Beginning Growers’ School
Registration is Open!
The ASCFG Beginning Growers’ School is intended for gardeners, beginning farmers, or hobbyist growers who wish to move into growing for profit, regardless of scale or business model. The purpose of these sessions is to equip beginning growers with the knowledge and skills to identify their business model and customer base, determine which crops they should grow, and how to grow high quality products in accordance with industry best practices. Lunch is included.
Maximum number of attendees: 150.
Event registration will close when the maximum capacity has been reached.
Business Models – What’s Best for You?
Erin and Aaron McMullen, Rain Drop Farms
Philomath, OR
In this session, Erin and Aaron McMullen of Rain Drop Farms will set the stage for beginning growers moving into growing for profit by providing an overview of the pros and cons of different business models for cut flower farmers, such selling direct to consumers, selling to florists, wholesale, and operating as farmer-florists. The presentation will cover additional considerations like choosing the right crops for your customer base and microclimate and other important details. Attendees will finish this session with a strong sense of which business model is best suited for them.
Starting From the Ground Up
Dr. Melanie Stock, Utah State University
Logan, UT
Great farming starts with great soil and irrigation practices. Join Dr. Melanie Stock from Utah State University for an intensive session on assessing your soil health and water situation for an optimal farm setup. Dr. Stock makes this intimidating topic accessible with actionable, practical advice and attendees will walk away with an improved ability to evaluate and enhance your soil health.
Succession Planting for Your Crops
Michelle Elston, Roots Flower Farm
Carlisle, PA
Growing for profit means you need flowers throughout your season(s) and succession planting is how you ensure you can meet your customers’ needs sustainably and consistently. Join Michelle Elston of Roots Flower Farm for a session on effective succession planting practices for your business model and microclimate. Attendees will leave with practical, actionable advice they can apply directly to their own farms.
Best Harvest Practices: Growing High Quality Flowers with Industry Standards
Anna Jane Kocon, Little State Flower Company
Tiverton, RI
Cut flower farmers should have a solid foundation in harvest practices. This includes understanding when and at what stage to harvest different flowers for the highest quality; how to set up an efficient harvest protocol from prepping buckets and quick harvest techniques to efficiently moving flowers from field to workshop and/or cooler; and how to store these blooms for longevity and health. Attendees will finish this session with a better understanding of how to harvest flowers for quality, longevity, and increased sales.
Building Your Brand: Marketing & Customer Engagement Strategies
Melanie Harrington, Dahlia May Flower Farm
Trenton, ON
Who are your customers? And how will you engage them to sell your blooms? Melanie Harrington of Dahlia May Flower Farm will walk attendees through building their brand. This includes identifying which marketing strategies and platforms are best for your business model and how to tailor them for your customer base in order to create engagement, loyalty, and increased sales.
Putting it All Together: Advice from an Experienced “Beginner”
Morgan Sharpe, Creekside Flower Farm
Chattanooga, TN
Beginning cut flower farmers are operating a farm, running a business, and co-creating a community of customers and industry colleagues. With so many pieces of the puzzle, it can feel overwhelming quickly. Five years into her farming career, Morgan at Creekside Flower Farm gets where you’re at and in this session, she will share her experiences of putting all of these skills and this knowledge together to be the best flower farmer she can be. Attendees will walk away with practical advice and the reassurance that this endeavor truly can be successful, profitable, and rewarding.
Early Bird Registration Discount!
Register for the Beginning Growers’ School during the month of January for $275!
Registration fees will go up to $325 starting February 1, 2025.