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2019 Cut Flower Growers Conference


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2019 Cut Flower Growers Conference

March 13-14, 2019

Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center
2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway
Fredericksburg, VA

GO BEYOND THE BOUQUET!

Explore new and exciting options for popular products and trending services for your cut-flower growing business! Hear from local and national buyers about how you can build a relationship that is beneficial for wholesale and retail markets. Learn about growing and marketing pollinator-beneficial plants and flowers, how you can add value and profit with herbs and medicinals—and much more!

The 2019 Cut Flower Growers Conference, hosted by the VSU Small Farm Outreach Program, will bring together new and experienced growers, buyers, vendors and exhibitors, and representatives from government agencies to help you learn how to improve the production and marketability of a cut flower farm business.

$150 per person

10% Discount for Groups of 3 or More

CONFERENCE AGENDA:

The agenda is subject to change prior to the conference.

MARCH 13, 2019 (DAY 1)

REGISTRATION OPENS AT NOON

1:00PM GENERAL SESSION

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Brent Heath (Brent and Becky’s Bulbs)
Brent will discuss the best bulbs for cut flowers selected for longevity of blooms, ease of harvest, and added value of fragrance.

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Brent Heath’s family has been growing bulbs since 1900 when his grandfather moved to eastern Virginia after falling in love with the Daffodil. Today, Brent stills loves daffodils, but his company, Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, offers much more! Their products include bulbs, seeds, perennials, plants, supplements, books, gifts—and is always growing! Brent and his wife Becky live and work on their 28-acre farm and gardens in Gloucester, VA where they work as flower bulb suppliers, garden writers, photographers, lecturers, consultants and educators.

 Brent and Becky have also developed 8+ acres of educational, Chesapeake Bay friendly gardens. These gardens show people how to utilize flower bulbs with annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs without spraying chemicals and to encourage others to treat the Bay watershed with the utmost respect. They continue to work to create an educational foundation where school groups, Master Gardeners and the general public can learn to incorporate these practices in their own gardens.

3:00PM Opportunity for Networking with Vendors & Exhibitors

3:30PM BUYER/GROWER PANEL DISCUSSION

Hear from local and national buyers about the items they are interested in purchasing for their customers. Find out how to connect with both wholesale and retail markets and build beneficial relationships for your business! A question/answer session will offer more opportunities for information and discussion.

Dinner on Your Own

There are plenty of convenient dining options near the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. See a map of nearby restaurants here.


MARCH 14 (DAY 2)
8:00AM REGISTRATION OPEN

Includes Continental Breakfast

 900AM CONCURRENT SESSIONS

  • Floral Design and Foraging, Carolyn Helfrich, Carolyn Helfrich Floral & Landscape Design

  • Dave's Favorite Cut Flower Perennials, Dave Dowling, Fred C. Gloeckner & Company, Inc.

  • Herbalist History, Sister Taliah, Sister Taliah’s Naturals 

10:30AM BREAK

10:45AM CONCURRENT SESSIONS

  • Growing and Marketing High Tunnel & Field Grown Cut Flowers, Jenny and Paul Maloney, owners, Wind Haven Farm

  • Beneficial Wildlife Habitat and Wildflower CSA, Jane Corson-Lassiter, USDA NRCS District Conservationist, Accomac Field Office

  • Marketing Cut Flowers, Thomas & Anita Roberson, owners, Botanical Bites and Provisions LLC

 12:15PM LUNCH

Opportunity for Networking with Vendors & Exhibitors

1:00PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS

  • Growing and Marketing High Tunnel & Field Grown Cut Flowers, Jenny and Paul Maloney, owners, Wind Haven Farm

  • Floral Design and Foraging, Carolyn Helfrich, Carolyn Helfrich Floral & Landscape Design

  • Herbalist History, Sister Taliah, Sister Taliah’s Naturals 

2:30PM BREAK

2:45PM CLOSING SESSION

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dave Dowling, Fred C. Gloeckner & Company, Inc.

Cut Flower Potpourri: From a User to a Pusher
Dave will share his experiences and insights from twenty years of cut flower farming and five years as a sales rep and advisor to cut flower farmers.

David Dowling is the Cut Flower Specialist with Ednie Flower Bulbs, a division of Fred C. Gloeckner & Company. Based in New Jersey, Dave serves growers throughout the United States and Canada.


Conference Registration does not include overnight accommodations.

Hotels located within walking distance of the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center include:

Hampton Inn & Suites Fredericksburg at Celebrate Virginia
1080 Hospitality Lane
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
540.786.5530  |  122 Rooms

Hilton Garden Inn Fredericksburg
1060 Hospitality Lane
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
540.548.8822  |  148 Rooms

Homewood Suites by Hilton at Celebrate Virginia
1040 Hospitality Lane
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
540.786.9700  |  124  Rooms


VENDORS/EXHIBITORS: A limited number of spaces are available for interested exhibitors. Contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at (804) 524-3292 to request more information.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office (smallfarm@vsu.edu) or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

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