Rooted in the West

Calistoga and Healdsburg, California, March 9 & 10, 2027

Join fellow flower farmers in Calistoga and Healdsburg, CA, for two days of practical education, creative inspiration, and behind-the-scenes access to the renowned Front Porch Farms! Designed for growers of all experience levels, this conference combines expert-led educational sessions with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow alongside the cut flower community. Day One features a full schedule of educational sessions led by experienced growers and industry professionals covering the latest techniques, business strategies, and production practices. The day concludes with a special floral design demonstration by Max Gill, who will showcase innovative mechanics, color palettes, and design techniques while sharing insights into creating impactful arrangements with locally grown flowers.

Day Two takes learning into the field with an immersive farm tour at Front Porch Farm. Attendees will learn about production systems, infrastructure, crop management, harvest techniques, and postharvest practices firsthand along with an in-house floral design demonstration. Explore real-world solutions, ask questions directly of host growers, and gain ideas you can take home and implement on your own farm. Whether you're looking to improve your growing skills, strengthen your business, or connect with other flower professionals, this two-day conference offers a unique blend of classroom learning, creative inspiration, and hands-on farm experiences.

Day One Schedule

Brannan Arts Center, Calistoga, California

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Session One: Beyond the Basics: Growing Unique Drought-Resistant Cultivars

Presenter: Leah Rodgers of Indigo Gardens, Portland, Oregon

As water becomes increasingly scarce, growers are seeking crops that thrive with less irrigation while still offering exceptional beauty and market appeal. Explore unique drought-tolerant flowers and foliage to diversify your offerings, reduce water use, and perform well under challenging conditions. Join Leah Rodgers of Indigo Gardens to learn about her experimentation with zonal denial, cultivar selection, establishment practices, and production tips for growing resilient crops that stand out in the marketplace.

Key Takeaways for Attendees:

• Discover unique drought-tolerant flowers and foliage for Zone 8.
• Reduce water use without sacrificing quality.
• Diversify your crop mix with resilient, marketable varieties.

Session Two: Integrated Pest Management in Practice: Lessons from Do Right Flower Farm

Presenter: Kelly Brown of Do Right Flower Farm, Santa Cruz, California

Join Kelly Brown from Do Right Flower Farm for a practical look at how they use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic growing practices to produce high-quality flowers while fostering a healthier farm ecosystem. Learn how monitoring, beneficial insects, habitat plantings, and preventative cultural practices work together to reduce pest pressure, minimize inputs, and support long-term soil and environmental health. Attendees will learn how to build an effective IPM strategy rooted in organic principles and create safer, healthier growing environments for people, pollinators, and wildlife.

Key Takeaways for Attendees:

• Build a proactive IPM strategy through monitoring and prevention.
• Use beneficial insects and habitat plantings for natural pest control.
• Reduce inputs while supporting healthy soil and farm ecosystems.

Session Three: Farming Flowers in the Desert: Designing a Resilient Production System

Presenter: Melissa Toman and Hillary Cummens of Cave Creek Flower Farm

Join Melissa and Hillary of Cave Creek Flower Farm to explore how to build a resilient cut flower production system in the challenging conditions of the desert Southwest. They’ll share practical strategies for working with the desert climate rather than against it, covering topics from managing extreme heat and limited water to selecting crops and adapting growing practices. Learn how thoughtful planning, resource management, and seasonally adapted production methods can support a productive and sustainable flower farm in an arid environment.

Key Takeaways for Attendees:

• Identify strategies for managing extreme heat, limited water, and other challenges of growing flowers in an arid climate.
• Select crops and adapt production practices to support seasonal growing conditions in the desert Southwest.
• Apply practical approaches to resource management and production planning to build a more resilient, productive, and sustainable flower farm.

Session Four:

Presenter: 

Key Takeaways for Attendees:

Day Two Schedule

Front Porch Farms, Healdsburg, California

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Day Two takes learning into the field with an immersive farm tour at Front Porch Farm. Attendees will learn about production systems, infrastructure, crop management, harvest techniques, and postharvest practices firsthand along with an in-house floral design demonstration. Explore real-world solutions, ask questions directly of host growers, and gain ideas you can take home and implement on your own farm. Whether you're looking to improve your growing skills, strengthen your business, or connect with other flower professionals, this two-day conference offers a unique blend of classroom learning, creative inspiration, and hands-on farm experiences.

Key Takeaways for Attendees:

• Explore real-world production systems, infrastructure, and crop management.
• Learn practical harvest, postharvest, and floral design techniques.
• Take home ideas and solutions you can apply on your own farm.

Registration Opens Soon.