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Thursday, March 6, 2014

Field Notes from the California Cut Flower Growers Association





California Grown Iris Gets Center of Attention at White House State Dinner


American Grown Flowers were a featured centerpiece of the recent state dinner at the White House. (Photo Credit Eddie Kohan)
California Grown Iris were the center of attention at a recent state dinner at the White House for French President Francois Hollande, hosted by the Obama Administration on Feb. 11. As reported in a USDA blog post, Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden announced the Administration's decision to highlight "the diversity of American agricultural and rural products that our nation has to offer," which included "American cut flowers that decorated and added a stunning visual touch for guests at the White House."





TAKE ACTION!
America's flower farmers takes great pride in this achievement and welcomes your further support. Help us continue building momentum with the White House to include American Grown flowers as part of the tradition of featuring America's beauty and bounty during White House dinners and events.  Simply leave a comment of support on the USDA blog, found here:  http://1.usa.gov/1m9Ipj7

Thank you for your ongoing support for America's flower farming families!



A 10-Minute-Per-Day Plan for Twitter

Connect with your inner flower farmer by following @caflowers on Twitter!
Mashable, a go-to resource for the "Connected Generation," states the "No. 1 complaint from businesses new to social media is 'I just don't have time.'" But social media activities don't have to be time consuming. As those of us who have tested the Twittersphere on behalf of the American Grown flower industry can attest, this medium doesn't require a huge time commitment. If you're looking for some help to get started, here are 5 tips to build a 10-minute-per-day routine.

And, to contribute to the ongoing flower fodder, be sure to use the hashtags #AmericanGrown, #CAGrown and#OriginMatters so we can follow your conversations and track this growing trend.

You can also follow the flower field adventures of California on Twitter at @caflowers.  For the latest CCFC news, follow CEO/Ambassador Kasey Cronquist on Twitter@kaseycronquist and "Like" California Grown Flowers on Facebook.





California Flowers On Parade
For the first newsletter of 2014, we'd be remiss to not revel in the biggest flower parade's afterglow (not to mention the world's spotlight) for one more moment. During this year's New Year's Day parade in Pasadena, CalPoly Universities' "Bedtime Buccaneers" float received official "California Grown" certification from CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and took home the parade's "Innovation Award". The beautiful California blooms, more than 45,000 donated from 19 flower farms across the state, garnered more than 36 million media and social media impressions - on top of the millions of viewers who tuned into the parade itself. Check out a few great stories about CalPoly's commitment to put California flowers on parade:
Farmers Push for Rose Parade Floats to Feature Locally-Grown Flowers (KCAL Los Angeles)
Coming Up Roses (KEYT Carpinteria)
Colorful Flowers, Creativity, Mechanical Talent Are Part of Cal Poly Universities Parade Entry (The Daily Bulletin)







"Slow Flowers" Web Directory Surpasses Goal

SlowFlowers.com, an in-the-works web directory of American flowers, florists, designers and farmers, is the brainchild of "Slow Flowers Queen" Debra Prinzing, who will soon see her dream realized thanks to the overwhelming response to her fundraising campaign on Indiegogo.com.  Over 200 "funders" responded to help her launch the site.

Debra's dream is to provide this free, nationwide online directory to better connect consumers with local florists, shops, studios and farmers who grow and source domestic, #AmericanFlowers (had to throw in a hashtag!).

Love the idea? We do, too! Register for the directory today.

Simply visit, www.SlowFlowers.com


The campaign is over, but learn more about Debra's mission by watching this video. Click image to watch!








American Grown Support Blossomed This Valentine's Day

Flowers are still No. 1 for Valentine's Day, according to a holiday breakout byStatista, which gives flowers a 76% share of the total gifts purchased for this most special occasion (61% men, 15% women). Here in California, we were certainly feeling the love, as media from around the country demonstrated their support for American Grown this holiday. Here's a snapshot of the attention American Grown flowers received:
Sustainable Valentine's Day flowers: Your online options are blooming (Los Angeles Times)
Hampden Florist Promotes Valentine's Day without Roses(Baltimore Sun)
State Flower Growers: Buy Local for Valentine's Day(Capital Public Radio, Sacramento, interview with Kasey Cronquist, CCFC Ambassador)
Valentine's Day Smack Down: Chocolates vs. Flowers(Washington Business Journal)


Christina Burton-Fox. AIFD
Designer & teacher

Flower Classroom
1427 west 9th. Suite 405
KCMO. 64101

Flowerclassroom.blogspot.com
Flowerclassroom@gmail.com
913-708-2988

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