to successfully host workshops on their farms.
Sponsored by:

ASCFG Supplier Showcase: Get Ready to Thrive in 2025!
2024-12-09 15:00 - 18:00, 2024-12-10 15:00 - 18:00 | Zoom
The ASCFG will host the 2025 Supplier Showcase on Monday, December 9, and Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
This is a wonderful opportunity for members to connect with agricultural and cut flower vendors. ASCFG members are invited to attend these complimentary webinars, during which vendors will discuss current and forthcoming products, tools, and other useful resources. More information will be available in Fall 2024.
Sponsored by:

Ask an Expert: Best Practices for Seed Saving
2025-01-13 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Join us for the ASCFG’s January 2025 Ask an Expert webinar on Monday, January 13, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern!
Erika Clarke founded and manages Sow Local Seeds, a family farm that specializes in locally adapted and ecologically produced flower, herb, and vegetable seeds in Nova Scotia, Canada. During her presentation, she will walk attendees through her practices and processes for saving cut flower seeds before ending the webinar with a robust question and answer session. More details coming soon!

Ask an Expert: Pressed Flowers for New Products and New Customers
2025-02-17 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Join us for the ASCFG’s February 2025 Ask an Expert webinar on Monday, February 17, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern!
Kate Punnett created a small flower press company called The August Press where she sells flower presses across North America. She also captures her pressed art digitally and sells her prints, and her future goals are to create a longer format book celebrating local pressed flowers throughout the season. Learn from her experiences in developing alternative streams of income and a new customer base through developing new services and products featuring pressed flowers.
Kate Punnett is an artist, homemaker and homeschooling mom that has created an artistic practice in between mothering her kids, growing a garden, and starting a part-time school. She teaches art and the creative process in her community to both children and adults. Kate was a sustainable florist before she started pressing flowers. She ran a small social enterprise in her floral studio gifting flowers to community members. Her passion lies in mixing the ephemeral nature of flowers with people. Her artistic work is driven by the desire to create change through aesthetics, from garden, to street, to community, to city and beyond. She fell in love with pressing flowers as a way to slow down the quick pace of the locally grown flower season. Always celebrating the spirit of local, her pressed work is a call for hope, joy and connection.
Zoom instructions will be emailed to members on the day of the event. All Ask an Expert webinars are recorded.
Sponsored by:

Ask an Expert: Solar Panels on Cut Flower Farms
2025-03-10 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Jenny Jonak has been an attorney for 27 years as well as the founder and owner of Dragon Song Farm in Eugene, Oregon. During this Ask an Expert webinar, Jenny will describe her experience with installing solar panels on her cut flower farm. This important infrastructure investment required time, upfront costs, and research, and Jenny will share advice and considerations for fellow farmers.
Zoom instructions will be emailed to ASCFG members prior to the event. All Ask an Expert webinars are recorded and available through the Members Only website after the event.

Sponsored by:

Farm Tour: Blossom Lane Farm
2025-03-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Blossom Lane Farm, 1015 Stanley Lane, , FL, Baker, Florida, 32531
Hosts: Jonalyn Carver of Blossom Lane Farm and Julia Keel of Full Keel Farm
Tour Location: Blossom Lane Farm
www.blossomlanefarm.com
1015 Stanley Lane, Baker, FL 32531
(850) 733-7435
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Limited to 75 attendees.
Registration Fee: $175 (Includes lunch).
Event Overview: Jonalyn Carver of Blossom Lane Farm and Julia Keel of Full Keel Farm are technically in the same growing zone and they farm in the same state. However, their individual microclimates ensure that they have different farm operations. Differences in growing conditions affect first and last frost dates, nighttime temperatures, seeding and planting timing, crop selections, when Jonalyn and Julia grow and sell, sales outlets, and agritourism, among many other factors. Be sure to join this dynamic duo for a full day of educational programming and farm tours especially tailored for flower farmers who grow in the American Southeast, and learn in person how two successful flower farmers have worked with their microclimates to create a flourishing business. Lunch will be provided.
Register Today!
Sponsored by:

2025 ASCFG Growers' School
2025-03-18
Location: The Grand Lady, Austin, Texas
This program is intended for all cut flower growers, wherever they are in their educational journey and regardless of scale or business model. Our stellar line-up of sessions and speakers can be found here. Register today!
Growers’ School Program and Registration
Sponsors

Farm Tour: Wollam Gardens
2025-04-08 08:30 - 13:00 | Wollam Gardens, 5167 Jeffersonton Rd, Jeffersonton, VA, 22724, United States
Host: Bob Wollam
Wollam Gardens
5167 Jeffersonton Rd
Jeffersonton VA 22724
8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
www.wollamgardens.com
Limited to 80 attendees.
Registration Fee: $125.
Event Overview: Join the renowned Bob Wollam at Wollam Gardens for an exciting tour of this fantastic operation. Wollam Gardens is an 11 acre cut-flower farm and event destination, featuring a flower farm stand, a U-Pick garden, a gift shop, a bed and breakfast, an event center, and much more. Learn about the origins and evolution of this spectacular farm from a longtime cut flower farmer and ASCFG legend. Attendees will take away practical ideas for their operations and inspiration for future offerings.
Sponsored by:

Register Today!

Popped with Phebe: Pop Up Events, Workshops, and Unique Retail Options
2025-04-08 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Phebe Robinson-Higgins of Grace Floral and Co.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
Pop-up workshops are an exciting way for flower farmers and floral professionals to engage your community, to showcase your expertise, and create memorable experiences. Often hosted in third party retail and boutique spaces, these unique events are offer incredible opportunities to connect with new clients and to partner with local businesses. Join the remarkable Phebe Robinson-Higgins from Grace Floral and Co., who will teach you how to successfully design, plan, and execute pop-up events that attract and inspire new customers.
You’ll learn the following…

Planning and Logistics: How define your workshop’s purpose and target audience; how to choose the right venue (and if applicable, the right business partner); and the necessary considerations for selecting materials, managing time, and organizing all the moving parts.
Fundraising and Financial Support: While pop up events and retail experiences require less funds than traditional brick and mortar shops, business owners still need capital to get started. Phebe has expertise in grant writing and seeking funds to bankroll new business endeavors, and will share her advice and experiences.
During and After the Workshop: Phebe will share recommendations for how to create an interactive and memorable experience for your attendees, including recommended practices for day-of event execution, troubleshooting common challenges, and ensuring smooth operations. Lastly, Phebe will share guidance how to sustain the new relationships you’ve built with participants.

What Attendees Receive:

Live webinar access.
Event recording for one year.
Electronic copy of presentation slides.

This event is part of the 2025 Flowers are Serious Business webinar series. Learn more and register here!

Ask an Expert: Developing New Customer Experiences, Diversifying Income Streams
2025-04-14 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Sarah and Curtis Millsap grow 2 acres of flowers and vegetables annually, with 25,000 square feet under plastic, including a 1,600 square foot Chinese solar greenhouse and a 6,000 square foot minimally heated greenhouse. They use organic practices, and offer their produce for sale through a year-round, a 185 member CSA, farmers’ market, and restaurant sales. They also offer an array of unique customer experiences: An Airbnb called the Tiny Turtle, a weekly Pizza Club, and Twilight Walks on the farm. The Millsaps will provide an overview of these on-farm programs and workshops, and share advice on building unique customer experiences. Attendees will leave the webinar with new ideas to apply to their own farms.
Zoom instructions will be emailed to ASCFG members prior to the event. All Ask an Expert webinars are recorded and available through the Members Only website after the event.

Sponsored by:

Effective Email Marketing for Cut Flower Farmers
2025-04-22 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Angie Machado of Etereas Flowers, LLC.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern

With unpredictable algorithms, uncertain legislation, and changing demographics, communicating with consumers has moved away from social media and onto building an email-based community through which you can directly contact your customers. Angie Machado is a marketing specialist and owner of Etereas Flowers LLC. Attendees will learn how to develop an email newsletter from scratch; what components and practices are necessary for a successful newsletter; and will afterwards feel confident in starting their own.
What Attendees Receive:

Live webinar access.
Event recording for one year.
Electronic copy of presentation slides.

This event is part of the 2025 Flowers are Serious Business webinar series. Learn more and register here!

RESCHEDULED: Optimizing Websites for Marketing and Sales
2025-04-29 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
RESCHEDULED for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern
***
CEO Katie Elzer-Peters of Garden of Words, LLC.
With over fifteen years of marketing expertise for the green industry, Katie Elzer-Peters of Garden of Words LLC knows how agricultural professionals can set their online presence up for success. Join this incredible presentation on the importance of creating an effective and powerful website. For attendees who wish to enact recommendations from the webinar as soon as possible, a personalized consultation with Katie is available for up to fifty attendees with an added fee of $25.
What Attendees Receive:

Live webinar access.
Event recording for one year.
Electronic copy of presentation slides.
Optional: Katie will evaluate your website and send a private feedback video between five and ten minutes that details personalized, specific recommendations for enhancements. Available for up to fifty attendees with an added fee of $25.

This event is part of the 2025 Flowers are Serious Business webinar series. Learn more and register here!

RESCHEDULED: Preparing Effective Financial Statements for Your Farm
2025-05-05 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Sarah Scott, CPA, Allegiant Tax & Accounting Services and Flower Farm.
Monday, May 5, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Maintaining clear, accurate and timely financial statements is one of the most impactful investments you can make in the long-term success of your cut flower farm. Well-prepared statements ensure hassle-free internal and external audits, help guide management decisions and present the stability and growth potential of your business to prospective lenders, investors or buyers.
Preparing the primary components of a financial statement – mainly the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement and statement of shareholders’ equity – requires thorough record keeping and detailed analysis. Clear, easy-to-read presentation matters every bit as much as precision.
Join Certified Public Accountant and cut flower farmer Sarah Scott of Allegiant Tax & Accounting Services as she walks you through how to create a consistent template to keep using every period. Attendees will learn what comprises a financial statement, its value and importance to your business, and how to establish great practices moving forward.
What Attendees Receive:

Live webinar access.
Event recording for one year.
Electronic copy of presentation slides.

Ask an Expert: Online Bookkeeping for Cut Flower Farmers
2025-05-12 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Jessica and Graham Chase are the owners and farmer-florists of Sierra Flower Farm in Gardner, Nevada. The farm isn’t the typical farm of rolling acres, but rather a tiny urban farm with about a half acre in production, selling wholesale blooms and servicing local weddings. Conscious of their impact on the environment and the ecosystem within their gardens and beyond, the Chases are committed to only using sustainable growing practices and to adding to the earth’s health, not depleting it. In this webinar, the Chases will offer an in-depth primer on bookkeeping tools, good practices, and considerations for cut flower farmers.
Zoom instructions will be emailed to ASCFG members prior to the event. All Ask an Expert webinars are recorded and available through the Members Only website after the event.
Sponsored by:

Farm Tour: Full Belly Farm
2025-05-21 09:00 - 13:00 | Full Belly Farm, 16141 Road 43, Guinda, CA, 95637, United States
Host: Hannah Muller
Full Belly Farm
16141 Road 43
Guinda, CA 95637
https://fullbellyfarm.com/
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Limited to 60 attendees.
Registration Fee: $100.

Event Overview: Join Hannah Muller, flower farmer and founder of The Wreath Room, at Full Belly Farm for a half day tour of this extensive operation. Full Belly Farm is a certified organic farm located in the beautiful Capay Valley of northern California, growing over 15 acres of certified organic flowers from January through October. With over 100 varieties including sunflowers, ranunculus, tulips, calendula, and amaranth there is always something blooming and beautiful. With a thriving CSA, floral services for events, and dried botanicals, there is something for every attendee! Light snacks and water will be provided; however, lunch will not be provided.

Sponsored by:

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Ask an Expert: Companion Planting for Cut Flower Crops
2025-06-09 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Join us for a session on companion planting for crop flower crops with Jalisca Thomason, founder of Rustic Roots Floral Design, and agroforestry professor at Bakersfield College. Jalisca will introduce the concept of companion planting, discuss the benefits and considerations, and provide practical advice that attendees can try on their own farms.
Jalisca Thomason is an educator and an artist. She spent a decade as a high school agriculture teacher in California, coaching Floral Design Teams and teaching introductory and advanced floral design. She is currently a full professor at Bakersfield College in the area of forestry and natural resources, with the occasional section of Floral Design. Jalisca started her studio, Rustic Roots Floral Design, in 2010 and enjoys working in her home based studio.

Sponsored by:

Farm Tour: Creekside Flower Farm
2025-06-10 09:00 - 13:00 | Creekside Flower Farm, 16141 Road 43, Chattanooga, TN, 95637, United States
Host: Morgan Sharpe
Creekside Flower Farm
Chattanooga, TN
https://www.creeksideflowerfarm.com/
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Limited to 125 attendees.
Registration Fee: $125.
Event Overview: Join Morgan Sharpe of Creekside Flower Farm for a farm tour! Morgan is a farmer-florist who offers florals for weddings and events and sells her blooms to florists. Her floral design style has been formed by the natural world, and often characterized as organic, loose and whimsical. Attendees will get an overview of her crop selections, color palettes, event services design, and overall farm practices. Lunch will not be provided.
Sponsored by:

Register Today!
