A virtual webinar presented by the AIFD® North East, South Central and North West Regions, in partnership with Debra Prinzing of the Slow Flowers Society.
According to Better Homes & Gardens, more than 21 million Americans started gardening in 2020. In a recent Trees.com survey, 64 percent of respondents said they picked up plant-keeping during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 90 percent plan on continuing. This major shift “back to nature” points to heightened consumer interest in plants, gardening, and flowers. In the 2021 Slow Flowers Society member survey, 74 percent of respondents say they anticipate consumers will change floral buying practices in 2021, thanks to an increased awareness of locally-grown flowers and a desire to support local businesses in their community.
According to Debra Prinzing, founder of the Slow Flowers Movement, these attitudes reflect the broader shift in conscious consumerism. More domestic flowers are available than in decades past, underscored by a recent USDA Crop Report that found a 16 percent increase in the number of farms growing flowers.
So how do florists find local flowers? We are bringing together Renee Tucci AIFD, CFD, PFCI from the NE region, Marisa Guerrero AIFD, CFD from the SC region and Gina Thresher AIFD, CFD from the NW region to interview four Slow Flowers members (flower farmers) to discuss best practices for buying local and domestic flowers. Whether this means working with your wholesaler to ensure regular availability of locally-grown flowers and foliage, or tapping into unique collectives and cooperatives representing groups of flower farmers, or forging a closer arrangement with specific flower farms, you have more options available to you than ever before!
During this VIRTUAL WEBINAR, explore the many ways you can incorporate local offerings into your floral enterprise, not as a replacement to your current floral sources, but as an enhancement that telegraphs your brand’s sustainable values to clients, customers, and your community.
Visit www.AIFDNorthEast.com/events to register for this hour-long discussion being held March 9, 2021 at 7 p.m. EST.
By Debra Prinzing
Slow Flowers Society
