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Monday, July 23, 2018

Slow Flowers Newsletter

 
      
 
 
Home   |  Workshops & Classes  |  Articles  |   Blog   |  Press  
 
 
 
SLOW FLOWERS SUMMIT is a Wrap
 
 
 
 
A Fitting Celebration! The 2nd Annual Slow Flowers Summit was sold-out in Washington, D.C.
The Slow Flowers SUMMIT took place on June 29th in Washington, D.C. and we're just beginning to absorb and appreciate the amazing experience. 
It was amazing because of the presence of more than 100 attendees who set aside one day to invest in themselves -- to inquire, be inspired and informed, not to mention include and instigate. Watch this space soon for the full recap report!
 
Click here to see 2018 SUMMIT photographs►
 
 
Save the Date! 
SLOW FLOWERS SUMMIT 2019
 
 
 
 
At the end of the Slow Flowers Summit 2018, we revealed the Slow Flowers Summit 2019 dates and venue! We're thrilled that the Twin Cities Flower Exchange's founder Christine Hoffman was on hand to personally invite us to bring the Slow Flowers Summit to her city! She will co-host the Summit and show us a thriving Slow Flowers community of flower farmers and floral designers in the Twin Cities. 
One lucky audience member was selected to win a free registration in our drawing. Congratulations, Kit Sullivan of Richmond, Virginia! We're excited to see you next year!!!
 
 
Click here for early details on 2019 SUMMIT►
 
Summit Thank You's!
 
 
 
 
Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Slow Flowers supporters and industry partners! Our Summit Attendees took home some wonderful benefits! 
EVENT SPONSORS
Breakfast Sponsor: Ularas Event Florist Software
Morning Breakfast Sponsor: EcoFresh Bouquet Wraps
Name Badge/Lanyard Sponsor: Offray Ribbon
Swag Bag Sponsor: Farmgirl Flowers
Happy Hour Sponsor: DV Flora
FLORAL & FOLIAGE DONATIONS
Little State Flower Co. *The Local Bouquet Presentation
PRODUCT DONATIONS
EcoFresh Bouquet Wraps
Syndicate Sales -- USA-Made Vases

DOOR PRIZES

Arctic Alaska Peonies -- Two Gift Certificates for 100 Peony Stems
Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers -- Post-Harvest Reference Book, Annual Membership Certificate, Conference Registration Certificate
Floral Genius - USA-Made Pin Frog Collection
Harmony Harvest Farm -- Couture Floral Collection
Mary Denise Smith/CrumbsOnTheTable.com -- Antique Glass Cloche
Slow Flowers -- Debra Prinzing Book Set
Ularas Event Florist Software -- Two 6-Month Software Packages
 
 
Click here for more details on Summit Sponsorship►
 
Check Out New Features for Your Slowflowers.com Membership
 
 
 
 

On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of Slowflowers.com, I announced the launch of our new, upgraded Slowflowers.com – version 2.0 on May 16th. 
The updated platform is a visually beautiful and user-friendly web site for consumers in search of American-grown flowers. The site has 3 NEW features you should know about! Read on for details:
 
 
 
New features:
  • ALL Members: Reviews have been added to Standard Level so everyone should ask customers/clients to post a rating and review!!! It's easy to find in the contact box.
  • ALL Members: We've added Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Google Plus Icons to the contact box!
 
 
 
  • PREMIUM Members: Add a floral "header," called the "Cover Image" to the top of your page. The ideal size is 1920 x 480 dpi so you may want to re-size a large floral photo to fit! See Dashboard below for upload instructions.
 
 
 
 
Here's a look at the Premium Level dashboard. The place to upload your "Cover Image" is in the top right page.
 
 
 
 
Here's a look at the Member Dashboard -- showing where to add Social Media URLs.
 
 
 
Are you a Member? Click here to JOIN Slow Flowers►
 
 
AMERICAN FLOWERS WEEK June 28-July 4
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Did you Celebrate American Flowers Week with us?!
Above is a quick glance at more than 3k posts on Instagram highlighting #americanflowersweek -- from florists, designers, retailers, growers, wholesalers and ecommerce supporters of the campaign! Thank you to everyone involved in flower farming and floral design who helped to highlight America’s flowers with the #americanflowersweek hashtag. We're changing the conversation!
 
 
Click here to Read all about American Flowers Week & Free Resources►
 
 
You Could Be the Next American Flowers Week Floral Couture Designer!
 
 
 

The energy, excitement and participation in American Flowers Week 2018 was better than ever and we're already making plans for the Fifth Annual American Flowers Week - 2019! 
As you witnessed during our 2016, 2017 and 2018 Campagns, Slow Flowers loves showcasing and elevating local and domestic cut flowers in as floral couture. 
The stylized fashion shoots created by member florists and flower farmers are a big part of American Flowers Week's promotional efforts. 
Do you want to get involved and channel your Inner Fashion Designer? Now's the time to start planning!
For 2019, you're invited to be part of the application process. We'll commission a minimum of five farmer-floral design teams to produce New Botanical Wearable Looks!
 
Think this opportunity might have your name on it?! Click the link below for more details!
 
 
Click here to learn more and Submit Your Application►
 
 
What's New in the Slow Flowers Journal
 
 
 
 
The June issue of Florists’ Review gives tribute the five floral couture looks created by Slow Flowers Members for American Flowers Week 2018.
The original domestic flower promotion burst onto the floral scene in 2015 and its significance and influence has grown ever since, attracting participation across all channels of domestic flowers — from seeds to bouquets to beautiful floral fashions.
Social media engagement from florists, designers, retailers, wholesalers and flower farms who posted on Instagram and Twitter generated more than 5 million impressions during the 2017 campaign, giving the hashtag #americanflowersweek top-of-mind presence, up from 1.2 million impressions the prior year.
It is a privilege and honor to present five compelling looks and the behind-the-scenes stories about the people and floral passions that fill these pages. The inventiveness and creativity expressed by the Slow Flowers community — flower farmers and floral designers alike — elevates American-grown botanicals to new levels. To learn more about these designs, the floral artists, the farms and their flowers, you can find bonus content at americanflowersweek.com.
 
 
Click here to read the June Issue recap and download free PDFs►
 
 
 
SLOW FLOWERS in the News 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Here's a benefit of joining Slow Flowers! We feature Members in our Media Content! Check out the June article, "Building a Better Market Bouquet," featured in Johnny's Seeds' ADVANTAGE Newsletter for June! The article shares the best practices for successful Farmers' Market bouquet-making (and selling) from:
Zephyros Farm & Garden • Paonia, Colorado
Bluegreen Gardens • Lancaster, Ohio
Robin Hollow Farm • Saunderstown, Rhode Island
 
 
Click here to read the full article ►
 
 
 
The Team Flower Podcast, hosted by our friend Kelly Perryof Team Flower (a Slow Flowers Member), recently welcomed Debra Prinzing to her Podcast. 
Listen to our conversation and laugh along with us as we share our passionate views on floral design, flower farming and more!
Kelly says this in the recap:
In this episode, we are diving into the Slow Flowers Movement - what it is and what it is becoming. Debra is sharing the story behind her passion and the farmers who sparked the Slow Flowers flame in her. We are talking about American Flowers week, how you can be involved, and how you can support your local flower farmers. You'll learn the difference between growing from seed vs. planting from a garden center, and you'll receive tips on how to connect with flower farms & florists.
 
Click here to hear the Team Flowers Podcast ►
 
 
 
Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
So pleased that our friends at the WSDA and Washington Farm Bureau highlighted American Flowers Week in a recent post -- letting their constituents know about the many ways Slow Flowers is promoting local floral agriculture!
 
 
Click here to read the entire WSDA post ►
 
 
 

SuperFloral - June Issue 
2018 debuted a new series of articles authored by Debra Prinzing featuring Slow Flowers member growers and retailers for SuperFloral.
SuperFloral is the sister magazine of Florists' Review, designed to reach grocery and supermarket floral decision-makers.
The June Issue features "Homegrown Blooms Coast to Coast," and grocery participation in American Flowers Week at Town & Country Markets, Cone & Steiner and Whole Foods Market.
PS -- Contact Debra if you want to share how you sell or design for the Grocery Market! I'm always looking for great story ideas!
 
 
Click here to read the full article from SuperFloral's June issue ►
 
 
Upcoming Slow Flowers Events 
 
 
 
 
2-5 p.m.
Twin Cities Flower Exchange is located between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul, making it one of the most dynamic new hubs for seasonal and local flowers around.
Join Debra Prinzing and the flower farmers of TCFE for a Networking Event and Happy Hour at The Good Acre! This is a free event, but registration is required.
 
 
Click here for Registration and more details ►
 
 
SLOW FLOWERS MEET-UP CHICAGO
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
6:30-8 p.m.
Join Debra Prinzing and Slow Flowers'sponsors Johnny's Seeds and Longfield Gardens at a happy hour gathering at Larkspur Chicago Studio.
Host Beth Barnett will open her studio space for our gathering, inviting Chicago-area flower farmers, floral designers and Slow Flowers friends.
Beverages and appetizers will be served.
Network, Meet, Greet, Hear Slow Flowers News and Enjoy Some Fun Door Prizes! Due to space, this event is limited to the first 15 registrants.
 
 
Click here to RSVP ►
 
 
TREND SUMMIT Conference 2018
August 17-21, 2018
Hosted by Hitomi Gilliam AIFD of Design 356, Vancouver, British Columbia

Hitomi Gilliam invites all movers & shakers within the floral industry – forward thinking growers, vendors, designers, educators, & influencers to a multifaceted conference focused on lifestyle trends and how the flower industry should respond to the pulse of consumers.

Become a stronger influencer of trends and join the group discussions & presentations led by an amazing panel of presenters, including Holly Heider Chapple (Hope Farms & Chapel Designers), Leatrice Eiseman (Pantone Institute), Gregor Lersch (Global Design Expert), Hitomi Gilliam AIFDDebra Prinzing (Slow Flowers) and ‘The New Voice’ (Under-40 Influencers Panel).
 
 
Click here for Registration and more details ►
 
 
Full Circle FarmJohns Island, S.C.
I'll be joining the flower farmers of Charleston, S.C. and Slow Flowers member Rita Anders of Cuts ofColor (Weimar, Texas) to present at "Future Forward Flower Success -- Growing Smart," the region's first-ever symposium on flower farming, floral design and floral marketing.
This will be a fabulous event with progressive, creative participants who are committed to changing the floral landscape in the south -- and beyond!
 
 
Click here for Registration and more details ►
 
 
Adam and Jennifer O'Neal of PepperHarrow Farm announced their first "Flower Farming, Floral Design, and Creative Writing Workshop" -- and Slow Flowers will be there.
Immerse yourself in the farm for two gloriously full days of flower farming, inspiration, design, and fellowship. This beginning flower farmer workshop is for the hands-on learner and goes in-depth into the basics of flower farming, creative writing, floral design, and developing your flower farming business.
Students will gather with like-minded flower souls while learning and seeing life on a beautiful working flower farm. Throughout the course, personalized instruction will delve extensively into the essentials of flower farming so attendees leave with the confidence to bring flower farming goals to life. In addition to all of this incredible content, Margaret Ludwig, of Giverny Design, in New Orleans, will be leading creative instruction on floral design.
 
 
Click here for Registration and more details ►
 
 
SLOW FLOWERS IN KANSAS CITY WITH MoKan Farmer-Florist Connection 
September 11, 2018
5:30-8 p.m. 
(dinner included)
The Homesteader Cafe, Kansas City
MoKan Farmer Florist Connection's Facebook Group is open to anyone who has an interest in organic/sustainable gardening practices, flower farming, floral design, and growing the Slow (local) Flowers Movement in America.
Members are invited to share flower farming experiences, availability of product, seed sources, greenhouse growing, flower conferences, floral designs, branding, sales and marketing, wedding work and more. Its creator is Slow Flowers member Andrea K. Grist of Andrea K. Grist Floral Art. Tickets include farm-to-table dinner. Pre-registration is required.
 
 
Click here for Registration and more details ►
 
 
SLOW FLOWERS at the DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
September 13-14, 2018

As part of the annual Bonfils-Stanton Lecture SeriesDebra Prinzing returns to the Denver Botanic Gardens to lecture, teach and participate in two amazing days of Colorado-grown flowers. Here's the schedule of events (all are separately ticketed and require advance registration):
Thursday, September 13th
10:30 a.m. Farm Tour & Lunch at The Fresh Herb Co., a farm featured in "The 50 Mile Bouquet."
6:30 p.m. Debra's Lecture: American Beauty, The Slow Flowers Story (come early for Social hour and tasting hosted by Slow Food Denver)
Friday, September 14th
9 a.m. Urban Flower Farm Tour at CityGal Farms with Slow Flowers member Kimberly Burton
11:30 a.m. Tour, Lunch and Workshop at Red Daisy Farm with Slow Flowers member Meg McGuire and Debra Prinzing
 
 
Click here for Registration Details ►
 
 
ASSOCIATION OF SPECIALTY CUT FLOWER GROWERS Annual Symposium
September 24-26, 2018
On Wednesday, September 26 (1:30 p.m.) join me for a Future-Looking Floral Industry Overview and early peek at the 2019 forecast for flower farmers and farmer-florists alike.
I last spoke at ASCFG six years ago, at the 2012 Symposium in Tacoma, Washington.
So much has changed for the good in the subsequent years and I'm excited to share my insights and experiences with ASCFG's attendees.
 
 
Click here for Registration and More Details ►
 
 
ENCHANTED MAINE FLORAL WORKSHOP
September 30-October 2, 2018
Hosted by Grace Rayne Hoke, O'Donal's Nursery
Gorham, Maine
Join a true floral immersion where new skills will be taught and your designer’s eye expanded. Experience a creative space for expanding your vision completely focused on locally sourced materials in the SlowFlowers fashion. Inspiring your imagination, delighting your senses, expanding your community and boosting your confidence are the goals with this comprehensive 2 ½ day workshop.
O’Donal’s Nursery is delighted to welcome you to the first annual Floral Workshop. Our new state of the art Geothermal/Solar green house will be the setting for our floral classroom. 
 
 
Click here for Registration and More Details ►
 
 
LISTEN: Slow Flowers Podcasts for May
 
 
 
 
GWA, the Association for Garden Communicators, has just awarded the Slow Flowers Podcast a 2018 SILVER Medal of Achievement for Podcasting.
This national award recognizes individuals and companies who achieve the highest levels of talent and professionalism in garden communications.
The 2018 competition had more than 260 entries in 56 categories. Recipients of the Silver Medal represent the top winners each competition category and will now compete for best of group in the areas of writing, photography, digital media, broadcast media, publishing and trade.
I’m so excited that my peers have recognized this podcast for its accomplishments and I want to share the award with the entire Slow Flowers Community!
 
 
 

Each week the Slow Flowers Podcast releases a new episode featuring timely interviews with flower farmers and floral designers whose wisdom and insights will inspire you!

Listeners have downloaded more than 335,000 episodes to date!

Check out the wide range of guests introduced to you last month and join the thousands of listeners we educate and inform each week:

 
 
Click here to subscribe to the FREE weekly SLOW FLOWERS Podcast►
 
 
Welcome to our New Slow Flowers Members
 
 
 
We welcomed 26 new & renewing members representing 17 states to Slowflowers.com in May! Check them out and be sure to follow and say hello on social media!
Blooming Artisan , Lincoln, R.I.
Dandelion Farm, Lander, WY
*DellaBlooms, Columbia, MD
*Donya's Florals, Columbus, OH
Dorie's Farm Fresh Flowers, S. Brunswick, N.J.
*Fieldsketch Farm, Santa Cruz, CA
*Fleurie Flower Studio, Reedley, CA
Flora Soul Farm, S. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Floral Focus by Design, Arlington, VA
FlowerSchool Portland, Portland, OR
Fresh Cut Flower Farm, Detroit, MI
Glen Cottage Farms, Fultonville, N.Y.
Green Valley Floral, Salinas, CA
*Harmony Harvest Farm, Weyers Cave, VA
HB Farm, Bow, WA
*MeadowWilds, Kingston, NY
Passalongs Farm & Florist, North Hampton, MA
*PepperHarrow Farm, Winterset, IA
*Persephone Farm, Indianola, WA
Ponderosa & Thyme, Salem, OR
Season in Bloom, Peachtree City, GA
*The Modest Florist, Baltimore, MD
*Town & Country Markets, Bainbridge Island, WA
*Windy Acres Farm, Gasport, NY
*Denotes Renewing Members
 
 
Click here to Create Your SLOWFLOWERS.COM Listing►
 
 
Meet the Slow Flowers Team
 
 
 
 
SOCIAL MEDIA MAVEN Niesha Blancas of Fetching Social Media
If we feature you on Instagram or Facebook, it's Niesha you have to thank! 
She loves giving shout-outs to Slow Flowers members, our Podcast guests, our Event Partners and our Summit speakers. Niesha has more than doubled the followers on @myslowflowers since we teamed up last fall. 
 
 
 
 
EVENT DIVA Karen Thornton of Avenue 22 Events.
Karen Thornton is the talent behind the 2nd annual Slow Flowers Summit and I'm so grateful for her counsel, her organizational genius, her strategic planning and her generally chill approach to anything that makes me panic.
We've worked together on two previous events for creativepreneurs and I have to say, Karen's involvement in any event is the *secret sauce* to success! If you attend the Summit, you'll meet both Karen AND Niesha!
Follow Karen at @avenue22events.
 
 
 
Sponsor Thanks
 
 
 

Christina Burton-Fox AIFD floral artist & instructor

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