On a mission for flower ANYTHING…

All Dahlia’d Up received a grant from the Alaska Division of Agriculture to attend the December 2018 Great Lakes Farm Expo; Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market in Grandrapids Michigan. The expo is very well known and attended frequently by fruit, vegetable and greenhouse growers but not so much for the cut flower grower.

I figured since many farming practices can be universal I went with the attitude of “what will work for me”. Also since agrotourism, something we’re already implementing here on our farm, the expo had numerous Farm Marketing educational sessions to attend to as well. So although not completely a perfect fit I was pretty sure I would learn something useful.

But being the flower addict that I am the minute I arrived I was on a mission to find anything remotely cut-flower related.

However, it became apparent rather quickly there wasn’t much, but I was determined. Little did I know I’d have to wait until the last session of the last day of the expo to have my flower wishes granted, which I’ll discuss further down the page.

The first 8 am session was by Zing Train, Zingerman’s. A training about better self-management and creating a vision of greatness. I liked this session, because who doesn’t like visions of greatness? Seriously though it was about leadership training and what it takes to tell your story and build your farm vision. From your mission statement to your strategic plan, which I already have in place but this session was a good refresher.

Up next was all about Agrotourism. Agrotourism if you aren’t familiar with this term, is holding activities and events on agriculture land. The title of this session was Inviting the public onto your farm, talking about the risks and the rewards. Right up my ally since our Flower Farm Tours here on the farm is becoming very popular.  But….

I left the morning sessions still wanting and looking for anything flower related. So off I went to check out the giant farming and farm market tradeshows. What I first found still makes me chuckle if not cringe a little. Blue Poinsettias! I was like what?? I had never seen them before. Although they were for decoration I learned they are actually dyed! Crazy, I knew they used dyes in floristry but not on actual live potted flowering plants! Oh well, there is always tomorrow.

The next day rolled around. I was even more eager to find something cut flower related but instead learned more about business management. Being a commercial farmer takes hard work but also a ton of business knowledge and I want to make sure I continue to improve an learn. These next sessions talked about safety and taking care of your team. All Good stuff…

But still on a mission.

I found vendors for value-added products like soaps, soothing hand locations, baking mixes, donut machines, and packaging.

I found vendors for flower seed, all be it more for greenhouse growing but hey at this point I’m like, I’ll take what I can get.  

I found vendors who sold greenhouses, potting soil, growing lights and pruning snips all of which is used in cut flower growing and harvesting…but still no cut flower anything, really.  

This left me with one more day to full fill my flower mission.

The first session of the day. Tough Times Never Last. Tough families do. Boy, do I know this one up close and personal. Working so close with family can be a real challenge. It takes a great amount of patience and often times pride swallowing but at the end of the day, season etc. if you can navigate well with better communication and no bloodshed (kidding) the better off everyone will be.. Again, good stuff just not flowers!

Up next, Farm Marketing 101, Petting Zoos. All though fun to listen to and see all their animals in powerpoint slides I learned just enough to know I’m not interested! Although still considered Agrotourism dealing with animals is an entirely different beast, no pun intended. I was pleased, however, when the next session went right into staff training and how to hire and train your staff for success and safety. I went away with a checklist to implement, including signage ideas for safety and parking.

You guessed it, still no cut-flower related anything. Yet….

Just about when I was about to give up, I glanced at the session schedule. I saw what happened to be the last session of the day related to anything that I was interested in. There it was…Expanding Agrotourism Offerings in a Slower Season with a “sunflower” field. Let’s just say this session got me so excited with a feeling of “FINALLY” I was practically in tears! Think sunflowers, you pick family fun…GAH!! Need I say more?

Overall the expo was informative and well put together.

Although there wasn’t much about cut flower growing per se, I did learn a lot, I met new people, found useful resources and fostered some new flower dreams.

I’d like to thank the Division of Ag for offering the grant, it was so cool be amongst the 20 some other Alaska farmers. Including my daughter, my father-in-law, both my brother inlaws and a sister-in-law. I’ve been to numerous other flower conferences and events out of state and I hardly see or meet anyone from Alaska. I hope the state will continue to offer these grants as I truly believe more farmers from Alaska will attend and should.

I’m not sure if I’ll attend every year as my scope is; I’m sure you know by now is cut-flower farming and Agrotourism.

Here’s to improved farm management and even bigger Agrowtourism plans here in Alaska.