“ People do n’t often conceive of Farmer growing bloom , but the deletion flower diligence is significant in Virginia , and is often an excellent reservoir of income for farmers with small acreage , ” said Susan Cheek , Virginia State University ( VSU ) Small Farm Outreach Program ( SFOP ) husbandry direction broker .
To foregather the demand for knowledge and training in this growing industry , the SFOP , part of the Virginia Cooperative Extension programme at VSU , is hosting its 2d track flow growers conference in as many age . The conference is one of close to 200 program the Cooperative Extension program offers through VSU to serve small , circumscribed - resource , socially disadvantaged and military stager farmers and ranchers across Va. to own , wield and operate farm and ranches severally .
This twelvemonth ’s group discussion will be concur March 13 - 14 at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center , 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway , Fredericksburg , Va. The theme is “ Beyond the Bouquet . ”
flower grown at VSU ’s Randolph Farm are used in educational workshops and monstrance that are open to the populace . The flowers also help ring crops on the farm by pull in beneficial insects and pollinator .
“ We are worked up to host this conference again in 2019 . Our 2018 league attain capacity promptly , and we know that small Farmer in Virginia and across the U.S. are extremely concerned in learn how to contain topically grown prime and herbs into their farm operation , ” said SFOP Director William Crutchfield .
Per Akko , flowers are one of the most profitable crop to originate , and they are specially become to little farm operations . A 2014 University of Wyoming Extension issue signal specialty cut flower accomplish crying yields as high as $ 25,000 or $ 30,000 per Akko . At the 2019 Cut Flower Growers Conference , meeter will learn more about the positive results they can get from starting a cut - flower grow operation or adding cut flowers to their current farm product — not only for their profit margin , but for the benefit of human health , dirt ball and wildlife home ground , and the environment .
The two - mean solar day league will bring in together new and experienced agriculturist , purchaser and congressman from governance means to help attendees learn how to improve the production and marketability of a cut flower farm business . Local and interior growers will excuse how to build relationships with wholesale and retail emptor ; cater peak for growing and marketing pollinator - beneficial plants and flowers ; and share insights about instal a high burrow operation to extend the growing season . player will also learn how to add note value and net with herb and medicinals , and see hands - on presentment for flowered design with native wildflowers and herb .
In the curtain raising tonic , Brent Heath , owner of Brent and Becky ’s Bulbs in Gloucester , Va. , will discuss best bulbs for slashed flowers selected for longevity of blooms , relaxation of harvesting and added value of fragrance . In the closing keynote , Dave Dowling will share his experiences and insight from 20 years of cut flower land and five years as a sales agreement repp and advisor to burn efflorescence farmers . Dowling is employed by New Jersey - based Fred C. Gloeckner & Company , Inc. , a horticulture sweeping distributor .
Registration is $ 150 per person , with a 10 per centum bank discount for groups of three or more . To register , visitwww.ext.vsu.edu/calendar , chatter on the effect and then get across on the adjustment link .
person needing further information or have a handicap and desire any assistive devices , military service or other accommodations to participate in this activity , can connect with the VSU Small Farm Outreach Program post at[email protected]or call ( 804 ) 524 - 3292 / ( 800 ) 828 - 1120 ( TDD ) during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations no later than five day prior to the event .
The SFOP provides outreach and assistance activities in production direction , fiscal direction , marketing , available USDA farm programs and other areas to increase farm profitability and promote sustainability . It has recently bring an additional 10 county , fetch the total it serves to 74 . It has also engage extra agriculture management agents and offers public upshot across the DoS . For more information , visithttps://www.ext.vsu.edu/small-farm-outreach-program/.
