Summit - Commercial Dahlia Growers, Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 am

THIS DAHLIA SUMMIT IS DESIGNED FOR THE BEGINNING COMMERCIAL GROWER IN MAINE, BUT ALL ARE WELCOME!

Last season, I made it a mission to meet and encourage as many beginning flower farmers as I could. I quickly realized we were all in different places when it comes to things like how to work with florists, how and when to collect and pay sales tax, and how to manage and fulfill client expectations.

Wedding season in Maine means florists are always scrambling for stems. I was talking with one high-end event designer about their frustrations that so many individual farmers don’t understand the basics, like how to harvest and process stems for the best vase life. They were trying so hard to support local flower farmers, but they were being let down.

I thought to myself, Wouldn’t it be great if we could come together to learn and agree on best practices in the area? Maybe then, more high-end florists would feel confident sourcing stems locally!

ENTER MY BIG IDEA: THE DAHLIA SUMMIT!

Years ago, more people were farming at home, and so we learned by sharing knowledge with our neighbors. Today, we can learn online, but nothing beats an in-person experience, where you can see things up close and ask questions in the room.

Besides being a flower farmer, I’m also an educator. I’m having a great time designing this event, figuring out how best to create and deliver the material we’ll cover. We’ll talk through the lessons I learned the hard way when I went from growing for myself to growing as a business. I often tell my students that usually we learn the most from the worst experiences.

I was an apartment kid. I knew nothing, I mean NOTHING about growing flowers before I started seven seasons ago. I’ve had generous mentors, and even learned some tips directly from florists! If I can do it, you can do it!

TOPICS UNDER CONSIDERATION INCLUDE

• How to approach and work with florists and businesses.

• Green farming practices.

• The importance of soil testing.

• Sales tax and wholesale certificates.

• How to handle cranky customers.

• How to cope with the inevitable overwhelm.

• Managing expectations when it comes to friends wanting your flowers.

• We’ll even plant and stake dahlias as part of our day!

There are so many things I want to cover, and I will have to pick and choose. The great thing is, since it’s limited to 10 people, I’m happy to take input from you about what you are most interested in learning!

If you’re not a commercial grower but want to learn, please check out my workshops at the farm in May and October. I’m also available for one-on-one consults and site visits.

WHAT YOU GET

• A group learning experience with other like-minded beginning commercial growers.

• Tip sheets to take home, and content you are welcome to add to your website.

• Three tubers you can plant at home.

• Soil test kits.

• An up close tuber planting demonstration.

• A certificate of completion that you can share with florists.

All in an intimate, beautiful setting at Tripping Gnome Farm in Freeport, Maine.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF WONDERFUL GUESTS!

Terry Walker-Brown, a professional tax advisor based in Falmouth. Terry has done my taxes for years, and helped me understand some things to consider as I started my business.

Fellow grower Jessica Preston of Ethel’s Maine. Jess will talk about cultivating partnerships with businesses and fellow growers.

ABOUT TRIPPING GNOME FARM, OUR HOST

Robin Silverman and Harry Keates run Tripping Gnome Farm, where they grow mushrooms, microgreens, and field produce. The farm has various spaces to rent out for events. I chose this spot because it’s beautiful and has the basic conveniences suitable for a half-day workshop.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT LOGISTICS-WISE

Coffee and bagels will be provided in the morning.

Please bring a bag lunch so that we can keep learning!

We will be seated indoors at a long table and will take stretch breaks.

Various supplies will be available for purchase.

Restrooms are available.

Parking is free and easy.

PRICING AND EVENT CAP

THIS EVENT IS LIMITED TO 10 PEOPLE. It is likely to sell out very quickly.

If anything comes up and you won’t be able to attend, it’s important that you understand that there will be no refunds for cancellations 48 hours before the event. Any cancellation after April 25 will incur a 50% cancellation fee, unless the spot is filled. I want to keep pricing in reach for the average beginner, but please remember that I’m paying to rent the venue, and am also paying our guests, so please respect the cancellation policy.

Thank you!