tiny ferns and big ideas
Dear Readers,
Phew! Sorry for the long silence. Wedding season is upon us! I'm enjoying the funky orders from Local Color Flowers (tiny fern leaves, huge stalks of goldenrod) and also some new clients like Fleur de Lis, and thanks Modest Florist for loving on our lisianthus and Profusion zinnias!
Profusion light apricot zinnias
I added a big thing to my plate. Back in the spring, I became the president of the Maryland Cut Flower Grower's Association, which is a group of about 50 growers that meets three times in the winter to talk flowers. I'm in the process of applying for some grants that will help the group connect with consumers.
The farm, August 10th
Why do Maryland flower growers need grants?
- Florists: most florists still buy flowers from other countries, rather than farms around the corner
- Weddings: most grooms and brides still get their wedding flowers from florists that buy flowers from other countries
- Retail: remember prom corsages? Valentine's Day? Big events that are flower-centered mean a lot of business for growers, except that it's not mainstream to buy local for such events.
So, we need help!! We're going to create a website that will consolidate local growers and florists who buy local. We're going to advertise the group and its growers to Chesapeake area consumers. We're going to build on our already vibrant community of growers so that new flower farmers can find us and become a member. It's going to be awesome!
A long row of remay (pest protection) over the sunflowers and zinnias, to keep the bunnies from nibbling. To the left, a bed that was seeded with amaranth that is close to germinating.
If you're reading this, you may wonder how to find a corsage for your daughter's prom or a Mother's day arrangement that's made with locally, sustainably farmed flowers. Once we create the website for the Maryland Cut Flower Grower's Association, it should be easy!
One of our crazy dahlias
Sigh.
In other news- we're having an event at the farm on Saturday, September 5th! I'm calling it Bouquet Saturday. Check it out here!
I wish you all a glory of goldenrod.
Laura Beth